82 FR 33928 - Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 139 (July 21, 2017)

Page Range		33928-33929
FR Document		2017-15323

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 Annual Refiling Survey (ARS). 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.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 139 (Friday, July 21, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 139 (Friday, July 21, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33928-33929]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15323]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

AGENCY: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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

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 Annual
Refiling Survey (ARS). 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 September 19, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Carol Rowan, 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: Carol Rowan, BLS Clearance Officer,
202-691-7628 (this is not a toll free number). (See ADDRESSES section.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program is a
Federal/State cooperative effort which compiles monthly employment
data, quarterly wages data, and business identification information
from employers subject to State Unemployment Insurance (UI) laws. These
data are collected from State Quarterly Contribution Reports (QCRs)
submitted to State Workforce Agencies (SWAs). The States send micro-
level employment and wages data, supplemented with the names,
addresses, and business identification information of these employers,
to the BLS. The State data are used to create the BLS sampling frame,
known as the longitudinal QCEW data.
To ensure the continued accuracy of these data, the information
supplied by employers must be periodically verified and updated. For
this purpose, the ARS is used in conjunction with the UI tax reporting
system in each State. The information collected by the ARS is used to
review the existing industry code assigned to each establishment as
well as the physical location of the business establishment. As a
result, changes in the industrial and geographical compositions of our
economy are captured in a timely manner and reflected in the BLS
statistical programs.
The ARS also asks employers to identify new locations in the State.
If these employers meet QCEW program reporting criteria, then a
Multiple

[[Page 33929]]

Worksite Report (MWR) is sent to the employer requesting employment and
wages for each worksite each quarter. Thus, the ARS is also used to
identify new potential MWR-eligible employers.

II. Current Action

Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for a
revision of the ARS. While the primary purpose of the ARS is to verify
or to correct the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
code assigned to establishments, there are other important purposes of
the ARS. For example, the BLS and the Census Bureau enhance the quality
of their data and reduce costs and respondent burden through increased
data sharing. Such sharing improves the quality and the reliability of
information for multi-location businesses by developing consistent
industrial and geographical classifications for these businesses. The
ARS seeks accurate mailing and physical location addresses of
establishments as well as geographical codes such as county and
township (independent city, parish, or island in some States).
Once every three years, the SWAs survey employers that are covered
by the State's UI laws to ensure that State records correctly reflect
the business activities and locations of those employers. States survey
approximately one-third of their businesses each year and largely take
care of the entire universe of covered businesses over a three-year
cycle. The selection criterion for surveying establishments is based on
the nine-digit Federal Employer Identification Number of the
respondent.
BLS constantly pursues a growing number of automated reporting
options to reduce employer burden and costs and to take advantage of
more efficient methods and procedures. Even given such actions, mailing
remains an important part of the survey. The BLS developed a one-page
letter rather than mailing forms for ARS solicitation. This letter
explains the purpose of the ARS and provides respondents with a unique
Web ID and password. Respondents are directed to the BLS online web
collection system to verify or to update their geographic and industry
information.
Additionally, BLS staff review selected, large multi-worksite
national employers rather than surveying these employers with
traditional ARS forms. This central review reduces postage costs
incurred in sending letters or forms. It also reduces respondent
burden, as the selected employers do not have to return forms either.
Finally, BLS continues to use a private contractor to handle
various administrative aspects of the survey to reduce the costs
associated with the ARS. This initiative is called the Centralized
Annual Refiling Survey (CARS). Under CARS, BLS effectively utilizes the
commercial advantages related to printing and mailing large volumes of
survey letters.

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 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.
Title of Collection: Annual Refiling Survey (ARS).
OMB Number: 1220-0032.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions, not-
for-profit institutions, and farms.
Frequency: Annually.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average time
ARS collection instrument Total Frequency Total per response Total burden
respondents responses (minutes) (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BLS 3023-(NVS)............... 695,969 Once............ 695,969 5.............. 57,997
BLS 3023-(NVM)............... 18,328 Once............ 18,328 15............. 4,582
BLS 3023-(NCA)............... 283,810 Once............ 283,810 10............. 47,302
---------------- ------------------------------------------------
Totals................... 998,107 ................ 998,107 ............... 109,881
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 14th day of July 2017.
Kimberley Hill,
Chief, Division of Management Systems.
[FR Doc. 2017-15323 Filed 7-20-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-P

33928 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 139 / Friday, July 21, 2017 / Notices

data collection instruments that are • Evaluate whether the proposed technological collection techniques or
used in the study: collection of information is necessary other forms of information technology
* The Community of Practice (CoP) for the proper performance functions of (for example, permitting electronic
Pre/Post Survey. Community of practice the agency, including whether the submissions of responses).
six-part webinar series where information will have practical utility;
participants receive a ‘pre-’ and a ‘post- • Evaluate the accuracy of the III. Current Actions
brief’ survey to gauge the effectiveness agency’s burden estimate of the At this time, the Department of Labor
of the webinar series. Respondents proposed information collection, is requesting clearance for the extension
consist of state direct-services staff and including the validity of the of data collection to evaluate the
managers in disability services and methodology and assumptions used; EFSLMP via a community of practice
workforce development. • Enhance the quality, utility, and pre/post survey.
clarity of the information to be
II. Desired Focus of Comments Type of review: Extension of a
collected; and
Currently, DOL is soliciting comments • Minimize the burden of the currently approved collection.
concerning the extension of data collection of information on those who OMB Control Number: 1230–0007.
collection for the evaluation of the are to respond, including through the Title: Evaluation of the Employment
EFSLMP. DOL is particularly interested use of appropriate automated, First State Leadership Mentoring
in comments that do the following: electronic, mechanical, or other Program (EFSLMP).

ESTIMATED TOTAL BURDEN HOURS
Average
Total number Number of Total annual
Total annual burden hours
Data collection activity of responses per estimated
responses per
respondents respondent burden hours
response

CoP Pre/Post Survey ........................................................... 300 100 6 0.26 156

Affected Public: State government and/or continuing collections of I. Background
staff who are members of the EFSLMP information in accordance with the The Quarterly Census of Employment
Community of Practice. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Wages (QCEW) program is a
Form(s): Community of Practice Pre/ (PRA95). This program helps to ensure Federal/State cooperative effort which
Post Survey. that requested data can be provided in compiles monthly employment data,
Total Respondents: 300. the desired format, reporting burden quarterly wages data, and business
Annual Frequency: Six times. (time and financial resources) is identification information from
Comments submitted will be minimized, collection instruments are employers subject to State
summarized and/or included in the clearly understood, and the impact of Unemployment Insurance (UI) laws.
request for Office of Management and collection requirements on respondents These data are collected from State
Budget approval of the information
can be properly assessed. The Bureau of Quarterly Contribution Reports (QCRs)
collection; they will also become a
Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting submitted to State Workforce Agencies
matter of public record.
comments concerning the proposed (SWAs). The States send micro-level
Dated: July 12, 2017. revision of the Annual Refiling Survey employment and wages data,
Jennifer Sheehy, (ARS). A copy of the proposed supplemented with the names,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of information collection request (ICR) can addresses, and business identification
Disability Employment Policy, U.S. be obtained by contacting the individual information of these employers, to the
Department of Labor. BLS. The State data are used to create
listed below in the ADDRESSES section of
[FR Doc. 2017–15315 Filed 7–20–17; 8:45 am]
this notice. the BLS sampling frame, known as the
BILLING CODE 4510–23–P longitudinal QCEW data.
DATES: Written comments must be To ensure the continued accuracy of
submitted to the office listed in the these data, the information supplied by
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ADDRESSES section of this notice on or employers must be periodically verified
before September 19, 2017. and updated. For this purpose, the ARS
Bureau of Labor Statistics is used in conjunction with the UI tax
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Carol
reporting system in each State. The
Information Collection Activities; Rowan, BLS Clearance Officer, Division information collected by the ARS is
Comment Request of Management Systems, Bureau of used to review the existing industry
AGENCY: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Labor Statistics, Room 4080, 2 code assigned to each establishment as
Department of Labor. Massachusetts Avenue NE., well as the physical location of the
Washington, DC 20212. Written business establishment. As a result,
ACTION: Notice of information collection;
comments also may be transmitted by changes in the industrial and
request for comment.
fax to 202–691–5111 (this is not a toll geographical compositions of our
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as free number). economy are captured in a timely
part of its continuing effort to reduce FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: manner and reflected in the BLS
paperwork and respondent burden, Carol Rowan, BLS Clearance Officer, statistical programs.
conducts a pre-clearance consultation The ARS also asks employers to
202–691–7628 (this is not a toll free
program to provide the general public identify new locations in the State. If
number). (See ADDRESSES section.)
and Federal agencies with an these employers meet QCEW program
opportunity to comment on proposed SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: reporting criteria, then a Multiple

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 139 / Friday, July 21, 2017 / Notices 33929

Worksite Report (MWR) is sent to the three-year cycle. The selection criterion related to printing and mailing large
employer requesting employment and for surveying establishments is based on volumes of survey letters.
wages for each worksite each quarter. the nine-digit Federal Employer
III. Desired Focus of Comments
Thus, the ARS is also used to identify Identification Number of the
new potential MWR-eligible employers. respondent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is
BLS constantly pursues a growing particularly interested in comments
II. Current Action
number of automated reporting options that:
Office of Management and Budget to reduce employer burden and costs • Evaluate whether the proposed
clearance is being sought for a revision and to take advantage of more efficient collection of information is necessary
of the ARS. While the primary purpose methods and procedures. Even given for the proper performance of the
of the ARS is to verify or to correct the such actions, mailing remains an functions of the agency, including
North American Industry Classification important part of the survey. The BLS whether the information will have
System (NAICS) code assigned to developed a one-page letter rather than practical utility.
establishments, there are other mailing forms for ARS solicitation. This • Evaluate the accuracy of the
important purposes of the ARS. For letter explains the purpose of the ARS agency’s estimate of the burden of the
example, the BLS and the Census proposed collection of information,
and provides respondents with a unique
Bureau enhance the quality of their data including the validity of the
Web ID and password. Respondents are
and reduce costs and respondent burden methodology and assumptions used.
directed to the BLS online web
through increased data sharing. Such • Enhance the quality, utility, and
collection system to verify or to update
sharing improves the quality and the
their geographic and industry clarity of the information to be
reliability of information for multi-
information. collected.
location businesses by developing
Additionally, BLS staff review • Minimize the burden of the
consistent industrial and geographical
selected, large multi-worksite national collection of information on those who
classifications for these businesses. The
ARS seeks accurate mailing and employers rather than surveying these are to respond, including the use of
physical location addresses of employers with traditional ARS forms. appropriate automated, electronic,
establishments as well as geographical This central review reduces postage mechanical, or other technological
codes such as county and township costs incurred in sending letters or collection techniques or other forms of
(independent city, parish, or island in forms. It also reduces respondent information technology, e.g., permitting
some States). burden, as the selected employers do electronic submissions of responses.
Once every three years, the SWAs not have to return forms either. Title of Collection: Annual Refiling
survey employers that are covered by Finally, BLS continues to use a Survey (ARS).
the State’s UI laws to ensure that State private contractor to handle various OMB Number: 1220–0032.
records correctly reflect the business administrative aspects of the survey to Type of Review: Revision of a
activities and locations of those reduce the costs associated with the currently approved collection.
employers. States survey approximately ARS. This initiative is called the Affected Public: Business or other for-
one-third of their businesses each year Centralized Annual Refiling Survey profit institutions, not-for-profit
and largely take care of the entire (CARS). Under CARS, BLS effectively institutions, and farms.
universe of covered businesses over a utilizes the commercial advantages Frequency: Annually.

Average time Total
Total Total
ARS collection instrument Frequency per response burden
respondents responses (minutes) (hours)

BLS 3023–(NVS) .......................................... 695,969 Once ......................... 695,969 5 ................................ 57,997
BLS 3023–(NVM) ......................................... 18,328 Once ......................... 18,328 15 .............................. 4,582
BLS 3023–(NCA) .......................................... 283,810 Once ......................... 283,810 10 .............................. 47,302

Totals ..................................................... 998,107 ................................... 998,107 .................................... 109,881

Comments submitted in response to NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION is forwarding the proposed submission
this notice will be summarized and/or to the Office of Management and Budget
included in the request for Office of Agency Information Collection (OMB) for clearance simultaneously
Management and Budget approval of the Activities: Comment Request with the publication of this second
information collection request; they also notice. The full submission may be
AGENCY: National Science Foundation. found at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/
will become a matter of public record.
Submission for OMB review;
ACTION: do/PRAMain.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 14th day of
comment request. DATES: Written comments on this notice
July 2017.
Kimberley Hill, must be received by August 21, 2017, to
SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

be assured consideration. Comments
Chief, Division of Management Systems. Reduction Act of 1995, and as part of its
received after that date will be
[FR Doc. 2017–15323 Filed 7–20–17; 8:45 am] continuing effort to reduce paperwork
considered to the extent practicable.
BILLING CODE 4510–24–P and respondent burden, the National
Send comments to address below.
Science Foundation (NSF) is inviting
the general public and other Federal FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
agencies to comment on this proposed Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance
reinstated information collection. NSF Officer, National Science Foundation,

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Document Created: 2017-07-21 06:00:35
Document Modified: 2017-07-21 06:00:35

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 of information collection; request for comment.
Dates		Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
Contact		Carol Rowan, BLS Clearance Officer,
FR Citation		82 FR 33928

82 FR 33928 - Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF LABORBureau of Labor Statistics

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 139 (July 21, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics