Department of Labor 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with Section 743 of Division C of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117), the Department of Labor (DOL) is publishing this notice to advise the public of the availability of its FY 2016 Service Contract Inventory. This inventory provides information on service contract actions over $25,000 made in FY 2016. The information is organized by function to show how contracted resources are distributed throughout the agency. The inventory has been developed in accordance with guidance issued on November 5, 2010, by the Office of Management and Budget's Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP). OFPP's guidance is available at: https:// obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/procurem ent/memo/ service-contract-inventories-guidance-11052010.pdf. The Department of Labor has posted its inventory and a summary of the inventory on the agency's Web site at the following link: https://www.dol.gov/general/aboutdol#budget.

Currently, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Certification of Medical Necessity (CM-893). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this Notice. This program helps to ensure that 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.

Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 govern the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for modification. This Federal Register Notice notifies the public that MSHA has investigated and issued a final decision on certain mine operator petitions to modify a safety standard.

OSHA is soliciting public comments concerning its proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements contained in the Forging Machines Standard.

The Department of Labor through the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is currently soliciting comments for the second major revision of the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS), current version 2.01. The last major revision occurred in 2011. BLS is responsible for the development and publication of occupational injury, illness, and fatality data. These data are compiled by the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) and the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) programs. The OIICS is used to classify certain case characteristics associated with the nonfatal and fatal work injury cases received by the programs.

Currently, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Report of Changes that May Affect Your Black Lung Benefits (CM-929 and CM-929P). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this Notice. This program helps to ensure that 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.

The Department of Labor (the Department), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA 95), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the reporting burden on the public and helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. Currently, the Employee Benefits Security Administration is soliciting comments on a revision of the Coverage of Certain Preventive Services under the Affordable Care ActPrivate Sector information collection request (ICR) to reflect the Executive Order signed on May 4, 2017, ``Executive Order Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty.'' The order declares, regarding ``Conscience Protections with Respect to Preventive-Care Mandate,'' that ``[t]he Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall consider issuing amended regulations, consistent with applicable law, to address conscience-based objections to the preventive-care mandate promulgated under section 300gg-13(a)(4) of title 42, United States Code.'' A copy of the information collection request (ICR) may be obtained by contacting the office listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

The United States has a long history of providing conscience protections in the regulation of health care for entities and individuals with objections based on religious beliefs and moral convictions. These interim final rules expand exemptions to protect religious beliefs for certain entities and individuals whose health plans are subject to a mandate of contraceptive coverage through guidance issued pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. These rules do not alter the discretion of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a component of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to maintain the guidelines requiring contraceptive coverage where no regulatorily recognized objection exists. These rules also leave the ``accommodation'' process in place as an optional process for certain exempt entities that wish to use it voluntarily. These rules do not alter multiple other Federal programs that provide free or subsidized contraceptives for women at risk of unintended pregnancy.

The Department of Labor (the Department), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA 95), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is soliciting comments on the proposed extension of the information collection requests (ICRs) contained in the documents described below. A copy of the ICRs may be obtained by contacting the office listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. ICRs also are available at reginfo.gov (https://www.reginfo.gov/public/ do/PRAMain).

In this notice, OSHA announces its final decision to expand the scope of recognition for Curtis-Strauss, LLC., as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). Additionally, OSHA announces its final decision to add a new test standard to the NRTL Program's List of Appropriate Test Standards.

Pursuant to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA), which amends the Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933, notice is hereby given that the WIAC will meet on November 1 and 2, 2017. The meeting will take place at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Janet Norwood Training and Conference Center in Washington, DC. The WIAC was established in accordance with provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended and will act in accordance with the applicable provisions of FACA and its implementing regulation. The meeting will be open to the public.

On September 29, 2017, the Department of Labor (DOL) will submit the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance Program,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This program helps to assure that 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 Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the information collection for Training Plan Regulations and Certificate of Training.

On September 30, 2017, the Department of Labor (DOL) will submit the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Powered Platforms for Building Maintenance Standard,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

In this notice, OSHA announces its final decision to expand the scope of recognition for International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials EGS as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).

In this notice, OSHA announces its final decision to expand the scope of recognition for TUV Rheinland of North America, Inc., as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).

The purpose of this notice is to announce the annual list of labor surplus areas for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 1998-54 Relating to Certain Employee Benefit Plan Foreign Exchange Transactions Executed Pursuant to Standing Instructions,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements specified in the Standard on Steel Erection.

The subcommittees will meet via teleconference on October 23, 2017, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

The Secretary of Labor (Secretary) invites interested parties to submit nominations for individuals to serve on the Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health for Part E of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA).

The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor (the Department) is issuing this notice to announce the applicable minimum wage rate to be paid to workers performing work on or in connection with Federal contracts covered by Executive Order 13658, beginning January 1, 2018. Executive Order 13658, Establishing a Minimum Wage for Contractors (the Executive Order or the Order), was signed on February 12, 2014, and raised the hourly minimum wage paid by contractors to workers performing work on covered Federal contracts to: $10.10 per hour, beginning January 1, 2015; and beginning January 1, 2016, and annually thereafter, an amount determined by the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) in accordance with the methodology set forth in the Order. See 79 FR 9851. The Secretary's determination of the Executive Order minimum wage rate also affects the minimum hourly cash wage that must be paid to tipped employees performing work on or in connection with covered contracts. See 79 FR 9851-52. The Secretary is required to provide notice to the public of the new minimum wage rate at least 90 days before such rate is to take effect. See 79 FR 9851. The applicable minimum wage under Executive Order 13658 is currently $10.20 per hour, in effect since January 1, 2017. See 81 FR 64513. The applicable minimum cash wage that generally must be paid to tipped employees performing work on or in connection with covered contracts is currently $6.80 per hour, in effect since January 1, 2017. Id. Pursuant to Executive Order 13658 and its implementing regulations at 29 CFR part 10, notice is hereby given that beginning January 1, 2018, the Executive Order minimum wage rate that generally must be paid to workers performing work on or in connection with covered contracts will increase to $10.35 per hour. Notice is also hereby given that, beginning January 1, 2018, the required minimum cash wage that generally must be paid to tipped employees performing work on or in connection with covered contracts will increase to $7.25 per hour.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Producer Price Index Survey,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Public comments on the ICR are invited.