Bureau of the Census – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Census Bureau is requesting nominations of members representing stakeholder organizations, groups, interests, and viewpoints to the 2030 Census Advisory Committee (Committee). The Census Bureau will consider nominations received in response to this notice, as well as from other sources. The SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice provides committee and membership criteria.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) will conduct a 2020 Census Disclosure Avoidance System (DAS) tribal consultation meeting on May 19, 2021, via a national webinar. The tribal consultation meeting reflects the Census Bureau's continuous commitment to strengthen government-to-government relationships with federally recognized tribes. The Census Bureau's procedures for outreach, notice, and consultation ensure involvement of tribes, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, before making decisions or implementing policies, rules, or programs that affect federally recognized tribal governments. These meetings are open to citizens of federally recognized tribes by invitation.

This notice provides the Bureau of the Census' (hereafter, Census Bureau's) proposed criteria for defining urban areas based on the results of the 2020 Decennial Census. It also provides a description of the changes from the final criteria used for the 2010 Census. The Census Bureau is requesting public comment on these proposed criteria. The Census Bureau delineates urban areas after each decennial census by applying specified criteria to decennial census and other data. Since the 1950 Census, the Census Bureau has reviewed and revised these criteria, as necessary, for each decennial census in order to improve the classification of urban areas by taking advantage of newly available data and advancements in geographic information processing technology.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) will conduct its first calendar year 2021 tribal consultation meeting on February 18 via national webinar. The tribal consultation meeting reflects the Census Bureau's commitment to strengthen government-to-government relationships with federally recognized tribes. The Census Bureau will provide updates and seek input on the 2020 Census Disclosure Avoidance System (DAS). In preparation for the webinar, the Census Bureau request comments on various questions related to tribes' use of decennial census data.

The Bureau of the Census (U.S. Census Bureau) publishes this notice to request public comment on the content of the 2022 Census of Governments. This collection will be primarily electronic using a secure encrypted internet data collection system called Centurion. The Census of Governments is conducted at 5-year intervals (years ending in 2 and 7) and is the most comprehensive compilation of statistics about U.S. state and local governments.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is seeking public comments on its consideration to remove the Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing requirement for shipments between the United States and Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For many years, the Census Bureau has received requests, from both the government of Puerto Rico and members of the international trade community, to eliminate the requirement to file EEI for shipments between the United States and Puerto Rico in the Automated Export System. One of the reasons for requesting removal of the filing requirement is that it seems to treat Puerto Rico like a foreign country, when in fact Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory and part of the U.S. customs area. Arguments have also been made that the requirement imposes a burden on what should be treated as interstate commerce, discourages manufacturers in the 50 states to ship to Puerto Rico, and impedes economic development on the island. However, removal of the filing requirement could impact the quality and availability of key federal statistics. The Census Bureau is requesting information to assess potential impacts of a regulatory change in the filing requirements and to identify stakeholder priorities for data quality and availability.

The Secretary of the Department of Commerce renewed and filed the charter for the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations (NAC). The purpose of the NAC is to provide advice to the Director of the Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) on the full range of economic, housing, demographic, socioeconomic, linguistic, technological, methodological, geographic, behaviorial and operational variables affecting the cost, accuracy and implementation of Census Bureau programs and surveys, including the decennial census. The Secretary has determined that the work of the NAC is in the public interest and relevant to the duties of the Census Bureau. Additional information concerning the NAC can be found by visiting the NAC's website at: https://www.census.gov/about/cac/nac.html.

The Director of the Bureau of the Census (Director) (Census Bureau) is seeking nominations for the Census Scientific Advisory Committee (CSAC). The purpose of the CSAC is to provide advice to the Director of the Census Bureau on the full range of Census Bureau programs and activities including communications, decennial, demographic, economic, field operations, geographic, information technology, and statistics. The Director has determined that the work of the CSAC is in the public interest and relevant to the duties of the Census Bureau. Therefore, the Director is seeking nominations to fill vacancies on the CSAC. Additional information concerning the CSAC can be found by visiting the CSAC's website at: https://www.census.gov/ about/cac/sac.html.

Notice is hereby given that the Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is considering a proposal to conduct a Management and Organizational Practices SurveyHospitals (MOPS-HP) as a joint project with Harvard Business School. Based on information and recommendations received by the Census Bureau, we understand that the data have significant application to the needs of other government agencies and the public. The MOPS-HP will collect data on management practices from Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) at general, medical, and surgical hospitals to assist in identifying determinants of clinical and financial performance. These data are not publicly available from nongovernment or other governmental sources.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) gives notice of a meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic, and Other Populations (NAC). The NAC addresses policy, research, and technical issues relating to Census Bureau programs and activities, including the Decennial Census Program. The NAC is scheduled to meet in a plenary session on November 7-8, 2019. Please visit the Census Advisory Committees website for the most current meeting agenda at: https:// www.census.gov/about/cac/nac.html. The meeting will be available live via webcast at: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/census-live.html.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is giving notice of a meeting of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee (CSAC). The Committee will address policy, research, and technical issues relating to a full range of Census Bureau programs and activities, including communications, decennial, demographic, economic, field operations, geographic, information technology, and statistics. The CSAC will meet in a plenary session on September 12-13, 2019. Last minute changes to the schedule are possible, which could prevent giving advance public notice of schedule adjustments. Please visit the Census Advisory Committees website for the most current meeting agenda at: https:// www.census.gov/about/cac/sac.html. The meeting will be available via webcast at: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/census-live.html.

The Bureau of the Census (U.S. Census Bureau) is giving notice of a meeting of the Federal Economic Statistics Advisory Committee (FESAC). The Committee advises the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, the Directors of the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and the Census Bureau, and the Commissioner of the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on statistical methodology and other technical matters related to the collection, tabulation, and analysis of federal economic statistics. If you plan to attend the meeting, please register by Friday, June 7, 2019. You may access the online registration form with the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/ e/federal-economic-statistics-advisory-committee-fesac-meetin g-tickets- 59113500070. Seating is available to the public on a first-come, first- served basis. An agenda will be accessible before the meeting at the following link: https://www.census.gov/fesac.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is giving notice of a meeting of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee (CSAC). The Committee will address policy, research, and technical issues relating to a full range of Census Bureau programs and activities, including communications, decennial, demographic, economic, field operations, geographic, information technology, and statistics. The CSAC will meet in a plenary session on March 28-29, 2019. Last minute changes to the schedule are possible, which could prevent giving advance public notice of schedule adjustments. Please visit the Census Advisory Committees website for the most current meeting agenda at: https://www.census.gov/ about/cac/sac.html. The meeting will be available via webcast at: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/census-live.html. Topics of discussion will include the following items:

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is publishing this notice in the Federal Register to request comments from the public and other government agencies on innovations for measuring and tracking public opinion towards the Census Bureau and the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau is looking to encourage and promote statistical, research, and methodological collaborations that seek to measure perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes toward the Census Bureau and the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau is interested in ongoing research methodologies that would be able to assess how current events affect public perception toward the Census Bureau as they unfold with the goal of making informed decisions related to the Census Bureau operations before and during the 2020 Census.

Block groups are statistical geographic subdivisions of a census tract defined for the tabulation and presentation of data from the decennial census and selected other statistical programs. Block groups also will be used to tabulate and publish estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS) after 2020 and potentially data from other Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) censuses and surveys. The Census Bureau is publishing this notice in the Federal Register to announce final criteria for defining block groups for the 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP). In addition to block groups, the program also encompasses the review and update of census tracts, census designated places, and census county divisions.

Census county divisions (CCDs) and equivalent entities are statistical geographic entities established cooperatively by the Census Bureau and officials of state and local governments in 21 states where minor civil divisions (MCDs) either do not exist or have been unsatisfactory for reporting statistical data. The primary goal of the CCD program has been to establish and maintain a set of subcounty units that have stable boundaries and recognizable names. The Census Bureau is publishing this notice in the Federal Register to announce final criteria and program implementation for defining CCDs for the 2020 Census. In addition to CCDs, the program also encompasses the review and update of census tracts, block groups, and census designated places (CDPs).

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is giving notice of a meeting of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee (CSAC). The Committee will address policy, research, and technical issues relating to a full range of Census Bureau programs and activities, including communications, decennial, demographic, economic, field operations, geographic, information technology, and statistics. The CSAC will meet in a plenary session on December 6-7, 2018. The meeting will be available via webcast at: https:// www.census.gov/newsroom/census-live.html. Last minute changes to the schedule are possible, which could prevent giving advance public notice of schedule adjustments. Please visit the CSAC website for the most current meeting agenda at: https://www.census.gov/cac/. The meeting will be available via webcast at: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/census- live.html. Topics of discussion will include:

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is reopening the comment period provided in the notice entitled ``Soliciting Feedback from Users on 2020 Census Data Products,'' which was published in the Federal Register on July 19, 2018, in order to allow interested parties additional time to submit comments. The public comment period on that notice closed on September 17, 2018.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is giving notice of a meeting of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee (CSAC). The Committee will address policy, research, and technical issues relating to a full range of Census Bureau programs and activities, including communications, decennial, demographic, economic, field operations, geographic, information technology, and statistics. The CSAC will meet in a plenary session on September 13-14, 2018. Last minute changes to the schedule are possible, which could prevent giving advance public notice of schedule adjustments. Please visit the Census Advisory Committees website for the most current meeting agenda at: https:// www.census.gov/cac/. The meeting will be available via webcast at: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/census-live.html. Topics of discussion will include:

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is issuing this document to extend the nominations submission period for the Request for Nominations of Members to Serve on the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic, and Other Populations, which was published in the Federal Register on June 4, 2018. The extension is in response to public demand for more time to submit nominations for the Committee. The nominations submission period, which would have ended on August 3, 2018, is now extended until September 4, 2018.

Notice is hereby given that the Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) has determined that it is conducting the Annual Business Survey (ABS) of domestic nonfarm employer businesses in 2018. We have determined that data to be collected in this survey are needed to aid the efficient performance of essential governmental functions and have significant application to the needs of the public and industry. The ABS will provide the only comprehensive federal data on owner demographics and business characteristics, including financing research and development (for microbusinesses), and innovation. The data derived from this survey are not publicly available from nongovernmental or other governmental sources.

The Bureau of the Census (U.S. Census Bureau) has determined that it is conducting the following current mandatory business surveys in 2018: Annual Retail Trade Survey, Annual Wholesale Trade Survey, Service Annual Survey, Report of Organization, Manufacturers' Unfilled Orders Survey, Annual Capital Expenditures Survey, Business Research and Development (R&D) Survey, and the Business and Professional Classification Report. We have determined that data collected from these surveys are needed to aid the efficient performance of essential governmental functions and have significant application to the needs of the public and industry. The data derived from these surveys, most of which have been conducted for many years, are not publicly available from nongovernmental or other governmental sources.

The Bureau of the Census (U.S. Census Bureau) hereby gives notice that the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined that the charter renewal of the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic, and Other Populations (NAC) is necessary and in the public interest. The renewed charter can be found on the Census Advisory Committee website at the following URL link: https:// www2.census.gov/cac/nac/nac-charter.pdf.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) issues this final rule amending its regulations to clarify that the data collected from the Kimberley Process Certificates (KPCs) are collected in compliance with the Clean Diamond Trade Act. In addition, this rule clarifies the submission requirements and permissible uses of the KPCs.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) gives notice of a meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations (NAC). The NAC addresses policy, research, and technical issues relating to all Census Bureau programs and activities. These activities include the production and dissemination of detailed demographic and economic statistics across all program areas, including the Decennial Census Program. The NAC is scheduled to meet in a plenary session on June 14-15, 2018. Planned topics of discussion include the following items: