Search Results for agency_names:"Agency Information Collection Activities

The Department of Labor is asking for public comments on an information collection request related to employee benefits laws. This request has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval as per the Paperwork Reduction Act. Comments are due by February 16, 2021, and can be submitted through the regulations website. The department aims to ensure the collected information is useful, accurate, and not overly burdensome for respondents.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is asking for public comments on renewing and revising existing rules for tracking and managing how lawyers and agents behave while representing clients. This involves keeping accurate records about client properties and reporting any misconduct. These rules help maintain the integrity of professional conduct in the USPTO and can lead to suspensions or other penalties if violated. Public comments are invited to evaluate the necessity and efficiency of these rules, with a deadline for submissions set for May 12, 2025.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has put out a call for public feedback on information collection practices related to geospatial metadata. This request invites comments on the necessity, accuracy, and methods of collecting such data, with the goal of minimizing the public's reporting burden. Public comments will be accepted until March 30, 2021, and will be considered in the agency's submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. NOAA's tools for collecting metadata support various scientific research fields and aim to enhance understanding and reuse of geospatial data.

The Department of Labor's Mining Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is requesting approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an information collection about the certification and qualification for individuals to perform specific duties in coal mining, like operating hoists and testing for dangerous conditions. This request is in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, and public comments on the collection are encouraged until February 16, 2021. The MSHA aims to ensure that only qualified individuals perform these critical safety tasks by using a standardized form to assess candidates' qualifications. The collection is estimated to involve 674 respondents, with a total annual burden of 330 hours.

The Department of Commerce, through the Census Bureau, is seeking public feedback on its plan to continue the Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) program. This program collects data on the financial status of U.S. corporations, targeting those in manufacturing, mining, and several other sectors. The collected information is crucial for economic analysis and requires the involvement of businesses with significant assets. Comments on the proposed information collection, which aims to minimize the burden on respondents, can be submitted until March 26, 2021.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a new information collection related to their concessions program, as part of their efforts to reduce paperwork and gather comments from the public. This program involves private businesses and nonprofits managing recreation facilities within National Wildlife Refuges. They aim to collect information to ensure operations minimize wildlife disturbance, offer high-quality visitor experiences, and comply with financial and management requirements. Comments are invited from the public until February 3, 2021, focusing on the necessity, accuracy, and ways to improve the information collection process.

The Census Bureau under the Department of Commerce has issued a notice inviting public comments for 60 days on a new information collection process called the Decennial Census Temporary, Intermittent Applicant Information Collection. This will gather data from job applicants for temporary positions related to the upcoming census. Applicants will fill out electronic forms that collect details like personal data, employment status, and job-related qualifications. The aim is to streamline the hiring process for census jobs and improve future recruitment efforts. Public comments will help the Bureau refine its information collection methods to minimize the public's reporting burden.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking public comments on its plan to renew the information collection required for certifying air carriers and commercial operators under Federal Aviation Regulation part 119. Organizations seeking certification must report necessary information, which the FAA uses to ensure compliance with aviation regulations. Public comments on the necessity, accuracy, and ways to improve or reduce the burden of the information collection are invited until March 22, 2021.

The Department of Commerce is collecting public comments on the Annual Business Survey (ABS), which gathers data to better understand business dynamics in the U.S. The survey, conducted by the Census Bureau, includes information on business owners' demographics, and research and development activities, particularly aiming to improve minority and disadvantaged groups' access to resources. For 2021, the survey will expand to cover more nonprofit organizations, adding to its 308,000 respondents. The collected data will support government programs and agencies, enhance business support services, and contribute to national economic analyses.

The Department of Commerce is planning to submit an information collection request for the Annual Business Survey (ABS) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. This survey aims to reduce the burden on businesses while gathering data on business characteristics, such as research and development, innovation, and demographics of business owners. The 2025 survey will include a reduced sample size and changes to the survey process to be more efficient, with data collected through an online questionnaire. This information will help various stakeholders, including government and business leaders, understand and assess business dynamics in the U.S.