[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 193 (Thursday, October 5, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58869-58870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-16439]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5091-N-03]


Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Comment Request; 
Federal Labor Standards Payee Verification and Payment Processing

AGENCY: Office of Labor Relations, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The proposed information collection requirement described 
below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department 
is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal.

DATES: Comments Due Date: December 4, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB 
Control Number and should be sent to: Lillian Deitzer, Reports 
Management Officer, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 
7th Street, SW., Room 4176, Washington, DC 20410 or [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jade Banks, Senior Policy Advisor, 
Office of Labor Relations, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 
451 7th Street, SW., Room 2102, Washington, DC 20410 or [email protected], telephone (202) 708-0370, Ext. 5475 (this is not a toll-
free number) for copies of the proposed forms and other available 
information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department is submitting the proposed 
information collection to OMB for review, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended).
    This Notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and 
affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information to: 
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection is necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (2) evaluate the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (4) minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond; including the 
use of appropriate automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of 
responses.
    This Notice also lists the following information:
    Title of Proposal: Federal Labor Standards Payee Verification and 
Payment Processing.
    OMB Control Number, if applicable: 2501-0021.
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use: HUD, 
and State, local, and Tribal agencies

[[Page 58870]]

administering HUD-assisted programs must enforce Federal labor 
standards requirements, including the payment of prevailing wage rates 
to laborers and mechanics employed on HUD-assisted construction and 
maintenance work that is covered by these requirements. Enforcement 
activities include securing funds to ensure the payment of wage 
restitution that has been or may be found due to laborers and mechanics 
who were employed on HUD-assisted projects, and the payment of 
liquidated damages that may be assessed for violations of Contract Work 
Hours and Safety Standards Act (CWHSSA) overtime provisions. 
Ultimately, these funds are deposited to an account in the U.S. 
Treasury. If the labor standards discrepancies are resolved, HUD 
refunds associated amounts to the depositor. As underpaid laborers and 
mechanics are located, HUD sends wage restitution payments to the 
effected workers. Liquidated damages assessed for CWHSSA overtime 
violations are retained by HUD.
    In order to make refunds and wage restitution payments, HUD must 
verify the identity of the payee to ensure that the refund is made to 
the correct depositor or to the correct worker before payment is made. 
In order to complete these verifications, HUD will request information 
such as the depositor's or payee's tax identification number (i.e., 
employer identification number or Social Security Number), the project 
name or number, and/or the worker's employer's name.
    All refunds from labor standards deposit accounts are made 
electronically. Depositors entitled to a refund must provide to HUD the 
name, address, and account information for the banking institution to 
which it wants the refund sent. Wage restitution payments may be made 
by check or electronically, at the payee's choice. HUD must collect 
either the payee's mailing address, so that a check may be sent to 
them, or banking information for an electronic payment.
    Agency form numbers, if applicable: HUD-4734, Labor Standards 
Deposit Account Voucher. This form is completed by HUD staff after 
depositor or payee verification and the collection of payment 
processing information, i.e., financial institution information or mail 
delivery address.
    Estimation of the total numbers of hours needed to prepare the 
information collection including number of respondents, frequency of 
response, and hours of response: The estimated number of respondents is 
50 per year. The estimated number of hours needed per respondent is .1 
hours. The total public burden is estimated to be 5 hours per year. 
Payees do not need to complete a form; the information may be collected 
by HUD in person, by telephone, or in writing, at the payee's option.
    Status of the proposed information collection: Extension of 
existing collection approved under OMB number 2501-0021.


    Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C., 
Chapter 35, as amended.


    Dated: September 28, 2006.
Edward L. Johnson,
Director, Office of Labor Relations.
[FR Doc. E6-16439 Filed 10-4-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P