[Federal Register: April 24, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 80)]
[Notices]
[Page 22166-22167]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24ap08-66]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Proposed Collection for OMB Approval for Work-Flex State Plan
Submission and Reporting Requirements; Comment Request
AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor.
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 is soliciting
comments concerning The Work Flex State Plan Submission and Reporting
Requirements.
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 by accessing: http://www.doleta.gov/OMBCN/
OMBControlNumber.cfm.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
addressee's section below on or before June 23, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to Janet Sten, Chief, Division of
Workforce System Support, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution
Avenue, NW., Room C-4510, Washington, DC 20210, Telephone number: 202-
693-3045 (this is not a toll-free number). Fax: 202-693-3015. E-mail:
Sten.janet@dol.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janet Sten, Chief, Division of
Workforce System Support, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution
Avenue, NW., Room C-4510, Washington, DC 20210, Telephone number: 202-
693-3045 (this is not a toll-free number). Fax: 202-693-3015. E-mail:
Sten.janet@dol.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 192 of the Workforce Investment Act (Pub. L. 105-220,
August 7, 1998) permits States to apply for a workforce flexibility
(Work-Flex) waiver authority to implement reforms to their workforce
investment systems in exchange for program improvements. The Act
provides that the Secretary may grant Work-Flex waiver authority for a
period of up to five years pursuant to a Work-Flex Plan submitted by a
State. Under Work-Flex, Governors are granted the authority to approve
requests submitted by their local areas to waive certain statutory and
regulatory provisions of WIA Title I programs. States may also request
from the Secretary waivers of certain requirements of the Wagner-Peyser
Act (Sections 8-10) and certain provisions of the Older Americans Act
applicable to State agencies that administer the Senior Community
Service Employment Program (SCSEP). The intent of the Work-Flex
provision is to authorize States and Local Areas the operational
flexibility they need to improve employment and training productivity
for adult, dislocated, and youth populations. One of the underlying
[[Page 22167]]
principles of Work-Flex is that it will result in improved performance
outcomes for persons served and that waiver authority will be granted
in consideration of improved performance.
Work-Flex State Plan Instructions
States requesting designation as a Work-Flex State must submit a
Work-Flex Plan which includes descriptions of:
a. The process by which local areas in the State may submit and
obtain approval by the State of applications for waivers of
requirements applicable under Title I of WIA, including provisions for
public review and comment on local area waiver applications.
b. The statutory and regulatory requirements of Title I that are
likely to be waived by the State under the plan.
c. The requirements applicable under Sections 8 through 10 of the
Wagner-Peyser Act that are proposed to be waived, if any.
d. The statutory and regulatory requirements of the Older Americans
Act of 1965 applicable to State agencies on aging with respect to
administration of the Senior Community Service Employment Program
(SCSEP) that are proposed to be waived, if any.
e. The outcomes to be achieved by the waiver authority including,
where appropriate, revisions to adjusted levels of performance included
in the State or Local Plan under Title I of WIA.
f. Special measures (in addition to current procedures) to be taken
to ensure appropriate accountability for Federal funds in connection
with the waivers.
g. Prior to submitting a Work-Flex Plan to the Secretary for
approval, the State must provide notice to all interested parties and
to the general public adequate notice and a reasonable opportunity for
comment on the waivers proposed to be implemented. The plan should
describe the process used for ensuring meaningful public comment.
Include a description of the Governor's and the State Workforce
Investment Board's involvement in drafting, reviewing and commenting on
the Plan. Describe the actions taken to collaborate in the development
of the State Work-Flex Plan with local chief elected officials, local
workforce investment boards and youth councils, the business community
(including small businesses), labor organizations, educators,
vocational rehabilitation agencies, and other interested parties, such
as service providers, welfare agencies, community and faith-based
organizations, transportation providers and other stakeholders.
Work-Flex Quarterly Report Instructions
Report for each waiver granted:
1. Waiver (assigned by State).
2. Date received.
3. Date granted.
4. Local Area(s) requesting waiver.
5. Purpose (brief statement).
6. Regulation/statute affected.
Summary (year-to-date):
1. Of waivers granted.
2. Of waivers denied.
3. Of waivers pending.
4. Total waivers received.
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 without change.
Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
Title: Work-Flex State Plan Submission and Reporting Requirements.
OMB Number: 1205-0432.
Recordkeeping: Consistent with 29 CFR 97.42, records and supporting
documentation should be retained for three years on a Federal fiscal
year basis. The retention period for quarterly reports associated with
a fiscal year status on the date the State submits its last quarterly
report for that fiscal year. The retention period for the State Work-
Flex Plan starts on the last day of the fiscal year for which it was
initially approved or subsequently modified, whichever is later.
Affected Public: State and local governments.
Form: See above instructions.
Total Respondents: 5.
Frequency: 5 state plans annually; 20 quarterly reports.
Total Responses: 25.
Average Time per Response: 38.4 hours.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 960.
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.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 16th day of April, 2008.
Gay M. Gilbert,
Administrator, Office of Workforce Investment.
[FR Doc. E8-8813 Filed 4-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P