[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 41 (Thursday, February 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14806-14807]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04263]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education, and Promotion 
Voter Registration and Ballot Forms

AGENCY: Under Secretary of Economic Affairs, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before April 29, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Kenneth White, Office of the Under Secretary of Economic Affairs, by 
email at [email protected] or [email protected]. Do not submit 
Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected 
information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Kenneth White, Senior Policy Analyst, Under Secretary of Economic 
Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce; by phone at (202) 482-2406 or via 
email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This is a request for an extension of an already approved 
collection of information. In 2021 the Secretary held a referendum 
among eligible manufacturers to determine whether they favored the 
implementation of an Order to establish an orderly program for 
developing, financing, and carrying out an effective, continuous, and 
coordinated program of research, education and promotion, to support 
the concrete masonry products industry. The referendum passed and the 
Order went into effect in December 2021. The law requires the Secretary 
to conduct an additional referendum in the event: the Board requests 
such action or if after five years (2026) at least 25 percent of those 
eligible request such action. Continuation of this approved collection 
will cover both of these potential occurrences.
    In 2022, the Secretary appointed members to the Concrete Masonry 
Products Board (Board) to develop and implement programs of research, 
education, and promotion. In 2023, the Board began collecting 
assessments

[[Page 14807]]

from manufacturers of concrete masonry units, of which the Board will 
use to implement programs and activities.
    There are two forms in this Information Collection Request (ICR) 
relating to the referendum. The first is the registration form for the 
concrete referendum. The registration form may be submitted by eligible 
concrete masonry unit manufacturers and is necessary to ensure that the 
referendum is accurate and complete. Manufacturers only may participate 
in the referendum if they register. The second form for this ICR 
relates to the ballot form for the concrete referendum. Eligible 
concrete masonry unit manufacturers may complete and submit the ballot 
to reflect their desire for or against implementing the order. 
Authorizing Statute: 15 U.S.C. chapter 13 (sections 8701-8717).

II. Method of Collection

    Registrants may download, complete, print, and submit via fax or 
mail from the DOC website.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0605-0029.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission. This is an extension of a 
current collection.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Registration

    Estimate of Burden: 0.5 hour per application.
    Respondents: Manufacturers of concrete masonry units.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 160.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 345 hours.

Ballot

    Estimate of Burden: 0.25 hour per ballot.
    Respondents: Manufacturers of concrete masonry units.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 160.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 172.5 hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy 
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed 
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024-04263 Filed 2-28-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-06-P