82 FR 58447 - Proposed Collection, Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 237 (December 12, 2017)

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 extension of ``General Inquiries to State Agency Contacts.'' 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, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 12, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58447-58448]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26737]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics


Proposed Collection, Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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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

[[Page 58448]]

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 
extension of ``General Inquiries to State Agency Contacts.'' 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 February 12, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Erin Good, 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: Erin Good, BLS Clearance Officer, 202-
691-7763 (this is not a toll free number). (See ADDRESSES section.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) awards funds to State agencies 
in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the 
Virgin Islands, hereinafter referred to as the ``States'') in order to 
jointly conduct BLS/State Labor Market Information and Occupational 
Safety and Health Statistics cooperative statistical programs, which 
themselves have been approved by OMB separately, as follows:

Current Employment Statistics 1220-0011
Local Area Unemployment Statistics 1220-0017
Occupational Employment Statistics 1220-0042
Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages Report 1220-0012
Annual Refiling Survey 1220-0032
Labor Market Information Cooperative Agreement 1220-0079
Multiple Worksite Report 1220-0134
Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses 1220-0045
Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries 1220-0133
BLS/OSHS Federal State Cooperative Agreement 1220-0149

    To ensure the timely flow of information and to be able to evaluate 
and improve the BLS/State cooperative programs' management and 
operations, it is necessary to conduct ongoing communications between 
the BLS and its State partners. Whether information requests deal with 
program deliverables, program enhancements, operations, or 
administrative issues, questions and dialogue are crucial to the 
successful implementation of these programs.

II. Current Action

    Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for the 
General Inquiries to State Agency Contacts. Information collected under 
this clearance is used to support the administrative and programmatic 
needs of jointly conducted BLS/State Labor Market Information and 
Occupational Safety and Health Statistics cooperative statistical 
programs.

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 of a currently approved collection.
    Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Title: General Inquiries to State Agency Contacts.
    OMB Number: 1220-0168.
    Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Total Respondents: 54.
    Frequency: As needed.
    Total Responses: 23,890.
    Average Time per Response: 40 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 15,927.
    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 5th day of December 2017.
Kimberley D. Hill,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. 2017-26737 Filed 12-11-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-24-P