80 FR 45616 - Prevailing Rate Systems; Redefinition of the Harrisburg, PA and Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, PA, Appropriated Fund Federal Wage System Wage Areas

OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 147 (July 31, 2015)

Page Range		45616-45617
FR Document		2015-18746

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing a proposed rule that would redefine the geographic boundaries of the Harrisburg, PA, and Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, PA, appropriated fund Federal Wage System (FWS) wage areas. The proposed rule would redefine Montour County, PA, from the Harrisburg wage area to the Scranton- Wilkes-Barre wage area. This change is based on a recent consensus recommendation of the Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee (FPRAC) to best match the county proposed for redefinition to a nearby FWS survey area.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 147 (Friday, July 31, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 147 (Friday, July 31, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45616-45617]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18746]


========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 147 / Friday, July 31, 2015 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 45616]]



OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

5 CFR Part 532

RIN 3206-AN18


Prevailing Rate Systems; Redefinition of the Harrisburg, PA and 
Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, PA, Appropriated Fund Federal Wage System Wage 
Areas

AGENCY: U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: Proposed rule with request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing a 
proposed rule that would redefine the geographic boundaries of the 
Harrisburg, PA, and Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, PA, appropriated fund 
Federal Wage System (FWS) wage areas. The proposed rule would redefine 
Montour County, PA, from the Harrisburg wage area to the Scranton-
Wilkes-Barre wage area. This change is based on a recent consensus 
recommendation of the Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee 
(FPRAC) to best match the county proposed for redefinition to a nearby 
FWS survey area.

DATES: We must receive comments on or before August 31, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by ``RIN 3206-AN18,'' 
using any of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
    Mail: Brenda L. Roberts, Deputy Associate Director for Pay and 
Leave, Employee Services, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Room 
7H31, 1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20415-8200.
    Email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Madeline Gonzalez, (202) 606-2858; 
email [email protected]; or FAX: (202) 606-4264.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OPM is issuing a proposed rule that would 
redefine the geographic boundaries of the Harrisburg, PA, and Scranton-
Wilkes-Barre, PA, appropriated fund FWS wage areas. The proposed rule 
would redefine Montour County, PA, from the Harrisburg wage area to the 
Scranton-Wilkes-Barre wage area.
    OPM considers the following regulatory criteria under 5 CFR 532.211 
when defining FWS wage area boundaries:
    (i) Distance, transportation facilities, and geographic features;
    (ii) Commuting patterns; and
    (iii) Similarities in overall population, employment, and the kinds 
and sizes of private industrial establishments.
    In addition, OPM regulations at 5 CFR 532.211 do not permit 
splitting Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) for the purpose of 
defining a wage area, except in very unusual circumstances.
    Columbia and Montour Counties, PA, comprise the Bloomsburg-Berwick, 
PA MSA. The Bloomsburg-Berwick MSA is split between the Harrisburg and 
Scranton-Wilkes-Barre wage areas. Columbia County is part of the area 
of application of the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre wage area, and Montour 
County is part of the area of application of the Harrisburg wage area.
    Based on an analysis of the regulatory criteria for Columbia 
County, the core county in the Bloomsburg-Berwick MSA, the entire 
Bloomsburg-Berwick MSA would be defined to the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre 
wage area. When measuring to cities and host installations, the 
distance criterion favors the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre wage area more than 
the Harrisburg wage area. The commuting patterns criterion also favors 
the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre wage area. Columbia County does not resemble 
one survey area more than another survey area in terms of the overall 
population, employment, and the kinds and sizes of private industrial 
establishments criteria.
    Based on this analysis, we believe Columbia County is appropriately 
defined to the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre wage area. OPM regulations at 5 
CFR 532.211 permit splitting MSAs only in very unusual circumstances. 
There appear to be no unusual circumstances that would permit splitting 
the Bloomsburg-Berwick MSA. To comply with OPM regulations not to split 
MSAs, Montour County would be redefined to the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre 
wage area. There are currently no FWS employees working in Montour 
County.
    FPRAC, the national labor-management committee responsible for 
advising OPM on matters concerning the pay of FWS employees, 
recommended this change by consensus. This change would be effective on 
the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after 
30 days following publication of the final regulations.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    I certify that these regulations would not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because they 
would affect only Federal agencies and employees.

List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 532

    Administrative practice and procedure, Freedom of information, 
Government employees, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Wages.

U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Beth F. Cobert,
Acting Director.

    Accordingly, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management is proposing 
to amend 5 CFR part 532 as follows:

PART 532--PREVAILING RATE SYSTEMS

0
1. The authority citation for part 532 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5343, 5346; Sec.  532.707 also issued under 
5 U.S.C. 552.

Appendix C to Subpart B of Part 532--Appropriated Fund Wage and Survey 
Areas

0
2. Appendix C to subpart B is amended by revising the wage area 
listings for the Harrisburg, PA, and Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, PA, wage 
areas to read as follows:
* * * * *

 
 
 
                              PENNSYLVANIA
                               Harrisburg
 
                               Survey Area
 
Pennsylvania:
  Cumberland
  Dauphin
  Lebanon
  York
 
                 Area of Application. Survey area plus:
 
Pennsylvania:
  Adams
  Berks
  Juniata
  Lancaster

[[Page 45617]]

 
  Lycoming (Allenwood Federal Prison Camp portion only)
  Mifflin
  Northumberland
  Perry
  Schuylkill
  Snyder
  Union
 
                                * * * * *
                          Scranton-Wilkes-Barre
                               Survey Area
 
Pennsylvania:
  Lackawanna
  Luzerne
  Monroe
                 Area of Application. Survey area plus:
 
Pennsylvania:
  Bradford
  Columbia
  Lycoming (Excluding Allenwood Federal Prison Camp)
  Montour
  Sullivan
  Susquehanna
  Wayne
  Wyoming
 

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2015-18746 Filed 7-30-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6325-39-P

45616

Proposed Rules Federal Register
Vol. 80, No. 147

Friday, July 31, 2015

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER the Harrisburg, PA, and Scranton- FPRAC, the national labor-
contains notices to the public of the proposed Wilkes-Barre, PA, appropriated fund management committee responsible for
issuance of rules and regulations. The FWS wage areas. The proposed rule advising OPM on matters concerning
purpose of these notices is to give interested would redefine Montour County, PA, the pay of FWS employees,
persons an opportunity to participate in the from the Harrisburg wage area to the recommended this change by
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
Scranton-Wilkes-Barre wage area. consensus. This change would be
rules.
OPM considers the following effective on the first day of the first
regulatory criteria under 5 CFR 532.211 applicable pay period beginning on or
OFFICE OF PERSONNEL when defining FWS wage area after 30 days following publication of
MANAGEMENT boundaries: the final regulations.
(i) Distance, transportation facilities,
and geographic features; Regulatory Flexibility Act
5 CFR Part 532
(ii) Commuting patterns; and I certify that these regulations would
RIN 3206–AN18 (iii) Similarities in overall population, not have a significant economic impact
employment, and the kinds and sizes of on a substantial number of small entities
Prevailing Rate Systems; Redefinition private industrial establishments.
of the Harrisburg, PA and Scranton- because they would affect only Federal
In addition, OPM regulations at 5 CFR agencies and employees.
Wilkes-Barre, PA, Appropriated Fund 532.211 do not permit splitting
Federal Wage System Wage Areas Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 532
AGENCY: U.S. Office of Personnel for the purpose of defining a wage area, Administrative practice and
Management. except in very unusual circumstances. procedure, Freedom of information,
Columbia and Montour Counties, PA, Government employees, Reporting and
ACTION: Proposed rule with request for
comprise the Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA
comments. recordkeeping requirements, Wages.
MSA. The Bloomsburg-Berwick MSA is
split between the Harrisburg and U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Office of Personnel
Management (OPM) is issuing a Scranton-Wilkes-Barre wage areas. Beth F. Cobert,
proposed rule that would redefine the Columbia County is part of the area of Acting Director.
geographic boundaries of the application of the Scranton-Wilkes- Accordingly, the U.S. Office of
Harrisburg, PA, and Scranton-Wilkes- Barre wage area, and Montour County is Personnel Management is proposing to
Barre, PA, appropriated fund Federal part of the area of application of the amend 5 CFR part 532 as follows:
Wage System (FWS) wage areas. The Harrisburg wage area.
proposed rule would redefine Montour Based on an analysis of the regulatory PART 532—PREVAILING RATE
County, PA, from the Harrisburg wage criteria for Columbia County, the core SYSTEMS
area to the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre wage county in the Bloomsburg-Berwick
area. This change is based on a recent MSA, the entire Bloomsburg-Berwick ■ 1. The authority citation for part 532
consensus recommendation of the MSA would be defined to the Scranton- continues to read as follows:
Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Wilkes-Barre wage area. When Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5343, 5346; § 532.707
measuring to cities and host also issued under 5 U.S.C. 552.
Committee (FPRAC) to best match the
installations, the distance criterion
county proposed for redefinition to a Appendix C to Subpart B of Part 532—
favors the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre wage
nearby FWS survey area. Appropriated Fund Wage and Survey
area more than the Harrisburg wage
DATES: We must receive comments on or area. The commuting patterns criterion Areas
before August 31, 2015. also favors the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre ■ 2. Appendix C to subpart B is
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, wage area. Columbia County does not amended by revising the wage area
identified by ‘‘RIN 3206–AN18,’’ using resemble one survey area more than listings for the Harrisburg, PA, and
any of the following methods: another survey area in terms of the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, PA, wage areas
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// overall population, employment, and to read as follows:
www.regulations.gov. Follow the the kinds and sizes of private industrial
instructions for submitting comments. * * * * *
establishments criteria.
Mail: Brenda L. Roberts, Deputy Based on this analysis, we believe
Associate Director for Pay and Leave, PENNSYLVANIA
Columbia County is appropriately Harrisburg
Employee Services, U.S. Office of defined to the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre
Personnel Management, Room 7H31, Survey Area
wage area. OPM regulations at 5 CFR
1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC 532.211 permit splitting MSAs only in Pennsylvania:
20415–8200. Cumberland
very unusual circumstances. There Dauphin
rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS

Email: pay-leave-policy@opm.gov. appear to be no unusual circumstances Lebanon
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: that would permit splitting the York
Madeline Gonzalez, (202) 606–2858; Bloomsburg-Berwick MSA. To comply Area of Application. Survey area plus:
email pay-leave-policy@opm.gov; or with OPM regulations not to split Pennsylvania:
FAX: (202) 606–4264. MSAs, Montour County would be Adams
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OPM is redefined to the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Berks
issuing a proposed rule that would wage area. There are currently no FWS Juniata
redefine the geographic boundaries of employees working in Montour County. Lancaster

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 147 / Friday, July 31, 2015 / Proposed Rules 45617

Lycoming (Allenwood Federal Prison ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 2015–NM–063–AD’’ at the beginning of
Camp portion only) using the procedures found in 14 CFR your comments. We specifically invite
Mifflin 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following comments on the overall regulatory,
Northumberland
methods: economic, environmental, and energy
Perry
Schuylkill • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to aspects of this proposed AD. We will
Snyder http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the consider all comments received by the
Union instructions for submitting comments. closing date and may amend this
• Fax: 202–493–2251. proposed AD based on those comments.
* * * * * • Mail: U.S. Department of We will post all comments we
Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Transportation, Docket Operations, receive, without change, to http://
Survey Area M–30, West Building Ground Floor, www.regulations.gov, including any
Pennsylvania: Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey personal information you provide. We
Lackawanna will also post a report summarizing each
Luzerne
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Monroe • Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of substantive verbal contact we receive
Area of Application. Survey area plus: Transportation, Docket Operations, about this proposed AD.
Pennsylvania: M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Discussion
Bradford Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Columbia Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 Transport Canada Civil Aviation
Lycoming (Excluding Allenwood Federal a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through (TCCA), which is the aviation authority
Prison Camp) Friday, except Federal holidays. for Canada, has issued Canadian AD
Montour For service information identified in CF–2015–04, dated March 17, 2015
Sullivan (referred to after this as the Mandatory
this proposed AD, contact Bombardier,
Susquehanna Continuing Airworthiness Information,
Wayne Inc., 400 Côte Vertu Road West, Dorval,
Québec H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone: or ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe
Wyoming
514–855–5000; fax: 514–855–7401; condition for certain Bombardier, Inc.
* * * * * email: thd.crj@aero.bombardier.com; Model BD–100–1A10 (Challenger 300)
[FR Doc. 2015–18746 Filed 7–30–15; 8:45 am] airplanes. The MCAI states:
Internet http://www.bombardier.com.
BILLING CODE 6325–39–P
You may view this referenced service There have been several reports where the
information at the FAA, Transport pitot-static probe heater came on and
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue remained on regardless of the heater control
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SW., Renton, WA. For information on selected position. Investigation determined
that the root cause is a short circuit between
Federal Aviation Administration the availability of this material at the the heater element and the metal sheath. If
FAA, call 425–227–1221. not corrected, this condition may degrade the
14 CFR Part 39 Examining the AD Docket heating, resulting in erroneous Airspeed
Indication when flying in icing condition
[Docket No. FAA–2015–3140; Directorate You may examine the AD docket on [and consequent reduced controllability of
Identifier 2015–NM–063–AD] the Internet at http:// the airplane].
www.regulations.gov by searching for This [Canadian] AD mandates the
RIN 2120–AA64 replacement of the pitot-static probes with a
and locating Docket No. FAA–2015–
redesigned probe which will prevent this
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, 3140; or in person at the Docket failure mode.
Inc. Airplanes Management Facility between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, You may examine the MCAI in the
AGENCY: Federal Aviation except Federal holidays. The AD docket AD docket on the Internet at http://
Administration (FAA), DOT. contains this proposed AD, the www.regulations.gov by searching for
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking regulatory evaluation, any comments and locating Docket No. FAA–2015–
(NPRM). received, and other information. The 3140.
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new street address for the Docket Operations Related Service Information Under 1
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain office (telephone: 800–647–5527) is in CFR Part 51
Bombardier, Inc. Model BD–100–1A10 the ADDRESSES section. Comments will
We reviewed Bombardier Service
(Challenger 300) airplanes. This be available in the AD docket shortly
Bulletin 100–34–38, dated January 9,
proposed AD was prompted by multiple after receipt.
2014. The service information describes
reports of a short circuit between the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: procedures for replacement of the left
heater element and the metal sheath of Assata Dessaline, Aerospace Engineer, and right pitot-static probes with newly
the pitot-static probe heater. This Avionics and Services Branch, ANE– redesigned left and right pitot-static
proposed AD would require 172, FAA, New York Aircraft probes, part numbers 0856WC3 and
replacement of the left and right pitot- Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Stewart 0856WC4 respectively. This service
static probes with newly redesigned left Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY information is reasonably available
and right pitot-static probes. We are 11590; telephone: 516–228–7301; fax: because the interested parties have
proposing this AD to prevent 516–794–5531. access to it through their normal course
degradation of the heating ability of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: of business or by the means identified
rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS

pitot-static probe heater, resulting in in the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.
erroneous airspeed indication during Comments Invited
flight in icing conditions and We invite you to send any written FAA’s Determination and Requirements
consequent reduced controllability of relevant data, views, or arguments about of This Proposed AD
the airplane. this proposed AD. Send your comments This product has been approved by
DATES: We must receive comments on to an address listed under the the aviation authority of another
this proposed AD by September 14, ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No. country, and is approved for operation
2015. FAA–2015–3140; Directorate Identifier in the United States. Pursuant to our

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Document Created: 2015-12-15 12:59:03
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 12:59:03

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		Proposed Rules
Action		Proposed rule with request for comments.
Dates		We must receive comments on or before August 31, 2015.
Contact		Madeline Gonzalez, (202) 606-2858; email [email protected]; or FAX: (202) 606-4264.
FR Citation		80 FR 45616
RIN Number		3206-AN18
CFR Associated		Administrative Practice and Procedure; Freedom of Information; Government Employees; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements and Wages