Agencies and Commissions April 10, 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On April 5, 2017, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued an exposure draft of proposed revisions to Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS), also known as the Yellow Book. To help ensure that the standards continue to meet the needs of the government community and the public it serves, the Comptroller General of the United States appointed the Advisory Council on Government Auditing Standards to review GAO's proposed revisions of the standards and consider other necessary changes. The advisory council includes experts from all levels of government, the private sector, and academia. This exposure draft includes the advisory council's input regarding the proposed changes. We are requesting public comments on the proposed revisions in the 2017 exposure draft. GAO first issued the standards in 1972. The proposed changes in the exposure draft update GAGAS to reflect major developments in the accountability and audit professions and emphasize specific considerations applicable to the government environment.

The consent agreement in this matter settles alleged violations of federal law prohibiting unfair methods of competition. The attached Analysis to Aid Public Comment describes both the allegations in the complaint and the terms of the consent order embodied in the consent agreementthat would settle these allegations.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and approval by OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens. The RRB invites comments on the proposed collection of information to determine (1) the practical utility of the collection; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden of the collection; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information that is the subject of collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of collections on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments to the RRB or OIRA must contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of your comments, it is best if the RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days of the publication date. Title and purpose of information collection: Continuing Disability Report; OMB 3220-0187. Under Section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act, an annuity is not payable or is reduced for any month in which the annuitant works for a railroad or earns more than prescribed dollar amounts from either non-railroad employment or self-employment. Certain types of work may indicate an annuitant's recovery from disability. The provisions relating to the reduction or non-payment of an annuity by reason of work, and an annuitant's recovery from disability for work, are prescribed in 20 CFR 220.17-220.20. The RRB conducts continuing disability reviews (CDR) to determine whether an annuitant continues to meet the disability requirements of the law. Provisions relating to when and how often the RRB conducts CDR's are prescribed in 20 CFR 220.186. Form G-254, Continuing Disability Report, is used by the RRB to develop information for a CDR determination, including a determination prompted by a report of work, return to railroad service, allegation of medical improvement, or a routine disability review call-up. Form G- 254a, Continuing Disability Update Report, is used to help identify a disability annuitant whose work activity and/or recent medical history warrants completion of Form G-254 for a more extensive review. Completion is required to retain a benefit. One response is requested of each respondent to Forms G-254 and G-254a. Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (82 FR 8961 on February 1, 2017) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is correcting a notice that was published in the Federal Register (FR) on April 4, 2017, regarding the issuance of an order to Waste Control Specialists, LLC. This action is necessary to correct the ACTION statement and to add the NRC Docket ID to the notice title and the ADDRESSES section.