02-30431. Proposed Data Collection Available for Public Comment and Recommendations

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 which provides opportunity for public comment on new or revised data collections, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) will publish periodic summaries of proposed data collections.

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the RRB's estimate of the burden of the collection of the information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden related to the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Title and purpose of information collection: RRB Form DC-1, Employer's Quarterly Report of Contributions Under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act; OMB 3220-0012.

Under Section 8 of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA), as amended by the Railroad Unemployment Improvement Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-647), the amount of each employer's contribution is determined by the RRB, primarily on the basis of RUIA benefit payments made to the employees of that employer. These experienced based contributions, take into account the frequency, volume and duration of RUIA benefits, both unemployment and sickness, attributable to a railroad's employees. Each employer's contribution rate includes a component for administrative expenses and a component to cover costs shared by all employers. The regulations prescribing the manner and conditions for remitting the contributions and for adjusting overpayments of underpayments of contributions are contained in 20 CFR 345.

RRB Form DC-1, Employer's Quarterly Report of Contributions Under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, is currently utilized by the RRB for the reporting and remitting of quarterly contributions by railroad employers. The RRB utilizes a manual version of Form DC-1 and also provides railroad employers with the option of reporting the required information and remitting their quarterly contributions via and Internet equivalent version Form DC-1.

The RRB estimates that 2,200 responses are received annually. One response is requested quarterly of each respondent. Completion is mandatory. The RRB proposes non-burden impacting editorial changes to Form DC-1. The estimated completion for the manual and Internet version of Form DC-1 is estimated at 25 minutes.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To request more information or to obtain a copy of the information collection justification, forms, and/or supporting material, please call the RRB Clearance Officer at [phone]. Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board , 844 N. Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Chuck Mierzwa,

Clearance Officer.