Search Results for keywords:"paperwork reduction"

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to submit an information collection request for the SmartWay Transport Partnership to the Office of Management and Budget. The EPA is asking for public comments on the proposed data collection, which aims to assess energy and air quality in the freight industry, including strategies to reduce idling and fuel consumption. Organizations involved in freight operations can join the program and must report transportation-related data annually. The response to this collection is voluntary, with the estimated total annual cost for respondents being $732,210.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is seeking comments from the public and other federal agencies on its proposed information collection related to the Export Working Capital Guarantee program. This effort is part of EXIM's ongoing work to minimize paperwork and reduce the burden on respondents. Comments should be submitted by February 12, 2025. The information collected will help EXIM determine the eligibility of applications and transactions for this program, which supports the export of U.S. goods and services. The form affects entities involved in export activities, and it takes approximately 2 hours per respondent annually.

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is seeking public comments on their proposed changes to several forms related to the collection of information on annuities for employees, survivors, and individuals with disabilities under the Railroad Retirement Act. These changes include updates to the instructions and questions on the forms, aimed at improving clarity and ensuring the information accurately reflects the applicants' current situations, such as daily activities and work history. The RRB encourages feedback on the practical use of these forms and ways to reduce the paperwork burden on respondents. Comments should be sent to the Board or the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) within 30 days of the notice's publication.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a new information collection using Google Forms. This collection is a part of USAID's Occupational Safety & Health (OHS) program and is aimed at gathering data on workplace injuries and illnesses as mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under the OSH Act of 1970. The collected data will be used to improve workplace safety and health programs and assess workplace safety progress. Comments from the public are welcome and should be submitted within 30 days of this notice's publication.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is continuing its test program that lets participants electronically submit necessary vessel entry and clearance information through the Vessel Entrance and Clearance System (VECS), instead of using paper forms. This extension will last until February 21, 2027, allowing CBP more time to assess the system's effectiveness. The goal is to make the process more efficient and reduce paperwork by having participants enter required data once, which can be used multiple times. Eventually, CBP plans to make this electronic submission method mandatory for all vessel entries and clearances into U.S. ports.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public and federal agency comments on its information collection standards as part of its effort to reduce paperwork burdens, in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. This includes proposals to improve the quality and clarity of collected information and reduce the burden on small businesses. One of the key areas under review is the modification of rules for FM digital broadcasting. These changes aim to facilitate greater coverage for digital FM radio by allowing asymmetric sideband operations with different power levels, simplifying notification procedures, and potentially reducing costs for licensees.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is seeking public comments on the information collection related to funding relief for multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The notice intends to gather feedback on the necessity and accuracy of the information collection, ways to improve it, and methods to reduce the burden on respondents. Written comments can be submitted until May 19, 2025 to ensure they are taken into consideration. This effort is part of the IRS’s ongoing initiative to reduce paperwork and make processes more efficient.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has submitted an information collection request related to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. This request, supported by the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), seeks to collect data on performance reports required by State, local boards, and education and training providers as mandated by the Act. The public has until March 19, 2021, to provide comments on this collection. The DOL expects around 19 million respondents and estimates the total annual time burden to be nearly 10 million hours.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is requesting public comments on a proposal to seek approval from the Office of Management and Budget to renew an information collection related to commercial space transportation. This information helps determine if applicants meet the requirements for renewing a launch license to ensure public safety during reentry operations. The FAA uses this data to assess the compliance of reusable launch vehicle operators with public safety and other national interests. Approximately 5 operators are expected to respond, with an average time commitment of 1,127 hours per response.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comments on a proposed extension for collecting information related to pesticide use, as required by specific sections of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This process involves collecting information from various entities like states and federal agencies about emergency exemptions for unregistered pesticide use and special local needs for additional pesticide uses. The current approval for this information collection expires on February 28, 2021, and the EPA is offering an additional 30-day period for public feedback. The estimated annual burden for respondents, which include state and federal government agencies and agricultural chemical manufacturers, is 25,753 hours, costing a total of $1,829,103.