[Federal Register: May 16, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 94)]
[Notices]
[Page 27591-27592]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16my07-102]
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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 extension of the Annual Refiling Survey (ARS) forms. 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 of this notice on or before July 16, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Amy A. Hobby, BLS Clearance Officer,
Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4080,
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Washington, DC 20212, 202-691-7628. (This
is not a toll free number.)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy A. Hobby, BLS Clearance Officer,
202-691-7628. (See Addresses section.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program,
formerly known as the ES-202 Program, is a Federal/State cooperative
effort which compiles monthly employment data, quarterly wages data,
and business identification information from employers subject to State
Unemployment Insurance (UI) laws. These data are collected from State
Quarterly Contribution Reports (QCRs) submitted to State Workforce
Agencies (SWAs). The States send micro-level employment and wages data,
supplemented with the names, addresses, and business identification
information of these employers, to the BLS. The State data are used to
create the BLS sampling frame, known as the longitudinal QCEW data.
To ensure the continued accuracy of these data, the information
supplied by employers must be periodically verified and updated. For
this purpose, the Annual Refiling Survey (ARS) is used in conjunction
with the UI tax reporting system in each State. The information
collected on the ARS is used to review the existing industry code
assigned to each establishment as well as the physical location of the
business establishment. As a result, changes in the industrial and
geographical compositions of our economy are captured in a timely
manner and reflected in the BLS statistical programs.
The ARS also asks employers to identify new locations in the State.
If these employers meet QCEW program reporting criteria, then a
Multiple Worksite Report (MWR) is mailed to the employer requesting
employment and wages for each worksite each quarter. Thus, the ARS is
also used to identify new potential MWR-eligible employers.
II. Current Action
While the primary purpose of the ARS is to verify or to correct the
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to
establishments, there are other important purposes of the ARS. The ARS
seeks accurate mailing and physical location addresses of
establishments as well as geographic codes such as county and township
(independent city, parish, or island in some States).
Once every three years, the SWAs survey employers that are covered
by the State's UI laws to ensure that State records correctly reflect
the business activities and locations of those employers. States send
an ARS form to approximately one-third of their businesses each year,
surveying the entire universe of covered businesses over a three-year
cycle. The selection criterion for surveying establishments is based on
the nine-digit Federal Employer Identification Number of the
respondent.
The ARS remains largely a mail survey, although steps have been
taken to reduce the amount of paperwork involved in responding to the
survey. For example, BLS staff review selected, large multi-worksite
national employers rather than surveying these employers with
traditional ARS forms. This central review significantly reduces
postage costs incurred by our State partners in sending ARS forms. It
also reduces respondent burden, as the selected employers do not have
to submit ARS forms.
Single-worksite employers have been identified as potential users
of the BLS-developed Touchtone Response System (TRS). Employers can use
the TRS if they meet certain conditions and there are no changes to
specific data elements based upon the employer's review. The TRS
reduces respondent burden because it is quick, free, and convenient. It
also allows respondents to help BLS reduce survey costs because they do
not return the form in the business reply envelope provided. All States
are now using the TRS in conducting the ARS.
Another recent initiative to reduce the costs associated with the
ARS is the use of a private contractor to handle various administrative
aspects of the survey. This initiative is called the Centralized Annual
Refiling Survey (CARS). Under CARS, BLS effectively utilizes the
commercial advantages related to printing, stuffing, and mailing large
volumes of survey forms.
III. Desired Focus of Comments
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in
comments that:
Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including
[[Page 27592]]
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.
Minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including 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.
Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.
Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Title: Annual Refiling Survey (ARS).
OMB Number: 1220-0032.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions, not-
for-profit institutions, and farms.
Frequency: Annually.
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Average time
Form No. Total Frequency Total per response Total burden
respondents responses (minutes) (hours)
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BLS 3023-(NVS)............... 1,530,531 Once............. 1,530,531 5 127,544
BLS 3023-(NVM)............... 40,423 Once............. 40,423 15 10,106
BLS 3023-(NCA)............... 219,670 Once............. 219,670 10 36,612
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Totals................... 1,790,624 ................. 1,790,624 .............. 174,262
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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 10th day of May, 2007.
Cathy Kazanowski,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. E7-9375 Filed 5-15-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-P