81 FR 42731 - Proposed Collection, Comment Request
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 126 (June 30, 2016)
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 126 (June 30, 2016)
| Page Range | 42731-42733 | |
| FR Document | 2016-15512 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 126 (Thursday, June 30, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 42731-42733] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-15512] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Proposed Collection, Comment Request ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that 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 on respondents can be properly assessed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed revision of the ``The Consumer Expenditure Surveys: The Quarterly Interview and the Diary.'' A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice on or before August 29, 2016. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Nora Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4080, 2 Massachusetts Avenue NE., Washington, DC 20212. Written comments also may be transmitted by fax to 202-691-5111 (this is not a toll free number). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nora Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer, at 202-691-7628 (this is not a toll free number). (See ADDRESSES section.) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Consumer Expenditure (CE) Surveys collect data on consumer expenditures, demographic information, and related data needed by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and other public and private data users. The continuing surveys provide a constant measurement of changes in consumer expenditure patterns for economic analysis and to obtain data for future CPI revisions. The CE Surveys have been ongoing since 1979. The data from the CE Surveys are used (1) for CPI revisions, (2) to provide a continuous flow of data on income and expenditure patterns for use in economic analysis and policy formulation, and (3) to provide a flexible consumer survey vehicle that is available for use by other Federal Government agencies. Public and private users of price statistics, including Congress and the economic policymaking agencies of the Executive branch, rely on data collected in the CPI in their day-to-day activities. Hence, data users and policymakers widely accept the need to improve the process used for revising the CPI. If the CE Surveys were not conducted on a continuing basis, current information necessary for more timely, as well as more accurate, updating of the CPI would not be available. In addition, data would not be available to respond to the continuing demand from the public and [[Page 42732]] private sectors for current information on consumer spending. In the Quarterly Interview Survey, each consumer unit (CU) in the sample is interviewed every three months over four calendar quarters. The sample for each quarter is divided into three panels, with CUs being interviewed every three months in the same panel of every quarter. The Quarterly Interview Survey is designed to collect data on the types of expenditures that respondents can be expected to recall for a period of three months or longer. In general the expenses reported in the Interview Survey are either relatively large, such as property, automobiles, or major appliances, or are expenses which occur on a fairly regular basis, such as rent, utility bills, or insurance premiums. The Diary (or recordkeeping) Survey is completed at home by the respondent family for two consecutive one-week periods. The primary objective of the Diary Survey is to obtain expenditure data on small, frequently purchased items which normally are difficult to recall over longer periods of time. II. Current Action Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for the proposed revision of the Consumer Expenditure Surveys: The Quarterly Interview and the Diary. Additionally, as part of an ongoing effort to improve data quality, maintain or increase response rates, and reduce data collection costs, CE is making the below changes. Three major changes will be implemented in the Diary Survey (CED). First, in an effort to alleviate burden and slow or reverse the decline in response rates, CE has developed an alternative version of the paper diary form. The new version consolidates the four main diary categories onto two, facing, diary pages so that all expenses for a single day can be entered without flipping pages. An effort was also made to reduce the amount of instructions and examples so that respondents are not confused or intimidated. Second, the earliest placement date and last placement date restrictions for the Diary will be removed allowing Field Representatives to place the diary on any day within the collection month. Data analysis shows that the monthly expenditures cycles that the earliest and last placement dates were put in place to capture are not statistically significant and were most likely the result of normal random fluctuations in the data that are expected in the survey's data rather than actual expenditure cycles. Third, in order to simplify procedures and reduce costs, all Diaries will be double placed. With this new procedure, Field Representatives (FRs) will have the entire month to place the diaries instead of 7 days. This should drastically reduce the number of diaries CE loses to the non-interview Type A--Placed Too Late outcome code. As a result, the second Field Representative interview to pick up the Week 1 Diary and place the Week 2 Diary will be eliminated. Data analysis shows that double placements do not appear to have any negative effects on the Diary Survey. Approximately 27% of eligible cases and 33% of completed diaries are currently double placed. Additionally, CE will delete several tax questions that were deleted from CEQ in 2015 as data received from the IRS have enabled CE to calculate this data rather than collect it. Several changes will also be implemented in CEQ in order to keep the CEQ questionnaire current. These changes include changes to question wording, deletions, additions, and section restructurings. Questions were added for solar panels, internet away from home charges, and alternative fuels such as electrical vehicle charging; health insurance questions were revamped to make them clearer and to align with the structure of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS); questions were combined and reworded such as streaming videos to be combined with rental of movies and combining book purchases with book club subscriptions; questions were deleted on purchases occurring in the current month and on purchases of apps, games, and ringtones; questions on refinancing of a property and on construction and repair of property were streamlined. The Bureau of the Census conducts the CE Surveys for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in support of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) program. The continuing CE Surveys provide a constant measurement of changes in consumer expenditure patterns for economic analysis, and obtain data for future CPI revisions. The CPI program anticipates the need for CE surveys to collect outlet information to serve as outlet frames for most commodities and services (C&S) items as issues with TPOPS collection have resulted in prohibitively high costs. To support this objective, CE will test the addition of outlet questions in several sections of the CEQ survey instrument. In all sections except vehicles, CE will add these questions to the fourth interview only; because vehicle purchases are not reported often, questions on the purchase location for vehicles will be asked in all four interviews. Finally, the Incentives/Outlets Test study questions will be deleted. A full list of the proposed changes to the Quarterly Interview Survey and Diary Survey are available upon request. In addition to the Incentives/Outlets test, the Consumer Expenditure program is planning several tests over the next several years in an effort to improve the CE surveys in the areas of both data quality and respondent burden. Desired Focus of Comments The Bureau of Labor Statistics 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. 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 submissions of responses. Type of Review: Revision, of a currently approved collection. Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics. Title: The Consumer Expenditure Surveys: The Quarterly Interview and the Diary. OMB Number: 1220-0050. Affected Public: Individuals or Households. [[Page 42733]] Total Response Burden for the Quarterly Interview and Diary Surveys ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Incentives/ Quarterly Diary Total outlets test in 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of responses............................. 29,200 27,780 56,980 Total burden hours.............................. 28,974 28,780 57,754 20 Total burden hours including Incentives/ .............. .............. .............. 57,774 Outlets Test............................... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0. Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they also will become a matter of public record. Signed at Washington, DC, this 24th day of June 2016. Kimberley Hill, Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics. [FR Doc. 2016-15512 Filed 6-29-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-24-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 126 / Thursday, June 30, 2016 / Notices 42731
the INA contains an exception to this are to respond, including through the requirements on respondents can be
general prohibition where the use of use of appropriate automated, properly assessed. The Bureau of Labor
foreign crewmembers is permitted by an electronic, mechanical, or other Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments
applicable collective bargaining technological collection techniques or concerning the proposed revision of the
agreement or otherwise is a prevailing other forms of information technology, ‘‘The Consumer Expenditure Surveys:
practice at the U.S. port. 8 U.S.C. e.g., permitting electronic submissions The Quarterly Interview and the Diary.’’
1288(c)(1). Under the prevailing practice of responses. A copy of the proposed information
exception, before any employer may use collection request (ICR) can be obtained
foreign crewmembers to perform III. Current Actions:
by contacting the individual listed
longshore activities in U.S. ports, it Type of Review: Extension Title: Form below in the ADDRESSES section of this
must submit an attestation to the ETA 9033, Attestation by Employers notice.
Secretary of Labor containing the Using Alien Crewmembers for DATES: Written comments must be
elements required by the INA. 8 U.S.C. Longshore Activities in U.S. Ports and submitted to the office listed in the
1288(c)(1)(B). The INA further requires Form ETA 9033A, Attestation by ADDRESSES section of this notice on or
that the Secretary of Labor make Employers Using Alien Crewmembers before August 29, 2016.
available for public examination in for Longshore Activities in the State of
Washington, DC a list of employers that Alaska. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Nora
have filed attestations and for each of OMB Number: 1205–0309. Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer,
these employers, a copy of the Affected Public: Business or other for- Division of Management Systems,
employer’s attestation, and profits. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4080,
accompanying documentation received Form(s): ETA–9033 and ETA–9033A. 2 Massachusetts Avenue NE.,
by the Secretary. 8 U.S.C. 1288(c)(4). Total Annual Respondents: 7. Washington, DC 20212. Written
Similarly, the INA permits foreign Annual Frequency: 1. comments also may be transmitted by
crewmembers to perform longshore Total Annual Responses: 7. fax to 202–691–5111 (this is not a toll
work in the State of Alaska if the Average Time per Response: 3 hours free number).
employer complies with certain 15 minutes. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
attestation requirements. 8 U.S.C. Estimated Total Annual Burden Nora Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer, at
1288(d). Hours: 23. 202–691–7628 (this is not a toll free
The information is being collected to Total Annual Burden Cost for number). (See ADDRESSES section.)
ensure compliance with the INA’s Respondents: $0.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
requirements that employers must make Comments submitted in response to
certain attestations as a condition this comment request will be I. Background
precedent to the employer’s use of summarized and/or included in the
The Consumer Expenditure (CE)
foreign crewmembers to perform request for OMB approval of the ICR;
Surveys collect data on consumer
longshore activities in the U.S. The they will also become a matter of public
expenditures, demographic information,
attestations required by section 258 are record.
and related data needed by the
collected by the Secretary of Labor Portia Wu, Consumer Price Index (CPI) and other
through his or her designee, the public and private data users. The
Assistant Secretary for Employment and
Employment & Training Administration, Training, Labor. continuing surveys provide a constant
on Form ETA 9033, Attestation by measurement of changes in consumer
[FR Doc. 2016–15468 Filed 6–29–16; 8:45 am]
Employers Using Alien Crewmembers expenditure patterns for economic
BILLING CODE 4510–FP–P
for Longshore Activities in U.S. Ports analysis and to obtain data for future
and Form ETA 9033A, Attestation by CPI revisions. The CE Surveys have
Employers Using Alien Crewmembers DEPARTMENT OF LABOR been ongoing since 1979.
for Longshore Activities in the State of
The data from the CE Surveys are
Alaska under OMB Control Number Bureau of Labor Statistics used (1) for CPI revisions, (2) to provide
1205–0309. The Department is not
a continuous flow of data on income
proposing any changes to the collection Proposed Collection, Comment
and expenditure patterns for use in
and is requesting a three year extension. Request
economic analysis and policy
II. Review Focus ACTION: Notice. formulation, and (3) to provide a
DOL is particularly interested in flexible consumer survey vehicle that is
comments that: SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as available for use by other Federal
• Evaluate whether the proposed part of its continuing effort to reduce Government agencies. Public and
collection of information is necessary paperwork and respondent burden, private users of price statistics,
for the proper performance of the conducts a pre-clearance consultation including Congress and the economic
functions of the agency, including program to provide the general public policymaking agencies of the Executive
whether the information will have and Federal agencies with an branch, rely on data collected in the CPI
practical utility; opportunity to comment on proposed in their day-to-day activities. Hence,
• evaluate the accuracy of the and/or continuing collections of data users and policymakers widely
agency’s estimate of the burden of the information in accordance with the accept the need to improve the process
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 used for revising the CPI. If the CE
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
proposed collection of information,
including the validity of the (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This Surveys were not conducted on a
methodology and assumptions used; program helps to ensure that requested continuing basis, current information
• enhance the quality, utility, and data can be provided in the desired necessary for more timely, as well as
clarity of the information to be format, reporting burden (time and more accurate, updating of the CPI
collected; and financial resources) is minimized, would not be available. In addition, data
• minimize the burden of the collection instruments are clearly would not be available to respond to the
collection of information on those who understood, and the impact of collection continuing demand from the public and
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 126 / Thursday, June 30, 2016 / Notices 42733
TOTAL RESPONSE BURDEN FOR THE QUARTERLY INTERVIEW AND DIARY SURVEYS
Incentives/
Quarterly Diary Total outlets test
in 2017
Number of responses ...................................................................................... 29,200 27,780 56,980
Total burden hours .......................................................................................... 28,974 28,780 57,754 20
Total burden hours including Incentives/Outlets Test .............................. ........................ ........................ ........................ 57,774
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): this notice may be sent by any of the II. Desired Focus of Comments
$0. methods listed below. MSHA is soliciting comments
Total Burden Cost (operating/ • Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: concerning the proposed information
maintenance): $0. http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the collection related to Hazardous
Comments submitted in response to on-line instructions for submitting Conditions Complaints. MSHA is
this notice will be summarized and/or comments for docket number MSHA– particularly interested in comments
included in the request for Office of 2016–0019. that:
Management and Budget approval of the • Evaluate whether the collection of
• Regular Mail: Send comments to
information collection request; they also information is necessary for the proper
USDOL–MSHA, Office of Standards,
will become a matter of public record. performance of the functions of the
Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th
Signed at Washington, DC, this 24th day of Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, agency, including whether the
June 2016. VA 22202–5452. information has practical utility;
Kimberley Hill,
• Hand Delivery: USDOL—Mine • Evaluate the accuracy of MSHA’s
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Safety and Health Administration, 201 estimate of the burden of the collection
Bureau of Labor Statistics. of information, including the validity of
12th Street South, Suite 4E401,
[FR Doc. 2016–15512 Filed 6–29–16; 8:45 am] Arlington, VA 22202–5452. Sign in at the methodology and assumptions used;
BILLING CODE 4510–24–P the receptionist’s desk on the 4th floor • Suggest methods to enhance the
via the East elevator. quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: • Minimize the burden of the
Sheila McConnell, Director, Office of collection of information on those who
Mine Safety and Health Administration Standards, Regulations, and Variances, are to respond, including through the
MSHA, at MSHA.information use of appropriate automated,
[OMB Control No. 1219–0014]
.collections@dol.gov (email); 202–693– electronic, mechanical, or other
Proposed Extension of Information 9440 (voice); or 202–693–9441 technological collection techniques or
Collection; Hazardous Conditions (facsimile). other forms of information technology,
Complaints SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
e.g., permitting electronic submission of
responses.
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health I. Background The information collection request
Administration, Labor. will be available on http://
ACTION: Request for public comments. Under Section 103(g) of the Federal www.regulations.gov. MSHA cautions
Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as the commenter against providing any
SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as amended (Mine Act), a representative of information in the submission that
part of its continuing effort to reduce miners, or any individual miner where should not be publicly disclosed. Full
paperwork and respondent burden, there is no representative of miners, comments, including personal
conducts a pre-clearance consultation may submit a written or oral notification information provided, will be made
program to provide the general public of an alleged violation of the Mine Act available on www.regulations.gov and
and Federal agencies with an or a mandatory standard or that an www.reginfo.gov.
opportunity to comment on proposed imminent danger exists. The notifier has The public may also examine publicly
collections of information in accordance the right to obtain an immediate available documents at USDOL—Mine
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of inspection by MSHA. A copy of the Safety and Health Administration, 201
1995, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A). This notice must be provided to the operator, 12th South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, VA
program helps to assure that requested with individual miner names redacted. 22202–5452. Sign in at the receptionist’s
data can be provided in the desired MSHA regulations at 30 CFR part 43 desk on the 4th floor via the East
format, reporting burden (time and implement Section 103(g) of the Mine elevator.
financial resources) is minimized, Act. These regulations provide the Questions about the information
collection instruments are clearly procedures for submitting notification of collection requirements may be directed
understood, and the impact of collection the alleged violation and the actions to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER
requirements on respondents can be that MSHA must take after receiving the INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
properly assessed. Currently, the Mine notice. Although the regulations contain notice.
Safety and Health Administration a review procedure (required by section
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
(MSHA) is soliciting comments on the 103(g)(2) of the Mine Act) whereby a III. Current Actions
information collection for Hazardous miner or a representative of miners may This request for collection of
Conditions Complaints. in writing request a review if no citation information contains provisions for
DATES: All comments must be received or order is issued as a result of the Hazardous Conditions Complaints.
on or before August 29, 2016. original notice, the option is so rarely MSHA has updated the data with
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the used that it was not considered in the respect to the number of respondents,
information collection requirements of burden estimates. responses, burden hours, and burden
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Document Created: 2018-02-08 07:45:08
Document Modified: 2018-02-08 07:45:08
| 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 | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the | |
| Contact | Nora Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer, | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 42731 |
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