[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 51 (Thursday, March 16, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13632-13633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3840]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Extension of the Unemployment Insurance 
(UI) Title XII Advances and Voluntary Repayment Process

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

[[Page 13633]]

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, Office of Workforce Security, is soliciting comments 
concerning the proposed extension of the process for requesting 
advances from the Federal Unemployment Account (FUA) and repayment of 
such advances under Title XII of the Social Security Act (SSA). 
Technically, there is no request for information. There is, however, a 
paperwork burden on states because they must prepare and transmit 
formal requests for advances and transfers to repay those advances. A 
copy of the proposed procedure can be obtained by contacting the office 
listed below in the addressee section of this notice or at http://www.doleta.gov/Performance/guidance/OMBControlNumber.cfm.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 15, 2006.

ADDRESSES: James E. Herbert, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and 
Training Administration, Room S 4231, 200 Constitution Ave, NW., 
Washington, DC 20210; Phone: 202-693-2926 (this is not a toll-free 
number); Fax: 202-693-2874; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Title XII section 1201 of the SSA provides for advances to states 
from the FUA. The law further sets out specific requirements to be met 
by a state requesting an advance:
    [cir] The Governor must apply for the advance;
    [cir] The application must cover a three month period and the 
Secretary of Labor must be furnished with estimates of the amounts 
needed in each month of the three month period;
    [cir] The application must be made on such forms and shall contain 
such information and data (fiscal and otherwise) concerning the 
operation and administration of the state unemployment compensation law 
as the Secretary of Labor deems necessary or relevant to the 
performance of his or her duties under this title;
    [cir] The amount required by any state for the payment of 
compensation in any month shall be determined with due allowance for 
contingencies and taking into account all other amounts that will be 
available in the state's unemployment fund for the payment of 
compensation in such month;
    [cir] The term ``compensation'' means cash benefits payable to 
individuals with respect to their unemployment exclusive of expenses of 
administration.
    Section 1202(a) of the SSA provides that the Governor of any state 
may at any time request that funds be transferred from the account of 
such state to the FUA in repayment of part or all of the balance of 
advances made to such state under section 1201. These applications and 
repayments may be requested by an individual designated for that 
authority in writing by the Governor. The DOL proposes to extend this 
procedure through June, 2009. The DOL also proposes to allow states the 
option of submitting electronic requests for advances or continuing the 
current practice of submitting letters.

II. Review Focus

    The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments 
which:
    [cir] Evaluate whether the proposed extension of the current 
procedure is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility;
    [cir] Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
of the proposed extension of the current procedure, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
    [cir] Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the procedure; 
and
    [cir] Minimize the burden of the procedure on those who are to 
respond, including 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.

III. Current Actions

    Type of Review: This action is requested to maintain the continuity 
of current procedures which have succeeded in the orderly application 
and repayment operations at both the state and Federal levels.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration, Department of 
Labor.
    Title: Extension of the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Title XII 
Advances and Voluntary Repayment Process.
    OMB Number: 1205-0199.
    Affected Public: State governments.
    Total Respondents: 50 states, Washington, DC, the Virgin Islands, 
and Puerto Rico are covered by this process.
    Frequency: As needed, based on a state's discretion.
    Total Responses: The DOL projects 7 states will borrow between 2006 
and 2009 and that borrowing states will average 4 requests for advances 
and 4 requests for voluntary repayments each year. This results in 56 
total responses per year.
    Average Time Per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 56 per year.
    Estimated Total Burden Cost: None.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice 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 3, 2006.
Cheryl Atkinson,
Administrator, Office of Workforce Security.
[FR Doc. E6-3840 Filed 3-15-06; 8:45 am]
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