This information collection request is approved for 6 months on an emergency basis. DOL will immediately begin the process for obtaining public comments and approval under the normal PRA process.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2012
6 Months From Approved
234
0
0
9,675
0
0
0
0
0
The recent enactment of PL-112-96 (The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, referred to hereafter as "MCTRJC" or "the act") contains Subtitle D, Short-Time Compensation Program, also known as the ''Layoff Prevention Act of 2012.'' The sections of the law under this subtitle concern states that currently participate in, or wish to initiate a new program in, a layoff aversion program known as short time compensation (STC) or worksharing.
Section 2161 covers operational rules for current and prospective states, Section 2162 covers the temporary financing of STC payments by the Federal Government to states with programs currently in their law. Section 2163 covers the temporary financing of STC payments by the Federal Government to states without STC programs, Section 2164 covers grants the Federal Government has responsibility for delivering and administering to states with STC programs for implementation or improved administration of STC program.
Each of these sections of the law requires, to varying extents, applications, new administrative processes, monitoring and reporting of data between the state workforce agencies (SWAs) and the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the US Department of Labor (DOL). ETA has principal oversight responsibility for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program that SWAs operate. As a result of the many changes to the funding and administration of the UI system introduced in PL 112-96, ETA needs to allow for additional reporting and data collection for proper oversight of state STC programs.
ETA seeks emergency clearance from OMB for approval of this new collection based on new operation requirements for compliance with implied reporting requirements found in sections 2161-2164 of the MCTRJC. The MCTRJC mandates that reimbursement for states currently operating STC programs can begin immediately, and this necessitates a rapid response from ETA in providing the guidance, administrative requirements and reporting and financing framework for states to operate in compliance with the intentions of sections 2161-2164 of the MCTRJC.
PL 112-96 essentially allows states to submit applications as soon as guidance is released. For this reason, ETA seeks emergency clearance from OMB for approval of this new collection so as to be prepared to accept proposals and to be in compliance with the new requirements found in sections 2161-2164, and to have certainty going forward in the guidance provided to states. Any delays in getting guidance to states may adversely impact state implementation or state uptake of provisions in the act.
In fact, at least two states have attempted to submit packages (in advance of guidance from ETA) and have had to be denied in writing, on the basis of the fact that we cannot receive applications (no PRA clearance) and their submittals cannot conform to guidance that has not been issued
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
supporting statement for 1205-0NEW STC admin_applications_grants 4 16 2012.doc
States Without STC Programs Applying to Operate a Federal STC Program