[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 102 (Thursday, May 27, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29782-29783]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-12792]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics


Proposed Collection, Comment Request

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. The 
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the 
proposed extension of the Annual Refiling Survey (ARS). A copy of the 
proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by 
contacting the individual listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this 
notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this notice on or before July 26, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Carol Rowan, BLS Clearance Officer, 
Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4080, 
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Washington, DC 20212. Written comments 
also may be transmitted by fax to 202-691-5111. (This is not a toll 
free number.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Rowan, BLS Clearance Officer, 
202-691-7628. (See ADDRESSES section.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program is a 
Federal/State cooperative effort which compiles monthly employment 
data, quarterly wages data, and business identification information 
from employers subject to State Unemployment Insurance (UI) laws. These 
data are collected from State Quarterly Contribution Reports (QCRs) 
submitted to State Workforce Agencies (SWAs). The States send micro-
level employment and wages data, supplemented with the names, 
addresses, and business identification information of these employers, 
to the BLS. The State data are used to create the BLS sampling frame, 
known as the longitudinal QCEW data.
    To ensure the continued accuracy of these data, the information 
supplied by employers must be periodically verified and updated. For 
this purpose, the Annual Refiling Survey (ARS) is used in conjunction 
with the UI tax reporting system in each State. The information 
collected on the ARS is used to review the existing industry code 
assigned to each establishment as well as the physical location of the 
business establishment. As a result, changes in the industrial and 
geographical compositions of our economy are captured in a timely 
manner and reflected in the BLS statistical programs.
    The ARS also asks employers to identify new locations in the State. 
If these employers meet QCEW program reporting criteria, then a 
Multiple Worksite Report (MWR) is mailed to the employer requesting 
employment and wages for each worksite each quarter. Thus, the ARS is 
also used to identify new potential MWR-eligible employers.

II. Current Action

    Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for the 
ARS. While the primary purpose of the ARS

[[Page 29783]]

is to verify or to correct the North American Industry Classification 
System (NAICS) code assigned to establishments, there are other 
important purposes of the ARS. The ARS seeks accurate mailing and 
physical location addresses of establishments as well as geographic 
codes such as county and township (independent city, parish, or island 
in some States).
    Once every four years, the SWAs survey employers that are covered 
by the State's UI laws to ensure that State records correctly reflect 
the business activities and locations of those employers. States send 
an ARS form to approximately one-fourth of their businesses each year, 
surveying the entire universe of covered businesses over a four-year 
cycle. The selection criterion for surveying establishments is based on 
the nine-digit Federal Employer Identification Number of the 
respondent.
    The ARS remains largely a mail survey, although steps have been 
taken to reduce the amount of paperwork involved in responding to the 
survey. For example, BLS staff review selected, large multi-worksite 
national employers rather than surveying these employers with 
traditional ARS forms. This central review reduces postage costs 
incurred by the States in sending ARS forms. It also reduces respondent 
burden, as the selected employers do not have to submit ARS forms.
    Single-worksite employers have been identified as potential users 
of the BLS Touchtone Response System (TRS). Employers can use the TRS 
if they meet certain conditions and there are no changes to specific 
data elements based upon the employer's review. The TRS reduces 
respondent burden because it is quick, free, and convenient. It also 
allows respondents to help BLS reduce survey costs because they do not 
return the form in the business reply envelope provided. All States are 
using the TRS in conducting the ARS.
    Another initiative to reduce the costs associated with the ARS is 
the use of a private contractor to handle various administrative 
aspects of the survey. This initiative is called the Centralized Annual 
Refiling Survey (CARS). Under CARS, BLS effectively utilizes the 
commercial advantages related to printing, stuffing, and mailing large 
volumes of survey forms.

III. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in 
comments that:
     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.
     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.
    Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Title: Annual Refiling Survey (ARS).
    OMB Number: 1220-0032.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions, not-
for-profit institutions, and farms.
    Frequency: Annually.

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                                                    Total                                                               Average time      Total burden
                  Form No.                       respondents                 Frequency               Total responses    per response         (hours)
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BLS 3023-(NVS)..............................         1,074,982  Once..............................         1,074,982                 5            89,582
BLS 3023-(NVM)..............................            28,362  Once..............................            28,362                15             7,091
BLS 3023-(NCA)..............................           192,990  Once..............................           192,990                10            32,165
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    Totals..................................         1,296,334  ..................................         1,296,334  ................           128,838
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    Total Burden Cost (Capital/Startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (Operating/Maintenance): $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they also will become a 
matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 24th day of May 2010.
Kimberley Hill,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. 2010-12792 Filed 5-26-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-P