[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 233 (Wednesday, December 5, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 68594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23534]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


Proposed Information Collection Request for the ETA 586, 
Interstate Arrangement for Combining Employment and Wages; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration.

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 Employment and Training Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed extension of the report for the 
Interstate Arrangement for Combining Employment and Wages, Form ETA 
586.
    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: Submit comments on or before February 4, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Keith P. Ribnick, Office of Workforce 
Security, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of 
Labor, Room S-4516, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, 
telephone number (202) 693-3223 (this is not a toll-free number).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith P. Ribnick, Office of Workforce 
Security, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of 
Labor, Room S-4516, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, 
telephone number (202) 693-3223 (this is not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    I. Background: Section 3304(a)(9)(B), of the Internal Revenue Code 
(IRC) of 1986, requires states to participate in an arrangement for 
combining employment and wages covered under the different state laws 
for the purpose of determining unemployed workers' entitlement to 
unemployment compensation. The Interstate Arrangement for Combining 
Employment and Wages for combined wage claims (CWC), promulgated at 20 
CFR 616, requires the prompt transfer of all relevant and available 
employment and wage data between states upon request. The Benefit 
Payment Promptness Standard, 20 CFR part 640, requires the prompt 
payment of unemployment compensation including benefits paid under the 
CWC arrangement. The ETA 586 report provides the ETA/Office of 
Workforce Security with information necessary to measure the scope and 
effect of the CWC program and monitor the performance of each state in 
responding to wage transfer data requests and the payment of benefits.
    II. Desired Focus of Comments: Currently, the Department of Labor 
is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the report 
for the Interstate Arrangement for Combining Employment and Wages, ETA 
586. The Department is particularly interested in comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the CWC 
program, 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.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
obtained by contacting the office listed above in the addressee section 
of this notice.
    III. Current Actions: This information is necessary in order for 
ETA to analyze program performance, know when corrective action plans 
are needed and to target technical assistance resources. Without this 
report, it would be impossible for the ETA to identify claims and 
benefit activity under the CWC program and carry out the Secretary's 
responsibility for program oversight.
    Type of Review: Extension without change.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Interstate Arrangement for Combining Employment and Wages.
    OMB Number: 1205-0029.
    Agency Number: ETA 586.
    Recordkeeping: 3 years.
    Affected Public: State Government.
    Cite/Reference/Form: ETA Handbook No. 401, ETA 586.
    Total Respondents: 53.
    Frequency: Quarterly.
    Total Responses: 212.
    Average Time per Response: 4 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 848.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): N/A.
    Total Burden Cost: $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: November 28, 2007.
Cheryl Atkinson,
Administrator, Office of Workforce Security.
[FR Doc. E7-23534 Filed 12-4-07; 8:45 am]
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