80 FR 30655 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 103 (May 29, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 103 (May 29, 2015)
| Page Range | 30655-30659 | |
| FR Document | 2015-13061 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 103 (Friday, May 29, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 30655-30659] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-13061] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). Note: This notice supplements FR Doc. 2015-09741 with new information, and extends the comment period to June 28, 2015. Agency: U.S. Census Bureau. Title: American Community Survey. OMB Control Number: 0607-0810. Form Number(s): ACS-1, ACS-1(SP), ACS-1(PR), ACS-1(PR)SP, ACS- 1(GQ), ACS-1(PR)(GQ), GQFQ, ACS CATI (HU), ACS CAPI (HU), ACS RI (HU), and AGQ QI, AGQ RI. Type of Request: Regular Submission. Number of Respondents: 3,760,000. Average Hours Per Response: 40 minutes for the average household questionnaire. Burden Hours: The estimate is an annual average of 2,455,868 burden hours. Needs and Uses: The U.S. Census Bureau requests authorization from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for revisions to the American Community Survey (ACS). This notice updates Federal Register notice 80 FR 23501, which proposed only changes to the content of the proposed 2016 ACS questionnaire and data collection instruments for both Housing Unit and Group Quarters operations that were proposed as a result of the 2014 ACS Content Review. This notice proposes additional changes to the content of the proposed 2016 ACS questionnaire and data collection instruments for both Housing Unit and Group Quarters operations that were proposed as a result of (a) recently completed cognitive testing on the computer usage and internet questions; (b) research suggesting that the flush toilet component of the plumbing facilities question can be removed; and (c) recent field testing of changes to the ACS mailing strategy to further reduce respondent concerns. The American Community Survey (ACS) is one of the Department of Commerce's most valuable data products, used extensively by businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local governments, and many federal agencies. In conducting this survey, the Census Bureau's top priority is respecting the time and privacy of the people providing information while preserving its value to the public. The 2016 survey content changes are the initial step in a multi-faceted approach to reducing respondent burden. The Census Bureau is currently carrying out this program of research, which includes several components as discussed briefly below. One of the areas with strong potential to reduce respondent burden is to reuse information already supplied to the federal government in lieu of directly collecting it again through particular questions on the ACS. The Census Bureau is conducting groundbreaking work aimed at understanding the extent to which existing government data can reduce redundancy and improve efficiency. The tests we are conducting in the next two years will tell us whether existing government records can provide substitute data for households that have not responded to the ACS. In addition, we continue to look into the possibility of asking some questions less often beginning with initial efforts on the marital history series of questions. For example, asking a question every other year, every third year, or asking a question of a subset of the respondents each year. We also want to examine ways we can better phrase our questions to reduce respondent concern, especially for those who may be sensitive to providing information. The outcome of these future steps will be a more efficient survey that minimizes respondent burden while continuing to provide quality data products for the nation. We expect to make great progress during fiscal 2015 on this front, and will be reporting our progress to the Secretary of Commerce at the end of the fiscal year. Since the founding of the nation, the U.S. Census has mediated between the demands of a growing country for information about its economy and people, and the people's privacy and respondent burden. Beginning with the 1810 Census, Congress added questions to support a range of public concerns and uses, and over the course of a century questions were added about [[Page 30656]] agriculture, industry, and commerce, as well as occupation, ancestry, marital status, disabilities, and other topics. In 1940, the U.S. Census Bureau introduced the long form and since then only the more detailed questions were asked of a sample of the public. The ACS, launched in 2005, is the current embodiment of the long form of the census, and is asked each year of a sample of the U.S. population in order to provide current data needed more often than once every ten years. In December of 2010, five years after its launch, the ACS program accomplished its primary objective with the release of its first set of estimates for every area of the United States. The Census Bureau concluded it was an appropriate time to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the ACS program. This program assessment focused on strengthening programmatic, technical, and methodological aspects of the survey to assure that the Census Bureau conducts the ACS efficiently and effectively. In August 2012, the OMB and the Census Bureau chartered the Interagency Council on Statistical Policy (ICSP) Subcommittee on the ACS to ``provide advice to the Director of the Census Bureau and the Chief Statistician at OMB on how the ACS can best fulfill its role in the portfolio of Federal household surveys and provide the most useful information with the least amount of burden.'' The Subcommittee charter also states that the Subcommittee would be expected to ``conduct regular, periodic reviews of the ACS content. . .designed to ensure that there is clear and specific authority and justification for each question to be on the ACS, the ACS is the appropriate vehicle for collecting the information, respondent burden is being minimized, and the quality of the data from ACS is appropriate for its intended use.'' Changes in 2016 ACS Content Resulting From the Content Review The formation of the ICSP Subcommittee on the ACS and the aforementioned assessment of the ACS program also provided an opportunity to examine and confirm the value of each question on the ACS, which resulted in the 2014 ACS Content Review. This review, which was an initial step in a multi-faceted approach of a much larger content review process, included examination of all 72 questions contained on the 2014 ACS questionnaire, including 24 housing-related questions and 48 person-related questions. The Census Bureau proposed the two analysis factors--benefit as defined by the level of usefulness and cost as defined by the level of respondent burden or difficulty in obtaining the data, which were accepted by the ICSP Subcommittee. Based on a methodology pre-defined by the Census Bureau with the input and concurrence of the ICSP Subcommittee on the ACS, each question received a total number of points between 0 and 100 based on its benefits, and 0 and 100 points based on its costs. These points were then used as the basis for creating four categories: High Benefit and Low Cost; High Benefit and High Cost; Low Benefit and Low Cost; or Low Benefit and High Cost. For this analysis, any question that was designated as either Low Benefit and Low Cost or Low Benefit and High Cost and was NOT designated as Mandatory (i.e., statutory) by the Department of Commerce Office of General Counsel (OGC) or NOT Required (i.e., regulatory) with a sub- state use, was identified as a potential candidate for removal. The Department of Commerce OGC worked with its counterparts across the federal government to determine mandatory, required, or programmatic status, as defined below:Mandatory--a federal law explicitly calls for use of decennial census or ACS data on that question. Required--a federal law (or implementing regulation) explicitly requires the use of data and the decennial census or the ACS is the historical source; or the data are needed for case law requirements imposed by the U.S. federal court system. Programmatic--the data are needed for program planning, implementation, or evaluation and there is no explicit mandate or requirement. Based on the analysis, the following questions were initially proposed for removal: Housing Question No. 6--Business/Medical Office on Property Person Question No. 12--Undergraduate Field of Degree Person Question No. 21--(In the Past 12 mos, did this person) Get Married, Widowed, Divorced Person Question No. 22--Times Married Person Question No. 23--Year Last Married For reports that provide a full description of the overall 2014 ACS Content Review methods and results, see ``Final Report--American Community Survey FY14 Content Review Results'' and additional reports about the 2014 ACS Content Review available at http://www.census.gov/acs/www/about_the_survey/methods_and_results_report/ Regarding the business/medical office on property question, the Census Bureau received 41 comments from researchers, and individuals. Most of these comments came from researchers who felt that the Census Bureau should keep all of the proposed questions in order to keep the survey content consistent over time, or felt that modifications to the question could potentially make it more useful. Housing Question No. 6--Business/Medical Office on Property is currently not published by the Census Bureau in any data tables. The only known use of the question is to produce a variable for the Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS), a recode for the Specified Owner (SVAL) variable that allows users to compare other datasets. The Content Review did not reveal any uses by federal agencies, and the comments to the Federal Register notice did not reveal any non-federal uses. Additionally, there were no uses uncovered in meetings with stakeholders, data user feedback forms, or other methods employed to understand the uses of ACS data. Lastly, independent research conducted on behalf of the Census Bureau did not uncover any further uses. Though the question has a low cost, it has no benefit to federal agencies, the federal statistical system, or the nation. The Census Bureau plans to remove this question, beginning with the 2016 ACS content. Regarding the field of degree question, the Census Bureau received 625 comments from researchers, professors and administrators at many universities, professional associations that represent science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers and industries, members of Congress, the National Science Foundation, and many individuals interested in retaining this question. A number of commenters (92) cited the importance of these estimates for research that analyzes the effect of field of degree choice on economic outcomes, including earnings, education, occupation, industry, and employment. University administrators (37) commented that this information allows for analysis of postsecondary outcomes, and allows them to benchmark their graduates' relative success in different fields as well as to plan degree offerings. While some commenters used the estimates to understand fields such as humanities or philosophy (56), the majority of these comments (125) addressed the value of knowing about the outcomes of people who pursued degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These commenters felt that knowing more about the people currently earning STEM degrees and the [[Page 30657]] people currently working in STEM fields would enable universities, advocacy groups, and policy makers to encourage more people to pursue STEM careers, and to encourage diversity within STEM careers. The initial analysis of Person Question No. 12--Undergraduate Field of Degree did not uncover any evidence that the question was Mandatory or Required. However, comments to the Federal Register notice uncovered the existence of a relationship between the Census Bureau and the National Science Foundation, dating back to 1960. Over the course of this established relationship, long-form decennial census data was used as a sampling frame for surveys that provided important information about scientists and engineers. These comments demonstrated that the Field of Degree question on the ACS continues this historical use of decennial long-form and ACS data for this purpose, and makes this process more efficient. Many commenters (58) also cited the necessity of the National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG), and recommended retaining the question because it is needed as a sampling frame for the NSCG. Though commenters theorized that the NSCG might still be able to produce STEM estimates without the ACS, a number of commenters (16) thought that doing so would be very expensive, costing as much as $17 million more (1). Additionally, many comments also indicated uses of this question to understand the economic outcomes of college graduates at local geographic levels, especially those with STEM degrees. These commenters included professional, academic, congressional, and policy-making stakeholders who expressed concerns that the absence of statistical information about STEM degrees would harm the ability to understand characteristics of small populations attaining STEM degrees. Given the importance of this small population group to the economy, the federal statistical system and the nation, bolstered by the new knowledge of historical precedent brought to light by commenters to the Federal Register notice, the Census Bureau therefore plans to retain this question on the 2016 ACS. Regarding the marital history questions, the Census Bureau received 1,361 comments from researchers and professors, professional associations that represent marriage and family therapists, the Social Security Administration (SSA), and many individuals interested in retaining these questions. SSA commented that it uses the marital history questions to estimate future populations by marital status as part of the Board of Trustees annual report on the actuarial status (including future income and disbursements) of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Funds. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) also uses these questions to distinguish households in which a grandparent has primary responsibility for a grandchild or grandchildren, as well as to provide family formation and stability measures for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The focus of the proposed elimination is on the marital history questions only with no change to collection of marital status. Over 400 additional comments to the Federal Register notice cited concerns that the proposed elimination of the marital history questions was an indication of whether the government views information about marriage as somehow less valuable than other ACS question topics that were not proposed for removal. While the Census Bureau had always planned to continue collecting information about the ``marital status'' for each person in a household (Person Question No. 20) and their relationships to each other (Person Question No. 2), the Census Bureau remains sensitive to these criticisms More than 100 supporters of retaining the marital history questions mentioned their utility for research into marital status changes over time and they correctly noted that there is currently no other national source of the marital history information. As a result, many commenters felt they would not be able to compare marriage characteristics and patterns with other nations in the same depth that is possible today. Similarly, without these questions, the commenters felt that the analysis of changes in marriage events (especially those due to changing societal values and pressures or policy changes) would be less robust. In particular, comments focused on 6 research areas that would be more difficult to analyze without the marital history questions: Family formation and stability (23) Patterns/trends of marriage and divorce (168) Marital effects on earnings, education and employment (45) Marital effects on child wellbeing (6) Same-sex marriages, civil unions and partnerships (70) New government policy effects on marriage (9) Because the initial analysis of Person Question Nos. 21-23 on marital history did not uncover any evidence that data from these questions were ``Required'' for federal use at sub-state geographies, those questions received a lower benefit score than many other ACS questions. However, in deference to the very large number (1,367) of comments received on the Census Bureau proposal to eliminate those questions, the Census Bureau plans to retain those questions on the 2016 ACS. The Census Bureau takes very seriously respondent concerns and recognizes that the Content Review and the resulting, proposed question changes discussed above are only initial steps to addressing them. The Census Bureau has implemented an extensive action plan on addressing respondent burden and concerns. The work completed, and the comments received, on the 2014 Content Review provide a foundation for ongoing and future efforts to reduce burden and concerns. In addition to the immediate content changes (proposed above), the Census Bureau is also currently testing the language on the survey materials that may cause concern such as reminding people that their responses are required by law. In order to be responsive to these concerns about the prominence of the mandatory message on the envelopes, we are conducting research with a subset of ACS respondents in May 2015. Over the summer, we will work with external methodological experts to test other revisions of the ACS mail materials to check respondent perceptions of the softened references to the mandatory nature of participation in the ACS. The preliminary results of those tests will be available in the fall, and the Census Bureau will make changes to the 2016 ACS mail materials based on those results. Concurrently we also are identifying additional questions that we may only need to ask intermittently, rather than each month or year. The current ACS sample design asks all of the survey questions from all selected households in order to produce estimates each year for small geographies and small populations. However, during the Content Review we learned about over 300 data needs that federal agencies require to implement their missions. We see several potential opportunities to either include some questions periodically, or ask a smaller subset of ACS respondents in cases where those agencies do not need certain data annually. The Census Bureau plans to engage the federal agencies and external experts on this topic during 2015. In addition, we need to assess the operational and statistical issues associated with alternate designs. The alternate designs will result in a [[Page 30658]] reduction in the number of questions asked of individual households. We are also conducting research on substituting the direct collection of information with the use of information already provided to the government. It is possible that the Census Bureau could use administrative records from federal and commercial sources in lieu of asking particular questions on the ACS. Lastly, we are examining our approaches to field collection to reduce the number of in-person contact attempts while preserving data quality. For example, based on research conducted in 2012, we implemented changes in 2013 which led to an estimated reduction of approximately 1.2 million call attempts per year, while sustaining the 97 percent response rate for the survey overall. For the person visit operation, we are researching a reduction in the number of contact attempts. We plan to field test this change in August 2015. If successful we would implement nationwide in spring 2016. We will continue to look for other opportunities to reduce respondent burden while maintaining survey quality. Taken together, these measures will make a significant impact on reducing respondent burden in the ACS. In fact, as we have been accelerating our research program in parallel with the content review, we are proposing several additional immediate changes to the 2016 ACS. Changes in 2016 ACS Content Resulting From Cognitive Testing on Computer Usage and Internet Questions In early 2013 the Census Bureau began to reach out to Federal agency stakeholders through the forum provided by the OMB Interagency Committee for the ACS to identify possible question changes to be considered for the 2016 ACS Content Test. The ICSP Subcommittee on the ACS conducted an initial review of the proposals received from these Federal agencies, and identified a set of topics that would be approved for the formation of topical subcommittees. These topical subcommittees worked with the Census Bureau to develop proposed wording that was evaluated through multiple rounds of cognitive testing in 2014 and 2015 to refine the proposed question wording changes. During the course of the preparations for the 2016 ACS Content Test, attention was given to the computer usage and Internet series of questions (questions 9 through 11 on the ACS-1(HU) questionnaire). When this series of questions was added to the production ACS questionnaire in 2013, it was clear that the quickly evolving nature of the types of computing devices available and the ways individuals access the Internet would cause this series of questions to quickly become out-of- date. Cognitive testing of these questions in 2014 brought to light difficulties respondents face when answering the current versions of these questions that were corroborated by the metrics collected during the ACS Content Review. Specifically, technical terms and types of devices and Internet services referenced in the current questions are not easily reconciled with the devices and Internet services used by households today. Additionally, there is evidence in the production data being collected that respondents are misreporting their usage of tablets, since there is not a clear category that references tablet computers. Proposed changes to these questions to bring the wording more in sync with current devices and Internet services were shown to be effectively understood during the cognitive testing process. Therefore, in order to improve the quality of the ACS data, and to reduce the difficulty respondents experience when answering these questions, the Census Bureau is proposing revising these questions. Given the timing of the receipt of the results of cognitive testing, the proposal to revise these questions in the 2016 ACS was not included in the October 31st notice in the Federal Register. In order to ensure that question changes are effective at collecting high quality data, the current policy requires that proposed revisions to questions must first be cognitively tested, and then, if successful, the results of the cognitive testing will be used as input to a field test that utilizes multiple ACS modes of collection. However, the current concerns with the computer use and Internet questions suggest the need in some instances for the ACS program to be more nimble in making changes than our current process for cognitive and field testing will allow. Therefore, we are evaluating on a pilot basis incorporating the following criteria into the pretesting requirements of the ICSP Subcommittee on the ACS to determine when to implement changes without field testing: The external environment related to the topic being measured has changed in a way that there is evidence of significant measurement error in the absence of a question change. Cognitive testing has been conducted on versions of the question accounting for multiple modes of administration (such as self- response and interviewer-administered) and the results have led to clear recommendations on the specific changes to make. There is evidence that implementing changes to the production versions of the question should be done on a timeline that makes field testing unfeasible, OR the Census Bureau has not received sufficient funding to conduct field testing. If each of these criteria are met, then a change to ACS question wording could be considered without field testing. Regular reviews and analysis would continue to evaluate any questions changed under this policy, allowing the Census Bureau to preserve the quality of the ACS data and be more responsive in making question wording changes that reflect the changing environment. Changes in 2016 ACS Content Concerning the Flush Toilet Section of the Plumbing Facilities Question Traditionally the means of determining substandard housing has involved identifying housing that lacks complete plumbing facilities or complete kitchen facilities. Until 2008, the Census Bureau asked one question to determine complete plumbing facilities, ``Does the house, apartment or mobile home have COMPLETE plumbing facilities; that is, (1) hot and cold running water, (2) flush toilet, and (3) bathtub or shower?'' Similarly, the Census Bureau used one question to determine complete kitchen facilities (sink with a faucet, stove or range, and a refrigerator). In 2008, in conjunction with our stakeholders, we broke the plumbing and kitchen facilities questions into six sub-parts in order ask about each component separately. Having data available for each sub-part has enabled us to better understand the impact of asking each one, including the flush toilet component. As we have accelerated our research into this topic, we have learned that there are very few instances where flush toilets alone determine the existence of substandard housing. After consultation with some of our key stakeholders, the Census Bureau believes that the flush toilet question places unnecessary burden on the American public relative to the value of the information gained from it, and recommends that it be removed in the 2016 ACS, though we will continue to work with stakeholders to explore how this information can be collected apart from the ACS. Changes in 2016 ACS Mailing Procedures Based on the results of testing conducted in 2015, the Census Bureau is proposing to modify the mail out [[Page 30659]] strategy for the ACS as described in the steps below. The testing has shown that the change increases response to the online questionnaire, and reduces the total number of mailings sent to households by eliminating one entire mailing and replacing a postcard with a letter. For households eligible to receive survey materials by mail, the first contact includes a letter and instruction card explaining how to complete the survey online. Also included are a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) brochure and a brochure that provides basic information about the survey in English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean, and provides a phone number to call for assistance in each language. The instruction card provides the information on how to respond in English and Spanish. The letter explains that if the respondent is unable to complete the survey online, a paper questionnaire will be sent later. The Internet version of the questionnaire is available in English and Spanish and includes questions about the housing unit and the people living in the housing unit. The Internet questionnaire has space to collect detailed information for twenty people in the household. The second mailing is a letter that reminds respondents to complete the survey online, thanks them if they have already done so, and informs them that a paper form will be sent later if we do not receive their response. This letter includes clear instructions to log in, including an explicit reference to the user identification number. In a third mailing, the ACS housing unit questionnaire package is sent only to those sample addresses that have not completed the online questionnaire within two weeks. The content includes a follow up letter, a paper copy of the questionnaire, an instruction guide for completing the paper form, an instruction card for completing the survey online, a FAQ brochure, and a return envelope. The cover letter with this questionnaire package reminds the household of the importance of the ACS, and asks them to respond soon either by completing the survey online or by returning a completed paper questionnaire. The fourth mailing is a postcard that reminds respondents that ``now is the time to complete the survey,'' informs them that an interviewer may contact them if they do not complete the survey, and reminds them of the importance of the ACS. A fifth mailing is sent to respondents who have not completed the survey within five weeks and are not eligible for telephone follow-up because we do not have a telephone number for the household. This postcard reminds these respondents to return their questionnaires and thanks them if they have already done so. Affected Public: Individuals or households. Frequency: Response to the ACS is on a one-time basis. Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory. Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 141, 193, and 221. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to OIRA[email protected] or fax to (202)395-5806. Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, (202) 482-0336, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [email protected]). Dated: May 26, 2015. Sarah Brabson, NOAA PRA Clearance Officer, submitting for Department of Commerce. [FR Doc. 2015-13061 Filed 5-28-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 103 / Friday, May 29, 2015 / Notices 30655
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, ADDRESSES: NDETR, 2800 East St. Louis field testing of changes to the ACS
pursuant to the provisions of the rules Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89104. mailing strategy to further reduce
and regulations of the U.S. Commission FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: respondent concerns.
on Civil Rights (Commission) and the Peter Minarik, DFO, at (213) 894–3437 The American Community Survey
Federal Advisory Committee Act or pminarik@usccr.gov (ACS) is one of the Department of
(FACA) that a meeting of the Nevada Commerce’s most valuable data
Dated: May 22, 2015
Advisory Committee (Committee) to the products, used extensively by
David Mussatt, businesses, non-governmental
Commission will be held on Friday,
June 19, 2015, for the purpose of Chief, Regional Programs Coordination Unit. organizations (NGOs), local
discussing and voting upon the [FR Doc. 2015–12978 Filed 5–28–15; 8:45 am] governments, and many federal
committee report on the militarization BILLING CODE 6335–01–P agencies. In conducting this survey, the
of police. The meeting will be held at Census Bureau’s top priority is
Nevada Department of Employment respecting the time and privacy of the
Training and Rehabilitation (NDETR), DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE people providing information while
2800 East St. Louis Ave., Las Vegas, NV preserving its value to the public. The
89104. A second videoconference Submission for OMB Review; 2016 survey content changes are the
location for the meeting is NDETR, 1325 Comment Request initial step in a multi-faceted approach
Corporate Blvd., Reno, NV 89502. The to reducing respondent burden. The
The Department of Commerce will
meeting is scheduled to begin at 1:30 Census Bureau is currently carrying out
submit to the Office of Management and
p.m. and adjourn at approximately 3:00 this program of research, which
Budget (OMB) for clearance the
p.m. includes several components as
following proposal for collection of
discussed briefly below.
Members of the public are entitled to information under the provisions of the One of the areas with strong potential
make comments during the open period Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. to reduce respondent burden is to reuse
at the end of the meeting. Members of chapter 35). information already supplied to the
the public may also submit written Note: This notice supplements FR Doc. federal government in lieu of directly
comments. The comments must be 2015–09741 with new information, and collecting it again through particular
received in the Western Regional Office extends the comment period to June 28, questions on the ACS. The Census
of the Commission by July 17, 2015. The 2015. Bureau is conducting groundbreaking
address is Western Regional Office, U.S. Agency: U.S. Census Bureau. work aimed at understanding the extent
Commission on Civil Rights, 300 N. Los Title: American Community Survey. to which existing government data can
Angeles Street, Suite 2010, Los Angeles, OMB Control Number: 0607–0810. reduce redundancy and improve
CA 90012. Persons wishing to email Form Number(s): ACS–1, ACS–1(SP), efficiency. The tests we are conducting
their comments may do so by sending ACS–1(PR), ACS–1(PR)SP, ACS–1(GQ), in the next two years will tell us
them to Angelica Trevino, Civil Rights ACS–1(PR)(GQ), GQFQ, ACS CATI whether existing government records
Analyst, Western Regional Office, at (HU), ACS CAPI (HU), ACS RI (HU), and can provide substitute data for
atrevino@usccr.gov. Persons who desire AGQ QI, AGQ RI. households that have not responded to
additional information should contact Type of Request: Regular Submission. the ACS.
the Western Regional Office, at (213) Number of Respondents: 3,760,000. In addition, we continue to look into
894–3437, (or for hearing impaired TDD Average Hours Per Response: 40 the possibility of asking some questions
913–551–1414), or by email to atrevino@ minutes for the average household less often beginning with initial efforts
usccr.gov. Hearing-impaired persons questionnaire. on the marital history series of
who will attend the meeting and require Burden Hours: The estimate is an questions. For example, asking a
the services of a sign language annual average of 2,455,868 burden question every other year, every third
interpreter should contact the Regional hours. year, or asking a question of a subset of
Office at least ten (10) working days Needs and Uses: The U.S. Census the respondents each year. We also want
before the scheduled date of the Bureau requests authorization from the to examine ways we can better phrase
meeting. Office of Management and Budget our questions to reduce respondent
Records and documents discussed (OMB) for revisions to the American concern, especially for those who may
during the meeting will be available for Community Survey (ACS). This notice be sensitive to providing information.
public viewing prior to and after the updates Federal Register notice 80 FR The outcome of these future steps will
meeting at http://facadatabase.gov/ 23501, which proposed only changes to be a more efficient survey that
committee/meetings.aspx?cid=261 and the content of the proposed 2016 ACS minimizes respondent burden while
clicking on the ‘‘Meeting Details’’ and questionnaire and data collection continuing to provide quality data
‘‘Documents’’ links. Records generated instruments for both Housing Unit and products for the nation. We expect to
from this meeting may also be inspected Group Quarters operations that were make great progress during fiscal 2015
and reproduced at the Western Regional proposed as a result of the 2014 ACS on this front, and will be reporting our
Office, as they become available, both Content Review. This notice proposes progress to the Secretary of Commerce
before and after the meeting. Persons additional changes to the content of the at the end of the fiscal year.
interested in the work of this Committee proposed 2016 ACS questionnaire and Since the founding of the nation, the
are directed to the Commission’s Web data collection instruments for both U.S. Census has mediated between the
site, http://www.usccr.gov, or may Housing Unit and Group Quarters demands of a growing country for
Lhorne on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
contact the Western Regional Office at operations that were proposed as a information about its economy and
the above email or street address. result of (a) recently completed people, and the people’s privacy and
cognitive testing on the computer usage respondent burden. Beginning with the
Agenda: Call to order; Discussion and
and internet questions; (b) research 1810 Census, Congress added questions
vote on police militarization report;
suggesting that the flush toilet to support a range of public concerns
Open comment; Adjournment.
component of the plumbing facilities and uses, and over the course of a
DATES: Friday, June 19, 2015. question can be removed; and (c) recent century questions were added about
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strategy for the ACS as described in the for telephone follow-up because we do Production under FTZ procedures
steps below. The testing has shown that not have a telephone number for the could exempt Swarovski from customs
the change increases response to the household. This postcard reminds these duty payments on the foreign-status
online questionnaire, and reduces the respondents to return their components used in export production.
total number of mailings sent to questionnaires and thanks them if they On its domestic sales, Swarovski would
households by eliminating one entire have already done so. be able to choose the duty rates during
mailing and replacing a postcard with a Affected Public: Individuals or customs entry procedures that apply to
letter. households. wall sconces; chandeliers; suspended
For households eligible to receive Frequency: Response to the ACS is on chandeliers; pendant lamps; electric
survey materials by mail, the first a one-time basis. household lamps; electric table lamps;
contact includes a letter and instruction Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory. electric candelabras; electric floor
card explaining how to complete the Legal Authority: Title 13, United standing lamps; wall mount light
survey online. Also included are a States Code, Sections 141, 193, and 221. fixtures; high intensity discharge lamp
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Written comments and
fixtures; halogen lamp fixtures; candle
brochure and a brochure that provides recommendations for the proposed
candelabras; candle lamp fixtures; light-
basic information about the survey in information collection should be sent
emitting diode (LED) illuminated
English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, within 30 days of publication of this
paneling; LED illuminated wall mounts;
Vietnamese, and Korean, and provides a notice to OIRA_Submission@
lamp illuminated paneling; lamp
phone number to call for assistance in omb.eop.gov or fax to (202)395–5806.
Copies of the above information illuminated wall mounts; lighted signs;
each language. The instruction card fixture extensions; and, parts of lamps—
provides the information on how to collection proposal can be obtained by
calling or writing Jennifer Jessup, scrolls, arms, covers, extenders, sconce
respond in English and Spanish. The plates, brass bodies, bases, finials,
letter explains that if the respondent is Departmental Paperwork Clearance
Officer, (202) 482–0336, Department of bobeches, connectors, hangers, cups,
unable to complete the survey online, a rings, and shafts (duty rates range from
paper questionnaire will be sent later. Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, 3.9% to 6%) for the foreign status inputs
The Internet version of the noted below. Customs duties also could
questionnaire is available in English and DC 20230 (or via the Internet at jjessup@
doc.gov). possibly be deferred or reduced on
Spanish and includes questions about foreign-status production equipment.
the housing unit and the people living Dated: May 26, 2015.
in the housing unit. The Internet The components and materials
Sarah Brabson,
questionnaire has space to collect sourced from abroad include: Lacquer;
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer, submitting for UV-curing glues; anaerobic sealants;
detailed information for twenty people Department of Commerce.
in the household. plastic crates/cavity trays/bags/o-rings/
[FR Doc. 2015–13061 Filed 5–28–15; 8:45 am] molded washers/labels; plywood insert
The second mailing is a letter that BILLING CODE 3510–07–P
reminds respondents to complete the packing materials; packing material
survey online, thanks them if they have boxes; brown paper; labels, brown kraft
already done so, and informs them that paper; corrugated cardboard strips;
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE reinforced tape; gift bags; cardboard
a paper form will be sent later if we do
not receive their response. This letter Foreign-Trade Zones Board boxes; pocket folders; paperboard;
includes clear instructions to log in, marketing brochures; booklets;
[B–35–2015] instruction manuals/sheets; decals;
including an explicit reference to the
user identification number. window stickers; printed cards;
Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 54—Clinton consumer brochures; product catalogs;
In a third mailing, the ACS housing County, New York; Notification of
unit questionnaire package is sent only advertising cards; pricelists; tags for
Proposed Production Activity; color samples; netting; glass mirrors;
to those sample addresses that have not Swarovski Lighting, Ltd. (Lighting
completed the online questionnaire amethyst balls and drops; fluorite balls
Fixtures and Parts); Plattsburgh, New and drops; rose quartz drops; rock
within two weeks. The content includes York
a follow up letter, a paper copy of the crystal balls, bases, bobeches, cubes,
questionnaire, an instruction guide for The Clinton County Area cylinders, drops, kites, octagons,
completing the paper form, an Development Corporation, grantee of rosettes, sink bowls, spikes and square
instruction card for completing the FTZ 54, submitted a notification of bases; smokey quartz pears; gold
survey online, a FAQ brochure, and a proposed production activity to the FTZ powder; steel flat bars; hex nuts; steel
return envelope. The cover letter with Board on behalf of Swarovski Lighting, thumbnuts; brass ball nuts, brass hex
this questionnaire package reminds the Ltd. (Swarovski), located in Plattsburgh, nuts; brass hickeys; glass drills;
household of the importance of the New York. The notification conforming instructional DVDs; dimmer switches;
ACS, and asks them to respond soon to the requirements of the regulations of electrical plugs; protection caps; silicon
either by completing the survey online the FTZ Board (15 CFR 400.22) was sleeves; chrome connection jacks/
or by returning a completed paper received on May 15, 2015. connection rings; wire nuts; electrical
questionnaire. The Swarovski facility is located harness assemblies; porcelain
The fourth mailing is a postcard that within Site 1 of FTZ 54. The facility is lampholders; lampholders with
reminds respondents that ‘‘now is the used to make custom lighting fixtures brackets; rivet sockets; ceramic sockets;
time to complete the survey,’’ informs and related parts. Pursuant to 15 CFR stainless steel sockets; socket holders;
Lhorne on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
them that an interviewer may contact 400.14(b), FTZ activity would be limited lampholder connectors; monorail
them if they do not complete the survey, to the specific foreign-status materials connectors; power adapters; terminal
and reminds them of the importance of and components and specific finished blocks; connection boxes; junction
the ACS. products described in the submitted boxes; cable lug connectors; cable
A fifth mailing is sent to respondents notification (as described below) and clutches; ring wire locking with screw;
who have not completed the survey subsequently authorized by the FTZ brackets for European arm sockets;
within five weeks and are not eligible Board. halogen lamps; incandescent lamps;
VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:17 May 28, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\29MYN1.SGM 29MYN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_30758/page/5.svg)
Document Created: 2015-12-15 15:30:58
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 15:30:58
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 30655 |
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