Notices. Notice
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/register/2007/04/09/07-1751A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
BILLING CODE 4410-11-M DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of Disability Employment Policy [OMB Number 1230-0002] Solicitation of Nominations for the Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award; Extension of Period for Submission of Nominations Notice 1. * Subject:* The Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award. 2. *Purpose:* This document extends the period for submission of nominations for the Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award. This action is taken to permit increased participation by interested stakeholders. 3. *Originator:* Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). 4. *Dates:* Nomination packages must be submitted to Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award, Office of Disability Employment Policy, Room S-1303, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210 by May 31, 2007.
Any application received after 4:45 p.m. EDT on May 31, 2007 will not be considered unless it was received before the award is made and: 1. It was sent by registered or certified mail no later than May 25, 2007; 2. It is determined by the Government that the late receipt was due solely to mishandling by the Government after receipt at the U.S. Department of Labor at the address indicated; or 3. It was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day Service—Post Office to Addressee, not later than 5 p.m.
EDT at the place of mailing, May 30, 2007. The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a late application sent by registered or certified mail is the U.S. Postal Service postmark on the envelope or wrapper and on the original receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. If the postmark is not legible, an application received after the above closing time and date will be processed as if mailed late. “Postmark” means a printed, stamped, or otherwise placed impression (not a postage meter machine impression) that is readily identifiable without further action as having been applied and affixed by an employee of the U.S.
Postal Service on the date of mailing. Therefore, applicants should request that the postal clerk place a legible hand cancellation “bull's-eye” postmark on both the receipt and the envelope or wrapper. The only acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the U.S. Department of Labor is the date/time stamp of the Office of Disability Employment Policy on the application wrapper or other documentary evidence or receipt maintained by that office. Applications sent by other delivery services, such as Federal Express, UPS, e-mail, etc., will also be accepted; however, the applicant bears the responsibility of timely submission.
For further information, contact Margaret Roffee of the Office of Disability Employment Policy at telephone
(202)693-7880,
(866)ODEP-DOL, TTY
(202)693-7881, prior to the closing deadline. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the **Federal Register** of February 12, 2007 (72 FR 6673), the Office of Disability Employment Policy published a Solicitation of Nominations for the Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award. Nomination packages were to be submitted to the Office of Disability Employment Policy by April 30, 2007. Because of the continuing interest in this solicitation, the agency believes that it is desirable to extend the period for submission of nominations. Therefore, the period for submission of nominations is extended until May 31, 2007. Signed at Washington, DC, this 4th day of April 2007. John R. Davey, Director of Operations. [FR Doc. E7-6609 Filed 4-6-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-23-P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration Proposed Extension of Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment; Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Comment Request; Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 85-68—To Permit Employee Benefit Plans To Invest in Customer Notes of Employers AGENCY: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (the Department), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA 95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the reporting burden on the public and helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. Currently, the Employee Benefits Security Administration is soliciting comments on the proposed extension of the information collection provisions of Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 85-68. A copy of the information collection request
(ICR)may be obtained by contacting the office listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office shown in the Addresses section on or before June 8, 2007. ADDRESSES: Joseph S. Piacentini, Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210,
(202)693-8410, FAX
(202)693-4745 (these are not toll-free numbers). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Pursuant to section 408 of ERISA, the Department has authority to grant an exemption from the prohibitions of sections 406 and 407(a) if it can determine that the exemption is administratively feasible, in the interest of participants and beneficiaries, and protective of the rights of participants and beneficiaries of the plan. Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 85-68 describes the conditions under which a plan is permitted to acquire customer notes accepted by an employer of employees covered by the plan in the ordinary course of the employer's primary business activity. The exemption covers sales as well as contributions of customer notes by an employer to its plan. Specifically, the exemption requires that the employer provide a written guarantee to repurchase a note which becomes more than 60 days delinquent, that such notes be secured by a perfected security interest in the property financed by the note, and that the collateral be insured. The exemption requires records pertaining to the transaction to be maintained for a period of six years for the purpose of ensuring that the transactions are protective of the rights of participants and beneficiaries. This recordkeeping requirement constitutes an information collection within the meaning of the PRA, for which the Department has obtained approval from the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)under OMB Control No. 1210-0094. The OMB approval is currently scheduled to expire on July 31, 2007. II. Current Actions This notice requests public comment pertaining to the Department's request for extension of OMB approval of the information collection contained in PTE 85-68. After considering comments received in response to this notice, the Department intends to submit an ICR to OMB for continuing approval. No change to the existing ICR is proposed or made at this time. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, an information collection unless it displays a valid OMB control number. A summary of the ICR and the current burden estimates follows: *Agency:* Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor. *Title:* Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 85-68. *Type of Review:* Extension of a currently approved collection of information. *OMB Number:* 1210-0094. *Affected Public:* Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions. *Respondents:* 525. *Frequency:* On Occasion. *Responses:* 1900. *Average Response time [if applicable]:* 1 hour. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 1900 hours. *Estimated Total Burden Cost:* $0. III. Focus of Comments The Department of Labor (Department) 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., by permitting electronic submissions of responses. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the ICR for OMB approval of the extension of the information collection; they will also become a matter of public record. Dated: April 3, 2007. Bradford P. Campbell, Acting Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration. [FR Doc. E7-6551 Filed 4-6-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-29-P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration Proposed Extension of Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment; Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 91-55—Transactions Between Individual Retirement Accounts and Authorized Purchasers of American Eagle Coins AGENCY: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (the Department), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA 95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the reporting burden on the public and helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. Currently, the Employee Benefits Security Administration is soliciting comments on the proposed extension of the information collection provisions of Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 91-55. A copy of the information collection request
(ICR)may be obtained by contacting the office listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office shown in the Addresses section on or before June 8, 2007. ADDRESSES: Joseph S. Piacentini, Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210,
(202)693-8410, FAX
(202)693-4745 (these are not toll-free numbers). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Prohibited Transaction Exemption 91-55 permits purchases and sales by certain “individual retirement accounts,” as defined in Internal Revenue Code section 408
(IRAs)of American Eagle bullion coins (“Coins”) in principal transactions from or to broker-dealers in Coins that are “authorized purchasers” of Coins in bulk quantities from the United States Mint and which are also “disqualified persons,” within the meaning of Code section 4975(e)(2), with respect to IRAs. The exemption also describes the circumstances under which an interest-free extension of credit in connection with such sales and purchases is permitted. In the absence of an exemption, such purchases and sales and extensions of credit would be impermissible under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Among other conditions, the exemption requires certain information related to covered transactions in Coins must be disclosed by the authorized purchaser to persons who direct the transaction for the IRA. Currently, it is standard industry practice that most of this information is provided to persons directing investments in an IRA when transactions in Coins occur. The exemption also requires that the disqualified person maintain for a period of at least six years such records as are necessary to allow accredited persons, as defined in the exemption, to determine whether the conditions of the transaction have been met. Finally, an authorized purchaser must provide a confirmation statement with respect to each covered transaction to the person who directs the transaction for the IRA. The requirements constitute information collections within the meaning of the PRA, for which the Department has obtained approval from the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)under OMB Control No. 1210-0079. The OMB approval is currently scheduled to expire on July 31, 2007. The recordkeeping requirement facilitates the Department's ability to make findings under section 408 of ERISA and section 4975(c) of the Code. The confirmation and disclosure requirements protect a participant or beneficiary who invests in IRAs and transacts in Coins with authorized purchasers by providing the investor or the person directing his or her investments with timely information about the market in Coins and about the individual's account in particular. II. Current Actions This notice requests public comment pertaining to the Department's request for extension of OMB approval of the information collection contained in PTE 91-55. After considering comments received in response to this notice, the Department intends to submit an ICR to OMB for continuing approval. No change to the existing ICR is proposed or made at this time. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, an information collection unless it displays a valid OMB control number. A summary of the ICR and the current burden estimates follows: *Agency:* Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor. *Title:* Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 91-55. *Type of Review:* Extension of a currently approved collection of information. *OMB Number:* 1210-0079. *Affected Public:* Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions. *Respondents:* 2. *Responses:* 12,800. *Frequency:* On occasion. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 554 hours. *Estimated Total Burden Cost:* $0. III. Focus of Comments The Department of Labor (Department) 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., by permitting electronic submissions of responses. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the ICR for OMB approval of the extension of the information collection; they will also become a matter of public record. Dated: April 3, 2007. Bradford P. Campbell, Acting Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration. [FR Doc. E7-6552 Filed 4-6-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-29-P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration Proposed Extension of Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment; Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 92-6—Sale of Individual Life Insurance or Annuity Contracts by a Plan AGENCY: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (the Department), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA 95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the reporting burden on the public and helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. Currently, the Employee Benefits Security Administration is soliciting comments on the proposed extension of the information collection provisions of Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 92-6. A copy of the information collection request
(ICR)may be obtained by contacting the office listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office shown in the Addresses section on or before June 8, 2007. ADDRESSES: Joseph S. Piacentini, Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210,
(202)693-8410, FAX
(202)693-4745 (these are not toll-free numbers). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 92-6 exempts from the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) the sale of individual life insurance or annuity contracts by a plan to participants, relatives of participants, employers any of whose employees are covered by the plan, other employee benefit plans, owner-employees or shareholder-employees. In the absence of this exemption, certain aspects of these transactions might be prohibited by section 406 of ERISA. Among other conditions, PTE 92-6 requires that pension plans inform the insured participant of a proposed sale of a life insurance or annuity policy to the employer, a relative, another plan, an owner-employee, or a shareholder-employee. This recordkeeping requirement constitutes an information collection within the meaning of the PRA, for which the Department has obtained approval from the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)under OMB Control No. 1210-0063. The OMB approval is currently scheduled to expire on July 31, 2007. II. Current Actions This notice requests public comment pertaining to the Department's request for extension of OMB approval of the information collection contained in PTE 92-6. After considering comments received in response to this notice, the Department intends to submit an ICR to OMB for continuing approval. No change to the existing ICR is proposed or made at this time. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, an information collection unless it displays a valid OMB control number. A summary of the ICR and the current burden estimates follows: *Agency:* Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor. *Title:* Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 92-6. *Type of Review:* Extension of a currently approved collection of information. *OMB Number:* 1210-0063. *Affected Public:* Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions. *Respondents:* 8,360. *Responses:* 8,360. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 1,671. *Estimated Total Burden Cost (Operating and Maintenance):* $3,093. III. Focus of Comments The Department of Labor (Department) 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., by permitting electronic submissions of responses. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the ICR for OMB approval of the extension of the information collection; they will also become a matter of public record. Dated: April 3, 2007. Bradford P. Campbell, Acting Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration. [FR Doc. E7-6553 Filed 4-6-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-29-P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration Proposed Extension of Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment; Final Rule on Health Care Continuation Coverage AGENCY: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (the Department), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA 95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the reporting burden on the public and helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. Currently, the Employee Benefits Security Administration is soliciting comments on the proposed extension of the information collection provisions of its final rule at 29 CFR Part 2590, Health Care Continuation Coverage. A copy of the information collection request
(ICR)may be obtained by contacting the office listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office shown in the ADDRESSES section on or before June 8, 2007. ADDRESSES: Joseph S. Piacentini, Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210,
(202)693-8410, FAX
(202)693-4745 (these are not toll-free numbers). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The continuation coverage provisions of section 601 through 608 of ERISA (and parallel provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (Code)) generally require group health plans to offer qualified beneficiaries' the opportunity to elect continuation coverage following certain events that would otherwise result in the loss of coverage. Continuation coverage is a temporary extension of the qualified beneficiary's previous group health coverage. The right to elect continuation coverage allows individuals to maintain group health coverage under adverse circumstances and to bridge gaps in health coverage that otherwise could limit their access to health care. COBRA provides the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) with authority under section 608 of ERISA to carry out the continuation coverage provisions. The Conference Report that accompanied COBRA divided interpretive authority over the COBRA provisions between the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury (the Treasury) by providing that the Secretary has the authority to issue regulations implementing the notice and disclosure requirements of COBRA, while the Treasury is authorized to issue regulations defining the required continuation coverage. On May 26, 2004, the Department of Labor (the Department) published in the **Federal Register** (69 FR 30084) final regulations governing the timing, content, and administration of the notice obligations arising under ERISA. These final rules implementing the notice requirements of the COBRA provisions of ERISA also apply for purposes of the parallel Code provisions. This recordkeeping requirement constitutes an information collection within the meaning of the PRA, for which the Department has obtained approval from the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)under OMB Control No. 1210-0123. The OMB approval is currently scheduled to expire on July 31, 2007. II. Current Actions This notice requests public comment pertaining to the Department's request for extension of OMB approval of the information collection contained in its final rule at 29 CFR 2590, Health Care Continuation Coverage. After considering comments received in response to this notice, the Department intends to submit an ICR to OMB for continuing approval. No change to the existing ICR is proposed or made at this time. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, an information collection unless it displays a valid OMB control number. A summary of the ICR and the current burden estimates follows: *Agency:* Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor. *Title:* Notice Requirements of the Health Care Continuation Coverage Provisions. *Type of Review:* Extension of a currently approved collection of information. *OMB Number:* 1210-0123. *Affected Public:* Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions. *Respondents:* 411,000. *Frequency of Responses:* On occasion. *Responses:* 9,225,900. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* None *Estimated Total Burden Cost (Operating and Maintenance):* $14,723,400. *Estimated Total Annualized Cost:* $16,379,900. III. Desired Focus of Comments The Department of Labor (Department) 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., by permitting electronic submissions of responses. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the ICR for OMB approval of the extension of the information collection; they will also become a matter of public record. Dated: April 3, 2007. Bradford P. Campbell, Acting Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration. [FR Doc. E7-6554 Filed 4-6-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-29-P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Mine Safety and Health Administration Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Operations Under Water ACTION: Notice. 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. DATES: Submit comments on or before June 8, 2007. ADDRESSES: Send comments to, Debbie Ferraro, Management Services Division, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2171, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on computer disk, or via Internet e-mail to *Ferraro.Debbie@DOL.GOV* . Ms. Ferraro can be reached at
(202)693-9821 (voice), or
(202)693-9801 (facsimile). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact the employee listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Title 30, CFR § 75.1716, 75.1716-1 and 75.1716-3 require operators of underground coal mines to notify MSHA of proposed mining under bodies of water and to obtain a permit to mine under a body of water if, in the judgment of the Secretary, it is sufficiently large to constitute a hazard to miners. This is a statutory provision contained in Section 317(r) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. The regulation is necessary to prevent the inundation of underground coal mines with water, which has the potential of drowning miners. The coal mine operator submits an application for the permit to the District Manager in whose district the mine is located. Applications contain the name and address of the mine; projected mining and ground support plans; a mine map showing the location of the river, stream, lake or other body of water and its relation to the location of all working places; a profile map showing the type of strata and the distance in elevation between the coal bed and the water involved. II. Desired Focus of Comments Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration
(MSHA)is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the information collection related to Operations Under Water. MSHA 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 appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses. III. Current Action Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration
(MSHA)is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the information collection related to Operations Under Water. *Type of Review:* Extension. *Agency:* Mine Safety and Health Administration. *Title:* Operations Under Water. *OMB Number:* 1219-0020. *Affected Public:* Business or other for-profit. *Number of Respondents:* 30. *Annual Reponses:* 30. *Average Response Time:* 5 hours. *Total Annual Burden Hours:* 150. *Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining):* $450. 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 at Arlington, Virginia, this 4th day of April, 2007. David L. Meyer, Director, Office of Administration and Management. [FR Doc. E7-6604 Filed 4-6-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-43-P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Mine Safety and Health Administration Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Program to Prevent Smoking in Hazardous Areas ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a pre-clearance 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 Mine Safety and Health Administration
(MSHA)is soliciting comments concerning the extension of the information collection related to the Sections 317(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 877(c), and 30 CFR 75.1702 which prohibits persons from smoking or carrying smoking materials underground or in places where there is a fire or explosion hazard. Section 75.1702-1 requires that the mine operator submit the program plan to MSHA for approval. DATES: Submit comments on or before June 8, 2007. ADDRESSES: Send comments to, Debbie Ferraro, Management Services Division, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2171, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on computer disk, or via Internet e-mail to *Ferraro.Debbie@DOL.GOV* . Ms. Ferraro can be reached at
(202)693-9821 (voice), or
(202)693-9801 (facsimile). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The employee listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Under the Mine Act and § 75.1702, coal mine operators are required to develop programs to prevent persons from carrying smoking materials, matches, or lighters underground and to prevent smoking in hazardous areas, such as in or around oil houses, explosives magazines, etc. The Mine Act and the standard further require that the mine operator submit the program plan to MSHA for approval. The purpose of the program is to insure that a fire or explosion hazard does not occur. MSHA's investigation determined that the most likely source of ignition for several fatal explosions in the past was the open flame of a cigarette lighter or match. II. Desired Focus of Comments MSHA 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 submissions of responses. A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the employee listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice, or viewed on the internet by accessing the MSHA home page ( *http://www.msha.gov/* ) and choosing “Rules and Regs”, then choosing “Fed Reg Docs.” III. Current Actions The mine operator uses the information to conduct the program. MSHA uses the information to determine the mine operator's compliance with the standard and that a program is developed and implemented to prevent smoking in hazardous areas. *Type of Review:* Extension. *Agency:* Mine Safety and Health Administration. *Title:* Program to Prevent Smoking in Hazardous Areas. *OMB Number:* 1219-0041. *Frequency:* On Occasion. *Affected Public:* Business or other for-profit. *Respondents:* 492. *Responses:* 101. *Estimated Time Per Respondent:* .5 hours. *Total Burden Hours:* 50.5 hours. *Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining):* $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 at Arlington, Virginia, this 4th day of April, 2007. David L. Meyer, Director, Office of Administration and Management. [FR Doc. E7-6605 Filed 4-6-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-43-P NATIONAL COUNCIL OF DISABILITY Sunshine Act Meetings Type: Quarterly Meeting. Dates and Times: April 16, 2007, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 17, 2007, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel Atlanta-Buckhead, 3377 Peachtree Road, NE., Atlanta, Georgia. Status: April 16, 2007, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.—Open. April 17, 2007, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.—Open. April 17, 2007, 4 p.m.-5 p.m.—Closed. Agenda: Public Comments; Livable Communities/Best Practices Panel Presentation; Emergency Preparedness Panel Presentation; Reports from Council Members and the Acting Co-Executive Directors; Committee and Team Reports; Unfinished Business; New Business; Announcements; Adjournment. Sunshine Act Meeting Contact: Mark S. Quigley, Director of Communications, NCD, 1331 F Street, NW., Suite 850, Washington, DC 20004; 202-272-2004 (voice), 202-272-2074 (TTY), 202-272-2022 (fax). Agency Mission: NCD is an independent Federal agency making recommendations to the President and Congress to enhance the quality of life for all Americans with disabilities and their families. NCD is composed of 15 members appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Accommodations: Those needing reasonable accommodations should notify NCD immediately. Language Translation: In accordance with E.O. 13166, Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency, those people with disabilities who are limited English proficient and seek translation services for these meetings should notify NCD immediately. Dated: April 5, 2007. Mark S. Quigley, Acting Co-Executive Director. [FR Doc. 07-1751 Filed 4-5-07; 10:39 am]
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- 29 CFR 2590
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