[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 121 (Friday, June 21, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31952-31953]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15873]



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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Public Comment and Recommendations; Extension of ETA 
Summaries Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund Activities

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 preclearance 
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. 
Currently, the Employment and Training Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed revision and extension of the UI ETA 
Summaries UI Trust Fund Activities.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the employee listed below in the contact section 
of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 20, 1996. 
Written comments should:

--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 use;
--Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and
--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 
submission of responses

ADDRESSES: James E. Herbert, Unemployment Insurance Program Specialist, 
Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Room C 
4514, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. (202) 219-
5216 (this is not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 303(a)(4) of the Social Security Act (SSA) and Section 
3304(a)(3) of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) require that all 
money received in the unemployment fund of a State be paid immediately 
to the Secretary of Treasury to the credit of the Unemployment Trust 
Fund (UTF). This is the ``immediate deposit'' standard.
    Section 303(a)(5) of the SSA and Section 3304(a)(4) of the FUTA 
require that all money withdrawn from the UTF be used solely for the 
payment of unemployment compensation, exclusive of the expenses of 
administration. This is the ``limited withdrawal'' standard.
    Federal law (section 303(a)(6) of the SSA) gives the Secretary of 
Labor the authority to require the reporting of information deemed 
necessary to assure State compliance with the provisions of the SSA.
    Under this authority, the Secretary of Labor requires the following 
reports to monitor State compliance with the immediate deposit and 
limited withdrawal standards:

ETA 2112: UI Financial Transactions Summary, Unemployment Fund
ETA 8401: Monthly Analysis of Benefit Payment Account
ETA 8405: Monthly Analysis of Clearing Account
ETA 8413: Income--Expense Analysis UC Fund, Benefit Payment Account
ETA 8414: Income--Expense Analysis UC Fund, Clearing Account
ETA 8403: Reed Act

    These reports are submitted to the Unemployment Insurance Service 
(UIS) which uses them for the following purposes:
    <bullet> Monitoring cash flows into and out of the UTF to determine 
State compliance with the immediate deposit and limited withdrawal 
standards.
    <bullet> Proper accounting for unemployment funds. This is an 
integral part of the Department's consolidated financial statements. 
The UTF is the single largest asset on the Department's balance sheet.
    <bullet> Reconciliation with U.S. Treasury records.
    <bullet> Development of UI research and actuarial reports.
    These reports have been submitted monthly by States for the past 
several years, recently in an electronic format which has reduced mail 
and storage costs. There is a viable system for the preparation and 
electronic delivery of the reports. Since the reports are essential to 
the Department's financial and program operations and are consonant 
with the Secretary of Labor's oversight responsibilities, the 
Department intends to seek OMB approval for a three year extension of 
them, to September 30, 1999.

II. Current Actions

    This action is requested because of the need for continuing the 
existing collection of information. This information is needed to 
enable the Secretary of Labor to exercise oversight responsibilities 
and to assure the security, solvency, and integrity of the unemployment 
fund. Furthermore, the Department requires this information to compile 
annual consolidated financial statements and to prepare UIS statistical 
reports.
    The information is not captured from any other source. Because the 
reporting system has been operational for several years and is 
automated on-line, burden on States is negligible.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: ETA Summaries UT Trust Fund Activities.
    OMB Number: 1205-0154.
    Agency Number: 1205.
    Recordkeeping: Three years.
    Affected Public: 50 States, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the 
Virgin Islands.
    Total Respondents: 53 State agencies.
    Frequency: ETA 8403: As needed; this report is submitted only when 
there has been activity which requires updating the State's Reed Act 
account. ETA 2112, 8401, 8405, 8413, 8414: Monthly.
    Total Responses: 53 State agencies x 12 months=636 responses.
    Average Time Per Response: 636 responses x 2.5 hours (30 minutes 
per response)=1,590 reporting hours.
    Reed Act (ETA 8403): 18 States x 12 responses=216 annual 
responses x 30 minutes per response=108 reporting hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,698 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Cost: 1,698 x $27.25=$47,119.50.

[[Page 31953]]

    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 will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: June 12, 1996.
Mary Ann Wyrsch,
Director, Unemployment Insurance Service.
[FR Doc. 96-15873 Filed 6-20-96; 8:45am]
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