[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 207 (Monday, October 27, 2014)] [Notices] [Pages 63943-63944] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2014-25451] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of the Secretary Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Workforce Flexibility Program ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: On October 31, 2014, the Department of Labor (DOL) will submit the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Workforce Flexibility Program,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Public comments on the ICR are invited. DATES: The OMB will consider all written comments that agency receives on or before December 1, 2014. ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained free of charge from the [[Page 63944]] RegInfo.gov Web site at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=201407-1205-001 (this link will only become active on the day following publication of this notice) or by contacting Michel Smyth by telephone at 202-693-4129, TTY 202-693-8064, (these are not toll-free numbers) or by email at [email protected]. Submit comments about this request by mail or courier to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for DOL- ETA, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503; by Fax: 202-395-5806 (this is not a toll-free number); or by email: [email protected]. Commenters are encouraged, but not required, to send a courtesy copy of any comments by mail or courier to the U.S. Department of Labor-OASAM, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Attn: Departmental Information Compliance Management Program, Room N1301, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210; or by email: [email protected]. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michel Smyth by telephone at 202-693- 4129, TTY 202-693-8064, (these are not toll-free numbers) or by email at [email protected]. Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This ICR seeks to extend PRA authority for the Workforce Flexibility (Work-Flex) Program information collection, which allows a Governor to request authority from the Secretary of Labor to waive certain provisions of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Title I programs. An approved waiver is valid for five (5) years. A Governor has the authority to approve a request submitted by a local area to waive certain WIA statutory and regulatory provisions that would otherwise apply. The Act provides that the Secretary may only grant Work-Flex waiver authority in consideration of a Work-Flex Plan submitted by a State. A State granted Work-Flex authority is required to submit quarterly reports consisting of ten (10) items that summarize waiver activities in the State. WIA section 192 authorizes this information collection. See 29 U.S.C. 2942. The DOL notes that Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) section 190 includes similar provisions for a State to submit a Workforce Flexibility Plan; however, the existing WIA state and local plan provisions remain in effect until July 1, 2016. WIOA waiver provisions may be the subject of a future ICR. The Work-Flex Program information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless it is approved by the OMB under the PRA and displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. The DOL obtains OMB approval for this information collection under Control Number 1205-0432. OMB authorization for an ICR cannot be for more than three (3) years without renewal, and the current approval for this collection is scheduled to expire on October 31, 2014. The DOL seeks to extend PRA authorization for this information collection for three (3) more years, without any change to existing requirements. The DOL notes that existing information collection requirements submitted to the OMB receive a month-to-month extension while they undergo review. For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on August 26, 2014 (79 FR 50951). Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in the ADDRESSES section by December 1, 2014. In order to help ensure appropriate consideration, comments should mention OMB Control Number 1205-0432. The OMB is particularly interested in comments that: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 submission of responses. Agency: DOL-ETA. Title of Collection: Workforce Flexibility Program. OMB Control Number: 1205-0432. Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments. Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 5. Total Estimated Number of Responses: 21. Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 320 hours. Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0. Dated: October 21, 2014. Michel Smyth, Departmental Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2014-25451 Filed 10-24-14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P