[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 5, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 17074]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4887]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Commerce has submitted to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for 
collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).
    Agency: U.S. Census Bureau.
    Title: Annual Survey of Local Government Finances (School Systems).
    Form Number(s): F-33, F-33-1, F-33-L1, F-33-L2, F-33-L3.
    Agency Approval Number: 0607-0700.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Burden: 4,009 hours.
    Number of Respondents: 3,269.
    Average Hours Per Response: 1 hour and 13 minutes.
    Needs and Uses: The Census Bureau's collection of school district 
finance data and associated publications is the most comprehensive 
sources for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 finance data. The data 
are collected from the universe of school districts using uniform 
definitions and concepts of revenue, expenditure, debt, and assets. 
This effort is part of the Census Bureau's Annual Survey of State and 
Local Governments. Data collected from cities, counties, states, and 
special district governments are combined with data collected from 
local school systems to produce state and national totals of government 
spending. Local school system spending comprises a significant portion 
of total government spending. In 2002, public elementary-secondary 
expenditure accounted for over 30% of total local government outlays.
    In addition to the historical significance in the state and local 
government statistics community, this collection of school system 
finance data has taken on added importance within the area of education 
statistics. With the reauthorization of the Elementary Secondary 
Education Act (ESEA) by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in 2001, 
there is increased demand for detailed information about our Nation's 
public schools. This focus has led to a demand for data reflecting 
student performance, graduation rates, and school finance policy. State 
legislatures, local leaders, university researchers, and parents 
increasingly rely on data to make substantive decisions about 
education. School district finance is a vital sector of the education 
data spectrum used by these stakeholders to form policy, develop new 
education strategies, and even decide where to locate their families.
    We are requesting modifications to Form F-33. Minor local revenue 
items will be added to the Part I.A Local Revenue section. These items 
include revenue from ``Sales of property and other capital assets,'' 
``Fines and forfeits,'' ``Rents,'' ``Royalties,'' and ``Private 
donations.'' In previous surveys, respondents were instructed to report 
these items under ``Miscellaneous other local revenue.'' They will be 
included as separate items beginning with this survey cycle to coincide 
with other government surveys conducted by the Census Bureau. The 
impact of reporting these new items is discussed in Question 5 and 
Question 12.
    The education finance data collected and processed by the Census 
Bureau are an essential component of the government finances program 
and provide unique products for education data user groups.
    Affected Public: State, local or tribal Government.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, Section 161, of the United States Code 
requires the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a census of governments 
every fifth year. Section 182 allows the Secretary to make annual 
surveys in other years. These authorizations include, but are not 
limited to, collecting and disseminating ``data on taxes * * * 
governmental receipts, expenditures, indebtedness * * * of states, 
counties, cities, and other governmental units.''
    OMB Desk Officer: Susan Schechter, (202) 395-5103.
    Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained 
by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance 
Officer, (202)482-0266, Department of Commerce, room 6625, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice 
to Susan Schechter, OMB Desk Officer either by fax (202-395-7245) or e-
mail ([email protected]).

    Dated: March 30, 2006.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E6-4887 Filed 4-4-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P