[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 247 (Friday, December 23, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 94777-94782]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29870]



[[Page 94777]]

Vol. 81

Friday,

No. 247

December 23, 2016

Part XIII





Department of Labor





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Office of the Secretary





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 247 / Friday, December 23, 2016 / 
Unified Agenda  

[[Page 94778]]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary

20 CFR Chs. I, IV, V, VI, VII, and IX

29 CFR Subtitle A and Chs. II, IV, V, XVII, and XXV

30 CFR Ch. I

41 CFR Ch. 60

48 CFR Ch. 29


Semiannual Agenda of Regulations

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Labor.

ACTION: Semiannual Regulatory Agenda.

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SUMMARY: The Internet has become the means for disseminating the 
entirety of the Department of Labor's semiannual regulatory agenda. 
However, the Regulatory Flexibility Act requires publication of a 
regulatory flexibility agenda in the Federal Register. This Federal 
Register Notice contains the regulatory flexibility agenda.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Swirsky, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary, Office of Regulatory Policy, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue 
NW., Room S-2312, Washington, DC 20210; (202) 693-5959.

    Note:  Information pertaining to a specific regulation can be 
obtained from the agency contact listed for that particular 
regulation.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Order 12866 requires the 
semiannual publication of an agenda of regulations that contains a 
listing of all the regulations the Department of Labor expects to have 
under active consideration for promulgation, proposal, or review during 
the coming one-year period. The entirety of the Department's semiannual 
agenda is available online at www.reginfo.gov.
    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 602) requires DOL to 
publish in the Federal Register a regulatory flexibility agenda. The 
Department's Regulatory Flexibility Agenda published with this notice, 
includes only those rules on its semiannual agenda that are likely to 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities; and those rules identified for periodic review in keeping 
with the requirements of section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. 
Thus, the regulatory flexibility agenda is a subset of the Department's 
semiannual regulatory agenda. There is only one section 610 item on the 
Department of Labor's Regulatory Flexibility Agenda:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Bloodborne Pathogens (RIN 1218-AC34)

    In addition, the Department's Regulatory Plan, also a subset of the 
Department's regulatory agenda, is being published in the Federal 
Register. The Regulatory Plan contains a statement of the Department's 
regulatory priorities and the regulatory actions the Department wants 
to highlight as its most important and significant.
    All interested members of the public are invited and encouraged to 
let departmental officials know how our regulatory efforts can be 
improved, and are invited to participate in and comment on the review 
or development of the regulations listed on the Department's agenda.

 Thomas E. Perez,
Secretary of Labor.

    Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
343.......................  Discrimination on the              1250-AA05
                             Basis of Sex.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                Wage and Hour Division--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
344.......................  Defining and Delimiting            1235-AA11
                             the Exemptions for
                             Executive,
                             Administrative,
                             Professional, Outside
                             Sales, and Computer
                             Employees.
345.......................  Establishing Paid Sick             1235-AA13
                             Leave for Contractors,
                             Executive Order 13706.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


       Employment and Training Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
346.......................  Modernizing the Permanent          1205-AB75
                             Labor Certification
                             Program (PERM).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


        Employment and Training Administration--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
347.......................  Workforce Innovation and           1205-AB73
                             Opportunity Act.
348.......................  Workforce Innovation and           1205-AB74
                             Opportunity Act; Joint
                             Rule With U.S. Department
                             of Education for Combined
                             and Unified State Plans,
                             Performance
                             Accountability, and the
                             One-Stop System Joint
                             Provisions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 94779]]


      Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Prerule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
349.......................  Bloodborne Pathogens               1218-AC34
                             (Section 610 Review).
350.......................  Combustible Dust..........         1218-AC41
351.......................  Preventing Backover                1218-AC51
                             Injuries and Fatalities.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


   Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
352.......................  Infectious Diseases (Reg           1218-AC46
                             Plan Seq No. 85).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this
  issue of the Federal Register.


     Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
353.......................  Occupational Exposure to           1218-AB76
                             Beryllium (Reg Plan Seq
                             No. 87).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this
  issue of the Federal Register.


    Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
354.......................  Injury and Illness                 1218-AC48
                             Prevention Program.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)

Completed Actions

343. Discrimination on the Basis of Sex

    Legal Authority: Sec. 201, E.O. 11246, 30 FR 12319 and E.O. 11375, 
32 FR 14303, as amended by E.O. 12086
    Abstract: The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs 
(OFCCP) is charged with enforcing Executive Order 11246, as amended, 
which prohibits Federal Government contractors and subcontractors from 
discriminating against individuals in employment on the basis of race, 
color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or national 
origin, and requires them to take affirmative action. This order also 
prohibits discrimination based on an employee discussing his or her pay 
or the pay of a coworker. OFCCP regulations at 41 CFR part 60-20 set 
forth the interpretations and guidelines for implementing Executive 
Order 11246, as amended, in regard to promoting and ensuring equal 
opportunities for all persons employed or seeking employment with 
Government contractors and subcontractors without regard to sex. This 
nondiscrimination requirement also applies to contractors and 
subcontractors performing under federally assisted construction 
contracts. The guidance in part 60-20 is more than 30 years old, and 
warranted changes that align OFCCP's requirements with current law and 
better address the realities of today's workplaces. OFCCP published a 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on January 30, 2015 (80 FR 5245), to 
create sex discrimination regulations that reflect the current state of 
the law in this area. OFCCP published the Discrimination on the Basis 
of Sex Final Rule on June 14, 2016 (81 FR 39107). The Final Rule 
becomes effective August 15, 2016.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   01/30/15  80 FR 5245
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/31/15  .......................
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   04/01/15  80 FR 17373
NPRM Comment Period Extended End....   04/14/15  .......................
Final Rule..........................   06/15/16  81 FR 39108
Final Rule Effective................   08/15/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Debra A. Carr, Director, Division of Policy and 
Program Development, Department of Labor, Office of Federal Contract 
Compliance Programs, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room C-
3325, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-0103, TDD Phone: 202 693-
1337, Fax: 202 693-1304, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1250-AA05

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

Completed Actions

344. Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, 
Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales, and Computer Employees

    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 213(a)(1) (Fair Labor Standards Act)
    Abstract: The Department proposes to update the regulations 
governing which executive, administrative, and professional employees 
(white collar workers) are entitled to the Fair Labor Standards Act's 
minimum wage and overtime pay protections. Key provisions of the 
proposed rule include: (1) Setting the standard salary level required 
for exemption for full-time salaried workers; (2) increasing the total 
annual compensation requirement needed to exempt highly compensated 
employees; and (3) establishing a

[[Page 94780]]

mechanism for automatically updating the salary and compensation levels 
going forward to ensure that they will continue to provide a useful and 
effective test for exemption. The Department last updated these 
regulations in 2004, which, among other items, set the standard salary 
level at not less than $455 per week.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/06/15  80 FR 38516
NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/04/15  .......................
Final Rule..........................   05/23/16  81 FR 32391
Final Rule Effective................   12/01/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Melissa Smith, Director, Regulations, Legislation 
and Interpretations, Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, 200 
Constitution Avenue NW., Room S3502, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 
693-0406, Fax: 202 693-1387.
    RIN: 1235-AA11

345. Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Contractors, Executive Order 
13706

    Legal Authority: E.O. 13706
    Abstract: Executive Order 13706, Establishing Paid Sick Leave for 
Federal Contractors (80 FR 54697) establishes paid sick leave for 
Federal contractors and subcontractors. The Executive order indicates 
that Executive Departments and agencies shall, to the extent permitted 
by law, ensure that new contracts, contract-like instruments, and 
solicitations as described in section 6 of the order, include a clause, 
which the contractor and any subcontractors shall incorporate into 
lower-tier subcontracts, specifying that all employees, in the 
performance of the contract or any subcontract thereunder, shall earn 
not less than one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. 
Consistent with the Executive order, the Department of Labor will issue 
implementing regulations.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/25/16  81 FR 9592
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/28/16  .......................
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   03/14/16  81 FR 13306
NPRM Comment Period Extended End....   04/12/16  .......................
Final Rule..........................   09/30/16  81 FR 67598
Final Rule Effective................   11/29/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Melissa Smith, Director, Regulations, Legislation 
and Interpretations, Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, 200 
Constitution Avenue NW., Room S3502, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 
693-0406, Fax: 202 693-1387.
    RIN: 1235-AA13

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)

Employment and Training Administration (ETA)

Proposed Rule Stage

346. Modernizing the Permanent Labor Certification Program (PERM)

    Legal Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(5)(A)
    Abstract: The PERM regulations govern the labor certification 
process for employers seeking to employ foreign workers permanently in 
the United States. The Department of Labor (Department) has not 
comprehensively examined and modified the permanent labor certification 
requirements and process since 2004. Over the last ten years, much has 
changed in our country's economy, affecting employers' demand for 
workers and the availability of a qualified domestic labor force. 
Advances in technology and information dissemination have dramatically 
altered common industry recruitment practices, and the Department has 
received ongoing feedback that the existing regulatory requirements 
governing the PERM process frequently do not align with worker or 
industry needs and practices. Therefore, the Department is engaging in 
rulemaking that will consider options to modernize the PERM program to 
be more responsive to changes in the national workforce, to further 
align the program design with the objectives of the U.S. immigration 
system and needs of workers and employers, and to enhance the integrity 
of the labor certification process.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William W. Thompson II, Acting Administrator, 
Office of Foreign Labor Certification, Department of Labor, Employment 
and Training Administration, 375 E Street SW., Patriot Plaza II, Room 
12-200, Washington, DC 20024, Phone: 202 513-7350.
    RIN: 1205-AB75

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)

Employment and Training Administration (ETA)

Completed Actions

347. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

    Legal Authority: Sec. 503(f) of the Workforce Innovation and 
Opportunity Act (Pub. L. 113-128)
    Abstract: On July 22, 2014, the President signed the Workforce 
Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (Pub. L. 113-128). WIOA repeals 
the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) and amends the Wagner-Peyser 
Act. (29 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.) The Department of Labor issued a Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on April 16, 2015, that proposed to 
implement the changes WIOA makes to the public workforce system in 
regulations. Through the NPRM, the Department proposed ways to carry 
out the purposes of WIOA to provide workforce investment activities, 
through State and local workforce development systems, that increase 
employment, retention, and earnings of participants, meet the skill 
requirements of employers, and enhance the productivity and 
competitiveness of the Nation. The Department analyzed the comments 
received and developed a final rule.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   04/16/15  80 FR 20690
NPRM Comment Period End.............   06/15/15  .......................
Final Rule..........................   08/19/16  81 FR 56072
Final Rule Effective................   10/18/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Portia Wu, Assistant Secretary for Employment and 
Training, Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, 
200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 
202 639-2700.
    RIN: 1205-AB73

[[Page 94781]]

348. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; Joint Rule With U.S. 
Department of Education for Combined and Unified State Plans, 
Performance Accountability, and the One-Stop System Joint Provisions

    Legal Authority: Sec. 503(f) of the Workforce Innovation and 
Opportunity Act (Pub. L. 113-128)
    Abstract: On July 22, 2014, the President signed the Workforce 
Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (Pub. L. 113-128) which repeals 
the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA). (29 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.) As 
directed by WIOA, the Departments of Education and Labor issued a 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on April 16, 2015, to implement 
the changes in regulations that WIOA makes to the public workforce 
system regarding Combined and Unified State Plans, performance 
accountability for WIOA title I, title II, title III, and title IV 
programs, and the one-stop delivery system.
    All of the other regulations implementing WIOA were published by 
the Departments of Labor and Education in separate NPRMs. The 
Departments analyzed the comments received and developed a final rule.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   04/16/15  80 FR 20574
NPRM Comment Period End.............   06/15/15  .......................
Final Rule..........................   08/19/16  81 FR 55792
Final Rule Effective................   10/18/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Portia Wu, Assistant Secretary for Employment and 
Training, Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, 
200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 
202 639-2700.
    RIN: 1205-AB74

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Prerule Stage

349. Bloodborne Pathogens (Section 610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 5 U.S.C. 533; 5 U.S.C. 610; 29 U.S.C. 655(b)
    Abstract: OSHA will undertake a review of the Bloodborne Pathogen 
Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) in accordance with the requirements of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act and section 5 of Executive Order 12866. The 
review will consider the continued need for the rule; whether the rule 
overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with other Federal, State or local 
regulations; and the degree to which technology, economic conditions, 
or other factors may have changed since the rule was evaluated.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Begin Review........................   10/22/09  .......................
Notice of Request for Comment.......   05/14/10  75 FR 27237
Notice of Request for Comment Period   08/12/10  .......................
 End.
End Review and Issue Findings.......   11/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Amanda Edens, Director, Directorate of Technical 
Support and Emergency Management, Department of Labor, Occupational 
Safety and Health Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP 
Building, Room N-3653, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-2300, Fax: 
202 693-1644, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1218-AC34

350. Combustible Dust

    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 29 U.S.C. 657
    Abstract: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has 
initiated rulemaking to develop a combustible dust standard for general 
industry. OSHA will use information gathered, including from an 
upcoming SBREFA panel, to develop a comprehensive standard that 
addresses combustible dust hazards.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANPRM...............................   10/21/09  74 FR 54333
Notice of Stakeholder Meetings......   12/14/09  .......................
ANPRM Comment Period End............   01/19/10  .......................
Notice of Stakeholder Meetings......   03/09/10  75 FR 10739
Initiate SBREFA.....................   11/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Perry, Director, Directorate of Standards 
and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3718, 
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1950, Fax: 202 693-1678, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1218-AC41

351. Preventing Backover Injuries and Fatalities

    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b)
    Abstract: Backing vehicles and equipment are common causes of 
struck-by injuries and can also cause caught-between injuries when 
backing vehicles and equipment pin a worker against an object. Struck-
by injuries and caught-between injuries are two of the four leading 
causes of workplace fatalities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 
that in 2013, 67 workers were fatally backed over while working. While 
many backing incidents can prove to be fatal, workers can suffer 
severe, non-fatal injuries as well. A review of OSHA's Integrated 
Management Information System (IMIS) database found that backing 
incidents can result in serious injury to the back and pelvis, 
fractured bones, concussions, amputations, and other injuries. Emerging 
technologies in the field of backing operations may prevent incidents. 
The technologies include cameras and proximity detection systems. The 
use of spotters and internal traffic control plans can also make 
backing operations safer. The Agency has held stakeholder meetings on 
backovers, and is conducting site visits to employers, and is 
developing a standard to address these hazards.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI).......   03/29/12  77 FR 18973
RFI Comment Period End..............   07/27/12  .......................
Initiate SBREFA.....................   04/00/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Dean McKenzie, Director, Directorate of 
Construction, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, Room N-3468, FP Building, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-2020, Fax: 202 693-1689, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1218-AC51


[[Page 94782]]



DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Proposed Rule Stage

352. Infectious Diseases

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 85 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 1218-AC46

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Final Rule Stage

353. Occupational Exposure to Beryllium

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 87 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 1218-AB76

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Long-Term Actions

354. Injury and Illness Prevention Program

    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 653; 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 29 U.S.C. 657
    Abstract: OSHA is developing a rule requiring employers to 
implement an Injury and Illness Prevention Program. It involves 
planning, implementing, evaluating, and improving processes and 
activities that protect employee safety and health. OSHA has 
substantial data on reductions in injuries and illnesses from employers 
who have implemented similar effective processes. The Agency currently 
has voluntary Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines (54 FR 
3904 to 3916), published in 1989. An injury and illness prevention 
program rule would build on these guidelines as well as lessons learned 
from successful approaches and best practices under OSHA's Voluntary 
Protection Program, Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program, 
and similar industry and international initiatives such as American 
National Standards Institute/American Industrial Hygiene Association 
Z10, and Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series 18001.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Stakeholder Meetings......   05/04/10  75 FR 23637
                                     -----------------------------------
Notice of Additional Stakeholder       06/22/10  75 FR 35360
 Meetings.
                                     -----------------------------------
SBREFA..............................  To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Perry, Director, Directorate of Standards 
and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3718, 
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1950, Fax: 202 693-1678, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1218-AC48

[FR Doc. 2016-29870 Filed 12-22-16; 8:45 am]
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