[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 10, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1248-1249]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-160]


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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: Claim for Reimbursement of 
Benefit Payments and Claims Expense Under the War Hazards Compensation 
Act (CA-278). 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 March 12, 2007.

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) is the federal 
agency responsible for administration of the War Hazards Compensation 
Act (WHCA), 42 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. Under section 1704(a) of the WHCA, 
an insurance carrier or self-insured who has paid workers' compensation 
benefits to or on account of any person for a war-risk hazard may seek 
reimbursement for benefits paid (plus expenses) out of the Employees 
Compensation Fund for the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) at 
5 U.S.C. 8147.
    The information collected by Form CA-278 is used by insurance 
carriers and the self-insured to request reimbursement. The information 
collected is used by OWCP staff to process requests for reimbursement 
of WHCA benefit payments and claims expense that are submitted by 
insurance carriers and self-insureds. The information is also used by 
OWCP to decide whether it should opt to pay ongoing WHCA benefits 
directly to the injured worker. This information collection is 
currently approved for use through June 30, 2007.

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 to collect this information 
in order to carry out its responsibility to reimburse insurance 
carriers and self-insureds who meet the statutory requirements of the 
War Hazards Compensation Act (WHCA) for reimbursement.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Claim for Reimbursement of Benefit Payments and Claims 
Expense Under the War Hazards Compensation Act.
    OMB Number: 1215-0202.
    Agency Number: CA-278.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 7.
    Total Responses: 140.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 70.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

[[Page 1249]]

    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $239.00.
    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: January 4, 2007.
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. E7-160 Filed 1-9-07; 8:45 am]
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