SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

States must implement the extension of and modifications to the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program—including Reemployment Services and Reemployment (RES) and Eligibility Assessment Activities (REA) for recipients of EUC and the work search audit requirement—in accordance with the Middle Class Job Creation and Tax Relief Act of 2012, Title II, Subtitle C and DOL operating instructions. The ETA is responsible for conducting reviews under the EUC, Work Search Audit, and EUC RES/REA ( printed page 74224) programs. The ETA uses a questionnaire as a monitoring tool to establish which States are most in need of technical assistance and to identify key areas in which technical assistance is necessary. The goal of this questionnaire is to ensure States have plans to implement and to administer the EUC modifications and Work Search Audit and EUC RES/REA program requirements.

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 if the collection of information does not display a valid Control Number. See5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. The DOL obtains OMB approval for this information collection under Control Number 1205-0500. The current approval is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2012; however, it should be noted that existing information collection requirements submitted to the OMB receive a month-to-month extension while they undergo review. For additional information, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on August 13, 2012 (77 FR 48173).

Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in the ADDRESSES section within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. In order to help ensure appropriate consideration, comments should mention OMB Control Number 1205-0500. The OMB 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.

Title of Collection: Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 State Monitoring.

OMB Control Number: 1205-0500.

Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments.

Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 53.

Total Estimated Number of Responses: 53.

Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 1,590.

Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0.

77 FR 74223