Unified Agenda


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
Sequence Number Title Regulation Identification Number
4019  Requests for Reconsideration and Appeals Within the Board3220-AB03
4020  Designation of Central and Field Organization3220-AB35
4021  Application for Annuity or Lump Sum3220-AB46
4022  Assessment or Waiver of Interest, Penalties, and Administrative Costs With Respect to Collection of Certain Debts3220-AB48

Railroad Retirement Board—Final Rule Stage
Sequence Number Title Regulation Identification Number
4023  Freedom of Information Act Requests3220-AB47
4024  Appendix 1 to Part 220—Listing of Impairments3220-AB51

Railroad Retirement Board—Long-Term Actions
Sequence Number Title Regulation Identification Number
4025  Reduction and Non-Payment of Annuities by Reason of Work3220-AA61
4026  Voluntary Quit3220-AA75
4027  Determining Disability3220-AA99
4028  Creditable Railroad Compensation3220-AB23
4029  Determining Disability3220-AB50

Railroad Retirement Board—Completed Actions
Sequence Number Title Regulation Identification Number
4030  Application for Annuity or Lump Sum3220-AB45
4031  Use of the Seal of the Railroad Retirement Board3220-AB49


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

Proposed Rule Stage

 


4019. REQUESTS FOR RECONSIDERATION AND APPEALS WITHIN THE BOARD

Agency:

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:

45 USC 231f(b)(5); 45 USC 231g; 45 USC 355

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

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

Agency:

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

Priority:

Info./Admin./Other

Legal Authority:

45 USC 231f(b)(5); 45 USC 362(l)

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

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

Agency:

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:

45 USC 231d; 45 USC 231f

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

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

Agency:

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:

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

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

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

Agency:

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:

45 USC 231f(b)(5); 45 USC 362; 5 USC 552

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

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

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

Agency:

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:

45 USC 231a; 45 USC 231f

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

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

Agency:

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:

45 USC 231f(b)(5)

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

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

Agency:

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:

45 USC 362(l)

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

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

Agency:

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:

45 USC 231a; 45 USC 231f

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

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

Agency:

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:

45 USC 231f

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

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

RIN:

3220-AB23

4029. ¤ DETERMINING DISABILITY

Agency:

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:

45 USC 231a; 45 USC 231f

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

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

Agency:

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

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

Agency:

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

Priority:

Info./Admin./Other

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

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