[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 198 (Thursday, October 14, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61047-61048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E4-2604]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Interstate Arrangement for Combining 
Employment and Wages

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 (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. 
Currently, the Employment and Training Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed extension of the report for the 
Interstate Arrangement for Combining Employment and Wages, Form ETA 
586.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section 
of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before December 13, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Mary E. Montgomery, Office of Workforce 
Security, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of 
Labor, Room S-4516, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, 
telephone number (202) 693-3217 (this is not a toll-free number).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary E. Montgomery, Office of 
Workforce Security, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Room S-4516, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20210, telephone number (202) 693-3217 (this is not a 
toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 3304(a)(9)(B), of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) of 1986, 
requires states to participate in an arrangement for combining 
employment and wages covered under the different state laws for the 
purpose of determining unemployed workers' entitlement to unemployment 
compensation. The Interstate Arrangement for Combining Employment and 
Wages for combined wage claims (CWC), promulgated at 20 CFR part 616, 
requires the prompt transfer of all available employment and wages 
between states upon request. The Benefit Payment Promptness Standard, 
20 CFR 640, requires the prompt payment of unemployment compensation 
including benefits paid under the CWC arrangement. The ETA 586 report 
provides the ETA/Office of Workforce Security with information 
necessary to measure the scope and effect of the CWC program and 
monitor the performance of each state in responding to wage transfer 
requests and the payment of benefits.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    Currently, the Department of Labor is soliciting comments 
concerning the proposed extension of the report for the Interstate 
Arrangement for Combining Employment and Wages, ETA 586. The Department 
is particularly interested in comments which:
     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;
     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.

[[Page 61048]]

    A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
obtained by contacting the office listed above in the address section 
of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    This information is necessary in order for ETA to analyze program 
performance, know when corrective action plans are needed and to target 
technical assistance resources. Without this report, it would be 
impossible for the ETA to identify claims and benefit activity under 
the CWC program and carry out the Secretary's responsibility for 
program oversight.
    Type of Review: Extension without change.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Interstate Arrangement for Combining Employment and Wages.
    OMB Number: 1205-0029.
    Agency Number: ETA 586.
    Recordkeeping: 3 years.
    Affected Public: State Government.
    Cite/Reference/Form: ETA Handbook No. 401, ETA 586.
    Total Respondents: 53.
    Frequency: Quarterly.
    Total Responses: 212.
    Average Time Per Response: 4 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 848.
    Total Burden Cost (Capital/Startup): N/A.
    Total Burden Cost: $0.
    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: October 7, 2004.
Cheryl Atkinson,
Administrator, Office of Workforce Security.
[FR Doc. E4-2604 Filed 10-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P