[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 144 (Friday, July 30, 2021)]
[Unknown Section]
[Pages 41242-41246]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14873]



[[Page 41241]]

Vol. 86

Friday,

No. 144

July 30, 2021

Part XI





Department of Labor





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 144 / Friday, July 30, 2021 / UA: Reg 
Flex Agenda  

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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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Martin J. Walsh,
Secretary of Labor.

                Wage and Hour Division--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
151.......................  Defining and Delimiting            1235-AA39
                             the Exemptions for
                             Executive,
                             Administrative,
                             Professional, Outside
                             Sales and Computer
                             Employees.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                Wage and Hour Division--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
152.......................  Independent Contractor             1235-AA34
                             Status Under the Fair
                             Labor Standards Act.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


       Employment and Training Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
153.......................  Temporary Employment of H-         1205-AB93
                             2B Foreign Workers in
                             Certain Itinerant
                             Occupations in the United
                             States.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


       Employee Benefits Security Administration--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
154.......................  Requirements Related to            1210-AB99
                             Surprise Billing, Part 1.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Employee Benefits Security Administration--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
155.......................  Fiduciary Duties Regarding         1210-AB91
                             Proxy Voting and
                             Shareholder Rights.
156.......................  Financial Factors in               1210-AB95
                             Selecting Plan
                             Investments.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 41243]]


      Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Prerule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
157.......................  Process Safety Management          1218-AC82
                             and Prevention of Major
                             Chemical Accidents.
158.......................  Emergency Response........         1218-AC91
159.......................  Prevention of Workplace            1218-AD08
                             Violence in Health Care
                             and Social Assistance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


   Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
160.......................  Infectious Diseases.......         1218-AC46
161.......................  Communication Tower Safety         1218-AC90
162.......................  Tree Care Standard........         1218-AD04
------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

Long-Term Actions

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

    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.; 29 U.S.C. 213
    Abstract: WHD is reviewing the regulations at 29 CFR 541, which 
implement the exemption of bona fide executive, administrative, and 
professional employees from the Fair Labor Standards Act's minimum wage 
and overtime requirements.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next Action Undetermined............      To Be  Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-
3502, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-0406.
    RIN: 1235-AA39

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

Completed Actions

152. Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act

    Legal Authority: Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.
    Abstract: The Department of Labor issued a final rule, with an 
effective date of March 8, 2021, revising its interpretation of is 
proposing a regulation for determining independent contractor status 
under the Fair Labor Standards Act. In accordance 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,'' the Department issued a Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking to delay the effective date of the rule until May 7, 2021, 
to review and consider the questions of law, policy, and fact raised by 
the rule.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/25/20  85 FR 60600
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/26/20
Final Rule..........................   01/07/21  86 FR 1168
Proposed Delay of Final Rule           02/05/21  86 FR 8326
 Effective Date.
Proposed Delay of Final Rule           02/24/21
 Effective Date Comment Period End.
Final Rule Delay of Effective Date..   03/04/21  86 FR 12535
Final Rule Delay of Effective Date     05/07/21
 Effective.
NPRM; Proposal to Withdraw..........   03/12/21  86 FR 14027
NPRM; Proposal to Withdraw Comment     04/12/21
 Period End.
Final Rule; Withdrawal..............   05/06/21  86 FR 24303
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-
3502, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-0406.
    RIN: 1235-AA34

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Employment and Training Administration (ETA)

Proposed Rule Stage

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

    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 proposing to amend H-2B non-immigrant 
visa program regulations at 20 CFR part 655, subpart A, and 8 CFR 214. 
The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) would 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................................   12/00/21
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Brian Pasternak, Administrator, Department of 
Labor, Employment and Training Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue 
NW, Office of Foreign Labor Certification; Room N-5311, FP Building, 
Washington, DC 20210,

[[Page 41244]]

Phone: 202 693-8200, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1205-AB93

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)

Final Rule Stage

154.  Requirements Related to Surprise Billing, Part 1

    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 116-260, Division BB, Title I and Title II
    Abstract: This interim final rule with comment would implement 
certain protections against surprise medical bills under the No 
Surprises Act, including requirements on group health plans, issuers 
offering group or individual health insurance coverage, providers, 
facilities, and providers of air ambulance services.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interim Final Rule..................   07/00/21
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Amber Rivers, Director, Office of Health Plan 
Standards and Compliance Assistance, Department of Labor, Employee 
Benefits Security Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-8335.
    RIN: 1210-AB99

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)

Completed Actions

155.  Fiduciary Duties Regarding Proxy Voting and Shareholder 
Rights

    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1102 to 1104; 29 U.S.C. 1135
    Abstract: This regulatory action would address the application of 
the prudence and exclusive purpose duties under the Employee Retirement 
Income Security Act of 1974 to the exercise of shareholder rights, 
including proxy voting, the use of written proxy voting policies and 
guidelines, and the selection and monitoring of proxy advisory firms.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/04/20  85 FR 55219
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/05/20
Final Rule..........................   12/16/20  85 FR 81658
Final Rule Effective................   01/15/21
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-AB91

156. Financial Factors in Selecting Plan Investments

    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1102 to 1104; 29 U.S.C. 1135
    Abstract: This regulatory action supersedes and replaces the 
Department of Labor's prior Interpretive Bulletins on the application 
of the fiduciary rules in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act 
of 1974 (ERISA) to pension plan investments selected because they may 
further collateral economic or social benefits in addition to their 
investment returns. The rule protects participant and beneficiary 
interests by requiring that plan fiduciaries select investments and 
investment courses of action based solely on financial considerations 
relevant to the risk-adjusted economic value of a particular investment 
or investment course of action.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/30/20  85 FR 39113
NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/30/20
Final Rule..........................   11/13/20  85 FR 72846
Final Rule Effective................   01/12/21
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-AB95

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Prerule Stage

157. Process Safety Management and Prevention of Major Chemical 
Accidents

    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 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
Stakeholder Meeting.................   08/00/21
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Andrew Levinson, Deputy 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, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1218-AC82

158. Emergency Response

    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

[[Page 41245]]

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.....................   05/00/21
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Andrew Levinson, Deputy 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, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1218-AC91

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

    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 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.....................   12/00/21
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Andrew Levinson, Deputy 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, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1218-AD08

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Proposed Rule Stage

160. Infectious Diseases

    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, as well as 
new and emerging infectious disease threats, such as Severe Acute 
Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), 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), COVID-19, 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................................   12/00/21
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Andrew Levinson, Deputy 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, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1218-AC46

161. Communication Tower Safety

    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).
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI).......   04/15/15  80 FR 20185

[[Page 41246]]

 
RFI Comment Period End..............   06/15/15
Initiate SBREFA.....................   01/04/17
Initiate SBREFA.....................   05/31/18
Complete SBREFA.....................   10/11/18
NPRM................................   03/00/22
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

162. Tree Care Standard

    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). OSHA completed a Small Business Regulatory 
Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) panel in May 2020, collecting 
information from affected small entities on a potential standard, 
including the scope of the standard, effective work practices, and 
arboricultural specific uses of equipment to guide OSHA in developing a 
rule that would best address industry safety and health concerns. Tree 
care continues to be a high-hazard industry.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stakeholder Meeting.................   07/13/16
Initiate SBREFA.....................   01/10/20
Complete SBREFA.....................   05/22/20
NPRM................................   04/00/22
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Andrew Levinson, Deputy 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, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1218-AD04

[FR Doc. 2021-14873 Filed 7-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-HL-P