[Federal Register: February 10, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 27)]
[Notices]               
[Page 6774]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10fe98-120]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

 
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Procedures for Classifying Labor Surplus 
Areas

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 extension of the information 
collection for Procedures Classifying Labor Surplus Areas.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the employee listed below in the contact section 
of this notice.

DATE: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 13, 1998.
    Written comments should evaluate whether the proposed information 
collection 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; 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: William McGarrity, U.S. Employment Service, Employment and 
Training Administration, Department of Labor Room N-4470, 200 
Constitution Avenue., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210, 202-219-5185, ext. 
129. (This is not a toll-free number)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Under Executive Orders 12073 and 10582, the Secretary of Labor is 
required to classify labor surplus areas (LSAs) and disseminate this 
information for the use of Federal agencies. Federal agencies utilize 
LSA classifications for various purposes including procurement 
decisions, food stamp waiver decisions, certain Small Business loan 
decisions, as well as other purposes determined by the agencies. The 
LSA listings are issued annually, effective October 1 of each year, 
utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Areas meeting the 
criteria are classified as Labor Surplus Areas.
    The Department's regulations specify that the Department can add 
other areas to the annual LSA listing under the exceptional 
circumstance criteria. Such additions are based upon information 
contained in petitions submitted by the State employment security 
agencies (SESAs) to the national office of the Employment and Training 
Administration. These petitions contain specific economic information 
about an area in order to provide ample justification for adding the 
area to the LSA listing under the exceptional circumstance criteria. An 
area is eligible for classification as an LSA if it meets all of the 
criteria, and if the exceptional circumstance event is not temporary or 
seasonal. This data collection pertains only to data submitted 
voluntarily by States in exceptional circumstance petitions.

II. Current Actions

    This is a request for OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) of an extension to an existing 
collection of information previously approved and assigned OMB Control 
No. 1205-0207. There is no change in burden.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.
    Titles: Procedures for Classifying Labor Surplus Areas.
    OMB Number: 1205-0207.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Affected Public: States.
    Number of Respondents: 52.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent:

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                                                       Annual     Total 
                   Item                      States     hours     hour  
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Petitions.................................       52         4       208 
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    Estimated Burden Hours: 208.
    Total Estimated Cost: $5,000.00.
    Comments submitted in response to this 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: February 3, 1998.
John R. Beverly, III,
Director, U.S. Employment Service.
[FR Doc. 98-3342 Filed 2-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M