[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 7, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-31445]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Quarterly 
Financial Report

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before March 9, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Demetria V. Hanna, U.S. Census Bureau, HQ-6K181, 
Washington, DC 20233, Telephone (301) 763-6600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau's Quarterly Financial Report Program (QFR) is 
planning to expand to include selected Services sectors in the scope of 
collection along with corporations currently surveyed in the 
Manufacturing, Mining, Wholesale Trade, and Retail Trade sectors. A new 
QFR 300 (S) form will be used to collect data from the Information 
sector, and selected industries in the Professional, Scientific, and 
Technical Services sector.
    The QFR forms to be submitted for approval are: The QFR 200 (MT) 
long form; QFR 201 (MG) short form; and the new QFR 300 (S) long form. 
The QFR 200 (MT) and the 201 (MG) have been updated to improve 
usability for respondents.
    The QFR Program has published up-to-date aggregate statistics on 
the financial results and position of U.S. corporations since 1947. The 
QFR is a principal economic indicator that also provides financial data 
essential to the calculation of key Government measures of national 
economic performance. The importance of this data collection is 
reflected by the granting of specific authority to conduct the program 
in Title 13 of the United States Code, section 91, which requires that 
financial statistics of business operations be collected and published 
quarterly. Public Law 109-79 extended the authority of the Secretary of 
Commerce to conduct the QFR Program under section 91 through September 
30, 2015.
    The main purpose of the QFR is to provide timely, accurate data on 
business financial conditions for use by Government and private-sector 
organizations and individuals. The primary public users are U.S. 
Governmental organizations with economic policymaking responsibilities. 
In turn, these organizations play a major role in providing guidance, 
advice, and support to the QFR Program. The primary private-sector data 
users are a diverse group including universities, financial analysts, 
unions, trade associations, public libraries, banking institutions, and 
U.S. and foreign corporations.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau uses two forms of data collection: Mail out/mail 
back paper survey forms and a secure, encrypted Internet data 
collection system called Census Taker. Census Taker provides improved 
quality with automatic data checks and is context-sensitive to assist 
the data provider in identifying potential reporting problems before 
submission, thus reducing the need for follow-up. Census Taker is 
completed via the Internet eliminating the need for downloading 
software and increasing the integrity and confidentiality of the data.
    Companies are asked to respond to the survey within 25 days of the 
end of the quarter for which the data are being requested. Letters and/
or telephone calls encouraging participation are directed to companies 
in the survey sample that have not responded by the designated time.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0432.
    Form Number: QFR 200 (MT), QFR 201 (MG) and QFR 300 (S).
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Manufacturing corporations with assets of $250 
thousand or more. Mining, Wholesale, Retail Trade and selected Services 
corporations with assets of $50 million or more.
    Estimated Number of Respondents:

Form QFR 200 (MT)--4,577 per quarter = 18,308 annually
Form QFR 201 (MG)--5,030 per quarter = 20,120 annually
Form QFR 300 (S)--1,100 per quarter = 4,400 annually
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    Total 42,828 annually
 

    Estimated Time Per Response:

Form QFR 200 (MT)--Average hours: 3.0
Form QFR 201 (MG)--Average hours: 1.2
Form QFR 300 (S)--Average hours: 3.0
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 93,000 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $2.8 million.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. Sections 91 and 224.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: December 31, 2008.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E8-31445 Filed 1-6-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P