83 FR 157 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 1 (January 2, 2018)

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. Currently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed request for a new OMB control number for the ``Current Population Survey (CPS) Unemployment Insurance (UI) Non-Filer Supplement'' to be conducted in May 2018 and September 2018. 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 83, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 2, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 157-158]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-28291]


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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 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. Currently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
(BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the

[[Page 158]]

proposed request for a new OMB control number for the ``Current 
Population Survey (CPS) Unemployment Insurance (UI) Non-Filer 
Supplement'' to be conducted in May 2018 and September 2018. 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 March 5, 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 may 
also 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. (See ADDRESSES section.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    A version of the CPS Unemployment Insurance (UI) Non-Filer 
Supplement was last collected in 2005 under an interagency agreement 
between the Department of Labor and the United States Census Bureau.
    The UI Non-Filer Supplement will gather information on people who 
are unemployed but also on a subset of those who are not in the labor 
force. Information will be collected about UI participation and reasons 
for not participating. The supplement also contains questions about 
people's job search experience, such as information about jobs for 
which they have applied and whether they would accept a job similar to 
their last job but at lower pay. Additionally, this supplement contains 
questions about the job search process of unemployed individuals and 
the difficulties these seekers have in finding new employment.
    Because this supplement is part of the CPS, the same detailed 
demographic information collected in the CPS will be available on 
respondents to the supplement. Comparisons between UI filers and non-
filers will be possible across characteristics such as sex, race and 
ethnicity, age, and educational attainment.
    UI benefits provide temporary financial assistance to the 
unemployed who meet certain eligibility criteria and can also help 
protect the economy during economic downturns. Work patterns have 
changed since the supplement was last collected in 2005, making updated 
information of paramount importance. Data gathered in this supplement 
will help measure the effectiveness of current UI programs, identify 
possible shortcomings in existing UI programs, and assist policy makers 
in developing more effective policies.

II. Current Action

    Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for a new 
OMB control number for the CPS UN Non-Filer Supplement to the CPS.
    This collection is needed to provide the Nation with timely 
information about individuals who do not file for UI benefits and their 
reasons for not doing so. In addition, data from the supplement will 
provide a fuller picture about how the unemployed search for jobs and 
the hardships they face when doing so.

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; 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 submissions of responses.
    Type of Review: New collection (Request for a new OMB control 
Number).
    Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Title: CPS UI Non-Filer Supplement.
    OMB Number: 1220-NEW.
    Affected Public: Households.
    Total Respondents: 60,000.
    Frequency: Once.
    Total Responses: 60,000.
    Average Time per Response: 2 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 2,000 hours.
    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 21st day of December 2017.
Kimberley Hill,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. 2017-28291 Filed 12-29-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-24-P