[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 77 (Tuesday, April 22, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19850-19851]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9876]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. The 
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the 
proposed extension of ``General Inquiries to State Agency Contacts.'' A 
copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the Addresses 
section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section below on or before June 23, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Amy A. Hobby, BLS Clearance Officer, 
Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4080, 
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Washington, DC 20212, telephone number 
202-691-7628 (this is not a toll-free number).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy A. Hobby, BLS Clearance Officer, 
telephone number 202-691-7628. (See ADDRESSES section).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) awards funds to State agencies 
in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the 
Virgin Islands, and American Samoa (hereinafter referred to as the 
``States'') in order to jointly conduct BLS/State Labor Market 
Information and Occupational Safety and Health Statistics cooperative 
statistical programs, which themselves have been approved by OMB 
separately, as follows:

Current Employment Statistics--1220-0011
Local Area Unemployment Statistics--1220-0017
Occupational Employment Statistics--1220-0042
Employment and Wages Report--1220-0012
    Annual Refiling Survey--1220-0032
    Multiple Worksite Report--1220-0134
Mass Layoff Statistics--1220-0090
Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries & Illnesses--1220-0045
Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries--1220-0133

(This list of BLS/State cooperative statistical programs may change 
over time.)

    To ensure the timely flow of data and to be able to evaluate and 
improve the programs, it is necessary to conduct ongoing communications 
between BLS and its State partners. Whether information requests deal 
with program deliverables, program enhancements, or administrative 
issues, questions and dialogue are crucial to the successful 
implementation of these programs.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    The BLS is particularly interested in comments that:
    [sbull] Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    [sbull] Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
    [sbull] Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    [sbull] Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.

III. Current Action

    Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance is being sought for 
General Inquiries to State Agency Contacts. Information collected under 
this clearance is used to support the administrative and programmatic 
needs of jointly conducted BLS/State Labor Market Information and 
Occupational Safety and Health Statistics cooperative statistical 
programs.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Title: General Inquiries to State Agency Contacts.
    OMB Number: 1220-0168.
    Affected Public: State, local, or tribal government.
    Total Respondents: 55.
    Frequency: As needed.
    Total Responses: 23,890.
    Average Time Per Response: 40 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 15,762 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the information 
collection request; they also will become a matter of public record.


[[Page 19851]]


    Signed in Washington, DC, this 7th day of April, 2003.
Jes[uacute]s Salinas,
Acting Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor 
Statistics.
[FR Doc. 03-9876 Filed 4-21-03; 8:45 am]
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