[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 58 (Thursday, March 25, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 15393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6662]


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RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

    Summary: In accordance with the requirement of section 3506 
(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 which provides 
opportunity for public comment on new or revised data collections, the 
Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) will publish periodic summaries of 
proposed data collections.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed information 
collection is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; 
(b) the accuracy of the RRB's estimate of the burden of the collection 
of the information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize 
the burden related to the collection of information on respondents, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    Title and purpose of information collection: Appeal Under the 
Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act; OMB 3220-
0007.
    Under Section 7 (b)(3) of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), and 
section 5(c) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA) any 
person aggrieved by a decision on his or her application for an annuity 
or benefit under that Act has the right to appeal to the RRB. This 
right is prescribed in 20 CFR 260 and 20 CFR 320. The notification 
letter sent to the individual at the time of the original action on the 
application informs the applicant of such right. When an individual 
protests a decision, the concerned bureau reviews the entire file and 
any additional evidence submitted and sends the applicant a letter 
explaining the basis of the determination. The applicant is then 
notified that if he or she wishes to protest further, they can appeal 
to the RRB's Bureau of Hearings and Appeals. The procedure pertaining 
to the filing of such an appeal is prescribed in 20 CFR 260.5 and 260.9 
and 20 CFR 320.12 and 320.38.
    The form prescribed by the RRB for filing an appeal under the RRA 
or RUIA is form HA-1, Appeal Under the Railroad Retirement Act or 
Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. The form asks the applicant to 
furnish the basis for the appeal and what additional evidence, if any, 
is to be submitted. Completion is voluntary, however if the information 
is not provided the RRB cannot process the appeal.
    The RRB proposes no changes to Form HA-1. The completion time for 
the HA-1 is estimated at 20 minutes per response. The RRB estimates 
that approximately 850 Form HA-1's are completed annually.
    Additional Information or Comments: To request more information or 
to obtain a copy of the information collection justification, forms, 
and/or supporting material, please call the RRB Clearance Officer at 
(312) 751-3363 or send an e-mail request to [email protected]. 
Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to 
Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, 
Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092 or send an e-mail to 
[email protected]. Written comments should be received within 60 
days of this notice.

Charles Mierzwa,
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-6662 Filed 3-24-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-P