[Federal Register: September 21, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 183)]
[Notices]
[Page 55220-55221]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21se06-74]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
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 pre-clearance
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,
[[Page 55221]]
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.
Currently, the Employment and Training Administration is soliciting
comments concerning the proposed extension of data collection for the
ETA Form 9117 (formerly ETA-9023), Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)
Reserve Funding Request Form (1205-0275, expires 12/31/2006). A copy of
the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by
contacting the office listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this
notice.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
addressee section below on or before November 20, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Erica R. Cantor, Administrator, Office of National Response,
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room
C-5311, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20210. Phone (202)
693-2757 (this is not a toll-free number), fax (202) 693-3584, or e-
mail cantor.erica@dol.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background: The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) programs provide
assistance to workers that have been adversely affected by foreign
trade. Under the Trade Act of 1974, as amended by the Trade Reform Act
of 2002, the statutory training cap is $220 million each year, with
additional funding available for job search and relocation allowances
and State administration. To be eligible for TAA or ATAA benefits, a
group of workers, a company official, a union or other duly authorized
representative, or a One Stop Operator or partner must file a petition
with the Department of Labor. If the Department determines that the
workers meet the statutory criteria, it issues a certification of
eligibility for the workers in the group to apply for benefits and
services through partnerships between the State Workforce Agencies
(SWAs) and the One Stop Career Center system. On average, approximately
120,000 workers are potentially eligible to apply for TAA benefits and
services each year. Of those potentially eligible, roughly 40,000
individuals begin receiving TAA-funded benefits and services each year.
In addition, 40,000 individuals who began receiving services in
previous years continue to receive them.
II. Review Focus: 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.
III. Current Actions: This is a notice to extend the collection
period that is currently approved by OMB (1205-0275 expires December
31, 2006).
The ETA-9117(formerly ETA-9023) has been successfully utilized by
the ETA and SWAs since its implementation in July 2004. The Department
distributes $165 million of the $220 million appropriation available
for TAA training at the beginning of each fiscal year as formula base
allocations. The remaining training funds or $55 million is held in
reserve by the Department to support States that experience large
unanticipated layoffs that cannot be covered by their formula base
allocation. The reserve funds are requested using the ETA-9117
(formerly ETA-9023) which provides essential information needed to
determine the reasonableness of requests for TAA reserve funding such
as the number of individuals currently enrolled in training that
require additional funding through the current fiscal year; the number
of new enrollees that require funding through the current fiscal year;
the number of individuals requesting job search and relocation
allowances; accrual expenditures for the most recent available funds;
active certifications; and the circumstances necessitating the request
for additional funding.
Type of Review: Extension and revision of a currently approved
collection.
Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
Title: Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Reserve Funding Request
Form. OMB Number: 1205-0275.
Agency Number: ETA-9117 (formerly ETA-9023).
Affected Public: State, local or tribal Government.
Total Respondents: 25.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 75.
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Average time
Cite/reference Total Frequency Total responses per response Total requested
respondents (hours) burden
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TAA Reserve Request Form...................... 25 On occasion......................... 25 3 75
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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: September 11, 2006.
Erica R. Cantor,
Administrator, Office of National Response.
[FR Doc. 06-7936 Filed 9-20-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P