[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 60 (Friday, March 28, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14821-14822]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7845]


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OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION

29 CFR Part 2200


Rules of Procedure

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

ACTION: Final rule; extension of sunset provision.

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SUMMARY: The Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission has 
determined that additional time is necessary to properly evaluate the 
efficacy of its pilot E-Z Trial program. Accordingly, the Review 
Commission is amending the ``sunset'' provisions of the Commission's 
``E-Z Trial'' rules to extend the pilot program an additional four 
months.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 28, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
 Earl R. Ohman, Jr., General Counsel, (202) 606-5410.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 14, 1995 the Occupational Safety 
and Health Review Commission published in the Federal Register (60 FR 
41805) new procedural rules for a pilot program designed to simplify 
and accelerate adjudication for cases that warrant a less formal, less 
costly process. Designated ``E-Z Trial,'' the pilot program was to run 
for one year, terminating on September 30, 1996. A ``sunset'' provision 
was inserted into the rules to end the pilot program on that date 
unless extended by the Commission by final rule published in the 
Federal Register. 29 CFR 2200.201(b). On September 27, 1996 the 
Commission extended the sunset provision until March 31, 1997 to allow 
for evaluation of the pilot program (61 FR 50711). During this period, 
the Commission held forums in which parties and representatives of 
parties who had participated in E-Z Trial proceedings were given the 
opportunity to comment on the E-Z Trial process. Their comments, 
together with the experiences of Commission judges, who have conducted 
the E-Z Trials, are currently being evaluated by the Commission. To 
allow for a full evaluation of these comments and experiences, the 
Commission has

[[Page 14822]]

determined that the sunset provision should be extended an additional 
four months, until July 31, 1997. Accordingly, the Commission is 
revising Sec. 2200.201(b) to extend the pilot program through July 31, 
1997.

List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 2200

    Administrative practice and procedure, Hearing and appeal 
procedures.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, title 29, chapter XX, 
part 2200, subpart M of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as 
follows:

PART 2200--RULES OF PROCEDURE

    1. The authority citation continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 29 U.S.C. 661(g), unless otherwise noted.

    2. Section 2200.201 is amended by revising paragraph (b) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 2200.201  [Amended]

* * * * *
    (b) Sunset Provision. Section 2200.203(a), which permits the Chief 
Administrative Law Judge to assign a case for E-Z Trial, will no longer 
be effective after July 31, 1997 unless the rule is extended by the 
Commission by publication of a final rule in the Federal Register. 
After July 31, 1997, a case will only be assigned to E-Z Trial if the 
assignment is requested by a party.

    Dated: March 21, 1997.
Stuart E. Weisberg,
Chairman.

    Dated: March 24, 1997.

Velma Montoya,
Commissioner.

    Dated: March 21, 1997.
Daniel Guttman,
Commissioner.
[FR Doc. 97-7845 Filed 3-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7600-01-M