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



[[Page 23849]]




_______________________________________________________________________


Part XL



Railroad Retirement Board



_______________________________________________________________________

Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

[[Page 23850]]





RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                                        


  



_______________________________________________________________________

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

20 CFR Ch. II

Semiannual Agenda of Regulations Under Development or Review

AGENCY: Railroad Retirement Board.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

_______________________________________________________________________

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 23, 1996.

By Authority of the Board.

Beatrice Ezerski,

Secretary to the Board.

                                               Proposed Rule Stage                                              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3866        Representative Payment................................................................    3220-AB14 
3867        Railroad Employers' Reports and Responsibilities......................................    3220-AB16 
3868        Evidence Required for Payment.........................................................    3220-AB17 
3869        Railroad Employers' Reports and Responsibilities......................................    3220-AB21 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Final Rule Stage                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3870        Recovery of Overpayments..............................................................    3220-AA44 
3871        Reduction and Non-Payment of Annuities by Reason of Work..............................    3220-AA61 
3872        Employers' Contributions and Contribution Reports.....................................    3220-AA79 
3873        Determining Disability................................................................    3220-AA99 
3874        Creditable Railroad Compensation......................................................    3220-AB10 
3875        Finality of Decisions Regarding Railroad Retirement Annuities.........................    3220-AB15 
3876        Availability of Information to Public.................................................    3220-AB19 
3877        Prohibition of Cigarette Sales to Minors..............................................    3220-AB20 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Long-Term Actions                                               
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3878        Employers Under the Railroad Retirement Act; Employers Under the Railroad Unemployment              
            Insurance Act.........................................................................    3220-AA51 
3879        Employees Under the Railroad Retirement Act...........................................    3220-AA52 
3880        Voluntary Quit........................................................................    3220-AA75 
3881        Requests for Reconsideration and Appeals Within the Board.............................    3220-AB03 
3882        Determining Disability................................................................    3220-AB18 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Completed Actions                                               
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3883        Collection of Debts...................................................................    3220-AB09 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_______________________________________________________________________

[[Page 23851]]




RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                     Proposed Rule Stage


  



_______________________________________________________________________




3866. 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                            06/00/96

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
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB14
_______________________________________________________________________




3867. 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                            02/15/96                     61 FR 5970
NPRM Comment Period End         04/15/96
Final Action                    06/00/96

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
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB16
_______________________________________________________________________




3868. 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                            06/00/96

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
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB17
_______________________________________________________________________




3869.  RAILROAD EMPLOYERS' REPORTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231f

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 209

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board's regulations are amended to modernize reporting 
requirements and to require certain Canadian citizens to obtain a 
social security number so that their creditable railroad service can be 
properly reported to the Board.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            09/00/96

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
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB21
_______________________________________________________________________


RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                        Final Rule Stage


  



_______________________________________________________________________




3870. RECOVERY OF OVERPAYMENTS

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 255

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board plans to issue a final regulation dealing with 
collection and waiver of overpayments under the Railroad Retirement 
Act. This regulation clarifies the agency's policy and practice with 
respect to debt collection.

Statement of Need: The agency's policy and practice with respect to 
recovery and waiver of recovery of overpayments, as established through 
normal adjudication, has evolved beyond the current regulation and the 
regulation is being updated to reflect this current policy and 
practice.

[[Page 23852]]

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

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           09/19/91                    56 FR 47426
ANPRM Comment Period End        10/21/91
NPRM                            12/28/95                    60 FR 67108
NPRM Comment Period End         01/29/96
Final Action                    04/00/96

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
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA44
_______________________________________________________________________




3871. 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                    04/00/96

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
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA61
_______________________________________________________________________




3872. 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
Final Action                    04/00/96

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
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA79
_______________________________________________________________________




3873. 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                    04/00/96

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
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA99
_______________________________________________________________________




3874. 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                            12/26/95                    60 FR 66770
NPRM Comment Period End         02/26/96
Final Action                    04/00/96

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
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB10
_______________________________________________________________________




3875. FINALITY OF DECISIONS REGARDING RAILROAD RETIREMENT ANNUITIES

Priority:  Other Significant

Reinventing Government: This rulemaking is part of the Reinventing 
Government effort. It will revise text in

[[Page 23853]]

the CFR to reduce burden or duplication, or streamline requirements.

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

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 261

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This new part explains when the Board may reopen a claim for 
benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act.

Statement of Need: The rules governing finality are presently contained 
in Board Orders which are not readily available to the public. The 
Board Order regarding finality of decisions provides that finality of 
certain decisions is based on a number of factors; adjudication based 
on these factors is difficult to administer. Also the Board Order does 
not contain any time limits on reopening.

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                            12/21/95                    60 FR 66203
NPRM Comment Period End         02/20/96
Final Action                    04/00/96

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
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB15
_______________________________________________________________________




3876.  AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION TO PUBLIC

Priority:  Routine and Frequent

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231f(b)(3); 45 USC 231f(b)(5); 45 USC 362

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 200.4

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board's regulations establishing fees to be assessed in 
connection with the search for records and the provision of documents 
are amended to eliminate the exemption from charges for reproduction of 
records and search time for certain groups of requesters.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            01/18/96                     61 FR 1252
NPRM Comment Period End         03/18/96
Final Action                    04/00/96

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
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB19
_______________________________________________________________________




3877.  PROHIBITION OF CIGARETTE SALES TO MINORS

Priority:  Other

Legal Authority:  PL 104-52, sec 636

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 368

Legal Deadline:  Final, Statutory, February 17, 1996.

Abstract: The Board amends its regulations to prohibit tobacco product 
vending machine sales and the distribution of free tobacco product 
samples on Federal Government property.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              03/04/96                     61 FR 8213
Interim Final Rule Effective    03/04/96
Interim Final Rule Comment 
Period End                      04/03/96
Final Action                    06/00/96

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
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB20
_______________________________________________________________________


RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                       Long-Term Actions


  



_______________________________________________________________________




3878. 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

[[Page 23854]]

TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA51
_______________________________________________________________________




3879. 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
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
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA52
_______________________________________________________________________




3880. 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
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA75
_______________________________________________________________________




3881. 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
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB03
_______________________________________________________________________




3882. 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, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4513
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB18
_______________________________________________________________________


RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                       Completed Actions


  



_______________________________________________________________________




3883. COLLECTION OF DEBTS

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 366; 20 CFR 367

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    12/21/95                    60 FR 66072
Final Action Effective          12/21/95

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler
Phone: 312 751-4513
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB09
[FR Doc. 96-5654 Filed 05-10-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-F