[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 86 (Thursday, May 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35775-35776]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09481]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Under Secretary of Economic Affairs


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 
Evaluation and Compliance and Membership Application 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 July 1, 2024.

[[Page 35776]]


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, by mail at U.S. Department of Commerce; 1401 Constitution 
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 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 promotion, education, and research to support 
the concrete masonry products industry. The referendum passed and the 
Order went into effect in December 2021. The Order requires the 
Secretary to establish a board to carry out the program. The Secretary 
appointed Board members in the Fall of 2022. (1) The Order establishes 
a three-year term limit for Board members, thus requiring ongoing and 
continuous consideration of applicants to fill vacancies. (2) The Order 
requires producers of concrete masonry block to remit quarterly, an 
assessment to the Board. Continuation of this approved collection will 
allow consideration of applicants to the Board to fill vacancies and 
allow reporting of quarterly assessment payments.
    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 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 Board membership and the collection of assessments. The 
first is the application form to be considered for Board membership. 
Board membership is open to all manufacturers of concrete masonry 
products. Completion of the application form reflects an individual's 
interest in becoming a Board member and is necessary to verify 
eligibility and to assist in determining suitability to serve on the 
Board. The second form for this ICR relates to the payment of 
assessments. Producers that remit assessments will complete the form to 
establish proper payment of assessments. 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 Board's website.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0605-0028.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission. This is an extension.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Board Application

    Estimate of Burden: 0.25 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: 40 hours.
    Respondents Obligation: Voluntary.

Evaluation and Compliance

    Estimate of Burden: 0.5 hour per quarterly report.
    Respondents: Manufacturers of concrete masonry units.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 160.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 4.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 320 hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.

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. 2024-09481 Filed 5-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-06-P