[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 72 (Tuesday, April 15, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18266-18267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9142]


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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: Overpayment Recovery 
Questionnaire (OWCP-20). 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 June 16, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington,

[[Page 18267]]

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 Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, as amended, 30 
U.S.C. 923 (b) and 20 CFR 725.544 (c), and the Federal Employees' 
Compensation Act, 5 U.S.C. 8129(b) and 20 CFR 10.430-10.441, provide 
for the recovery, waiver, compromise, or termination of overpayment of 
benefits to beneficiaries. The OWCP-20 collects information used to 
ascertain the financial condition of the beneficiary who has been 
overpaid to determine if the concealment or improper transfer of 
assets, and to identify and consider present and potential income and 
current assets for enforced collection proceedings. The form also 
provides a means for the beneficiary to explain why he/she is not at 
fault for the overpayment. If this information were not collected, 
Black Lung and FECA would have little basis to decide on collection 
proceedings. This information collection is currently approved for use 
through October 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 under 
the law to resolve overpayments under the Acts.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Overpayment Recovery Questionnaire.
    OMB Number: 1215-0144.
    Agency Number: OWCP-20.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Total Respondents: 4,500.
    Total Responses: 4,500.
    Time per Response: 45-75 minutes, average 1 hour.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 4,500.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $1,800.
    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: April 8, 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. 03-9142 Filed 4-14-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CH-P