[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 64 (Monday, April 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16485-16486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8295]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
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 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 (ETA) is
soliciting comments concerning a proposed revision to Form ETA 581,
Contribution Operations. A copy of the entire proposed information
collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office
listed below in the addressee section of this notice.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
addressee section below on or before June 4, 1999.
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.
ADDRESSES: Constance I. Peterkin, Room S-4522, 200 Constitution Avenue,
NW, Washington, DC 20210; telephone number: (202) 219-5615, extension
198 (this is not a toll-free number); internet address;
cpeterkin@doleta.gov; facsimile number: (202) 219-8506.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Unemployment Insurance Service (UIS) 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 functions
or tax operations 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/UIS, the source of grants funding authority. ETA 581 data is
the basis for determining the adequacy of funding States' UI tax
operations and measuring the performance and 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. Current Actions
A new item, ``Number of Employees Misclassified as Independent
Contractors'' (discovered through audits of employers), is being added.
Misclassification of employees as independent contractors represent
lost revenues to State unemployment funds from taxes based on the wages
of such employees and lower UI benefit recipiency rates upon their
unemployment. The collection of this new information will provide an
indication of the extent of misclassification and eliminate the need
for periodic surveys requesting such information. As a result of adding
this new item, the average response time is estimated to increase by
0.5 hours.
The ETA 581 report is the only vehicle for collection of
information on States' UI tax operations 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 conjunction with 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: Revision.
Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
Title: Contribution Operations.
OMB Number: 1205-0178.
Agency Number: ETA 581.
[[Page 16486]]
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): $45,050.
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 29, 1999.
Grace A. Kilbane,
Director, Unemployment Insurance Service.
[FR Doc. 99-8295 Filed 4-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M