[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 228 (Monday, November 29, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69411-69412]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E4-3355]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


State Quality Service Plan (SQSP); Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 a provision of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 at 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 (ETA) 
is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the State 
Quality Service Plan (SQSP).
    Guidelines for completion and submittal of the SQSP are contained 
in ETA Handbook 336, 17th Edition. Fiscal year-specific information 
such as Federal program emphasis, or additional budget allocations, 
will be provided annually in an implementation directive that will 
initiate the planning process each year. The requirements of the 
reporting and data collection process itself will remain unchanged from 
year to year. Copies of the SQSP Handbook may be obtained by contacting 
the addressee below. The Handbook is also available on the Internet at 
http://www.workforcesecurity.doleta.gov.

DATES: Submit comments on or before January 28, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Delores A. Mackall, U.S. Department of 
Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room S-4231, Washington, DC 20210, 
(202) 693-3183 (this is not a toll-free number); fax, (202) 693-3975; 
Internet: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Delores A. Mackall, U.S. Department of 
Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room S-4231, Washington, DC 20210, 
(202) 693-3183 (this is not a toll-free number); fax, (202) 693-3975; 
Internet: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The SQSP is the planning instrument for the Unemployment Insurance 
(UI) system nationwide. The statutory basis for the SQSP is Title III 
of the Social Security Act, which establishes conditions for each State 
to receive grant funds to administer its UI program. Plans are prepared 
annually, since funds for UI operations are appropriated each year. 
ETA's annual budget request for State UI operations contains workload 
assumptions for which a State must plan in order for the Secretary of 
Labor to carry out her responsibilities under Title III. ETA issues 
financial planning targets based on the budget request. States make 
plans based on these assumptions and targets.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    Currently, the Department of Labor is soliciting comments 
concerning the proposed extension collection of the UI SQSP. 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 submission of responses.
    A copy of the proposed ICR can be obtained by contacting the office 
listed above in the addressee section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    ETA proposes to extend this clearance which contains a reduction in 
burden hours. The reduction in hours is a result of changes to the SQSP 
which stemmed from a 5-year review of UI Performs. The number of 
measures for which a state is held accountable has been reduced; 
however, the average number of corrective action plans that states must 
submit for not meeting the criteria has increased. States are no longer 
required to submit continuous improvement plans. The SQSP narrative has 
been streamlined to exclude previously required Focus narratives. 
Additionally, states will no longer be required to address 
environmental factors, such as economic conditions, political climate, 
labor/business relationships, or state legislative issues. States will 
describe in a single narrative: performance in comparison to the 
Government Performance Results Act (GPRA) goals; results of customer 
satisfaction surveys, which is optional; and actions planned to correct 
deficiencies regarding program reviews,

[[Page 69412]]

reporting requirements, and the Benefits Accuracy Measurement (BAM), 
Tax Performance System (TPS), and Data Validation (DV) programs. States 
are requested to submit the SQSP and the required signature page 
electronically.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Unemployment Insurance State Quality Service Plan (SQSP)
    OMB Number: 1205-0132.
    Affected Public: State Workforce Agencies (SWAs).
    Total Respondents: 53.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Average Time per Response: 3.14 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1829 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Cost: $0.

Cheryl Atkinson,
Administrator, Office of Workforce Security.
[FR Doc. E4-3355 Filed 11-26-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P