Department of Labor – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Advisory Board will meet January 28, 2020, via teleconference, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. Submissions of comments and materials for the record, and requests for special accommodations: You must submit (postmark, send, transmit) comments, materials, and requests for special accommodations for the meetings by January 21, 2020.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is revising certain safety standards for explosives at metal and nonmetal (MNM) mines. This rule updates existing provisions consistent with technological advancements involving electronic detonators. MSHA is publishing a direct final rule because the Agency expects that there will be no significant adverse comments on the rule. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, MSHA is publishing a companion proposed rule for notice and comment rulemaking to provide a procedural framework to finalize the rule in the event that the Agency receives significant adverse comment and withdraws this direct final rule. The companion proposed rule and the direct final rule are substantially identical.

The U.S. Department of Labor (Department or DOL) is issuing this final rule to give States increased flexibility in their administration of Employment Service (ES) activities funded under the Wagner-Peyser Act (the Act). This flexibility includes the grants allocated to the States for the traditional labor exchange and related services, and for the foreign labor certification program, including the placement of employer job orders, inspection of housing for agricultural workers, and the administration of prevailing wage and practice surveys.

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 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. Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the information collection for Application for Waiver of Surface Facilities Requirements.

This notice is a summary of petitions for modification submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by the parties listed below.

The Department of Labor (DOL), Employment Training Administration (ETA) is soliciting comments concerning a proposed extension for the authority to conduct the information collection request (ICR) titled ``Job Corps Placement and Assistance Record.'' This comment request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Plan Asset Transactions Determined by Independent Qualified Professional Asset Managers under Prohibited Transaction Exemption 1984-14,'' 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 Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (``OFCCP'' or ``the agency'') proposes to codify procedures that the agency currently uses to resolve potential discrimination and other material violations of these laws by federal contractors and subcontractors; add clarifying definitions to specify the types of evidence OFCCP will use to support its discrimination findings; and, correct the title of OFCCP's agency head.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning the proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements contained in the Student Data Form.

Each year, the Department of Defense issues a Schedule of Remuneration used by states for UCX purposes. States must use the schedule to determine Federal military wages for UCX ``first claims'' only when the Federal Claims Control Center (FCCC) responds to a request for information indicating that there is no Copy 5 of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) for an individual under the social security number provided. A response from the FCCC that indicates ``no DD214 on file'' will prompt the state to start the affidavit process and to use the attached schedule to calculate the Federal military wages for an unemployment insurance or UCX monetary determination. The schedule applies to UCX ``first claims'' filed beginning with the first day of the first week that begins on or after January 1, 2020, pursuant to the UCX program regulations (see 20 CFR 614.12(c)). States must continue to use the 2019 schedule (or other appropriate schedule) for UCX ``first claims'' filed before the effective date of the revised schedule.

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, 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 (PRA). Currently, the Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) of the Department of Labor (Department) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the collection of information requirements implementing the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, as amended (LMRDA). 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 notice is a summary of a petition for modification submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by the parties listed below.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Model Employer Children's Health Insurance Program Notice,'' 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 (DOL), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, 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). 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 is properly assessed. Currently, the Department of Labor is soliciting comments concerning the collection of data about the Apprenticeship Evidence-Building Portfolio. 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 Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the Department of Labor (Department) is issuing this notice to announce the 2020 Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for the employment of temporary or seasonal nonimmigrant foreign workers (H-2A workers) to perform herding or production of livestock on the range. AEWRs are the minimum wage rates the Department has determined must be offered and paid by employers to H-2A workers and workers in corresponding employment so that the wages and working conditions of similarly employed workers in the United States will not be adversely affected. In this notice, the Department announces the annual update of the AEWR for workers engaged in the herding or production of livestock on the range, as required by the methodology established in the Temporary Agricultural Employment of H-2A Foreign Workers in the Herding or Production of Livestock on the Range in the United States, 80 FR 62958, 63067-63068 (Oct. 16, 2015); 20 CFR 655.211.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors'' 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.

This document provides notice of the declination of coverage over the working conditions of aircraft cabin crewmembers onboard aircraft in operation by all twenty-two (22) OSHA-approved State Plans which cover the private sector. On March 26, 2014, OSHA began applying three safety and health standards to the working conditions of aircraft cabin crewmembers on aircraft in operation. Section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 U.S.C. 667 (OSH Act) grants the OSHA-approved State Plans the authority to regulate the working conditions of these employees to the extent consistent with the Federal Aviation Act. Subsequently, OSHA required the State Plans to either elect to amend their State Plans to cover aircraft cabin crewmembers on aircraft in operation, or to decline to exercise such authority, in which case coverage would remain a Federal OSHA responsibility. All affected State Plans declined. OSHA is hereby amending the State Plans' coverage in all of the twenty-two (22) OSHA- approved State Plans covering the private sector to reflect the declination of State Plan coverage, and the continuation of Federal OSHA enforcement authority over the working conditions of aircraft cabin crewmembers while they are onboard aircraft in operation, and notifying affected employers and employees of this action.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA or Act) generally requires that covered, nonexempt employees receive overtime pay of at least one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for time worked in excess of 40 hours per workweek. The regular rate includes all remuneration for employment, subject to the exclusions outlined in section 7(e) of the FLSA. In this final rule, the Department of Labor (Department) updates a number of regulations on the calculation of overtime compensation both to provide clarity and to better reflect the 21st- century workplace. These changes will promote compliance with the FLSA, provide appropriate and updated guidance in an area of evolving law and practice, and encourage employers to provide additional and innovative benefits to workers without fear of costly litigation.

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the Department of Labor (Department) is issuing this document to advise the public of an extension to the public comment period. Initially, the proposed rule established a public comment period from November 7, 2019 through December 9, 2019. The Department has extended the deadline for submitting public comments to December 11, 2019, due to a website outage.

The Department of Labor's (DOL's), Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is soliciting comments concerning a proposed extension for the authority to conduct the information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Petition for Classifying Labor Surplus Areas.'' This comment request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

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 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. Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the information collection for Mine Rescue Teams; Arrangements for Emergency Medical Assistance and Transportation for Injured Persons; Agreements; Reporting Requirements; Posting Requirements.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is providing notice to the public that the WHD sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Employment Information Form,'' has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). WHD is notifying the public that the information collection has been revised and extended effective immediately through November 30, 2022.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning the proposal to extend and revise the collection of information currently approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for handling of retaliation complaints filed with OSHA under various whistleblower protection statutes and the procedural regulations described in this notice. These regulations contain procedures employees must use to file a complaint with OSHA alleging that their employer violated a whistleblower protection provision contained in certain statutes that generally prohibit retaliatory action by employers against employees who engage in activities protected by the statutes. This collection of information includes revisions to the electronic form for employees to submit retaliation complaints to OSHA.