[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 11, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55761-55762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22125]


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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: Application for Approval of a Representative's 
Fee in Black Lung Claim Proceedings Conducted by the U.S. Department of 
Labor (CM-972). 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: Individuals filing for benefits under the Black Lung 
Benefits Act (BLBA) may elect to be represented or assisted by an 
attorney or other representative. For those cases that are approved, 30 
U.S.C. 901 of the Black Lung Benefits Act and 20 CFR 725.365-6 
established standards for the information and documentation that must 
be submitted to the Program for review to approve a fee for services. 
The CM-972 is used to collect the pertinent data to determine if the 
representative's services and amounts charged can be paid under the 
Black Lung Act. 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, 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 gather information to determine the amounts of Black Lung 
benefits paid to beneficiaries. Black Lung amounts are reduced dollar 
for dollar, for other Black Lung related workers' compensation awards 
the beneficiary may be receiving from State or Federal programs.
    Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs
    Title: Application for Approval of a Representative's Fee in Black 
Lung Claim Proceedings Conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor
    OMB Number: 1240-0011
    Agency Number: CM-972
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 338
    Total Annual Responses: 338

[[Page 55762]]

    Average Time per Response: 42 minutes
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 237
    Frequency: On occasion
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0
    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. 2013-22125 Filed 9-10-13; 8:45 am]
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