[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 152 (Tuesday, August 6, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 40866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-19995]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD


Proposed Data Collection 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 
collection is 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 of 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.
    Title and purpose of information collection: Evidence of Marital 
Relationship, Living with Requirements; OMB 3220-0021.
    To support an application for a spouse or widow(er)'s annuity under 
Sections 2(c) or 2(d) of the Railroad Retirement Act, an applicant must 
submit proof of a valid marriage to a railroad employee. In some cases, 
the existence of a marital relationship is not formalized by a civil or 
religious ceremony. In other cases, questions may arise about the legal 
termination of a prior marriage of an employee, spouse, or widow(er). 
In these instances, the RRB must secure additional information to 
resolve questionable marital relationships. The circumstances requiring 
an applicant to submit documentary evidence of marriage are prescribed 
in 20 CFR 219.30.
    In the absence of documentary evidence to support the existence of 
a valid marriage between a spouse or widow(er) annuity applicant and a 
railroad employee, the RRB needs to obtain information to determine if 
a valid marriage existed. The RRB utilizes Forms G-124, Statement of 
Marital Relationship; G-124a, Statement Regarding Marriage; G-237, 
Statement Regarding Marital Status; G-238, Statement of Residence; and 
G-238a, Statement Regarding Divorce or Annulment to secure the needed 
information. One response is requested of each respondent. Completion 
is required to obtain benefits.
    The RRB proposes revisions to all of the forms utilized in the 
collection to incorporate language required by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 and to add additional language outlining possible criminal 
penalties for making a false or fraudulent statement.

Estimate of Annual Respondent Burden

    The estimated annual respondent burden is as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Annual       Time       Burden  
              Form No.                 responses     (min)       (hrs)  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
G-124:                                                                  
  In person.........................         125          15          31
  By mail...........................          75          20          25
G-124a..............................         300          10          50
G-237:                                                                  
  In person.........................          75          15          19
  By mail...........................          75          20          25
G-238:                                                                  
  In person.........................         150           3           8
  By mail...........................         150           5          13
G-238a..............................         150          10          25
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................       1,100  ..........         196
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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. Comments regarding the information collection should be 
addressed to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 N. Rush 
Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092. Written comments should be 
received within 60 days of this notice.
Chuck Mierzwa,
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 96-19995 Filed 8-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-M