[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 9, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11043-11044]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5242]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Administrative Procedures

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, DOL.

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 preclearance 
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 (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. A copy of the 
proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting 
the office listed below in the addressee section of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 10, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Robert Johnston, Room C-4512, U.S. 
Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20210, telephone: (202) 693-3005 (this is not a toll-free number); 
Internet address: [email protected], fax: (202) 693-2874.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration 
regulations, 20 CFR part 601, Administrative Procedures, contains 
collection of information requirements at Sec. Sec.  601.2 and 601.3. 
Section 601.2 requires states to submit copies of their unemployment 
compensation laws for approval by the Secretary of Labor so that the 
Secretary may determine the status of state laws and plans of 
operation. Section 601.3 requires states to ``submit all relevant state 
materials such as statutes, executive and administrative orders, legal 
opinions, rules, regulations, interpretations, court decisions, etc.'' 
These materials are used by the Secretary to determine whether the 
state law contains provisions required by section 3304(a) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Grants of funds are made to states for 
the administration of their employment security laws if their 
unemployment compensation laws and their plans of operation for public 
employment offices meet required conditions of Federal laws. The 
information transmitted by Form MA 8-7 is used by the Secretary to make 
findings (as specified in the above cited Federal laws) required for 
certification to the Secretary of the Treasury for payment to states or 
for certification of the state law for purposes of additional tax 
credit. If this information is not available, the Secretary cannot make 
such certifications. To facilitate transmittal of required material, 
the Department prescribes the use of Form MA 8-7, Transmittal for 
Unemployment Insurance Materials. This simple check off form is used by 
the states to identify material being transmitted to the National 
Office and allows the material to be routed to appropriate staff for 
prompt action.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    Currently, the Employment and Training Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed extension of the MA 8-7, Transmittal 
for Unemployment Insurance Materials.
    The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments 
that:
     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;
     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;

[[Page 11044]]

     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     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 Actions

    States cannot be certified if this information is not collected and 
Form MA 8-7 greatly facilitates the collection and transmittal process.
    Type of Review: Extension without change.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Transmittal for Unemployment Insurance Materials.
    OMB Number: 1205-0222.
    Agency Number: MA 8-7.
    Affected Public: State Governments.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: MA 8-7.
    Total Respondents: 53.
    Frequency: As needed.
    Total Responses: 3,120.
    Average Time per Response: 1 minute.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 52 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): None.
    Comments submitted in response to this comment request will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and 
Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also 
become a matter of public record.

    Dated: March 1, 2004.
Emily Stover DeRocco,
Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training.
[FR Doc. 04-5242 Filed 3-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P