82 FR 54414 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Workforce Flexibility (Workflex) Plan Submission and Reporting Requirements

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 221 (November 17, 2017)

The Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration is soliciting comments concerning a proposed extension for the authority to conduct the information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Workforce Flexibility (Workflex) Plan Submission and Reporting Requirements.'' This comment request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 221 (Friday, November 17, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54414-54415]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24998]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; 
Workforce Flexibility (Workflex) Plan Submission and Reporting 
Requirements

ACTION:  Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training 
Administration is soliciting comments concerning a proposed extension 
for the authority to conduct the information collection request (ICR) 
titled, ``Workforce Flexibility (Workflex) Plan Submission and 
Reporting Requirements.'' This comment request is part of continuing 
Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

DATES: Consideration will be given to all written comments received by 
January 16, 2018.

[[Page 54415]]


ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation, 
including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency 
of response, and estimated total burden, may be obtained free at 
https://doleta.gov/wioa/State_Plan_Resources.cfm or by contacting 
Heather Fleck by telephone at 202-693-2956, TTY 877-889-5627 (these are 
not toll-free numbers), or by email at [email protected].
    Submit written comments about, or requests for a copy of, this ICR 
by mail or courier to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and 
Training Administration, Division of WIOA Adult Services and Workforce 
Systems, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 
S4209, Washington, DC 20210; by email: [email protected]; or by Fax 
202-693-3015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Fleck by telephone at 202-693-
2956 (this is not a toll-free number) or by email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DOL, as part of continuing efforts to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of 
information before submitting them to the OMB for final approval. This 
program helps to ensure 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 can be properly assessed.
    Section 190 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) 
(Pub. L. 113-128, July 22, 2014) permits states to apply for Workflex 
waiver authority. The Act and 20 CFR 679.630 provide that the Secretary 
may grant Workflex waiver authority for up to five years pursuant to a 
Workflex plan submitted by a state. Under Workflex, governors are 
granted the authority to approve requests submitted by their local 
areas to waiver certain statutory and regulatory provisions of WIOA 
Title I programs. States may also request waivers from the Secretary of 
certain requirements of the Wagner-Peyser Act (Sections 8-10) as well 
as certain provisions of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (OAA) (42 
U.S.C. 3056d(b)) for state agencies on aging with respect to activities 
carried out using funds allotted under OAA section 506(b). One of the 
underlying principles for granting Workflex waivers is that the waivers 
will result in improved performance outcomes for persons served and 
that waiver authority will be granted in consideration of improved 
performance.
    This is a continuation of the previous collection instructions 
request under WIA, and WIOA continues to authorize this information 
collection.
    This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency 
generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and 
the public is generally not required to respond to an information 
collection, unless it is approved by the OMB under the PRA and displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any 
other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to 
penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that 
does not display a valid Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 
1320.6.
    Interested parties are encouraged to provide comments to the 
contact shown in the ADDRESSES section. Comments must be written to 
receive consideration, and they will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval of the final ICR. In order to help ensure 
appropriate consideration, comments should mention OMB Number: 1205-
0432.
    Submitted comments will also be a matter of public record for this 
ICR and posted on the Internet, without redaction. The DOL encourages 
commenters not to include personally identifiable information, 
confidential business data, or other sensitive statements/information 
in any comments.
    The DOL 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; and
     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 submission of responses.
    Agency: DOL-ETA.
    Type of Review: Revision.
    Title of Collection: Workflex Plan Submission and Reporting 
Requirements.
    Form: Workforce Flexibility (Workflex) Plan Collection Form.
    OMB Control Number: 1205-0432.
    Affected Public: State and local governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5.
    Frequency: 5 state plans annually; 204 quarterly reports.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 5 state plans annually; 204 
quarterly reports.
    Estimated Average Time per Response: 18 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 210 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Cost Burden: $0.

    Authority:  44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

Nancy M. Rooney,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training, Labor.
[FR Doc. 2017-24998 Filed 11-16-17; 8:45 am]
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