[Federal Register: March 23, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 56)]
[Notices]               
[Page 13591]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23mr04-108]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration

 
Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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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 collection: Request for State or 
Federal Workers' Compensation Information (CM-905). 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 May 24, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0418, fax (202) 693-1451, e-mail bell.hazel@dol.gov. Please 
use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or e-
mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended (30 
U.S.C. 901) and 20 CFR 725.535, directs 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. This information collection is currently approved for 
use through October 31, 2004.

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 extension of approval to collect 
this information 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.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Request for State or Federal Workers' Compensation 
Information.
    OMB Number: 1215-0060.
    Agency Number: CM-905.
    Affected Public: Federal government; State, local or tribal 
government.
    Total Respondents: 1,600.
    Total Annual Responses: 1.
    Average Time per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 400.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $640.00.
    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: March 17, 2004.
Bruce Bohanon,
Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of 
Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and 
Planning,Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. 04-6446 Filed 3-22-04; 8:45 am]