[Federal Register: April 2, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 62)]
[Notices]               
[Page 15004-15005]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02ap09-82]                         

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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: Overpayment 
Recovery Questionnaire (OWCP-20). 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 June 1, 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

    This information collection is necessary to determine whether the 
recovery of any Black Lung, Energy Employees Occupational Illness 
Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) or Federal Employees' Compensation 
Act (FECA) overpayment, may be waived, compromised, terminated, or 
collected in full. Standards for Federal agency collection of 
government debts are regulated under the Federal Claims Collection Acts 
of 1966 and 1982 and the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996. In 
the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, collection information 
pertaining to the collection of accounts receivable is authorized under 
the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, as amended, 30 
U.S.C. 923(b) and 20 CFR 725.544(c), the EEOICPA, 42 U.S.C. 7385j-2 and 
20 CFR 30.510-30.520, and the Federal Employees' Compensation Act, 5 
U.S.C. 8129(b) and 20 CFR 10.430-10.441. The information will be used 
by OWCP examiners to ascertain the financial condition of the 
beneficiary to see if the overpayment or any part can be recovered; to 
identify the possible concealment or improper transfer of assets; and 
to identify and consider present and potential income and current 
assets for enforced collection proceedings. The questionnaire provides 
a means for the beneficiary to explain why he/she is without fault in 
an overpayment matter. If this information were not collected Black 
Lung, EEOICPA and FECA would have little basis to decide on collection 
proceedings. This information collection is currently approved for use 
through October 31, 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: Overpayment Recovery Questionnaire (OWCP-20).
    OMB Number: 1215-0144.
    Agency Numbers: OWCP-20.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Total Respondents: 4,020.
    Total Annual Responses: 4,020.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 4,020.
    Estimated Time per Response: One hour.
    Frequency: On occasion and annually.
    Total Burden Cost (Capital/Startup): $0.

[[Page 15005]]

    Total Burden Cost (Operating/Maintenance): $1,809.
    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: March 30, 2009.
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. E9-7415 Filed 4-1-09; 8:45 am]

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