Notice2024-20547
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
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 11, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentCensus Bureau
Abstract
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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 176 (Wednesday, September 11, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 11, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73623-73624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[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 (<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ef8b8c828bc19f9d8eaf8c8a819c9a9cc1888099"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2c484f4148025c5e4d6c4f49425f595f024b435a">[email protected]</span></a>). 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: <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. All comments
received are part of the public record. No comments will be posted to
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> 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, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#86e2e5ebe2a8f6f4e7c6e5e3e8f5f3f5a8e1e9f0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5f3b3c323b712f2d3e1f3c3a312c2a2c71383029">[email protected]</span></a>.
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
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