[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 2, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51401-51402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25139]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census
Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
ACTION: Proposed Agency Information Collection Activity; Comment
Request.
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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 December 2,
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 Charles Funk, Bureau of the Census, Room 300-20
Iverson Mall, Washington, DC 20233, Telephone (301) 763-2542.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
I. Abstract
The Census Bureau plans the continuing information collection for
the 1996 and 1997 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey (ACES) measuring
capital investment in new and used structures and equipment. The ACES
is the sole source of detailed comprehensive statistics on actual
business spending by domestic, private, nonfarm businesses operating in
the United States. Major changes from the 1995 collection of ACES data
are the annual collection of data from businesses with one to four
employees and nonemployers, and a request from employer businesses for
data on total company sales and receipts, and sales and receipts for
the three ACES industries with the largest sales and receipts.
Actual business spending will be collected from employer and
nonemployer businesses. Business spending data are used to evaluate the
quality of estimates of gross domestic product, develop monetary
policy, analyze business asset depreciation, and improve estimates of
capital stock for productivity analysis. Industry analysts use these
data for market analysis, economic forecasting, identifying business
opportunities, product development, and business planning.
II. Method of Collection
The Census Bureau will use mail out/mail back survey forms to
collect data. Companies will be asked to respond to the survey within
30 days of the initial mailing. Letters and/or telephone calls
encouraging participation will be directed to respondents that have not
responded by the designated time. Computer Assisted Telephone
Interviewing (CATI) and Touchtone Data Entry (TDE) will be used on a
limited basis with small and middle sized businesses in data collection
activities.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0607-0782.
Form Number: ACE-1 (Sent to employer companies reporting payroll to
the Internal Revenue Service) and ACE-2 (Sent to nonemployer
businesses).
Type of Review: Regular Review.
Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations, non-
profit institutions, small businesses or organizations, and self-
employed individuals.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 46,000 (34,000 employer companies,
and 12,000 nonemployer businesses).
Estimated Time Per Response: The average for all respondents is 2.5
hours. For companies completing form ACE-1, the range is 2 to 16 hours,
averaging 3 hours. For companies completing form ACE-2, the range is
less than 1 hour to 2 hours, averaging 1 hour.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: The total annual burden for
fiscal year 1997, and 1998 is 114,000 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $3,450,000.
Respondents' Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: Title 13 United States Code, Sections 182, 224,
and 225.
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.
[[Page 51402]]
Dated: September 26, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and
Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-25139 Filed 10-1-96; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
