01-13020. 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 of the Request for State or Federal Workers' Compensation Information (CM-905).

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the ADDRESSEE section below on or before July 23, 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:

I. Background

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended, and 20 CFR 725.535, direct that DOL Black Lung benefit payments to a beneficiary for any month be reduced by any other payments of State or Federal benefits for workers' compensation due to pneumoconiosis.

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 hte approval for this information collection in order to determine the amounts of black lung benefits paid to beneficiaries. Black Lung amounts are reduced dollar for dollar, for other black lung related workers' compensation awards the beneficiary may be receiving from State or Federal programs.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Employment Standards Administration.

Title: Request for State or Federal Workers' Compensation Information.

OMB Number: 1215-0060.

Affected Public: Federal government; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Frequency: On occasion.

Total Respondents: 3,522.

Time per Response: 15 minutes.

Estimatd Total Burden Hours: 881.

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

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $11,799.

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: May 14, 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.