Black Lung Benefits Act Self-Insurance: Withdrawal of Guidance, 8806 [2021-02614]

Download as PDF khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES 8806 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 9, 2021 / Notices testing or treatment. Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA), 30 U.S.C. 901, Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 (EEOICPA) 42 U.S.C. 7384, and the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), 5 U.S.C. 8101 authorize this information collection. This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless it is approved by the OMB under the PRA 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. Comments must be written to receive consideration, and they will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval of the final ICR. In order to help ensure appropriate consideration, comments should mention 1240–0037. 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–OWCP. Type of Review: Extension. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:07 Feb 08, 2021 Jkt 253001 Title of Collection: Medical Travel Refund Request. Form: OWCP–957. OMB Control Number: 1240–0037. Affected Public: Individuals or households. Estimated Number of Respondents: 34,703. Frequency: On occasion. Total Estimated Annual Responses: 333,528. Estimated Average Time per Response: 10 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 55,366 hours. Total Estimated Annual Other Cost Burden: $ 173,435. (Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) Anjanette Suggs, Agency Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2021–02635 Filed 2–8–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–CR–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs [Docket No. WCPO–2020–0002] Black Lung Benefits Act SelfInsurance: Withdrawal of Guidance Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, Labor. ACTION: Withdrawal of notice and request for comments. AGENCY: The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) is withdrawing a notice and request for comments entitled ‘‘Guidance on Black Lung Benefits Act Self-Insurance,’’ which was published in the Federal Register on January 8, 2021. DATES: The withdrawal is effective February 9, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Chance, Director, Division of Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room N– 3464, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: 1–800–347–2502. This is a toll-free number. TTY/TDD callers may dial toll-free 1–800–877–8339 for further information. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 8, 2021, OWCP published a notice and request for comments entitled ‘‘Guidance on Black Lung Benefits Act Self-Insurance’’ in the Federal Register. 86 FR 1529 (Jan. 8, 2021). The notice informed and invited comment from the public on a preliminary program bulletin related to SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 coal-mine operators applying to selfinsure their liabilities under the Black Lung Benefits Act. 30 U.S.C. 901–944. The comment period under the notice runs through February 8, 2021. OWCP is now withdrawing the notice and request for comments on the preliminary self-insurance bulletin because the legal bases for publishing the notice—the Department of Labor’s PRO Good Guidance Rule (29 CFR part 89) and Executive Order 13891 (84 FR 55235 (Oct. 15, 2019))—have been rescinded or revoked. See 86 FR 7237 (Jan. 27, 2021) (rescinding 29 CFR part 89); E.O. 13992, 86 FR 7049 (Jan. 20, 2021) (revoking E.O. 13891). OWCP’s action is also consistent with the January 20, 2021 memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies from the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff entitled ‘‘Regulatory Freeze Pending Review.’’ 86 FR 7424 (Jan. 28, 2021). The memorandum directs agencies to pause or delay certain regulatory actions, including actions related to guidance documents, for the purpose of reviewing questions of fact, law, and policy raised therein. OWCP intends to review the self-insurance bulletin and offer the public an opportunity to comment on self-insurance procedures at a later time. Accordingly, OWCP is withdrawing the notice and request for comments published on January 8, 2021. The withdrawal of the guidance does not change any law, regulation, or other legally binding requirement. Dated: February 3, 2021. Christopher J. Godfrey, Director, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs. [FR Doc. 2021–02614 Filed 2–8–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–CR–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Claim for Medical Reimbursement Form Notice of availability; request for comments. ACTION: The Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting comments concerning a proposed extension for the authority to conduct the information collection request (ICR) titled, ‘‘Claim for Medical Reimbursement Form.’’ This comment request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden in SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\09FEN1.SGM 09FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 9, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 8806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-02614]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs

[Docket No. WCPO-2020-0002]


Black Lung Benefits Act Self-Insurance: Withdrawal of Guidance

AGENCY: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Labor.

ACTION: Withdrawal of notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) is 
withdrawing a notice and request for comments entitled ``Guidance on 
Black Lung Benefits Act Self-Insurance,'' which was published in the 
Federal Register on January 8, 2021.

DATES: The withdrawal is effective February 9, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Chance, Director, Division of 
Coal Mine Workers' Compensation, Office of Workers' Compensation 
Programs, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room N-
3464, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: 1-800-347-2502. This is a toll-
free number. TTY/TDD callers may dial toll-free 1-800-877-8339 for 
further information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 8, 2021, OWCP published a notice 
and request for comments entitled ``Guidance on Black Lung Benefits Act 
Self-Insurance'' in the Federal Register. 86 FR 1529 (Jan. 8, 2021). 
The notice informed and invited comment from the public on a 
preliminary program bulletin related to coal-mine operators applying to 
self-insure their liabilities under the Black Lung Benefits Act. 30 
U.S.C. 901-944. The comment period under the notice runs through 
February 8, 2021.
    OWCP is now withdrawing the notice and request for comments on the 
preliminary self-insurance bulletin because the legal bases for 
publishing the notice--the Department of Labor's PRO Good Guidance Rule 
(29 CFR part 89) and Executive Order 13891 (84 FR 55235 (Oct. 15, 
2019))--have been rescinded or revoked. See 86 FR 7237 (Jan. 27, 2021) 
(rescinding 29 CFR part 89); E.O. 13992, 86 FR 7049 (Jan. 20, 2021) 
(revoking E.O. 13891).
    OWCP's action is also consistent with the January 20, 2021 
memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies from the 
Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff entitled ``Regulatory 
Freeze Pending Review.'' 86 FR 7424 (Jan. 28, 2021). The memorandum 
directs agencies to pause or delay certain regulatory actions, 
including actions related to guidance documents, for the purpose of 
reviewing questions of fact, law, and policy raised therein. OWCP 
intends to review the self-insurance bulletin and offer the public an 
opportunity to comment on self-insurance procedures at a later time.
    Accordingly, OWCP is withdrawing the notice and request for 
comments published on January 8, 2021. The withdrawal of the guidance 
does not change any law, regulation, or other legally binding 
requirement.

    Dated: February 3, 2021.
Christopher J. Godfrey,
Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
[FR Doc. 2021-02614 Filed 2-8-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CR-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.