[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 151 (Tuesday, August 10, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43680-43681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16991]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; ETA 
9161--Self Employment Assistance (SEA)

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor's (DOL's) Employment and Training 
Administration (ETA) is soliciting comments concerning a proposed 
extension for the authority to conduct the information collection 
request (ICR) titled ETA 9161--Self Employment Assistance (SEA). This 
comment request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to reduce 
paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

DATES: Consideration will be given to all written comments received by 
October 12, 2021.

ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; 
including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency 
of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained free by 
contacting Sybil Felton by telephone at 202-693-3741, TTY 1-877-889-
5627 (these are not toll-free numbers), or by email at 
[email protected].
    Submit written comments about, or requests for a copy of, this ICR 
by mail or courier to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and 
Training Administration, Office of Unemployment Insurance, Room S-4520, 
200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210, by email: 
[email protected]; or by Fax (202) 693-3975.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David H. King by telephone at 202-693-
2698 (this is not a toll-free number) or by email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOL, as part of continuing efforts to reduce 
paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation 
program to provide the general public and Federal agencies an 
opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of 
information before submitting them to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for final approval. This program helps to ensure 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 can be properly 
assessed.
    The Noncitizen Benefit Clarification and Other Technical Amendments 
Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-306) permanently authorized the SEA program, 
which is a reemployment program that helps Unemployment Insurance (UI) 
claimants start their own businesses. Public Law 112-96, the Middle 
Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (the 2012 Act), expanded 
the SEA program to provide states the opportunity to allow UI claimants 
receiving Extended Benefits to participate in the SEA program. 
Currently, five states use this reemployment program.
    Section 2183(b)(1) of the 2012 Act directs the Secretary of Labor 
to establish reporting requirements for States that have established 
SEA programs, which shall include reporting on:
    (A) The total number of individuals who received unemployment 
compensation and (i) were referred to a SEA program; (ii) participated 
in such

[[Page 43681]]

program; and (iii) received an allowance under such program;
    (B) the total amount of allowances provided to individuals 
participating in a SEA program;
    (C) the total income (as determined by survey or other appropriate 
method) for businesses that have been established by individuals 
participating in a SEA program, as well as the total number of 
individuals employed through such businesses; and
    (D) any additional information, as determined appropriate by the 
Secretary. ETA currently uses Form ETA-9161 as an electronic reporting 
mechanism to collect this required information. In addition to Public 
Law 112-96, collection of data is used for oversight of the program as 
authorized under Section 303(a)(6) of the Social Security Act. Also, 
the code of Federal Regulations authorizes this information collection 
See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6.
    This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency 
generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and 
the public is generally not required to respond to an information 
collection, unless it is approved by OMB under the PRA and displays a 
currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any 
other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to 
penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that 
does not display a valid Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 
1320.6.
    Interested parties are encouraged to provide comments to the 
contact shown in the ADDRESSES section. Comments must be written to 
receive consideration, and they will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval of the final ICR. In order to help ensure 
appropriate consideration, comments should mention OMB control number 
1205-0490.
    Submitted comments will also be a matter of public record for this 
ICR and posted on the internet, without redaction. DOL encourages 
commenters not to include personally identifiable information, 
confidential business data, or other sensitive statements/information 
in any comments.
    DOL 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; 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 submission of responses).
    Agency: DOL-ETA.
    Type of Review: Extension without changes.
    Title of Collection: Self Employment Assistance.
    Form: ETA 9161.
    OMB Control Number: 1205-0490.
    Affected Public: State Workforce Agencies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,105.
    Frequency: Quarterly.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 24,820.
    Estimated Average Time per Response: Varies.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 12,440 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Cost Burden: $0.
    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

Suzan LeVine,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training, Labor.
[FR Doc. 2021-16991 Filed 8-9-21; 8:45 am]
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