[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 208 (Monday, October 30, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 50166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-23551]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs


Proposed Collection of Information; 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. 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 (OWCP) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed 
collection: Application For Self-Insurance Under The Black Lung 
Benefits Act, 1240-0NEW (CM-2017; CM-2017a; CM-2017b). 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 received by the office listed in the 
addresses section below by December 29, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by mail, delivery service, or by 
hand to Ms. Yoon Ferguson, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Ave. NW., Room S-3323, Washington, DC 20210; by fax to (202) 354-9647; 
or by Email to [email protected]. Please use only one method of 
transmission for comments (mail/delivery, fax, or Email). Please note 
that comments submitted after the comment period will not be 
considered.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    I. Background: The Department of Labor is requesting an approval of 
a new information collection. This information collection is essential 
to the mission of OWCP's Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation, 
which administers the Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA), 30 U.S.C. 901 et 
seq. The statute grants the Department authority to authorize and 
regulate coal mine operators who wish to self-insure their BLBA 
liabilities. 30 U.S.C. 933. This information collection would provide 
OWCP with sufficient information to determine whether a coal mine 
operator should be (or continue to be) authorized to self-insure. The 
information would also allow OWCP to determine the security amount a 
coal mine operator must deposit to guarantee that it will be able to 
meet its BLBA liabilities.
    II. Review Focus: The Department is particularly interested in 
comments that will help it to:
    * 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 seeks the approval of this new 
information collection to carry out its responsibility to administer 
the BLBA.
    Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
    Type of Review: New Collection (Request for New OMB Control 
Number).
    Title: Application For Self-Insurance Under the Black Lung Benefits 
Act, 1240-0NEW (CM-2017; CM-2017a; CM-2017b).
    OMB Number: 1240-0NEW.
    Agency Number: CM-2017; CM-2017a; CM-2017b.
    Affected Public: Business entities or other for-profit 
institutions.
    Total Respondents: 53.
    Total Annual Responses: 318.
    Average Time per Response: 20 minutes-2 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 283.
    Frequency: Annually and quarterly.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $137.47.
    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: October 24, 2017.
Yoon Ferguson,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, 
U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2017-23551 Filed 10-27-17; 8:45 am]
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