Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; The American Community Survey 2013 Content Changes and Internet Response Mode, 81474-81475 [2011-33269]

Download as PDF 81474 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 249 / Wednesday, December 28, 2011 / Notices the results of these surveys with other federal statistical agencies, to maximize the utility of this information collection and ultimately, the quality and efficiency of federal statistics. Specifically, the member agencies of the Interagency Council on Statistical Policy (ICSP) have expressed an interest in this effort. A subgroup of ICSP member agencies have been particularly helpful in developing this proposal. They include the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the National Center of Health Statistics, the Economic Research Service, Statistics of Income Division (IRS), and the Statistical and Science Policy Office, Office of Management and Budget. We refer to this working group as the Federal Statistical System (FSS) Team. The ICSP agencies will use results from this data collection to inform public communication and for future planning of data collection. Affected Public: Individuals or households. Frequency: One time. Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. Chapter 5. OMB Desk Officer: Brian HarrisKojetin, (202) 395–7314. 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 6616, 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 Brian Harris-Kojetin, OMB Desk Officer either by fax (202) 395– 7245) or email (bharrisk@omb.eop.gov). Dated: December 22, 2011. Glenna Mickelson, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2011–33268 Filed 12–27–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–07–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES U.S. Census Bureau Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; The American Community Survey 2013 Content Changes and Internet Response Mode U.S. Census Bureau. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:22 Dec 27, 2011 Jkt 226001 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)). To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on or before February 27, 2012. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 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 Cheryl Chambers, U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey Office, Washington, DC 20233 by FAX to (301) 763–8070 or via the internet at ACSO.communications@census.gov. DATES: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION I. Abstract The American Community Survey (ACS) collects detailed population and housing data every month and provides tabulations of these data on a yearly basis. In the past, the long-form data were collected only at the time of each decennial census. After years of development and testing, the ACS began full implementation in households in January 2005 and in group quarters (GQs) in January 2006. The ACS provides more timely information for critical economic planning by governments and the private sector. In the current information-based economy, federal, state, tribal, and local decision makers, as well as private business and nongovernmental organizations, need current, reliable, and comparable socioeconomic data to chart the future. In 2006, the ACS began publishing upto-date profiles of American communities every year, providing policymakers, planners, and service providers in the public and private sectors this information every year—not just every ten years. The ACS released estimates of population and housing characteristics for geographic areas of all sizes in December 2010. These data products, used by federal agencies and others, are similar in scope to the Summary File 3 tables from Census 2000. PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 In the 2010 ACS Content Test, the Census Bureau conducted testing of two new question topics—computer and Internet usage and parental place of birth—which we are considering adding to the questionnaire starting in 2013. As authorized by the Broadband Data Improvement Act of 2008, the Federal Communications Commission sponsored the computer and Internet usage topic; it is comprised of three questions with a mix of fixed choice and open-ended responses. The Census Bureau sponsored the parental place of birth topic; it includes two open-ended questions. The 2010 Content Test results for the two new topics were presented to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in September 2011. Reports describing these results will be made available publicly in early 2012. The Census Bureau believes there is added value in collecting information about parental place of birth, though some may feel that this topic is somewhat duplicative when collected in connection with existing survey questions on race, Hispanic origin, and ancestry. Adding the parental place of birth questions to the questionnaire in 2013 would be done as part of a multiyear process to further examine the relationship of the data for these topics. The ACS data would also be evaluated in connection with results from the 2010 Census Alternative Questionnaire Experiment, and this combined research would be used in determining recommendations for which questions would remain on the ACS at the conclusion of this process. The Census Bureau plans to provide various opportunities for public comment as well as dialogue with groups that are especially interested in these data as we refine the plans and share results on this cross-topical research. In the 2010 ACS Content Test, the Census Bureau also conducted testing on five existing question topics, veteran’s status and period of service, food stamps, property income and wages which we are planning to incorporate into the survey starting in 2013. The Census Bureau revised the food stamp question, at the request of the Food and Nutrition Service, to incorporate the program name change to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The new version will be used in all collection modes. The Census Bureau revised the wage question to improve response on property income and reporting of wages by breaking up these questions into shorter pieces to improve comprehension when the questions are asked by an interviewer. This change will be incorporated into the Computer- E:\FR\FM\28DEN1.SGM 28DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 249 / Wednesday, December 28, 2011 / Notices assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) and Computer-assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) modes only. At the request of the Department of Veteran Affairs, the Census Bureau revised the veteran status and period of service questions to simplify the reporting categories. The new version will be used by all collection modes. The 2010 Content Test results for the five existing topics were presented to OMB in September 2011. Reports describing these results will be made available publicly in early 2012. srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES II. Method of Collection The Census Bureau will mail survey materials to households selected for the ACS. For households that do not return a questionnaire, Census Bureau staff will attempt to conduct interviews via CATI. We will also conduct CAPI for a sub sample of nonrespondents. A content reinterview will be conducted from a small sample of respondents. In 2011 the Census Bureau conducted two tests to assess the feasibility of providing an Internet response option to households that receive survey materials by mail. These tests evaluated various methods for providing an Internet response option. One option tested offering respondents the choice to respond by Internet or mail. Another method tested provided only instructions to respond online initially, and sent a follow-up paper questionnaire to households that did not respond online or did not have Internet access. Implementing an Internet response option may lead to cost savings for administering the ACS as well as improvements in the quality of the data provided. Depending on the results of the 2011 tests, the Census Bureau is considering implementing an Internet response option for the ACS in 2013. Reports describing the results of the April 2011 test will be made available publicly in early 2012. For most types of GQs, Census Bureau field representatives (FRs) will conduct personal interviews with respondents to complete questionnaires or, if necessary, leave questionnaires and ask respondents to complete. Information from GQ contacts will be collected via CAPI. A GQ contact reinterview will be conducted from a sample of GQs primarily through CATI. A very small percentage of the GQ reinterviews will be conducted via CAPI. The Census Bureau staff will provide Telephone Questionnaire Assistance (TQA) and if the respondent indicates a desire to complete the survey by telephone, the TQA interviewer conducts the interview. VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:22 Dec 27, 2011 Jkt 226001 III. Data DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE OMB Control Number: 0607–0810. Form Number: ACS–1, ACS–1(SP), ACS–1(PR), ACS–1(PR)SP, ACS–1(GQ), ACS–1(PR)(GQ), GQFQ, ACS CATI (HU), ACS CAPI (HU), ACS RI (HU), and AGQ QI, AGQ RI. Type of Review: Regular submission. Affected Public: Individuals, households, and businesses. Estimated Number of Respondents: We plan to contact the following number of respondents each year: 3,540,000 households; 200,000 persons in group quarters; 20,000 contacts in group quarters; 43,000 households for reinterview; and 1,500 group quarters contacts for reinterview. Estimated Time Per Response: Estimates are 38 minutes per household, 15 minutes per group quarters contact, 25 minutes per resident in group quarters, and 10 minutes per household or GQ contact in the reinterview samples. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: The estimate is an annual average of 2,337,900 burden hours. Estimated Total Annual Cost: Except for their time, there is no cost to respondents. Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory. Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Section 141, 193, 221. 81475 Foreign-Trade Zones Board 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: December 22, 2011 Glenna Mickelson, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2011–33269 Filed 12–27–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–07–P PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 [Docket 60–2011, 61–2011 and 62–2011] Foreign-Trade Zones 140 and 78 Applications for Subzone Authority Dow Corning Corporation, Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation and Hemlock Semiconductor, L.L.C.; Notice of Public Hearing and Extension of Comment Period A public hearing will be held on the applications for subzone authority at the Dow Corning Corporation facility in Midland, Michigan (76 FR 63282– 63283, 10/12/2011), the Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation facility in Hemlock, Michigan (76 FR 63282, 10/ 12/2011) and the Hemlock Semiconductor, L.L.C. facility in Clarksville, Tennessee (76 FR 63281– 63282, 10/12/2011). The Commerce examiner will hold the public hearing on January 25, 2012 at 9:30 a.m., at the Department of Commerce, Room 4830, 1401 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20230. Interested parties should indicate their intent to participate in the hearing and provide a summary of their remarks no later than January 18, 2012. The comment period for the cases referenced above is being extended to February 27, 2012, to allow interested parties additional time in which to comment. Rebuttal comments may be submitted during the subsequent 15-day period, until March 13, 2012. Submissions (original and one electronic copy) shall be addressed to the Board’s Executive Secretary at: Foreign-Trade Zones Board, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2111, 1401 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20230. For further information, contact Elizabeth Whiteman at Elizabeth.Whiteman@trade.gov or (202) 482–0473. Dated: December 21, 2011. Andrew McGilvray, Executive Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–33296 Filed 12–27–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [A32b–3–2011] Foreign-Trade Zone 45—Portland, OR Expansion of Manufacturing Authority; Epson Portland Inc. E:\FR\FM\28DEN1.SGM 28DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 28, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81474-81475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33269]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; The American 
Community Survey 2013 Content Changes and Internet Response Mode

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau.

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: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before February 27, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 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 Cheryl Chambers, U.S. Census Bureau, American 
Community Survey Office, Washington, DC 20233 by FAX to (301) 763-8070 
or via the internet at ACSO.communications@census.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Abstract

    The American Community Survey (ACS) collects detailed population 
and housing data every month and provides tabulations of these data on 
a yearly basis. In the past, the long-form data were collected only at 
the time of each decennial census. After years of development and 
testing, the ACS began full implementation in households in January 
2005 and in group quarters (GQs) in January 2006.
    The ACS provides more timely information for critical economic 
planning by governments and the private sector. In the current 
information-based economy, federal, state, tribal, and local decision 
makers, as well as private business and non-governmental organizations, 
need current, reliable, and comparable socioeconomic data to chart the 
future. In 2006, the ACS began publishing up-to-date profiles of 
American communities every year, providing policymakers, planners, and 
service providers in the public and private sectors this information 
every year--not just every ten years.
    The ACS released estimates of population and housing 
characteristics for geographic areas of all sizes in December 2010. 
These data products, used by federal agencies and others, are similar 
in scope to the Summary File 3 tables from Census 2000.
    In the 2010 ACS Content Test, the Census Bureau conducted testing 
of two new question topics--computer and Internet usage and parental 
place of birth--which we are considering adding to the questionnaire 
starting in 2013. As authorized by the Broadband Data Improvement Act 
of 2008, the Federal Communications Commission sponsored the computer 
and Internet usage topic; it is comprised of three questions with a mix 
of fixed choice and open-ended responses. The Census Bureau sponsored 
the parental place of birth topic; it includes two open-ended 
questions. The 2010 Content Test results for the two new topics were 
presented to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in September 
2011. Reports describing these results will be made available publicly 
in early 2012.
    The Census Bureau believes there is added value in collecting 
information about parental place of birth, though some may feel that 
this topic is somewhat duplicative when collected in connection with 
existing survey questions on race, Hispanic origin, and ancestry. 
Adding the parental place of birth questions to the questionnaire in 
2013 would be done as part of a multi-year process to further examine 
the relationship of the data for these topics. The ACS data would also 
be evaluated in connection with results from the 2010 Census 
Alternative Questionnaire Experiment, and this combined research would 
be used in determining recommendations for which questions would remain 
on the ACS at the conclusion of this process. The Census Bureau plans 
to provide various opportunities for public comment as well as dialogue 
with groups that are especially interested in these data as we refine 
the plans and share results on this cross-topical research.
    In the 2010 ACS Content Test, the Census Bureau also conducted 
testing on five existing question topics, veteran's status and period 
of service, food stamps, property income and wages which we are 
planning to incorporate into the survey starting in 2013. The Census 
Bureau revised the food stamp question, at the request of the Food and 
Nutrition Service, to incorporate the program name change to the 
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The new version will 
be used in all collection modes. The Census Bureau revised the wage 
question to improve response on property income and reporting of wages 
by breaking up these questions into shorter pieces to improve 
comprehension when the questions are asked by an interviewer. This 
change will be incorporated into the Computer-

[[Page 81475]]

assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) and Computer-assisted Personal 
Interview (CAPI) modes only. At the request of the Department of 
Veteran Affairs, the Census Bureau revised the veteran status and 
period of service questions to simplify the reporting categories. The 
new version will be used by all collection modes. The 2010 Content Test 
results for the five existing topics were presented to OMB in September 
2011. Reports describing these results will be made available publicly 
in early 2012.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will mail survey materials to households selected 
for the ACS. For households that do not return a questionnaire, Census 
Bureau staff will attempt to conduct interviews via CATI. We will also 
conduct CAPI for a sub sample of nonrespondents. A content reinterview 
will be conducted from a small sample of respondents.
    In 2011 the Census Bureau conducted two tests to assess the 
feasibility of providing an Internet response option to households that 
receive survey materials by mail. These tests evaluated various methods 
for providing an Internet response option. One option tested offering 
respondents the choice to respond by Internet or mail. Another method 
tested provided only instructions to respond online initially, and sent 
a follow-up paper questionnaire to households that did not respond 
online or did not have Internet access. Implementing an Internet 
response option may lead to cost savings for administering the ACS as 
well as improvements in the quality of the data provided. Depending on 
the results of the 2011 tests, the Census Bureau is considering 
implementing an Internet response option for the ACS in 2013. Reports 
describing the results of the April 2011 test will be made available 
publicly in early 2012.
    For most types of GQs, Census Bureau field representatives (FRs) 
will conduct personal interviews with respondents to complete 
questionnaires or, if necessary, leave questionnaires and ask 
respondents to complete. Information from GQ contacts will be collected 
via CAPI. A GQ contact reinterview will be conducted from a sample of 
GQs primarily through CATI. A very small percentage of the GQ 
reinterviews will be conducted via CAPI.
    The Census Bureau staff will provide Telephone Questionnaire 
Assistance (TQA) and if the respondent indicates a desire to complete 
the survey by telephone, the TQA interviewer conducts the interview.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0810.
    Form Number: ACS-1, ACS-1(SP), ACS-1(PR), ACS-1(PR)SP, ACS-1(GQ), 
ACS-1(PR)(GQ), GQFQ, ACS CATI (HU), ACS CAPI (HU), ACS RI (HU), and AGQ 
QI, AGQ RI.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals, households, and businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: We plan to contact the following 
number of respondents each year: 3,540,000 households; 200,000 persons 
in group quarters; 20,000 contacts in group quarters; 43,000 households 
for reinterview; and 1,500 group quarters contacts for reinterview.
    Estimated Time Per Response: Estimates are 38 minutes per 
household, 15 minutes per group quarters contact, 25 minutes per 
resident in group quarters, and 10 minutes per household or GQ contact 
in the reinterview samples.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: The estimate is an annual 
average of 2,337,900 burden hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: Except for their time, there is no 
cost to respondents.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Section 141, 193, 
221.

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: December 22, 2011
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-33269 Filed 12-27-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
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