[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 236 (Monday, December 13, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70869-70870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-26879]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Short-
Time Compensation (STC) Grants

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, ``Short-Time Compensation (STC) Grants.'' 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 
February 11, 2022.

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 Brian Eiermann by telephone at (202) 693-2846, 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 at 
[email protected], or by Fax at (202) 693-3975.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Eiermann by telephone at (202) 
693-2846 (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 enactment of Public Law 112-96 (The Middle Class Tax Relief and 
Job Creation Act of 2012, referred to hereafter as ``the MCTRJC Act'') 
contains Subtitle D, Short-Time Compensation Program, also known as the 
``Layoff Prevention Act of 2012''. The sections of the law under this 
subtitle concern states that participate in a layoff aversion program 
known as STC or work sharing. Section 2164 of the MCTRJC Act covers 
grants the Federal Government provided to states for the purpose of 
implementation or improved administration of an STC program or for 
promotional and enrollment in the program.
    In addition to the MCTRJC Act, the enactment Public Law 116-136 of 
the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020, 
referred to hereafter as ``the CARES Act,'' contains section 2110 
concerning the STC Program. Section 2110 of the CARES Act covers grants 
the Federal Government provides to states for the purpose of 
implementation or improved administration of an STC program or to 
promote the program to employers and enroll employers in the program.
    ETA has principal oversight responsibility for monitoring the STC 
grants awarded to state workforce agencies (SWA). As part of the 
monitoring process, SWAs submit a quarterly progress report (QPR). The 
QPR serves as a monitoring instrument to track the SWAs' progress 
toward completing STC grant activities. ETA also needs to allow for 
this reporting for proper oversight of state STC programs. Section 2164 
of the MCTRJC Act and Section 2110 of the CARES Act authorize this 
information collection.
    This information collection under the MCTRJC Act is subject to the 
PRA. The

[[Page 70870]]

CARES Act provided an exemption to the PRA, so information collection 
regarding grants provided under the CARES Act is not subject to 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 
1205-0499.
    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: Revision.
    Title of Collection: Short-Time Compensation (STC) Grants.
    Form: Short-Time Compensation Quarterly Progress Report.
    OMB Control Number: 1205-0499.
    Affected Public: State Workforce Agencies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 19.
    Frequency: Quarterly.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 140.
    Estimated Average Time per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 140 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Cost Burden: $0.
    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

Angela Hanks,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training, Labor.
[FR Doc. 2021-26879 Filed 12-10-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-FW-P