Information Collection Request (ICR) Tracker

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Federal Register Notices

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This United States Patent and Trademark Office Quality Survey is an instrument designed to measure opinions about the services that USPTO provides its patent application customers. The results from this voluntary survey will assist us in guiding improvements and enhancements in the future. The USPTO conducts the Patents External Quality Survey as part of its quality improvement efforts under E.O. 14058, Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government (Dec. 13, 2021). This survey narrows the focus of customer satisfaction to examination quality and uses a longitudinal, rotating panel design to assess changes in customer perceptions and to identify key areas for examiner training and opportunities for improvement. The USPTO surveys patent agents, attorneys, and other individuals from large domestic corporations (including those with 500+ employees), small and medium-size businesses, and universities and other non-profit research organizations. This survey does not include foreign entities. The USPTO random sample used in this survey is drawn from the Patent Application and Location Management (PALM) database. The sample population is drawn from the top filing firms and entities that have filed more than 5 patent applications in a 12-month period. This ongoing survey is generally conducted twice a year. USPTO uses a rotating panel design where participants will take the survey twice in back-to-back survey periods. Half the participants in each survey period are new, completing the survey for the first time, and half are returning to complete the survey for a second time. This design allows a precise measurement of changes in customer experience over time. The Patents External Quality Survey is primarily a web-based survey, although respondents can also complete the survey via paper and mail if they prefer. The content of both versions is identical. Potential respondents are sent either an email or mailed pre-survey letter, depending on noted preferences for contact. At the beginning of each survey period, respondents are provided instructions for accessing and completing the survey electronically. After a specified response period, a survey packet containing the questionnaire, a separate cover letter prepared by the Deputy Commissioner for Patents, and a postage-paid, pre-addressed return envelope are mailed to all sample members that have not yet submitted a response. Sampled members receiving a paper survey can still complete the survey electronically if they prefer. Reminder/thank you postcards and telephone calls are used to encourage response from sample members.

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Federal Register Notices

Authorizing Statutes

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This is a request for OMB to approve this information collection request for an extension of three years. The request “Generic Clearance for Application Information for Fellowships, Internships, Training Programs, and Specialty Positions” supports the science and research in a multidisciplinary environment at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a part of the National Institutes of Health. Applicants may possess a variety of degrees including, but not limited to, high school, post-baccalaureate, graduate, postdoctoral, Registered Nurse, and Doctor of Medicine (MD). Potential applicants may apply for cancer-related positions by submitting applications, resumes, curriculum vitae (CV), reference letters, letters of intent and interest, and other related documentation directly to the Divisions, Offices, and Centers. The information is for internal use to make decisions about candidates invited to visit and attend NCI fellowships, internships, training opportunities, and apply for specialized staff and faculty positions.

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Federal Register Notices

Authorizing Statutes

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The OCC's market risk capital rules capture positions for which the market risk capital rules are appropriate; reduce procyclicality in market risk capital requirements; enhance the rules’ sensitivity to risks that are not adequately captured under the current regulatory measurement methodologies; and increase transparency through enhanced disclosures.

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Federal Register Notices

Authorizing Statutes

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The collection of information from producers is required to enable the Farm Service Agency to perform the measurement services for the producers.

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Federal Register Notices

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NHTSA seeks the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) approval to reinstate a previously approved information collection (OMB Control Number: 2127-0682) for generic clearance for qualitative feedback on agency service delivery. This collection of information is necessary to enable the Agency to garner customer and stakeholder feedback in an efficient, timely manner, in accordance with our commitment to improving service delivery. The information collected from our customers and stakeholders is achieved through voluntary surveys and will help ensure that users have an effective, efficient, and satisfying experience with the Agency's programs. Our customers and stakeholders range from individuals and households, businesses, organizations, and State and local governments. This information collection request is for a reinstatement and increases the total burden by 20,204 hours and $0. The burden hours and costs did not change from the last request for this collection

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Federal Register Notices

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The OCC is conducting a climate risk range of practice among large banks with the purpose of developing an understanding of climate risk management practices as it pertains to climate-related financial risk. Climate risks can have a material impact on the financial system by damaging property, impeding business activity, shifting the values of assets, and affecting incomes. Banks are exposed to both physical risks and transition risks presented by climate change which may impact the safety and soundness of supervised institutions.

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Federal Register Notices

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HUD and state, local, and tribal agencies administering HUD-assisted programs must enforce Federal wage and reporting requirements on covered HUD-assisted construction and maintenance work. Enforcement activities include conducting monitoring reviews of local contracting agencies (LCAs), defined as Public Housing Agencies and State, Local, and Tribal Housing Agencies. These monitoring reviews are to ensure that LCAs are compliant with the Davis-Bacon Act and HUD Davis-Bacon Related Acts.

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Federal Register Notices

Authorizing Statutes

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The CFPB has undertaken a variety of service delivery-focused activities contemplated by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Public Law No. 111-2013 (Dodd-Frank Act). These activities, which include consumer complaint and inquiry processing, referral, and monitoring, involve several interrelated systems. The streamlined process of the generic clearance will continue to allow the Bureau to implement these systems efficiently in line with the Bureau’s commitment to continuous improvement of its delivery of services through iterative testing and feedback collection.

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Federal Register Notices

Authorizing Statutes

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The information collection ensures that national banks conduct their operations in a safe and sound manner and in accordance with applicable Federal banking statutes and regulations. The collection of information provides needed information for examiners and confirmation of compliance for banks. The OCC uses the information to verify compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

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Federal Register Notices

Authorizing Statutes

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The information is used to identify and evaluate the training courses requested by students to enhance their job performance, to calculate the type and number of classes and instructors needed to complete OSM's technical training mission, and to estimate costs for our annual budget.

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Federal Register Notices

Authorizing Statutes

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This request is for an extension of an existing information collection under OMB Control No. 0648-0151. NMFS does not anticipate that the extension will substantially add to the burden to individual private applicants for incidental take authorizations under the existing Control Number. The main difference we expect related to this extension is that there will be a larger number of applicants/respondents than accounted for in the existing OMB Control Number. In preparing this renewal, it was observed that some totals in the previous Supporting Statement were inaccurate. These have been corrected in this document. The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) prohibits the "taking" of marine mammals unless otherwise authorized or exempted by law. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) uses the information collection to: evaluate the proposed activity's impact on marine mammals; arrive at the appropriate determinations required by the MMPA and other applicable laws prior to issuing or denying the authorization; and monitor impacts of activities for which take authorizations have been issued.

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Federal Register Notices

Authorizing Statutes

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Section 1473(p) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act provides that if the Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) determines, six months after enactment of that section (i.e., January 21, 2011), that no national hotline exists to receive complaints of non-compliance with appraisal independence standards and Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), then the ASC shall establish and operate such a hotline (ASC Hotline). The statute requires that the ASC Hotline shall include a toll-free telephone number and an email address. Section 1473(p) further directs the ASC to refer complaints received through the ASC Hotline to the appropriate government bodies for further action, which may include referrals to the OCC, the Federal Reserve Board (Board), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and State agencies. On January 12, 2011, the ASC determined that a national appraisal hotline did not exist, and a notice of that determination was published in the Federal Register on January 28, 2011, (76 FR 5161). As a result, the ASC established a hotline to refer complaints to appropriate federal and state regulators. Representatives from the OCC, the Board, the FDIC, the NCUA, (Agencies) and the CFPB met and established a process to facilitate the referral of complaints received through the ASC Hotline to the appropriate federal financial institution regulatory agency or agencies. The Agencies developed the Interagency Appraisal Complaint Form to collect information necessary to take further action on the complaint. The CFPB incorporated the process into one of their existing systems. The Interagency Appraisal Complaint Form was developed for use by those who wish to file a formal, written complaint that an entity subject to the jurisdiction of one or more of the Agencies, has failed to comply with the appraisal independence standards or USPAP. The Interagency Appraisal Complaint Form is designed to collect information necessary for the Agencies to take further action on a complaint from an appraiser, other individual, financial institution, or other entities. The Agencies use the information to take further action on the complaint to the extent the complaint relates to an issue within their jurisdiction.

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Federal Register Notices

Authorizing Statutes

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Section 8(f) of the Shipping Act of 1984 (1984 Act) (46 U.S.C. 40501(f)), as amended by the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998, provides marine terminal operators (MTOs) with the option of making their schedules of rates, regulations, and practices available to the public subject to section 10(d) of the 1984 Act. MTOs must maintain in their offices a complete set of all of their terminal schedules and shall promptly make them available to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC or Commission) upon request. Each MTO is required to file Form FMC-1 with the Bureau of Trade Analysis advising of its organization name, organization number, home office address, name and telephone number of the firm’s representative, the location of its terminal schedule(s), and the publisher, if any, used to maintain its terminal schedule. The Commission publishes a list on its website of the location of any terminal schedule made available to the public.

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Federal Register Notices

Authorizing Statutes

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The Commission administers Sections 2 and 3 of Public Law 89-777 (46 U.S.C. 44101-44106), which require vessel owners, charterers and operators of passenger vessels with passenger berths or stateroom accommodations for at least 50 passengers, and embarking passengers at United States ports, to establish their financial responsibility to meet liability incurred for death or injury and to indemnify passengers in the event of nonperformance of transportation. 46 CFR Part 540, entitled Passenger Vessel Financial Responsibility, implements Public Law 89-777. The regulation (and its related application Form FMC-131, Application for Certificate of Financial Responsibility) requires owners, operators or charterers of passenger vessels subject to Public Law 89-777 to apply for an initial certificate or to file an amendment to existing certificates. The Commission’s rules require that applications be filed at least 60 days prior to any advertising, promotion or collection of deposits and fares for a Certificate (Performance), and at least 60 days prior to sailing for a Certificate (Casualty). Applicants may apply separately for each certificate or for both certificates on one application. The method of establishing financial responsibility may be different for each certificate. The applicant has the option of using (1) insurance, (2) escrow accounts, (3) guaranties, (4) surety bonds, or (5) self-insurance (for casualty only) to establish financial responsibility to qualify for a Certificate (Casualty) evidencing compliance with Section 2 of Public Law 89-777, or to qualify for a Certificate (Performance) evidencing compliance with Section 3 of Public Law 89-777. Upon receipt, examination, and approval of the application form and evidence of financial responsibility, a Certificate of Financial Responsibility for Indemnification of Passengers for Nonperformance of Transportation and Certificate of Financial Responsibility to Meet Liability Incurred for Death or Injury to Passengers or Other Persons on Voyages are issued to the applicant/certificant. The certificates must be presented to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or Coast Guard officials at the time the vessel clears a United States port. The cap on passenger vessel financial responsibility under Section 3 (Performance) of Public Law 89-777, 46 U.S.C. 44101-44106, is adjusted biennially to the nearest $1 million using the Bureau of Labor Statistics’s Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U). Smaller passenger vessel operators’ (PVO) financial responsibility requirements may be adjusted by requesting consideration for alternative forms of protection from the Director of the Bureau of Certification and Licensing. The FMC’s PVO Certificates (Performance) are required to be renewed every 5 years. The renewal of the certificates assists U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in determining the validity of a certificate, and ensures that the FMC periodically confirms PVO information previously submitted.

Key Information

Federal Register Notices

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The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) within NASA is undertaking an Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) change effort. NASA SMD began these efforts as a response to their 2019 FEVS results by choosing Diversity and Inclusion as a focus area. This survey will be used as an evidence-building tool to baseline SMD staff (civil servants and contractors) views on the SMD culture, then periodically (approximately annually) re-assess to determine whether the culture is improving as IDEA efforts are implemented. Data obtained is intended for SMD internal use only and will not be publicly released; it will be used to design its IDEA initiatives and improve its internal environment. This survey will provide insights that the IDEA Working Group will consider to form, refine and prioritize their initiatives, and will serve as an evaluation mechanism to determine if implemented initiatives have had positive effects by comparing this baseline to future assessments.

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Federal Register Notices

Authorizing Statutes

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Section 16 of the Shipping Act of 1984, 46 U.S.C. 40103, authorizes the Federal Maritime Commission to exempt by rule “any class of agreements between persons subject to this Act or any specified activity of those persons from any requirement of this Act if it finds that the exemption will not result in substantial reduction in competition or be detrimental to commerce. The Commission may attach conditions to any exemption and may, by order, revoke any exemption.” The Commission added 46 CFR 531 to exempt non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) from the more stringent tariff rate publication requirements of the Shipping Act of 1984 and related provisions of the Commission’s regulations to permit them to enter into contracts with shippers similar to ocean common carrier service contracts. 69 FR 75850 (Dec. 20, 2004). The exemption was conditioned upon the filing of NVOCC service arrangements (NSAs) with the Commission by the NVOCC offering the service; publication of the essential terms of NSAs; and confidential treatment of NSAs. In addition, NVOCCs were required to maintain NSAs and associated records for five years. In 2018, the Commission provided further relief of regulatory burdens on NVOCC by removing the NSA filing requirements effective August 22, 2018. (83 FR 34780) The filing exemption is conditioned upon the licensed NVOCC including a prominent notice invoking the exemption in its electronically published rules tariff and indicating their intention to the Commission. NVOCCs must continue to maintain original NSAs and associated records for 5 years in a format easily produced to the Commission, and provide those records promptly upon request from the Commission.

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Federal Register Notices

Authorizing Statutes

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The Internal Revenue Code (IRC) authorizes drawback (refund) of all but $1.00 per gallon of the Federal excise tax paid on distilled spirits subsequently used in the manufacture of certain nonbeverage products such as medicines, food products, flavors, and perfumes. Manufacturers making such products must file claims proving their eligibility for drawback, and respondents may file such claims either on a monthly or a quarterly basis. To protect the revenue, the IRC also authorizes the Secretary to require persons filing monthly nonbeverage product drawback claims to provide a bond. See 26 U.S.C. 5111–5114. The TTB regulations in 27 CFR parts 17 and 26 require monthly nonbeverage drawback claimants to file such a bond using form TTB F 5154.3. The required bond ensures repayment of paid claims later found to be ineligible for nonbeverage drawback in cases when the claimant is unable to repay the taxes due.

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Federal Register Notices

Authorizing Statutes

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30 U.S.C. 1257(b) provides that persons conducting coal mining activities submit to the regulatory authority all relevant information regarding ownership and control of the property affected, their compliance status and history. This information is used to ensure all legal, financial and compliance requirements are satisfied prior to issuance of a permit.

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Federal Register Notices

Authorizing Statutes

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As provided by the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, (HEA) these regulations allow students with intellectual disabilities, who enroll in an eligible comprehensive transition program to receive Title IV, HEA program assistance under the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), and the Federal Work Study (FWS) programs. This request is for a extension of the current recordkeeping requirements contained in the regulations at 34 CFR 668.232 and 668.233, related to the administrative requirement of the financial assistance for students with intellectual disabilities program. The information collection requirements are necessary to determine the eligibility to receive program benefits and to prevent fraud and abuse of the program funds.

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Federal Register Notices

Authorizing Statutes

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With respect to each deposit, account, or line of credit, 31 CFR 1021.410(a) requires a casino to secure and maintain a record of the name, permanent address (“address”), and social security number (SSN) of the person involved at the time the funds are deposited, the account is opened, or credit is extended. Where the deposit, account, or line of credit is in the name of two or more persons, the casino must secure the name, address, and SSN of each person having a financial interest in the deposit, account, or line of credit. The casino is required to verify the name and address of such person(s) at the time the deposit is made, the account is opened, or credit is extended, by the examination of a document as described in 31 CFR 1010.312. The specific identifying information relied upon must be recorded by the casino in the manner described in 31 CFR 1010.312. Under 31 CFR 1021.410(b), a casino must retain either the original or a copy of records listed in 31 CFR 1021.410(b).