2022-12505. Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Carrier's Report of Issuance of Policy

ACTION:

Notice of availability; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP)-sponsored information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

DATES:

The OMB will consider all written comments that the agency receives on or before July 11, 2022.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

Comments are invited on: (1) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of the burden and cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nicole Bouchet by telephone at 202-693-0213, or by email at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs administers the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. The Act provides benefits to workers injured in maritime employment on the navigable waters of the United States or in an adjoining area customarily used by an employer in loading, unloading, repairing, or building a vessel. In addition, several acts extend the Longshore Act's coverage to certain other employees.

Authorized insurance carriers are required to report the issuance of policies and endorsements under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act and its extensions, the Defense Base Act, Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentalities Act, to the Department of Labor's OWCP. Carriers use the form LS-570 for this purpose. Filing the Form LS-570 with OWCP's Division of Federal Employees', Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation binds the carrier to full liability for the named employer's obligations under the Act or its extensions.

Legal authority for this information collection is found at 33 U.S.C. 932(a) and 33 U.S.C. 939 and regulatory authority is found at 20 CFR 703.116 and 20 CFR 703.118. For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on January 20, 2022 (87 FR 3127).

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 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 OMB Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6.

DOL seeks PRA authorization for this information collection for three (3) years. OMB authorization for an ICR cannot be for more than three (3) years without renewal. The DOL notes that information collection requirements submitted to the OMB for existing ICRs receive a month-to-month extension while they undergo review.

Agency: DOL-OWCP.

Title of Collection: Carrier's Report of Issuance of Policy.

OMB Control Number: 1240-0004.

Affected Public: Private Sector— Businesses or other for-profits.

Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 400.

Total Estimated Number of Responses: 1,500.

Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 25 hours.

Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $15.

(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D))

Nicole Bouchet,

Senior PRA Analyst.