[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 183 (Monday, September 22, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 55064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24051]


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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 Issuance of 
Insurance Policy (CM-921). 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 November 21, 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 [email protected]. Please 
use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or Email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 423 of the Black Lung Benefits Act, as amended, specifies 
that a responsible coal mine operator must be insured for payment of 
black lung benefits and outlines the items each contract of insurance 
must contain. It enumerates the civil penalties to which a responsible 
coal mine operator is subject, should these procedures not be followed. 
Further, 20 CFR Ch. VI, Subpart C, Sec.  726.208-213 requires that each 
insurance carrier report to the Division of Coal Mine Workers' 
Compensation (DCMWC) each policy and endorsement issued, cancelled, or 
reviewed with respect to responsible operators, on such a form as DCMWC 
may require. The CM-921 is the form completed by the insurance carrier 
and forwarded to DCMWC for review. This information collection is 
currently approved for use through March 31, 2004.

II. Review Focus

    The Department of Labor 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.

III. Current Actions

    The Department of Labor seeks approval for the extension of this 
information collection in order to identify operators who have secured 
insurance for payment of black lung benefits as required by the Act.
    Type of Review: Extension
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration
    Title: Notice of Issuance of Insurance Policy.
    OMB Number: 1215-0059
    Agency Number: CM-921
    Affected Public: Business or other for profit and State, Local or 
Tribal Government.
    Total Respondents: 60
    Total Responses: 4,000
    Time per Response: 10 minutes
    Frequency: Annually
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 667
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $1,800.00
    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 16, 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. 03-24051 Filed 9-18-03; 12:01 pm]
BILLING CODE 4510-CK-P