[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 XLII





Railroad Retirement Board





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

[[Page 31220]]



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 
which pertain solely to internal agency management have not been 
included in the agenda.

Dated: March 20, 2003.

By Authority of the Board.

 Beatrice Ezerski,

Secretary to the Board.

                                 Railroad Retirement Board--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3639        Determining Disability..............................................................     3220-AB50
3640        Employers' Contributions and Contribution Reports...................................     3220-AB53
3641        Electronic Filing of Applications and Claims for Benefits Under the Railroad             3220-AB57
            Unemployment Insurance Act..........................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                   Railroad Retirement Board--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3642        Reduction and Nonpayment of Annuities by Reason of Work.............................     3220-AA61
3643        Determining Disability..............................................................     3220-AA99
3644        Freedom of Information Act Requests.................................................     3220-AB47
3645        Appendix 1 to Part 220--Listing of Impairments......................................     3220-AB51
3646        Retirement Age......................................................................     3220-AB54
3647        Application for Annuity or Lump Sum.................................................     3220-AB55
3648        Account Benefits Ratio..............................................................     3220-AB56
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                                  Railroad Retirement Board--Long-Term Actions
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                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3649        Creditable Railroad Compensation....................................................     3220-AB23
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                                  Railroad Retirement Board--Completed Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3650        Requests for Reconsideration and Appeals Within the Board...........................     3220-AB03
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_______________________________________________________________________


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)                     Proposed Rule Stage






_______________________________________________________________________




3639. 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

[[Page 31221]]

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

________________________________________________________________________

Proposed Rule                   05/00/03

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
_______________________________________________________________________




3640. 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                            05/00/03

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
_______________________________________________________________________




3641. ELECTRONIC FILING OF APPLICATIONS AND CLAIMS FOR BENEFITS UNDER 
THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 45 USC 355; 45 USC 362(l)

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 321

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board amends its regulations to add a 
new part 321 to permit the electronic filing of applications and claims 
under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act via the Internet in 
accordance with the provisions of the Government Paperwork Elimination 
Act.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            06/00/03

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-AB57
_______________________________________________________________________


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)                        Final Rule Stage






_______________________________________________________________________




3642. REDUCTION AND NONPAYMENT 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 revises 20 CFR part 230 to 
explain how employment or self-employment after an annuity beginning 
date may cause a reduction in, or nonpayment of, the annuity. It also 
reflects the changes in law made by the enactment of Public Law 106-
182, the Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act of 2000.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            08/16/95                    60 FR 42482
NPRM Comment Period End         09/25/95                    60 FR 43999
Final Rule                      08/00/03

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
_______________________________________________________________________




3643. 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 Rule                      08/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

[[Page 31222]]

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
_______________________________________________________________________




3644. 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               08/00/03

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
_______________________________________________________________________




3645. 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              08/00/03

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
_______________________________________________________________________




3646. 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                            06/17/02                    67 FR 41205
NPRM Comment Period End         08/16/02
Final Action                    05/00/03

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
_______________________________________________________________________




3647. APPLICATION FOR ANNUITY OR LUMP SUM

Priority: Other Significant

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

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 217.5; 20 CFR 217.6; 20 CFR 217.15 to 217.18

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board amends its regulations to 
permit the filing of applications for annuity or lump sum payment 
electronically via the Internet in accordance with the provisions of 
the Government Paperwork Elimination Act.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/18/02                    67 FR 77448
NPRM Comment Period End         02/18/03
Final Rule                      08/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: 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-AB55
_______________________________________________________________________




3648. ACCOUNT BENEFITS RATIO

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 45 USC 231f(b)(5); 45 USC 231u(a)

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 206

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board adds a new part 206 to its 
regulations as information, and to advise that the Board will annually 
compute the account benefits ratio for the railroad retirement system, 
and will make a projection of the account benefits ratio and the 
average account benefits ratio for future years.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/18/02                    67 FR 77447
NPRM Comment Period End         02/18/03
Final Rule                      08/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

[[Page 31223]]

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-AB56
_______________________________________________________________________


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)                       Long-Term Actions






_______________________________________________________________________




3649. 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
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN: 3220-AB23
_______________________________________________________________________


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)                       Completed Actions






_______________________________________________________________________




3650. REQUESTS FOR RECONSIDERATION AND APPEALS WITHIN THE BOARD

Priority: Other Significant

CFR Citation: 20 CFR 260; 20 CFR 320

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Rule                      12/17/02                    67 FR 77152
Final Rule Effective            12/17/02
Correction                      02/11/03                     68 FR 6820
Final Action                    02/11/03                     68 FR 6820

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-AB03
[FR Doc. 03-7444 Filed 05-23-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-S