82 FR 12471 - Proposed Collection, Comment Request
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 41 (March 3, 2017)
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 41 (March 3, 2017)
| Page Range | 12471-12472 | |
| FR Document | 2017-04098 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 41 (Friday, March 3, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 12471-12472] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-04098] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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). 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 ``Consumer Price Index Commodities and Services Survey.'' 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 May 2, 2017. 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, 202-691-7628 (this is not a toll free number). (See Addresses section.) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Under the direction of the Secretary of Labor, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is directed by law to collect, collate, and report full and complete statistics on the conditions of labor and the products and distribution of the products of the same; the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is one of these statistics. The collection of data from a wide spectrum of retail establishments and government agencies is essential for the timely and accurate calculation of the Commodities and Services (C&S) component of the CPI. The CPI is the only index compiled by the U.S. Government that is designed to measure changes in the purchasing power of the urban consumer's dollar. The CPI is a measure of the average change in prices over time paid by urban consumers for a market basket of goods and services. The CPI is used most widely as a measure of inflation, and serves as an indicator of the effectiveness of government economic policy. It is also used as a deflator of other economic series, that is, to adjust other series for price changes and to translate these series into inflation-free dollars. Examples include retail sales, hourly and weekly earnings, and components of the Gross Domestic Product. A third major use of the CPI is to adjust income payments. Over 2 million workers are covered by collective bargaining contracts, which provide for increases in wage rates based on increases in the CPI. At least eleven states have laws that link the adjustment in state minimum wage to the changes in the CPI. In addition, as a result of statutory action, the CPI affects the income of millions of Americans. Over 51 million Social Security beneficiaries, and millions of military and Federal Civil Service retirees, have cost-of-living adjustments tied to the CPI. In addition, eligibility criteria for millions of food stamps recipients and millions of children who eat lunch at school are affected by changes in the CPI. Under the National School Lunch Act and Child Nutrition Act, national average payments for those lunches and breakfasts are adjusted annually by the Secretary of Agriculture on the basis of the change in the CPI series, ``Food away from Home.'' Since 1985, the CPI has been used to adjust the Federal income tax structure to prevent inflation-induced tax rate increases. II. Current Action Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for the proposed revision of the Consumer Price Index Commodities and Services Survey. In January 2018 a new geographic sample redesign will be implemented. The new sample design will expand the [[Page 12472]] coverage of the CPI-U from 89% to 94% of the U.S. population. The CPI will rotate its sample to new geographic areas on a continuous basis, over a 4-year transition period, until all new areas have been brought into the sample. A few of the notable methodological changes are the sample classification structure will change from four Census regions (Northeast, Midwest, South, and West) to nine Census divisions (New England, Middle Atlantic, East North Central, West South Central, South Atlantic, East South Central, West South Central, Mountain, and Pacific); PSU area definitions have been updated using the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) definitions; and the number of sampled PSUs in the CPI will be reduced from 87 to 75. This change will increase the average number of price quotes per index area. The continuation of the collection of prices for the CPI is essential since the CPI is the nation's chief source of information on retail price changes. If the information on C&S prices were not collected, Federal fiscal and monetary policies would be hampered due to the lack of information on price changes in a major sector of the U.S. economy, and estimates of the real value of the Gross National Product could not be made. The consequences to both the Federal and private sectors would be far reaching and would have serious repercussions on Federal government policy and institutions. III. 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: Extension without change of a currently approved collection. Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics. Title: Consumer Price Index Commodities and Services Survey. OMB Number: 1220-0039. Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; not for profit institutions; and State, Local or Tribal Government. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Total Average time Estimated respondents Frequency responses per response total burden ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pricing......................... 35,552 8.775 311,968 0.33 102,949 Outlet Rotation................. 11,543 1 11,543 1.0 11,543 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total....................... 47,095 n/a 323,511 n/a 114,492 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.0. Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.0. 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 15th day of February 2017. Kimberley Hill, Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics. [FR Doc. 2017-04098 Filed 3-2-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-24-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 41 / Friday, March 3, 2017 / Notices 12471
Statute authorizes this information Total Estimated Annual Other Costs collate, and report full and complete
collection. See 29 U.S.C. 1, 2. Burden: $0. statistics on the conditions of labor and
This proposed information collection Dated: February 27, 2017. the products and distribution of the
is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency products of the same; the Consumer
Michel Smyth,
generally cannot conduct or sponsor a Price Index (CPI) is one of these
Departmental Clearance Officer.
collection of information, and the public statistics. The collection of data from a
is generally not required to respond to [FR Doc. 2017–04111 Filed 3–2–17; 8:45 am] wide spectrum of retail establishments
an information collection, unless it is BILLING CODE 4510–24–P and government agencies is essential for
approved by the OMB under the PRA the timely and accurate calculation of
and displays a currently valid OMB the Commodities and Services (C&S)
Control Number. In addition, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR component of the CPI.
notwithstanding any other provisions of The CPI is the only index compiled by
Bureau of Labor Statistics
law, no person shall generally be subject the U.S. Government that is designed to
to penalty for failing to comply with a Proposed Collection, Comment measure changes in the purchasing
collection of information if the Request power of the urban consumer’s dollar.
collection of information does not The CPI is a measure of the average
display a valid Control Number. See 5 ACTION: Notice. change in prices over time paid by
CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. For urban consumers for a market basket of
additional substantive information SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as goods and services. The CPI is used
about this ICR, see the related notice part of its continuing effort to reduce most widely as a measure of inflation,
published in the Federal Register on paperwork and respondent burden, and serves as an indicator of the
September 30, 2016 (81 FR 67394). conducts a pre-clearance consultation effectiveness of government economic
Interested parties are encouraged to program to provide the general public policy. It is also used as a deflator of
send comments to the OMB, Office of and Federal agencies with an other economic series, that is, to adjust
Information and Regulatory Affairs at opportunity to comment on proposed other series for price changes and to
the address shown in the ADDRESSES and/or continuing collections of translate these series into inflation-free
section within thirty (30) days of information in accordance with the dollars. Examples include retail sales,
publication of this notice in the Federal Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 hourly and weekly earnings, and
Register. In order to help ensure (PRA95). This program helps to ensure components of the Gross Domestic
appropriate consideration, comments that requested data can be provided in Product.
should mention OMB Control Number the desired format, reporting burden A third major use of the CPI is to
1220–0153. The OMB is particularly (time and financial resources) is adjust income payments. Over 2 million
interested in comments that: minimized, collection instruments are workers are covered by collective
• Evaluate whether the proposed clearly understood, and the impact of bargaining contracts, which provide for
collection of information is necessary collection requirements on respondents increases in wage rates based on
for the proper performance of the can be properly assessed. The Bureau of increases in the CPI. At least eleven
functions of the agency, including Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting states have laws that link the adjustment
whether the information will have comments concerning the proposed in state minimum wage to the changes
practical utility; revision of the ‘‘Consumer Price Index in the CPI. In addition, as a result of
• Evaluate the accuracy of the Commodities and Services Survey.’’ A statutory action, the CPI affects the
agency’s estimate of the burden of the copy of the proposed information income of millions of Americans. Over
proposed collection of information, collection request (ICR) can be obtained 51 million Social Security beneficiaries,
including the validity of the by contacting the individual listed and millions of military and Federal
methodology and assumptions used; below in the Addresses section of this Civil Service retirees, have cost-of-living
• Enhance the quality, utility, and notice. adjustments tied to the CPI. In addition,
clarity of the information to be DATES: Written comments must be eligibility criteria for millions of food
collected; and submitted to the office listed in the stamps recipients and millions of
• Minimize the burden of the ADDRESSES section of this notice on or children who eat lunch at school are
collection of information on those who before May 2, 2017. affected by changes in the CPI. Under
are to respond, including through the the National School Lunch Act and
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Nora
use of appropriate automated, Child Nutrition Act, national average
Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer,
electronic, mechanical, or other payments for those lunches and
Division of Management Systems,
technological collection techniques or breakfasts are adjusted annually by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4080,
other forms of information technology, Secretary of Agriculture on the basis of
2 Massachusetts Avenue NE.,
e.g., permitting electronic submission of the change in the CPI series, ‘‘Food
Washington, DC 20212. Written
responses. away from Home.’’ Since 1985, the CPI
comments also may be transmitted by
Agency: DOL–BLS. has been used to adjust the Federal
fax to, 202–691–5111. (This is not a toll
Title of Collection: Contingent Work income tax structure to prevent
free number.)
Supplement to the Current Population inflation-induced tax rate increases.
Survey. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nora Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer, II. Current Action
OMB Control Number: 1220–0153.
202–691–7628 (this is not a toll free Office of Management and Budget
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
Affected Public: Individuals or
Households. number). (See ADDRESSES section.) clearance is being sought for the
Total Estimated Number of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: proposed revision of the Consumer
Respondents: 47,000. Price Index Commodities and Services
Total Estimated Number of I. Background
Survey.
Responses: 47,000. Under the direction of the Secretary of In January 2018 a new geographic
Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: Labor, the Bureau of Labor Statistics sample redesign will be implemented.
7,050 hours. (BLS) is directed by law to collect, The new sample design will expand the
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![12472 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 41 / Friday, March 3, 2017 / Notices
coverage of the CPI–U from 89% to 94% CPI is the nation’s chief source of proposed collection of information,
of the U.S. population. The CPI will information on retail price changes. If including the validity of the
rotate its sample to new geographic the information on C&S prices were not methodology and assumptions used.
areas on a continuous basis, over a 4- collected, Federal fiscal and monetary • Enhance the quality, utility, and
year transition period, until all new policies would be hampered due to the clarity of the information to be
areas have been brought into the lack of information on price changes in collected.
sample. A few of the notable a major sector of the U.S. economy, and
• Minimize the burden of the
methodological changes are the sample estimates of the real value of the Gross
collection of information on those who
classification structure will change from National Product could not be made.
are to respond, including through the
four Census regions (Northeast, The consequences to both the Federal
use of appropriate automated,
Midwest, South, and West) to nine and private sectors would be far
electronic, mechanical, or other
Census divisions (New England, Middle reaching and would have serious
repercussions on Federal government technological collection techniques or
Atlantic, East North Central, West South other forms of information technology,
Central, South Atlantic, East South policy and institutions.
e.g., permitting electronic submissions
Central, West South Central, Mountain, III. Desired Focus of Comments of responses.
and Pacific); PSU area definitions have
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is Type of Review: Extension without
been updated using the Office of
particularly interested in comments change of a currently approved
Management and Budget’s (OMB) Core-
that: collection.
Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) • Evaluate whether the proposed
definitions; and the number of sampled Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
collection of information is necessary
PSUs in the CPI will be reduced from 87 Title: Consumer Price Index
for the proper performance of the
to 75. This change will increase the Commodities and Services Survey.
functions of the agency, including
average number of price quotes per whether the information will have OMB Number: 1220–0039.
index area. practical utility. Affected Public: Business or other for-
The continuation of the collection of • Evaluate the accuracy of the profit; not for profit institutions; and
prices for the CPI is essential since the agency’s estimate of the burden of the State, Local or Tribal Government.
Average Estimated
Total Total
Frequency time per total
respondents responses response burden
Pricing .................................................................................. 35,552 8.775 311,968 0.33 102,949
Outlet Rotation ..................................................................... 11,543 1 11,543 1.0 11,543
Total .............................................................................. 47,095 n/a 323,511 n/a 114,492
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): The meeting will be open to public before the meeting. If an electronic copy
$0.0. attendance. cannot be provided within this
Total Burden Cost (operating/ The agenda for the subject meeting timeframe, presenters should provide
maintenance): $0.0. shall be as follows: the DFO with a CD containing each
Comments submitted in response to Thursday, March 23, 2017—1:00 p.m. presentation at least thirty minutes
this notice will be summarized and/or until 5:00 p.m. before the meeting. Electronic
included in the request for Office of recordings will be permitted only
The Subcommittee will review
Management and Budget approval of the during those portions of the meeting
Subsequent License Renewal. The
information collection request; they also that are open to the public. Detailed
Subcommittee will hear presentations
will become a matter of public record. procedures for the conduct of and
by and hold discussions with the NRC
Signed at Washington, DC, this 15th day of staff and other interested persons participation in ACRS meetings were
February 2017. regarding this matter. The published in the Federal Register on
Kimberley Hill, Subcommittee will gather information, October 17, 2016, (81 FR 71543).
Chief, Division of Management Systems, analyze relevant issues and facts, and Detailed meeting agendas and meeting
Bureau of Labor Statistics. formulate proposed positions and transcripts are available on the NRC
[FR Doc. 2017–04098 Filed 3–2–17; 8:45 am] actions, as appropriate, for deliberation Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-
BILLING CODE 4510–24–P by the Full Committee. rm/doc-collections/acrs. Information
Members of the public desiring to regarding topics to be discussed,
provide oral statements and/or written
changes to the agenda, whether the
comments should notify the Designated
NUCLEAR REGULATORY meeting has been canceled or
Federal Official (DFO), Kent Howard
COMMISSION rescheduled, and the time allotted to
(Telephone 301–415–2989 or Email:
Kent.Howard@nrc.gov) five days prior to present oral statements can be obtained
Advisory Committee on Reactor from the Web site cited above or by
the meeting, if possible, so that
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
Safeguards; Meeting of the ACRS contacting the identified DFO.
Subcommittee on Plant License appropriate arrangements can be made.
Thirty-five hard copies of each Moreover, in view of the possibility that
Renewal; Notice of Meeting the schedule for ACRS meetings may be
presentation or handout should be
The ACRS Subcommittee on Plant provided to the DFO thirty minutes adjusted by the Chairman as necessary
License Renewal will hold a meeting on before the meeting. In addition, one to facilitate the conduct of the meeting,
March 23, 2017, Room T–2B1, 11545 electronic copy of each presentation persons planning to attend should check
Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland. should be emailed to the DFO one day with these references if such
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Document Created: 2018-02-01 14:45:44
Document Modified: 2018-02-01 14:45:44
| 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 | 82 FR 12471 |
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