[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 20 (Thursday, January 30, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4869-4870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01834]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; State and Local 
Government Finance Forms

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

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 31, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 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 Jeff Barnett, Chief, Local Government Finance and 
Statistics Branch, Governments Division, U.S. Bureau of the Census, 
Washington, DC 20233-6800 (301-763-2787 or 
[email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau plans to request clearance for the forms 
necessary to conduct the public finance program, which consists of an 
annual collection of information and a quinquennial collection in the 
census years ending in ``2'' and ``7''. During the upcoming three 
years, we intend to conduct the 2014 through 2016 Annual Surveys of 
State and Local Government Finances.
    The Annual Surveys of State and Local Government Finances collect 
data on state government finances and estimates of local government 
revenue, expenditure, debt, assets, and pension systems nationally and 
within state areas. The surveys include the Annual Survey of State 
Government Finances, the Annual Survey of Local Government Finances, 
and the Annual Survey of Public Pensions. Data are collected for all 
agencies, departments, and institutions of the fifty state governments 
and for a sample of all local governments (counties, municipalities, 
townships, and special districts). Data for school districts are 
collected under a separate survey. In the census year, equivalent data 
are collected from all local governments.
    The Census Bureau is exploring the possibility of reducing the 
number and content of items collected on survey forms of local 
government finances in the intercensal years. The reduction in form 
item collection will reduce respondent burden as well as reduce the 
time needed to edit, analyze, and disseminate data for the Annual 
Survey of Local Government Finances. Any final decisions on form 
revisions will be included in the formal clearance package submitted to 
the Office of Management and Budget after the comment period associated 
with this notice has ended. In addition, any reduction in form item 
collection occurring in 2014-2016 will be restored in the next 
quinquennial Census of Governments in 2017.
    The Census Bureau provides these data to the Bureau of Economic 
Analysis to develop the public sector components of the National Income 
and Product Accounts and to the Federal Reserve Board for use in the 
Flow of Funds Accounts. Other Federal agencies that make use of the 
data include the Council of Economic Advisors, the Government 
Accountability Office, and the Department of Justice. Other users 
include state and local governments and related organizations, public 
policy groups, researchers, and private sector businesses.
    Statistics are produced as data files in electronic formats. The 
program has collected comprehensive and comparable governmental 
statistics since 1957.

II. Method of Collection

    These surveys use multiple modes for data collection including 
Internet collection, mail canvass, telephone, and central collection. 
Canvass methodology primarily consists of a mail out/mail back 
questionnaire and Internet data collection. Other methods used to 
collect data and maximize response include collecting state and local 
government data through submitted financial audits, state financial 
reports, and comprehensive financial reports.
    The Census Bureau developed central collection agreements with 
state and large local government officials to collect the data from 
their dependent agencies and report to the Census Bureau as a central 
respondent. These arrangements eliminate the need for a mail canvass of 
approximately 4,000

[[Page 4870]]

governmental units. The arrangements reduce burden by greatly reducing 
the number of people who have to complete a form as the data are 
collected from a centralized source instead of from multiple sources. 
Currently, the Census Bureau has central collection arrangements to 
collect local government data with 28 states and state government data 
from all 50 states. The Census Bureau continues to expand the 
conversion of paper submissions into electronic formats by 
collaborating with state and local governments regarding electronic 
reporting of central collection data, and encouraging electronic 
responses from individual governments.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0585.
    Form Number: F-5, F-11, F-12, F-12(S), F-13, F-25, F-28, F-29, F-
32, and F-42.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: State and local governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 11,895.
    Estimated Time per Response: 2.910 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 34,616.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $888,391.
    Respondents Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. 182.

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: January 27, 2014.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-01834 Filed 1-29-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P