Department of Labor March 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces the Agency's final decision to grant recognition to QPS Evaluation Services Inc., as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory under 29 CFR 1910.7.

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, the Department of Labor (Department) conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that the requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Employment and Training Administration is soliciting comments concerning the collection of data about the Unemployment Insurance Data Validation program, for which collection authority expires on July 31, 2011. A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section of this notice.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is extending the comment period on the proposed rule addressing Examinations of Work Areas in Underground Coal Mines for Violations of Mandatory Health or Safety Standards. It proposed revising MSHA requirements for preshift, supplemental, and on-shift, and weekly examinations of underground coal mines. This extension gives commenters an additional 30 days to comment on the proposed rule.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Mine Safety and Health Administration sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Radiation Sampling and Exposure Records,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the Department of Labor (Department) is issuing this Notice to announce: (1) The 2011 Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) for employers seeking to employ temporary or seasonal nonimmigrant foreign workers to perform agricultural labor or services (H-2A workers); (2) the allowable maximum amount for 2011 that employers may charge their H-2A workers for providing them with three meals a day; and (3) the maximum travel subsistence reimbursement which a worker with receipts may claim in 2011.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Affordable Care Act Internal Claims and Appeals and External Review Procedures for Non-grandfathered Plans,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

Through this notice, the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) announces the availability of up to approximately $122 million in grant funds authorized by Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Public Law 105-220 to develop and implement career pathway programs in partnership with employers and other relevant organizations in the community. The overarching goals for projects funded under this SGA are to: (1) Increase the number of individuals who earn credentials that enable them to compete for employment in in-demand and emerging industries and occupations; (2) lead to employment for program participants; (3) articulate and ease academic and employment transitions, through the implementation of articulation agreements and other activities, for students of different skill levels and at varying academic levels, including students with low English or basic skills proficiency; (4) establish multiple entry and exit points for students along the post-secondary education continuum; and, (5) create systemic change that will last beyond the grant period by establishing partnerships, agreements, processes, and programs that better connect the education, training, workforce, and supportive services necessary to achieve the preceding four goals, including strengthening the role of the public workforce system in career pathway programs. ETA proposes to fund approximately 40 to 50 grants ranging from $1 million to $5 million. Based on statutory requirements, at least $65 million of the total designated funds will be reserved for projects that focus on the health care sector. In addition, DOL intends to reserve funding of approximately $6.25 million of the total appropriation to award additional funding to support grantee efforts to conduct a third-party evaluation of the grant activities with this SGA. The complete SGA and any subsequent SGA amendments, in connection with the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Public Law 105-220 is described in further detail on ETA's Web site at https://www.doleta.gov or on https://www.grants.gov. The Web sites provide application information, eligibility requirements, review and selection procedures and other program requirements governing this solicitation.