Section 303(a)(6), SSA, requires, as a
condition of receiving administrative grants, that state law
contain provision for the "making of such reports, in such form and
containing such information, as the Secretary of Labor may from
time to time require, and compliance with such provisions as the
Secretary of Labor may from time to time find necessary to ensure
the correctness and verification of such reports." Departmental
regulations at 20 CFR 601.3 in part implement this requirement by
requiring the submission of "all relevant state materials, such as
statutes, executive and administrative orders, legal opinions,
rules, regulations, interpretations, court opinions, etc. . . ."
Also, the regulations for the UC for Federal Civilian Employees
(UCFE) program at 20 CFR 609.1(d)(1) and for the UC for ex-service
members (UCX) program at 20 CFR 614.1(d)(1) require submission of
certain documents to assure that states are properly administering
these programs. The Trade Adjustment Assistance (which includes
Trade Readjustment Allowances) program (TAA/TRA) regulations
provide similar requirements at 20 CFR 617.52(c)(1). The MA 8-7 is
the mechanism for implementing these submittal requirements, the
purpose of which is to provide the Secretary with sufficient
information to determine if (a) employers in a state qualify for
tax credits under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act; (b) the state
meets the requirements for obtaining administrative grants under
Title III, SSA; and (c) the state is fulfilling it obligations
under Federal UC programs.
Because the Department now
subscribes to a legislative reporting service, the number of
responses from the states had been reduced and the burden hours
associated with this collection have declined over the course of
recent renewals. However, recent legislation, (i.e. PL 112-96) has
mandated some changes to state laws as a pre-condition for
eligibility for grants and additional benefit programs in the
Unemployment Insurance system. As a result, OUI expects that there
will be an increase in review of state legislation and policy as
ongoing reviews of self-employment programs, workshare policies and
other aspects of state administration of the UI system
continue.
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.