2010-14310. Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

SUMMARY:

Background. On June 15, 1984, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) delegated to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) its approval authority under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), as per 5 CFR 1320.16, to approve of and assign OMB control numbers to collection of information requests and requirements conducted or sponsored by the Board under conditions set forth in 5 CFR part 1320 Appendix A.1. Board-approved collections of information are incorporated into the official OMB inventory of currently approved collections of information. Copies of the Paperwork Reduction Act Submission, supporting statements and approved collection of information instruments are placed into OMB's public docket files. The Federal Reserve may not conduct or sponsor, and the respondent is not required to respond to, an information collection that has been extended, revised, or implemented on or after October 1, 1995, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Request for Comment on Information Collection Proposals

The following information collection, which is being handled under this delegated authority, has received initial Board approval and is hereby published for comment. At the end of the comment period, the proposed information collection, along with an analysis of comments and recommendations received, will be submitted to the Board for final approval under OMB delegated authority. Comments are invited on the following:

a. Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the Federal Reserve's functions; including whether the information has practical utility;

b. The accuracy of the Federal Reserve's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

c. Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

d. Ways to minimize the burden of information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before August 16, 2010.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by FR 1374 by any of the following methods:

• Agency Web site: http://www.federalreserve.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments at http://www.federalreserve.gov/​generalinfo/​foia/​ProposedRegs.cfm.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• E-mail: [e-mail]. Include the OMB control number in the subject line of the message.
• FAX: [phone] or 202-452-3102.
• Mail: Jennifer J. Johnson, Secretary, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 20th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20551.

All public comments are available from the Board's Web site at http://www.federalreserve.gov/​generalinfo/​foia/​ProposedRegs.cfm as submitted, unless modified for technical reasons. Accordingly, your comments will not be edited to remove any identifying or contact information. Public comments may also be viewed electronically or in paper form in Room MP-500 of the Board's Martin Building (20th and C Streets, NW.) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Additionally, commenters should send a copy of their comments to the OMB Desk Officer by mail to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, U.S. Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to 202-395-6974.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

A copy of the PRA OMB submission, including the proposed reporting form and instructions, supporting statement, and other documentation will be placed into OMB's public docket files, once approved. These documents will also be made available on the Federal Reserve Board's public Web site at: http://www.federalreserve.gov/​boarddocs/​reportforms/​review.cfm or may be requested from the agency clearance officer, whose name appears below.

Michelle Shore, Federal Reserve Board Clearance Officer (202-452-3829), Division of Research and Statistics, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, DC 20551. Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) users may contact (202-263-4869).

Proposal to approve under OMB delegated authority the extension for three years, with revision, of the following report:

Report title: Intermittent Survey of Businesses.

Agency form number: FR 1374.

OMB control number: 7100-0302.

Frequency: On occasion.

Reporters: Businesses and state and local governments.

Estimated annual reporting hours: 205 hours.

Estimated average hours per response: 15 minutes.

Number of respondents: 250.

General description of report: This information collection is voluntary (12 U.S.C. 225a and 263) and may be given confidential treatment (5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4)).

Abstract: The survey data are used by the Federal Reserve to gather information specifically tailored to the Federal Reserve's policy and operational responsibilities. There are two parts to this event-generated survey. First, under the guidance of Board staff, the Federal Reserve Banks survey business contacts as economic developments warrant. Currently, they conduct these surveys as part of their usual Beige Book ^[1] process as needed, with approximately 240 business respondents for each survey (about 20 per Reserve Bank). It is necessary to conduct these surveys to provide timely information to the members of the Board and to the presidents of the Reserve Banks. Usually, these surveys are conducted by Reserve Bank staff economists telephoning or emailing purchasing managers, economists, or other knowledgeable individuals at selected, relevant businesses. The frequency and content of the questions, as well as the entities contacted, vary depending on developments in the economy. Second, economists at the Board survey business contacts by telephone, inquiring about current business conditions. Board economists conduct these surveys as economic conditions require, with approximately ten respondents for each survey.

Current actions: The Federal Reserve proposes to revise the panel to include state and local governments as economic conditions may warrant. Given that state and local governments now account for about 12 percent of total Gross Domestic Product, it may be important at times to survey these governments for up-to-date information about developments in this sector.

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, June 10, 2010.

Jennifer J. Johnson,

Secretary of the Board.

Footnotes

1.  http://www.federalreserve.gov/​fomc/​beigebook/​2010/​.