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 60611-2092.

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
Sequence Number Title Regulation Identification Number
3440 Requests for Reconsideration and Appeals Within the Board3220-AB03
3441 Employers' Contributions and Contribution Reports3220-AB53
3442 Retirement Age3220-AB54

Railroad Retirement Board—Final Rule Stage
Sequence Number Title Regulation Identification Number
3443 Application for Annuity or Lump Sum3220-AB46
3444 Freedom of Information Act Requests3220-AB47
3445 Appendix 1 to Part 220—Listing of Impairments3220-AB51

Railroad Retirement Board—Long-Term Actions
Sequence Number Title Regulation Identification Number
3446 Reduction and Non-Payment of Annuities by Reason of Work3220-AA61
3447 Determining Disability3220-AA99
3448 Creditable Railroad Compensation3220-AB23
3449 Determining Disability3220-AB50

Railroad Retirement Board—Completed Actions
Sequence Number Title Regulation Identification Number
3450 Designation of Central and Field Organization3220-AB35
3451 Assessment or Waiver of Interest, Penalties, and Administrative Costs With Respect To Collection of Certain Debts3220-AB48
3452 Employers' Contributions and Contribution Reports3220-AB52

Railroad Retirement Board—Discontinued Entries
Regulation Identification Number Title Date Withdrawn Comments
3220-AA75 Voluntary Quit03/13/2002Withdrawn


Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

Proposed Rule Stage

 


3440. 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 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

Agency:

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:

45 USC 345 362(l)

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

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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 60611-2092
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN:

3220-AA61

3447. 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:

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

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 60611-2092
Phone: 312 751-4945
TDD Phone: 312 751-4701
Fax: 312 751-7102

RIN:

3220-AB23

3449. 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 60611-2092
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

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 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

Agency:

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

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

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

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 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