02-8061. Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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, the Employment and Training Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of approval of Form ETA 581, Contribution Operations. A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section of this notice.

DATES:

Written comments be submitted to the office listed in the addressee section below on or before June 3, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Constance I. Peterkin, Room S-4522, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone number: 202-693-3221 (this is not a toll-free number); Internet address: [e-mail]; facsimile number: 202-693-3229.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Office of Workforce Security (OWS) of the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has three programs which evaluate the separate functions within the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. The Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) program assesses the accuracy of paying UI benefits. The Benefit Timeliness and Quality (BTQ) program assesses the quality and timeliness of UI benefit functions; while the Tax Performance System (TPS) evaluates the employer-related or tax functions of the UI program. The Contribution Operations report (Form ETA 581) is a comprehensive report of each State's UI tax operations and is essential in providing quarterly tax performance data to DOL/ETA/OWS, the source of grants funding authority. ETA 581 data are the basis for determining the adequacy of funding of States' UI tax operations and measuring the effectiveness of such operations. These are required Federal functions under the Federal-State UI program.

Using ETA 581 data, the TPS program measures performance, accuracy, and promptness in employer registration (status determination, report delinquency, collections (accounts receivable), and the audit function.

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

It is important that approval of the ETA 581 report be extended because this report is the only vehicle for collection of information required under the TPS program. If ETA 581 data were not collected, there would be no basis for determining the adequacy of funding for States' UI tax operations, making projections and forecasts in the budgetary process, nor measuring program performance and effectiveness. The ETA 581 accounts receivable data are necessary in the preparation of complete and accurate financial statements for the Unemployment Trust Fund (UTF) and the maintenance of a modified accrual system for UTF accounting.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Employment and Training Administration.

Title: Contribution Operations.

OMB Number: 1205-0178.

Agency Number: ETA 581.

Affected Public: State Government.

Cite/Reference/Form/etc: ETA 581.

Total Respondents: 53.

Frequency: Quarterly.

Total Responses: 212.

Average Time per Response: 8.5 hours.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,802.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $-0-.

Comments submitted in response to this comment request 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: March 27, 2002.

Grace A. Kilbane,

Director, Office of Workforce Security.