[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 88 (Monday, May 7, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23048-23049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-11409]


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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 revision of the Annual Refiling Survey (ARS). 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 below on or before July 6, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Amy A. Hobby, BLS Clearance Officer, 
Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 3255, 
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Washington, DC 20212, telephone number 
202-691-7628 (this is not a toll free number).

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system was replaced by 
the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) in 1997 as 
the standard for industrial classification. As a result of this change, 
the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has been converting SIC codes to 
NAICS codes in the ARS. The conversion is planned to be completed with 
Fiscal Year 2001 ARS processing, at which time industrial 
classifications in the ARS will be based on the 2002 NAICS.
    ARS forms used in the conversion were designed to gather respondent 
information necessary for converting SIC codes to NAICS codes. The BLS 
currently is requesting Office of Management and Budget clearance of 
revised ARS survey forms that will be used to verify and update 
existing 2002 NAICS codes. They also will be used to update employers' 
business names and addresses and other geographical information. The 
revised ARS forms have been redesigned to be easier to read and 
understand.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in 
comments that:

[[Page 23049]]

    <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; and
    <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.

III. Current Action

    The BLS uses the Annual Refiling Survey (ARS) forms to gather 
industrial and geographical data on business establishments. The 
revised ARS forms are designed to verify and update NAICS codes, 
geographical information, and multiple worksite information.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Title: Annual Refiling Survey.
    OMB Number: 1220-0032.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Farms; Federal government; State, 
local, or tribal government.
    Total Respondents: 2,272,998.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Total Responses: 2,272,998.

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                                                                                                     Estimated
            Form                   Total            Frequency            Total      Average time   total burden
                                respondents                            responses    per response      (hours)
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3023-NVS....................       2,092,708  Once................       2,092,708          .083         173,695
3023-NVM....................          37,334  Once................          37,334          .25            9,334
3023-NCA....................         142,956  Once................         142,956          .167          23,874
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Totals................       2,272,998    ..................       2,272,998                       206,903
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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 1st day of May 2001.
W. Stuart Rust, Jr.,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. 01-11409 Filed 5-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-P