[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 94 (Wednesday, May 16, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27591-27592]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-9375]


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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) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. 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 the Annual Refiling Survey (ARS) forms. 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 July 16, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Amy A. Hobby, BLS Clearance Officer, 
Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4080, 
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Washington, DC 20212, 202-691-7628. (This 
is not a toll free number.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy A. Hobby, BLS Clearance Officer, 
202-691-7628. (See Addresses section.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program, 
formerly known as the ES-202 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 Annual Refiling Survey (ARS) is used in conjunction 
with the UI tax reporting system in each State. The information 
collected on 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 Worksite Report (MWR) is mailed 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

    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. The ARS 
seeks accurate mailing and physical location addresses of 
establishments as well as geographic 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 send 
an ARS form to approximately one-third of their businesses each year, 
surveying 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.
    The ARS remains largely a mail survey, although steps have been 
taken to reduce the amount of paperwork involved in responding to the 
survey. For example, BLS staff review selected, large multi-worksite 
national employers rather than surveying these employers with 
traditional ARS forms. This central review significantly reduces 
postage costs incurred by our State partners in sending ARS forms. It 
also reduces respondent burden, as the selected employers do not have 
to submit ARS forms.
    Single-worksite employers have been identified as potential users 
of the BLS-developed Touchtone Response System (TRS). Employers can use 
the TRS if they meet certain conditions and there are no changes to 
specific data elements based upon the employer's review. The TRS 
reduces respondent burden because it is quick, free, and convenient. It 
also allows respondents to help BLS reduce survey costs because they do 
not return the form in the business reply envelope provided. All States 
are now using the TRS in conducting the ARS.
    Another recent initiative to reduce the costs associated with the 
ARS is the use of a private contractor to handle various administrative 
aspects of the survey. This initiative is called the Centralized Annual 
Refiling Survey (CARS). Under CARS, BLS effectively utilizes the 
commercial advantages related to printing, stuffing, and mailing large 
volumes of survey forms.

III. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in 
comments that:
    <bullet> Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including

[[Page 27592]]

whether the information will have practical utility.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
    <bullet> 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.
    Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Title: Annual Refiling Survey (ARS).
    OMB Number: 1220-0032.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions, not-
for-profit institutions, and farms.
    Frequency: Annually.

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                                                                                   Average time
           Form No.                 Total          Frequency           Total       per response    Total  burden
                                 respondents                         responses       (minutes)        (hours)
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BLS 3023-(NVS)...............       1,530,531  Once.............       1,530,531               5         127,544
BLS 3023-(NVM)...............          40,423  Once.............          40,423              15          10,106
BLS 3023-(NCA)...............         219,670  Once.............         219,670              10          36,612
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals...................       1,790,624  .................       1,790,624  ..............         174,262
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    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 10th day of May, 2007.
Cathy Kazanowski,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. E7-9375 Filed 5-15-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-P