# Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Request for State or Federal Compensation Information
**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, “Request for State or Federal Workers' Compensation Information.” 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:**
Consideration will be given to all written comments received by March 2, 2026.
**ADDRESSES:**
You may submit comment as follows. Please note that late, untimely filed comments will not be considered.
*Electronic Submissions:* Submit electronic comments in the following way:
• *Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.* Follow the instructions for submitting comments for WCPO-2025-0139. Comments submitted electronically, including attachments, to *https://www.regulations.gov* 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.
• 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 and mark it confidential.
*Written/Paper Submissions:* Submit written/paper submissions in the following way:
• *Mail/Hand Delivery:* Mail or visit DOL-OWCP, Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210.
• OWCP will post your comment as well as any attachments, except for information submitted and marked as confidential, in the docket at *https://www.regulations.gov.*
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Anjanette Suggs, Office of Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, at (202) 354-9660 (phone) or *[email protected]* (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 Black Lung Benefits Act (30 U.S.C. 901 et *seq.* ) and its implementing regulations necessitate this information collection. Title 20 CFR 725.535 requires that DOL Black Lung benefit payments to a beneficiary for any month be reduced by any other payments of state or federal benefits for workers' compensation due to pneumoconiosis. *See* 30 U.S.C. 932(g). To ensure compliance with this mandate, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs' Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation must collect information regarding the status of any state or Federal workers' compensation claim, including dates of payments, weekly or lump sum amounts paid, and other fees or expenses paid out for this award, such as attorney fees and related expenses associated with pneumoconiosis. Form CM-905 is used to request the amount of those workers' compensation benefits. This information collection is currently approved for use through June 30, 2026. 30 U.S.C. 901 and 20 CFR 725.535 authorizes 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 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.
**II. Desired Focus of Comments**
Interested parties are encouraged to provide comments to the contact shown in the *ADDRESSES* section. Written comments will receive consideration, and summarized and included in the request for OMB approval of the final ICR. In order to help ensure appropriate consideration, comments should mention 1240-0032.
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.
**III. Current Actions**
This information collection request concerns the Request for State or Federal Compensation Information. 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:* 1240-0032.
*Affected Public:* Federal government; State, Local, or Tribal Government.
*Number of Respondents:* 3,980.
*Number of Responses:* 3,980.
*Annual Burden Hours:* 995 hours.
*Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost:* $2,973.
*OWCP Forms:* DCMWC Form, CM-905 Request for State or Federal Compensation Information.
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.*
Anjanette C. Suggs,
Certifying Officer.