[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 52 (Friday, March 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13209-13210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5356]


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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: Miner's Claim for Benefits 
Under the Black Lung Benefits Act; Employment History (CM-911 and CM-
911a). 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 May 17, 2005.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Black Lung Act of 1977, as amended, 30 U.S.C. 901 et seq., 
provides for the payment of benefits to a coal miner who is totally 
disabled due to pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) and to certain 
survivors of the miner who died due to pneumoconiosis. A miner who 
applies for black lung benefits must complete the CM-911 (application 
form). The completed CM-911 gives basic identifying information about 
the applicant and is the beginning of the development of the black lung 
claim. An applicant filing for black lungs benefits must also complete 
a CM-911a at the same time the black lung application form is 
submitted. The CM-911a when completed is formatted to render a complete 
history of employment and helps to establish if the miner currently or 
formerly worked in the nation's coal mines. The Black Lung Benefits Act 
as amended, 30 U.S.C. et seq. and 20 CFR 725.304a, necessitates the 
collection of this information. This information collection is 
currently approved for use through August 31, 2005.

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

[[Page 13210]]

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 extension of approval to collect 
this information in order to carry out its responsibility to determine 
eligibility for black lung benefits.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Miner's Claim for Benefits under the Black Lung Benefits 
Act; Employment History.
    OMB Number: 1215-0052.
    Agency Number: CM-911 and CM-911a.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for 
profit.
    Total Respondents: 9,000.
    Total Annual responses: 9,000.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 6,333.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $1,000.00.

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                                                                                     Time per
                              Forms                                Respondents/      response      Burden hours
                                                                     responses       (minutes)
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CM-911..........................................................           4,000              45           3,000
CM-911a.........................................................           5,000              40           3,333
                                                                 -----------------
    Total.......................................................           9,000  ..............           6,333
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    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: March 11, 2005.
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. 05-5356 Filed 3-17-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CK-P