[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 11, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48840-48841]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-18389]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Annual Capital Expenditures Survey

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506 (c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 12, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Charles Funk, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 1285-3, 
Washington, DC 20233-6400, (301) 763-3331 or via the Internet at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Census Bureau plans the continuing information collection 
for the 2004 through 2006 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey (ACES). 
The annual survey collects data on fixed assets and depreciation, sales 
and receipts, capitalized computer software, and capital expenditures 
for new and used structures and equipment. The ACES is the sole source 
of detailed comprehensive statistics on actual business spending by 
domestic, private, nonfarm businesses operating in the United States. 
Both employer and nonemployer companies are included in the survey. The 
Bureau of Economic Analysis, the primary Federal user of our annual 
program statistics, uses the information in refining and evaluating 
annual estimates of investment in structures and equipment in the 
national income and product accounts, compiling annual input-output 
tables, and computing gross domestic product by industry. The Federal 
Reserve Board uses the data to improve estimates of investment 
indicators for monetary policy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses the 
data to improve estimates of capital stocks for productivity analysis.
    Industry analysts use these data for market analysis, economic 
forecasting, identifying business opportunities, product development, 
and business planning.
    Changes from the previous ACES are the elimination of the 
collection of detailed capital expenditures by type of structure and 
type of equipment, and the incorporation of the 2002 North American 
Industry Classification System (NAICS) into the ACES.
    Detailed capital expenditures by type of structure and type of 
equipment data were collected in the 2003 ACES. These data, collected 
together once every five years, will not be requested again until the 
2008 ACES.
    Previous year's estimates of capital expenditures were published on 
the 1997 NAICS basis. Beginning with the 2004 ACES, we will collect and 
publish data on the 2002 NAICS. Industries in the survey will be 
comprised of 3-digit and selected 4-digit 2002 NAICS codes.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will use mail out/mail back survey forms to 
collect data. Employer companies will be mailed one of three forms 
based on their diversity of operations and number of industries with 
payroll. Companies that operate in only one industry will receive an 
ACE-1 (S) form. Companies operating in more than one, but less than 
nine industries will receive an ACE-1 (M) form. And, companies that 
operate in nine or more industries will receive an ACE-1 (L). All 
nonemployer companies will receive ACE-2 forms. Respondent companies 
are permitted to respond via facsimile machine using our toll-free 
number. Companies will be asked to respond to the survey within 30 days 
of the initial mailing. Letters and/or telephone calls encouraging 
participation will be directed to companies that have not responded by 
the designated time.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0782.
    Form Number: ACE-1(S), ACE-1(M), ACE-1(L), and ACE-2.
    Type of Review: Regular Review.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, non-
profit institutions, small businesses or

[[Page 48841]]

organizations, and self-employed individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Approximately 61,000 (46,000 
employer companies, and 15,000 nonemployer businesses).
    Estimated Time Per Response: The average for all respondents is 
2.18 hours. For employer companies completing form ACE-1, the range is 
from 2 to 16 hours, averaging 2.56 hours. For nonemployer companies 
completing form ACE-2, the range is less than 1 hour to 2 hours, 
averaging 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 132,980 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Respondents: $3 million.
    Respondents' Obligation: Mandatory.


    Legal Authority: Title 13 United States Code, Sections 182, 224, 
and 225.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: August 6, 2004.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-18389 Filed 8-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P