[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 57 (Monday, March 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14139-14140]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-5430]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Proposed Collection for the Confidentiality & Disclosure of State 
Unemployment Compensation Information Final Rule and State Income and 
Eligibility Verification Provisions of the Deficit Reduction Act of 
1984; Comment Request

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

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 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 the regulatory 
requirements of the Confidentiality and Disclosure of State

[[Page 14140]]

Unemployment Compensation Information final rule and State Income and 
Eligibility Verification System (IEVS) provisions of the Deficit 
Reduction Act of 1984.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section 
of this notice or by accessing: http://www.doleta.gov/OMBCN/OMBControlNumber.cfm.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee's section below on or before May 25, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Employment and Training 
Administration, Office of Workforce Security, 200 Constitution Avenue, 
NW., Room C4518, Washington, DC 20210, Attention: Julie Balster. 
Telephone number: 202-693-3615 (this is not a toll-free number). Fax: 
202-693-2874. E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 established an income and 
eligibility verification system (IEVS) for the exchange of information 
among state agencies administering specific programs. The programs 
include Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid, Food Stamps, 
Supplemental Security Income, Unemployment Compensation and any state 
program approved under Title I, X, XIV, or XVI of the Social Security 
Act. Under the Act, programs participating must exchange information to 
the extent that it is useful and productive in verifying eligibility 
and benefit amounts to assist the child support program and the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services in verifying eligibility and 
benefit amounts under Titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act.
    On September 27, 2006, the Employment and Training Administration 
of the Department of Labor issued a final rule regarding the 
Confidentiality and Disclosure of State Unemployment Compensation 
Information. This rule supports and expands upon the requirements of 
the 1984 Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 and subsequent regulatory 
changes.

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

    As the only continuous source of income and eligibility 
verification, the data are required by other agencies to administer and 
monitor multiple programs. The Confidentiality and Disclosure of State 
Unemployment Compensation Information rule amends the IEVS rule and 
provides regulatory revisions at 20 CFR part 603 in accordance with SSA 
Section 303(a)(1) related to the methods of administration requirement 
and supports the statutory requirements for SSA Sections 303(a)(7), 
(c)(1), (d), (e), (f), (h) and (i).
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Confidentiality and Disclosure of State Unemployment 
Compensation Information/Income Eligibility Verification System.
    OMB Number: 1205-0238.
    Agency Number: None.
    Record Keeping: State governments.
    Affected Public: State governments.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc.: Section 303 of Title III of the Social 
Security Act.
    Total Respondents: 53 state agencies.
    Frequency: Quarterly.
    Total Responses: 212.
    Average Time per Response: 1 minute.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 24,104 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this comment request 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 19, 2007.
Cheryl Atkinson,
Administrator, Office of Workforce Security.
[FR Doc. E7-5430 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am]
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