[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 217 (Wednesday, November 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78862-78863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27014]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs


Proposed Extension of Existing Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation, Office of Workers' 
Compensation Programs, Department of Labor.

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). 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 January 9, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Yoon Ferguson, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave. NW., Room S-3323, Washington, DC 20210, telephone/fax 
(202) 354-9647, 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 March 31, 2017.
    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.
    Average Time per Response: 42 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 237.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

[[Page 78863]]

    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: November 1, 2016.
Yoon Ferguson,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, 
U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2016-27014 Filed 11-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-CK-P