Supporting Statement-- 3038-0015 (08-2014)

SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR NEW

AND REVISED INFORMATION COLLECTIONS

Crop and Market Information Reports

OMB CONTROL NUMBER 3038-0015

A. Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

Manipulation of commodity futures prices is a violation of the Commodity Exchange Act (Act).  In addition to market corners and squeezes, price manipulation can be accomplished through the dissemination of false or misleading market information.  In this respect, section 9(a)(2) of the Act (7 USC 13(a)(2)) prohibits the dissemination of false or misleading or knowingly inaccurate reports that affect or tend to affect the prices of commodities.  In order to facilitate the enforcement of this provision, Commission regulation 1.40 requires that members of an exchange and futures commission merchants (FCMs) provide upon request copies of any report published or given general circulation which concerns crop or market informa­tion that affects or tends to affect the price of any commodity.

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the data would be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

Economists use this information in investigations of potential price manipulation. Adequate surveillance and analysis of market activity could not be performed without this information.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

Information would be submitted through electronic mail or any other means that is practical for the submitter.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

No similar information exists.

5. If the collection of information impacts small business or other small entities (Item 5 of OMB Form 83-I), describe the methods used to minimize burden.

The information collection does not involve small organizations.

6. Describe the consequence to the Federal Program or policy activities if the collection were conducted less frequently as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

The collection of information is done on call, only when it is necessary.

7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner:

requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

requiring respondents to retain records other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records, for more than three years;

in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;

requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;

that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information’s confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

For enforcement purposes, Commission rule 1.31 requires that:

"All books and records required to be kept by the (Commodity Exchange) Act or by these regulations shall be kept for a period of five years from the date there­of and shall be readily accessible during the first 2 years of the 5-year period. All such books and records shall be open to inspection by any representative of the Commis­sion or the United States Department of Justice."

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency’s notice required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format(if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years-even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

Notice of intent to renew this collection was published in the Federal Register on August 25, 2014 (79 FR 50631) (included in OMB/OIRA filing). No comments have been received in response to that notice.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than reenumeration of contractors or grantees.

Does not apply.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

The reports themselves are, by definition, public reports and therefore do not need to treated as confidential.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

No questions of a sensitive nature are asked.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:

Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than ten) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in Item 13 of OMB Form 83-I.

Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be included in Item 13.

Approximately 350 FCMs and members of contract markets are subject to the requirements of Rule 1.40. Less than 15 requests for information are expected to occur in any one year. Approxi­mate response time is 10 minutes per request. Annual costs to the respondents are estimated to be $135. This is based on 2.5 hours retrieval time at $54 per hour.

Estimated Number of Respondents	Reports Annually by Each Respondent	Total Annual Respondents	Estimated Number of Hours Per Response	Annual Burden
15	1	15	.17	2.5

In arriving at a wage rate for the hourly costs imposed, Commission staff used the Management & Professional Earnings in the Securities Industry Report, published in 2013 by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (2013 Report). Commission staff used a composite (blended) wage rate by averaging the mean annual salaries of appropriate Compliance and Information Technology staff as published in the 2013 Report, and divided that figure by 1800 annual working hours to arrive at the hourly wage rate of $54.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information.(Do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in Items 12 and 14).

The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a)a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life) and (b)a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information. Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.

If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. Agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than ten), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

Other than the cost of the hour burden shown in item 12, there are no costs for respondents.

14. Provide estimates of the annualized cost to the Federal Government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information. Agencies may also aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.

Cost to the Federal Government in requesting the information is negligible. Annual costs to the respondents are estimated at $135. This is based on 2.5 hours at an estimated $54 per hour cost for providing the information.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or 14 of the OMB Form 83-I.

Adjustments in the dollar value of burden were caused by an update to industry wage rates.

16. For collections of information whose results are planned to be published for statistical use, outline plans for tabulation, statistical analysis, and publication. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

This question does not apply.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

This question does not apply.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19, “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions,” of OMB Form 83-I.

This question does not apply.

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