[ 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]



[[Page 62593]]

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Part XLII





Railroad Retirement Board





_______________________________________________________________________



Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

[[Page 62594]]

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: No Regulatory Plan entries have been 
included for this edition of the Railroad Retirement Board's semiannual 
regulatory agenda. Current regulations that are proposed to be modified 
based on a completed review of the regulations are listed in the 
agenda.

Dated: August 27, 1998.

By Authority of the Board.

Beatrice Ezerski,

Secretary to the Board.

                                               Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4121         General Administration...............................................................    3220-AB35
4122         Plan of Operation During a National Emergency........................................    3220-AB36
4123         Remuneration.........................................................................    3220-AB38
4124         Registration for Railroad Unemployment Benefits; Determination of Daily Benefit Rate;
            Sickness Benefits; Duration of Normal and Extended Benefits...........................    3220-AB39
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4125         Employers Under the Railroad Retirement Act; Employers Under the Railroad
            Unemployment Insurance Act............................................................    3220-AA51
4126         Employees Under the Railroad Retirement Act..........................................    3220-AA52
4127         Reduction and Non-Payment of Annuities by Reason of Work.............................    3220-AA61
4128         Voluntary Quit.......................................................................    3220-AA75
4129         Determining Disability...............................................................    3220-AA99
4130         Requests for Reconsideration and Appeals Within the Board............................    3220-AB03
4131         Creditable Railroad Compensation.....................................................    3220-AB23
4132         Finality of Decisions Regarding Unemployment and Sickness Insurance Benefits.........    3220-AB25
4133         Determining Disability...............................................................    3220-AB37
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Completed Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4134         Railroad Employers' Reports and Responsibilities.....................................    3220-AB21
4135         Eligibility for an Annuity...........................................................    3220-AB27
4136         Availability of Information to the Public............................................    3220-AB33
4137         Recovery of Overpayments.............................................................    3220-AB34
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_______________________________________________________________________
RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)               Proposed Rule Stage
  
_______________________________________________________________________

4121. 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.

[[Page 62595]]

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            04/00/99

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
Small Entities Affected: No

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
_______________________________________________________________________

4122. 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                            12/00/98

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
Small Entities Affected: No

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
_______________________________________________________________________

4123.  REMUNERATION

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  45 USC 362(l)

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 322

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board is amending part 322 of its 
regulations to reflect statutory changes that may affect the payment of 
unemployment or sickness benefits to railroad employees under the 
Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            04/00/99

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
Small Entities Affected: No

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-AB38
_______________________________________________________________________

4124.  REGISTRATION FOR RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS; 
DETERMINATION OF DAILY BENEFIT RATE; SICKNESS BENEFITS; DURATION OF 
NORMAL AND EXTENDED BENEFITS

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  45 USC 322(i); 45 USC 362(l)

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 325; 20 CFR 330; 20 CFR 335; 20 CFR 336

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board amends its regulations to incorporate amendments 
made to the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act by Public Law 104-251.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            04/00/99

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
Small Entities Affected: No

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-AB39
_______________________________________________________________________
RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                 Long-Term Actions
  
_______________________________________________________________________

4125. 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

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Sectors Affected: 

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

[[Page 62596]]

_______________________________________________________________________

4126. 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

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: State, Federal

Sectors Affected: 

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
_______________________________________________________________________

4127. 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

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
Small Entities Affected: No

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
_______________________________________________________________________

4128. 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

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
Small Entities Affected: No

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
_______________________________________________________________________

4129. 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                    00/00/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
Small Entities Affected: No

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
_______________________________________________________________________

4130. 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

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
Small Entities Affected: No

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

[[Page 62597]]

_______________________________________________________________________

4131. CREDITABLE RAILROAD COMPENSATION

Priority:  Other Significant

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                    00/00/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
Small Entities Affected: No

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-AB23
_______________________________________________________________________

4132. 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 explains 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                            00/00/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
Small Entities Affected: No

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
_______________________________________________________________________

4133. 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                            00/00/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
Small Entities Affected: No

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
_______________________________________________________________________
RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD (RRB)                 Completed Actions
  
_______________________________________________________________________

4134. RAILROAD EMPLOYERS' REPORTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 209

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    06/15/98                    63 FR 32612
Final Action Effective          07/15/98

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

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

RIN: 3220-AB21
_______________________________________________________________________

4135. ELIGIBILITY FOR AN ANNUITY

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 216

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    04/09/98                    63 FR 17326
Final Action Effective          05/11/98

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

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

RIN: 3220-AB27
_______________________________________________________________________

4136. 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.

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 200.3

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    04/09/98                    63 FR 17325
Final Action Effective          05/11/98

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

[[Page 62598]]

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

RIN: 3220-AB33
_______________________________________________________________________

4137. RECOVERY OF OVERPAYMENTS

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation:  20 CFR 255.8

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    06/01/98                    63 FR 29547
Final Action Effective          07/01/98

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

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

RIN: 3220-AB34
[FR Doc. 98-23921 Filed 11-06-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-F