2014-28033. Comment Request Information Collection for OMB 1205-0164, ETA 204, Experience Rating Report; Extension Without Revision

AGENCY:

Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

ACTION:

Notice.

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, ETA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension, without change, of the Experience Rating Report, Form ETA 204.

DATES:

Submit written comments to the office listed in the addressee section below on or before January 26, 2015.

ADDRESSES:

Send written comments to Edward M. Dullaghan, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Office of Unemployment Insurance, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Frances Perkins Bldg. Room S-4524, Washington, DC 20210, telephone number [phone] (this is not a toll-free number). Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may access the telephone number above via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay Service at 1-877-889-5627 (TTY/TDD). Email: [e-mail]. To obtain a copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR), please contact the person above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The data submitted annually on the ETA 204 report enables the Employment and Training Administration to project revenues for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program on a state-by-state basis and to measure the variations in assigned contribution rates which result from different experience rating systems. Used in conjunction with other data, the ETA 204 assists in determining the effects of certain factors (e.g., stabilization, expansion, or contraction in employment, etc.) on the unemployment experience of various groups of employers. The data also provide an early signal for potential solvency problems and are useful in analyzing factors which give rise to these potential problems and permit an evaluation of the effectiveness of the various approaches available to correct the detected problems. The report collects annual information about the taxation efforts in states relative to both taxable and total wages and allows comparison between states. Further, the data are key components to the Significant Tax Measures Report. The Significant Tax Measures Report provides the information necessary to evaluate and compare state UI tax systems.

II. Review Focus

The Department 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

Type of Review: Extension without change.

Title: Experience Rating Report.

OMB Number: 1205-0164.

Affected Public: State Workforce Agencies.

Estimated Total Annual Respondents: 53.

Estimated Total Annual Responses: 30 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 13 Hours.

Total Estimated Annual Other Cost Burden: $0.

Comments submitted in response to this comment request will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the ICR; they will also become a matter of public record.

Portia Wu,

Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Administration.