[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 14, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7799-7800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-2066]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Termination, 
Suspension, Reduction or Increase in Benefit Payments (CM-908). 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 April 17, 2006.

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 Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers the 
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 as amended, Section 432 (30 
U.S.C. 942) and 20 CFR 725.621 necessitate this information collection. 
Under the Act, coal mine operators, their representatives, or their 
insurers who have been identified as responsible for paying Black Lung 
benefits to an eligible miner or an eligible surviving dependent of the 
miner, are called Responsible Operators (RO's). RO's that pay benefits 
are required to report any change in the benefit amount to the 
Department of Labor (DOL). The CM-908, when completed and sent to DOL, 
notifies DOL of the change in the beneficiary's benefit amount and the 
reason for the change. This information collection is currently 
approved for use through August 31, 2006.

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

[[Page 7800]]

     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 carry out its responsibility to 
ensure that Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation regulations are 
followed correctly, that the new benefit amount is accurate and to 
insure that the correct benefits amounts are paid.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Notice of Termination, Suspension, Reduction or Increase in 
Benefit Payments.
    OMB Number: 1215-0064.
    Agency Number: CM-908.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 325.
    Total Responses: 7,500.
    Time per Response: 12 minutes.
    Frequency: On Occasion and Annually (Reporting).
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,500.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $6,300.
    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: February 8, 2006.
Sue Blumenthal,
Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, 
Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration 
and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
 [FR Doc. E6-2066 Filed 2-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CK-P