[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 31 (Friday, February 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 7615]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3669]



[[Page 7615]]

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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: Notice of Termination, 
Suspension, Reduction or Increase in Benefit Payments (CM-908). 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 April 15, 2003.

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, Email esa.gov">[email protected]esa.gov. 
Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or 
Email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers the 
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 as amended (30 U.S.C. 942). 
The Act implementing regulations at 20 CFR 725.621 necessitate this 
information collection. Under the Act, responsible coal mine operators 
or their representatives must provide benefit payments to eligible coal 
miners and dependents of coal miners who have contracted 
pneumoconiosis. Responsible operators who pay benefits are required to 
report any changes in the benefit amount, and the reasons for the 
change, to the Department of Labor. This information collection is 
currently approved for use through August 31, 2003.

II. Review Focus

    The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments 
which:
    [sbull] 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;
    [sbull] 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;
    [sbull] Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and
    [sbull] 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 approval for the extension of this 
information collection in order to carry out its responsibility to 
ensure that Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation regulations are 
followed and that the new benefit amount is accurate and timely.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Notice of Termination, Suspension, Reduction or Increase in 
Benefit Payments.
    OMB Number: 1215-0064.
    Agency Number: CM-908.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 325.
    Total Responses: 9,000.
    Time per Response: 12 minutes.
    Frequency: On Occasion (Reporting).
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,800.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $3,600.
    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: February 10, 2003.
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. 03-3669 Filed 2-13-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CK-P