[Federal Register: March 18, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 52)]
[Notices]
[Page 13209-13210]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18mr05-97]
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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: Miner's Claim for Benefits
Under the Black Lung Benefits Act; Employment History (CM-911 and CM-
911a). 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 17, 2005.
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 Black Lung Act of 1977, as amended, 30 U.S.C. 901 et seq.,
provides for the payment of benefits to a coal miner who is totally
disabled due to pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) and to certain
survivors of the miner who died due to pneumoconiosis. A miner who
applies for black lung benefits must complete the CM-911 (application
form). The completed CM-911 gives basic identifying information about
the applicant and is the beginning of the development of the black lung
claim. An applicant filing for black lungs benefits must also complete
a CM-911a at the same time the black lung application form is
submitted. The CM-911a when completed is formatted to render a complete
history of employment and helps to establish if the miner currently or
formerly worked in the nation's coal mines. The Black Lung Benefits Act
as amended, 30 U.S.C. et seq. and 20 CFR 725.304a, necessitates the
collection of this information. This information collection is
currently approved for use through August 31, 2005.
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
[[Page 13210]]
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 carry out its responsibility to determine
eligibility for black lung benefits.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
Title: Miner's Claim for Benefits under the Black Lung Benefits
Act; Employment History.
OMB Number: 1215-0052.
Agency Number: CM-911 and CM-911a.
Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for
profit.
Total Respondents: 9,000.
Total Annual responses: 9,000.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 6,333.
Frequency: On occasion.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $1,000.00.
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Time per
Forms Respondents/ response Burden hours
responses (minutes)
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CM-911.......................................................... 4,000 45 3,000
CM-911a......................................................... 5,000 40 3,333
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Total....................................................... 9,000 .............. 6,333
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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 11, 2005.
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. 05-5356 Filed 3-17-05; 8:45 am]