Semiannual Agenda of Regulations, 71155-71160 [2019-26582]
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Vol. 84
Thursday,
No. 247
December 26, 2019
Part X
Department of Labor
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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 247 / Thursday, December 26, 2019 / UA: Reg Flex Agenda
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of the Secretary
20 CFR Chs. I, IV, V, VI, VII, and IX
29 CFR Subtitle A and Chs. II, IV, V,
XVII, and XXV
30 CFR Ch. I
41 CFR Ch. 60
48 CFR Ch. 29
Semiannual Agenda of Regulations
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Office of the Secretary, Labor.
Semiannual regulatory agenda.
The internet has become the
means for disseminating the entirety of
the Department of Labor’s semiannual
regulatory agenda. However, the
Regulatory Flexibility Act requires
publication of a regulatory flexibility
agenda in the Federal Register. This
SUMMARY:
Federal Register Notice contains the
regulatory flexibility agenda.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Laura M. Dawkins, Director, Office of
Regulatory and Programmatic Policy,
Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, 200
Constitution Avenue NW, Room S–
2312, Washington, DC 20210; (202) 693–
5959.
Note: Information pertaining to a
specific regulation can be obtained from
the agency contact listed for that
particular regulation.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive
Order 12866 requires the semiannual
publication of an agenda of regulations
that contains a listing of all the
regulations the Department of Labor
expects to have under active
consideration for promulgation,
proposal, or review during the coming
one-year period. The entirety of the
Department’s semiannual agenda is
available online at www.reginfo.gov.
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
U.S.C. 602) requires DOL to publish in
the Federal Register a regulatory
flexibility agenda. The Department’s
Regulatory Flexibility Agenda,
published with this notice, includes
only those rules on its semiannual
agenda that are likely to have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities;
and those rules identified for periodic
review in keeping with the requirements
of section 610 of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act. Thus, the regulatory
flexibility agenda is a subset of the
Department’s semiannual regulatory
agenda. The Department’s Regulatory
Flexibility Agenda does not include
section 610 items at this time.
All interested members of the public
are invited and encouraged to let
departmental officials know how our
regulatory efforts can be improved, and
are invited to participate in and
comment on the review or development
of the regulations listed on the
Department’s agenda.
Eugene Scalia,
Secretary of Labor.
WAGE AND HOUR DIVISION—COMPLETED ACTIONS
Regulation
Identifier No.
Sequence No.
Title
292 ....................
Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales and
Computer Employees.
1235–AA20
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION—LONG-TERM ACTIONS
Regulation
Identifier No.
Sequence No.
Title
293 ....................
Temporary Employment of H–2B Foreign Workers in Certain Itinerant Occupations in the United States ...
1205–AB93
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION—COMPLETED ACTIONS
Regulation
Identifier No.
Sequence No.
Title
294 ....................
Modernizing Recruitment Requirements Under the H–2A Program ...............................................................
1205–AB90
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SECURITY ADMINISTRATION—COMPLETED ACTIONS
Title
295 ....................
Revision of the Form 5500 Series and Implementing Related Regulations Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
Definition of an ‘‘Employer’’ Under Section 3(5) of ERISA—Association Retirement Plans and Other Multiple Employer Plans.
296 ....................
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Regulation
Identifier No.
Sequence No.
1210–AB63
1210–AB88
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION—PRERULE STAGE
Regulation
Identifier No.
Sequence No.
Title
297 ....................
298 ....................
299 ....................
Emergency Response ......................................................................................................................................
Tree Care Standard .........................................................................................................................................
Prevention of Workplace Violence in Health Care and Social Assistance .....................................................
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1218–AD04
1218–AD08
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71157
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION—PROPOSED RULE STAGE
Regulation
Identifier No.
Sequence No.
Title
300 ....................
Communication Tower Safety ..........................................................................................................................
1218–AC90
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION—LONG-TERM ACTIONS
Title
301 ....................
302 ....................
Infectious Diseases ..........................................................................................................................................
Process Safety Management and Prevention of Major Chemical Accidents ..................................................
Division, 200 Constitution Avenue NW,
FP Building, Room S–2502,
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693–
0406.
RIN: 1235–AA20
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
Completed Actions
292. Defining and Delimiting the
Exemptions for Executive,
Administrative, Professional, Outside
Sales and Computer Employees
Action
Date
Request for Information (RFI).
RFI Comment Period End.
NPRM ..................
NPRM Comment
Period End.
Final Rule ............
Final Rule Effective.
07/26/17
FR Cite
82 FR 34616
09/25/17
03/22/19
05/21/19
84 FR 10840
09/27/19
01/01/20
84 FR 51230
18:47 Dec 23, 2019
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RIN: 1205–AB93
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Completed Actions
Employment and Training
Administration (ETA)
294. Modernizing Recruitment
Requirements Under the H–2A Program
Long-Term Actions
E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
Legal Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1188
Abstract: The United States
Department of Labor’s (DOL)
Employment and Training
Administration is amending regulations
regarding the H–2A non-immigrant visa
program at 20 CFR part 655, subpart B.
The final rule includes necessary
technical improvements, which
eliminates print newspaper
advertisements and modernizes the
requirements employers must meet for
advertising job opportunities to U.S.
workers.
Timetable:
293. Temporary Employment of H–2B
Foreign Workers in Certain Itinerant
Occupations in the United States
E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
Legal Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1184; 8
U.S.C. 1103
Abstract: The United States
Department of Labor’s (DOL)
Employment and Training
Administration and Wage and Hour
Division, and the United States
Department of Homeland Security
(DHS), U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services, are jointly
amending regulations regarding the H–
2B non-immigrant visa program at 20
CFR part 655, subpart A. The Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) will
establish standards and procedures for
employers seeking to hire foreign
temporary nonagricultural workers for
certain itinerant job opportunities,
including entertainers and carnivals and
utility vegetation management.
Timetable:
Action
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Amy DeBisschop,
Director of the Division of Regulations,
Legislation and Interpretation,
Department of Labor, Wage and Hour
VerDate Sep<11>2014
1218–AC46
1218–AC82
Employment and Training
Administration (ETA)
E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.;
29 U.S.C.213(a)(1)
Abstract: The Department issued a
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)
to determine the appropriate salary level
for exemption of executive,
administrative and professional
employees. The Department also
proposed to increase the highly
compensated employees (HCE) total
compensation level, allow the inclusion
of up to 10 percent of the standard
salary level to include nondiscretionary
bonus and incentive payments as long
as paid at least annually, and special
salary levels for the U.S. territories and
the motion picture industry. In
developing the final rule, the
Department will be informed by the
comments received in response to its
NPRM.
Timetable:
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Regulation
Identifier No.
Sequence No.
Date
NPRM ..................
FR Cite
12/00/20
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Thomas M. Dowd,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department
of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration, 200 Constitution
Avenue NW, FP Building, Washington,
DC 20210, Phone: 202 513–7350.
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Action
NPRM ..................
NPRM Comment
Period End.
NPRM Comment
Period End Extended to 12/
28/2018.
Final Rule ............
Final Rule Effective.
Date
FR Cite
11/09/18
12/10/18
83 FR 55985
12/10/18
83 FR 63456
09/20/19
10/21/19
84 FR 49439
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Thomas M. Dowd,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department
of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration, 200 Constitution
Avenue NW, FP Building, Washington,
DC 20210, Phone: 202 513–7350.
RIN: 1205–AB90
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Employee Benefits Security
Administration (EBSA)
Completed Actions
295. Revision of the Form 5500 Series
and Implementing Related Regulations
Under the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)
E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1021 to
1025; 29 U.S.C. 1027; 29 U.S.C. 1029
and 1030; 29 U.S.C. 1134 and 1135; 29
U.S.C. 1059; 29 U.S.C. 1204
Abstract: This regulatory action is
part of a long-term strategic project with
the Internal Revenue Service and the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
(collectively ‘‘Agencies’’) to modernize
and improve the Form 5500 Annual
Return/Report of Employee Benefit
Plan. The Agencies published proposals
in 2016 that included a range of
proposed changes in the reporting forms
and implementing regulations. Those
proposals were never finalized. The
Employee Benefits Security
Administration is withdrawing this
entry from the agenda at this time, due
to agency reprioritization.
Timetable:
Action
Date
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NPRM ..................
NPRM Comment
Period End.
Notice of Proposed Forms
Revision.
Notice of Proposed Forms
Revision Comment Period
End.
NPRM Comment
Period Extended.
NPRM Comment
Period Extended End.
Withdrawn ...........
FR Cite
07/21/16
10/04/16
81 FR 47496
07/21/16
81 FR 47534
Action
Date
NPRM ..................
NPRM Comment
Period End.
Final Rule ............
Final Rule Effective.
FR Cite
10/23/18
12/24/18
83 FR 53534
07/31/19
09/30/19
84 FR 37508
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Jeffrey J. Turner,
Deputy Director, Office of Regulations
and Interpretations, Department of
Labor, Employee Benefits Security
Administration, 200 Constitution
Avenue NW, FP Building, Room N–
5655, Washington, DC 20210, Phone:
202 693–8500.
RIN: 1210–AB88
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA)
10/04/16
Prerule Stage
09/23/16
81 FR 65594
12/05/16
09/30/19
296. Definition of an ‘‘Employer’’ Under
Section 3(5) of ERISA—Association
Retirement Plans and Other Multiple
Employer Plans
E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
18:47 Dec 23, 2019
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E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 29
U.S.C. 657; 5 U.S.C. 609
Abstract: OSHA currently regulates
aspects of emergency response and
preparedness; some of these standards
were promulgated decades ago, and
none were designed as comprehensive
emergency response standards.
Consequently, they do not address the
full range of hazards or concerns
currently facing emergency responders,
and other workers providing skilled
support, nor do they reflect major
changes in performance specifications
for protective clothing and equipment.
The Agency acknowledged that current
OSHA standards also do not reflect all
the major developments in safety and
health practices that have already been
accepted by the emergency response
community and incorporated into
industry consensus standards. OSHA is
considering updating these standards
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with information gathered through an
RFI and public meetings.
Timetable:
Action
Stakeholder Meetings.
Convene
NACOSH
Workgroup.
NACOSH Review
of Workgroup
Report.
Initiate SBREFA ..
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Date
FR Cite
07/30/14
09/09/15
12/14/16
08/00/20
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: William Perry,
Director, Directorate of Standards and
Guidance, Department of Labor,
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, 200 Constitution
Avenue NW, FP Building, Room N–
3718, Washington, DC 20210, Phone:
202 693–1950, Fax: 202 693–1678,
Email: perry.bill@dol.gov.
RIN: 1218–AC91
298. Tree Care Standard
E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
Legal Authority: Not Yet Determined
Abstract: There is no OSHA standard
for tree care operations; the agency
currently applies a patchwork of
standards to address the serious hazards
in this industry. The tree care industry
previously petitioned the agency for
rulemaking and OSHA issued an
ANPRM (September 2008). Tree care
continues to be a high-hazard industry.
Timetable:
Action
297. Emergency Response
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Mara S. Blumenthal,
Employee Benefits Law Specialist,
Department of Labor, Employee Benefits
Security Administration, 200
Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building,
Room N–5655, Washington, DC 20210,
Phone: 202 693–8500.
RIN: 1210–AB63
VerDate Sep<11>2014
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1002(2),
1002(5) and 1135
Abstract: This regulatory action
would establish criteria under section
3(5) of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act (ERISA) for purposes of
being an ‘‘employer’’ able to establish
and maintain an employee pension
benefit plan (as defined in section 3(2)
of ERISA) that is a multiple employer
retirement savings plan (other than a
multiemployer plan defined in section
3(37) of ERISA).
Timetable:
Stakeholder Meeting.
Initiate SBREFA ..
Date
FR Cite
07/13/16
11/00/19
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: William Perry,
Director, Directorate of Standards and
Guidance, Department of Labor,
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, 200 Constitution
Avenue NW, FP Building, Room N–
3718, Washington, DC 20210, Phone:
202 693–1950, Fax: 202 693–1678,
Email: perry.bill@dol.gov.
RIN: 1218–AD04
299. Prevention of Workplace Violence
in Health Care and Social Assistance
E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 5
U.S.C. 609
Abstract: The Request for Information
(RFI) (published on December 7, 2016
81 FR 88147)) provides OSHA’s history
with the issue of workplace violence in
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health care and social assistance,
including a discussion of the Guidelines
that were initially published in 1996, a
2014 update to the Guidelines, the
Agency’s use of 5(a)(1) in enforcement
cases in health care. The RFI solicited
information primarily from health care
employers, workers and other subject
matter experts on impacts of violence,
prevention strategies, and other
information that will be useful to the
Agency. OSHA was petitioned for a
standard preventing workplace violence
in health care by a broad coalition of
labor unions, and in a separate petition
by the National Nurses United. On
January 10, 2017, OSHA granted the
petitions.
Timetable:
Action
Date
Request for Information (RFI).
RFI Comment Period End.
Initiate SBREFA ..
12/07/16
FR Cite
81 FR 88147
04/06/17
Action
01/00/20
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA)
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Proposed Rule Stage
300. Communication Tower Safety
E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 5
U.S.C. 609
Abstract: While the number of
employees engaged in the
communication tower industry remains
small, the fatality rate is very high. Over
the past 20 years, this industry has
experienced an average fatality rate that
greatly exceeds that of the construction
industry. Due to recent FCC spectrum
auctions and innovations in cellular
technology, there will be a very high
level of construction activity taking
place on communication towers over
the next few years. A similar increase in
the number of construction projects
needed to support cellular phone
coverage triggered a spike in fatality and
injury rates years ago. Based on
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FR Cite
80 FR 20185
06/15/15
09/00/20
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA)
Long-Term Actions
301. Infectious Diseases
E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
Legal Authority: 5 U.S.C. 533; 29
U.S.C. 657 and 658; 29 U.S.C. 660; 29
U.S.C. 666; 29 U.S.C. 669; 29 U.S.C. 673
Abstract: Employees in health care
and other high-risk environments face
long-standing infectious disease hazards
such as tuberculosis (TB), varicella
disease (chickenpox, shingles), and
measles (rubella), as well as new and
emerging infectious disease threats,
such as Severe Acute Respiratory
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Syndrome (SARS) and pandemic
influenza. Health care workers and
workers in related occupations, or who
are exposed in other high-risk
environments, are at increased risk of
contracting TB, SARS, MethicillinResistant Staphylococcus Aureus
(MRSA), and other infectious diseases
that can be transmitted through a variety
of exposure routes. OSHA is examining
regulatory alternatives for control
measures to protect employees from
infectious disease exposures to
pathogens that can cause significant
disease. Workplaces where such control
measures might be necessary include:
health care, emergency response,
correctional facilities, homeless shelters,
drug treatment programs, and other
occupational settings where employees
can be at increased risk of exposure to
potentially infectious people. A
standard could also apply to
laboratories, which handle materials
that may be a source of pathogens, and
to pathologists, coroners’ offices,
medical examiners, and mortuaries.
Timetable:
Action
01/04/17
05/31/18
10/11/18
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Scott Ketcham,
Director, Directorate of Construction,
Department of Labor, Occupational
Safety and Health Administration, 200
Constitution Avenue NW, Room N–
3468, FP Building, Washington, DC
20210, Phone: 202 693–2020, Fax: 202
693–1689, Email: ketcham.scott@
dol.gov.
RIN: 1218–AC90
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
18:47 Dec 23, 2019
Date
Request for Information (RFI).
RFI Comment Period End.
Initiate SBREFA ..
Initiate SBREFA ..
Complete
SBREFA.
NPRM ..................
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: William Perry,
Director, Directorate of Standards and
Guidance, Department of Labor,
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, 200 Constitution
Avenue NW, FP Building, Room N–
3718, Washington, DC 20210, Phone:
202 693–1950, Fax: 202 693–1678,
Email: perry.bill@dol.gov.
RIN: 1218–AD08
VerDate Sep<11>2014
information collected from an April
2016 Request for Information (RFI),
OSHA concluded that current OSHA
requirements such as those for fall
protection and personnel hoisting, may
not adequately cover all hazards of
communication tower construction and
maintenance activities. OSHA will use
information collected from a Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act (SBREFA) panel to identify
effective work practices and advances in
engineering technology that would best
address industry safety and health
concerns. The Panel carefully
considered the issue of the expansion of
the rule beyond just communication
towers. OSHA will continue to consider
also covering structures that have
telecommunications equipment on or
attached to them (e.g., buildings,
rooftops, water towers, billboards, etc.).
Timetable:
71159
Request for Information (RFI).
RFI Comment Period End.
Analyze Comments.
Stakeholder Meetings.
Initiate SBREFA ..
Complete
SBREFA.
NPRM ..................
Date
05/06/10
FR Cite
75 FR 24835
08/04/10
12/30/10
07/05/11
76 FR 39041
06/04/14
12/22/14
To Be Determined
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: William Perry,
Director, Directorate of Standards and
Guidance, Department of Labor,
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, 200 Constitution
Avenue NW, FP Building, Room N–
3718, Washington, DC 20210, Phone:
202 693–1950, Fax: 202 693–1678,
Email: perry.bill@dol.gov.
RIN: 1218–AC46
302. Process Safety Management and
Prevention of Major Chemical
Accidents
E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655; 29
U.S.C. 657
Abstract: The Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA)
issued a Request for Information (RFI)
on December 9, 2013 (78 FR 73756). The
RFI identified issues related to
modernization of the Process Safety
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Management standard and related
standards necessary to meet the goal of
preventing major chemical accidents.
Timetable:
Action
Date
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Request for Information (RFI).
RFI Comment Period Extended.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
FR Cite
12/09/13
78 FR 73756
03/07/14
79 FR 13006
18:47 Dec 23, 2019
Action
Date
RFI Comment Period Extended
End.
Initiate SBREFA ..
SBREFA Report
Completed.
Next Action Undetermined.
FR Cite
03/31/14
06/08/15
08/01/16
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Required: Yes.
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Agency Contact: William Perry,
Director, Directorate of Standards and
Guidance, Department of Labor,
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, 200 Constitution
Avenue NW, FP Building, Room N–
3718, Washington, DC 20210, Phone:
202 693–1950, Fax: 202 693–1678,
Email: perry.bill@dol.gov.
RIN: 1218–AC82
[FR Doc. 2019–26582 Filed 12–23–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–04–P
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[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 247 (Thursday, December 26, 2019)]
[Unknown Section]
[Pages 71155-71160]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26582]
[[Page 71155]]
Vol. 84
Thursday,
No. 247
December 26, 2019
Part X
Department of Labor
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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda
Federal Register / Vol. 84 , No. 247 / Thursday, December 26, 2019 /
UA: Reg Flex Agenda
[[Page 71156]]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of the Secretary
20 CFR Chs. I, IV, V, VI, VII, and IX
29 CFR Subtitle A and Chs. II, IV, V, XVII, and XXV
30 CFR Ch. I
41 CFR Ch. 60
48 CFR Ch. 29
Semiannual Agenda of Regulations
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Labor.
ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The internet has become the means for disseminating the
entirety of the Department of Labor's semiannual regulatory agenda.
However, the Regulatory Flexibility Act requires publication of a
regulatory flexibility agenda in the Federal Register. This Federal
Register Notice contains the regulatory flexibility agenda.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura M. Dawkins, Director, Office of
Regulatory and Programmatic Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary
for Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room
S-2312, Washington, DC 20210; (202) 693-5959.
Note: Information pertaining to a specific regulation can be
obtained from the agency contact listed for that particular regulation.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Order 12866 requires the
semiannual publication of an agenda of regulations that contains a
listing of all the regulations the Department of Labor expects to have
under active consideration for promulgation, proposal, or review during
the coming one-year period. The entirety of the Department's semiannual
agenda is available online at www.reginfo.gov.
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 602) requires DOL to
publish in the Federal Register a regulatory flexibility agenda. The
Department's Regulatory Flexibility Agenda, published with this notice,
includes only those rules on its semiannual agenda that are likely to
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities; and those rules identified for periodic review in keeping
with the requirements of section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Thus, the regulatory flexibility agenda is a subset of the Department's
semiannual regulatory agenda. The Department's Regulatory Flexibility
Agenda does not include section 610 items at this time.
All interested members of the public are invited and encouraged to
let departmental officials know how our regulatory efforts can be
improved, and are invited to participate in and comment on the review
or development of the regulations listed on the Department's agenda.
Eugene Scalia,
Secretary of Labor.
Wage and Hour Division--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulation
Sequence No. Title Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
292....................... Defining and Delimiting 1235-AA20
the Exemptions for
Executive,
Administrative,
Professional, Outside
Sales and Computer
Employees.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employment and Training Administration--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulation
Sequence No. Title Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
293....................... Temporary Employment of H- 1205-AB93
2B Foreign Workers in
Certain Itinerant
Occupations in the United
States.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employment and Training Administration--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulation
Sequence No. Title Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
294....................... Modernizing Recruitment 1205-AB90
Requirements Under the H-
2A Program.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employee Benefits Security Administration--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulation
Sequence No. Title Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
295....................... Revision of the Form 5500 1210-AB63
Series and Implementing
Related Regulations Under
the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of
1974 (ERISA).
296....................... Definition of an 1210-AB88
``Employer'' Under
Section 3(5) of ERISA--
Association Retirement
Plans and Other Multiple
Employer Plans.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Prerule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulation
Sequence No. Title Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
297....................... Emergency Response........ 1218-AC91
298....................... Tree Care Standard........ 1218-AD04
299....................... Prevention of Workplace 1218-AD08
Violence in Health Care
and Social Assistance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 71157]]
Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulation
Sequence No. Title Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
300....................... Communication Tower Safety 1218-AC90
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulation
Sequence No. Title Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
301....................... Infectious Diseases....... 1218-AC46
302....................... Process Safety Management 1218-AC82
and Prevention of Major
Chemical Accidents.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
Completed Actions
292. Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive,
Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales and Computer Employees
E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.; 29 U.S.C.213(a)(1)
Abstract: The Department issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
(NPRM) to determine the appropriate salary level for exemption of
executive, administrative and professional employees. The Department
also proposed to increase the highly compensated employees (HCE) total
compensation level, allow the inclusion of up to 10 percent of the
standard salary level to include nondiscretionary bonus and incentive
payments as long as paid at least annually, and special salary levels
for the U.S. territories and the motion picture industry. In developing
the final rule, the Department will be informed by the comments
received in response to its NPRM.
Timetable:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Date FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI)....... 07/26/17 82 FR 34616
RFI Comment Period End.............. 09/25/17 .......................
NPRM................................ 03/22/19 84 FR 10840
NPRM Comment Period End............. 05/21/19 .......................
Final Rule.......................... 09/27/19 84 FR 51230
Final Rule Effective................ 01/01/20 .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Amy DeBisschop, Director of the Division of
Regulations, Legislation and Interpretation, Department of Labor, Wage
and Hour Division, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room S-
2502, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-0406.
RIN: 1235-AA20
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
Long-Term Actions
293. Temporary Employment of H-2B Foreign Workers in Certain Itinerant
Occupations in the United States
E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
Legal Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1184; 8 U.S.C. 1103
Abstract: The United States Department of Labor's (DOL) Employment
and Training Administration and Wage and Hour Division, and the United
States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services, are jointly amending regulations regarding the H-
2B non-immigrant visa program at 20 CFR part 655, subpart A. The Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) will establish standards and procedures
for employers seeking to hire foreign temporary nonagricultural workers
for certain itinerant job opportunities, including entertainers and
carnivals and utility vegetation management.
Timetable:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Date FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................ 12/00/20 .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Thomas M. Dowd, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, 200
Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202
513-7350.
RIN: 1205-AB93
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
Completed Actions
294. Modernizing Recruitment Requirements Under the H-2A Program
E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
Legal Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1188
Abstract: The United States Department of Labor's (DOL) Employment
and Training Administration is amending regulations regarding the H-2A
non-immigrant visa program at 20 CFR part 655, subpart B. The final
rule includes necessary technical improvements, which eliminates print
newspaper advertisements and modernizes the requirements employers must
meet for advertising job opportunities to U.S. workers.
Timetable:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Date FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................ 11/09/18 83 FR 55985
NPRM Comment Period End............. 12/10/18 .......................
NPRM Comment Period End Extended to 12/10/18 83 FR 63456
12/28/2018.
Final Rule.......................... 09/20/19 84 FR 49439
Final Rule Effective................ 10/21/19 .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Thomas M. Dowd, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, 200
Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202
513-7350.
RIN: 1205-AB90
[[Page 71158]]
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)
Completed Actions
295. Revision of the Form 5500 Series and Implementing Related
Regulations Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
(ERISA)
E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1021 to 1025; 29 U.S.C. 1027; 29 U.S.C.
1029 and 1030; 29 U.S.C. 1134 and 1135; 29 U.S.C. 1059; 29 U.S.C. 1204
Abstract: This regulatory action is part of a long-term strategic
project with the Internal Revenue Service and the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation (collectively ``Agencies'') to modernize and
improve the Form 5500 Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan.
The Agencies published proposals in 2016 that included a range of
proposed changes in the reporting forms and implementing regulations.
Those proposals were never finalized. The Employee Benefits Security
Administration is withdrawing this entry from the agenda at this time,
due to agency reprioritization.
Timetable:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Date FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................ 07/21/16 81 FR 47496
NPRM Comment Period End............. 10/04/16 .......................
Notice of Proposed Forms Revision... 07/21/16 81 FR 47534
Notice of Proposed Forms Revision 10/04/16 .......................
Comment Period End.
NPRM Comment Period Extended........ 09/23/16 81 FR 65594
NPRM Comment Period Extended End.... 12/05/16 .......................
Withdrawn........................... 09/30/19 .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Mara S. Blumenthal, Employee Benefits Law
Specialist, Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room N-5655,
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-8500.
RIN: 1210-AB63
296. Definition of an ``Employer'' Under Section 3(5) of ERISA--
Association Retirement Plans and Other Multiple Employer Plans
E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1002(2), 1002(5) and 1135
Abstract: This regulatory action would establish criteria under
section 3(5) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) for
purposes of being an ``employer'' able to establish and maintain an
employee pension benefit plan (as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA)
that is a multiple employer retirement savings plan (other than a
multiemployer plan defined in section 3(37) of ERISA).
Timetable:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Date FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................ 10/23/18 83 FR 53534
NPRM Comment Period End............. 12/24/18 .......................
Final Rule.......................... 07/31/19 84 FR 37508
Final Rule Effective................ 09/30/19 .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Jeffrey J. Turner, Deputy Director, Office of
Regulations and Interpretations, Department of Labor, Employee Benefits
Security Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room
N-5655, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-8500.
RIN: 1210-AB88
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Prerule Stage
297. Emergency Response
E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 29 U.S.C. 657; 5 U.S.C. 609
Abstract: OSHA currently regulates aspects of emergency response
and preparedness; some of these standards were promulgated decades ago,
and none were designed as comprehensive emergency response standards.
Consequently, they do not address the full range of hazards or concerns
currently facing emergency responders, and other workers providing
skilled support, nor do they reflect major changes in performance
specifications for protective clothing and equipment. The Agency
acknowledged that current OSHA standards also do not reflect all the
major developments in safety and health practices that have already
been accepted by the emergency response community and incorporated into
industry consensus standards. OSHA is considering updating these
standards with information gathered through an RFI and public meetings.
Timetable:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Date FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stakeholder Meetings................ 07/30/14 .......................
Convene NACOSH Workgroup............ 09/09/15 .......................
NACOSH Review of Workgroup Report... 12/14/16 .......................
Initiate SBREFA..................... 08/00/20 .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: William Perry, Director, Directorate of Standards
and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room N-3718,
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1950, Fax: 202 693-1678, Email:
[email protected].
RIN: 1218-AC91
298. Tree Care Standard
E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
Legal Authority: Not Yet Determined
Abstract: There is no OSHA standard for tree care operations; the
agency currently applies a patchwork of standards to address the
serious hazards in this industry. The tree care industry previously
petitioned the agency for rulemaking and OSHA issued an ANPRM
(September 2008). Tree care continues to be a high-hazard industry.
Timetable:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Date FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stakeholder Meeting................. 07/13/16 .......................
Initiate SBREFA..................... 11/00/19 .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: William Perry, Director, Directorate of Standards
and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room N-3718,
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1950, Fax: 202 693-1678, Email:
[email protected].
RIN: 1218-AD04
299. Prevention of Workplace Violence in Health Care and Social
Assistance
E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 5 U.S.C. 609
Abstract: The Request for Information (RFI) (published on December
7, 2016 81 FR 88147)) provides OSHA's history with the issue of
workplace violence in
[[Page 71159]]
health care and social assistance, including a discussion of the
Guidelines that were initially published in 1996, a 2014 update to the
Guidelines, the Agency's use of 5(a)(1) in enforcement cases in health
care. The RFI solicited information primarily from health care
employers, workers and other subject matter experts on impacts of
violence, prevention strategies, and other information that will be
useful to the Agency. OSHA was petitioned for a standard preventing
workplace violence in health care by a broad coalition of labor unions,
and in a separate petition by the National Nurses United. On January
10, 2017, OSHA granted the petitions.
Timetable:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Date FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI)....... 12/07/16 81 FR 88147
RFI Comment Period End.............. 04/06/17 .......................
Initiate SBREFA..................... 01/00/20 .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: William Perry, Director, Directorate of Standards
and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room N-3718,
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1950, Fax: 202 693-1678, Email:
[email protected].
RIN: 1218-AD08
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Proposed Rule Stage
300. Communication Tower Safety
E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 5 U.S.C. 609
Abstract: While the number of employees engaged in the
communication tower industry remains small, the fatality rate is very
high. Over the past 20 years, this industry has experienced an average
fatality rate that greatly exceeds that of the construction industry.
Due to recent FCC spectrum auctions and innovations in cellular
technology, there will be a very high level of construction activity
taking place on communication towers over the next few years. A similar
increase in the number of construction projects needed to support
cellular phone coverage triggered a spike in fatality and injury rates
years ago. Based on information collected from an April 2016 Request
for Information (RFI), OSHA concluded that current OSHA requirements
such as those for fall protection and personnel hoisting, may not
adequately cover all hazards of communication tower construction and
maintenance activities. OSHA will use information collected from a
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) panel to
identify effective work practices and advances in engineering
technology that would best address industry safety and health concerns.
The Panel carefully considered the issue of the expansion of the rule
beyond just communication towers. OSHA will continue to consider also
covering structures that have telecommunications equipment on or
attached to them (e.g., buildings, rooftops, water towers, billboards,
etc.).
Timetable:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Date FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI)....... 04/15/15 80 FR 20185
RFI Comment Period End.............. 06/15/15 .......................
Initiate SBREFA..................... 01/04/17 .......................
Initiate SBREFA..................... 05/31/18 .......................
Complete SBREFA..................... 10/11/18 .......................
NPRM................................ 09/00/20 .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Scott Ketcham, Director, Directorate of
Construction, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room N-3468, FP Building,
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-2020, Fax: 202 693-1689, Email:
[email protected].
RIN: 1218-AC90
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Long-Term Actions
301. Infectious Diseases
E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
Legal Authority: 5 U.S.C. 533; 29 U.S.C. 657 and 658; 29 U.S.C.
660; 29 U.S.C. 666; 29 U.S.C. 669; 29 U.S.C. 673
Abstract: Employees in health care and other high-risk environments
face long-standing infectious disease hazards such as tuberculosis
(TB), varicella disease (chickenpox, shingles), and measles (rubella),
as well as new and emerging infectious disease threats, such as Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and pandemic influenza. Health care
workers and workers in related occupations, or who are exposed in other
high-risk environments, are at increased risk of contracting TB, SARS,
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), and other
infectious diseases that can be transmitted through a variety of
exposure routes. OSHA is examining regulatory alternatives for control
measures to protect employees from infectious disease exposures to
pathogens that can cause significant disease. Workplaces where such
control measures might be necessary include: health care, emergency
response, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, drug treatment
programs, and other occupational settings where employees can be at
increased risk of exposure to potentially infectious people. A standard
could also apply to laboratories, which handle materials that may be a
source of pathogens, and to pathologists, coroners' offices, medical
examiners, and mortuaries.
Timetable:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Date FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI)....... 05/06/10 75 FR 24835
RFI Comment Period End.............. 08/04/10 .......................
Analyze Comments.................... 12/30/10 .......................
Stakeholder Meetings................ 07/05/11 76 FR 39041
Initiate SBREFA..................... 06/04/14 .......................
Complete SBREFA..................... 12/22/14 .......................
-----------------------------------
NPRM................................ To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: William Perry, Director, Directorate of Standards
and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room N-3718,
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1950, Fax: 202 693-1678, Email:
[email protected].
RIN: 1218-AC46
302. Process Safety Management and Prevention of Major Chemical
Accidents
E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655; 29 U.S.C. 657
Abstract: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
issued a Request for Information (RFI) on December 9, 2013 (78 FR
73756). The RFI identified issues related to modernization of the
Process Safety
[[Page 71160]]
Management standard and related standards necessary to meet the goal of
preventing major chemical accidents.
Timetable:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Date FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI)....... 12/09/13 78 FR 73756
RFI Comment Period Extended......... 03/07/14 79 FR 13006
RFI Comment Period Extended End..... 03/31/14 .......................
Initiate SBREFA..................... 06/08/15 .......................
SBREFA Report Completed............. 08/01/16 .......................
Next Action Undetermined............ .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: William Perry, Director, Directorate of Standards
and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room N-3718,
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1950, Fax: 202 693-1678, Email:
[email protected].
RIN: 1218-AC82
[FR Doc. 2019-26582 Filed 12-23-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-04-P
