[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

[[Page 33996]]



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 60611-2092.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Assistant 
General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, 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: March 13, 2002.

By Authority of the Board.

 Beatrice Ezerski,

Secretary to the Board.

                                 Railroad Retirement Board--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3440        Requests for Reconsideration and Appeals Within the Board...........................     3220-AB03
3441        Employers' Contributions and Contribution Reports...................................     3220-AB53
3442        Retirement Age......................................................................     3220-AB54
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                   Railroad Retirement Board--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3443        Application for Annuity or Lump Sum.................................................     3220-AB46
3444        Freedom of Information Act Requests.................................................     3220-AB47
3445        Appendix 1 to Part 220--Listing of Impairments......................................     3220-AB51
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                  Railroad Retirement Board--Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3446        Reduction and Non-Payment of Annuities by Reason of Work............................     3220-AA61
3447        Determining Disability..............................................................     3220-AA99
3448        Creditable Railroad Compensation....................................................     3220-AB23
3449        Determining Disability..............................................................     3220-AB50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                  Railroad Retirement Board--Completed Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3450        Designation of Central and Field Organization.......................................     3220-AB35
3451        Assessment or Waiver of Interest, Penalties, and Administrative Costs With Respect       3220-AB48
            To Collection of Certain Debts......................................................
3452        Employers' Contributions and Contribution Reports...................................     3220-AB52
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                     Railroad Retirement Board--Discontinued Entries
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Regulation
Identification                                             Title                                             Date Withdrawn            Comments
    Number
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3220-AA75        Voluntary Quit                                                                                 03/13/2002   Withdrawn
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 33997]]

_______________________________________________________________________


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)                     Proposed Rule Stage


  



_______________________________________________________________________




3440. 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 Railroad Retirement Board is amending 20 CFR sections 260 
and 320 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                            03/29/02                    67 FR 15127
NPRM Comment Period End         05/28/02
Final Action                    07/00/02

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-
2092
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB03
_______________________________________________________________________




3441.  EMPLOYERS' CONTRIBUTIONS AND CONTRIBUTION REPORTS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 45 USC 345 362(l)

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 345.202 to 204

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board amends sections 345.202 to 204 
of 20 CFR part 345 to explain the effective date of consolidated 
employer records that result in the issuance of a joint contribution 
rate under the ``experience rating''provisions of 
section 8 of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. The amendment 
also incorporates a nomenclature change due to a recent agency 
reorganization.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            05/00/02

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-
2092
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB53
_______________________________________________________________________




3442.  RETIREMENT AGE

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

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

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 218; 20 CFR 220; 20 CFR 225

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board amends title 20 CFR sections 
218, 220, and 225, to update references in those sections to the 
``age'' required for annuity eligibility to reflect 
changes to full retirement age under the Railroad Retirement Act.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            09/00/02

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-
2092
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB54
_______________________________________________________________________


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)                        Final Rule Stage


  



_______________________________________________________________________




3443. 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                            11/29/01                    66 FR 59548
NPRM Comment Period End         01/28/02
Final Action                    07/00/02

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-
2092
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB46
_______________________________________________________________________




3444. 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

[[Page 33998]]

working days as provided by the Freedom of Information Act.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Direct Final Rule               08/00/02

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-
2092
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB47
_______________________________________________________________________




3445. 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 
appendix 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, 
appendix 1).

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              09/00/02

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-
2092
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB51
_______________________________________________________________________


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)                       Long-Term Actions


  



_______________________________________________________________________




3446. 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-
2092
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA61
_______________________________________________________________________




3447. DETERMINING DISABILITY

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

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

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 220.114

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board amends title 20 CFR 220.114 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-
2092
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AA99
_______________________________________________________________________




3448. CREDITABLE RAILROAD COMPENSATION

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 45 USC 231f

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 211.3

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The RRB amends its regulations regarding the creditability of 
pay for time lost to prohibit the crediting of pay for time lost beyond 
the date of a judgment or settlement, or in the absence of a judgment 
or settlement, beyond the date of payment. The Labor Member of the RRB 
dissents from this proposal and recommends allowing the crediting of 
pay for time lost in these circumstances when the accompanying railroad 
retirement taxes are paid on the compensation.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/04/97                    62 FR 61488
NPRM Comment Period End         02/02/98
Final Action                     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-
2092
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701

[[Page 33999]]

Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB23
_______________________________________________________________________




3449. 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-
2092
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB50
_______________________________________________________________________


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)                       Completed Actions


  



_______________________________________________________________________




3450. DESIGNATION OF CENTRAL AND FIELD ORGANIZATION

Priority: Info./Admin./Other

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 200.1

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Rule                      02/07/02                     67 FR 5723
Final Rule Effective            02/07/02

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-AB35
_______________________________________________________________________




3451. ASSESSMENT OR WAIVER OF INTEREST, PENALTIES, AND ADMINISTRATIVE 
COSTS WITH RESPECT TO COLLECTION OF CERTAIN DEBTS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 200.7

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Rule                      02/07/02                     67 FR 5723
Final Rule Effective            02/07/02

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-AB48
_______________________________________________________________________




3452.  EMPLOYERS' CONTRIBUTIONS AND CONTRIBUTION REPORTS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 45 USC 362(l)

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 345.111; 20 CFR 345.113 to 115; 20 CFR 345.124; 20 
CFR 345.307

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board amends sections 345.111, 
345.113 to 115, 345.124, and 345.307 of 20 CFR part 345, to provide for 
electronic filing of railroad employers' quarterly reports of 
contributions under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, as 
required by the Government Paperwork Elimination Act.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            01/16/02                     67 FR 2157
NPRM Comment Period End         03/18/02
Final Action                    03/25/02                    67 FR 13567
Final Action Effective          03/25/02

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-
2092
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB52
[FR Doc. 02-7685 Filed 05-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-S
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