Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Survey of Housing Starts, Sales, and Completions, 5237-5238 [E6-1298]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 21 / Wednesday, February 1, 2006 / Notices SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The economic census, conducted under authority of Title 13, United States Code (USC), is the primary source of facts about the structure and functioning of the Nation’s economy. Economic statistics serve as part of the framework for the national accounts and provide essential information for government, business, and the general public. Economic data are the Census Bureau’s primary program commitment during nondecennial census years. The 2007 Economic Census covering the Wholesale Trade sector (as defined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)) will measure the economic activity of more than 450,000 establishments. The information collected will produce basic statistics by kind of business on the number of establishments, sales, payroll, and employment. It will also yield a variety of subject statistics, including sales by product line, sales by class of customer, and other industryspecific measures. Primary strategies for reducing burden in Census Bureau economic data collections are to increase reporting through standardized questionnaires and broader electronic data collection methods. II. Method of Collection Mail Selection Procedures: Establishments in the Wholesale Trade sector of the economic census will be selected from the Census Bureau’s Business Register for a mail canvass. To be eligible for selection, an establishment will be required to satisfy the following conditions: (i) It must be classified in the Wholesale Trade sector; (ii) it must be an active operating establishment of a multi-establishment firm (i.e., a firm that operates at more than one physical location); and (iii) it must be located in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. Mail selection procedures will distinguish the following groups of establishments: cchase on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES 1. Establishments of MultiEstablishment Firms All active operating establishments of multi-establishment firms will be included in the mail component of the potential respondent universe. We estimate that the 2007 Economic Census mail canvass for the Wholesale Trade sector will include approximately 126,000 establishments of multiestablishment firms. VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:49 Jan 31, 2006 Jkt 208001 2. Single-Establishment Firms With Payroll All single-establishment firms having annualized payroll (from Federal administrative records) will be included in the mail component of the potential respondent universe. We estimate that the 2007 Economic Census mail canvass for the Wholesale Trade sector will include approximately 324,000 establishments of single-establishment firms. III. Data OMB Number: None. Form Number: The 42 standard forms and ownership or control flier used to collect information from businesses in this sector of the Economic Census are tailored to specific business practices and are too numerous to list separately in this notice. Requests for information on the proposed content of the forms should be directed to M. Yvonne Wade, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 2682, Building 3, Washington, DC 20233– 0001, (301) 763–2661 (or via the Internet at mywade@census.gov). Type of Review: Regular review. Affected Public: State or local government, business or other for-profit organizations, and not-for-profit institutions. Estimated Number of Respondents: 450,000. Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour and 30 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 675,000. Estimated Total Annual Cost: $16,652,250. Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory. Legal Authority: Title 13, U.S.C., Sections 131 and 224. IV. Request for Comments Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5237 Dated: January 26, 2006. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E6–1296 Filed 1–31–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–07–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Census Bureau Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Survey of Housing Starts, Sales, and Completions ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Written comments must be submitted on or before April 3, 2006. DATES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at dhynek@doc.gov). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Erica Filipek, Census Bureau, Room 2105, FOB 4, Washington, DC 20233–6900, (301) 763– 5161 (or via the Internet at Erica.mary.filipek @census.gov). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: I. Abstract The Census Bureau plans to request an extension of the current Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance of the Survey of Housing Starts, Sales and Completions, also known as the Survey of Construction (SOC), to collect monthly data on new residential construction from a sample of owners or builders. The Census Bureau uses the Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) electronic questionnaires SOC–QI/SF.1 and SOC– QI/MF.1 to collect data on start and completion dates of construction, physical characteristics of the structure (floor area, number of bathrooms, type of heating system, etc), and if applicable, date of sale, sales price, and E:\FR\FM\01FEN1.SGM 01FEN1 5238 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 21 / Wednesday, February 1, 2006 / Notices type of financing. The SOC program provides widely used measures of construction activity, including the economic indicators Housing Starts and Housing Completions, which are from the New Residential Construction series, and New Residential Sales. We sample about 2,350 new buildings each month (28,200 per year). We inquire about the progress of each building multiple times until it is completed (and a sales contract is signed, if it is a single-family house that is built for sale). We conduct an average of 6.25 interviews for each building sampled. The total number of interviews conducted each year is about 176,250. Each interview takes 5 minutes on average. Therefore the total annual burden is 14,688 hours. We do not plan any changes to the SOC–QI/SF.1 and SOC–QI/MF.1 forms. II. Method of Collection The Census Bureau uses its field representatives to collect the data. The field representatives conduct interviews to obtain data. OMB Number: 0607–0110. Form Number: SOC–QI/SF.1 and SOC–QI/MF.1. Type of Review: Regular review. Affected Public: Individuals or households, business or other for-profit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 28,200. Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 14,688. Estimated Total Annual Cost to the Public: $386,441. The estimated cost is based on an average hourly pay for respondent to be $26.31. This estimate was taken from the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey for 2004. Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Section 182. IV. Request for Comments cchase on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES Dated: January 26, 2006. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E6–1298 Filed 1–31–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–07–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Census Bureau Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; 2007 Economic Census Covering the Retail Trade and Accommodation and Food Services Sectors ACTION: III. Data Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information VerDate Aug<31>2005 on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. 17:49 Jan 31, 2006 Jkt 208001 Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 3, 2006. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at DHynek@doc.gov). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Fay Dorsett, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 2679, Building 3, Washington, DC 20233–0001 (301–763– 2687 or via the Internet at fdorsett@census.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The economic census, conducted under authority of Title 13, United States Code (USC), is the primary source of facts about the structure and functioning of the Nation’s economy. Economic statistics serve as part of the PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 framework for the national accounts and provide essential information for government, business, and the general public. The economic data are the Census Bureau’s primary program commitment during nondecennial census years. The 2007 Economic Census covering the retail trade and accommodation and food services sectors (as defined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)) will measure the economic activity of more than 1.8 million establishments. The information collected will produce basic statistics by kind of business on the number of establishments, sales, payroll, and employment. It will also yield a variety of subject statistics, including sales by product line, sales by class of customer, and other industry-specific measures. Primary strategies for reducing burden in Census Bureau economic data collections are to increase reporting through standardized questionnaires and broader electronic data collection methods. II. Method of Collection Mail Selection Procedures: Establishments in the retail trade and accommodation and food services sectors of the economic census will be selected from the Census Bureau’s Business Register for a mail canvass. To be eligible for selection, an establishment will be required to satisfy the following conditions: (i) It must be classified in the retail trade or accommodation and food services sector; (ii) it must be an active operating establishment of a multi-establishment firm (i.e., a firm that operates at more than one physical location), or it must be a single-establishment firm with payroll (i.e., a firm operating at only one physical location); and (iii) it must be located in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. Mail selection procedures will distinguish the following groups of establishments: 1. Establishments of MultiEstablishment Firms All active operating establishments of multi-establishment firms will be included in the mail component of the potential respondent universe. We estimate that the 2007 Economic Census mail canvasses for the retail trade and accommodation and food services sectors will include approximately 722,000 establishments of multiestablishment firms. 2. Single-Establishment Firms With Payroll As an initial step in the selection process, we will conduct a study of the E:\FR\FM\01FEN1.SGM 01FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5237-5238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1298]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Survey of 
Housing Starts, Sales, and Completions

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 3, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at dhynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Erica Filipek, Census Bureau, Room 2105, FOB 4, 
Washington, DC 20233-6900, (301) 763-5161 (or via the Internet at 
Erica.mary.filipek @census.gov).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau plans to request an extension of the current 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance of the Survey of 
Housing Starts, Sales and Completions, also known as the Survey of 
Construction (SOC), to collect monthly data on new residential 
construction from a sample of owners or builders. The Census Bureau 
uses the Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) electronic 
questionnaires SOC-QI/SF.1 and SOC-QI/MF.1 to collect data on start and 
completion dates of construction, physical characteristics of the 
structure (floor area, number of bathrooms, type of heating system, 
etc), and if applicable, date of sale, sales price, and

[[Page 5238]]

type of financing. The SOC program provides widely used measures of 
construction activity, including the economic indicators Housing Starts 
and Housing Completions, which are from the New Residential 
Construction series, and New Residential Sales.
    We sample about 2,350 new buildings each month (28,200 per year). 
We inquire about the progress of each building multiple times until it 
is completed (and a sales contract is signed, if it is a single-family 
house that is built for sale). We conduct an average of 6.25 interviews 
for each building sampled. The total number of interviews conducted 
each year is about 176,250. Each interview takes 5 minutes on average. 
Therefore the total annual burden is 14,688 hours.
    We do not plan any changes to the SOC-QI/SF.1 and SOC-QI/MF.1 
forms.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau uses its field representatives to collect the 
data. The field representatives conduct interviews to obtain data.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0110.
    Form Number: SOC-QI/SF.1 and SOC-QI/MF.1.
    Type of Review: Regular review.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, business or other for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 28,200.
    Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 14,688.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to the Public: $386,441. The estimated 
cost is based on an average hourly pay for respondent to be $26.31. 
This estimate was taken from the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor 
Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey for 2004.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Section 182.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: January 26, 2006.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E6-1298 Filed 1-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
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