2019-25460. Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation; Proposed Extension of Existing Collection; Comment Request

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, “Request for State or Federal Workers' Compensation Information.” 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 January 24, 2020.

ADDRESSES:

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

Submit written comments about, or requests for a copy of, this ICR by mail or courier to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Program, Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation, Room S3323, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210; by email: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 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 Black Lung Benefits Act (30 U.S.C. 901 et. seq.) and its implementing regulations necessitate this information collection. Title 20 CFR 725.535 requires 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. See 30 U.S.C. 932(g). To ensure compliance with this mandate, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs' Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation must collect information regarding the status of any state or Federal workers' compensation claim, including dates of payments, weekly or lump sum amounts paid, and other fees or expenses paid out for this award, such as attorney fees and related expenses associated with pneumoconiosis. Form CM-905 is used to request the amount of those workers' compensation benefits. This information collection is currently approved for use through February 29, 2020. 30 U.S.C. 901 and 20 CFR 725.535 authorizes this information collection.

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. See 5 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 1240-0032.

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-OWCP.

Type of Review: Extension.

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

Form: Request for State or Federal Workers' Compensation Information, CM-905.

OMB Control Number: 1240-0032.

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

Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,000.

Frequency: Every new claim.

Total Estimated Annual Responses: 6,000.

Estimated Average Time per Response: 15 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,500 hours.

Total Estimated Annual Other Cost Burden: $3,480.

Authority: 30 U.S.C. 901 and 20 CFR 725.535.

Dated: October 10, 2019.

Anjanette Suggs,

Agency Clearance Officer.