Department of Labor – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This Notice announces allotments for Program Year (PY) 2019 for the WIOA Title I Section 167 National Farmworker Jobs Program, as required under Section 182(d) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. The Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019, enacted September 28, 2018, provides $82,447,000 for formula grants and another $5,922,000 for migrant and seasonal farmworker housing (of which not less than 70 percent shall be for permanent housing). Another $527,000 will be set aside for discretionary purposes. The formula was developed for the purpose of distributing funds geographically by State service area, on the basis of each State service area's relative share of persons eligible for the program. The formula's methodology was described in a notice published in the Federal Register on May 19, 1999 (64 FR 27390). That information is accessible at https://www.federalregister.gov/. Beginning with PY 2018, ETA incorporated two modifications to the allotment formula, with the goal of providing more accurate estimates of each State service area's relative share of persons eligible for the program. The formula also used updated data from each of the four data files serving as the basis of the formula since 1999. Based on the new estimates, the Department of Labor (DOL or Department) instituted a hold-harmless provision for PY 2018 and two following years. The hold- harmless provision is designed to provide a staged transition from old to new funding levels for State service areas and minimize the impact on those states incurring significant change.

In accordance with section 3687 of Public Law 106-398, which was added by section 3141(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2015, Executive Order 13699 (June 26, 2015), and the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended (5 U.S.C. A. 2) and its implementing regulations issued by the General Services Administration (GSA), the Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health was established on July 2, 2015. The current Charter was signed on June 29, 2017 and expires on June 28, 2019. Pursuant to FACA, Section 14(b)(2), the Secretary of Labor has renewed the Charter for two years. The Charter renewal allows the Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health (Board) to continue its operations. The Board advises the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) with respect to: (1) The Site Exposure Matrices (SEM) of the Department of Labor; (2) medical guidance for claims examiners for claims with the EEOICPA program, with respect to the weighing of the medical evidence of claimants; (3) evidentiary requirements for claims under Part B of EEOICPA related to lung disease; and (4) the work of industrial hygienists and staff physicians and consulting physicians of the Department of Labor and reports of such hygienists and physicians to ensure quality, objectivity, and consistency. The Board, when necessary, coordinates exchanges of data and findings with the Department of Health and Human Services' Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health. Membership of the Board currently consists of 12 members appointed by the Secretary (eleven sitting members and one replacement member pending), who also appointed a Chair. Public Law 106-398, Section 3687(a)(3). Pursuant to Section 3687(a)(2), membership is balanced and includes members from the scientific, medical and claimant communities. The members serve two-year terms. At the discretion of the Secretary, members may be appointed to successive terms or removed at any time. The Board meets no less than twice per year. The Board reports to the Secretary of Labor. As specified in Section 3687(i), the Board shall terminate ten (10) years after the date of the enactment of the NDAA, which was December 19, 2014. Thus, the Board shall terminate on December 19, 2024. Electronic copies of this Federal Register notice are available at https://www.regulations.gov. This notice, as well as news releases and other relevant information, are also available on the Advisory Board's web page at https://www.dol.gov/owcp/energy/regs/compliance/ AdvisoryBoard.htm.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is extending the comment period on the Request for Information on a Retrospective Study of Respirable Coal Mine Dust Rule. The comment period is extended until July 9, 2022. Pursuant to MSHA's ongoing study, this extension gives stakeholders additional time to provide input on developing the framework to assess the impact of the final rule, Lowering Miners' Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors and to provide MSHA information and data on engineering controls and best practices that lower miners' exposure to respirable coal mine dust.

The Department of Labor's (DOL's), Employment Training Administration (ETA) is soliciting comments concerning a proposed revision for the authority to conduct the information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Post Enrollment Data Collection for Job Corps Participants.'' 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 Cleanup Program for Accumulations of Coal and Float Coal Dusts, Loose Coal, and Other Combustibles.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Statement of Expenditures and Financial Adjustments of Federal Funds for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees and Ex-Service Members'' 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 Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and the Code of Federal Regulations 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.

In this notice, OSHA announces its final decision to expand the scope of recognition for QPS Evaluation Services, Inc., as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Personal Protective Equipment for Shipyard Employment,'' 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) is submitting the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement Administrative Law Judge Administrative Hearing Procedures'' 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) is submitting the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Short-Time Compensation Grants,'' 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) is submitting the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) revision titled, ``Prohibited Transaction Exemption 1986-128 For Securities Transactions Involving Employee Benefit Plans and Broker-Dealers,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employment Benefits and Security Agency (EBSA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) revision titled, ``Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 75-1, Security Transactions with Broker-Dealers, Reporting Dealers, and Banks,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. Public comments on the ICR are invited.

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

To address America's skills gap and expand the apprenticeship model to new industries, the U.S. Department of Labor proposes a rule under the National Apprenticeship Act (NAA) to establish a process for recognizing Standards Recognition Entities (SREs), which will in turn recognize Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (Industry Programs). This proposed rule describes what entities may become SREs; outlines the responsibilities and requirements for SREs, as well as the hallmarks of the high-quality apprenticeship programs they will recognize; and sets out how the Administrator of the Office of Apprenticeship will interact with SREs. The proposed rule also describes how Industry Programs would operate in parallel with the existing registered apprenticeship system. The Department believes its industry-led, market-driven approach provides the flexibility necessary to scale the apprenticeship model where it is needed most and helps address America's skills gap.

The Department of Labor's (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is soliciting comments concerning a proposed revision to the authority to conduct the information collection request (ICR) titled, ``DOL-only Performance Accountability, Information, and Reporting System.'' 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 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. Public comments on the ICR are invited.

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

On May 13, 2019, the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) appointed 15 members to serve on ACCSH. OSHA also announces ACCSH will meet July 17-18, 2019.

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 and/or continuing 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. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed revision of the ``Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.'' A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

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).

In this notice, OSHA announces the applications of MET Laboratories, Inc., for expansion of recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and presents the agency's preliminary finding to grant the applications.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employment and Training (ETA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) revision titled, ``H-2A Temporary Agricultural Labor Certification Program,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. Public comments on the ICR are invited.