Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program, 70321-70322 [E8-27558]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 225 / Thursday, November 20, 2008 / Notices Dated: October 28, 2008. James M. Andrew, Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. E8–27586 Filed 11–19–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–15–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Agency: International Trade Administration. Title: Application for Insular Watch and Jewelry Program Benefits. OMB Control Number: 0625–0040. Form Number(s): ITA–334P, 334P–1, 334P–2, 334P–3. Type of Request: Regular submission. Burden Hours: 30. Number of Respondents: 5. Average Hours per Response: 3 hours. Needs and Uses: Public Law 97–446, as amended by Public Law 103–465, Public Law 106–36 and Public Law 108–429 requires the Departments of Commerce and the Interior to administer the distribution of watch duty exemptions and watch and jewelry duty refunds to program producers in the U.S. insular possessions and the Northern Mariana Islands. The primary consideration in collecting information is to enforce the law, prevent abuse of the program, and permit a fair and equitable distribution of its benefits. The form used to collect the information is the principal program form to record the annual and mid-year operational data, on the basis of which program entitlements are calculated and distributed among the producers. A proposed modification to the form (ITA–334P) is planned, by dividing it into four forms, so that there is an annual and mid-year application for watch producers and an annual and mid-year application for jewelry producers. This would not involve any increase in the amount of information collected. This will allow program producers to receive their duty refund benefit on a biannual basis rather than solely on an annual basis. Affected Public: Business and other for-profit organizations. Frequency: Biannually. Respondent’s Obligation: Required to obtain or retain benefit. OMB Desk Officer: Wendy Liberante, (202) 395–3647. VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:26 Nov 19, 2008 Jkt 217001 Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, (202) 482–0266, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at dHynek@doc.gov). Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to Wendy Liberante, OMB Desk Officer, Fax number (202) 395–7285 or via the Internet at Wendy_L._Liberante@omb.eop.gov. Dated: November 17, 2008. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E8–27589 Filed 11–19–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Agency: International Trade Administration. Title: Export Trading Companies Contact Facilitation Services. OMB Control Number: 0625–0120. Form Number(s): ITA 4094P. Type of Request: Regular submission. Burden Hours: 4,500. Number of Respondents: 18,000. Average Hours per Response: 15 minutes. Needs and Uses: Many U.S. firms do not export because of a fear of the risks involved in exporting, lack of knowledge about the international marketplace, and insufficient resources. These firms need a venue to find one another and share the risks and costs of exporting, and they need the assistance of companies that specialize in providing export trade facilitation services. The Export Trading Company Act of 1982 directs the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) to (a) encourage the formation of export associations and export service firms, and (b) provide an exporter referral service that will facilitate contact between producers and export service firms. DOC fulfills its mandate through the Contact Facilitation Service (CFS). The CFS provides a platform for U.S. producers PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 70321 to (a) find one another and form export alliances, to achieve economies of scale, and (b) locate export service firms and attract foreign importers. The current CFS registration form is available online via the Internet at https://www.exportyellowpages.com. The Export Yellow Pages, a DOC program, produces two directories that draw upon CFS data collection (a) ‘‘The Export Yellow Pages’’, a directory of U.S. producers of goods and services, and (b) the ‘‘U.S. Trade Assistance Directory,’’ a directory of export trade facilitation firms and other providers of export assistance. These directories are accessible by international traders worldwide, via the Internet at https:// www.exportyellowpages.com, and as a single print directory published on an annual basis. The print directory is distributed to Commerce Export Assistance Centers and U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations; State, local or tribal government. Frequency: On occasion. Respondent’s Obligation: Required to obtain or retain benefit. OMB Desk Officer: Wendy Liberante, (202) 395–3647. Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, (202) 482–0266, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at dHynek@doc.gov). Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to Wendy Liberante, OMB Desk Officer, Fax number (202) 395–7285 or via the Internet at Wendy_L._Liberante@omb.eop.gov. Dated: November 17, 2008. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E8–27602 Filed 11–19–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Economic Development Administration Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program Economic Development Administration (EDA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1 70322 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 225 / Thursday, November 20, 2008 / Notices rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES 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. DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 20, 2009. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 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 and instructions should be directed to Diane Rodriguez, Program Analyst, Performance and National Programs Division, Room 7009, Economic Development Administration, Washington, DC 20230, telephone (202) 482–4495, facsimile (202) 482–2838 (or via the Internet at drodriguez@eda.doc.gov). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The Economic Development Administration (EDA) administers the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program, which is authorized by chapters 3 and 5 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2341 et seq.) (Trade Act). EDA certifies firms as eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), provides technical adjustment assistance to firms and other recipients, and provides assistance to organizations representing trade injured industries. In order to certify a firm as eligible to apply for TAA, EDA must verify: (1) A significant reduction in the number or proportion of the workers in the firm, a reduction in the workers’ wage or work hours, or an imminent threat of such reductions; (2) sales or production of the firm have decreased absolutely, as defined in EDA’s regulations, or sales or production, or both, of any article accounting for at least twenty-five (25) percent of the firm’s sales or production have decreased absolutely; and (3) an increase in imports of articles like or directly competitive with those produced by the petitioning firm, which has contributed importantly to the decline in employment and sales or production of that firm. Additionally, the firm must demonstrate that U.S. customers have reduced or declined purchases from the firm in favor of VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:26 Nov 19, 2008 Jkt 217001 buying imported items. EDA uses information collected from Form ED– 840P, and its attachments, to determine if a firm is eligible to apply for TAA. The use of the form standardizes and limits the information collected as part of the certification process and eases the burden on applicants and reviewers alike. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE II. Method of Collection AGENCY: The ED–840P form is downloadable from EDA’s Web site at https:// www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/ Directives.xml and can be e-mailed or submitted in hard copy to EDA. III. Data OMB Control Number: 0610–0091. Form Number(s): ED–840P. Type of Review: Regular submission. Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 200. Estimated Time per Response: 8 hours. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,600. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0. 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: November 14, 2008. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E8–27558 Filed 11–19–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–34–P PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Bureau of Industry and Security [Docket No. 0810231385–81390–01] Request for Public Comments on the Prospect of Removing 7A Commodities From De Minimis Eligibility Bureau of Industry and Security, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of Inquiry. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is seeking public comment on the prospect of removing from de minimis eligibility commodities controlled for missile technology (MT) reasons under Category 7—Product Group A on the Commerce Control List except when the 7A commodities are incorporated as standard equipment in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (or national equivalent) certified civilian transport aircraft. If such a policy were implemented, foreign made items that incorporate U.S.-origin 7A commodities would be subject to the Export Administration Regulations, except when the 7A commodities are incorporated as standard equipment in FAA (or national equivalent) certified civilian transport aircraft. Specifically, BIS is seeking public input on the impact such a change would have on U.S. manufacturers of category 7A commodities, as well as the impact such a change would have on foreign manufacturers that incorporate U.S.origin 7A commodities into their foreign-made products. DATES: Comments must be received no later than January 20, 2009. ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted via https:// www.regulations.gov, by e-mail directly to BIS at publiccomments@bis.doc.gov or on paper to U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Regulatory Policy Division, Room H–2705, Washington DC 20230. Please input ‘‘7A/De minimis’’ in the subject line. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharron Cook, Office of Exporter Services, Regulatory Policy Division, Bureau of Industry and Security at 202– 482–2440, or fax 202–482–3355, or email at scook@bis.doc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The term ‘‘de minimis’’ generally refers to matters that are of minor significance. The de minimis provisions of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) promote U.S. export E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 225 (Thursday, November 20, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70321-70322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-27558]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Economic Development Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Trade 
Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program

AGENCY: Economic Development Administration (EDA).

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 70322]]

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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 20, 
2009.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 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 and instructions should 
be directed to Diane Rodriguez, Program Analyst, Performance and 
National Programs Division, Room 7009, Economic Development 
Administration, Washington, DC 20230, telephone (202) 482-4495, 
facsimile (202) 482-2838 (or via the Internet at 
drodriguez@eda.doc.gov).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Economic Development Administration (EDA) administers the Trade 
Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program, which is authorized by 
chapters 3 and 5 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 
U.S.C. 2341 et seq.) (Trade Act). EDA certifies firms as eligible to 
apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), provides technical 
adjustment assistance to firms and other recipients, and provides 
assistance to organizations representing trade injured industries. In 
order to certify a firm as eligible to apply for TAA, EDA must verify: 
(1) A significant reduction in the number or proportion of the workers 
in the firm, a reduction in the workers' wage or work hours, or an 
imminent threat of such reductions; (2) sales or production of the firm 
have decreased absolutely, as defined in EDA's regulations, or sales or 
production, or both, of any article accounting for at least twenty-five 
(25) percent of the firm's sales or production have decreased 
absolutely; and (3) an increase in imports of articles like or directly 
competitive with those produced by the petitioning firm, which has 
contributed importantly to the decline in employment and sales or 
production of that firm. Additionally, the firm must demonstrate that 
U.S. customers have reduced or declined purchases from the firm in 
favor of buying imported items. EDA uses information collected from 
Form ED-840P, and its attachments, to determine if a firm is eligible 
to apply for TAA. The use of the form standardizes and limits the 
information collected as part of the certification process and eases 
the burden on applicants and reviewers alike.

II. Method of Collection

    The ED-840P form is downloadable from EDA's Web site at https://
www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Directives.xml and can be e-mailed or 
submitted in hard copy to EDA.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0610-0091.
    Form Number(s): ED-840P.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 200.
    Estimated Time per Response: 8 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,600.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

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: November 14, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-27558 Filed 11-19-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-34-P

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