[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 233 (Wednesday, December 5, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68594-68595]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23555]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


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

[[Page 68595]]

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 part 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. E7-23555 Filed 12-4-07; 8:45 am]
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