[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 96 (Thursday, May 17, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27541-27542]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-12452]


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RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirement of section 3506 (c)(2)(A) 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 which provides opportunity for 
public comment on new or revised data collections, the Railroad 
Retirement Board (RRB) will publish periodic summaries of proposed data 
collections.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed information 
collection is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; 
(b) the accuracy of the RRB's estimate of the burden of the collection 
of the information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize 
the burden related to the collection of information on respondents, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    Title and purpose of information collection:
    Railroad Employers with No Compensated Employees;
    Under 20 CFR 209.2 of the RRB's regulations, the RRB may require 
any employer or employee to furnish or submit any information, records, 
contracts, documents, reports or other materials within their 
possession or control, that, in the judgement of the RRB, may have any 
bearing upon (a) the employer status of any individual, person or 
company (b) the employee or pensions status of any individual, (c) the 
amount and credibility of service and compensation, and (d) any other 
matter arising which involves the administration of the Railroad 
Retirement Act. The RRB proposes to establish a monitoring program 
designed to periodically contact covered railroad employers who have 
either reported no compensated employees for the last 2 years, or who, 
after previously reporting no compensated employees are no longer 
reporting. The RRB will contact the targeted railroad employers and 
obtain information as to whether they had compensated employees in the 
past reporting year, if they expect to have compensated employees in 
the current reporting year, and provide them the opportunity to request 
that their status as an employer under the Railroad Retirement Act and 
Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act be reviewed. For program integrity 
purposes, targeted employers who operate a freight or passenger service 
will be asked to provide additional information as to whether they 
conducted any freight or passenger service during the previous 
reporting year, if they expect to conduct any during the current 
reporting year, or if they have ceased all operations. If they have 
conducted freight or passenger service, they will be asked how the 
service and compensation was accounted for. If they have ceased 
operations, they will be asked to provide the Interstate Commerce 
Commission/Surface Transportation Board references to any abandonment 
proceedings.

[[Page 27542]]

    The RRB proposes the establishment of Form T-7, Request to Railroad 
Employers to obtain the necessary information from the targeted 
railroad employers. Form T-7 will be accompanied by an Employer Program 
Letter which explains the purpose of the initiative and provides 
instructions. The completion time for Form T-7 is estimated at 10 
minutes. Completion is mandatory.The RRB estimates that approximately 
175 T-7's will be completed annually.
    Additional Information or Comments: To request more information or 
to obtain a copy of the information collection justification, forms, 
and/or supporting material, please call the RRB Clearance Officer at 
(312) 751-3363. Comments regarding the information collection should be 
addressed to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 N. Rush 
Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092. Written comments should be 
received within 60 days of this notice.

Chuck Mierzwa,
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-12452 Filed 5-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-M