[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 217 (Wednesday, November 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 78863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27015]


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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: 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 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

    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 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 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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                                                   Frequency of      Number of       Number of
             Form              Time to complete      response       respondents      responses     Hours burden
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CM-2970......................  10 min..........  occasion.......           4,800           4,800             800
CM-2970A.....................  15 min..........  occasion.......           4,800           4,800           1,200
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    Totals...................  ................  ...............           9,600           9,600           2,000
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    Total Respondents: 9,600.
    Total Annual Responses: 9,600.
    Average Time per Response: 10-15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 2,000.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $4,800.
    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, US 
Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2016-27015 Filed 11-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-CK-P