80 FR 13763 - Restructuring of the Office of Programs; Elimination of Regional Offices

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 51 (March 17, 2015)

Page Range		13763-13764
FR Document		2015-05888

The Railroad Retirement Board (Board) amends its regulations to reflect the restructuring of the Office of Programs and the elimination of the Regional Offices.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 51 (Tuesday, March 17, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 17, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13763-13764]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05888]


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RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

20 CFR Parts 200, 320, and 345

RIN 3220-AB65


Restructuring of the Office of Programs; Elimination of Regional 
Offices

AGENCY: Railroad Retirement Board.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Railroad Retirement Board (Board) amends its regulations 
to reflect the restructuring of the Office of Programs and the 
elimination of the Regional Offices.

DATES: This rule will be effective March 17, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Martha P. Rico, Secretary to the Board, Railroad Retirement 
Board, 844 N. Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marguerite P. Dadabo, Assistant 
General Counsel, (312) 751-4945, TTD (312) 751-4701.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Railroad Retirement Board has 
restructured its Office of Assessment and Training in a Board-approved 
reorganization plan. The Office of Assessment and Training, formerly a 
single component of the Office of Programs, is now intermingled with 
other subcomponents of the Office of Programs. Therefore, issues that 
were formerly under the jurisdiction of the Office of Programs/
Assessment and Training are now under the jurisdiction of the Office of 
Programs/Policy and Systems for purposes of the following regulations.
    Additionally, the Railroad Retirement Board underwent a 
reorganization of its regional offices in an effort to improve 
efficiency and eliminate duplication. As a result of this 
reorganization, the Railroad Retirement Board eliminated its Regional 
Offices in Atlanta, Georgia, Denver, Colorado, and Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania. The work done by the Regional Offices is now handled by 
the Field Services Headquarters staff.
    The Board published a proposed rule on February 14, 2012 and 
requested comments by April 16, 2012 [77 FR 8183]. No comments were 
received. The final rule is essentially the same as the proposed rule.
    The Board, with the concurrence of the Office of Management and 
Budget, has determined that this is not a significant regulatory action 
under Executive Order 12866, as amended. Therefore, no regulatory 
impact analysis is required. There are no changes to the information 
collections associated with Parts 200, 320 and 345.

List of Subjects in 20 CFR Parts 200, 320, and 345.

    Railroad employees, Railroad employers, Railroad retirement, 
Railroad unemployment.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Railroad Retirement 
Board amends title 20, chapter II, subchapter A, part 200 and 
subchapter C, parts 320 and 345 of the Code of Federal Regulations as 
follows:

PART 200--GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

0
1. The authority citation for part 200 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 45 U.S.C. 231f(b)(5) and 45 U.S.C. 362; Sec.  200.4 
also issued under 5 U.S.C. 552; Sec.  200.5 also issued under 5 
U.S.C. 552a; Sec.  200.6 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 552b; and Sec.  
200.7 also issued under 31 U.S.C. 3717.


0
2. In Sec.  200.1, paragraph (a)(4) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  200.1  Designation of central and field organization.

    (a) * * *
    (4) The headquarters of the Board is in Chicago, Illinois, at 844 
North Rush Street. The Board maintains numerous district offices across 
the country in localities easily accessible to large numbers of 
railroad workers.
* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  200.4, paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(5) are revised to 
read as follows:


Sec.  200.4  Availability of information to the public.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *

[[Page 13764]]

    (1) In the Office of Programs/Operations: The Retirement Claims 
Manual, RCM Circulars, Special Services Manual, Policy Decisions, 
Procedural Memoranda containing information on the adjudication of 
claims not contained in the Retirement Claims Manual or in RCM 
Circulars, Field Operating Manual (Parts I and VI), FOM Circulars and 
Memoranda, the Occupational Disability Rating Schedule, Adjudication 
Instruction Manual, memorandum instructions on adjudication, and 
circular letters of instruction to railroad officials.
    (2) In the Office of Programs/Policy and Systems: The Instructions 
to Employers, and Circular Letters to Employers.
* * * * *
    (5) Field offices shall also make available to the extent 
practicable such of these materials and indexes as are furnished them 
in the ordinary course of business.

PART 320--INITIAL DETERMINATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT 
INSURANCE ACT AND REVIEWS OF AND APPEALS FROM SUCH DETERMINATIONS

0
4. The authority citation for part 320 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 45 U.S.C. 355 and 362(l).


0
5. In Sec.  320.6, paragraph (c) introductory text is revised to read 
as follows:


Sec.  320.6  Adjudicating office.

* * * * *
    (c) Field Service-Headquarters. Field Service-Headquarters staff 
are authorized to make determinations on any of the issues listed in 
paragraph (b) of this section. In addition, Field Service-Headquarters 
staff are authorized to make initial determinations on the following 
issues:
* * * * *

0
6. In Sec.  320.10, paragraph (c) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  320.10  Reconsideration of initial determination.

* * * * *
    (c) Notice of decision. The adjudicating office shall, as soon as 
possible, render a decision on the request for reconsideration. If a 
decision rendered by a district office, as the adjudicating office, 
sustains the initial determination, either in whole or in part, the 
decision shall be referred to the appropriate Field Service-
Headquarters staff for review prior to issuance. The party who 
requested reconsideration shall be notified, in writing, of the 
decision on reconsideration no later than 15 days from the date of the 
decision or, where the Field Service-Headquarters staff has conducted a 
review of the decision, within 7 days following the completion of the 
review. If the decision results in denial of benefits, the claimant 
shall be notified of the right to appeal as provided in Sec.  320.12 of 
this part. If the decision results in payment of benefits, the base-
year employer(s) shall be notified of the right to appeal as provided 
in Sec.  320.12 of this part.
* * * * *

PART 345--EMPLOYERS' CONTIBUTIONS AND CONTRIBUTION REPORTS

0
7. The authority citation for part 345 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 45 U.S.C. 362(l).


0
8. Revise Sec.  345.202 to read as follows:


Sec.  345.202  Consolidated employer records.

    (a) Establishing a consolidated employer record. Two or more 
employers that are under common ownership or control may request the 
Board to consolidate their individual employer records into a joint 
individual employer record. Such joint individual employer record shall 
be treated as though it were a single employer record. A request for 
such consolidation shall be made to the Director of Policy and Systems, 
and such consolidation shall be effective commencing with the calendar 
year following the year of the request.
    (b) Discontinuance of a consolidated employer record. Two or more 
employers that have established and maintained a consolidated employer 
record will be permitted to discontinue such consolidated record only 
if the individual employers agree to an allocation of the consolidated 
employer record and such allocation is approved by the Director of 
Policy and Systems. The discontinuance of the consolidated record shall 
be effective commencing with the calendar year following the year of 
the Director of Policy and Systems' approval.

0
9. In Sec.  345.307 paragraphs (a) and (b) are revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  345.307  Rate protest.

    (a) Request for reconsideration. An employer may appeal a 
determination of a contribution rate computed under this part by filing 
a request for reconsideration with the Director of Policy and Systems 
within 90 days after the date on which the Board notified the employer 
of its rate of contribution for the next ensuing calendar year. Within 
45 days of the receipt of a request for reconsideration, the Director 
shall issue a decision on the protest.
    (b) Appeal to the Board. An employer aggrieved by the decision of 
the Director of Policy and Systems under paragraph (a) of this section 
may appeal to the Board. Such appeal shall be filed with the Secretary 
to the Board within 30 days after the date on which the Director 
notified the employer of the decision on reconsideration. The Board may 
decide such appeal without a hearing or, in its discretion, may refer 
the matter to a hearings officer pursuant to part 319 of this chapter.
* * * * *

    Dated: March 11, 2015.
Martha P. Rico,
Secretary to the Board, By Authority of the Board.
[FR Doc. 2015-05888 Filed 3-16-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 51 / Tuesday, March 17, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 13763

to which the AMOC applies, notify your (4) You may view this referenced service Additionally, the Railroad Retirement
appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the information at the FAA, Small Airplane Board underwent a reorganization of its
FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, regional offices in an effort to improve
or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. Missouri 64106. For information on the
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement
efficiency and eliminate duplication. As
availability of this material at the FAA, call
in this AD to obtain corrective actions from (816) 329–4148. It is also available on the a result of this reorganization, the
a manufacturer or other source, use these Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by Railroad Retirement Board eliminated
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective searching for and locating Docket No. FAA– its Regional Offices in Atlanta, Georgia,
actions are considered FAA-approved if they 2015–0536. Denver, Colorado, and Philadelphia,
are approved by the State of Design Authority (5) You may view this service information Pennsylvania. The work done by the
(or their delegated agent). You are required that is incorporated by reference at the Regional Offices is now handled by the
to assure the product is airworthy before it National Archives and Records Field Services Headquarters staff.
is returned to service. Administration (NARA). For information on The Board published a proposed rule
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any the availability of this material at NARA, call
reporting requirement in this AD, a federal on February 14, 2012 and requested
202–741–6030, or go to: http://
agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-
comments by April 16, 2012 [77 FR
person is not required to respond to, nor locations.html. 8183]. No comments were received. The
shall a person be subject to a penalty for final rule is essentially the same as the
failure to comply with a collection of Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on March proposed rule.
information subject to the requirements of 4, 2015.
The Board, with the concurrence of
the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that Pat Mullen, the Office of Management and Budget,
collection of information displays a current Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, has determined that this is not a
valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Aircraft Certification Service.
Control Number for this information
significant regulatory action under
[FR Doc. 2015–05788 Filed 3–16–15; 8:45 am] Executive Order 12866, as amended.
collection is 2120–0056. Public reporting for
this collection of information is estimated to BILLING CODE 4910–13–P Therefore, no regulatory impact analysis
be approximately 5 minutes per response, is required. There are no changes to the
including the time for reviewing instructions, information collections associated with
completing and reviewing the collection of RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD Parts 200, 320 and 345.
information. All responses to this collection
of information are mandatory. Comments 20 CFR Parts 200, 320, and 345 List of Subjects in 20 CFR Parts 200,
concerning the accuracy of this burden and 320, and 345.
suggestions for reducing the burden should RIN 3220–AB65
Railroad employees, Railroad
be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence
Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Restructuring of the Office of employers, Railroad retirement,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, Programs; Elimination of Regional Railroad unemployment.
AES–200. Offices For the reasons set out in the
(g) Special Flight Permit preamble, the Railroad Retirement
AGENCY: Railroad Retirement Board. Board amends title 20, chapter II,
In accordance with 14 CFR 39.23, a single ACTION: Final rule. subchapter A, part 200 and subchapter
flight is allowed to a location where the
initial inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) C, parts 320 and 345 of the Code of
SUMMARY: The Railroad Retirement Federal Regulations as follows:
of this AD can be done provided the Board (Board) amends its regulations to
following limitations are adhered to:
reflect the restructuring of the Office of PART 200—GENERAL
(1) No aerobatic maneuvers.
(2) Normal category maneuvering load Programs and the elimination of the ADMINISTRATION
factors must not exceed +3.8g/¥1.9g. Regional Offices.
DATES: This rule will be effective March ■ 1. The authority citation for part 200
(h) Related Information continues to read as follows:
17, 2015.
Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety
ADDRESSES: Martha P. Rico, Secretary to Authority: 45 U.S.C. 231f(b)(5) and 45
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2015–0023–E, dated
the Board, Railroad Retirement Board, U.S.C. 362; § 200.4 also issued under 5 U.S.C.
February 18, 2015, for related information.
844 N. Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 552; § 200.5 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 552a;
You may examine the MCAI on the Internet
§ 200.6 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 552b; and
at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 60611–2092.
for and locating Docket No. FAA–2015–0536. § 200.7 also issued under 31 U.S.C. 3717.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
(i) Material Incorporated by Reference Marguerite P. Dadabo, Assistant General ■ 2. In § 200.1, paragraph (a)(4) is
Counsel, (312) 751–4945, TTD (312) revised to read as follows:
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference 751–4701. § 200.1 Designation of central and field
(IBR) of the service information listed in this SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The organization.
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Railroad Retirement Board has (a) * * *
part 51. restructured its Office of Assessment (4) The headquarters of the Board is
(2) You must use this service information
as applicable to do the actions required by
and Training in a Board-approved in Chicago, Illinois, at 844 North Rush
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. reorganization plan. The Office of Street. The Board maintains numerous
(i) Gomolzig Flugzeug- und Maschinenbau Assessment and Training, formerly a district offices across the country in
GmbH Service Bulletin GFM SB 2015–1, single component of the Office of localities easily accessible to large
dated February 5, 2015. Programs, is now intermingled with numbers of railroad workers.
(ii) Reserved. other subcomponents of the Office of * * * * *
rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES

(3) For Gomolzig Flugzeug- und Programs. Therefore, issues that were
Maschinenbau GmbH service information ■ 3. In § 200.4, paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2),
formerly under the jurisdiction of the and (d)(5) are revised to read as follows:
identified in this AD, contact Gomolzig
Flugzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH,
Office of Programs/Assessment and
Eisenwerkstra+e 9, 58332 Schwelm, Training are now under the jurisdiction § 200.4 Availability of information to the
telephone: +49 (0) 2336 490 330; fax; +49 (0) of the Office of Programs/Policy and public.
2336 490 339; email: info@gomolzig.de; Systems for purposes of the following * * * * *
internet: http://www.gomolzig.de/. regulations. (d) * * *

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Document Created: 2015-12-18 12:01:43
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 12:01:43

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Rules and Regulations
Action		Final rule.
Dates		This rule will be effective March 17, 2015.
Contact		Marguerite P. Dadabo, Assistant General Counsel, (312) 751-4945, TTD (312) 751-4701.
FR Citation		80 FR 13763
RIN Number		3220-AB65
CFR Citation		20 CFR 200 20 CFR 320 20 CFR 345
CFR Associated		Railroad Employees; Railroad Employers; Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment