[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 116 (Monday, June 16, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34041-34042]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13438]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request of the ETA 581, 
Contribution Operations Report; Extension Without Change

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration.

ACTION: Notice.

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

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 collection 
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.
    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 section below on or before August 15, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Bill Whitt, U.S. Department of Labor, 
Employment and Training Administration, Office of Workforce Security, 
200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Frances Perkins Bldg. Room S-4231, 
Washington, DC 20210, telephone number (202) 693-3219 (this is not a 
toll-free number) or by e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    I. Background: The Office of Workforce Security (OWS) of the 
Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has responsibility for the 
Tax Performance System (TPS), which evaluates the employer-related or 
tax functions of the UI program. The Contribution Operations report 
(Form ETA 581) is a comprehensive report of each state's UI tax 
operations and is essential in providing quarterly tax performance data 
to OWS. ETA 581 data are the basis for measuring the performance and 
effectiveness of the states' UI tax operations. Using ETA 581 data, the 
TPS program measures performance, accuracy, and promptness in employer 
registration (status determinations), report delinquency, collections 
(accounts receivable), and the audit function.
    II. Desired Focus of Comments: Currently, the Employment and 
Training Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed 
extension collection of the ETA 581, Contribution Operations Report. 
Comments are requested to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary to assess 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 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: It is important that approval of the ETA 581 
report be

[[Page 34042]]

extended because this report is the only vehicle for collection of 
information required under the TPS program. If ETA 581 data were not 
collected, there would be no basis for determining the adequacy of 
funding for states' UI tax operations, making projections and forecasts 
in the budgetary process, nor measuring program performance and 
effectiveness. The ETA 581 accounts receivable data are necessary in 
the preparation of complete and accurate financial statements for the 
Unemployment Trust Fund (UTF) and the maintenance of a modified accrual 
system for UTF accounting.
    Type of Review: Extension without change.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: ETA 581, Report on Contribution Operations.
    OMB Number: 1205-0178.
    Agency Number: ETA 581.
    Recordkeeping: Respondent is expected to maintain data, which 
support the reported data for three years.
    Affected Public: State Government.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: ETA 581.
    Total Respondents: 53.
    Frequency: Quarterly.
    Total Responses: 212.
    Average Time per Response: 8.5 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,802.
    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: Wednesday, June 4, 2008.
Cheryl Atkinson,
Administrator, Office of Workforce Security.
 [FR Doc. E8-13438 Filed 6-13-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-FW-P