Federal Register, Volume 77 Issue 181 (Tuesday, September 18, 2012)

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 18, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57593-57594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22931]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Comment Request for Information Collection for Reemployment 
Demonstration Grants and Projects, Extension Without Revisions

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (Department), as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a 
preclearance consultation program to provide the 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 [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)] (PRA). This program helps ensure 
that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting 
burden (time and

[[Page 57594]]

financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly 
understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents 
can be properly assessed. Currently, ETA is soliciting comments 
concerning the collection of data about reemployment demonstration 
grants and projects, expiring 10/31/2012.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addresses section below on or before November 19, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to Scott Gibbons, Office of 
Unemployment Insurance, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. 
Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210. 
Telephone number: 202-693-3008 (this is not a toll-free number). 
Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may access the telephone 
number above via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay 
Service at 1-877-889-5627 (TTY/TDD). Email: [email protected]. A 
copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
obtained by contacting Mr. Gibbons.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 
112-96) provides states with the opportunity to pilot new and 
innovative strategies to better help connect unemployed Americans with 
work. Section 2102 of the Extended Benefits, Reemployment, and Program 
Integrity Improvement Act (Act) enacts a new Section 305 of the Social 
Security Act (SSA) which allows the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to 
enter into agreements with up to 10 states that submit applications for 
approval to conduct demonstration projects to test and evaluate 
measures to expedite reemployment of certain individuals found eligible 
for unemployment compensation (UC), or to improve the effectiveness of 
a state in carrying out its state law with respect to reemployment.
    Section 305(a)(1), SSA, as enacted, establishes two purposes for 
which the Secretary may grant approval for states to conduct 
demonstration projects: (1) To test and evaluate measures designed to 
expedite the reemployment of individuals who establish a benefit year 
and are otherwise eligible to receive UC ``under the state law of such 
state [the state submitting the application]''; or (2) to improve the 
effectiveness of a state in carrying out its state law with respect to 
reemployment.
    ETA will provide states with guidance explaining the provisions of 
the new law, and laying out the application procedure that states must 
follow in order to be considered for this program. This PRA package 
consists of several elements:

 The guidance explaining the provisions of the new law, and the 
application process
 An application checklist to ensure the submission package is 
complete
 A draft agreement that will serve as the template for each 
individual state agreement
 Draft reporting requirements
 Data elements that states must be able to produce for 
evaluation
    In addition to Public Law 112-96, collection of data necessary for 
oversight of the program is authorized under Section 303(a)(6) of the 
Social Security Act. In order for states to prepare their summary 
reports and to be in compliance with these new requirements of the law, 
ETA believes states will need to collect this information from 
employers.

II. Review Focus

    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.

III. Current Actions

    Type of Review: Extension without changes.
    Title: Reemployment Demonstration Grants and Projects.
    OMB Number: 1205-0492.
    Affected Public: State Workforce Agencies.
    Form(s): Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL) 15-12 (http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=8173) and UIPL 15-12, 
change 1, (http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=5913).
    Total Annual Respondents: 10.
    Annual Frequency: One time and quarterly.
    Total Annual Responses: 50.
    Average Time per Response: 9.66 hours per response (average).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 5,600.
    Total Annual Burden Cost for Respondents: There are no annualized 
costs to respondents.
    Comments submitted in response to this comment request will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the ICR; 
they will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: Signed in Washington, DC, on this 10th day of September, 
2012.
Jane Oates,
Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training, Labor.
[FR Doc. 2012-22931 Filed 9-17-12; 8:45 am]
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