Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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:

Lag Service Reports; OMB 3220-0005

Under Section 9 of the Railroad Act (RRA), railroad employers are

required to submit reports of employee service and compensation to the

RRB as needed for administering the RRA. To pay benefits due on a

deceased employee's earnings records or determine entitlement to and

amount of annuity applied for, it is necessary at times to obtain from

railroad employers current (lag) service and compensation information

not yet reported to the RRB through the annual reporting process. The

reporting requirements are specified in 20 CFR 209.4 and 209.5.

The RRB utilizes Form AA-12, Notice of Death and Statement of

Compensation, and Form G-88A, Employer's Supplemental Report of Service

and Compensation to obtain the required lag service and compensation

and related information from railroad employers.

The RRB proposes minor editorial changes to Form AA-12 and G-88A to

incorporate language required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

No other changes are proposed. The completion time for the AA-12 is

estimated at 6 and \1/2\ minutes per response. The completion time for

form G-88A is estimated at 5 minutes per response. The RRB estimates

that approximately 800 Form AA-12's and 400 G-88's are 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 North

Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092. Written comments should be

received within 60 days of this notice.

Chuck Mierzwa,

Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 97-20607 Filed 8-5-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7905-01-M