[Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations]
[Railroad Retirement Board Semiannual Regulatory Agenda]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 24165]]


_______________________________________________________________________

Part XLI





Railroad Retirement Board





_______________________________________________________________________



Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 88 / Monday, May 8, 1995 / 
Unified Agenda


Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 88 / Monday, May 8, 1995 / 
Unified Agenda
[[Page 24166]]

=======================================================================

______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                                       
  
______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

20 CFR Ch. II

Semiannual Agenda of Regulations Under Development or Review

AGENCY: Railroad Retirement Board.

ACTION: Agenda of regulations under development or review.

______________________________________________________________________

SUMMARY: This agenda contains lists of regulations that the Board is 
developing or proposes to develop in the next 12 months and regulations 
that are scheduled to be reviewed in that period.

ADDRESSES: 844 Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas W. Sadler, Assistant General 
Counsel, Railroad Retirement Board, (312) 751-4513.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations that are routine in nature or 
pertain solely to internal agency management have not been included in 
the agenda. Current regulations that are proposed to be modified based 
on a completed review of the regulations are listed in the agenda.

Dated: February 24, 1995.

By Authority of the Board.

Beatrice Ezerski,

Secretary to the Board.

                                               Proposed Rule Stage                                              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4359        Employers Under the Railroad Retirement Act; Employers Under the Railroad Unemployment              
            Insurance Act.........................................................................    3220-AA51 
4360        Reduction and Nonpayment of Annuities by Reason of Work...............................    3220-AA61 
4361        Voluntary Quit........................................................................    3220-AA75 
4362        Employers' Contributions and Contribution Reports.....................................    3220-AA79 
4363        Determining Disability................................................................    3220-AA99 
4364        Requests for Reconsideration and Appeals Within the Board From Decisions Issued by the              
            Bureau of Disability and Medicare Operations, Bureau of Retirement Benefits, Etc......    3220-AB03 
4365        General Administration................................................................    3220-AB07 
4366        Collection of Debts...................................................................    3220-AB09 
4367        Finality of Decisions Regarding Railroad Retirement Annuities.........................    3220-AB10 
4368        Sickness Benefits.....................................................................    3220-AB11 
4369        General Administration................................................................    3220-AB12 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Final Rule Stage                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4370        Recovery of Overpayments..............................................................    3220-AA44 
4371        Employees Under the Railroad Retirement Act...........................................    3220-AA52 
4372        Computing Employee, Spouse, and Divorced Spouse Annuities.............................    3220-AA58 
4373        Initial Determinations Under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act and Reviews of                 
            and Appeals From Such Determinations..................................................    3220-AB06 
4374        Application for Annuity or Lump Sum...................................................    3220-AB08 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                           Completed/Longterm Actions                                           
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4375        Survivor Annuity Computations.........................................................    3220-AA59 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



[[Page 24167]] 
______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                    Proposed Rule Stage
  
______________________________________________________________________

4359. EMPLOYERS UNDER THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT ACT; EMPLOYERS UNDER 
THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT

Priority:  Regulatory Plan

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231f; 45 USC 362(l)

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 202; 20 CFR 301

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: These regulations revise existing part 202 of the Board's 
regulations defining entities covered under the Railroad Retirement Act 
and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to reflect current law and 
administrative determinations that have occurred since the regulations 
were originally adopted.

Statement of Need: The Board's present regulations under part 202 were, 
for the most part, adopted in the 1930s and 1940s and do not reflect 
current case law and the Board's policy and practice adopted as a 
result of case-by-case adjudication.

Summary of the Legal Basis: The general authority for issuance of 
regulations under the Railroad Retirement Act is provided for in 
section 7(b)(5) of the Act (45 USC 231f(b)(5)).

Alternatives: None.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: There will be no additional costs or 
burdens imposed by this regulation over and above those imposed by the 
statute or existing regulation.

Risks: None.

Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            00/00/00

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Sectors Affected:  40 Railroad Transportation

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Assistant General Counsel, Bureau of 
Law, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611, 312 
751-4513

RIN: 3220-AA51
______________________________________________________________________



______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                    Proposed Rule Stage
  
______________________________________________________________________

4360. REDUCTION AND NONPAYMENT OF ANNUITIES BY REASON OF WORK

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231f(b)(5)

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 230

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board (Board) proposes to amend 20 
CFR Part 230 to explain how annuity deductions on account of work are 
assessed in accordance with current law.

Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            00/00/00

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Assistant General Counsel, Bureau of 
Law, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611, 312 
751-4513

RIN: 3220-AA61
______________________________________________________________________



______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                    Proposed Rule Stage
  
______________________________________________________________________

4361. VOLUNTARY QUIT

Legal Authority:  45 USC 362(l)

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 328

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: A new part 328 is added to explain when unemployment 
insurance benefits are not payable because the employee voluntarily 
left employment.

Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            00/00/00

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Assistant General Counsel, Bureau of 
Law, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611, 312 
751-4513

RIN: 3220-AA75
______________________________________________________________________



______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                    Proposed Rule Stage
  
______________________________________________________________________

4362. EMPLOYERS' CONTRIBUTIONS AND CONTRIBUTION REPORTS

Priority:  Regulatory Plan

Legal Authority:  45 USC 362(l); 45 USC 358(a)(19)

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 345

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: These regulations describe how experience-rated contributions 
are determined under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act.

Statement of Need: The Board is required by statute to adopt a 
regulation to cover the computation of the experience-based rate in 
cases involving mergers, sales and partitions.

Summary of the Legal Basis: The general authority for issuance of 
regulations under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act is 45 USC 
362(l). Additional authority with respect to this part is found at 45 
USC 358(a)(19).

Alternatives: None.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: There will be no additional costs or 
burdens imposed by this regulation over and above those imposed by the 
statute or existing regulation.

Risks: None.

Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            09/00/95

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Assistant General Counsel, Bureau of 
Law, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611, 312 
751-4513

RIN: 3220-AA79
______________________________________________________________________



______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                    Proposed Rule Stage
  
______________________________________________________________________

4363. DETERMINING DISABILITY

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231a; 45 USC 231f

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 220.114; 20 CFR 220.170

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: Section 114 of part 220 is being amended to expand the 
Board's description of the manner in which symptoms, including pain, 
are evaluated for purposes of determining disability. Section 170 of 
part 220 will be amended to redefine ``trial work period.''

Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            09/00/95

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Assistant General Counsel, Bureau of 
Law, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611, 312 
751-4513

RIN: 3220-AA99


______________________________________________________________________


______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                    Proposed Rule Stage
  
______________________________________________________________________

[[Page 24168]]
4364. REQUESTS FOR RECONSIDERATION AND APPEALS WITHIN THE BOARD 
FROM DECISIONS ISSUED BY THE BUREAU OF DISABILITY AND MEDICARE 
OPERATIONS, BUREAU OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS, ETC

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231f(b)(5); 45 USC 231g; 45 USC 355

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 260

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The RRB will change its regulations to provide for its field 
offices to make timeliness determinations on requests for 
reconsideration of decisions of the RRB's various adjudicating units.

Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            09/00/95

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Assistant General Counsel, Bureau of 
Law, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611, 312 
751-4513

RIN: 3220-AB03
______________________________________________________________________



______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                    Proposed Rule Stage
  
______________________________________________________________________

4365. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231f(b)(5); 5 USC 552

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 200.4(o)

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: A new subsection (o) is added to 20 CFR 200.4 which explains 
when the Board will provide custom-tailored information to a member of 
the public and the charges for such special services.

Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            04/00/95

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Assistant General Counsel, Bureau of 
Law, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611, 312 
751-4513

RIN: 3220-AB07
______________________________________________________________________



______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                    Proposed Rule Stage
  
______________________________________________________________________

4366.  COLLECTION OF DEBTS

Priority:  Agency Priority

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231f(b)(5); 31 USC 3716; 31 USC 3720A

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 366; 20 CFR 367

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board amends parts 366 and 367 of its regulations which 
provide for the collection of debts by tax refund offset, and by 
administrative offset, respectfully. The amendments will enable the 
Board to use these methods to collect debts from business organizations 
as well as individuals.

Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            06/00/95

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Assistant General Counsel, Bureau of 
Law, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611, 312 
751-4513

RIN: 3220-AB09
______________________________________________________________________



______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                    Proposed Rule Stage
  
______________________________________________________________________

4367.  FINALITY OF DECISIONS REGARDING RAILROAD RETIREMENT 
ANNUITIES

Priority:  Agency Priority

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231f

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 211; 20 CFR 261

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board amends part 211 of its regulations to explain when 
it will correct a record of compensation after the four-year limit 
provided for in section 9 of the Railroad Retirement Act. The Board 
adds a new Part 261 to its regulations to explain when it will reopen a 
final determination on a claim for benefits under the Railroad 
Retirement Act.

Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            09/00/95

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Assistant General Counsel, Bureau of 
Law, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611, 312 
751-4513

RIN: 3220-AB10
______________________________________________________________________



______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                    Proposed Rule Stage
  
______________________________________________________________________

4368.  SICKNESS BENEFITS

Legal Authority:  45 USC 362(i); 45 USC 362(l)

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 335

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board amends part 335 of its regulations to add 
``physician assistant-certified'' to the list of individuals authorized 
to execute a statement of sickness.

Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            03/16/95                    60 FR 14241
NPRM Comment Period End         04/17/95                    60 FR 14241
Final Action                    10/00/95

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Assistant General Counsel, Bureau of 
Law, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611, 312 
751-4513

RIN: 3220-AB11
______________________________________________________________________



______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                    Proposed Rule Stage
  
______________________________________________________________________


4369.  GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231f(b)(5); 45 USC 362; 5 USC 552

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 200.4

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board adds sections 200.4(o) and (p) 
to part 200 to explain when the Board will provide custom tailored 
information to a member of the public and to set forth the charges for 
such special service.

Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            03/02/95                    60 FR 11639
NPRM Comment Period End         05/01/95                    60 FR 11639
Final Action                    10/00/95

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Assistant General Counsel, Bureau of 
Law, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611, 312 
751-4513

RIN: 3220-AB12


[[Page 24169]] 
______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                       Final Rule Stage
  
______________________________________________________________________

4370. RECOVERY OF OVERPAYMENTS

Priority:  Regulatory Plan

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231f

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 255

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: Part 255 is being revised to clarify when and how erroneous 
payments must be recovered under the Railroad Retirement Act.

Statement of Need: The Board's present regulations do not reflect 
current Board policies with respect to waiver of overpayments under the 
RRA. Railroad retirement annuitants should be made aware of such 
policies. This regulation will clarify the Board's policy and practice 
with respect to debt collection.

Summary of the Legal Basis: The general authority for issuance of 
regulations under the Railroad Retirement Act is provided for in 
section 7(b)(5) of the Act (45 USC 231f(b)(5)).

Alternatives: None.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: This regulation should result in 
savings in administrative costs associated with protests and appeals in 
debt recovery cases.

Risks: None.

Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            09/19/91                    56 FR 47426
NPRM Comment Period End         10/21/91                    56 FR 47426
Final Action                    09/00/95

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Assistant General Counsel, Bureau of 
Law, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611, 312 
751-4513

RIN: 3220-AA44
______________________________________________________________________



______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                       Final Rule Stage
  
______________________________________________________________________

4371. EMPLOYEES UNDER THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT ACT

Priority:  Regulatory Plan

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231f; 45 USC 362(l)

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 203

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: These regulations revise existing part 203 of the Board's 
regulations defining employees covered under the Railroad Retirement 
Act and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to reflect current law and 
administrative determinations that have occurred since the regulations 
were originally adopted.

Statement of Need: The Board's present regulations under part 203 were, 
for the most part, adopted in the 1930s and 1940s and do not reflect 
current case law and the Board's policy and practice adopted as a 
result of case-by-case adjudication.

Summary of the Legal Basis: The general authority for issuance of 
regulations under the Railroad Retirement Act is provided for in 
section 7(b)(5) of the Act (45 USC 231f(b)(5)).

Alternatives: None.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: There will be no additional costs or 
burdens imposed by this regulation over and above those imposed by the 
statute or existing regulation.

Risks: None.

Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            01/05/89                      54 FR 318
NPRM Comment Period End         02/06/89                      54 FR 318
Final Action                    00/00/00

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: State, Federal

Sectors Affected:  40 Railroad Transportation

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Assistant General Counsel, Bureau of 
Law, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611, 312 
751-4513

RIN: 3220-AA52
______________________________________________________________________



______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                       Final Rule Stage
  
______________________________________________________________________

4372. COMPUTING EMPLOYEE, SPOUSE, AND DIVORCED SPOUSE ANNUITIES

Priority:  Regulatory Plan

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231f(b)(5)

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 226; 20 CFR 232

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: These regulations update the computation of retirement 
annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act. Revision of Part 226 will 
make Part 232, Spouses' Annuities, obsolete; therefore, Part 232 will 
be removed.

Statement of Need: The Board's present regulations do not reflect 
current law. These regulations will explain the computation of 
retirement annuities in a manner understandable to persons applying for 
benefits.

Summary of the Legal Basis: The general authority for issuance of 
regulations under the Railroad Retirement Act is provided for in 
section 7(b)(5) of the Act (45 USC 231f(b)(5)).

Alternatives: None.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: There will be no additional costs or 
burdens imposed by this regulation over and above those imposed by the 
statute or existing regulation.

Risks: None.

Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            02/09/95                     60 FR 7729
NPRM Comment Period End         03/13/95                     60 FR 7729
Final Action                    09/00/95

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Assistant General Counsel, Bureau of 
Law, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611, 312 
751-4513

RIN: 3220-AA58
______________________________________________________________________



______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                       Final Rule Stage
  
______________________________________________________________________

4373. INITIAL DETERMINATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT 
INSURANCE ACT AND REVIEWS OF AND APPEALS FROM SUCH DETERMINATIONS

Legal Authority:  45 USC 355; 45 USC 362(l)

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 320

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: Amends part 320 of the Board's regulations to provide 
authority for the Board's Field Offices to make determinations with 
respect to eligibility for sickness benefits and to prescribe the 
authority for the new Division of Debt Management in the Bureau of 
Unemployment and Sickness Insurance. These changes are purely 
organizational and do not affect the substantive rights of claimants or 
beneficiaries.

Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    09/00/95                [[Page 24170]] 

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Assistant General Counsel, Bureau of 
Law, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611, 312 
751-4513

RIN: 3220-AB06
______________________________________________________________________



______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                       Final Rule Stage
  
______________________________________________________________________


4374.  APPLICATION FOR ANNUITY OR LUMP SUM

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231d; 45 USC 231f

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 217

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This proposed rule amends 20 CFR 217.8 of the Board's 
regulations to allow the use of a previously-filed employee annuity 
application as an application for payment of an accrued annuity payable 
at the death of a spouse or former spouse, and of a previously-filed 
child's annuity application to permit payment of a full-time student's 
annuity.

Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            02/09/95                     60 FR 7728
NPRM Comment Period End         03/13/95                     60 FR 7728
Final Action                    09/00/95

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Assistant General Counsel, Bureau of 
Law, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611, 312 
751-4513

RIN: 3220-AB08



______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)             Completed/Longterm Actions
  
______________________________________________________________________


4375. SURVIVOR ANNUITY COMPUTATIONS

Priority:  Regulatory Plan

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 228

Completed:
_______________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    03/30/95                    60 FR 16368
Final Action Effective          03/30/95                    60 FR 16368

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, 312 751-4513

RIN: 3220-AA59
[FR Doc. 95-5207 Filed 05-05-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-F