General Statutory and Work-Flex Waiver Request; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

General Statutory and Work-Flex Waiver Request; 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

[[Page 27069]]

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 collection of the Workforce Flexibility (Work-Flex)

Partnership Demonstration Program and General Statutory Waivers.

A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be

obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section

of this notice.

DATES: Writteen comments must be submitted to the office listed in the

addressee section below on or before July 15, 1997.

The Department of Labor 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.

ADDRESSES: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration,

James M. Aaron, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20210;

telephone number (202) 219-5580, x174 (this is not a toll free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Based on OMB request approvals 1205-0375 and 1205-0376, the ETA

issued TEGLs 6-96 and 7-96 to provide guidance to the employment and

training community and submittal of waivers. Because these waivers were

granted under emergency procedures the period covered only extended to

June 30. This period was subsequently extended until September 30. To

permit States the opportunity to continue to submit such requests an

extension of this authority is needed.

II. Current Actions

ETA is anticipating upwards of 600 waiver requests during the next

several months. Only the waiver requests from Oregon have been approved

thus far. The authority requested remains unchanged. It would permit

States to submit general statutory waiver request covering Titles I-III

of the JTPA and sections 8-10 of Wagner Peyser. The same exclusions

would be retained under this request. Also it would permit submittal of

work-flex applications if the full contingent of six States have not

been approved based on the initial round of applications.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Agency: U.S. Department of Labor/ETA.

Title: Workforce Flexibility (Work-Flex) Partnership Demonstration

Program.

OMB Number: 1205-0375.

Affected Public: States.

Total Respondents: 56.

Frequency: On occasion.

Total Responses: 10 potential.

Average Time per Response: 80.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 800.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): -0-.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $2,500.

Title: General Statutory Waivers.

OMB Number: 1205-0376.

Affected Public: States.

Total Respondents: 56.

Frequency: On occasion.

Total Responses: 20 potential.

Average Time per Response: 80.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1600.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): -0-.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $2,500.

Comments submitted in response to this comment request 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: May 12, 1997.

Charles Atkinson,

Deputy Administrator, Office of Job Training Programs.

[FR Doc. 97-12900 Filed 5-15-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-30-M.