[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 19, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20139-20140]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-5859]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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 pre-clearance 
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 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting

[[Page 20140]]

comments concerning the proposed revision of the ``Consumer Price Index 
Housing Survey.'' A copy of the proposed information collection request 
(ICR) can be obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the 
Addresses section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
Addresses section below on or before June 19, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Amy A. Hobby, BLS Clearance Officer, 
Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4080, 
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Washington, DC 20212, telephone 202-691-
7628. (This is not a toll free number.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy A. Hobby, BLS Clearance Officer, 
telephone 202-691-7628. (See ADDRESSES Section.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is the timeliest instrument compiled 
by the U.S. Government that is designed to measure changes in the 
purchasing power of the urban consumer's dollar. The CPI is used most 
widely as a measure of inflation, and is used in the formulation of 
economic policy. It also is used as a deflator of other economic 
series, that is, to adjust other series for price changes and to 
translate these series into inflation-free dollars.

II. Current Action

    Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for the 
CPI Housing Survey. This request addresses both the ongoing collection 
activities associated with compilation of the shelter component of the 
Consumer Price Index and the beginning of a project to revise and 
update the CPI sample of rental units for which rents are collected 
over time.
    The CPI continues to utilize electronic technology in the 
collection of data. Field representatives use hand-held pen computers 
and electronically collect and transmit data back to Washington, DC.

III. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in 
comments that:
     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.
    Type of Review: Revision.
    Agency: The Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Title: CPI Housing Survey.
    OMB Number: 1220-0163.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-
profit.
    Total Respondents: 88,234.
    Frequency: Semi-annually.
    Total Responses: 114,351.
    Average Time Per Response: 6 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 11,652 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.
    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 also will become a 
matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 11th day of April 2006.
Cathy Kazanowski,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. E6-5859 Filed 4-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-P