Bureau of the Census – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is proposing to amend its regulations to reflect new export reporting requirements related to the implementation of the International Trade Data System (ITDS), in accordance with the Executive Order 13659, Streamlining the Export/ Import Process for American Businesses. The ITDS was established by the Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act of 2006. The proposed changes also include the addition of two new data elements in the Automated Export System (AES); the original Internal Transaction Number (ITN) field and the used electronics indicator. Lastly, the Census Bureau proposes to make changes to provide clarity on existing reporting requirements. These changes are discussed in detail in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

The United States Department of Commerce's Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) publishes this notice to announce that the Director of the Census Bureau has determined the need to conduct the 2015 Annual Retail Trade Survey (ARTS). ARTS covers employer firms with establishments located in the United States and classified in the Retail Trade and/or Accommodation and Food Services sectors as defined by the 2007 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Through this survey, the Census Bureau will collect data covering annual sales, annual e-commerce sales, year-end inventories held inside and outside the United States, total operating expenses, purchases, accounts receivables, and, for selected industries, merchandise line sales. These data are collected to provide a sound statistical basis for the formation of policy by various government agencies. Results will be available for use for a variety of public and business needs such as economic and market analysis, company performance, and forecasting future demand. The Census Bureau conducts the ARTS to provide continuing and timely national statistical data on retail trade, and accommodation and food services activity annually.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is giving notice of a virtual meeting of the National Advisory Committee (NAC). The Committee will address updates on the 2020 Census Tribal Consultations. The NAC will meet virtually on Wednesday, January 13, 2016. Last minute changes to the schedule are possible, which could prevent giving advance public notice of schedule adjustments. Please visit the Census Advisory Committees Web site for the most current meeting agenda at: https:// www.census.gov/cac/.

The Census Bureau hereby announces that it will streamline the production and release of American Community Survey (ACS) Summary Level 070 tables (state/county/county subdivision/place remainder (or part)) to the 15 tables necessary for the delineation of metropolitan, micropolitan, and related statistical areas as defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The ACS collects detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing data from about 3.5 million addresses in the United States and 36,000 in Puerto Rico each year. Annual data products are released in the form of 1-Year and 5-Year estimates with 5-Year estimates being produced for over 578,000 geographies by 87 different summary levels. Most summary levels and their corresponding geographies are then produced for approximately 1,000 detailed tables. As a cost-saving measure and to improve the usability of the estimates, the Census Bureau has decided to streamline the production and release of Summary Level 070 tables to the 15 tables necessary for delineation. Based on data user analytics, customer feedback, and responses from an earlier Federal Register Notice (June 5, 2015; 80 FR 32084) soliciting comments on the streamlining of the summary level, we believe that the streamlining of this summary level will not have a significant impact to our data users. Therefore, beginning in December 2015, the Census Bureau will be tabulating and releasing only those 15 tables for Summary Level 070 that are necessary for the delineation of metropolitan, micropolitan, and related statistical areas (particularly for identification of New England City and Town Area principal cities), commuting analysis, and basic demographic and housing analysis.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is giving notice of a meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations (NAC). The NAC meeting will address the facilitator guide for tribal consultations. The NAC will meet via teleconference on October 13, 2015. Last-minute changes to the schedule are possible, which could prevent us from giving advance public notice of schedule adjustments. Please visit the Census Advisory Committees Web site for the most current meeting agenda at: https://www.census.gov/cac/.

This notice announces the commencement of Phase 1 of the 2020 Census Redistricting Data Program: The Block Boundary Suggestion Project. This first phase specifically provides States the opportunity to provide the Census Bureau with their suggestions for the 2020 Census tabulation block inventory. Suggestions are made by designating the desirability of linear features for use as 2020 Census tabulation block boundaries. In addition, States have the opportunity to give the Census Bureau legal boundary updates. These actions allow States to construct some of the small area geography they need for legislative redistricting. State participation in Phase 1 of the Redistricting Data Program is voluntary.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is requesting nominations of individuals and organizations to the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic, and Other Populations. The Census Bureau will consider nominations received in response to this notice, as well as from other sources. The ``SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION'' section of this notice provides committee and membership criteria.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) issued a final rule amending the Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR) to eliminate the reporting requirement for temporary exports, which includes Carnets, and goods previously imported on a Temporary Import Bond (TIB). This final rule is being implemented to ensure consistency with the Customs Convention on the ATA Carnet for the Temporary Admission of Goods (ATA Convention) and reduce filing burden on the trade community. On September 12, 2014, the Census Bureau published this rule on an interim final basis. The Census Bureau is finalizing this rule without change.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is giving notice of a meeting of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee (C-SAC). The Committee will address policy, research, and technical issues relating to a full range of Census Bureau programs and activities, including communications, decennial, demographic, economic, field operations, geographic, information technology, and statistics. The C-SAC will meet in a plenary session on April 16-17, 2015. Last minute changes to the schedule are possible, which could prevent giving advance public notice of schedule adjustments. Please visit the Census Advisory Committees Web site for the most current meeting agenda at: https://www.census.gov/ cac/. The meeting will be available via webcast at: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/census-live.html.

The Bureau of the Census (U.S. Census Bureau) is announcing the following event, ``Era of Transparency: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Privacy Act, and Open Government,'' in recognition of National Sunshine Week. As part of its efforts to promote the goals of open government and FOIA, the Census Bureau will hold a public event on issues relevant to government transparency. Topics will include proactive disclosures, the Privacy Act, and data accessibility.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) publishes this notice to announce that it is conducting the 2014 Company Organization Survey. The survey's data are needed, in part, to update the multilocation companies in the Business Register. We have determined that annual data collected from this survey have significant application to the needs of the public and industry and are needed to aid the efficient performance of essential governmental functions. The data derived from this survey are not available from any other source.

The Bureau of the Census (U.S. Census Bureau) is giving notice of a meeting of the Federal Economic Statistics Advisory Committee (FESAC). The Committee will advise the Directors of the Economics and Statistics Administration's (ESA) two statistical agencies, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and the Census Bureau, and the Commissioner of the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on statistical methodology and other technical matters related to the collection, tabulation, and analysis of federal economic statistics. Last minute changes to the agenda are possible, which could prevent giving advance public notice of schedule adjustments.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is giving notice of a meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations (NAC). The NAC will address census policies, research and methodology, tests, operations, communications/messaging, and other activities to ascertain needs and best practices to improve censuses, surveys, operations, and programs. The NAC will meet in a plenary session on October 9-10, 2014. Last-minute changes to the schedule are possible, which could prevent giving advance public notice of schedule adjustments.

The U.S. Census Bureau issues this interim final rule to amend its regulations to reflect changes related to the implementation of the International Trade Data System (ITDS) and subsequent changes to the access to the electronic export information (EEI). The ITDS was established to eliminate redundant information requirements, efficiently regulate the flow of commerce and to effectively enforce laws and regulations relating to international trade by establishing a single portal system for the collection and distribution of standard electronic import and export data required by all participating federal agencies. Therefore, the Automated Export System (AES) will include export information collected under other federal agencies' authority, which is subject to those agencies' disclosure mandates. This rule clarifies the confidentiality provisions of the EEI and facilitates the legitimate sharing of export data consistent with the goals for the ITDS.

The Bureau of the Census (U.S. Census Bureau) is giving notice of a virtual meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations (NAC). The NAC will deliberate the report and recommendations proposed by the NAC's Race and Hispanic Origin Research Working Group. Last-minute changes to the schedule are possible, which could prevent giving advance public notice of schedule adjustments.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is requesting nominations of individuals and organizations to the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic, and Other Populations. The Census Bureau will consider nominations received in response to this notice, as well as from other sources. The SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice provides committee and membership criteria.

The Bureau of the Census (U.S. Census Bureau) is giving notice of a meeting of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee (C-SAC). The C-SAC will meet in a plenary session on April 10-11, 2014. The Committee will address policy, research, and technical issues relating to a full range of Census Bureau programs and activities, including communications, decennial, demographic, economic, field operations, geographic, information technology, and statistics. Last minute changes to the agenda are possible, which could prevent giving advance public notice of schedule adjustments.

This document announces that the Bureau of the Census (U.S. Census Bureau), in cooperation with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is implementing a pilot program to evaluate a new filing option in the Automated Export System (AES). Specifically, the Advance Export Information (AEI) pilot is a voluntary program in which selected exporters agree to submit a limited set of Electronic Export Information (EEI) in accordance with existing filing deadlines followed by the full set of data elements submitted within five calendar days of the date of export. This notice provides a description of the AEI pilot, sets forth eligibility requirements for participation. If the AEI pilot is successful, we may discontinue the AES Post-Departure filing option and offer an AEI filing option.

The United States Department of Commerce's Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) publishes this notice to announce that the Director of the Census Bureau has determined the need to conduct the 2013 Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (AWTS). The AWTS covers employer firms with establishments located in the United States and classified in the Wholesale Trade sector as defined by the 2007 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Through this survey, the Census Bureau will collect data covering annual sales, e- commerce sales, purchases, total operating expenses, year-end inventories held both inside and outside the United States, commissions, total operating revenue, and gross selling value, for three components of wholesale activity: wholesale distributors; manufacturers' sales branches and offices; and agents, brokers, and electronic markets. These data are collected to provide a sound statistical basis for the formation of policy by various government agencies. Results will be available for use for a variety of public and business needs such as economic and market analysis, company performance, and forecasting future demand. The Census Bureau conducts the AWTS to provide continuing and timely national statistical data on wholesale trade annually.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is announcing the delay of the effective date of the final rule published March 14, 2013, scheduled to take effect on January 8, 2014, until April 5, 2014. This rule also announces the approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of modifications to an existing information collection and the collection of two new data elements in the Automated Export System (AES) under control number 0607-0152.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is giving notice of a meeting, the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic, and Other Populations (NAC). The committee will address census policies, research and methodology, tests, operations, communications/messaging and other activities to ascertain needs and best practices to improve censuses, surveys, operations and programs. The NAC will meet in a plenary session on December 5-6, 2013. Last-minute changes to the schedule are possible, which could prevent giving advance public notice of schedule adjustments.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is conducting the 2013 Company Organization Survey. The survey's data are needed, in part, to update the multilocation companies in the Business Register. The survey, which has been conducted annually since 1974, is designed to collect information on the number of employees, payroll, geographic location, current operational status, and kind of business for each establishment of companies with more than one location. We have determined that annual data collected from this survey are needed to aid the efficient performance of essential governmental functions, and that these data have significant application to the needs of the public and industry. The data derived from this survey are not available from any other source.

The Bureau of the Census (U.S. Census Bureau) is giving notice of a meeting of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee (C-SAC). The C-SAC will meet in a plenary session from September 19-20, 2013. The Committee will address policy, research, and technical issues relating to a full range of Census Bureau programs and activities, including communications, decennial, demographic, economic, field operations, geographic, information technology, and statistics. Last minute changes to the agenda are possible, which could prevent giving advance public notice of schedule adjustments.

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)).

The Bureau of the Census (U.S. Census Bureau) is giving notice of a virtual meeting of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee (CSAC). The CSAC will provide scientific and technical expertise from the following disciplines: Statistical sciences, demography, economics, geography, psychology, survey methodology, social and behavioral sciences, information technology, and other fields of expertise, as appropriate. Last minute changes to the agenda are possible, which could prevent giving advance public notice of schedule adjustments.