Notice2026-06919
Proposed Extension Without Change of a Currently Approved Information Collection; Application for Approval of Representative's Fee in a Black Lung Claim Proceeding Conducted by The U.S. Department of Labor
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 10, 2026
Issuing agencies
Labor DepartmentWorkers' Compensation Programs Office
Abstract
The Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting comments concerning a proposed extension for the authority to conduct the information collection request (ICR) titled, "Application for Approval of a Representative's fee in Black Lung Claim Proceedings Conducted by U.S. Department of Labor." This comment request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 69 (Friday, April 10, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 69 (Friday, April 10, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18487-18488]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06919]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs
[OMB Control No. 1240-0011].
Proposed Extension Without Change of a Currently Approved
Information Collection; Application for Approval of Representative's
Fee in a Black Lung Claim Proceeding Conducted by The U.S. Department
of Labor
AGENCY: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting comments
concerning a proposed extension for the authority to conduct the
information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Application for Approval
of a Representative's fee in Black Lung Claim Proceedings Conducted by
U.S. Department of Labor.'' This comment request is part of continuing
Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden in
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).
DATES: All comments must be received on or before June 9, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments as follows. Please note that late,
untimely filed comments will not be considered.
Electronic Submissions: Submit electronic comments in the following
way:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments for WCPO-2026-0166.
Comments submitted electronically, including attachments, to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> will be posted to the docket, with no changes.
Because your comment will be made public, you are responsible for
ensuring that your comment does not include any confidential
information that you or a third party may not wish to be posted, such
as your or anyone else's Social Security number or confidential
business information.
<bullet> If your comment includes confidential information that you
do not wish to be made available to the public, submit the comment as a
written/paper submission.
Written/Paper Submissions: Submit written/paper submissions in the
following way:
<bullet> Mail/Hand Delivery: Mail or visit DOL-OWCP, Division of
Coal Mine Workers' Compensation, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Suite
C3520-DCMWC, Washington, DC 20210.
[[Page 18488]]
<bullet> OWCP will post your comment as well as any attachments,
except for information submitted and marked as confidential, in the
docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anjanette Suggs, Office of Workers'
Compensation Programs, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1261677575613c737c78737c7766667752767d7e3c757d64"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2655534141550847484c4748435252436642494a08414950">[email protected]</span></a> (email).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The DOL, as part of continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and
respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to
provide the general public and Federal agencies an opportunity to
comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information before
submitting them to the OMB for final approval. This program helps to
ensure 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 can be properly assessed.
The CM-972 is sent to and completed by the authorized
representative of a black lung claimant whose claim has been approved
for benefits. The completed form is then returned to and evaluated by
the district director, administrative law judge, or appropriate
appellate tribunal before whom the claimed services were performed, and
a fee amount is determined. The regulations (20 CFR 725.366) set forth
specific requirements for the items of information that must be
included on fee applications. The CM-972 was designed to collect this
information. 20 CFR 725.366 authorizes this information collection.
This information collection is subject to 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 the OMB under the PRA approves it 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. Written comments will receive
consideration, be summarized and included in the request for OMB
approval of the final ICR. In order to help ensure appropriate
consideration, comments should mention 1240-0011.
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.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
OWCP is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection related to the Application for Approval of a
Representative's Fee in a Black Lung Claim Proceeding Conducted by the
U.S. Department of Labor. OWCP is particularly interested in comments
that:
<bullet> Evaluate whether the collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency,
including whether the information has practical utility;
<bullet> Evaluate the accuracy of OWCP's estimate of the burden
related to the information collection, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used in the estimate;
<bullet> Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be collected; and
<bullet> Minimize the burden of the information collection 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.
Documents related to this information collection request are
available at <a href="https://regulations.gov">https://regulations.gov</a> and at DOL-OWCP located at 200
Constitution Avenue NW, Room C-3520, Washington, DC 20210. Questions
about the information collection requirements may be directed to the
person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION section of this notice.
III. Current Actions
This information collection request concerns Application for
Approval of Representatives' Fee in a Black Lung Claim Proceeding
Conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor. OWCP has updated the data
with respect to the number of respondents, responses, burden hours, and
burden costs supporting this information collection request from the
previous information collection request.
Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved
collection.
Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
OMB Number: 1240-0011.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 820.
Number of Responses: 820.
Annual Burden Hours: 574 hours.
Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $340.00.
OWCP Forms: CM-972, Application for Approval of a Representative's
Fee in a Black Lung Claim Proceeding Conducted by The U.S. Department
of Labor.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized in
the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the
proposed information collection request; they will become a matter of
public record and will be available at <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov">https://www.reginfo.gov</a>.
Anjanette Suggs,
Agency Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2026-06919 Filed 4-9-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CR-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 10, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.