Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, 58683-58684 [2019-23880]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 212 / Friday, November 1, 2019 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Membership of the Departmental Performance Review Board Department of Commerce. Notice of membership of the Departmental Performance Review Board. AGENCY: ACTION: The Department of Commerce (DOC), announces the appointment of those individuals who have been selected to serve as members of the Departmental Performance Review Board. The Performance Review Board is responsible for (1) reviewing performance appraisals and ratings of Senior Executive Service (SES) members and (2) making recommendations to the appointing authority on other performance management issues, such as pay adjustments, bonuses and Presidential Rank Awards. The appointment of these members to the Performance Review Board will be for a period of twenty-four (24) months. DATES: The period of appointment for those individuals selected for the Departmental Performance Review Board begins on November 1, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joan Nagielski, U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Human Resources Management, Department of Commerce Human Capital Client Services, Office of Employment and Compensation, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Room 50013, Washington, DC 20230, at (202) 482–6342. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 4314(c)(4), the Department of Commerce (DOC), announces the appointment of those individuals who have been selected to serve as members of the Departmental Performance Review Board. The Performance Review Board is responsible for (1) reviewing performance appraisals and ratings of Senior Executive Service (SES) members and (2) making recommendations to the appointing authority on other performance management issues, such as pay adjustments, bonuses and Presidential Rank Awards. The appointment of these members to the Performance Review Board will be for a period of twenty-four (24) months. The name, position title, and type of appointment of each member of the Performance Review Board are set forth below: 1. Department of Commerce, Office of the Secretary (OS) Renee Macklin, Director of Information Technology for Enterprise Services, Career SES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:23 Oct 31, 2019 Jkt 250001 2. Department of Commerce, Office of the General Counsel, Office of the Secretary (OGC/OS) John Guenther, Chief, Employment and Labor Law Division, Career SES 3. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Agency (EDA) Gregory Brown, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, Career SES 4. Department of Commerce, U.S. Bureau of the Census Lisa Blumerman, Chief, Office of Survey and Census Analytics, Career SES Dated: October 29, 2019. Joan Nagielski, Human Resources Specialist, Office of Employment and Compensation, Department of Commerce Human Capital Client Services, Office of Human Resources Management, Office of the Secretary, Department of Commerce. [FR Doc. 2019–23887 Filed 10–31–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–03–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. Agency: U.S. Census Bureau. Title: American Community Survey Methods Panel Tests, 2020 Specialized Mail Materials Test. OMB Control Number: 0607–0936. Form Number(s): ACS–1(X) (2020), ACS internet. Type of Request: Non-Substantive Change Request. Number of Respondents: 2,016,000. Average Hours per Response: 40 minutes for the average household questionnaire. Burden Hours: No additional burden hours are requested under this nonsubstantive change request. Needs and Uses: The American Community Survey (ACS) collects detailed socioeconomic data from about 3.5 million housing units in the United States and 36,000 in Puerto Rico each year. The ACS also collects detailed socioeconomic data from about 195,000 residents living in Group Quarter (GQ) facilities. An ongoing data collection effort with an annual sample of this magnitude requires that the ACS continue research, testing, and evaluations aimed at reducing respondent burden, improving data quality, achieving survey cost PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 58683 efficiencies, and improving ACS questionnaire content and related data collection materials. The ACS Methods Panel is a research program designed to address and respond to issues and survey needs. Households in sample for the ACS in 2020 are legally required to respond to both the ACS and the decennial census. Receiving two sets of mailings in one calendar year can be confusing to respondents, which can increase the perception that the ACS is burdensome and intrusive and decrease the rate of self-response. During the 2010 Census, ACS response rates were higher than usual in the first few months of the year but were lower than usual in the spring and summer months (Chesnut and Davis 2011, Baumgardner 2013). The increased response rates early in the year were attributed to the decennial census communications campaign while the decrease later in the year was attributed to respondent confusion or burden, as respondents had already filled out the decennial census form. To mitigate these issues, a set of modified mail materials were developed with language that directly addresses the difference between the ACS and the 2020 Census, in order to differentiate the two. These materials will be used during the main response period for the 2020 Census, March through September. The language modifications in the 2020 ACS materials are based on an evaluation conducted by the Census Bureau in 2010 to examine the use of modified language, color, and branding to create a distinct identity for the ACS (Chesnut and Davis 2011). Additionally, cognitive interviews of the 2020 ACS modified materials were conducted in the fall of 2018. In order to assess the effect of the modified messaging in the ACS materials the Census Bureau is proposing to conduct the 2020 Specialized Mail Materials Test. From March through September, the ACS will use mail materials that help clarify that these mailings are not for the 2020 Census. This will be the control treatment for the experiment and will be sent to approximately 264,000 sampled addresses each month. The experimental treatment will not contain the modified language but otherwise will be the same as the control materials. These materials will be sent to approximately 24,000 sampled addresses each month from March through September and will also be used for ACS production for the remainder of the year (January, February, and October through December). E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM 01NON1 58684 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 212 / Friday, November 1, 2019 / Notices Affected Public: Individuals or households. Frequency: One-time test, over seven months. Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory. Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 141, 193, and 221. This information collection request may be viewed at www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to view Department of Commerce collections currently under review by OMB. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to OIRA_Submission@ omb.eop.gov or fax to (202) 395–5806. Sheleen Dumas, Departmental Lead PRA Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Commerce Department. [FR Doc. 2019–23880 Filed 10–31–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–07–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Economic Analysis [Docket Number 191028–0071] RIN 0691–XC107 Request for Comment; Notice of Development of Economic Statistics for Puerto Rico Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is soliciting comments from the public on its new prototype Economic Statistics for Puerto Rico, which cover consumer spending, business investment, and trade in goods for Puerto Rico. BEA seeks comments on the statistics’ methodology, presentation, level of detail, and scope. Following the public comment period, BEA will incorporate feedback, update the methodology and related materials for these economic statistics, and incorporate the revised prototype economic statistics into research to develop estimates of Puerto Rico GDP. DATES: Comments must be received no later than December 2, 2019. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by the following methods: • Email: territories@bea.gov. • Mail: Sabrina Montes, Office of the Director, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce, 4600 Silver Hill Road (BE–40), Washington, DC 20233. Comments sent by any other method or after the comment period may not be SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:23 Oct 31, 2019 Jkt 250001 considered. All comments are a part of the public record. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sabrina Montes, Office of the Director, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce, 4600 Silver Hill Road (BE–40), Washington, DC 20233; phone: (301) 278–9268 or email Sabrina.Montes@bea.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2018, BEA initiated a project to calculate GDP for Puerto Rico in order to support Puerto Rico’s economic recovery following devastating hurricanes in 2017. This project follows technical collaborations between BEA and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico dating back to 2010. The project also responds to recommendations from the Congressional Task Force on Economic Growth in Puerto Rico and Government Accountability Office that BEA calculate GDP for Puerto Rico. The present project—a collaborative effort between the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and BEA—combines the best available Puerto Rico source data with BEA’s current national accounting methodologies. The project seeks to produce accurate and objective economic statistics for Puerto Rico comparable to data for other U.S. territories, states, and the nation. Methodological updates incorporated in the prototype statistics include: • Using chain-type Fisher indexes to calculate changes in aggregate output and prices; • Expanding the use of economic census data from the U.S. Census Bureau; and • Treating expenditures on intangible assets as investment to allow users to understand how these intangible assets drive economic growth. In October 2019, BEA published prototype estimates that incorporate these methodological updates for select GDP components for 2012–2017. BEA is seeking feedback on its prototype statistics of consumer spending, business investment, and trade in goods for Puerto Rico. BEA will consider this feedback as it continues to refine source data, methodology, and data presentations before incorporating these measures into future prototype Puerto Rico GDP statistics. BEA invites comments from the public; private industry; state, local, and territorial governments; non-profit organizations; and other interested parties to assist in improving the prototype statistics. In particular, BEA is interested in feedback regarding the following: 1. How will the statistics on consumer spending, business investment, and trade in goods for Puerto Rico be used? PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 2. Would an annual publication in May be useful? If not, what time of the year would be most valuable to inform planning and other uses? 3. Are the prototype estimates consistent with the data and local information that are available elsewhere on Puerto Rico? If not, please describe the differences. 4. Do you have any feedback about the methodology used to create the prototype Economic Statistics for Puerto Rico described in the October 2019 Summary of Methodologies: Puerto Rico Personal Consumption Expenditures, Private Fixed Investment, and Net Exports of Goods (available at BEA.gov)? 5. Are there additional or alternative source data that you believe could be used to generate and corroborate these statistics beyond those described in the October 2019 Summary of Methodologies: Puerto Rico Personal Consumption Expenditures, Private Fixed Investment, and Net Exports of Goods (available at BEA.gov)? 6. Which would be more useful: Lessdetailed industry breakdowns, which will result in fewer data suppressions to protect confidentiality, or more-detailed industry breakdowns, with the necessary suppressions? Authority: Chapter 5, Title 15 U.S.C.; 15 U.S.C. Section 1516; 13 U.S.C. Section 401 and 402. Sabrina Montes, Economist, Bureau of Economic Analysis. [FR Doc. 2019–23866 Filed 10–31–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–06–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [A–485–805] Carbon and Alloy Seamless Standard, Line and Pressure Pipe (Under 4.5 Inches) From Romania: Partial Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2018–2019 Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (Commerce) is rescinding the administrative review, in part, of the antidumping duty order on carbon and alloy seamless standard, line and pressure pipe (under 4.5 inches) (small diameter seamless pipe) from Romania for the period August 1, 2018 through July 31, 2019. DATES: Applicable November 1, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katherine Johnson or Samantha Kinney, AD/CVD Operations, Office VIII, AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM 01NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 212 (Friday, November 1, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58683-58684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-23880]


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

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.
    Agency: U.S. Census Bureau.
    Title: American Community Survey Methods Panel Tests, 2020 
Specialized Mail Materials Test.
    OMB Control Number: 0607-0936.
    Form Number(s): ACS-1(X) (2020), ACS internet.
    Type of Request: Non-Substantive Change Request.
    Number of Respondents: 2,016,000.
    Average Hours per Response: 40 minutes for the average household 
questionnaire.
    Burden Hours: No additional burden hours are requested under this 
non-substantive change request.
    Needs and Uses: The American Community Survey (ACS) collects 
detailed socioeconomic data from about 3.5 million housing units in the 
United States and 36,000 in Puerto Rico each year. The ACS also 
collects detailed socioeconomic data from about 195,000 residents 
living in Group Quarter (GQ) facilities. An ongoing data collection 
effort with an annual sample of this magnitude requires that the ACS 
continue research, testing, and evaluations aimed at reducing 
respondent burden, improving data quality, achieving survey cost 
efficiencies, and improving ACS questionnaire content and related data 
collection materials. The ACS Methods Panel is a research program 
designed to address and respond to issues and survey needs.
    Households in sample for the ACS in 2020 are legally required to 
respond to both the ACS and the decennial census. Receiving two sets of 
mailings in one calendar year can be confusing to respondents, which 
can increase the perception that the ACS is burdensome and intrusive 
and decrease the rate of self-response. During the 2010 Census, ACS 
response rates were higher than usual in the first few months of the 
year but were lower than usual in the spring and summer months (Chesnut 
and Davis 2011, Baumgardner 2013). The increased response rates early 
in the year were attributed to the decennial census communications 
campaign while the decrease later in the year was attributed to 
respondent confusion or burden, as respondents had already filled out 
the decennial census form.
    To mitigate these issues, a set of modified mail materials were 
developed with language that directly addresses the difference between 
the ACS and the 2020 Census, in order to differentiate the two. These 
materials will be used during the main response period for the 2020 
Census, March through September. The language modifications in the 2020 
ACS materials are based on an evaluation conducted by the Census Bureau 
in 2010 to examine the use of modified language, color, and branding to 
create a distinct identity for the ACS (Chesnut and Davis 2011). 
Additionally, cognitive interviews of the 2020 ACS modified materials 
were conducted in the fall of 2018.
    In order to assess the effect of the modified messaging in the ACS 
materials the Census Bureau is proposing to conduct the 2020 
Specialized Mail Materials Test. From March through September, the ACS 
will use mail materials that help clarify that these mailings are not 
for the 2020 Census. This will be the control treatment for the 
experiment and will be sent to approximately 264,000 sampled addresses 
each month. The experimental treatment will not contain the modified 
language but otherwise will be the same as the control materials. These 
materials will be sent to approximately 24,000 sampled addresses each 
month from March through September and will also be used for ACS 
production for the remainder of the year (January, February, and 
October through December).

[[Page 58684]]

    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Frequency: One-time test, over seven months.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 141, 193, 
and 221.
    This information collection request may be viewed at 
www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to view Department of Commerce 
collections currently under review by OMB.
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice 
to [email protected] or fax to (202) 395-5806.

Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental Lead PRA Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, 
Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2019-23880 Filed 10-31-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-07-P


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