[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 82 (Tuesday, April 29, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24011-24012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-09748]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Comment Request for Information Collection for Employment and 
Training (ET) Handbook 336, 18th Edition: ``Unemployment Insurance (UI) 
State Quality Service Plan Planning (SQSP) and Reporting Guidelines,'' 
Extension Without Revision

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The 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 the impact of collection requirements on 
respondents can be properly assessed.
    Currently, ETA is soliciting comments concerning the collection of 
data about the proposed extension to ET Handbook 336, 18th Edition: 
``Unemployment Insurance (UI) State Quality Service Plan Planning 
(SQSP) and Reporting Guidelines'' which expires October 31, 2014.

DATES: Submit written comments to the office listed in the addressee's 
section below on or before June 30, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Employment and Training 
Administration, Office of Unemployment Insurance, 200 Constitution 
Avenue NW., Room S4220, Washington, DC 20210, Attention: Delores 
Ferrell. Telephone number: 202-693-3183 (this is not a toll-free 
number). Fax: 202-693-3975. Email: [email protected]. A copy of 
the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by 
contacting the person listed above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The SQSP represents an approach to the unemployment insurance 
performance management and planning process that allows for an exchange 
of information between the federal and state partners to enhance the 
ability of the program to reflect the joint commitment to performance 
excellence and client-centered services. As part of UI Performs, a 
comprehensive performance management system implemented in 1995 for the 
UI program, the SQSP is the principal vehicle that state UI agencies 
use to plan, record and manage program improvement efforts as they 
strive for excellence in service. The SQSP, which serves as the State 
Plan for the UI program, also serves as the grant document through 
which states receive federal UI administrative funding. The statutory 
basis for the SQSP is Title III, Section 302 of the Social Security 
Act, which authorizes the Secretary of Labor to provide funds to 
administer the UI programs, and Sections 303 (a) (8) and (9) which 
govern the expenditures of those funds. The SQSP represents an approach 
to tie program performance with the budget and planning process.

II. Review Focus

    The Department of Labor 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,

[[Page 24012]]

e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.
    States will continue to use the State Plan Narrative to provide a 
general summary of the UI program in the state. Additionally, states 
are to include in the Narrative: (1) Performance in comparison to the 
Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goals; (2) results of 
customer satisfaction surveys (optional); and (3) actions planned to 
correct deficiencies regarding UI programs and reporting requirements. 
Actions planned to correct deficiencies for Secretary Standards, Core 
Measures, and the Data Validation (DV) program are expected to be 
addressed in corrective action plans. Currently, the Employment and 
Training Administration is soliciting comments concerning the extension 
of ET Handbook No. 336.

III. Current Actions

    Type of Review: extension without revision.
    Title: Unemployment Insurance State Quality Service Plan (SQSP).
    OMB Number: 1205-0132.
    Affected Public: State Workforce Agencies.
    Total Annual Respondents: 53.
    Reporting Frequency: Biannual, annual, and quarterly.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 535.
    Average Time per Response: 2.86 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1530 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other cost Burden: $0.
    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.

Eric M. Seleznow,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training, Labor.
[FR Doc. 2014-09748 Filed 4-28-14; 8:45 am]
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