[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 9, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 8721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-02722]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 9, 2021 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 8721]]



DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs

20 CFR Part 702

RIN 1240-AA13


Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act: Electronic 
Filing, Settlement, and Civil Money Penalty Procedures

AGENCY: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Labor.

ACTION: Withdrawal of notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: On December 14, 2020, the Office of Workers' Compensation 
Programs (OWCP) published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the 
Federal Register proposing to revise regulations governing electronic 
filing and settlements, and establishing new procedures for assessing 
and adjudicating penalties under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' 
Compensation Act (LHWCA). Consistent with the Presidential directive as 
expressed in the memorandum of January 20, 2021, from the Assistant to 
the President and Chief of Staff, entitled ``Regulatory Freeze Pending 
Review,'' OWCP is withdrawing the notice of proposed rulemaking.

DATES: As of February 9, 2021, the notice of proposed rulemaking 
published at 85 FR 80698 on December 14, 2020, is withdrawn.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Antonio Rios, Director, Division of 
Federal Employees', Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation, Office 
of Workers' Compensation Programs, (202)-693-0040, 
[email protected]. TTY/TDD callers may dial toll free 1-877-889-5627 
for further information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 14, 2020, OWCP published a 
notice of proposed rulemaking entitled Longshore and Harbor Workers' 
Compensation Act: Electronic Filing, Settlement, and Civil Money 
Penalty Procedures, 85 FR 80698. The proposed rule would revise the 
LHWCA regulations governing electronic filing and settlements, and 
establish new procedures for assessing and adjudicating penalties under 
the LHWCA. The comment period for the rule expires on February 12, 
2021. OWCP simultaneously published a companion direct final rule. See 
85 FR 80601 (Dec. 14, 2020).
    A new administration assumed office on January 20, 2021. On that 
same date, the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff issued a 
memorandum entitled ``Regulatory Freeze Pending Review'' to the Heads 
of Executive Departments and Agencies. 86 FR 7424 (Jan. 28, 2021). The 
purpose of the memorandum was ``to ensure that the President's 
appointees or designees have the opportunity to review any new or 
pending rules.'' Id. The memorandum directs agencies to consider 
pausing or delaying certain regulatory actions for the purpose of 
reviewing questions of fact, law, and policy raised therein. OWCP 
believes that the most efficient way to implement the memorandum in 
this instance is to withdraw the notice of proposed rulemaking. The 
proposed rule is at an early stage and the comment period is still 
running. Thus, the administrative record has not yet been fully 
developed. Withdrawing the proposed rule will give the new 
administration adequate time to review the rule and determine the 
approach it wants to take. Once that review is complete, OWCP plans to 
issue a new proposed rule and offer the public an opportunity to 
comment on the topics addressed at that time. OWCP is simultaneously 
withdrawing the companion direct final rule.

0
Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal 
Register on December 14, 2020 (85 FR 80698) is withdrawn as of February 
9, 2021.

Christopher J. Godfrey,
Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
[FR Doc. 2021-02722 Filed 2-8-21; 8:45 am]
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