[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]


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Part XLI





Railroad Retirement Board





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

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

Dated:  August 24, 2001.

By Authority of the Board.

 Beatrice Ezerski,

Secretary to the Board.

                                 Railroad Retirement Board--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4019         Requests for Reconsideration and Appeals Within the Board..........................     3220-AB03
4020         Designation of Central and Field Organization......................................     3220-AB35
4021         Application for Annuity or Lump Sum................................................     3220-AB46
4022         Assessment or Waiver of Interest, Penalties, and Administrative Costs With Respect      3220-AB48
            to Collection of Certain Debts......................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                   Railroad Retirement Board--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4023         Freedom of Information Act Requests................................................     3220-AB47
4024         Appendix 1 to Part 220--Listing of Impairments.....................................     3220-AB51
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                  Railroad Retirement Board--Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4025         Reduction and Non-Payment of Annuities by Reason of Work...........................     3220-AA61
4026         Voluntary Quit.....................................................................     3220-AA75
4027         Determining Disability.............................................................     3220-AA99
4028         Creditable Railroad Compensation...................................................     3220-AB23
4029         Determining Disability.............................................................     3220-AB50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                  Railroad Retirement Board--Completed Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4030         Application for Annuity or Lump Sum................................................     3220-AB45
4031         Use of the Seal of the Railroad Retirement Board...................................     3220-AB49
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 62513]]

_______________________________________________________________________


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)                     Proposed Rule Stage


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4019. REQUESTS FOR RECONSIDERATION AND APPEALS WITHIN THE BOARD

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

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                            03/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Assistant General Counsel, 
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
_______________________________________________________________________




4020. DESIGNATION OF CENTRAL AND FIELD ORGANIZATION

Priority: Info./Admin./Other

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                            09/05/01                    66 FR 46408
NPRM Comment Period End         11/05/01
Final Rule                      02/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Assistant General Counsel, 
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
_______________________________________________________________________




4021. APPLICATION FOR ANNUITY OR LUMP SUM

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

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                            12/00/01

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Assistant General Counsel, 
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
_______________________________________________________________________




4022. 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                            09/05/01                    66 FR 46408
NPRM Comment Period End         11/05/01
Final Rule                      02/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Assistant General Counsel, 
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
_______________________________________________________________________


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)                        Final Rule Stage


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4023. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUESTS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

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               12/00/01

[[Page 62514]]

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Assistant General Counsel, 
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
_______________________________________________________________________




4024.   APPENDIX 1 TO PART 220--LISTING OF IMPAIRMENTS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 45 USC 231a; 45 USC 231f

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 220.110; 20 CFR 220, app. 1

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board amends 20 CFR 220.110 and app. 
1--Listing of Impairments, to conform the medical criteria that apply 
to disability determinations to the medical criteria in the Social 
Security Administration's regulations (20 CFR 404, subpart P, app. 1).

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              12/00/01

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Assistant General Counsel, 
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-AB51
_______________________________________________________________________


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)                       Long-Term Actions


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4025. REDUCTION AND NON-PAYMENT OF ANNUITIES BY REASON OF WORK

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

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                    60 FR 43999
Final Action                     To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Assistant General Counsel, 
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
_______________________________________________________________________




4026. 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: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Assistant General Counsel, 
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
_______________________________________________________________________




4027. 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: Federal

Agency Contact: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Assistant General Counsel, 
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
_______________________________________________________________________




4028. 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

[[Page 62515]]

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, Assistant General Counsel, 
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
_______________________________________________________________________




4029.   DETERMINING DISABILITY

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 45 USC 231a; 45 USC 231f

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 220.143; 20 CFR 220.170

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board amends 20 CFR sections 220.143 
and 220.170 to index the amount of earnings used to determine if an 
individual is engaged in substantial gainful activity (SGA) to any 
increase in the social security national average wage index, and to 
increase (from $200 to $530) the minimum amount of monthly earnings to 
count during a trial work period, and then to index that amount to the 
social security national average wage index.

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, Assistant General Counsel, 
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-AB50
_______________________________________________________________________


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)                       Completed Actions


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4030. APPLICATION FOR ANNUITY OR LUMP SUM

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 217.8

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    05/17/01                    66 FR 27554
Final Action Effective          05/17/01

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-AB45
_______________________________________________________________________




4031. USE OF THE SEAL OF THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

Priority: Info./Admin./Other

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 369

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    05/31/01                    66 FR 29475
Final Action Effective          05/31/01

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-AB49
[FR Doc. 01-23861 Filed 11-30-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-S
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