[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58450-58451]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23823]


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RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD


Proposed Data Collection(s) Available for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 which provides opportunity for 
public comment on new or revised data collections, the Railroad 
Retirement Board (RRB) will publish periodic summaries of proposed data 
collections.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed information 
collections are necessary for the proper performance of the functions 
of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; 
(b) the accuracy of the RRB's estimate of the burden for the collection 
of the information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize 
the burden related to the collection of information on respondents, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    1. Title and purpose of information collection:
    Placement Service; OMB 3220-0057:
    Section 12(i) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA), 
authorizes the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) to establish, maintain, 
and operate free employment offices to provide claimants for 
unemployment benefits with job placement opportunities. Section 704(d) 
of the Regional Railroad Reorganization Act of 1973, as amended, and as 
extended by the consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, 
required the RRB to maintain and distribute a list of railroad job 
vacancies, by class and craft, based on information furnished by rail 
carriers to the RRB. Although the requirement under the law expired 
effective August 13, 1987, the RRB has continued to obtain this 
information in keeping with its employment service responsibilities 
under Section 12(k) of the RUIA. Application procedures for the job 
placement program are prescribed in 20 CFR 325. The procedures 
pertaining to the RRB's obtaining and distributing job vacancy reports 
furnished by rail carriers are described in 20 CFR 346.1.
    The RRB currently utilizes four forms to obtain information needed 
to carry

[[Page 58451]]

out its job placement responsibilities. Form ES-2, Supplemental 
Information for Central Register, is used by the RRB to obtain 
information needed to update a computerized central register of 
separated and furloughed railroad employees available for employment in 
the railroad industry. Form ES-21, Referral to State Employment 
Service, and ES-21c, Report of State Employment Service Office, are 
used by the RRB to provide placement assistance for unemployed railroad 
employees through arrangements with State Employment Service offices. 
Form UI-35, Field Office Record of Claimant Interview, is used 
primarily by RRB field office staff to conduct in-person interviews of 
claimants for unemployment benefits. Completion of these forms is 
required to obtain or maintain a benefit. In addition, the RRB also 
collects Railroad Job Vacancies information received voluntarily from 
railroad employers. No changes are proposed to any of the data 
collection instruments associated with the information collection.

                  Estimate of Annual Respondent Burden
    The estimated annual respondent burden for this collection is as
                                follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Annual      Completion       Burden
       Form (s)         responses     time (min)       (hrs)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ES-2..........................        7,500            0.25           31
ES-21.........................        3,500            0.68           40
ES-21c........................        1,250            1.50           31
UI-35 (in-person).............        9,000            7.00        1,050
UI-35 (by mail)...............        1,000           10.50          175
Railroad Job Vacancies Report.          750           10.00          125
    TOTAL.....................       23,000  ..............        1,452
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2. Title and Purpose of Information Collection:
    Withholding Certificate for Railroad Retirement Monthly Annuity 
Payments; OMB 3220-0149, Form RRB-W-4P:
    The Internal Revenue Code requires all payers of tax liable private 
pensions to U.S. citizens to: (1) Notify each recipient at least 
concurrent with initial withholding that the payer is, in fact, 
withholding benefits for tax liability and that the recipient has the 
option of electing not to have the payer withhold, or to withhold at a 
specific rate; (2) withhold benefits for tax purposes (in the absence 
of the recipient's election not to withhold benefits); and (3) notify 
all beneficiaries, at least annually, that they have the option of 
changing their withholding status or elect not to have benefits 
withheld.
    The RRB provides Form RRB-W4P, Withholding Certificate for Railroad 
Retirement Payments, to its annuitants to exercise their withholding 
options. Completion of the form is required to obtain or retain a 
benefit. One response is requested of each respondent. No changes are 
proposed to Form RRB W-4P.
    The RRB estimates that 35,000 annuitants utilize Form RRB W-4P 
annually. The completion time for Form RRB W-4P varies depending on 
individual circumstances. The estimated average completion time for 
Form RRB W-4P is 39 minutes for recordkeeping, 24 minutes for learning 
about the law or the form, and 59 minutes for preparing the form.
    Additional information or comments: To request more information or 
to obtain a copy of the information collection justification, forms, 
and/or supporting material, please call the RRB Clearance Officer at 
(312) 751-3363 or send an e-mail request to [email protected]. 
Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to 
Patricia A. Henaghan, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, 
Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092 or send an e-mail to 
[email protected]. Written comments should be received within 
60 days of this notice.

Charles Mierzwa,
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-23823 Filed 9-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-P