Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review, Request for Comments, 31232-31235 [2020-11019]

Download as PDF 31232 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 100 / Friday, May 22, 2020 / Notices documentation and the following documents: • Attachment 1—an application for non-public treatment; • Attachment 2—the IRA–USPS Agreement; • Attachment 3—Governors’ Decision No. 19–1; • Attachment 4—a certified statement required by 39 CFR 3035.105(c)(2). Id. at 4–5. The Postal Service intends for the IRA–USPS Agreement to become effective July 1, 2020, and continue indefinitely. Id. at 5. The Postal Service expects that additional FPOs will become party to the agreement and states that it will update this docket should additional FPOs accede to the IRA–USPS Agreement. Id. The Postal Service states it intends for these rates to be in effect on July 1, 2020. Id. at 1. The Postal Service states that, beginning with the rates that will be in effect in 2021, any party to the IRA–USPS Agreement can change its delivery rates by communicating the new rates to the International Post Corporation by June 1 of the year preceding the rate’s application. Id. at 6. Additionally, the Postal Service notes that the IRA–USPS Agreement allows parties to self-declare rates within defined parameters. Id. The Postal Service states that the IRA–USPS Agreement is in compliance with 39 U.S.C. 3633 and is functionally equivalent to the inbound competitive portions of the baseline agreement which was included in the Inbound Competitive Multi-Service Agreements with Foreign Postal Operators 1 product (MC2010–34). Id. at 10. For these reasons, the Postal Service avers that the IRA–USPS product should be added to the Inbound Competitive Multi-Service Agreements with Foreign Postal Operators 1 product. Id. II. Commission Action The Commission establishes Docket No. CP2020–141 to consider the Notice. Interested persons may submit comments on whether the IRA–USPS Agreement is consistent with 39 U.S.C. 3633 and 39 CFR 3035.105 and whether it is functionally equivalent to the baseline agreement included in the Inbound Competitive Multi-Service Agreements with Foreign Postal Operators 1 product (MC2010–34). Comments are due by June 1, 2020. The Request and related filings are available on the Commission’s website (https://www.prc.gov). The Commission encourages interested persons to review the Notice for further details. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:07 May 21, 2020 Jkt 250001 The Commission appoints Natalie R. Ward to serve as Public Representative in this proceeding. III. Ordering Paragraphs It is ordered: 1. The Commission establishes Docket No. CP2020–141 for consideration of the matters raised by the Notice of United States Postal Service of Filing Functionally Equivalent Inbound Competitive Multi-Service Agreement with Foreign Postal Operators, May 15, 2020. 2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Natalie R. Ward is appointed to serve as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding. 3. Comments by interested persons are due by June 1, 2020. 4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the Federal Register. By the Commission. Erica A. Barker, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2020–11022 Filed 5–21–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710–FW–P POSTAL SERVICE Board of Governors; Sunshine Act Meeting DATES AND TIMES: Thursday, May 28, 2020, at 9 a.m. PLACE: Washington, DC. STATUS: Closed. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: Thursday, May 28, 2020, at 9 a.m. 1. Strategic Issues. 2. Financial and Operational Matters. 3. Personnel Matters. 4. Administrative Issues. The General Counsel of the United States Postal Service has certified that the meeting may be closed under the Government in the Sunshine Act. GENERAL COUNSEL CERTIFICATION: CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Michael J. Elston, Secretary of the Board of Governors, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20260–1000. Telephone: (202) 268– 4800. Michael J. Elston, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2020–11227 Filed 5–20–20; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 7710–12–P PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review, Request for Comments In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is forwarding 4 Information Collection Requests (ICR) to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and approval by OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens. The RRB invites comments on the proposed collections of information to determine (1) the practical utility of the collections; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden of the collections; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information that is the subject of collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of collections on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments to the RRB or OIRA must contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of your comments, it is best if the RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days of the publication date. 1. Title and purpose of information collection: Placement Service; OMB 3220–0057. Section 12(i) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA) (45 U.S.C. 362), authorizes the RRB to establish, maintain, and operate free employment offices to provide claimants for unemployment benefits with job placement opportunities. Section 704(d) of the Regional Railroad Reorganization Act of 1973, as amended, and as extended by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, required the RRB to maintain and distribute a list of railroad job vacancies, by class and craft, based on information furnished by rail carriers to the RRB. Although the requirement under the law expired effective August 13, 1987, the RRB has continued to obtain this information in keeping with its employment service responsibilities under Section 12(k) of the RUIA. Application procedures for the job placement program are prescribed in 20 CFR 325. The procedures pertaining to the RRB’s obtaining and distributing job vacancy reports furnished by rail carriers are described in 20 CFR 346.1. The RRB currently utilizes four forms to obtain information needed to carry out its job placement responsibilities. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\22MYN1.SGM 22MYN1 31233 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 100 / Friday, May 22, 2020 / Notices Form ES–2, Central Register Notification, is used by the RRB to obtain information needed to update a computerized central register of separated and furloughed railroad employees available for employment in the railroad industry. Forms ES–21, Referral to State Employment Service, and ES–21c, Report of State Employment Service Office, are used by the RRB to provide placement assistance for unemployed railroad employees through arrangements with State Employment Service offices. Form UI– 35, Field Office Record of Claimant Interview, is used primarily by the RRB to conduct in-person interviews of claimants for unemployment benefits. Completion of these forms is required to obtain or maintain a benefit. In addition, the RRB also collects Railroad Job Vacancies information received voluntarily from railroad employers. Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (85 FR 8895 on February 18, 2020) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments. Information Collection Request (ICR) Title: Placement Service. OMB Control Number: 3220–0057. Form(s) submitted: ES–2, ES–21, ES– 21c, UI–35 and Job Vacancies Report. Type of request: Revision of a currently approved collection. Affected public: Private Sector, Businesses or other for-profits; Individuals or Households; State, Local, and Tribal Governments. Abstract: Under the RUIA, the Railroad Retirement Board provides job placement assistance for unemployed railroad workers. The collection obtains information from job applicants, railroad employers, and State Employment Service offices for use in placement, for providing referrals for job openings, reports of referral results and for verifying and monitoring claimant eligibility. Changes proposed: The RRB no longer offers the Central Register as a basic employment service as of April 2017 and propose to obsolete Form ES–2. The RRB proposes no changes to Forms ES– 21 and ES–21c and proposes minor changes to Form UI–35 to remove all reference to the obsolete Central Register and renumber accordingly. The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows: Annual responses Form No. Time (minutes) Burden (hours) ES–21 .......................................................................................................................................... ES–21c ........................................................................................................................................ UI–35 in person ........................................................................................................................... UI–35 by mail ............................................................................................................................... Job Vacancies ............................................................................................................................. 80 25 6,300 700 470 1.00 2.00 7.00 11.00 10.00 1 1 735 128 78 Total ...................................................................................................................................... 7,575 ........................ 943 2. Title and Purpose of information collection: Certification Regarding Rights to Unemployment Benefits; OMB 3220–0079. Under Section 4 of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA) (45 U.S.C. 354), an employee who leaves work voluntarily is disqualified for unemployment benefits unless the employee left work for good cause and is not qualified for unemployment benefits under any other law. RRB Form UI–45, Claimant’s Statement— Voluntary Leaving of Work, is used by the RRB to obtain the claimant’s statement when the claimant, the claimant’s employer, or another source indicates that the claimant has voluntarily left work. Completion of Form UI–45 is required to obtain or retain benefits. One response is received from each respondent. Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (85 FR 8895 on February 18, 2020) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments. Information Collection Request (ICR) Title: Certification Regarding Rights to Unemployment Benefits. OMB Control Number: 3220–0079. Form(s) submitted: UI–45. Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved collection. Affected public: Individuals or Households. Abstract: In administering the disqualification for the voluntary leaving of work provision of Section 4 of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, the Railroad Retirement Board investigates an unemployment claim that indicates the claimant left voluntarily. The certification obtains information needed to determine if the leaving was for good cause. Changes proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to Form UI–45. The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows: Form No. Annual responses Time (minutes) Burden (hours) UI–45 ........................................................................................................................................... 200 15 50 3. Title and purpose of information collection: Self-Employment and Substantial Service Questionnaire; OMB 3220–0138. Section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) (45 U.S.C. 231a) provides for payment of annuities to qualified employees and their spouses. In order to receive an age and service annuity, VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:07 May 21, 2020 Jkt 250001 Section 2(e)(3) states that an applicant must stop all railroad work and give up any rights to return to such work. However, applicants are not required to stop nonrailroad work or selfemployment. The RRB considers some work claimed as ‘‘self-employment’’ to actually be employment for an PO 00000 Frm 00099 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 employer. Whether the RRB classifies a particular activity as self-employment or as work for an employer depends upon the circumstances of each case. These circumstances are prescribed in 20 CFR 216. Under the 1988 amendments to the RRA, an applicant is no longer required to stop work for a ‘‘Last Pre-Retirement E:\FR\FM\22MYN1.SGM 22MYN1 31234 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 100 / Friday, May 22, 2020 / Notices Nonrailroad Employer’’ (LPE). However, Section 2(f)(6) of the RRA requires that a portion of the employee’s Tier II benefit and supplemental annuity be deducted for earnings from the ‘‘LPE.’’ The ‘‘LPE’’ is defined as the last person, company, or institution with whom the employee or spouse applicant was employed concurrently with, or after, the applicant’s last railroad employment and before their annuity beginning date. If a spouse never worked for a railroad, the LPE is the last person for whom he or she worked. The RRB utilizes Form AA–4, SelfEmployment and Substantial Service Questionnaire, to obtain information needed to determine if the work the applicant claims is self-employment is really self-employment or work for an LPE or railroad service. If the work is self-employment, the questionnaire identifies any month in which the applicant did not perform substantial service. Completion is voluntary. However, failure to complete the form could result in the nonpayment of benefits. One response is requested of each respondent. Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (85 FR 8896 on February 18, 2020) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments. Information Collection Request (ICR) Title: Self-Employment and Substantial Service Questionnaire. OMB Control Number: 3220–0138. Form(s) submitted: AA–4. Type of request: Revision of a currently approved collection. Affected public: Individuals or Households. Abstract: Section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) provides for payment of annuities to qualified employees and their spouses. Work for a Last Pre-Retirement Nonrailroad Employer (LPE), and work in selfemployment affect payment in different ways. This collection obtains information to determine whether claimed self-employment is really selfemployment, and not work for a railroad or LPE. Changes proposed: The RRB proposes minor non-burden impacting changes to the form AA–4. The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows: Annual responses Form No. Time (minutes) Burden (hours) AA–4 (With assistance) ............................................................................................................... AA–4 (Without assistance) .......................................................................................................... 570 30 40 70 380 35 Total ...................................................................................................................................... 600 ........................ 415 4. Title and purpose of information collection: Withholding Certificate for Railroad Retirement Monthly Annuity Payments; OMB 3220–0149. The Internal Revenue Code requires that all payers of tax liable private pensions to U.S. citizens or residents: (1) Notify each recipient at least concurrent with initial withholding that the payer is, in fact, withholding benefits for tax liability and that the recipient has the option of electing not to have the payer withhold, or to withhold at a specific rate; (2) withhold benefits for tax purposes (in the absence of the recipient’s election not to withhold benefits); and (3) notify all beneficiaries, at least annually, that they have the option to change their withholding status or elect not to have benefits withheld. The RRB provides Form RRB–W4P, Withholding Certificate for Railroad Retirement Payments, to its annuitants to exercise their withholding options. Completion of the form is required to obtain or retain a benefit. One response is requested of each respondent. Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (85 FR 8896 on February 18, 2020) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:07 May 21, 2020 Jkt 250001 Information Collection Request (ICR) Title: Withholding Certificate for Railroad Retirement Monthly Annuity Payments. OMB Control Number: 3220–0149. Form(s) submitted: RRB W–4P. Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved collection. Affected public: Individuals or Households. Abstract: Under Public Law 98–76, railroad retirement beneficiaries’ Tier II, dual vested and supplemental benefits are subject to income tax under private pension rules. Under Public Law 99– 514, the non-social security equivalent benefit portion of Tier I is also taxable under private pension rules. The collection obtains the information needed by the Railroad Retirement Board to implement the income tax withholding provisions. Changes proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to Form RRB W–4P. The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows: Estimated annual number of respondents: 25,000. Total annual responses: 25,000. Total annual reporting hours: 1. 5. Title and purpose of information collection: Designation of Contact Officials; 3220–0200. Coordination between railroad employers and the RRB is essential to properly administer the payment of benefits under the Railroad Retirement PO 00000 Frm 00100 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Act (RRA) and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA). In order to enhance timely coordination activity, the RRB utilizes Form G–117A, Designation of Contact Officials. Form G–117A is used by railroad employers to designate employees who are to act as point of contact with the RRB on a variety of RRA and RUIA-related matters. Completion is voluntary. One response is requested from each respondent. Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (85 FR 8896 on February 18, 2020) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments. Information Collection Request (ICR) Title: Designation of Contact Officials. OMB Control Number: 3220–0200. Form(s) submitted: G–117A. Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved collection. Affected public: Private Sector; Businesses or other for profits. Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) requests that railroad employers designate employees to act as liaison with the RRB on a variety of Railroad Retirement Act and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act matters. Changes proposed: The RRB proposes no revisions to Form G–117A. The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows: E:\FR\FM\22MYN1.SGM 22MYN1 31235 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 100 / Friday, May 22, 2020 / Notices Form No. Annual responses Time (minutes) Burden (hours) G–117A ........................................................................................................................................ 100 15 25 Additional Information or Comments: Copies of the forms and supporting documents can be obtained from Kennisha Tucker at (312) 469–2591 or Kennisha.Tucker@rrb.gov. Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to Brian Foster, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611– 1275 or Brian.Foster@rrb.gov. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or by using the search function. Brian Foster, Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2020–11019 Filed 5–21–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7905–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–88906; File No. SR–OCC– 2020–803] Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing of Advance Notice Concerning Changes to The Options Clearing Corporation’s Non-Bank Liquidity Facility Program as Part of Its Overall Liquidity Plan May 19, 2020. Pursuant to Section 806(e)(1) of Title VIII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, entitled Payment, Clearing and Settlement Supervision Act of 2010 (‘‘Clearing Supervision Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4(n)(1)(i) 2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Exchange Act’’),3 notice is hereby given that on April 15, 2020, the Options Clearing Corporation (‘‘OCC’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) an advance notice as described in Items I, II and III below, which Items have been prepared by OCC. The Commission is publishing 1 12 U.S.C. 5465(e)(1). CFR 240.19b–4(n)(1)(i). 3 15 U.S.C. 78a et seq. 18:07 May 21, 2020 I. Clearing Agency’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Advance Notice This advance notice is filed by The Options Clearing Corporation (‘‘OCC’’) in connection with a proposed change to its operations to: (i) Set the aggregate commitment amount that it may seek under its program for accessing additional committed sources of liquidity that do not increase the concentration of OCC’s counterparty exposure (‘‘Non-Bank Liquidity Facility’’) as part of OCC’s overall liquidity plan and (ii) allow more flexibility for OCC to negotiate the NonBank Liquidity Facility’s commitment term. All terms with initial capitalization that are not otherwise defined herein have the same meaning as set forth in the OCC By-Laws and Rules.4 II. Clearing Agency’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Advance Notice In its filing with the Commission, OCC included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the advance notice and discussed any comments it received on the advance notice. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. OCC has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A and B below, of the most significant aspects of these statements. (A) Clearing Agency’s Statement on Comments on the Advance Notice Received From Members, Participants or Others Written comments were not and are not intended to be solicited with respect to the proposed change and none have been received. (B) Advance Notices Filed Pursuant to Section 806(e) of the Payment, Clearing, and Settlement Supervision Act Description of Change This advance notice concerns a change to OCC’s operations to: (i) Set the aggregate commitment amount that it may seek under the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility to up to $1 billion as part of OCC’s overall liquidity plan and 4 OCC’s By-Laws and Rules can be found on OCC’s public website: https://optionsclearing.com/ about/publications/bylaws.jsp. 2 17 VerDate Sep<11>2014 this notice to solicit comments on the advance notice from interested persons. Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00101 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (ii) allow more flexibility for OCC to negotiate the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility’s commitment term. Background OCC’s current liquidity plan provides it with access to a diverse set of funding sources, including banks (i.e., OCC’s syndicated credit facility 5 and a master repurchase agreement with a bank counterparty (‘‘Repo Liquidity Facility’’) 6), the Non-Bank Liquidity Facility program,7 and Clearing Members’ Cash Clearing Fund Requirement.8 The Non-Bank Liquidity Facility program reduces the concentration of OCC’s counterparty exposure with respect to its overall liquidity plan by diversifying its lender base among banks and non-bank, nonClearing Member institutional investors, such as pension funds or insurance companies. The currently approved Non-Bank Liquidity Facility program is comprised of two parts: A Master Repurchase Agreement (‘‘MRA’’) and confirmations with one or more institutional investors, which contain certain individualized terms and conditions of transactions executed between OCC, the institutional investors and their agents. The MRA is structured like a typical repurchase arrangement in which the buyer (i.e., the institutional investor) would purchase from OCC, from time to time, United States government securities (‘‘Eligible Securities’’).9 OCC, as the seller, would transfer Eligible Securities to the buyer in exchange for a payment by the buyer to OCC in immediately available funds (‘‘Purchase Price’’). The buyer would 5 See Exchange Act Release No. 85924 (May 23, 2019), 84 FR 25089 (May 30, 2019) (SR–OCC–2019– 803). 6 See Exchange Act Release No. 88317 (March 4, 2020), 85 FR 13681 (March 9, 2020) (SR–OCC– 2020–801). 7 See Exchange Act Release No. 73979 (Jan. 2, 2015), 80 FR 1062 (Jan. 8, 2015) (SR–OCC–2014– 809) (‘‘Notice of No Objection to 2014 Advance Notice’’); Exchange Act Release No. 76821 (Jan. 4, 2016), 81 FR 3208 (Jan. 20, 2016) (SR–2015–805) (‘‘Notice of No Objection to 2015 Advance Notice’’). 8 See OCC Rule 1002. 9 OCC would use U.S. government securities that are included in Clearing Fund contributions by Clearing Members and margin deposits of any Clearing Member that has been suspended by OCC for the repurchase arrangements. OCC Rule 1006(f) and OCC Rule 1104(b) authorize OCC to obtain funds from third parties through securities repurchases using these sources. The officers who may exercise this authority include the Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Operating Officer. E:\FR\FM\22MYN1.SGM 22MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 100 (Friday, May 22, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31232-31235]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-11019]


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RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD


Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review, Request for Comments

SUMMARY:  In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is forwarding 4 Information Collection 
Requests (ICR) to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs 
(OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Our ICR describes the 
information we seek to collect from the public. Review and approval by 
OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens.
    The RRB invites comments on the proposed collections of information 
to determine (1) the practical utility of the collections; (2) the 
accuracy of the estimated burden of the collections; (3) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information that is 
the subject of collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
collections on respondents, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments to the 
RRB or OIRA must contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper 
consideration of your comments, it is best if the RRB and OIRA receive 
them within 30 days of the publication date.
    1. Title and purpose of information collection: Placement Service; 
OMB 3220-0057.
    Section 12(i) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA) (45 
U.S.C. 362), authorizes the RRB to establish, maintain, and operate 
free employment offices to provide claimants for unemployment benefits 
with job placement opportunities. Section 704(d) of the Regional 
Railroad Reorganization Act of 1973, as amended, and as extended by the 
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, required the 
RRB to maintain and distribute a list of railroad job vacancies, by 
class and craft, based on information furnished by rail carriers to the 
RRB. Although the requirement under the law expired effective August 
13, 1987, the RRB has continued to obtain this information in keeping 
with its employment service responsibilities under Section 12(k) of the 
RUIA. Application procedures for the job placement program are 
prescribed in 20 CFR 325. The procedures pertaining to the RRB's 
obtaining and distributing job vacancy reports furnished by rail 
carriers are described in 20 CFR 346.1.
    The RRB currently utilizes four forms to obtain information needed 
to carry out its job placement responsibilities.

[[Page 31233]]

Form ES-2, Central Register Notification, is used by the RRB to obtain 
information needed to update a computerized central register of 
separated and furloughed railroad employees available for employment in 
the railroad industry. Forms ES-21, Referral to State Employment 
Service, and ES-21c, Report of State Employment Service Office, are 
used by the RRB to provide placement assistance for unemployed railroad 
employees through arrangements with State Employment Service offices. 
Form UI-35, Field Office Record of Claimant Interview, is used 
primarily by the RRB to conduct in-person interviews of claimants for 
unemployment benefits.
    Completion of these forms is required to obtain or maintain a 
benefit. In addition, the RRB also collects Railroad Job Vacancies 
information received voluntarily from railroad employers.
    Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the 
initial 60-day notice (85 FR 8895 on February 18, 2020) required by 44 
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

    Title: Placement Service.
    OMB Control Number: 3220-0057.
    Form(s) submitted: ES-2, ES-21, ES-21c, UI-35 and Job Vacancies 
Report.
    Type of request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Affected public: Private Sector, Businesses or other for-profits; 
Individuals or Households; State, Local, and Tribal Governments.
    Abstract: Under the RUIA, the Railroad Retirement Board provides 
job placement assistance for unemployed railroad workers. The 
collection obtains information from job applicants, railroad employers, 
and State Employment Service offices for use in placement, for 
providing referrals for job openings, reports of referral results and 
for verifying and monitoring claimant eligibility.
    Changes proposed: The RRB no longer offers the Central Register as 
a basic employment service as of April 2017 and propose to obsolete 
Form ES-2. The RRB proposes no changes to Forms ES-21 and ES-21c and 
proposes minor changes to Form UI-35 to remove all reference to the 
obsolete Central Register and renumber accordingly.
    The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Annual
                            Form No.                                 responses    Time (minutes)  Burden (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ES-21...........................................................              80            1.00               1
ES-21c..........................................................              25            2.00               1
UI-35 in person.................................................           6,300            7.00             735
UI-35 by mail...................................................             700           11.00             128
Job Vacancies...................................................             470           10.00              78
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................................           7,575  ..............             943
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2. Title and Purpose of information collection: Certification 
Regarding Rights to Unemployment Benefits; OMB 3220-0079.
    Under Section 4 of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA) 
(45 U.S.C. 354), an employee who leaves work voluntarily is 
disqualified for unemployment benefits unless the employee left work 
for good cause and is not qualified for unemployment benefits under any 
other law. RRB Form UI-45, Claimant's Statement--Voluntary Leaving of 
Work, is used by the RRB to obtain the claimant's statement when the 
claimant, the claimant's employer, or another source indicates that the 
claimant has voluntarily left work.
    Completion of Form UI-45 is required to obtain or retain benefits. 
One response is received from each respondent.
    Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the 
initial 60-day notice (85 FR 8895 on February 18, 2020) required by 44 
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

    Title: Certification Regarding Rights to Unemployment Benefits.
    OMB Control Number: 3220-0079.
    Form(s) submitted: UI-45.
    Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved 
collection.
    Affected public: Individuals or Households.
    Abstract: In administering the disqualification for the voluntary 
leaving of work provision of Section 4 of the Railroad Unemployment 
Insurance Act, the Railroad Retirement Board investigates an 
unemployment claim that indicates the claimant left voluntarily. The 
certification obtains information needed to determine if the leaving 
was for good cause.
    Changes proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to Form UI-45.
    The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Annual
                           Form No.                               responses      Time (minutes)   Burden (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UI-45........................................................             200               15               50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    3. Title and purpose of information collection: Self-Employment and 
Substantial Service Questionnaire; OMB 3220-0138.
    Section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) (45 U.S.C. 231a) 
provides for payment of annuities to qualified employees and their 
spouses. In order to receive an age and service annuity, Section 
2(e)(3) states that an applicant must stop all railroad work and give 
up any rights to return to such work. However, applicants are not 
required to stop nonrailroad work or self-employment.
    The RRB considers some work claimed as ``self-employment'' to 
actually be employment for an employer. Whether the RRB classifies a 
particular activity as self-employment or as work for an employer 
depends upon the circumstances of each case. These circumstances are 
prescribed in 20 CFR 216.
    Under the 1988 amendments to the RRA, an applicant is no longer 
required to stop work for a ``Last Pre-Retirement

[[Page 31234]]

Nonrailroad Employer'' (LPE). However, Section 2(f)(6) of the RRA 
requires that a portion of the employee's Tier II benefit and 
supplemental annuity be deducted for earnings from the ``LPE.''
    The ``LPE'' is defined as the last person, company, or institution 
with whom the employee or spouse applicant was employed concurrently 
with, or after, the applicant's last railroad employment and before 
their annuity beginning date. If a spouse never worked for a railroad, 
the LPE is the last person for whom he or she worked.
    The RRB utilizes Form AA-4, Self-Employment and Substantial Service 
Questionnaire, to obtain information needed to determine if the work 
the applicant claims is self-employment is really self-employment or 
work for an LPE or railroad service. If the work is self-employment, 
the questionnaire identifies any month in which the applicant did not 
perform substantial service.
    Completion is voluntary. However, failure to complete the form 
could result in the nonpayment of benefits. One response is requested 
of each respondent.
    Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the 
initial 60-day notice (85 FR 8896 on February 18, 2020) required by 44 
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

    Title: Self-Employment and Substantial Service Questionnaire.
    OMB Control Number: 3220-0138.
    Form(s) submitted: AA-4.
    Type of request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Affected public: Individuals or Households.
    Abstract: Section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) provides 
for payment of annuities to qualified employees and their spouses. Work 
for a Last Pre-Retirement Nonrailroad Employer (LPE), and work in self-
employment affect payment in different ways. This collection obtains 
information to determine whether claimed self-employment is really 
self-employment, and not work for a railroad or LPE.
    Changes proposed: The RRB proposes minor non-burden impacting 
changes to the form AA-4.
    The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Annual
                            Form No.                                 responses    Time (minutes)  Burden (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AA-4 (With assistance)..........................................             570              40             380
AA-4 (Without assistance).......................................              30              70              35
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................................             600  ..............             415
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    4. Title and purpose of information collection: Withholding 
Certificate for Railroad Retirement Monthly Annuity Payments; OMB 3220-
0149.
    The Internal Revenue Code requires that all payers of tax liable 
private pensions to U.S. citizens or residents: (1) Notify each 
recipient at least concurrent with initial withholding that the payer 
is, in fact, withholding benefits for tax liability and that the 
recipient has the option of electing not to have the payer withhold, or 
to withhold at a specific rate; (2) withhold benefits for tax purposes 
(in the absence of the recipient's election not to withhold benefits); 
and (3) notify all beneficiaries, at least annually, that they have the 
option to change their withholding status or elect not to have benefits 
withheld.
    The RRB provides Form RRB-W4P, Withholding Certificate for Railroad 
Retirement Payments, to its annuitants to exercise their withholding 
options.
    Completion of the form is required to obtain or retain a benefit. 
One response is requested of each respondent.
    Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the 
initial 60-day notice (85 FR 8896 on February 18, 2020) required by 44 
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

    Title: Withholding Certificate for Railroad Retirement Monthly 
Annuity Payments.
    OMB Control Number: 3220-0149.
    Form(s) submitted: RRB W-4P.
    Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved 
collection.
    Affected public: Individuals or Households.
    Abstract: Under Public Law 98-76, railroad retirement 
beneficiaries' Tier II, dual vested and supplemental benefits are 
subject to income tax under private pension rules. Under Public Law 99-
514, the non-social security equivalent benefit portion of Tier I is 
also taxable under private pension rules. The collection obtains the 
information needed by the Railroad Retirement Board to implement the 
income tax withholding provisions.
    Changes proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to Form RRB W-4P.
    The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 25,000.
    Total annual responses: 25,000.
    Total annual reporting hours: 1.
    5. Title and purpose of information collection: Designation of 
Contact Officials; 3220-0200.
    Coordination between railroad employers and the RRB is essential to 
properly administer the payment of benefits under the Railroad 
Retirement Act (RRA) and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act 
(RUIA). In order to enhance timely coordination activity, the RRB 
utilizes Form G-117A, Designation of Contact Officials. Form G-117A is 
used by railroad employers to designate employees who are to act as 
point of contact with the RRB on a variety of RRA and RUIA-related 
matters.
    Completion is voluntary. One response is requested from each 
respondent.
    Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the 
initial 60-day notice (85 FR 8896 on February 18, 2020) required by 44 
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

    Title: Designation of Contact Officials.
    OMB Control Number: 3220-0200.
    Form(s) submitted: G-117A.
    Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved 
collection.
    Affected public: Private Sector; Businesses or other for profits.
    Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) requests that 
railroad employers designate employees to act as liaison with the RRB 
on a variety of Railroad Retirement Act and Railroad Unemployment 
Insurance Act matters.
    Changes proposed: The RRB proposes no revisions to Form G-117A.
    The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:

[[Page 31235]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Annual
                           Form No.                               responses      Time (minutes)   Burden (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G-117A.......................................................             100               15               25
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additional Information or Comments: Copies of the forms and 
supporting documents can be obtained from Kennisha Tucker at (312) 469-
2591 or [email protected]. Comments regarding the information 
collection should be addressed to Brian Foster, Railroad Retirement 
Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-1275 or 
[email protected].
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice 
to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for 
Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

Brian Foster,
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020-11019 Filed 5-21-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7905-01-P


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