[Federal Register: October 25, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 206)]
[Notices]               
[Page 60629-60630]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25oc07-44]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau

 
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Annual Survey 
of State and Local Government Finances

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before December 24, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Jennifer Whitaker, Chief, Public Finance Analysis 
Branch-A, Governments Division, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 
20233-6800 [(301) 763-2823] (or via the Internet at 
Jennifer.N.Whitaker@census.gov).


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau plans to request clearance for the forms 
necessary to conduct the public finance program which consists of an 
annual collection of information and a quinquennial collection in the 
census years ending in ``2'' and ``7''. During the upcoming three 
years, Census intends to conduct the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Annual Survey 
of Government Finance.
    The Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finance collects 
data on state government finances and estimates of local government 
revenue, expenditure, debt, and assets, nationally and within state 
areas. Data are collected for all agencies, departments, and 
institutions of the fifty state governments and for a sample of all 
local governments (counties, municipalities, townships, and special 
districts). Data for school districts are collected under a separate 
survey. In the census year, equivalent data are collected from all 
local governments.
    This survey is a mail canvass survey with an initial mailing and 
three follow-up mailings. Telephone follow-up is used to contact non-
respondents and, as necessary, to correct apparent errors and incorrect 
responses. The forms and procedures are the same as those used in 
previous finance surveys.
    Results of this survey are used by the Bureau of Economic Analysis 
to develop the public sector components of the National Income and 
Product Accounts. Other Federal agencies that make frequent use of 
these data include the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, the Congressional 
Research Service, the General Accounting Office, and the Department of 
Justice. Other users include state and local government executives and 
legislators, policy makers, economists, researchers, and the general 
public.

II. Method of Collection

    Canvass methodology primarily consists of a mail out/mail back 
questionnaire. Responses will be scanned, and then put into an 
electronic format. Other methods used to collect data and maximize 
response include collecting local government data from central state 
sources and compiling from submitted financial audits, comprehensive 
financial reports, and public Internet outputs. Also, the finance forms 
can be completed on the Internet.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0585.
    Form Number: F-11, F-12, F-13, F-25, F-28, F-29, F-32, and F-42.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: State or local government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 9,753.
    Estimated Time per Response: 2,903.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 29,911.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $535,918.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. 161 and 182.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and

[[Page 60630]]

clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including 
through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: October 19, 2007.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E7-20994 Filed 10-24-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-07-P