[Federal Register: June 3, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 107)]
[Notices]               
[Page 31432-31433]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03jn04-102]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

 
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Resource Justification Model

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 the proposed extension of collection of 
information for the Resource Justification Model (RJM). ETA intends to 
use the RJM to formulate budget requests for the unemployment insurance 
(UI) program from States' data and to allocate appropriated funds among 
the States.
    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: Submit comments on or before August 2, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Lauren C. Harrel, Room S4231, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, (202) 693-2992 (this is 
not a toll-free number). E-mail address is harrel.lauren@dol.gov and 
fax number is (202) 693-2874.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lauren C. Harrel, Room S4231, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, (202) 693-2992 (this is 
not a toll-free number). E-mail address is harrel.lauren@dol.gov and 
fax number is (202) 693-2874.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    ETA developed the RJM to obtain updated State UI program cost data. 
Although the RJM entails a substantial data collection effort, it 
provides ETA with current cost information to justify

[[Page 31433]]

budget requests for State UI program administration and allocate 
administrative funds equitably among States. State agencies submit 
detailed data by major cost categories in a structured format. This 
provides States with a means to provide ETA with their input to the 
budget process. Software now available to the States for data 
extraction from accounting systems is able to keep the data collection 
burden at a minimum.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    Currently, the Department of Labor is soliciting comments 
concerning the proposed extension of the RJM collection. Comments are 
requested to:
     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.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
obtained by contacting the office listed above in the addresses section 
of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    Type of Review: Extension without change.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Resource Justification Model.
    OMB Number: 1205-0430.
    Affected Public: State government.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: Social Security Act, section 303(a)(b).
    Total Respondents: 53 State workforce agencies.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Total Responses: 212.
    Average Time per Response: 33.75 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 7,155.

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                                                                                          Average
                                         Total                                Total       time per      Burden
            Form/activity             respondents         Frequency         responses     response     (hours)
                                                                                          (hours)
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Crosswalk...........................           53  Annually..............           53          120        6,360
ACCT SUM............................           53  Annually..............           53            4          212
RJM 1-6.............................           53  Annually..............           53            3          159
Narrative...........................           53  Annually..............           53            8          424
                                     -------------                        --------------------------------------
    Totals..........................  ...........                                  212  ...........        7,155
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    Total Burden Cost (Capital/Startup): There are no capital or start-
up costs for RJM.
    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: May 26, 2004.
Cheryl Atkinson,
Administrator, Office of Workforce Security.
[FR Doc. 04-12526 Filed 6-2-04; 8:45 am]

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