Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Generic Clearance for 2030 Census Small-Scale Tests, Evaluations, and Database Updates, 73623-73624 [2024-20547]

Agencies

• Census Bureau
• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 11, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73623-73624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-20547]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Generic Clearance for 2030 Census Small-Scale Tests, 
Evaluations, and Database Updates

AGENCY: Census Bureau, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment on the 
proposed new information collection, Generic Clearance for 2030 Census 
Small-Scale Tests, Evaluations, and Database Updates, prior to the 
submission of the information collection request (ICR) to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for approval.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before November 12, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by 
email to Michael S. Snow ([email protected]). Please reference 
Generic Clearance for 2030 Census Small-Scale Tests, Evaluations, and 
Database Updates in the subject line of your comments. You may also 
submit comments, identified by Docket Number USBC-2024-0024, to the 
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. All comments 
received are part of the public record. No comments will be posted to 
https://www.regulations.gov for public viewing until after the comment 
period has closed. Comments will generally be posted without change. 
All Personally Identifiable Information (for example, name and address) 
voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do 
not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or 
protected information. You may submit attachments to electronic 
comments in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Michael S. Snow, Supervisory Program Analyst, Decennial Program 
Management Office, Decennial Census Management Division, (301) 763-
9912, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Census Bureau plans to request OMB approval for a three-
year period for a new Generic Information Collection to conduct a 
series of studies to research and evaluate how to improve data 
collection activities for 2030 Census programs at the Census Bureau. In 
addition, the Census Bureau developed recommendations from lessons 
learned from previous censuses and received suggestions from 
stakeholders, focus groups, and results of earlier research studies, on 
updating address databases and other datasets used to plan and conduct 
larger tests and the 2030 Census itself. Under this Generic Information 
Collection, the Census Bureau also plans to test implementing some of 
those recommendations and suggestions. These studies and updates will 
explore how the Census Bureau can improve efficiency, data quality, and 
response rates and reduce respondent burden in future census and survey 
tests, operations, evaluations, experiments, and database updates. 
Having this Generic Information Collection will also provide the quick 
turn-around necessary for conducting unplanned tests and

[[Page 73624]]

updates as well as unanticipated collections in response to disasters 
declared at the international, national, regional, or state level that 
could have a major impact on the development and planning of Census 
Bureau operations. For example, the Census Bureau may need to seek help 
from umbrella organizations for Group Quarters or Transitory Locations 
to provide address lists for emergency and transitional shelters during 
natural disasters.
    Because this information collection will operate as a generic 
clearance, the estimated number of respondents and annual reporting 
hours requested cover both the known and yet to be determined tests and 
updates. A generic clearance is needed for these tests, evaluations, 
and database -updates because the exact number and explicit details of 
each test, evaluation, or update to be performed is yet to be 
determined. Once information collection plans are defined, they will be 
submitted on an individual basis to keep OMB informed as these tests, 
evaluations, updates progress.
    For example, in one group of tests that are already being planned, 
the Census Bureau intends to test the use of new and improved data 
collection techniques for self-response and interviewer data-collection 
tasks surrounding and following the ongoing census and survey 
operations. Tests may also involve frame update tasks surrounding and 
following those same operations. These tests and other research and 
evaluation may cover the following: developing alternative enumeration 
or follow-up questionnaires; resolving usability issues; conducting 
interviews or debriefings; and non-English language training and 
interviews. For instance, the Census Bureau has an ongoing and 
iterative program that uses nationally representative samples and that 
plans for two more iterations by the end of 2027. To study enumeration, 
the Census Bureau may conduct the enumeration directly with a household 
member or knowledgeable respondent. The questions asked in these 
studies will be typical census or survey and related questions, along 
with potential attitudinal and satisfaction debriefing questions.
    In addition, the Census Bureau plans to implement some 
recommendations from small-scale testing and stakeholder input to 
adjust and improve how it conducts support activities for the 
development of 2030 Census operations. An example might be having 
universities, hospital systems, and federal, state, and local agencies 
compile up-to-date names, addresses, and points of contact for group 
quarters and transitory locations.
    The Census Bureau roughly estimates that, during the three-year 
period of this clearance, two currently planned tests will go to 
216,000 respondents a piece (70,000 burden hours each); four potential 
experiments/tests on Group Quarters will average 50-60 respondents (an 
average of 15-20 burden hours) and as-yet unknown tests, evaluations, 
or database updates might go to 25,000 to 37,500 respondents (7,300 to 
10,000 burden hours). In addition, the Census Bureau might have to 
collect information from 30,000 to 55,000 respondents (5,000 to 9,000 
burden hours) in response to declared disasters.

II. Method of Collection

    The information will be collected through observations, self-
response (including but not limited to internet and paper forms), in-
person interviews, and/or telephone interviews.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-XXXX.
    Form Number(s): Not yet determined.
    Type of Review: Regular submission, New Information Collection 
Request.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households: Business or other for-
profit organizations; Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local or 
Tribal government; Federal government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 162,000-175,000 per year.
    Estimated Time per Response: 18 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 51,000-55,400 hours annually.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: There is no cost to the 
respondent other than time to answer the information request.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory or Voluntary, depending on cited 
authority.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, Sections 141, 191, 193, 221, 223.

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy 
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed 
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include, or summarize, each comment in our 
request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, 
phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information 
in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--
including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly 
available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold 
your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024-20547 Filed 9-10-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P