[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 74755]]

Part XLII





Railroad Retirement Board





_______________________________________________________________________



Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

[[Page 74756]]



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:  Marguerite P. Dadabo, Senior 
Attorney, Bureau of Law, Railroad Retirement Board, (312) 751-4945, FAX 
(312) 751-7102, TDD (312) 751-4701.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  No Regulatory Plan entries were 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.

    By Authority of the Board.

Dated:  August 31, 2000.

 Beatrice Ezerski,

Secretary to the Board.

                                 Railroad Retirement Board--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4196         Requests for Reconsideration and Appeals Within the Board..........................     3220-AB03
4197         General Administration.............................................................     3220-AB35
4198         Application for Annuity or Lump Sum................................................     3220-AB46
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                   Railroad Retirement Board--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4199         Finality of Decisions Regarding Unemployment and Sickness Insurance Benefits.......     3220-AB25
4200         Sickness Benefits..................................................................     3220-AB44
4201         Application for Annuity or Lump Sum................................................     3220-AB45
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                  Railroad Retirement Board--Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4202         Reduction and Non-Payment of Annuities by Reason of Work...........................     3220-AA61
4203         Voluntary Quit.....................................................................     3220-AA75
4204         Determining Disability.............................................................     3220-AA99
4205         Creditable Railroad Compensation...................................................     3220-AB23
4206         Freedom of Information Act Requests................................................     3220-AB47
4207         Assessment or Waiver of Interest, Penalties, and Administrative Costs With Respect      3220-AB48
            to Collection of Certain Debts......................................................
4208         Use of the Seal of the Railroad Retirement Board...................................     3220-AB49
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                  Railroad Retirement Board--Completed Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4209         Employers Under the Railroad Retirement Act; Employers Under the Railroad               3220-AA51
            Unemployment Insurance Act..........................................................
4210         Employees Under the Railroad Retirement Act........................................     3220-AA52
4211         Registration for Railroad Unemployment Benefits; Determination of Daily Benefit         3220-AB39
            Rate; Sickness Benefits; Duration of Normal and Extended Benefits...................
4212         Family Relationships...............................................................     3220-AB40
4213         Determining Disability.............................................................     3220-AB42
4214         Evidence Required for Payment......................................................     3220-AB43
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 74757]]

_______________________________________________________________________


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)                     Proposed Rule Stage


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4196. 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; 20 CFR 320

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                            12/00/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB03
_______________________________________________________________________




4197. 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                            12/00/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB35
_______________________________________________________________________




4198.  APPLICATION FOR ANNUITY OR LUMP SUM

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 231d; 45 USC 231f

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 217.9; 20 CFR 217.30

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board amends sections 217.9 and 
217.30 of its regulations to accept a spouse annuity application, when 
filed simultaneously with the railroad employee's application for a 
disability annuity, to be filed more than three months in advance of 
the earliest annuity beginning date.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/00/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB46
_______________________________________________________________________


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)                        Final Rule Stage


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4199. 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 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                            04/20/00                    65 FR 21164
NPRM Comment Period End         06/19/00                    65 FR 21164
Final Rule                      11/00/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB25
_______________________________________________________________________




4200. SICKNESS BENEFITS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

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

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 335.3

Legal Deadline: None

[[Page 74758]]

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board amends its regulations under 
the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to accept a ``statement of 
sickness'' signed by a ``nurse practitioner.''

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            05/05/00                    65 FR 26161
NPRM Comment Period End         07/05/00                    65 FR 26161
Final Action                    12/00/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB44
_______________________________________________________________________




4201. APPLICATION FOR ANNUITY OR LUMP SUM

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 231d; 45 USC 231f

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 217.8

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board amends its regulations to 
accept an application filed for a divorced spouse benefit as an 
application for a spouse benefit if the parties remarry within six 
months of the date of divorce.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            05/11/00                    65 FR 30366
NPRM Comment Period End         07/10/00                    65 FR 30366
Final Action                    12/00/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB45
_______________________________________________________________________


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)                       Long-Term Actions


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4202. 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 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
Final Action                     To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA61
_______________________________________________________________________




4203. 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: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA75
_______________________________________________________________________




4204. 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: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA99


_______________________________________________________________________



[[Page 74759]]

4205. 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: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB23
_______________________________________________________________________




4206.  FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUESTS

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; 5 USC 552

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 200.4

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board amends 20 CFR 200.4 to direct 
all Freedom of Information Act requests to the Board's General Counsel, 
and to extend the time within which responses may be made from 10 to 20 
working days as provided by the Freedom of Information Act.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Direct Final Rule                To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB47
_______________________________________________________________________




4207.  ASSESSMENT OR WAIVER OF INTEREST, PENALTIES, AND 
ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS WITH RESPECT TO COLLECTION OF CERTAIN DEBTS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 45 USC 231f(b)(5); 45 USC 362; 31 USC 3717

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 200.7

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board amends its regulations to 
permit waiver of interest, penalties, and administrative costs in cases 
where a debt is being recovered by setoff from current annuities if the 
debt was not caused by fraud. This amendment will conform the 
regulation to current agency practice.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                             To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB48
_______________________________________________________________________




4208.  USE OF THE SEAL OF THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

Priority: Info./Admin./Other

Legal Authority: 45 USC 231f; 18 USC 701

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 369

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board adds 20 CFR 369 to its 
regulations. This section explains the procedures that must be followed 
to obtain written authorization for limited use of the Railroad 
Retirement Board's seal.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                             To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Senior Attorney, Bureau of Law, 
Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB49

[[Page 74760]]

_______________________________________________________________________


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)                       Completed Actions


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4209. EMPLOYERS UNDER THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT ACT; EMPLOYERS UNDER THE 
RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT

Priority: Other Significant

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 202; 20 CFR 301

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Withdrawn                       09/01/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA51
_______________________________________________________________________




4210. EMPLOYEES UNDER THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT ACT

Priority: Other Significant

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 203

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Withdrawn                       09/01/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: State, Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA52
_______________________________________________________________________




4211. REGISTRATION FOR RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS; DETERMINATION OF 
DAILY BENEFIT RATE; SICKNESS BENEFITS; DURATION OF NORMAL AND EXTENDED 
BENEFITS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

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

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Rule                      04/12/00                    65 FR 19647
Final Rule Effective            05/12/00                    65 FR 19647

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB39
_______________________________________________________________________




4212. FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 222

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Rule Effective            04/18/00                    65 FR 20725
Final Action                    04/18/00                    65 FR 20725

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB40
_______________________________________________________________________




4213. DETERMINING DISABILITY

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 220.186

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Rule                      04/17/00                    65 FR 20371
Final Rule Effective            05/17/00                    65 FR 20371

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB42
_______________________________________________________________________




4214. EVIDENCE REQUIRED FOR PAYMENT

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 219.6

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Rule                      04/13/00                    65 FR 19829
Final Rule Effective            05/15/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB43
[FR Doc. 00-23098 Filed 11-29-00]
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