E8-7097. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

Agency: U.S. Census Bureau.

Title: Special Census Program.

Form Number(s): SC-1, SC-1 SUPP, SC-1 (Phone/WYC), SC-2, SC-116, SC-351, SC-920, SC-921(HU), SC-921(SP).

OMB Control Number: 0607-0368.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Burden Hours: 19,143.

Number of Respondents: 293,687.

Average Hours per Response: 4 minutes.

Needs and Uses: Governmental units requiring current population statistics between decennial censuses request that the Census Bureau conduct special censuses. Many states distribute funds based on current population statistics. In addition, special census data are used by the local jurisdictions to plan new schools, transportation systems, housing programs, and water treatment facilities.

The Special Census Program operates as a generic OMB clearance, including a library of forms and the operational procedures that will be used for the many special censuses we anticipate conducting through June 2009. The Census Bureau will establish a reimbursable agreement with a variety of potential special census customers. Census will submit for OMB's review and approval, under cover of a change worksheet, any special-purpose questions requested by customers to be added to special census questionnaires.

Local jurisdictions use special census data to apply for available funds from both the state and Federal government. Many states distribute these funds based on current population statistics. This fact, along with local population shifts or annexations of territory, prompts local officials to request special censuses. In addition, special census data are used by the local jurisdictions to plan new schools, transportation systems, housing programs, water treatment facilities, etc. Some jurisdictions believe that additional data are required for proper planning and others must have the additional data to qualify for some sources of funding. For these reasons, local officials request special purpose questions. The Census Bureau also uses special census data as part of its local population estimates calculation and to update the Census Bureau's Master Address File (MAF) and Topographically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) System.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Frequency: One time.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, section 196.

OMB Desk Officer: Brian Harris-Kojetin, [phone].

Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, [phone], Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [e-mail]).

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to Brian Harris-Kojetin, OMB Desk Officer either by fax [phone]) or e-mail ([e-mail]).

Dated: April 1, 2008.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.