[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 65283]]

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Part XLIII





Railroad Retirement Board





_______________________________________________________________________



Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

[[Page 65284]]



Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)                                        


  



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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. Regulations that are routine in nature or pertain 
solely to internal agency management have not been included in the 
agenda.

Dated:  September 2, 1999

By Authority of the Board.

 Beatrice Ezerski,

Secretary to the Board.

                                               Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4058         Plan of Operation During a National Emergency......................................     3220-AB36
4059         Remuneration.......................................................................     3220-AB38
4060         Registration for Railroad Unemployment Benefits; Determination of Daily Benefit         3220-AB39
            Rate; Sickness Benefits; Duration of Normal and Extended Benefits...................
4061         Family Relationships...............................................................     3220-AB40
4062         Determining Disability.............................................................     3220-AB41
4063         Determining Disability.............................................................     3220-AB42
4064         Evidence Required for Payment......................................................     3220-AB43
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4065         Employers Under the Railroad Retirement Act; Employers Under the Railroad               3220-AA51
            Unemployment Insurance Act..........................................................
4066         Employees Under the Railroad Retirement Act........................................     3220-AA52
4067         Reduction and Non-Payment of Annuities by Reason of Work...........................     3220-AA61
4068         Voluntary Quit.....................................................................     3220-AA75
4069         Determining Disability.............................................................     3220-AA99
4070         Requests for Reconsideration and Appeals Within the Board..........................     3220-AB03
4071         Creditable Railroad Compensation...................................................     3220-AB23
4072         Finality of Decisions Regarding Unemployment and Sickness Insurance Benefits.......     3220-AB25
4073         General Administration.............................................................     3220-AB35
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_______________________________________________________________________


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)                     Proposed Rule Stage


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4058. 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                            08/17/99                    64 FR 44670
NPRM Comment Period End         10/18/99
Final Action                    01/00/00

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 Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB36
_______________________________________________________________________




4059. REMUNERATION

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 45 USC 362(l)

[[Page 65285]]

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                            11/00/99

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 Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB38
_______________________________________________________________________




4060. 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                            11/00/99

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 Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB39
_______________________________________________________________________




4061. FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 45 USC 231f

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 222

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board amends its regulations to clarify how it uses 
appropriate State law, particularly State inheritance laws, to 
determine when an individual is the child of the employee.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/99

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 Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB40
_______________________________________________________________________




4062.  DETERMINING DISABILITY

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 45 USC 231f(b)

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 220.143

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The amendment to 220.143 updates earnings guidelines used to 
determine when a disabled individual is presumptively engaged in 
substantial gainful activity.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/99

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 Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB41
_______________________________________________________________________




4063.  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 220.186

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board proposes to amend section 220.186 of 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                            01/00/00

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 Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB42
_______________________________________________________________________




4064.  EVIDENCE REQUIRED FOR PAYMENT

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 219.6

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board amends section 219.6 to permit the use of non-
certified copies of documents, or facsimile copies of records or 
documents that are required to establish eligibility for benefits under 
the Railroad Retirement Act.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            01/00/00

[[Page 65286]]

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 Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB43
_______________________________________________________________________


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)                       Long-Term Actions


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4065. 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                             To Be                       Determined

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 Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA51
_______________________________________________________________________




4066. 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                     To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: State, 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 Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA52
_______________________________________________________________________




4067. 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                     To Be                       Determined

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 Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA61
_______________________________________________________________________




4068. 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                             To Be                       Determined

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 Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA75


_______________________________________________________________________



[[Page 65287]]

4069. 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                     To Be                       Determined

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 Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA99
_______________________________________________________________________




4070. 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                             To Be                       Determined

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 Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB03
_______________________________________________________________________




4071. 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                     To Be                       Determined

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 Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB23
_______________________________________________________________________




4072. 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                             To Be                       Determined

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 Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB25
_______________________________________________________________________




4073. 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                             To Be                       Determined

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 Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB35
[FR Doc. 99-23649 Filed 11-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-F