[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29985-29986]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-7925]


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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: Overpayment Recovery 
Questionnaire (OWCP-20). 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 July 24, 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:

[[Page 29986]]

I. Background

    The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, as amended, 30 
U.S.C. 923(b) and 20 CFR 725.544 (c), the Energy Employees Occupational 
Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 7385j-2 
and 20 CFR 30.510 through 30.520, and the Federal Employees' 
Compensation Act, 5 U.S.C. 8129(b) and 20 CFR 10.430-10.441, provide 
for the recovery or waiver of overpayments of benefits to 
beneficiaries. The OWCP-20 is used by OWCP examiners to ascertain the 
financial condition of the beneficiary who has been overpaid to 
determine the present and potential income and assets available for 
collection proceedings. The questionnaire also provides a means for the 
beneficiary to explain why he/she is not at fault for the overpayment. 
If this information were not collected, Black Lung, EEOICPA and FECA 
would have little basis to decide on collection proceedings. This 
information collection is currently approved for use through November 
30, 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
     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 under 
the law to resolve overpayments under the Acts.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Overpayment Recovery Questionnaire.
    OMB Number: 1215-0144.
    Agency Number: OWCP-20.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Total Respondents: 4,020.
    Total Responses: 4,020.
    Time per Response: 45-75 minutes, average 1 hour.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 4,020.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $1,688.
    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 19, 2006.
Ruben Wiley,
Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of 
Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and 
Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
 [FR Doc. E6-7925 Filed 5-23-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CR-P