[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 231 (Monday, December 4, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 84175-84176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26508]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Workers' Compensation Programs


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Report 
of Changes That May Affect Your Black Lung Benefits, CM-929, CM-929P

AGENCY: Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting comments 
concerning a proposed extension for the authority to conduct the 
information collection requests (ICRs) titled, ``Report of Changes that 
May Affect Your Black Lung Benefits'' (Forms CM-929 and CM-929P). This 
comment request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to reduce 
paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

DATES: Consideration will be given to all written comments received by 
February 2, 2024.

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 Programs, 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 approval under the PRA for an extension of an 
existing collection titled Report of Changes That May Affect Your Black 
Lung Benefits (Forms CM-929 and CM-929P). These forms help determine 
continuing eligibility of primary beneficiaries receiving black lung 
benefits. The primary beneficiary or their representative payee is 
required to verify and update certain information that may affect 
entitlement to benefits, including changes to income, marital status, 
receipt of state workers' compensation benefits, and their dependents' 
status. While the information collected remains the same as in the 
currently approved collection, the updated forms add an electronic 
filing option. The Black Lung Benefits Act, 30 U.S.C. 901 et seq., and 
its implementing regulations, 20 CFR 725.513(a), 725.533(e), authorizes 
this information collection. See 30 U.S.C. 936(a).
    This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency 
generally

[[Page 84176]]

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 1240-0028.
    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-Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
    Type of Review: Revision.
    Title of Collection: Report of Changes that May Affect Your Black 
Lung Benefits.
    Form: Report of Changes that May Affect Your Black Lung Benefits, 
CM-929, CM-929P.
    OMB Control Number: 1240-0028.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for 
profit; and Not-for- profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 21,681.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 21,681.
    Estimated Average Time per Response: 5-80 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,373 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Cost Burden: $0.00.
    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

    Dated: November 28, 2023.
Anjanette Suggs,
Agency Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-26508 Filed 12-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CK-P