[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 247 (Thursday, December 26, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71155-71160]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26582]



[[Page 71155]]

Vol. 84

Thursday,

No. 247

December 26, 2019

Part X





Department of Labor





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 84 , No. 247 / Thursday, December 26, 2019 / 
UA: Reg Flex Agenda  

[[Page 71156]]


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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: Laura M. Dawkins, Director, Office of 
Regulatory and Programmatic 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. The Department's Regulatory Flexibility 
Agenda does not include section 610 items at this time.
    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.

Eugene Scalia,
Secretary of Labor.

                Wage and Hour Division--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
292.......................  Defining and Delimiting            1235-AA20
                             the Exemptions for
                             Executive,
                             Administrative,
                             Professional, Outside
                             Sales and Computer
                             Employees.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


        Employment and Training Administration--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
293.......................  Temporary Employment of H-         1205-AB93
                             2B Foreign Workers in
                             Certain Itinerant
                             Occupations in the United
                             States.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


        Employment and Training Administration--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
294.......................  Modernizing Recruitment            1205-AB90
                             Requirements Under the H-
                             2A Program.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Employee Benefits Security Administration--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
295.......................  Revision of the Form 5500          1210-AB63
                             Series and Implementing
                             Related Regulations Under
                             the Employee Retirement
                             Income Security Act of
                             1974 (ERISA).
296.......................  Definition of an                   1210-AB88
                             ``Employer'' Under
                             Section 3(5) of ERISA--
                             Association Retirement
                             Plans and Other Multiple
                             Employer Plans.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Prerule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
297.......................  Emergency Response........         1218-AC91
298.......................  Tree Care Standard........         1218-AD04
299.......................  Prevention of Workplace            1218-AD08
                             Violence in Health Care
                             and Social Assistance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 71157]]


   Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
300.......................  Communication Tower Safety         1218-AC90
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
301.......................  Infectious Diseases.......         1218-AC46
302.......................  Process Safety Management          1218-AC82
                             and Prevention of Major
                             Chemical Accidents.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

Completed Actions

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

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.; 29 U.S.C.213(a)(1)
    Abstract: The Department issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NPRM) to determine the appropriate salary level for exemption of 
executive, administrative and professional employees. The Department 
also proposed to increase the highly compensated employees (HCE) total 
compensation level, allow the inclusion of up to 10 percent of the 
standard salary level to include nondiscretionary bonus and incentive 
payments as long as paid at least annually, and special salary levels 
for the U.S. territories and the motion picture industry. In developing 
the final rule, the Department will be informed by the comments 
received in response to its NPRM.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI).......   07/26/17  82 FR 34616
RFI Comment Period End..............   09/25/17  .......................
NPRM................................   03/22/19  84 FR 10840
NPRM Comment Period End.............   05/21/19  .......................
Final Rule..........................   09/27/19  84 FR 51230
Final Rule Effective................   01/01/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Amy DeBisschop, Director of the Division of 
Regulations, Legislation and Interpretation, Department of Labor, Wage 
and Hour Division, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room S-
2502, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-0406.
    RIN: 1235-AA20

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Employment and Training Administration (ETA)

Long-Term Actions

293. Temporary Employment of H-2B Foreign Workers in Certain Itinerant 
Occupations in the United States

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1184; 8 U.S.C. 1103
    Abstract: The United States Department of Labor's (DOL) Employment 
and Training Administration and Wage and Hour Division, and the United 
States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and 
Immigration Services, are jointly amending regulations regarding the H-
2B non-immigrant visa program at 20 CFR part 655, subpart A. The Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) will establish standards and procedures 
for employers seeking to hire foreign temporary nonagricultural workers 
for certain itinerant job opportunities, including entertainers and 
carnivals and utility vegetation management.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Thomas M. Dowd, Deputy Assistant Secretary, 
Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, 200 
Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 
513-7350.
    RIN: 1205-AB93

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Employment and Training Administration (ETA)

Completed Actions

294. Modernizing Recruitment Requirements Under the H-2A Program

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1188
    Abstract: The United States Department of Labor's (DOL) Employment 
and Training Administration is amending regulations regarding the H-2A 
non-immigrant visa program at 20 CFR part 655, subpart B. The final 
rule includes necessary technical improvements, which eliminates print 
newspaper advertisements and modernizes the requirements employers must 
meet for advertising job opportunities to U.S. workers.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/09/18  83 FR 55985
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/10/18  .......................
NPRM Comment Period End Extended to    12/10/18  83 FR 63456
 12/28/2018.
Final Rule..........................   09/20/19  84 FR 49439
Final Rule Effective................   10/21/19  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Thomas M. Dowd, Deputy Assistant Secretary, 
Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, 200 
Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 
513-7350.
    RIN: 1205-AB90


[[Page 71158]]



DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)

Completed Actions

295. Revision of the Form 5500 Series and Implementing Related 
Regulations Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 
(ERISA)

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1021 to 1025; 29 U.S.C. 1027; 29 U.S.C. 
1029 and 1030; 29 U.S.C. 1134 and 1135; 29 U.S.C. 1059; 29 U.S.C. 1204
    Abstract: This regulatory action is part of a long-term strategic 
project with the Internal Revenue Service and the Pension Benefit 
Guaranty Corporation (collectively ``Agencies'') to modernize and 
improve the Form 5500 Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan. 
The Agencies published proposals in 2016 that included a range of 
proposed changes in the reporting forms and implementing regulations. 
Those proposals were never finalized. The Employee Benefits Security 
Administration is withdrawing this entry from the agenda at this time, 
due to agency reprioritization.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/21/16  81 FR 47496
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/04/16  .......................
Notice of Proposed Forms Revision...   07/21/16  81 FR 47534
Notice of Proposed Forms Revision      10/04/16  .......................
 Comment Period End.
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   09/23/16  81 FR 65594
NPRM Comment Period Extended End....   12/05/16  .......................
Withdrawn...........................   09/30/19  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Mara S. Blumenthal, Employee Benefits Law 
Specialist, Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security 
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room N-5655, 
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-8500.
    RIN: 1210-AB63

296. Definition of an ``Employer'' Under Section 3(5) of ERISA--
Association Retirement Plans and Other Multiple Employer Plans

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1002(2), 1002(5) and 1135
    Abstract: This regulatory action would establish criteria under 
section 3(5) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) for 
purposes of being an ``employer'' able to establish and maintain an 
employee pension benefit plan (as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA) 
that is a multiple employer retirement savings plan (other than a 
multiemployer plan defined in section 3(37) of ERISA).
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   10/23/18  83 FR 53534
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/24/18  .......................
Final Rule..........................   07/31/19  84 FR 37508
Final Rule Effective................   09/30/19  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jeffrey J. Turner, Deputy Director, Office of 
Regulations and Interpretations, Department of Labor, Employee Benefits 
Security Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room 
N-5655, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-8500.
    RIN: 1210-AB88

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Prerule Stage

297. Emergency Response

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 29 U.S.C. 657; 5 U.S.C. 609
    Abstract: OSHA currently regulates aspects of emergency response 
and preparedness; some of these standards were promulgated decades ago, 
and none were designed as comprehensive emergency response standards. 
Consequently, they do not address the full range of hazards or concerns 
currently facing emergency responders, and other workers providing 
skilled support, nor do they reflect major changes in performance 
specifications for protective clothing and equipment. The Agency 
acknowledged that current OSHA standards also do not reflect all the 
major developments in safety and health practices that have already 
been accepted by the emergency response community and incorporated into 
industry consensus standards. OSHA is considering updating these 
standards with information gathered through an RFI and public meetings.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stakeholder Meetings................   07/30/14  .......................
Convene NACOSH Workgroup............   09/09/15  .......................
NACOSH Review of Workgroup Report...   12/14/16  .......................
Initiate SBREFA.....................   08/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-AC91

298. Tree Care Standard

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: Not Yet Determined
    Abstract: There is no OSHA standard for tree care operations; the 
agency currently applies a patchwork of standards to address the 
serious hazards in this industry. The tree care industry previously 
petitioned the agency for rulemaking and OSHA issued an ANPRM 
(September 2008). Tree care continues to be a high-hazard industry.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stakeholder Meeting.................   07/13/16  .......................
Initiate SBREFA.....................   11/00/19  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-AD04

299. Prevention of Workplace Violence in Health Care and Social 
Assistance

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 5 U.S.C. 609
    Abstract: The Request for Information (RFI) (published on December 
7, 2016 81 FR 88147)) provides OSHA's history with the issue of 
workplace violence in

[[Page 71159]]

health care and social assistance, including a discussion of the 
Guidelines that were initially published in 1996, a 2014 update to the 
Guidelines, the Agency's use of 5(a)(1) in enforcement cases in health 
care. The RFI solicited information primarily from health care 
employers, workers and other subject matter experts on impacts of 
violence, prevention strategies, and other information that will be 
useful to the Agency. OSHA was petitioned for a standard preventing 
workplace violence in health care by a broad coalition of labor unions, 
and in a separate petition by the National Nurses United. On January 
10, 2017, OSHA granted the petitions.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI).......   12/07/16  81 FR 88147
RFI Comment Period End..............   04/06/17  .......................
Initiate SBREFA.....................   01/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-AD08


DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Proposed Rule Stage

300. Communication Tower Safety

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 5 U.S.C. 609
    Abstract: While the number of employees engaged in the 
communication tower industry remains small, the fatality rate is very 
high. Over the past 20 years, this industry has experienced an average 
fatality rate that greatly exceeds that of the construction industry. 
Due to recent FCC spectrum auctions and innovations in cellular 
technology, there will be a very high level of construction activity 
taking place on communication towers over the next few years. A similar 
increase in the number of construction projects needed to support 
cellular phone coverage triggered a spike in fatality and injury rates 
years ago. Based on information collected from an April 2016 Request 
for Information (RFI), OSHA concluded that current OSHA requirements 
such as those for fall protection and personnel hoisting, may not 
adequately cover all hazards of communication tower construction and 
maintenance activities. OSHA will use information collected from a 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) panel to 
identify effective work practices and advances in engineering 
technology that would best address industry safety and health concerns. 
The Panel carefully considered the issue of the expansion of the rule 
beyond just communication towers. OSHA will continue to consider also 
covering structures that have telecommunications equipment on or 
attached to them (e.g., buildings, rooftops, water towers, billboards, 
etc.).
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI).......   04/15/15  80 FR 20185
RFI Comment Period End..............   06/15/15  .......................
Initiate SBREFA.....................   01/04/17  .......................
Initiate SBREFA.....................   05/31/18  .......................
Complete SBREFA.....................   10/11/18  .......................
NPRM................................   09/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Scott Ketcham, Director, Directorate of 
Construction, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room N-3468, FP Building, 
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-2020, Fax: 202 693-1689, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1218-AC90

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Long-Term Actions

301. Infectious Diseases

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 5 U.S.C. 533; 29 U.S.C. 657 and 658; 29 U.S.C. 
660; 29 U.S.C. 666; 29 U.S.C. 669; 29 U.S.C. 673
    Abstract: Employees in health care and other high-risk environments 
face long-standing infectious disease hazards such as tuberculosis 
(TB), varicella disease (chickenpox, shingles), and measles (rubella), 
as well as new and emerging infectious disease threats, such as Severe 
Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and pandemic influenza. Health care 
workers and workers in related occupations, or who are exposed in other 
high-risk environments, are at increased risk of contracting TB, SARS, 
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), and other 
infectious diseases that can be transmitted through a variety of 
exposure routes. OSHA is examining regulatory alternatives for control 
measures to protect employees from infectious disease exposures to 
pathogens that can cause significant disease. Workplaces where such 
control measures might be necessary include: health care, emergency 
response, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, drug treatment 
programs, and other occupational settings where employees can be at 
increased risk of exposure to potentially infectious people. A standard 
could also apply to laboratories, which handle materials that may be a 
source of pathogens, and to pathologists, coroners' offices, medical 
examiners, and mortuaries.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI).......   05/06/10  75 FR 24835
RFI Comment Period End..............   08/04/10  .......................
Analyze Comments....................   12/30/10  .......................
Stakeholder Meetings................   07/05/11  76 FR 39041
Initiate SBREFA.....................   06/04/14  .......................
Complete SBREFA.....................   12/22/14  .......................
                                     -----------------------------------
NPRM................................           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-AC46

302. Process Safety Management and Prevention of Major Chemical 
Accidents

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655; 29 U.S.C. 657
    Abstract: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 
issued a Request for Information (RFI) on December 9, 2013 (78 FR 
73756). The RFI identified issues related to modernization of the 
Process Safety

[[Page 71160]]

Management standard and related standards necessary to meet the goal of 
preventing major chemical accidents.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI).......   12/09/13  78 FR 73756
RFI Comment Period Extended.........   03/07/14  79 FR 13006
RFI Comment Period Extended End.....   03/31/14  .......................
Initiate SBREFA.....................   06/08/15  .......................
SBREFA Report Completed.............   08/01/16  .......................
Next Action Undetermined............             .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-AC82

[FR Doc. 2019-26582 Filed 12-23-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-04-P