[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 187 (Tuesday, September 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59741-59742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24719]


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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 ``Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) 
Program.'' 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 November 28, 2011.

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, at 
202-691-7628 (this is not a toll free number). (See ADDRESSES section.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The BLS has been charged by Congress (29 U.S.C. Sections 1 and 2) 
with the responsibility of collecting and publishing monthly 
information on employment, the average wage received, and the hours 
worked by area and industry. The process for developing residency-based 
employment and unemployment estimates is a cooperative Federal-State 
program which uses employment and unemployment inputs available in 
State Workforce Agencies.
    The labor force estimates developed and issued in this program are 
used for economic analysis and as a tool in the implementation of 
Federal economic policy in such areas as employment and economic 
development under the Workforce Investment Act and the Public Works and 
Economic Development Act, among others.
    The estimates also are used in economic analysis by public agencies 
and private industry, and for State and area funding allocations and 
eligibility determinations according to legal and administrative 
requirements. Implementation of current policy and legislative 
authorities could not be

[[Page 59742]]

accomplished without collection of the data.
    The reports and manual covered by this request are integral parts 
of the LAUS program insofar as they insure and measure the timeliness, 
quality, consistency, and adherence to program directions of the LAUS 
estimates and related research.

II. Current Action

    Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for an 
extension of the information collection request that makes up the LAUS 
program. All aspects of the information collection are conducted 
electronically. All data are entered directly into BLS-provided 
systems.
    The BLS, as part of its responsibility to develop concepts and 
methods by which States prepare estimates under the LAUS program, 
developed a manual for use by the States. The manual explains the 
conceptual framework for the State and area estimates of employment and 
unemployment, specifies the procedures to be used, provides input 
information, and discusses the theoretical and empirical basis for each 
procedure. This manual is updated on a regular schedule. The LAUS 
program implemented a major program redesign in January 2005. The 
Redesign was announced in the Federal Register on November 8, 2004.

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 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.
    Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved 
collection.
    Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Title: Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) Program.
    OMB Number: 1220-0017.
    Affected Public: State governments.

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                                                                                                                           Average  time     Estimated
                                                         Total respondents                   Frequency         Total       per response    total burden
                                                                                                             responses        (hours)         (hours)
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LAUS 3040................................  52 respondents with 7320 reporting units.....              13          95,160             1.5         142,740
LAUS 8...................................  52...........................................              11             572               1             572
LAUS 15..................................  6............................................               1               6               2              12
LAUS 16..................................  52...........................................               1              52               1              52
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    Totals...............................  .............................................  ..............          95,790  ..............         143,376
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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 21st day of September 2011.
Kimberley Hill,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. 2011-24719 Filed 9-26-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-P