[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 223 (Monday, November 19, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69504-69505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27995]


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MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD


Agency Information Collection Activities; Emergency Reinstatement 
of Previously Approved Collection

AGENCY: Merit Systems Protection Board.

ACTION: Notice of emergency reinstatement.

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SUMMARY: The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) is requesting 
approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reinstate 
Information Collection Request (ICR) 3124-0009, E-Appeal/US Merit 
Systems Protection Board Appeal Form which expired on March 31, 2012. 
This ICR is necessary for individuals who file appeals with MSPB. The 
form serves as a guide to appellants in providing all needed 
information. The MSPB is requesting emergency reinstatement approval 
from OMB by November 27, 2012. A revised version of the MSPB Appeal 
Form (Form 185) was approved by OMB on November 5, 2012. At this time, 
MSPB is requesting public comments on the previous version of Form 185, 
which is available for review on MSPB's Web site at http://www.mspb.gov/appeals/forms.htm.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before November 23, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments on the collection of information to the 
Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for MSPB, via fax 
at 202-395-6974 or email at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact William D. Spencer, 
Clerk of the Board, Merit Systems Protection Board, 1615 M Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20419; telephone 202-653-7200; fax 202-653-7130; or 
email [email protected]. Persons without Internet access may request a 
paper copy of the MSPB Appeal Form from the Office of the Clerk of the 
Board.

Previous Version of MSPB Appeal Form 185

    A revised version of Form 185 was included in the Federal Register 
notice published on October 29, 2012. (See 77 FR 65586.) That ICR 
request was approved by OMB on November 5, 2012. The MSPB now requests 
emergency reinstatement of the same ICR but with the previous version 
of Form 185.
    We are concerned that the abrupt implementation of the revised 
version of the form will be confusing to the parties appearing before 
MSPB. Indeed, if we implement the revised version only to modify it 
further following the requisite notice-and-comment periods under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act, we believe that it will add to any confusion 
and result in inefficiencies in processing appeals. Most significantly, 
it will take longer than anticipated to implement a revised form in our 
e-Appeal Online filing system. This delay will create further confusion 
for e-filers. Upon approval of this ICR by OMB, we will publish a 60-
day notice in the Federal Register seeking pubic comment on the revised 
version of Form 185 and begin the process of incorporating and testing 
the revisions in a non-production environment with e-Appeal Online.

Estimated Reporting Burden

    In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995, MSPB is soliciting comments on the public reporting burden for 
this information collection. The public reporting burden for this 
collection of information is estimated to vary from 20 minutes to 4 
hours, with an average of 60 minutes per response, including time for 
reviewing the form and instructions, searching existing data sources, 
gathering the data necessary, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information.
    Specifically, MSPB invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
MSPB's functions, including whether the information will have practical 
utility;

[[Page 69505]]

(2) the accuracy of MSPB's estimate of burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including 
through the use of automated collection techniques, when appropriate, 
and other forms of information technology.

                                                            Estimated Annual Reporting Burden
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                                                                                                                           Hours per
                            5 CFR parts                               Annual  number   Frequency per     Total annual       response       Total hours
                                                                     of  respondents      response        responses        (average)
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1201.24, 1208.13, 1208.23, and 1209.6..............................           7,150                1            7,150              1.0            7,150
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William D. Spencer,
Clerk of the Board.
[FR Doc. 2012-27995 Filed 11-16-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7400-01-P