[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 11, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55760-55761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22124]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs


Proposed Extension of Existing 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 pre-clearance 
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 Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposal to extend OMB approval of the 
information collection: Operator Response to Schedule for Submission of 
Additional Evidence (CM-2970) and Operator Response to Notice of Claim 
(CM-2970a). 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 November 12, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Yoon Ferguson, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave. NW., Room S-32331, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0701, fax (202) 693-1447, Email [email protected]. Please 
use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or Email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation administers the 
Black Lung Benefits Act (30 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) which provides benefits 
to coal miners totally disabled due to pneumoniosis, and their 
surviving dependents. When the Division of Coal Mine Workers' 
Compensation (DCMWC) makes a preliminary analysis of a claimant's 
eligibility for benefits, and if a coal mine operator has been 
identified as potentially liable for payment of those benefits, the 
responsible operator is notified of the preliminary analysis. 
Regulations require that a coal mine operator be identified and 
notified of potential liability as early in the adjudication process as 
possible. Regulatory authority is found in 20 CFR 725.410 for the CM-
2970 and 20 CFR 725.408 for the CM-2970a. This information collection 
is currently approved for use through January 31, 2014.

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,

[[Page 55761]]

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 for the extension of 
this currently-approved information collection in order to carry out 
its responsibility to administer the Black Lung Benefits Act.
    Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
    Title: Operator Response to Schedule for Submission of Additional 
Evidence (CM-2970) and Operator Response to Notice of Claim (CM-2970a).
    OMB Number: 1240-0033.
    Agency Number: CM-2970 and CM-2970a.
    Affected Public: Business or other for profit.

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                                      Time to
              Form                   complete      Frequency of      Number of       Number of     Hours burden
                                     (minutes)       response       respondents      responses
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CM-2970.........................              10        occasion            4800            4800             800
CM-2970A........................              15        occasion            4800            4800            1200
    Totals......................  ..............  ..............            9600            9600            2000
                                                                 -----------------
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    sTotal Respondents: 9,600.
    Total Annual Responses: 9,600.
    Average Time per Response: 10-15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 2000.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $4,704.
    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: September 5, 2013.
Yoon Ferguson,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, 
U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2013-22124 Filed 9-10-13; 8:45 am]
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