2010-20718. Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation; Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 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 Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Application for Approval of a Representative's Fee in Black Lung Claim Proceedings Conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor (CM-972). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this Notice.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addresses section below on or before October 19, 2010.

ADDRESSES:

Mr. Vincent Alvarez, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone [phone], fax [phone], E-mail [e-mail]. Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or E-mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background: Individuals filing for benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA) may elect to be represented or assisted by an attorney or other representative. For those cases that are approved, 30 U.S.C. 901 of the Black Lung Benefits Act and 20 CFR 725.365-6 established standards for the information and documentation that must be submitted to the Program for review to approve a fee for services. The CM-972 is used to collect the pertinent data to determine if the representative's services and amounts charged can be paid under the Black Lung Act. This information collection is currently approved for use through December 31, 2010.

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 approval for the extension of this currently-approved information collection in order to gather information 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.

Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.

Type of Review: Extension.

Title: Application for Approval of a Representative's Fee in Black Lung Claim Proceedings Conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor

OMB Number: 1240-0011.

Agency Number: CM-972.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Total Respondents: 285.

Total Annual Responses: 285.

Average Time per Response: 42 minutes.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 200.

Frequency: On occasion.

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

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

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: August 17, 2010.

Vincent Alvarez,

Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, US Department of Labor.