E7-5912. Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review, Request for Comments

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to request an extension of the following collection of information: 3220-0007, Appeal under the Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, consisting of RRB Form HA-1, Appeal Under the Railroad Retirement Act or Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Completion is required to obtain or retain benefits. One response is required of each respondent. Review and approval by OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens.

The RRB invites comments on the proposed collection of information to determine (1) the practical utility of the collection; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden of the collection; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information that is the subject of collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of collections on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments to RRB or OIRA must contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of your comments, it is best if RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days of publication date.

Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (71 FR No. 231 Pages 69603 on December 1, 2006) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

Title: Appeal under the Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act.

OMB Control Number: 3220-0007.

Form(s) submitted: HA-1.

Type of request: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected public: Individuals or households.

Abstract: Under Section 7(b)(3) of the Railroad Retirement Act and Section 5(c) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, a person aggrieved by a decision on his or her application for an annuity or other benefit has the right to appeal to the RRB. The collection provides the means for the appeal action.

Changes Proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to Form HA-1.

The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows: Estimated annual number of respondents: 550.

Total annual responses: 650.

Total annual reporting hours: 217.

Additional Information Or Comments: Copies of the forms and supporting documents can be obtained from Charles Mierzwa, the agency clearance officer (312-751-3363) or [e-mail].

Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60611-2092 or [e-mail] and to the OMB Desk Officer for the RRB, at the Office of Management and Budget, Room 10230, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503.

Charles Mierzwa,

Clearance Officer.