Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Interstate Arrangement for Combining Employment and Wages

ACTION:

Notice.

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 proposed extension of the report for the Interstate Arrangement for Combining Employment and Wages, Form ETA 586.

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 December 13, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to Mary E. Montgomery, Office of Workforce Security, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-4516, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, telephone number (202) 693-3217 (this is not a toll-free number).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mary E. Montgomery, Office of Workforce Security, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-4516, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, telephone number (202) 693-3217 (this is not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Section 3304(a)(9)(B), of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) of 1986, requires states to participate in an arrangement for combining employment and wages covered under the different state laws for the purpose of determining unemployed workers' entitlement to unemployment compensation. The Interstate Arrangement for Combining Employment and Wages for combined wage claims (CWC), promulgated at 20 CFR part 616, requires the prompt transfer of all available employment and wages between states upon request. The Benefit Payment Promptness Standard, 20 CFR 640, requires the prompt payment of unemployment compensation including benefits paid under the CWC arrangement. The ETA 586 report provides the ETA/Office of Workforce Security with information necessary to measure the scope and effect of the CWC program and monitor the performance of each state in responding to wage transfer requests and the payment of benefits.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

Currently, the Department of Labor is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the report for the Interstate Arrangement for Combining Employment and Wages, ETA 586. The Department 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.

A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office listed above in the address section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

This information is necessary in order for ETA to analyze program performance, know when corrective action plans are needed and to target technical assistance resources. Without this report, it would be impossible for the ETA to identify claims and benefit activity under the CWC program and carry out the Secretary's responsibility for program oversight.

Type of Review: Extension without change.

Agency: Employment and Training Administration.

Title: Interstate Arrangement for Combining Employment and Wages.

OMB Number: 1205-0029.

Agency Number: ETA 586.

Recordkeeping: 3 years.

Affected Public: State Government.

Cite/Reference/Form: ETA Handbook No. 401, ETA 586.

Total Respondents: 53.

Frequency: Quarterly.

Total Responses: 212.

Average Time Per Response: 4 hours.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 848.

Total Burden Cost (Capital/Startup): N/A.

Total Burden Cost: $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.