[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 102 (Friday, May 27, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30816-30817]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-2691]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


 ETA-581 Report on Contribution Operations; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL), 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 approval of Form ETA 581, 
Contribution Operations. A copy of the proposed information collection 
request (ICR) can be obtained directly from the ETA Web Page: http://www.doleta.gov/Performance/Guidance/OMBControlNumber.cfm or by 
contacting the office listed below in the ADDRESSEE section of this 
notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below on or before July 26, 2005.

ADDRESSEE: Bill Whitt, Room S-4522, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20210; telephone number: 202-693-3219 (this is not a 
toll-free number); internet address: [email protected]; facsimile 
number: 202-693-3229.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

 I. Background

    The Office of Workforce Security (OWS) of the Employment and 
Training Administration (ETA) has responsibility for the Tax 
Performance System (TPS) which evaluates the employer-related or tax 
functions of the UI program. The Contribution Operations report (Form 
ETA 581) is a comprehensive report of each state's UI tax operations 
and is essential in providing quarterly tax performance data to OWS. 
ETA 581 data are the basis for measuring the performance and 
effectiveness of the states' UI tax operations. Using ETA 581 data, the 
TPS program measures performance, accuracy, and promptness in employer 
registration (status determinations), report delinquency, collections 
(accounts receivable), and the audit function.

II. Review Focus

    The Department of Labor 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.

III. Current Actions

    It is important that approval of the ETA 581 report be extended 
because this report is the only vehicle for collection of information 
required under the TPS program. If ETA 581 data were not collected, 
there would be no basis for determining the adequacy of funding for 
states' UI tax operations, making projections and forecasts in the 
budgetary process, nor measuring program performance and effectiveness.
    The ETA 581 accounts receivable data are necessary in the 
preparation of complete and accurate financial statements for the 
Unemployment Trust Fund (UTF) and the maintenance of a modified accrual 
system for UTF accounting.
    Type of Review: Extension without change.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: ETA 581, Report on Contribution Operations.
    OMB Number: 1205-0178.
    Agency Number: ETA 581.
    Recordkeeping: Respondent is expected to maintain data which 
support the reported data for three years.
    Affected Public: State Government.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: ETA 581.
    Total Respondents: 53.
    Frequency: Quarterly.
    Total Responses: 212.
    Average Time per Response: 8.5 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,802.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $-0-.
    Comments submitted in response to this comment request will be 
summarized and/or included in the

[[Page 30817]]

request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information 
collection request; they will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: May 9, 2005.
Cheryl Atkinson,
Administrator, Office of Workforce Security.
[FR Doc. E5-2691 Filed 5-26-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P