Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (the ``Commission'') is an independent adjudicatory agency that provides trials and appellate review of cases arising under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the ``Mine Act''). Trials are held before the Commission's Administrative Law Judges and appellate review is provided by a five-member Review Commission appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Commission is proposing a rule to simplify the procedures for handling certain civil penalty proceedings.

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (the ``Commission'') previously published, on September 2, 2008, an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking seeking suggestions for improving its procedures for processing requests for relief from default. The notice provided that the comment period would end on November 3, 2008. A request was made that the comment period be extended to November 17, and the Commission has agreed to do so.

Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 4314(c)(4), this notice announces the appointment of members of the combined PRB for the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. The Board reviews the performance appraisals of career and non-career senior executives. The Board makes recommendations regarding proposed performance appraisals, ratings, bonuses and other appropriate personnel actions. Composition of PRB: The Board shall consist of at least three voting members. In the case of an appraisal of a career appointee, more than half of the members shall consist of career appointees. The names and titles of the PRB members are as follows: Primary Members:

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (the ``Commission'') previously published, on October 17, 2007, proposed revisions to its rules implementing the Freedom of Information Act (``FOIA''). The period for comments to the proposed rules ended on November 16, 2007. A request was made that the comment period be reopened and the Commission has agreed to do so.

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (the ``Commission'') is an independent adjudicatory agency that provides hearings and appellate review of cases arising under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the ``Mine Act''). Hearings are held before the Commission's Administrative Law Judges, and appellate review is provided by a five-member Review Commission appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Commission is proposing to revise its rules implementing the Freedom of Information Act (``FOIA'') in light of its experience under the rules, the need to update its fee schedules, and changes in implementing the FOIA mandated by Executive Order 13,392.

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (the ``Commission'') is an independent adjudicatory agency that provides hearings and appellate review of cases arising under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the ``Mine Act''). Hearings are held before the Commission's Administrative Law Judges, and appellate review is provided by a five-member Review Commission appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. On July 18, 2006, the Commission published an interim rule to implement the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 (the ``MINER Act''), which amended the Mine Act to improve the safety of miners, particularly in underground coal mines. The MINER Act provides for Commission review of disputes arising over emergency response plans for underground coal mines. The interim rule established procedures for the submission and consideration of such disputes. The Commission invited public comment on the interim rule. The Commission has reviewed the comments on the interim rule and has decided to make certain changes in the rule. This publication makes final changes to Rule 24, the rule designed to implement the MINER Act. In connection with revising Rule 24, the Commission is also amending four of its other procedural rules to make them consistent with Rule 24.

The Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination Act of 2002 (No FEAR Act) requires that each Federal agency provide notice to all employees, former employees, and applicants for employment about the rights and remedies available under Antidiscrimination laws and Whistleblower protection laws applicable to them. By this document, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (the Commission) fulfills the requirement to publish the initial notice in the Federal Register.