[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 88 (Monday, May 8, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29697-29698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-09666]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Coal 
Mine Operator Response to Schedule for the Submission of Additional 
Evidence and Operator Response to Notice of Claim

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting comments 
concerning a proposed extension for the authority to conduct the 
information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Coal Mine Operator 
Response to Schedule for the Submission of Additional Evidence and 
Operator Response to Notice of Claim.'' This comment request is part of 
continuing Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent 
burden in accordance with the

[[Page 29698]]

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

DATES: Consideration will be given to all written comments received by 
July 7, 2023.

ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; 
including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency 
of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained free by 
contacting Anjanette Suggs by telephone at 202-354-9660 or by email at 
[email protected].
    Submit written comments about, or requests for a copy of, this ICR 
by mail or courier to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers' 
Compensation Program, Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation, Room 
S3323, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210; by email: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Anjanette Suggs by telephone 
at 202-354-9660 or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DOL, as part of continuing efforts to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of 
information before submitting them to the OMB for final approval. This 
program helps to ensure 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 can be properly assessed.
    This ICR seeks to extend PRA authority for the Coal Mine Operator 
Response to Schedule for Submission of Additional Evidence (Form CM-
2970) and Operator Response to Notice of Claim (Form CM-2970a) 
information collection. The OWCP, Division of Coal Mine Workers' 
Compensation (DCMWC) administers the Black Lung Benefits Act (30 U.S.C. 
901 et seq.), which provides benefits to coal miners totally disabled 
due to pneumoconiosis and their surviving dependents. When the 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 codified at 20 CFR part 725 
require that a coal mine operator be identified and notified of 
potential liability as early in the adjudication process as possible. 
Forms CM-2790 and CM-2970a are used for claims filed after January 19, 
2001, and indicate that the coal mine operator will submit additional 
evidence or respond to the notice of claim. Black Lung Benefits Act 
section 426 authorizes this information collection. See 30 U.S.C. 936.
    This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency 
generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and 
the public is generally not required to respond to an information 
collection, unless the OMB under the PRA approves it and displays a 
currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any 
other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to 
penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that 
does not display a valid Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 
1320.6.
    Interested parties are encouraged to provide comments to the 
contact shown in the ADDRESSES section. Written comments will receive 
consideration, and summarized and included in the request for OMB 
approval of the final ICR. In order to help ensure appropriate 
consideration, comments should mention 1240-0033.
    Submitted comments will also be a matter of public record for this 
ICR and posted on the internet, without redaction. The DOL encourages 
commenters not to include personally identifiable information, 
confidential business data, or other sensitive statements/information 
in any comments.
    The DOL is particularly interested in comments that:
     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 submission of responses.
    Agency: DOL-OWCP-DCMWC.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Title of Collection: Coal Mine Operator Response to Schedule for 
the Submission of Additional Evidence and Operator Response to Notice 
of Claim.
    Form: CM-2970 and CM-2970a.
    OMB Control Number: 1240-0033.
    Affected Public: Private Sector--businesses or other for-profits.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 8,082.
    Frequency: As needed.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 8,082.
    Estimated Average Time per Response: 10 minutes-CM-2970 and 15 
minutes-CM-2970a.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,790 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Cost Burden: $2,230.
    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

    Dated: May 2, 2023.
Anjanette Suggs,
Agency Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-09666 Filed 5-5-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CK-P