82 FR 16064 - Technical Advisory Committee; Request for Nominations

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 61 (March 31, 2017)

Page Range		16064-16065
FR Document		2017-06341

The BLS is soliciting new members for the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Five current membership terms expire on May 20, 2017. The TAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Bureau of Labor Statistics on technical aspects of data collection and the formulation of economic measures. On some technical issues there are differing views, and receiving feedback at public meetings provides BLS with the opportunity to consider all viewpoints. The Committee will consist of 16 members and will be chosen from a cross-section of economists, statisticians, and behavioral scientists who represent a balance of expertise.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 61 (Friday, March 31, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 61 (Friday, March 31, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16064-16065]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06341]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics


Technical Advisory Committee; Request for Nominations

AGENCY: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Labor.

ACTION: Request for nominations to the BLS Technical Advisory 
Committee.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The BLS is soliciting new members for the Technical Advisory 
Committee (TAC). Five current membership terms expire on May 20, 2017. 
The TAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics on technical aspects of data collection and the 
formulation of economic measures. On some technical issues there are 
differing views, and receiving feedback at public meetings provides BLS 
with the opportunity to consider all viewpoints. The Committee will 
consist of 16 members and will be chosen from a cross-section of 
economists, statisticians, and behavioral scientists who represent a 
balance of expertise.

DATES: Nominations for the TAC membership should be postmarked by April 
17, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Nominations for the TAC membership should be sent to: Acting 
Commissioner Bill Wiatrowski, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 
Massachusetts Avenue NE., Room 4040, Washington, DC 20212.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lucy Eldridge, Associate Commissioner, 
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts Avenue NE., Office of 
Productivity and Technology, Room 2180, Washington, DC 20212. 
Telephone: 202-691-5600. This is not a toll free number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BLS intends to renew memberships in the TAC 
for another three years. The Bureau often faces highly technical issues 
while developing and maintaining the accuracy and relevancy of its data 
on employment and unemployment, prices, productivity, and compensation 
and working conditions. These issues range from how to develop new 
measures to how to make sure that existing measures account for the 
ever-changing economy. The BLS presents issues and then draws on the 
specialized expertise of Committee members representing specialized 
fields within the academic disciplines of economics, statistics and 
survey design. Committee members are also invited to bring to the 
attention of BLS, issues that have been identified in the academic 
literature or in their own research.
    The TAC was established to provide advice to the Commissioner of 
Labor Statistics on technical topics selected by the BLS. 
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to providing comments on 
papers and presentations developed by BLS research and program staff, 
conducting research on issues identified by BLS on which an objective 
technical opinion or recommendation from outside of BLS would be 
valuable, recommending BLS conduct internal research projects to 
address technical problems with BLS statistics that have been 
identified in the academic literature, participating in discussions of 
areas where the types or coverage of economic statistics could be 
expanded or improved and areas where statistics are no longer relevant, 
and establishing working relationships with professional associations 
with an interest in BLS statistics, such as the American

[[Page 16065]]

Statistical Association and the American Economic Association.
    Nominations: BLS is looking for committed TAC members who have a 
strong interest in, and familiarity with, BLS data. The Agency is 
looking for nominees who use and have a comprehensive understanding of 
economic statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is committed 
to bringing greater diversity of thought, perspective, and experience 
to its advisory committees. Nominees from all races, gender, age, and 
disabilities are encouraged to apply. Interested persons may nominate 
themselves or may submit the name of another person who they believe to 
be interested in and qualified to serve on the TAC. Nominations may 
also be submitted by organizations. Nominations should include the 
name, address, and telephone number of the candidate. Each nomination 
should include a summary of the candidate's training or experience 
relating to BLS data specifically, or economic statistics more 
generally. BLS will conduct a basic background check of candidates 
before their appointment to the TAC. The background check will involve 
accessing publicly available, Internet-based sources.
    The economists will have research experience with technical issues 
related to BLS data and will be familiar with employment and 
unemployment statistics, price index numbers, compensation measures, 
productivity measures, occupational and health statistics, or other 
topics relevant to BLS data series. The statisticians will be familiar 
with sample design, data analysis, computationally intensive 
statistical methods, non-sampling errors or other areas which are 
relevant to BLS work. The behavioral scientists will be familiar with 
questionnaire design, usability or other areas of survey development. 
BLS invites persons interested in serving on the TAC to submit their 
names for consideration for committee membership.
    Authority: This notice was prepared in accordance with the 
provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. 
2, the Secretary of Labor has determined that the Bureau of Labor 
Statistics Data Users Advisory Committee is in the public interest in 
connection with the performance of duties imposed upon the Commissioner 
of Labor Statistics by 29 U.S.C. 1 and 2. This determination follows 
consultation with the Committee Management Secretariat, General 
Services Administration.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 22nd day of March 2017.
Kimberley D. Hill,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. 2017-06341 Filed 3-30-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-P

16064 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 61 / Friday, March 31, 2017 / Notices

positions related to employment; • Evaluate whether the proposed consider all viewpoints. The Committee
assurances of employment to employees collection of information is necessary will consist of 16 members and will be
of acquired transportation systems; for the proper performance of the chosen from a cross-section of
assurances of priority of reemployment functions of the agency, including economists, statisticians, and behavioral
of employees whose employment is whether the information will have scientists who represent a balance of
ended or who are laid off; and paid practical utility; expertise.
training or retraining programs. See 49 • Evaluate the accuracy of the DATES: Nominations for the TAC
U.S.C. 5333(b)(2). agency’s estimate of the burden of the membership should be postmarked by
Pursuant to regulations 29 CFR part proposed collection of information, April 17, 2017.
215, upon receipt of copies of including the validity of the ADDRESSES: Nominations for the TAC
applications for Federal assistance methodology and assumptions used; membership should be sent to: Acting
subject to 49 U.S.C. 5333(b) from the • Enhance the quality, utility, and Commissioner Bill Wiatrowski, U.S.
FTA, together with a request for DOL clarity of the information to be Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2
certification of employee protective collected; and Massachusetts Avenue NE., Room 4040,
arrangements, the DOL processes those • Minimize the burden of the Washington, DC 20212.
applications, which must be in final collection of information on those who
form. The FTA provides the DOL with FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
are to respond, including through the
information necessary to enable the use of appropriate automated, Lucy Eldridge, Associate Commissioner,
DOL to process employee protections U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2
electronic, mechanical, or other
for certification of the project. Federal Massachusetts Avenue NE., Office of
technological collection techniques or
Transit Act section 13(c) authorizes this Productivity and Technology, Room
other forms of information technology,
information collection. See 49 U.S.C. 2180, Washington, DC 20212.
e.g., permitting electronic submission of
5333(b). Telephone: 202–691–5600. This is not a
responses.
This information collection is subject toll free number.
Agency: DOL–OLMS.
to the PRA. A Federal agency generally Title of Collection: Federal Transit Act SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BLS
cannot conduct or sponsor a collection Urban Program Transit Worker intends to renew memberships in the
of information, and the public is Protections. TAC for another three years. The Bureau
generally not required to respond to an OMB Control Number: 1245–0006. often faces highly technical issues while
information collection, unless it is Affected Public: State, Local, and developing and maintaining the
approved by the OMB under the PRA Tribal Governments. accuracy and relevancy of its data on
and displays a currently valid OMB Total Estimated Number of employment and unemployment, prices,
Control Number. In addition, Respondents: 1,873. productivity, and compensation and
notwithstanding any other provisions of Total Estimated Number of working conditions. These issues range
law, no person shall generally be subject Responses: 1,873. from how to develop new measures to
to penalty for failing to comply with a Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: how to make sure that existing measures
collection of information that does not 14,984 hours. account for the ever-changing economy.
display a valid Control Number. See 5 Total Estimated Annual Other Costs The BLS presents issues and then draws
CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. The DOL Burden: $0. on the specialized expertise of
obtains OMB approval for this Committee members representing
Dated: March 27, 2017.
information collection under Control specialized fields within the academic
Michel Smyth, disciplines of economics, statistics and
Number 1245–0006.
OMB authorization for an ICR cannot Departmental Clearance Officer. survey design. Committee members are
be for more than three (3) years without [FR Doc. 2017–06372 Filed 3–30–17; 8:45 am] also invited to bring to the attention of
renewal, and the current approval for BILLING CODE 4510–CP–P BLS, issues that have been identified in
this collection is scheduled to expire on the academic literature or in their own
March 31, 2017. The DOL seeks to research.
extend PRA authorization for this DEPARTMENT OF LABOR The TAC was established to provide
information collection for three (3) more advice to the Commissioner of Labor
years, without any change to existing Bureau of Labor Statistics Statistics on technical topics selected by
requirements. The DOL notes that the BLS. Responsibilities include, but
Technical Advisory Committee; are not limited to providing comments
existing information collection
Request for Nominations on papers and presentations developed
requirements submitted to the OMB
receive a month-to-month extension AGENCY: Bureau of Labor Statistics by BLS research and program staff,
while they undergo review. For (BLS), Labor. conducting research on issues identified
additional substantive information ACTION: Request for nominations to the by BLS on which an objective technical
about this ICR, see the related notice BLS Technical Advisory Committee. opinion or recommendation from
published in the Federal Register on outside of BLS would be valuable,
January 30, 2017 (81 FR 8766). SUMMARY: The BLS is soliciting new recommending BLS conduct internal
Interested parties are encouraged to members for the Technical Advisory research projects to address technical
send comments to the OMB, Office of Committee (TAC). Five current problems with BLS statistics that have
Information and Regulatory Affairs at membership terms expire on May 20, been identified in the academic
the address shown in the ADDRESSES 2017. The TAC provides advice and literature, participating in discussions of
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

section within thirty (30) days of makes recommendations to the Bureau areas where the types or coverage of
publication of this notice in the Federal of Labor Statistics on technical aspects economic statistics could be expanded
Register. In order to help ensure of data collection and the formulation of or improved and areas where statistics
appropriate consideration, comments economic measures. On some technical are no longer relevant, and establishing
should mention OMB Control Number issues there are differing views, and working relationships with professional
1245–0006. The OMB is particularly receiving feedback at public meetings associations with an interest in BLS
interested in comments that: provides BLS with the opportunity to statistics, such as the American

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 61 / Friday, March 31, 2017 / Notices 16065

Statistical Association and the Signed at Washington, DC, this 22nd day DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
American Economic Association. of March 2017.
Nominations: BLS is looking for
Kimberley D. Hill, Mine Safety and Health Administration
committed TAC members who have a Chief, Division of Management Systems,
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Petitions for Modification of
strong interest in, and familiarity with, Application of Existing Mandatory
[FR Doc. 2017–06341 Filed 3–30–17; 8:45 am]
BLS data. The Agency is looking for Safety Standards
BILLING CODE 4510–24–P
nominees who use and have a
comprehensive understanding of AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health
economic statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Administration, Labor.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Labor Statistics is committed to bringing ACTION: Notice.
greater diversity of thought, perspective, Bureau of Labor Statistics
and experience to its advisory SUMMARY: Section 101(c) of the Federal
committees. Nominees from all races, Data Users Advisory Committee; Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and
gender, age, and disabilities are Notice of Meeting and Agenda Title 30 of the Code of Federal
encouraged to apply. Interested persons Regulations Part 44 govern the
The Bureau of Labor Statistics Data application, processing, and disposition
may nominate themselves or may
Users Advisory Committee will meet on of petitions for modification. This notice
submit the name of another person who
Friday, May 19, 2017. The meeting will is a summary of petitions for
they believe to be interested in and
be held in the Postal Square Building, modification submitted to the Mine
qualified to serve on the TAC.
2 Massachusetts Avenue NE., Safety and Health Administration
Nominations may also be submitted by
Washington, DC. (MSHA) by the parties listed below.
organizations. Nominations should The Committee provides advice to the
include the name, address, and Bureau of Labor Statistics from the DATES: All comments on the petitions
telephone number of the candidate. points of view of data users from must be received by MSHA’s Office of
Each nomination should include a various sectors of the U.S. economy, Standards, Regulations, and Variances
summary of the candidate’s training or including the labor, business, research, on or before May 1, 2017.
experience relating to BLS data academic, and government ADDRESSES: You may submit your
specifically, or economic statistics more communities, on technical matters comments, identified by ‘‘docket
generally. BLS will conduct a basic related to the collection, analysis, number’’ on the subject line, by any of
background check of candidates before dissemination, and use of the Bureau’s the following methods:
their appointment to the TAC. The statistics, on its published reports, and 1. Electronic Mail: zzMSHA-
background check will involve on the broader aspects of its overall comments@dol.gov. Include the docket
accessing publicly available, Internet- mission and function. number of the petition in the subject
based sources. The meeting will be held in Meeting line of the message.
The economists will have research Rooms 1, 2, and 3 of the Janet Norwood 2. Facsimile: 202–693–9441.
experience with technical issues related Conference and Training Center. The 3. Regular Mail or Hand Delivery:
to BLS data and will be familiar with schedule and agenda for the meeting are MSHA, Office of Standards,
employment and unemployment as follows: Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th
statistics, price index numbers, 8:30 a.m. Registration Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington,
compensation measures, productivity 9:00 a.m. Commissioner’s welcome and Virginia 22202–5452, Attention: Sheila
measures, occupational and health review of agency developments McConnell, Director, Office of
statistics, or other topics relevant to BLS 9:45 a.m. Office of Field Operations data Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
data series. The statisticians will be user conferences Persons delivering documents are
familiar with sample design, data 10:30 a.m. The next generation of BLS news required to check in at the receptionist’s
releases
analysis, computationally intensive desk in Suite 4E401. Individuals may
11:30 a.m. Publishing BLS response rates
statistical methods, non-sampling errors 1:15 p.m. Update on BLS communications inspect copies of the petitions and
or other areas which are relevant to BLS efforts comments during normal business
work. The behavioral scientists will be 2:15 p.m. Productivity 101: feedback on the hours at the address listed above.
familiar with questionnaire design, BLS productivity user’s guide MSHA will consider only comments
usability or other areas of survey 3:30 p.m. Communicating the results of the postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service or
development. BLS invites persons new separations method for proof of delivery from another delivery
interested in serving on the TAC to Occupational Employment Projections service such as UPS or Federal Express
4:30 p.m. Meeting wrap-up
submit their names for consideration for on or before the deadline for comments.
committee membership. The meeting is open to the public. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Authority: This notice was prepared Any questions concerning the meeting Barbara Barron, Office of Standards,
in accordance with the provisions of the should be directed to Kathy Mele, Data Regulations, and Variances at 202–693–
Federal Advisory Committee Act Users Advisory Committee, on 9447 (Voice), barron.barbara@dol.gov
(FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. 2, the Secretary 202.691.6102. Individuals who require (Email), or 202–693–9441 (Facsimile).
of Labor has determined that the Bureau special accommodations should contact [These are not toll-free numbers.]
of Labor Statistics Data Users Advisory Ms. Mele at least two days prior to the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Committee is in the public interest in meeting date.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

connection with the performance of Signed at Washington, DC, this 20th day of I. Background
duties imposed upon the Commissioner March 2017. Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine
of Labor Statistics by 29 U.S.C. 1 and 2. Kimberley D. Hill Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine
This determination follows consultation Chief, Division of Management Systems, Act) allows the mine operator or
with the Committee Management Bureau of Labor Statistics. representative of miners to file a
Secretariat, General Services [FR Doc. 2017–06345 Filed 3–30–17; 8:45 am] petition to modify the application of any
Administration. BILLING CODE 4510–24–P mandatory safety standard to a coal or

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Document Created: 2017-03-31 01:37:47
Document Modified: 2017-03-31 01:37:47

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		Request for nominations to the BLS Technical Advisory Committee.
Dates		Nominations for the TAC membership should be postmarked by April 17, 2017.
Contact		Lucy Eldridge, Associate Commissioner, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts Avenue NE., Office of Productivity and Technology, Room 2180, Washington, DC 20212. Telephone: 202-691-5600. This is not a toll free number.
FR Citation		82 FR 16064

82 FR 16064 - Technical Advisory Committee; Request for Nominations

DEPARTMENT OF LABORBureau of Labor Statistics

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 61 (March 31, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics