[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 143 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48576-48580]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14548]



[[Page 48575]]

Vol. 88

Thursday,

No. 143

July 27, 2023

Part XII





Department of Labor





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 88 , No. 143 / Thursday, July 27, 2023 / UA: 
Reg Flex Agenda  

[[Page 48576]]


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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: Albert T. Herrera, 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.

Julie A. Su,
Acting Secretary of Labor.

               Wage and Hour Division--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
125.......................  Defining and Delimiting            1235-AA39
                             the Exemptions for
                             Executive,
                             Administrative,
                             Professional, Outside
                             Sales and Computer
                             Employees.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


       Employment and Training Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
126.......................  Temporary Employment of H-         1205-AB93
                             2B Foreign Workers in the
                             United States.
127.......................  Improving Protections For          1205-AC12
                             Workers in Temporary
                             Agricultural Employment
                             in the United States.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Employee Benefits Security Administration--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
128.......................  Implement SECURE Act and           1210-AB97
                             Related Revisions to
                             Employee Benefit Plan
                             Annual Reporting on the
                             Form 5500.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Prerule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
129.......................  Process Safety Management          1218-AC82
                             and Prevention of Major
                             Chemical Accidents.
130.......................  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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
131.......................  Infectious Diseases.......         1218-AC46
132.......................  Communication Tower Safety         1218-AC90
133.......................  Emergency Response........         1218-AC91

[[Page 48577]]

 
134.......................  Tree Care Standard........         1218-AD04
------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

Proposed Rule Stage

125. Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, 
Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales and Computer Employees 
[1235-AA39]

    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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/00/23
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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)

Employment and Training Administration (ETA)

Proposed Rule Stage

126. Temporary Employment of H-2B Foreign Workers in the United States 
[1205-AB93]

    Legal Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1184; 8 U.S.C. 1103; sec. 655.0 issued 
under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(E)(iii), 1101(a)(15)(H)(i) and (ii); 8 
U.S.C. 1103(a)(6), 1182(m), (n) and (t), 1184(c), (g), and (j), 1188, 
and 1288(c) and (d); sec. 3(c)(1), Pub. L. 101-238; 103 Stat. 2099, 
2102 (8 U.S.C. 1182 note); sec. 221(a), Pub. L. 101-649, 104 Stat. 
4978, 5027 (8 U.S.C. 1184 note); sec. 303(a)(8), Pub. L. 102-232, 105 
Stat. 733, 1748 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note); sec. 323(c), Pub. L. 103-206, 107 
Stat. 2428; sec. 412(e); Pub. L. 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681 (8 U.S.C. 1182 
note); sec. 2(d), Pub. L. 106-95, 113 Stat. 1312, 1316 (8 U.S.C. 1182 
note); 29 U.S.C. 49k; Pub. L. 107-296, 116 Stat. 2135, as amended; Pub. 
L. 109-423, 120 Stat. 2900; . . .
    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 update the H-2B visa 
program regulations at 20 CFR part 655, subpart A, the related 
prevailing wage regulations at 20 CFR 656, and 8 CFR 214 governing the 
certification of the employment of H-2B non-immigrant workers in 
temporary or seasonal non-agricultural employment and the enforcement 
of the obligations applicable to employers of such nonimmigrant workers 
and U.S. workers in corresponding employment. Specifically, the Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) would update the process by which 
employers seeking to employ H-2B workers would obtain temporary 
certification from DOL for use in petitioning DHS to employ a 
nonimmigrant worker in H-2B status. The updates would also establish 
standards and procedures for employers seeking to hire foreign 
temporary non-agricultural workers for certain itinerant job 
opportunities, including entertainers, tree planting, and utility 
vegetation management.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/00/23
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

127. Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural 
Employment in the United States [1205-AC12]

    Legal Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1188; 29 U.S.C. 49 et seq.
    Abstract: The Department of Labor's (DOL) Employment and Training 
Administration and Wage and Hour Division propose to amend regulations 
to improve working conditions and protections for workers engaged in 
temporary agricultural employment in the United States; and strengthen 
protections in the recruitment, job order clearance, and oversight 
processes. The proposed regulatory changes involve the Employment 
Service and the H-2A non-immigrant visa program at 29 CFR part 501 and 
20 CFR parts 651, 653, 654, 655, and 658.
    The Department has identified a need to strengthen and clarify 
protections for all temporary agricultural workers, including U.S. 
workers and workers employed through the H-2A temporary agricultural 
program. The H-2A temporary agricultural program allows agricultural 
employers to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or 
seasonal nature so long as there are not sufficient able, willing, and 
qualified U.S. workers to perform the work and the employment of H-2A 
workers does not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of 
similarly employed workers in the United States. The use of the H-2A 
program has grown substantially in recent years and the Department is 
committed to protecting agricultural workers in light of their 
significant vulnerabilities.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/00/23
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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, Phone: 202 693-8200, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1205-AC12


[[Page 48578]]



DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)

Completed Actions

128. Implement Secure Act and Related Revisions to Employee Benefit 
Plan Annual Reporting on the Form 5500 [1210-AB97]

    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1021, 1023-24, 1026-27, and 1029-30; 29 
U.S.C. 1135
    Abstract: This regulatory action would implement SECURE Act and 
related changes to the Form 5500 Annual Return/Report of Employee 
Benefit Plan and annual reporting regulations under ERISA.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/15/21  86 FR 51284
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/01/21
Notice of Proposed Forms Revision...   09/15/21  86 FR 51488
Notice of Proposed Forms Revision      11/01/21
 Comment Period End.
Final Rule Phase I..................   12/29/21  86 FR 73976
Final Rule Phase II.................   05/23/22  87 FR 31133
Final Rule Phase III................   02/24/23  88 FR 11793
Final Rule Phase III Effective......   04/25/23
Final Forms Revisions...............   02/24/23  88 FR 11984
Final Forms Effective (for plan        01/01/23
 years beginning on or after 1/1/
 2023).
Final Rule; Technical Correction       05/18/23  88 FR 31608
 (Change to Operational Date).
Final Rule; Technical Correction       05/31/23
 Effective.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-AB97

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Prerule Stage

129. Process Safety Management and Prevention of Major Chemical 
Accidents [1218-AC82]

    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. OSHA completed 
SBREFA in August 2016.
    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.................   10/12/22
Analyze Comments....................   11/00/23
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Andrew Levinson, 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

130. Prevention of Workplace Violence in Health Care and Social 
Assistance [1218-AD08]

    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. OSHA is 
preparing for SBREFA.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI).......   12/07/16  81 FR 88147
RFI Comment Period End..............   04/06/17
Initiate SBREFA.....................   12/29/22
Complete SBREFA.....................   05/01/23
Analyze SBREFA Report...............   12/00/23
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Andrew Levinson, 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

131. Infectious Diseases [1218-AC46]

    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

[[Page 48579]]

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................................   03/00/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Andrew Levinson, 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

132. Communication Tower Safety [1218-AC90]

    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 2015 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
RFI Comment Period End..............   06/15/15
Initiate SBREFA.....................   01/04/17
Initiate SBREFA.....................   05/31/18
Complete SBREFA.....................   10/11/18
NPRM................................   03/00/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

133. Emergency Response [1218-AC91]

    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 
acknowledges 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.....................   08/02/21
Finalize SBREFA.....................   12/02/21
NPRM................................   11/00/23
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Andrew Levinson, 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

134. Tree Care Standard [1218-AD04]

    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................................   12/00/23
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Andrew Levinson, Director, Directorate of Standards 
and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, 200 Constitution

[[Page 48580]]

Avenue NW, FP Building, Room N-3718, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 
693-1950, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1218-AD04

[FR Doc. 2023-14548 Filed 7-26-23; 8:45 am]
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