2024-04263. Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education, and Promotion Voter Registration and Ballot Forms

AGENCY:

Under Secretary of Economic Affairs, Department of Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of information collection, request for comment.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES:

To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed information collection must be received on or before April 29, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to Kenneth White, Office of the Under Secretary of Economic Affairs, by email at [e-mail] or [e-mail]. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or specific questions related to collection activities should be directed to Kenneth White, Senior Policy Analyst, Under Secretary of Economic Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce; by phone at (202) 482–2406 or via email at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

This is a request for an extension of an already approved collection of information. In 2021 the Secretary held a referendum among eligible manufacturers to determine whether they favored the implementation of an Order to establish an orderly program for developing, financing, and carrying out an effective, continuous, and coordinated program of research, education and promotion, to support the concrete masonry products industry. The referendum passed and the Order went into effect in December 2021. The law requires the Secretary to conduct an additional referendum in the event: the Board requests such action or if after five years (2026) at least 25 percent of those eligible request such action. Continuation of this approved collection will cover both of these potential occurrences.

In 2022, the Secretary appointed members to the Concrete Masonry Products Board (Board) to develop and implement programs of research, education, and promotion. In 2023, the Board began collecting assessments from manufacturers of concrete masonry units, of which the Board will use to implement programs and activities.

There are two forms in this Information Collection Request (ICR) relating to the referendum. The first is the registration form for the concrete referendum. The registration form may be submitted by eligible concrete masonry unit manufacturers and is necessary to ensure that the referendum is accurate and complete. Manufacturers only may participate in the referendum if they register. The second form for this ICR relates to the ballot form for the concrete referendum. Eligible concrete masonry unit manufacturers may complete and submit the ballot to reflect their desire for or against implementing the order. Authorizing Statute: 15 U.S.C. chapter 13 (sections 8701–8717).

II. Method of Collection

Registrants may download, complete, print, and submit via fax or mail from the DOC website.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0605–0029.

Form Number(s): None.

Type of Review: Regular submission. This is an extension of a current collection.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Registration

Estimate of Burden: 0.5 hour per application.

Respondents: Manufacturers of concrete masonry units.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 160.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 345 hours.

Ballot

Estimate of Burden: 0.25 hour per ballot.

Respondents: Manufacturers of concrete masonry units.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 160.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 172.5 hours.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

IV. Request for Comments

We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,

Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.