[Federal Register: April 7, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 66)]
[Notices]               
[Page 17018-17019]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07ap98-107]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

 
Benefits, Timeliness and Quality Data Collection System; 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 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 Benefits, Timeliness 
and Quality (BTQ) data collection system (formerly known as Performance 
Measurement Review) for Unemployment Insurance (UI). A copy of the 
proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting 
the office listed below in the addressee section of this notice.


[[Page 17019]]


DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below on or before June 8, 1998.
    The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments 
which:
    <bullet> 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;
    <bullet> 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;
    <bullet> Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    <bullet> 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.

ADDRESSES: Leslie Thompson, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Avenue, N.W., Room S-4522, Washington, D.C. 20210, (202) 219-5215, ext. 
131. (this is not a toll free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Secretary of Labor has a legal responsibility under the Social 
Security Act (SSA) Title III, Section 303(a)(1), for reimbursing to 
State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) the necessary cost of proper 
and efficient administration of State UI laws. The BTQ program collects 
information and analyses data to do this. The BTQ measures have been 
implemented which look at timeliness and quality of States' 
performance, various administrative actions and administrative 
decisions concerning UI benefit operations.

II. Current Actions

    Continued collection of data under the BTQ system will provide for 
a comprehensive evaluation of the overall UI program. The BTQ program 
has been and will continue to be one of the primary means used by UI 
Regional and National Office staff to assess performance levels of 
individual States and as a basis for oversight to discharge the 
Secretary of Labor's responsibility for determining proper and 
efficient administration. The SESAs also use the BTQ measures for their 
internal program assessment.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Benefits, Timeliness and Quality Review.
    OMB Number: 1205-0359.
    Affected Public: State Government.
    Total Respondents: 53.
    Frequency: Monthly and Quarterly.
    Total Responses: 54,908.
    Average Time per Response: 726 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 38,486 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): 0.

    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): 0.
    Dated: March 31, 1998.
Grace A. Kilbane,
Director, Unemployment Insurance Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9055 Filed 4-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M