[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 165 (Thursday, August 24, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51628-51629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-21626]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

August 16, 2000.
    The Department of Labor (DOL) has submitted the following public 
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 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35). A copy of 
each individual ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be 
obtained by calling the Department of Labor. To obtain documentation 
for BLS, ETA, PWBA, and OASAM contact Karin Kurz ((202) 219-5096 ext. 
159 or by E-mail to [email protected]). To obtain documentation for 
ESA, MSHA, OSHA, and VETS contact Darrin King ((202) 219-5096 ext. 151 
or by E-Mail to [email protected]).
    Comments should be sent to Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for BLS, DM, ESA, ETA, MSHA, OSHA, 
PWBA, or VETS, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, 
DC 20503 ((202) 395-7316), within 30 days from the date of this 
publication in the Federal Register.
    The OMB 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 submission of responses.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Agency: Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration.
    Title: Application for EFAST Electronic Signature and Codes for 
EFAST Transmitters and Software Developers.
    OMB Number: 1210-0117.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit; Not-for-profit institutions.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Total Respondents: 240,250.
    Total Responses: 240,250.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 20 minutes.
    Total Estimated Burden Hours: 80,083.
    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.
    Total Annual Cost (Operating and Maintenance): $91,000.
    Description: On February 2, 2000, the Department of Labor, Pension 
and Welfare Benefits Administration, the Department of the Treasury, 
Internal Revenue Service, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation 
announced the new computer scannable ``hand print'' and ``machine 
print'' formats for the revised Form 5500 Series. Using scannable forms 
and electronic filing technologies under the ERISA Filing and 
Acceptance System--EFAST, the revised Form 5500 Series was designed to 
simplify and expedite processing of returns/reports concerning the 
financial conditions and operations of certain employee benefit plans 
and fringe benefit plans.
    In order to participate in the electronic filing program, 
applicants are required to submit an Application for EFAST Electronic 
Signature and Codes for EFAST Transmitters and Software Developers 
(Form EFAST-1), the subject of this ICR. Applicants who may file the 
Form EFAST-1 include: (1) individuals applying for an electronic 
signature to sign a Form 5500 or 5500-EZ; (2) transmitters applying for 
codes; and (3) software developers applying for codes. The information 
provided by Form EFAST-1 applicants, combined with the codes supplied 
to the applicants by EFAST, allows EFAST to verify a filer, 
transmitter, of software developer's standing as a qualified 
participant in the electronic filing program. EFAST-1 information also 
established a means of

[[Page 51629]]

contact between the program and the applicant.

Ira L. Mills,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-21626 Filed 8-23-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-29-M