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


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Part XLI





Railroad Retirement Board





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

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: For this edition of the Railroad Retirement 
Board's regulatory agenda, the most important significant regulatory 
actions are included in The Regulatory Plan, which appears in Part II 
of this issue of the Federal Register. The Regulatory Plan entries are 
listed in the Table of Contents below and are denoted by a bracketed 
bold reference, which directs the reader to the appropriate Sequence 
Number in Part II.

    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: September 15, 1995.

By Authority of the Board.

Beatrice Ezerski,

Secretary to the Board.

                                               Proposed Rule Stage                                              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4144        Employers' Contributions and Contribution Reports.....................................    3220-AA79 
4145        Determining Disability................................................................    3220-AA99 
4146        Creditable Railroad Compensation......................................................    3220-AB10 
4147        Representative Payment................................................................    3220-AB14 
4148        Finality of Decisions Regarding Railroad Retirement Annuities (Reg Plan Seq. No. 144).    3220-AB15 
4149        Railroad Employers' Reports and Responsibilities......................................    3220-AB16 
4150        Evidence Required for Payment.........................................................   3220-AB17  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in Part II of this issue of the Federal Register.          


                                                Final Rule Stage                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4151        Recovery of Overpayments (Reg Plan Seq. No. 145)......................................    3220-AA44 
4152        Reduction and Non-Payment of Annuities by Reason of Work..............................    3220-AA61 
4153        Collection of Debts...................................................................   3220-AB09  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in Part II of this issue of the Federal Register.          


                                                Long-Term Actions                                               
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4154        Employers Under the Railroad Retirement Act; Employers Under the Railroad Unemployment              
            Insurance Act.........................................................................    3220-AA51 
4155        Employees Under the Railroad Retirement Act...........................................    3220-AA52 
4156        Voluntary Quit........................................................................    3220-AA75 
4157        Requests for Reconsideration and Appeals Within the Board.............................    3220-AB03 
4158        Determining Disability................................................................    3220-AB18 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Completed Actions                                               
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4159        Computing Employee, Spouse, and Divorced Spouse Annuities.............................    3220-AA58 
4160        Initial Determinations Under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act and Reviews of                 
            and Appeals From Such Determinations..................................................    3220-AB06 
4161        General Administration................................................................    3220-AB07 
4162        Application for Annuity or Lump Sum...................................................    3220-AB08 
4163        Sickness Benefits.....................................................................    3220-AB11 
4164        General Administration................................................................    3220-AB12 
4165        Contributions Under Special Transition Rule for Public Commuter Railroads.............    3220-AB13 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      
  
          
_______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                     Proposed Rule Stage
  
  
_______________________________________________________________________
  
4144. EMPLOYERS' CONTRIBUTIONS AND CONTRIBUTION REPORTS

Priority:  Other Significant

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

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 345

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: These regulations define how a contribution rate is 
determined in the case of merger, sale, or partition of two or more 
rail employers and describe generally how experience-rated contribution 
rates are determined under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act.

Timetable:
_________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            08/18/95                    60 FR 43300
NPRM Comment Period End         10/17/95                    60 FR 43300
Final Action                    03/00/96

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
Phone: 312 751-4513
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA79
_______________________________________________________________________

4145. DETERMINING DISABILITY

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

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

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 220.114

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.

Timetable:
_________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            09/11/95                    60 FR 47122
NPRM Comment Period End         11/13/95
Final Action                    03/00/96

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
Phone: 312 751-4513
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA99
_______________________________________________________________________

4146. CREDITABLE RAILROAD COMPENSATION

Priority:  Other Significant

Reinventing Government: This rulemaking is part of the Reinventing 
Government effort. It will revise text in the CFR to reduce burden or 
duplication, or streamline requirements.

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

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 211

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This regulation explains when the Board will correct a record 
of compensation after the four-year limit provided for in section 9 of 
the Railroad Retirement Act.

Timetable:
_________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/00/95

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Additional Information: In the April 1995 Agenda, RIN 3220-AB10 
indicated that parts 211 and 261 would be amended jointly. Parts 211 
and 261 have been identified as separate amendments for the October 
1995 Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda. The RIN for part 261 is 3220-
AB15.

Agency Contact: Michael C. Litt, General Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4929
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB10
_______________________________________________________________________

4147.  REPRESENTATIVE PAYMENT

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  45 USC 355; 45 USC 231k

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 348

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This regulation provides guidelines regarding the selection, 
payment, responsibilities, and monitoring of representative payees 
under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act.

Timetable:
_________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/00/95

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
Phone: 312 751-4513
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB14
_______________________________________________________________________

4148.  FINALITY OF DECISIONS REGARDING RAILROAD RETIREMENT 
ANNUITIES

Regulatory Plan:  This entry is Seq. No. 144 in Part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.

RIN: 3220-AB15
_______________________________________________________________________

4149.  RAILROAD EMPLOYERS' REPORTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Reinventing Government: This rulemaking is part of the Reinventing 
Government effort. It will revise text in the CFR to reduce burden or 
duplication, or streamline requirements.

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231f

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 209

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This regulation permits employers to destroy payroll records 
kept for purposes of crediting compensation under the Railroad 
Retirement Act after 5 years and explains when payroll records may be 
used to establish compensation under the Railroad Retirement Act in 
lieu of the prescribed report.

Timetable:
_________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            03/00/96

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
Phone: 312 751-4513
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB16
_______________________________________________________________________

4150.  EVIDENCE REQUIRED FOR PAYMENT

Priority:  Other

Reinventing Government: This rulemaking is part of the Reinventing 
Government effort. It will revise text in the CFR to reduce burden or 
duplication, or streamline requirements.

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231f

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 219

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board amends its regulations to 
permit the use of noncertified and facsimile copies of records or 
documents needed to establish eligibility for benefits.

Timetable:
_________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/00/95

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
Phone: 312 751-4513
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB17
_______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                        Final Rule Stage
  
  
_______________________________________________________________________
  
4151. RECOVERY OF OVERPAYMENTS

Regulatory Plan:  This entry is Seq. No. 145 in Part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.

RIN: 3220-AA44
_______________________________________________________________________

4152. REDUCTION AND NON-PAYMENT OF ANNUITIES BY REASON OF WORK

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

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                            08/16/95                    60 FR 42482
NPRM Comment Period End         09/25/95                    60 FR 43999
Final Action                    11/00/95

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
Phone: 312 751-4513
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA61
_______________________________________________________________________

4153. COLLECTION OF DEBTS

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

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                            08/17/95                    60 FR 42818
NPRM Comment Period End         09/18/95                    60 FR 42818
Final Action                    11/00/95

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
Phone: 312 751-4513
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB09
_______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                       Long-Term Actions
  
  
_______________________________________________________________________
  
4154. EMPLOYERS UNDER THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT ACT; EMPLOYERS UNDER 
THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT

Priority:  Other Significant

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

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 202; 20 CFR 301

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board is considering revisions to existing parts 202 and 
301 of the Board's regulations defining entities covered as employers 
under the Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Acts 
to reflect case-by-case adjudications that have occurred since the 
regulations were originally adopted. The Board will seek input from 
rail employers and rail labor on the need to revise the regulations as 
well as on the revisions to be made. In addition, any revisions will be 
referred for review and comment to the Internal Revenue Service, which 
administers a companion statute, the Railroad Retirement Tax Act.

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
Phone: 312 751-4513
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA51
_______________________________________________________________________

4155. EMPLOYEES UNDER THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT ACT

Priority:  Other Significant

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

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 203

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board is considering revising existing part 203 of the 
Board's regulations defining individuals covered as employees under the 
Railroad Retirement Act to reflect case-by-case adjudications that have 
occurred since the regulations were originally adopted. The Board will 
seek input from rail employers and rail labor on the need to revise the 
regulations as well as on the revisions to be made. In addition, any 
revisions will be referred for review and comment to the Internal 
Revenue Service, which administers a companion statute, the Railroad 
Retirement Tax Act.

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
Phone: 312 751-4513
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA52
_______________________________________________________________________

4156. VOLUNTARY QUIT

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

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
Phone: 312 751-4513
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA75
_______________________________________________________________________

4157. REQUESTS FOR RECONSIDERATION AND APPEALS WITHIN THE BOARD

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Reinventing Government: This rulemaking is part of the Reinventing 
Government effort. It will revise text in the CFR to reduce burden or 
duplication, or streamline requirements.

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

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 260

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The RRB is amending 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                            00/00/00

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
Phone: 312 751-4513
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB03
_______________________________________________________________________

4158.  DETERMINING DISABILITY

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231f

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 220

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board amends its regulations to update and revise its 
standards for determining occupational disability under the Railroad 
Retirement Act.

Timetable:
_________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            00/00/00

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
Phone: 312 751-4513
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB18
_______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                       Completed Actions
  
  
_______________________________________________________________________
  
4159. COMPUTING EMPLOYEE, SPOUSE, AND DIVORCED SPOUSE ANNUITIES

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 226; 20 CFR 232

Completed:
_________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

_________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    05/05/95                    60 FR 22261
Final Action Effective          05/05/95

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler
Phone: 312 751-4513
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA58
_______________________________________________________________________

4160. INITIAL DETERMINATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT 
INSURANCE ACT AND REVIEWS OF AND APPEALS FROM SUCH DETERMINATIONS

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Reinventing Government: This rulemaking is part of the Reinventing 
Government effort. It will revise text in the CFR to reduce burden or 
duplication, or streamline requirements.

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 320

Completed:
_________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

_________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    06/01/95                    60 FR 28534
Final Action Effective          06/01/95

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler
Phone: 312 751-4513
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB06
_______________________________________________________________________

4161. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Completed:
_________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

_________________________________________________________________________

Duplicate of RIN 3220-AB12      08/30/95

RIN: 3220-AB07
_______________________________________________________________________

4162. APPLICATION FOR ANNUITY OR LUMP SUM

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Reinventing Government: This rulemaking is part of the Reinventing 
Government effort. It will revise text in the CFR to reduce burden or 
duplication, or streamline requirements.

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 217

Completed:
_________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

_________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    05/04/95                    60 FR 21982
Final Action Effective          05/04/95

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler
Phone: 312 751-4513
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB08
_______________________________________________________________________

4163. SICKNESS BENEFITS

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 335

Completed:
_________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

_________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    08/07/95                    60 FR 40073
Final Action Effective          08/07/95

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler
Phone: 312 751-4513
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB11
_______________________________________________________________________

4164. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 200.4

Completed:
_________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

_________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    06/07/95                    60 FR 29983
Final Action Effective          06/07/95

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler
Phone: 312 751-4513
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB12
_______________________________________________________________________

4165.  CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER SPECIAL TRANSITION RULE FOR 
PUBLIC COMMUTER RAILROADS

Priority:  Other

Reinventing Government: This rulemaking is part of the Reinventing 
Government effort. It will eliminate existing text in the CFR.

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

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 344

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board amends its regulations to 
remove 20 CFR Part 344 regarding the computation and payment of 
contributions under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act for 
commuter railroads as that part is obsolete.

Timetable:
_________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

_________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    05/04/95                    60 FR 21981
Final Action Effective          05/04/95

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
Phone: 312 751-4513
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB13
[FR Doc. 95-24140 Filed 11-24-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-F