[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 225 (Friday, November 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 65740]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-29078]


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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: Claim for Reimbursement of 
Benefit Payments and Claims Expense Under the War Hazards Compensation 
Act (CA-278). 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 January 20, 2004.

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: The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) 
is the federal agency responsible for administration of the War Hazards 
Compensation Act (WHCA), 42 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. Under section 1704(a) 
of the WHCA, an insurance carrier or self-insured who has paid workers' 
compensation benefits to or on account of a Federal contractors' 
employee (or certain other selected persons) performing work outside of 
the United States for a war-risk hazard may seek reimbursement for 
benefits paid (plus claims expense) out of the Employees Compensation 
Fund established by the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) at 5 
U.S.C. 8147. The information collected by Form CA-278 is used by OWCP 
staff to process requests for reimbursement of WHCA benefit payments 
and claims expense that are submitted by insurance carriers and self-
insureds. The information is also used by OWCP to decide whether it 
should opt to pay ongoing WHCA benefits directly to the injured worker.
    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 to 
collect this information in order to carry out its responsibility to 
reimburse insurance carriers and self-insureds who meet the statutory 
requirements of the War Hazards Compensation Act (WHCA) for 
reimbursement.
    Type of Review: New Collection.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Claim for Reimbursement of Benefit Payments and Claims 
Expense Under the War Hazards Compensation Act.
    OMB Number: 1215-.
    Agency Number: CA-278.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 20.
    Total Responses: 80.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 40.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.
    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: November 17, 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. 03-29078 Filed 11-20-03; 8:45 am]
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