[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 18, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7620-7621]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3434]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration


Proposed Extension 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 the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval of the Information 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 20, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Mr. Steven D. Lawrence, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0292, 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 this 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-

[[Page 7621]]

908, when completed and sent to DOL, notifies DOL of the change in the 
beneficiary's benefit amount and the reason for the change. 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. This 
information collection is currently approved for use through August 31, 
2009.
    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 information collection in order to carry out its 
responsibility to assure payment of compensation benefits to injured 
workers at the proper rate.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Titles: Notice of Termination, Suspension, Reduction or Increase in 
Benefit Payments (CM-908).
    OMB Number: 1215-0064.
    Agency Numbers: CM-908.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 325.
    Total Annual Responses: 7,000.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,400.
    Estimated Time per Response: 20 minutes.
    Frequency: On occasion and annually.
    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 12, 2009.
Hazel Bell,
Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, 
Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration 
and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.1
 [FR Doc. E9-3434 Filed 2-17-09; 8:45 am]
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