[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 159 (Tuesday, August 18, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49945-49946]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20422]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs

20 CFR Parts 702 and 703

RIN 1240-AA09


Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act: Transmission of 
Documents and Information

AGENCY: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Labor.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) published 
a notice of proposed rulemaking and companion direct final rule in the 
Federal Register on March 12, 2015, broadening the acceptable methods 
by which claimants, employers, and insurers can communicate with OWCP 
and each other regarding claims arising under the Longshore and Harbor 
Workers' Compensation Act and its extensions. The comment period closed 
on May 11, 2015. OWCP did not receive significant adverse comment and 
therefore the direct final rule took effect on June 10, 2015. For these 
reasons, OWCP is withdrawing the notice of proposed rulemaking.

DATES: Effective August 18, 2015, the notice of proposed rulemaking 
published on March 12, 2015 (80 FR 12957), is withdrawn.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Antonio Rios, Director, Division of 
Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation, Office of Workers' 
Compensation Programs, U.S.

[[Page 49946]]

Department of Labor, Suite C-4319, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 693-0038 (this is not a toll-
free number). TTY/TDD callers may dial toll-free 1-877-889-5627 for 
further information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 12, 2015, OWCP published a notice 
of proposed rulemaking revising 20 CFR parts 702 and 703 to broaden the 
acceptable methods by which claimants, employers, and insurers can 
communicate with OWCP and each other regarding claims arising under the 
Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act and its extensions. (80 
FR 12957). On the same date, OWCP published a direct final rule 
containing identical revisions because it believed that the proposed 
revisions were non-controversial and unlikely to generate significant 
adverse comment. (80 FR 12917). OWCP indicated that if it did not 
receive any significant adverse comments on either rule by May 11, 
2015, the direct final rule would take effect and there would be no 
further need to proceed with the notice of proposed rulemaking. (See 80 
FR 12918, 12957-58).
    OWCP received two public comments that were not significant adverse 
comments. One expressed support for the proposed rule and the other did 
not substantively address the rule. Because OWCP did not receive any 
significant adverse comments within the specified comment period, it is 
withdrawing the notice of proposed rulemaking with this notice. For the 
same reason, OWCP is also confirming that the direct final rule took 
effect on June 10, 2015.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 11th day of August, 2015.
Leonard J. Howie III,
Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
[FR Doc. 2015-20422 Filed 8-17-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-CR-P