01-1044. Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension collection of the following information collections: (1) Maintenance of Receipts for Benefits Paid by a Coal Mine Operator (CM-200); (2) Claim for Reimbursement-Assisted Reemployment (CA-2231); and (3) Vehicle Mechanical Inspection Report for Transportation Subject to Department of Transportation Requirements (WH-514) and Vehicle Mechanical Inspection Report for Transportation Subject to Department of Labor Safety Standards (WH-514a). Copies of the proposed information collection requests can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section of this Notice.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addressee section below on or before March 13, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Ms. Patricia A. Forkel, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone [phone] (this is not a toll-free number), fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Maintenance of Receipt for Benefits Paid by a Coal Mine Operator (CM-200)

I. Background

The Office of Worker's Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers the Federal Black Lung Benefits Act (FBLBA). Under 20 CFR 725.531, self-insured coal mine operators or insurance carriers must maintain receipts for black lung benefits payments made for five years after the date on which the receipt was executed. This requirement is designated as CM-200, Maintenance of Receipts for Benefits Paid by A Coal Mine Operator. There is no form or format for the receipts; a cancelled check will satisfy the requirement.

II. Review Focus

The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
• Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions

The Department of Labor seeks the extension of approval for this information collection in order that coal mine operators and insurers can provide evidence, as necessary, that payment to claimants has been made and received.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Employment Standards Administration.

Title: Maintenance of Receipts for Benefits Paid by a Coal Mine Operator.

OMB Number: 1215-0124.

Affected Public: Business of other for-profit institutions; State, Local, or Tribal Government.

Recordkeeping: On occasion.

No. of Respondents: 140.

No of Responses: 140.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.

Claim for Reimbursement-Assisted Reemployment (CA-2231)

I. Background

The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA). Section 8104(a) of the Act provides vocational rehabilitation services to eligible injured Federal employees which are paid from the Employees' Compensation Fund. Authority has been granted to provide amounts from the fund to reimburse the employer for a portion of the salary of reemployed disabled Federal workers. The information collected on the Form CA-2231 is used to facilitate prompt reimbursement to certain employers who employ such workers.

II. Review Focus

The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
• Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions

The Department of Labor seeks the extension of approval to collect information necessary to ensure timely and accurate payments to eligible employers for reimbursement claims.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Employment Standards Administration.

Title: Claim for Reimbursement-Assisted Reemployment.

OMB Number: 1215-0178.

Agency Number: CA-2231.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Federal government; State, local or Tribal government.

Total Respondents: 20.

Total Responses: 80.

Average Time per Response: 1/2 hour.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 40.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $29.60.

Vehicle Mechanical Inspection Report for Transportation Subject to Department of Transportation Requirements (WH-514); Vehicle Mechanical Inspection Report for Transportation Subject to Department of Labor Safety Standards (WH-514a)

I. Background

Section 401 of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) requires that farm labor contractor, agricultural employers, or agricultural associations who use any vehicle to transport a migrant or seasonal agricultural worker, ensure that such vehicle conforms to vehicle safety standards prescribed by MSPA and other applicable Federal and State safety standards. The use of forms WH-514 and WH-514a enable an applicant to verify to the Department or appropriate State agency that the vehicles used to transport such workers meet these safety standards. The WH-514 is used to verify that Department of Transportation safety standards are set for all vehicles other than passenger automobiles or station wagons, and the WH-514a is used to verify that Department of Labor safety standards are met for all vehicles including passenger automobiles or station wagons.

II. Review Focus

The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
• Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions

The Department of Labor seeks the extension of approval to collect information in order to verify that farm labor contractors, agricultural employers, and agricultural associations have complied with the applicable safety standards.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Employment Standards Administration.

Title: Vehicle Mechanical Inspection Report for Transportation Subject to Department of Transportation Requirements (WH-514); Vehicle Mechanical Inspection Report for Transportation Subject to Department of Labor Safety Standards (WH-514a).

OMB Number: 1215-0036.

Agency Numbers: WH-514, WH-514a.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Farms.

Total Respondents: 1,200.

Total Responses: 3,600.

Average Time per Response: 5 min.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 300.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $165,600.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record.

Dated: January 8, 2001.

Margaret J. Sherrill,

Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.