[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 4, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31889-31890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-12335]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration


Proposed Revision of the Approval of Information Collection 
Requirements

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 its proposal to extend OMB approval of the 
information collection: Agreement and Undertaking (OWCP-1). 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 August 4, 2008.

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: Coal Mine operators desiring 
to be self-insurers are required by law (30 U.S.C. 933) to produce 
security in terms of an indemnity bond, security deposit, a letter of 
credit or 501(c)(21) trust. Once a company's application to become 
self-insured is reviewed by the Division of Coal Mine Workers; 
Compensation (DCMWC) and it is determined the company is potentially 
eligible, an amount of security is determined to guarantee the payment 
of benefits required by the Act. The OWCP-1 form is executed by the 
self-insurer who agrees to abide by the Department's rules and 
authorizes the Secretary, in the event of default, to file suit to 
secure payment from a bond underwriter or in the case of a Federal 
Reserve account, to sell the securities for the same purpose. A company 
cannot be authorized to self-insure until this requirement is met. 
Regulations establishing this requirement are at 20 CFR 726.110 for 
Black Lung. This information collection is currently approved for use 
through December 31, 2008.
    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 the approval of 
the extension of this currently approved information collection in 
order to determine if a coal mine company is potentially eligible to 
become self-insured. The information is reviewed to insure that the 
correct amounts of negotiable securities are deposited or indemnity 
bond is purchased and that in a case of default OWCP has the authority 
to utilize the securities or bond. If this Agreement and Undertaking 
were not required, OWCP would not be empowered to utilize the company's 
security deposit to meet its financial responsibilities for the payment 
of black lung benefits in case of default.
    Type of Review: Revision.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Titles: Agreement of Undertaking.
    OMB Number: 1215-0034.
    Agency Numbers: OWCP-1.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 20.
    Total Annual Responses: 20.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5.
    Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $9.00.
    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.


[[Page 31890]]


    Dated: May 29, 2008.
Hazel M. Bell,
Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, 
Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration 
and Planning Employment Standards Administration.
 [FR Doc. E8-12335 Filed 6-3-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CK-P