[Federal Register: December 24, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 248)]
[Notices]               
[Page 79194]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24de08-123]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration

 
Proposed Extension of the Approval of Information Collection 
Requirements

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 its proposal to extend the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval of the Information Collection: Request for 
Earnings Information (LS-426). 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 February 23, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Mr. Steven D. Lawrence, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0292, fax (202) 693-1451, E-mail Lawrence.Steven@dol.gov. 
Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or 
E-mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    I. Background: The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) 
administers the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) 
(33 U.S.C. 901 et seq), and its extensions the Nonappropriated Fund 
Instrumentalities Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the 
Defense Base Act. These Acts provide compensation benefits to injured 
workers. The Secretary of Labor is authorized, under the Act, to make 
rules and regulations to administer the Act and its extensions. 
Pursuant to the LHWCA, injured employees shall receive compensation in 
an amount equal to 66-2/3 per centum of their average weekly wage. Form 
LS-426, Request for Earnings Information is used by district offices to 
collect wage information from injured workers to assure payment of 
compensation benefits to injured workers at the proper rate. This 
information is needed for determination of compensation benefits in 
accordance with Section 10 of the LHWCA. This information collection is 
currently approved for use through June 30, 2009.
    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 
the extension of this information collection in order to carry out its 
responsibility to assure payment of compensation benefits to injured 
workers at the proper rate.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Titles: Request for Earnings Information.
    OMB Number: 1215-0112.
    Agency Numbers: LS-426.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Total Respondents: 1,600.
    Total Annual Responses: 1,600.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 400.
    Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $720.00.
    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: December 18, 2008.
Hazel Bell,
Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, 
Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration 
and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-30524 Filed 12-23-08; 8:45 am]

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