[Federal Register: October 17, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 200)]
[Notices]
[Page 58899-58900]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17oc07-109]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Proposed Information Collection Request for Submission of
Petition for Classifying Labor Surplus Areas; Comment Request
AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, DOL.
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
[[Page 58900]]
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 is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension
of the collection of data contained in the procedures to petition for
classification as a Labor Surplus Area (LSA) under exceptional
circumstances criteria. 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 or at this Web site: http://www.doleta.gov/OMBCN/OMBControlNumber.cfm
.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
addressee section below on or before December 17, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Anthony D. Dais, Office of Workforce Investment, Employment
and Training Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room S-4231,
Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 693-2784 (This is not a toll-
free number); fax (202) 693-3015; or e-mail [dais.anthony@dol.gov].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Under Executive Orders 12073 and 10582, and 20 CFR parts 651 and
654, The Secretary of Labor is required to classify LSAs and
disseminate this information for the use of all Federal Agencies. This
information is used by Federal agencies for various purposes including
procurement decisions, food stamp waiver decisions, certain small
business loan decisions, as well as other purposes determined by the
agencies. The LSA list is issued annually, effective October 1 of each
year, utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Areas meeting
the criteria are classified as LSAs.
Department regulations specify that the Department can add other
areas to the annual LSA listing under the exceptional circumstance
criteria. Such additions are based upon information contained in
petitions submitted by the State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) to the ETA's
national office. These petitions contain specific economic information
about an area in order to provide ample justification for adding the
area to the LSA listing under the exceptional circumstances criteria.
An area is eligible for classification as a LSA if it meets all of the
criteria, and if the exceptional circumstance event is not temporary or
seasonal. This data collection pertains only to data submitted
voluntary by states exceptional circumstances petitions.
Most of the information contained the SWA LSA petitions is already
available from other sources, e.g., internal reports, statistical
programs, newspaper clippings, etc. The petitions are not intended to
provide new (unduplicated) information but serve to bring various types
of information together in a single document in order that a LSA
classification determination can be made. The only information which
SWAs may have to develop for use in the petition is the 12-month
projections of the area's labor force and unemployment. No periodic
reporting is required.
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
Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection. There
is no reduction in burden based on an experience rate of the approved
data collection period: The ETA has not received a petition since 2003.
Agency: Employment and Training Administration
Title: Procedures for Classifying Labor Surplus Areas Exceptional
Circumstances Reporting.
OMB Number: 1205-0207.
Affected Public: State Workforce Agencies.
Total Respondents: 1.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 3.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): 0.
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: October 11, 2007.
Gay M. Gilbert,
Administrator, Office of Workforce Investment Employment & Training
Administration.
[FR Doc. E7-20463 Filed 10-16-07; 8:45 am]
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