Proposed Collection; Comment Request
[06/04/2004]
Volume 69, Number 108, Page 31644-31645
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment Standards Administration
Proposed Collection; Comment Request
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 preclearance
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) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). 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 Employment Standards Administration is soliciting
comments concerning the proposed 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 August 3, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone
(202) 693-0418,
[[Page 31645]]
fax (202) 693-1451, E-mail bell.hazel@dol.gov. Please use only one
method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or E-mail).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Individuals filing with the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of
Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP), Division of Coal Mine Workers'
Compensation (DCMWC) 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 November 30, 2004.
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 of this information in
order to evaluate applications to approve fees for services rendered.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
Title: Application for Approval of a Representative's Fee in a
Black Lung Claim Proceedings Conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor.
OMB Number: 1215-0171.
Agency Number: CM-972.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Total Respondents: 255.
Total Annual responses: 255.
Average Time per Response: 42 minutes.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 179.
Frequency: On occasion.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
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: May 28, 2004.
Bruce Bohanon,
Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of
Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and
Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. 04-12627 Filed 6-3-04; 8:45 am
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