[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 184 (Friday, September 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48718-48719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-23556]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Notification of Legal Identity

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.

DATES: Submit comments on or before November 20, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Lynnette M. Haywood, Deputy Director, 
Administration and Management, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 611, 
Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are encouraged to send their 
comments on a computer disk, or via Internet E-mail to 
[email protected], along with an original printed copy. Ms. Haywood can 
be reached at (703) 235-1383 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynnette M. Haywood, Deputy Director, 
Administration and Management, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety 
and Health Administration, Room 611, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, 
VA 22203-1984. Ms. Haywood can be reached at [email protected] 
(Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1383 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 
(facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Title 30 CFR part 41 has implemented this requirement and provides 
for the mandatory use of MSHA From 2000-7, Legal Identity Report, for 
notifying MSHA of the legal identity of the mien operator. The legal 
identity for a mien operator is fundamental to enable the Secretary to 
properly ascertain the identity of persons charged with violations of 
mandatory standards. It is also used in the assessment of civil 
penalties which, by statute, must take

[[Page 48719]]

into account the size of the business, its economic viability, and its 
history of previous violations. Because of the rapid and frequent 
turnover in mining company ownership and statutory considerations 
regarding penalty assessment, the operator is required to file 
information regarding ownership interest in other mines held by the 
operator and relevant persons in a partnership, corporation or other 
organization. This information is also necessary to the Office of the 
Solicitor in determining proper parties to actions arising under the 
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the Act).

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the 
information collection related to the Notification of Legal Identity. 
MSHA 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.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request may be viewed 
on the Internet by accessing the MSHA Home Page (http://www.msha.gov) 
and selecting ``Statutory and Regulatory Information'' then ``Paperwork 
Reduction Act Submissions (http://www.msha.gov/regspwork.htm)'', or by 
contracting the employee listed above in the For Further Information 
Contact section of this notice for a hard copy.

III. Current Actions

    MSHA uses the information to properly ascertain the identity of 
persons chargeable with violations of mandatory safety and health 
standards and in the assessment of civil penalties. The Office of the 
Solicitor uses the information to expedite service of documents upon 
the mine operator.
    Type of Review: Extension and Revision of Form.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Notification of Legal Identity.
    OMB Number: 1219-0008.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Recordkeeping: Life of Mine Ownership.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc.: 30 CFR 41.20.
    Total Respondents: 6,625.
    Total Responses: 6,625.
    Average Time per Response: .2618 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,735.
    Total Capital/Startup Costs: 0.
    Total Operating and Maintenance Costs: $1,693.20.
    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: September 14, 2001.
Lynnette M. Haywood,
Deputy Director, Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 01-23556 Filed 9-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M