[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 XLI





Railroad Retirement Board





_______________________________________________________________________



Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

[[Page 22858]]



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 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas W. Sadler, Senior Attorney, 
Bureau of Law, Railroad Retirement Board, (312) 751-4513, FAX (312) 
751-7102, TDD (312) 751-4701.

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 18, 1998.

By Authority of the Board.

Beatrice Ezerski,

Secretary to the Board.

                                               Proposed Rule Stage                                              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3884         Requests for Reconsideration and Appeals Within the Board............................    3220-AB03 
3885         Finality of Decisions Regarding Unemployment and Sickness Insurance Benefits.........    3220-AB25 
3886         General Administration...............................................................    3220-AB35 
3887         Plan of Operation During a National Emergency........................................    3220-AB36 
3888         Determining Disability...............................................................    3220-AB37 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Final Rule Stage                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3889         Determining Disability...............................................................    3220-AA99 
3890         Railroad Employers' Reports and Responsibilities.....................................    3220-AB21 
3891         Creditable Railroad Compensation.....................................................    3220-AB23 
3892         Eligibility for An Annuity...........................................................    3220-AB27 
3893         Availability of Information to the Public............................................    3220-AB33 
3894         Recovery of Overpayments.............................................................    3220-AB34 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Long-Term Actions                                               
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3895         Employers Under the Railroad Retirement Act; Employers Under the Railroad                          
            Unemployment Insurance Act............................................................    3220-AA51 
3896         Employees Under the Railroad Retirement Act..........................................    3220-AA52 
3897         Reduction and Non-Payment of Annuities by Reason of Work.............................    3220-AA61 
3898         Voluntary Quit.......................................................................    3220-AA75 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Completed Actions                                               
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3899         Recovery of Overpayments.............................................................    3220-AA44 
3900         Determining Disability...............................................................    3220-AB18 
3901         Payments Pursuant to Court Decree or Court Approved Property Settlement..............    3220-AB29 
3902         General Administration; Disclosure...................................................    3220-AB31 
3903         Recovery of Benefits.................................................................    3220-AB32 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 22859]]

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RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                     Proposed Rule Stage


  



_______________________________________________________________________




3884. 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                            04/00/98

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4513
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB03
_______________________________________________________________________




3885. 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                            04/00/98

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4513
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB25
_______________________________________________________________________




3886.  GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Priority:  Info./Admin./Other

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

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

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 200

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board proposes to amend its regulations which describe 
its organization and general course of operations to reflect recent 
reorganizations.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            09/00/98

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4513
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB35
_______________________________________________________________________




3887.  PLAN OF OPERATION DURING A NATIONAL EMERGENCY

Priority:  Info./Admin./Other

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

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

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 375

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board proposes to update its plan of operation during a 
national emergency to reflect recent reorganizations within the Board.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            09/00/98

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4513
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB36
_______________________________________________________________________




3888.  DETERMINING DISABILITY

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 231a; 45 USC 231f(b)(5)

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 220

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board proposes to amend its disability regulations to 
eliminate continuing disability review of disability annuitants in 
cases where medical improvement is not expected.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            09/00/98

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4513
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB37

[[Page 22860]]

_______________________________________________________________________


RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                        Final Rule Stage


  



_______________________________________________________________________




3889. 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                    04/00/98

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4513
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA99
_______________________________________________________________________




3890. 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                            01/20/98                     63 FR 2914
NPRM Comment Period End         03/23/98
Final Action                    06/00/98

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4513
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB21
_______________________________________________________________________




3891. 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. The Labor Member of the RRB 
dissents from this proposal and recommends allowing the crediting of 
pay for time lost in these circumstances when the accompanying railroad 
retirement taxes are paid on the compensation.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/04/97                    62 FR 61488
NPRM Comment Period End         02/02/98
Final Action                    09/00/98

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North 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 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4929
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB23
_______________________________________________________________________




3892. ELIGIBILITY FOR AN ANNUITY

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  45 USC 231f

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 216

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: Part 216 is amended to include students enrolled in home 
schooling or independent study programs within the definition of full-
time student for purposes of eligibility for a child's annuity.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            10/23/97                    62 FR 55196
NPRM Comment Period End         12/22/97
Final Action                    04/00/98

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4513
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB27
_______________________________________________________________________




3893.  AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC

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 362

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 200.3

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The RRB revises 20 CFR 200.3 of its regulations to remove a 
list of forms used by the Board, and the tables related thereto. The 
list and tables are frequently out of date and serve little or no 
practical use. The revisions to this section will advise interested 
parties where up-to-date forms may be obtained.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            01/02/98                       63 FR 34
NPRM Comment Period End         03/03/98
Final Action                    05/00/98

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4513
TDD: 312 751-4701

[[Page 22861]]

Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB33
_______________________________________________________________________




3894.  RECOVERY OF OVERPAYMENTS

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

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

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 255.8

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This rulemaking revises section 255.8 of the Board's 
regulations regarding recovery of overpayments by actuarial adjustment 
of future benefit payments. The revision will enable the Board to use 
current actuarial tables and interest rates.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            02/12/98                     63 FR 7088
NPRM Comment Period End         04/13/98
Final Action                    09/00/98

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4513
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB34
_______________________________________________________________________


RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                       Long-Term Actions


  



_______________________________________________________________________




3895. 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, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4513
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA51
_______________________________________________________________________




3896. 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, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4513
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA52
_______________________________________________________________________




3897. 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                    00/00/00

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas W. Sadler, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4513
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA61

[[Page 22862]]

_______________________________________________________________________




3898. 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, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4513
TDD: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA75
_______________________________________________________________________


RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                       Completed Actions


  



_______________________________________________________________________




3899. 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.

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 255

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    12/04/97                    62 FR 64161
Final Action Effective          12/04/97

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-AA44
_______________________________________________________________________




3900. DETERMINING DISABILITY

Priority:  Other Significant

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 220

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    02/13/98                     63 FR 7538
Final Action Effective          02/13/98

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-AB18
_______________________________________________________________________




3901. PAYMENTS PURSUANT TO COURT DECREE OR COURT APPROVED PROPERTY 
SETTLEMENT

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 295

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    12/30/97                    62 FR 67724
Final Action Effective          01/29/98

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-AB29
_______________________________________________________________________




3902. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION; DISCLOSURE

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 200.8

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    01/14/98                     63 FR 2140
Final Action Effective          02/13/98

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-AB31
_______________________________________________________________________




3903. RECOVERY OF BENEFITS

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 340.13

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Rule Effective          08/01/97                    62 FR 41270
Final Action                    12/05/97                    62 FR 64273

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-AB32
[FR Doc. 98-5162 Filed 04-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-F