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


_______________________________________________________________________

Part XXXVIII





Railroad Retirement Board





_______________________________________________________________________



Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

[[Page 63342]]



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, Bureau of Law, Railroad Retirement Board, (312) 751-4513; 
(312) 751-4701, TDD; (312) 751-7102, FAX.

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 18, 1996.

By Authority of the Board.

Beatrice Ezerski,

Secretary to the Board.

                                               Proposed Rule Stage                                              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4154        Evidence Required for Payment.........................................................    3220-AB17 
4155        Railroad Employers' Reports and Responsibilities......................................    3220-AB21 
4156        Creditable Railroad Compensation......................................................    3220-AB23 
4157        Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalties................................................    3220-AB24 
4158        Finality of Decisions Regarding Unemployment and Sickness Insurance Benefits..........    3220-AB25 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Final Rule Stage                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4159        Recovery of Overpayments (Reg Plan Seq. No. 144)......................................    3220-AA44 
4160        Reduction and Non-Payment of Annuities by Reason of Work..............................    3220-AA61 
4161        Determining Disability................................................................    3220-AA99 
4162        Creditable Railroad Compensation......................................................    3220-AB10 
4163        Finality of Decisions Regarding Railroad Retirement Annuities (Reg Plan Seq. No. 145).    3220-AB15 
4164        Eligibility for an Annuity............................................................   3220-AB22  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4165        Employers Under the Railroad Retirement Act; Employers Under the Railroad Unemployment              
            Insurance Act.........................................................................    3220-AA51 
4166        Employees Under the Railroad Retirement Act...........................................    3220-AA52 
4167        Voluntary Quit........................................................................    3220-AA75 
4168        Requests for Reconsideration and Appeals Within the Board.............................    3220-AB03 
4169        Determining Disability................................................................    3220-AB18 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Completed Actions                                               
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4170        Employers' Contributions and Contribution Reports.....................................    3220-AA79 
4171        Representative Payment................................................................    3220-AB14 
4172        Railroad Employers' Reports and Responsibilities......................................    3220-AB16 

[[Page 63343]]

                                                                                                                
4173        Availability of Information to Public.................................................    3220-AB19 
4174        Prohibition of Cigarette Sales to Minors..............................................    3220-AB20 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_______________________________________________________________________


RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                     Proposed Rule Stage


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4154. EVIDENCE REQUIRED FOR PAYMENT

Priority:  Info./Admin./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                            12/00/96

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
_______________________________________________________________________




4155. 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                            12/00/96

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
_______________________________________________________________________




4156.  CREDITABLE RAILROAD COMPENSATION

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231f

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 211.3

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The RRB amends its regulations regarding the creditability of 
pay for time lost to prohibit the crediting of pay for time lost beyond 
the date of a judgment or settlement, or in the absence of a judgment 
or settlement, beyond the date of payment.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            01/00/97

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 Michael C. Litt, General Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4929
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB23
_______________________________________________________________________




4157.  ADJUSTMENT OF CIVIL MONETARY PENALTIES

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  31 USC 3809; PL 104-134

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 355; 20 CFR 356

Legal Deadline:  Final, Statutory, October 26, 1996.
The deadline is 180 days after enactment of subchapter (s) of the Debt 
Collection Improvement Act, April 26, 1996. (The legal deadline applies 
only to Part 355.)

Abstract: The RRB amends its regulations to provide for adjustments in 
the amount of civil monetary penalties as required by the Federal Civil 
Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by Public 104-
134.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            10/22/96                    61 FR 54745
NPRM Comment Period End         11/21/96
Final Action                    02/00/97

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 Michael C. Litt, General Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4929
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB24

[[Page 63344]]

_______________________________________________________________________




4158.  FINALITY OF DECISIONS REGARDING UNEMPLOYMENT AND SICKNESS 
INSURANCE BENEFITS

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  45 USC 355; 45 USC 361(l)

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 349

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This new part would explain when the RRB will reopen a final 
determination on a claim for benefits under the Railroad Unemployment 
Insurance Act.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/00/96

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-AB25
_______________________________________________________________________


RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                        Final Rule Stage


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4159. RECOVERY OF OVERPAYMENTS

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

RIN: 3220-AA44
_______________________________________________________________________




4160. REDUCTION AND NON-PAYMENT OF ANNUITIES BY REASON OF WORK

Priority:  Other Significant

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

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 230

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board (Board) amends 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                    11/00/96

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
_______________________________________________________________________




4161. 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                    12/00/96

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
_______________________________________________________________________




4162. 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                    01/00/97

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
_______________________________________________________________________




4163. FINALITY OF DECISIONS REGARDING RAILROAD RETIREMENT ANNUITIES

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

RIN: 3220-AB15
_______________________________________________________________________




4164.  ELIGIBILITY FOR AN ANNUITY

Priority:  Info./Admin./Other

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231f

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 216

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This rule amends 20 CFR 216.16(b)(5) to add the Surface 
Transportation Board to the list of entities employment for which will 
not break a current connection which is necessary for the payment of an 
occupational disability annuity and survivor annuities under the 
Railroad Retirement Act. The ICC Termination Act of 1995 abolished the 
ICC and transferred many of its functions to the Surface Transportation 
Board.

[[Page 63345]]

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    10/00/96

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-AB22
_______________________________________________________________________


RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                       Long-Term Actions


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4165. 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 RRB'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
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA51
_______________________________________________________________________




4166. 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 
RRB'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
_______________________________________________________________________




4167. 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
_______________________________________________________________________




4168. 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

[[Page 63346]]

Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB03
_______________________________________________________________________




4169. DETERMINING DISABILITY

Priority:  Other Significant

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


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4170. EMPLOYERS' CONTRIBUTIONS AND CONTRIBUTION REPORTS

Priority:  Other Significant

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 345

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    05/03/96                    61 FR 20070
Final Action Effective          05/03/96

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

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

RIN: 3220-AA79
_______________________________________________________________________




4171. REPRESENTATIVE PAYMENT

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 348

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    08/15/96                    61 FR 42377
Final Action Effective          08/15/96

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

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

RIN: 3220-AB14
_______________________________________________________________________




4172. 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.

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 209

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    06/20/96                    61 FR 31395
Final Action Effective          06/20/96

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-AB16
_______________________________________________________________________




4173. AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION TO PUBLIC

Priority:  Routine and Frequent

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 200.4

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    05/21/96                    61 FR 25390
Final Action Effective          05/21/96

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

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

RIN: 3220-AB19
_______________________________________________________________________




4174. PROHIBITION OF CIGARETTE SALES TO MINORS

Priority:  Info./Admin./Other

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 368

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    10/22/96                    61 FR 54732
Final Action Effective          10/22/96

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

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

RIN: 3220-AB20
[FR Doc. 96-24928 Filed 11-27-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-F