[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 108 (Friday, June 4, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31644-31645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-12627]


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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: Application for Approval 
of a Representative's Fee in Black Lung Claim Proceedings Conducted by 
the U.S. Department of Labor (CM-972). 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 August 3, 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,

[[Page 31645]]

fax (202) 693-1451, E-mail [email protected]. Please use only one 
method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or E-mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Individuals filing with the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of 
Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP), Division of Coal Mine Workers' 
Compensation (DCMWC) for benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act 
(BLBA) may elect to be represented or assisted by an attorney or other 
representative. For those cases that are approved, 30 U.S.C. 901 of the 
Black Lung Benefits Act and 20 CFR 725.365-6 established standards for 
the information and documentation that must be submitted to the Program 
for review to approve a fee for services. The CM-972 is used to collect 
the pertinent data to determine if the representative's services and 
amounts charged can be paid under the Black Lung Act. This information 
collection is currently approved for use through November 30, 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 the approval of this information in 
order to evaluate applications to approve fees for services rendered.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Application for Approval of a Representative's Fee in a 
Black Lung Claim Proceedings Conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor.
    OMB Number: 1215-0171.
    Agency Number: CM-972.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 255.
    Total Annual responses: 255.
    Average Time per Response: 42 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 179.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    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: May 28, 2004.
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. 04-12627 Filed 6-3-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CK-P