[Federal Register: October 1, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 191)]
[Notices]               
[Page 57153]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01oc08-116]                         


[[Page 57153]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration

 
Proposed Extension of the Approval of Information Collection 
Requirements

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 Standards Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposal to extend OMB approval of the 
information collection: Certified Payrolls Under The Davis-Bacon and 
Related Acts (WH-347). A copy of the proposed information collection 
request can be obtained by contacting the office 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 December 1, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0418, fax (202) 693-1451, E-mail bell.hazel@dol.gov. Please 
use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or e-
mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    I. Background: The Copeland Act requires contractors and 
subcontractors performing work on federally financed or assisted 
construction contracts to furnish weekly a statement with respect to 
the wages paid each employee during the preceding week. See 29 U.S.C. 
3145 and 29 CFR 3.3(b). Regulations 29 CFR 5.5(a)(3)(ii)(A) requires 
contractors to submit weekly a copy of all payrolls to the Federal 
agency contracting for or financing the construction project. A signed 
``Statement of Compliance'' indicating the payrolls are correct and 
complete and that each laborer or mechanic has been paid not less than 
the proper Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) prevailing wage rate for the work 
performed must accompany the payroll. See id. 5.5(a)(3)(ii)(B). 
Regulations 29 CFR 3.3(b) requires each contractor to furnish such 
weekly ``Statements of Compliance.'' See also 29 CFR 5.5(a)(3)(ii)(B). 
Regulations 29 CFR 3.4(b) and 5.5(a)(3)(i) require contractors to 
maintain these records for three years after completion of the work. 
Regulation 29 CFR 5.5(a)(3)(i) requires contractors performing work on 
projects subject to the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) to retain 
the name, address, social security number, correct classifications, 
hourly rates of wages paid including rates of contributions or costs 
anticipated for bona fide fringe benefits or cash equivalents thereof 
of the types described in DBA section 1(b)(2)(B), daily and weekly 
number of hours worked, and deductions made and actual wages paid of 
each worker on the contract. The DOL has developed the optional use 
Form WH-347, Payroll Form, which contractors may use to meet the 
payroll reporting requirements. The form contains the basic payroll 
information that contractors must furnish each week they perform any 
work subject to the DBRA. This information collection is currently 
approved for use through April 30, 2009.
    II. Review Focus: The Department of Labor is particularly 
interested in comments which:
     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; 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 submissions of responses.
    III. Current Actions: The DOL seeks approval for the extension of 
this currently approved information collection in order to carry out 
its responsibility to determine a contractor's compliance with 
provisions of the DBRA and the Copeland Act.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Titles: Optional Use Payroll Form under the Davis-Bacon Act.
    OMB Number: 1215-0149
    Agency Numbers: WH-347.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 78,218.
    Total Annual Responses: 7,196,056.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 6,716,319.
    Estimated Time per Response: 56 minutes.
    Frequency: Weekly.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $899,507.
    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: September 25, 2008.
Hazel Bell,
Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, 
Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration 
and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
 [FR Doc. E8-22936 Filed 9-30-08; 8:45 am]

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