[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 156 (Monday, August 13, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48173-48174]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19706]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Comment Request for Information Collection for Monitoring 
Implementation of Changes to State Unemployment Insurance (UI) 
Programs, Extension Without Revisions

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (Department), as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a 
preclearance consultation program to provide the 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 [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps 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

[[Page 48174]]

the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly 
assessed.
    ETA is soliciting comments concerning the continuation of the 
collection of data to support monitoring of implementation of changes 
to State UI Programs beyond the current expiration date of 12/31/2012.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addresses section below on or before October 12, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to Scott Gibbons, Office of 
Unemployment Insurance, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. 
Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210. 
Telephone number: 202-693-3008 (this is not a toll-free number). 
Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may access the telephone 
number above via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay 
Service at 1-877-889-5627 (TTY/TDD). Email: [email protected]. A 
copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
obtained by contacting Mr. Gibbons.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Department has responsibility for ensuring that states 
implement the extension and modifications to the Emergency Unemployment 
Compensation (EUC) program, including Reemployment Services and 
Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment Activities (REA) for recipients 
of EUC, herein referred to as EUC RES/REA, and the Work Search Audit 
requirement in accordance with the Middle Class Job Creation and Tax 
Relief Act of 2012 (Act), Title II, Subtitle C, and USDOL operating 
instructions.
    ETA is responsible for conducting EUC reviews, Work Search Audit, 
and EUC RES/REA program reviews. Given the lack of resources available 
for detailed monitoring, ETA intends to use a questionnaire as a 
monitoring tool to establish which states are most in need of technical 
assistance. The goal of this questionnaire is to ensure that states 
have plans to properly implement and administer the EUC modifications, 
Work Search Audit, and EUC RES/REA requirements. This collection 
provides ETA with information pointing to key areas in which technical 
assistance to states is necessary.

II. Review Focus

    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 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 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.

III. Current Actions

    Type of Review: Extension without changes.
    Title: Monitoring Implementation of Changes to State Unemployment 
Insurance (UI) Programs.
    OMB Number: 1205-0500.
    Affected Public: State Workforce Agencies.
    Form(s): Questionnaire for State Workforce Agencies.
    Total Annual Respondents: 53.
    Annual Frequency: One-time collection.
    Total Annual Responses: 1.
    Average Time per Response: 30 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,590 hours.
    Total Annual Burden Cost for Respondents: There are no burden 
costs.
    Comments submitted in response to this comment request will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the ICR; 
they will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: Signed in Washington, DC, on this 6th day of August, 
2012.
Jane Oates,
Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training, Labor.
[FR Doc. 2012-19706 Filed 8-10-12; 8:45 am]
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