Department of Labor – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Labor published a document in the Federal Register of December 23, 2015, inviting public comments on the Benefit Accuracy Measurement Program Information Collection Request (80 FR 79935). The document contained an incorrect date.

Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 44 govern the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for modification. This notice is a summary of petitions for modification submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by the parties listed below.

In this notice, OSHA announces the application of MET Laboratories, Inc. for expansion of its recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and presents the Agency's preliminary finding to grant the application. Additionally, OSHA proposes to add three new test standards to the NRTL Program's list of appropriate test standards.

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) submitted timely documentation attesting to the completion of all structural and developmental aspects of its State Plan for State and Local Government Employees as approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). After extensive review of the submissions and opportunity for correction, Plan supplements constituting an updated and revised State Plan were submitted. OSHA is approving the revised State Plan, which documents the satisfactory completion of all structural and developmental aspects of New Jersey's approved State Plan, and certifying this completion. This certification attests to the fact that New Jersey now has in place those structural components necessary for an effective State Plan for State and Local Government Employees. (Enforcement of occupational safety and health standards with regard to private sector employers and employees in the State of New Jersey remains the responsibility of the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA).

In this notice, OSHA announces the application of QPS Evaluation Services Inc. for expansion of its recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and presents the Agency's preliminary finding to grant the application.

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor, announces the availability of $5,000,000 in grant funds for a second round of Linking to Employment Activities Pre- release through Specialized American Job Centers (AJCs), or ``LEAP-2,'' grants. ETA plans to award approximately 10 grants of up to $500,000 each to Local Workforce Development Boards. This grant program is designed to provide incarcerated individuals with workforce services prior to release and link them to a continuum of services offered through their community-based AJCs post-release. These grants are job- driven and build connections to local employers that will enable transitioning offenders to secure employment. The jail-based specialized AJCs will enable transitioning offenders to prepare for employment prior to release and continue with Individual Employment Plans (as described in Section IV of the FOA) in the community once released. The aim of these centers is to improve the workforce outcomes for transitioning offenders. The complete FOA and any subsequent FOA amendments in connection with this solicitation are described in further detail on ETA's Web site at https://www.doleta.gov/grants/ 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.

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 (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 can be properly assessed. Currently, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is soliciting comments concerning the proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection: Notice of Issuance of Insurance Policy (CM-921). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this Notice.

The Department of Labor is extending the comment period for the notice of proposed rulemaking it published on November 18, 2015 (80 FR 72296). The original deadline to submit comments on the proposed regulations was January 19, 2016. That comment period is being extended for an additional 30 days. The comment period for the information collection requirements in the proposed rule ended on December 18, 2015, and that period is not being extended.

The Office of Trade and Labor Affairs (OTLA) gives notice that on January 11, 2016, Submission #2015-04 regarding Mexico was accepted for review pursuant to Article 16(3) of the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC). On November 12, 2015, the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 770, the Frente Aut[eacute]ntico del Trabajo, the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, and the Project on Organizing, Development, Education, and Research, provided a submission to OTLA, through Change to Win, alleging violations of the NAALC by the Government of Mexico (GOM). U.S. Submission #2015-04 alleges that the GOM has failed to meet its obligations under the NAALC, including to effectively enforce its labor laws with respect to freedom of association, collective bargaining, discrimination, minimum labor standards, occupational safety and health, and workers' compensation and to ensure that its labor law proceedings are fair, equitable, and transparent. OTLA's decision to accept the submission for review is not intended to indicate any determination as to the validity or accuracy of the allegations contained in the submission. The objective of the review will be to gather information so that OTLA can better understand the allegations contained in the submission and publicly report on the issues raised therein in light of the GOM's obligations under the NAALC. As set out in the Procedural Guidelines (published as 71 FR 76691 (2006)), OTLA will complete the review and issue a public report to the Secretary of Labor within 180 days of this acceptance, unless circumstances, as determined by OTLA, require an extension of time.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) sponsored information collection request (ICR) revision titled, ``Agreement Approval Process for Use of Functional Affirmative Action Programs,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, the Office of Trade and Labor Affairs (OTLA) gives notice of a meeting of the National Advisory Committee for Labor Provisions of U.S. Free Trade Agreements (``Committee'' or ``NAC''), which was established by the Secretary of Labor. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the implementation of the labor provisions of free trade agreements and to identify the Committee's priority countries and issues for 2016.

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 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c) (2)(A)]. 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 extension of the ``Eating and Health Supplement to the American Time Use Survey.'' 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.

This final rule implements technical amendments to the Department of Labor's (Department or DOL) adoption of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidance in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards to Non-Federal Entities. The Department is making technical amendments in this final rule; all regulatory language included here is consistent with either the policies in the Uniform Guidance or the Department's existing policies and practices.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Overpayment Recovery Questionnaire,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``OSHA Strategic Partnership Program (OSPP) for Worker Safety and Health,'' 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), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. 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) revision titled, ``Employment and Training Administration Financial Reporting, Form ETA-9130,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

The Department of Labor (Department) is providing notice that the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) National Office has relocated within Washington, DC effective November 23, 2015.

The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) supports local Stand Down events that help homeless veterans attain meaningful civilian employment. Authority to support such events is in 38 U.S.C. Section 2021, which provides that the ``Secretary of Labor shall conduct, directly or through grant or contract, such programs as the Secretary determines appropriate to provide job training, counseling, and placement services (including job readiness and literacy and skills training) to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force.'' A Stand Down is a local community event where homeless veterans are provided a wide variety of services and incentives to reintegrate into their community, such as housing opportunities, healthcare, and employment opportunities, Stand Down funding is provided in the form of non- competitive grants that are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until available funding is exhausted. VETS anticipates that approximately $600,000 will be available to award approximately 70 grants in each Federal FY covered by this solicitation. The Federal FY begins on October 1 and ends on September 30 of the next calendar year. Awards will be made for a maximum of $10,000 per multi-day event or $7,000 per one-day event. VETS is now accepting applications for grant awards to fund Stand Down events in FY 2015. All applications for Stand Down grant funding must be submitted to the appropriate state Director for Veterans' Employment and Training (DVET). Applications will be accepted up to six (6) months prior to the event. Please allow up to 60 days to process your application. Address and contact information for each state DVET can be found at: https://www.dol.gov/vets/aboutvets/contacts/map.htm. Stand Down grant funding is awarded for a specific event on a specific date. Organizations planning Stand Down events must submit a new application each year to request funding and should not assume that the application will be approved. Stand Down grant awards are contingent upon a Federal appropriation or a continuing resolution each Federal FY. Therefore, applications submitted after July 1 for events to be held after September 30 may be held for consideration contingent upon Federal funding availability during the upcoming FY. Grant applicants cannot obligate grant funding toward Stand Down expenses prior to receiving a Notice of Award from the Grant Officer; any such expenses will be disallowed.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employment and Training (ETA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) ``Placement Verification and Follow Up of Job Corps Participants'' 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), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Public comments on the ICR are invited.

The Department of Labor (Department) issued a proposed rule in the Federal Register of November 6, 2015 [80 FR 68907], concerning proposed updates to the equal opportunity regulations that implement the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937. This document extends the comment period an additional 15 days, from January 5, 2016, to January 20, 2016. The Department received a request for additional time to develop comments on the proposed rulemaking. The Department is therefore extending the comment period in order to give all interested persons the opportunity to comment fully.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Employee Retirement Income Security Act Summary Annual Report Requirement,'' 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), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. 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, ``Benefit Accuracy Measurement 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), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Public comments on the ICR are invited.

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the Department of Labor (Department) is issuing this notice to announce the 2016 Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) for the employment of temporary or seasonal nonimmigrant foreign workers (H-2A workers) to perform agricultural labor or services. 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 for a particular occupation and area so that the wages of similarly employed U.S. workers will not be adversely affected. In this notice, the Department announces the annual update of the AEWRs which must be paid for agricultural work performed by H-2A and U.S. workers on or after the effective date of this notice.

On August 18, 2015 OSHA published in the Federal Register a direct final rule that streamlined provisions on State Plans. OSHA stated in that document that it would withdraw the companion proposed rule and confirm the effective date of the final rule if the Agency received no significant adverse comments on the direct final rule or the proposal. Since OSHA received no comments on the direct final rule or the proposal, the Agency now confirms that the direct final rule became effective as a final rule on October 19, 2015. The proposed rule and the direct final rule also requested comments on the collections of information contained in State Plan regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved those collections of information.