2023-09994. Proposed Extension of Existing Collection; Comment Request; Administration of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting comments concerning a proposed extension for the authority to conduct the information collection request (ICR) titled, “Administration of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act.” This comment request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

DATES:

Consideration will be given to all written comments received by July 10, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained for free by contacting Anjanette Suggs by telephone at 202–354–9660 or by email at [e-mail].

Submit written comments about this ICR by mail or courier to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Room S3323, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210; or by email at [e-mail]. Please note that comments submitted after the comment period will not be considered.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Contact Anjanette Suggs by telephone at 202–354–9660 or by email at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The DOL, as part of continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information before submitting them to the OMB for final approval. This program helps to ensure 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 can be properly assessed.

The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, (OWCP) administers the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. This Act was amended on October 27, 1972, to provide for continuation of death benefits for a child or certain other surviving dependents after the age of 18 years (to age 23) if the dependent qualifies as a student as defined in section 2 (18) of the Act. The benefit would also be terminated if the dependent completes four years of education beyond high school. Form LS–266 is to be submitted by the parent or guardian for whom continuation of benefits is sought. The statements contained on the form must be verified by an official of the education institution. The information is used by the DOL to determine whether a continuation of the benefits is justified.

Legal authority for this information collection is found at 33 U.S.C. 902(18) and 33 U.S.C. 939(a). Regulatory authority is found at 20 CFR 702.121.

This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless the OMB under the PRA approves it and displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid Control Number. See5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6.

Interested parties are encouraged to provide comments to the contact shown in the ADDRESSES section. Written comments will receive consideration and summarized and included in the request for OMB approval of the final ICR. In order to help ensure appropriate consideration, comments should mention OMB No. 1240–0026.

Submitted comments will also be a matter of public record for this ICR and posted on the internet, without redaction. The DOL encourages commenters not to include personally identifiable information, confidential business data, or other sensitive statements/information in any comments.

The DOL is particularly interested in comments that:

• 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 submission of responses.

Agency: DOL-Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.

Type of Review: Date Extension.

Title of Collection: Certification of Funeral Expenses under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act.

Form: LS–266 (20 CFR 702.121).

OMB Control Number: 1240–0026.

Affected Public: Private Sector.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 20.

Frequency: On occasion.

Total Estimated Annual Responses: 20.

Estimated Average Time per Response:.5 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 10.

Total Estimated Annual Other Cost Burden: $229.20.

Authority:33 U.S.C. 902(18) and 939(a).

Dated: May 4, 2023.

Anjanette Suggs,

Agency Clearance Officer.