```
[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 106 (Friday, May 31, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 27335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13698]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census

Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finance

ACTION: Proposed agency information collection activity; comment 
request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 30, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Acting 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Henry S. Wulf, Bureau of the Census, Governments 
Division, Washington, DC 20233-6800, (301)-457-1523.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This annual survey provides state government finance data and 
estimates of local government revenue, expenditure, debt and assets by 
type of local government, nationally and within state areas. The data 
are used to calculate the gross domestic product (GDP), to monitor the 
government sector of the economy, and to formulate, develop, and review 
public policy.
    The revenue category subdivides into the three parts of general 
revenue, utility and liquor store revenue and insurance trust revenue. 
Examples of general revenue are taxes, monies from other governments, 
non-utility charges and interest earnings. Utility charges and 
investment earnings are examples of other types of government income.
    The statistics show expenditure classified by character and object 
(current operations, capital outlay, etc.) and by function (education, 
highways, police, welfare, and sanitation, for example). The 
indebtedness data include all long- and short-term (less than one year) 
credit obligations incurred in the name of government. Asset 
information--dominated generally by pension system assets--includes 
only cash and securities of governments, but excludes any other type of 
asset such as real property or fixed assets.
    Included within this review request are the Forms F-5, F-5a, F-5L1, 
and F-5L2 from the Annual Survey of State Tax Collections. This survey 
was approved separately in the past under the OMB number 0067-0046. We 
are combining these two collections because the tax portion of the data 
will no longer be released separately. Although the data will be 
collected in the same manner by the Forms F-5 and F-5a, the data 
collected will be included as part of the annual survey releases.

II. Method of Collection

    Canvass methodology consists of a questionnaire mailout/mail-back. 
Responses will be screened manually, then entered on a microcomputer. 
Other methods used to collect data and maximize response include 
central data collection, solicitation of printed reports in lieu of a 
completed questionnaire, and use of the Census Bureau's Federal Single 
Audit Clearinghouse.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0585 (Forms F-5, F-5A, F-5L1, F-5-L2 were 
previously cleared under the OMB Number 0607-0046).
    Form Number: F-5, F-5A, F-5L1, F-5-L2, F-11, F-12, F-13, F-21, F-
22, F-25, F-28, F-29, F-32, F-42.
    Type of Review: Regular.
    Affected Public: State, local or tribal government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,425.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2.8 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 22,798 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The estimated cost to the respondents 
is $303,213.00. The estimated cost to the Federal Government is 
contained in the Surveys of Government Finance. In total, these cost 
about $3.2 million during FY 1996.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: May 28, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-13698 Filed 5-30-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
```