2023-13567. Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the information collection request titled “Information Collections to Advance State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial (STLT) Governmental Agency and System Performance, Capacity, and Program Delivery” to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. CDC previously published a “Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations” notice on January 23, 2023 to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. CDC received one non-substantive comment related to the previous notice. This notice serves to allow an additional 30 days for public and affected agency comments.

CDC will accept all comments for this proposed information collection project. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in comments that:

(a) 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;

(b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

(d) 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 submission of responses; and

(e) Assess information collection costs.

To request additional information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call (404) 639–7570. Comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function. Direct written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395–5806. Provide written comments within 30 days of notice publication.

Proposed Project

Information Collections to Advance State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial (STLT) Governmental Agency and System Performance, Capacity, and Program Delivery (OMB Control Number 0920–0879, Expiration Date 1/31/2024)—Extension—National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce (NCSTLTPHIW), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

The mission of the Department of Health and Human Services is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans. As part of HHS, CDC conducts critical science and provides health information to people and communities to save lives and protect people from health threats. To this end, CDC and HHS seek to accomplish their mission by collaborating with partners throughout the nation and the world to monitor health, detect and investigate health problems, conduct research to enhance prevention, develop and advocate sound public health policies, implement prevention strategies, promote healthy behaviors, foster safe and healthful environments, and provide leadership and training.

CDC is requesting a three-year approval for an Extension of a Generic Clearance to collect information related to domestic public health issues and services that affect and/or involve State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial (STLT) government entities. The respondent universe is comprised of STLT governmental staff or delegates acting on behalf of an STLT agency involved in the provision of essential public health services in the United States. Delegate is defined as a governmental or non-governmental agent (agency, function, office or individual) acting for a principal or submitted by another to represent or act on their behalf. The STLT agency is represented by an STLT entity or delegate with a task to protect and/or improve the public's health.

Information will be used to: (1) assess situational awareness of current public health emergencies; (2) make decisions that affect planning, response and recovery activities of subsequent emergencies; and (3) fill CDC and HHS gaps in knowledge of programs and/or STLT governments that will strengthen surveillance, epidemiology, and laboratory science; and/or improve CDC's support and technical assistance to states and communities. CDC and HHS will conduct brief data collections across a range of public health topics related to essential public health services.

CDC estimates up to 30 data collections with STLT governmental staff or delegates, and 10 data collections with local/county/city governmental staff or delegates, will be conducted on an annual basis. Approximately 95% of these data collections will be web-based and 5% by telephone, in-person, and focus groups. CDC will submit a description of each data collection project to OMB for final review and approval. The description will include a discussion of the project's purpose, information collection methods and instrument(s), and estimated burden.

CDC requests OMB approval for a total estimated annualized burden of 54,000 hours. There is no cost to respondents other than their time.

Estimated Annualized Burden Hours

Type of respondents	Form name	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden per respondent (in hrs.)
State, Territorial, or Tribal government staff or delegate	Web, telephone, in-person, focus group	800	30	1
Local/County/City government staff or delegate	Web, telephone, in-person, focus group	3,000	10	1

Jeffrey M. Zirger,

Lead, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Public Health Ethics and Regulations, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.