Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Reporting Requirements Pursuant to Baker v. Reich

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public

Comment and Recommendations; Reporting Requirements Pursuant to Baker

v. Reich

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 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 extension of the information collection of the Reporting

Requirements for Baker v. Reich, ETA 563a.

A copy of the proposed information collection request can be

obtained by contacting the employee listed below in the contact section

of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 24,

1997. Written comments should 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 automated, electronic, mechanical, or other

technological collection techniques or other forms of information

technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

ADDRESSES: Russell T. Kile, Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance,

Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor, Room C-

4318, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210, 202-219-

5555 (this is not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

This information is needed in order to comply with a Federal Court

Order issued on September 9, 1996, regarding individual eligibility

determinations for Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA) benefits under

the North American Free Trade Agreement-Transitional Adjustment

Assistance (NAFTA-TAA) program. The data to be collected comply with

the United States District Court for the District of Columbia's

preliminary approval of, pending a final hearing, a settlement of Baker

v. Reich between the Department of Labor and the United Auto Workers

Union (UAW). The Court Order requires the Department to report to the

UAW on the States' implementation of the settlement and beginning with

the quarterly reporting period ending December 31, 1996, the States

will provide the Department with quarterly written reports by petition

number on: the number of people requesting determination of

entitlement; the number of people determined entitled to benefits; and

the number of people receiving TRA first payments under this

settlement. The States are required to continue to report the data on a

quarterly basis for five more quarters.

II. Current Actions

This is a request for OMB approval under [the Paperwork Reduction

Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)] for an extension of collection of

information currently approved and assigned OMB Control No. 1205-0372.

There is a reduction of 40 burden hours from the previously approved

data collection, because the one-time interim report on the

implementation of the settlement, also approved under OMB Control No.

1205-0372, is no longer required.

Type of Review: Extension without change.

Agency: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

Title: Reporting requirements pursuant to Baker v. Reich.

OMB Number: 1205-0372.

Frequency: Quarterly report for six quarters.

Affected Public: State or local government.

Number of Respondents: 40.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 2 minutes per NAFTA-TAA petition.

Total Burden Hours: 168.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): None.

Total Estimated Cost: $800.

Total Burden Hours: 40.

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: December 18, 1996.

Russell T. Kile,

Acting Program Manager, Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance.

[FR Doc. 96-32674 Filed 12-23-96; 8:45 am]

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