Federal Register: April 14, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 70)
DOCID: fr14ap09-38 FR Doc E9-8403
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr14ap09-38
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Quarterly Services Survey
DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on or before June 15, 2009.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 10413 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
SUMMARY:
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
I. Abstract
The U.S. Census Bureau conducts a quarterly survey of service
industry productionthe Quarterly Services Survey (QSS). The QSS is a
principal economic indicator series that produces, for selected service
industries, quarterly estimates of total operating revenue and the
percentage of revenue by class of customer. The survey also produces
estimates of total operating expenses from taxexempt firms in
industries that have a large notforprofit component. In addition, for
hospital services, the survey estimates the number of inpatient days
and discharge admissions. Current selected service industries include
information services; professional scientific and technical services;
hospitals; nursing and residential care facilities; administrative and
support and waste management and remediation services; ambulatory
health care services; social assistance; credit intermediation and
related activities; securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related
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activities; truck transportation; courier and messengers; warehousing
and storage; rental and leasing services; arts, entertainment, and
recreation; and other services except public administration.
Data are collected from all of the largest firms and from a sample of small and mediumsized businesses selected using a stratified sampling procedure. Each quarter the sample is updated to reflect the addition of new business births and firms and organizations that have gone outofbusiness.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis uses data gathered in this survey in developing its quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and GDP by industry estimates. The data provide the Federal Reserve Board and Council of Economic advisors with timely information to assess current economic performance. Other government and private stakeholders also benefit from a better understanding of important cyclical components of our economy.
We are expanding the industry coverage of the QSS to include utilities; air transportation; water transportation; transit and ground passenger transportation; pipeline transportation; scenic and sightseeing transportation; support activities for transportation; monetary authoritiescentral bank; insurance carriers and related services; real estate; lessors of nonfinancial intangible assets (except copyrighted works); and educational services. For expanded industries, the survey will produce estimates of total operating revenue and operating expenses from the taxexempt firms in industries that have a large notforprofit component.
II. Method of Collection
The Census Bureau will collect this information by mail, fax, Internet, and a telephone followup.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 06070907.
Form Number: QSS1(A), QSS1(E), QSS2(A), QSS2(E), QSS3(A), QSS 3(E), QSS4(A), QSS4(E), QSS5(A), QSS5(E), QSS1APEO, QSS1EPEO.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: Businesses or other forprofit organizations, not forprofit institutions, and government hospitals.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 15,400.
Estimated Time per Response: QSS1(A), QSS1(E), QSS2(A), QSS
2(E), QSS3(A), QSS3(E), QSS5(A), QSS5(E), QSS1APEO, QSS1EPEO: 15 minutes, QSS4(A), QSS4(E): 10 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 13,500.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $370,305.
Respondents Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. Section 182.
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.
Dated: April 8, 2009.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E98403 Filed 41309; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 351007P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Lisa Donaldson, U.S. Census Bureau, 8K041, Washington, DC 202336500, and 3017637296.