Department of Labor October 18, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On August 6, 2002, President Bush signed into law the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002 (the Reform Act), which amended the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (Act or Trade Act). The Reform Act reauthorized the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program through fiscal year 2007 and made significant amendments to the TAA program, including the addition of Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance for Older Workers (Alternative TAA or ATAA). These amendments generally took effect on November 4, 2002, and required that the Department establish the ATAA program ``[n]ot later than one year after the date of the enactment of the [Reform Act]''. The Department is implementing the TAA amendments, including the introduction of ATAA, through three separate rulemakings. This proposed rule implements the ATAA program, a demonstration project for older workers. On August 25, 2006, the Department published a proposed rule governing the payment of TAA and the provision of related employment services. The Department will publish a third proposed rule governing TAA and ATAA certifications of worker groups adversely affected by trade.