[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 38 (Monday, February 27, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 11593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-4370]


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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 ``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 April 27, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Nora Kincaid, 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: Nora Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer, 
202-691-7628 (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:

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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
Mass Layoff Statistics......................................   1220-0090
Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses........   1220-0045
Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries.......................   1220-0133
BLS/OSHS Federal State Cooperative Agreement................   1220-0149
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    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:
    <bullet> 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.
    <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 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 21st day of February 2012.
Kimberley D. Hill,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. 2012-4370 Filed 2-24-12; 8:45 am]
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