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 Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
 ACTION: Notice.
 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: Current Employment Statistics
1220-0011Local Area Unemployment Statistics
1220-0017Occupational Employment Statistics
1220-0042Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages Report
1220-0012Annual Refiling Survey
1220-0032Labor Market Information Cooperative Agreement
1220-0079Multiple Worksite Report
1220-0134Mass Layoff Statistics
1220-0090Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
1220-0045Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries
1220-0133BLS/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 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] BILLING CODE 4510-24-P