Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Extension of the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Title XII Advances Process

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public

Comment and Recommendations; Extension of the Unemployment Insurance

(UI) Title XII Advances Process

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL), 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 process for

requesting advances from the Federal Unemployment Account (FUA) and

repayment of such advances under Title XII of the Social Security Act

(SSA). Technically, there is

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no request for information. There is, however, a paperwork burden on

States because they must prepare and transmit formal requests for the

authority to request advances and the repayment of said advances.

A copy of the proposed procedure can be obtained by contacting the

addressee listed below.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 15,

1996.

Written comments should:

--Evaluate whether the proposed extension of the current procedure 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 extension of the current procedure, including the validity of

the methodology and assumptions used;

--Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the procedure; and

--Minimize the burden of the procedure on those who are to respond,

including 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.

ADDRESSES: James E. Herbert, Unemployment Insurance Service, Employment

and Training Administration, Department of Labor, Room C 4514, 200

Constitution Ave, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210; 202 219-5309 (this is

not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Title XII Section 1201 of the SSA provides for advances to States

from the FUA. The law further sets out specific requirements to be met

by a State requesting an advance:

The Governor must apply for the advance;

The application must cover a three month period and the

Secretary of Labor must be furnished with estimates of the amounts

needed in each month of the three month period;

An application for an advance shall be made on such forms

and shall contain such information and data (fiscal and otherwise)

concerning the operation and administration of the State unemployment

compensation law as the Secretary of Labor deems necessary or relevant

to the performance of his duties under this title;

The amount required by any State for the payment of

compensation in any month shall be determined with due allowance for

contingencies and taking into account all other amounts that will be

available in the State's unemployment fund for the payment of

compensation in such month;

The term ``compensation'' means cash benefits payable to

individuals with respect to their unemployment exclusive of expenses of

administration.

Section 1202(a) of the SSA provides that the Governor of any State

may at any time request that funds be transferred from the account of

such State to the FUA in repayment of part or all of the balance of

advances made to such State under section 1201. These applications and

repayments may be requested by an individual designated for that

authority in writing by the Governor. The DOL proposes to extend this

procedure through September, 1999.

II. Current Actions

This action is requested to maintain the continuity of current

procedures which have succeeded in the orderly application and

repayment operations at both the State and Federal levels. This is not

a data collection process.

This is a request for OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction

Act of 1995 (44 USC 3506 (c)(2)(A)) of an extension to an existing

procedure previously approved and assigned OMB control No. 1205-0199.

Agency: Employment and Training Administration, Department of

Labor.

Title: Governor's requests for advances from the Federal

unemployment account or requests for voluntary repayment of such

advances.

OMB Number: 1205-0199.

Affected Public: State governments (State Employment Security

Agencies).

Total Respondents: 50 States, Washington, D.C., the Virgin Islands,

and Puerto Rico are covered by this process. The DOL estimates that one

State will be requesting advances and making repayments in FY 1997.

Absent recessionary periods in FY 1998 and FY 1999, an average of two

States per year will be doing so. During the last recession, six states

requested advances.

Frequency: As needed, based on a State's discretion.

Average Time Per Response: 1 hour.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5 State/years x 14 responses (4

requests for advances and 10 repayments) x 1 hour=70 burden hours.

Estimated Total Burden Cost: 70 hours x $27.75=$1,942.50.

Comments submitted in response to this notice 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.

Dated: August 5, 1996.

Mary Ann Wyrsch,

Director, Unemployment Insurance Service.

[FR Doc. 96-20604 Filed 8-12-96; 8:45 am]

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