SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act requires covered employers to secure the payment of compensation under the Act and its extensions by purchasing insurance from a carrier authorized by the Secretary of Labor to write Longshore Act insurance, or by becoming an authorized self-insured employer (33 U.S.C. 901, 20 CFR 703.209, 20 CFR 703.210, 20 CFR 703.203, 20 CFR 703.303, 20 CFR 703.205, 20 CFR 703.204, 20 CFR 703.212, 20 CFR 703.304). Each authorized insurance carrier (or carrier seeking authorization) is required to establish annually that its Longshore Act obligations are fully secured either through an applicable state guaranty (or analogous) fund, a deposit of security with the Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation (DLHWC), or a combination of both. Similarly, each authorized self-insurer (or employer seeking authorization) is required to fully secure its Longshore Act obligations by depositing security with DLHWC. These requirements are designed to assure the prompt and continued payment of compensation and other benefits by the responsible carrier or self-insurer to injured workers and their survivors.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

OWCP/DLHWC is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information collection related to Securing Financial Obligations under the LHWCA and its Extensions. OWCP/DLHWC is particularly interested in comments that:

• 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;
• Evaluate the accuracy of CEO's estimate of the burden related to the information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used in the estimate;
• Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
• 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.

Background documents related to this information collection request are available at https://regulations.gov and at DOL-OWCP/DLHWC located at 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room S-3229, Washington, DC 20210. Questions about the information collection requirements may be directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

This information collection request concerns Securing Financial Obligations under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act and its Extensions, LS-275(IC), LS-275 (SI), LS-276.

OWCP/DLHWC 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, Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation, OWCP/DLHWC.

OMB Number: 1240-0005.

Affected Public: Authorized Insurance Carriers and Self-Insured Employers.

Number of Respondents: 298.

Frequency: Annually.

Number of Responses: 728.

Annual Burden Hours: 911 Hours.

Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $24,560.56.

OWCP/DLHWC 1240-0005: OWCP/DLHWC Securing Financial Obligations under the LHWCA and its Extensions.

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 https://www.reginfo.gov.

91 FR 11087