82_FR_43875 82 FR 43695 - Procedural Rules and Regulations

82 FR 43695 - Procedural Rules and Regulations

NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 180 (September 19, 2017)

Page Range43695-43697
FR Document2017-19783

The National Labor Relations Board amends its procedural rules and regulations to include testimony transmitted by videoconference, and amicus brief filings.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 180 (Tuesday, September 19, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 180 (Tuesday, September 19, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43695-43697]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19783]


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NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD

29 CFR Part 102

RIN 3142-AA10


Procedural Rules and Regulations

AGENCY: National Labor Relations Board.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The National Labor Relations Board amends its procedural rules 
and regulations to include testimony transmitted by videoconference, 
and amicus brief filings.

DATES: This rule is effective on September 29, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Shinners, Executive Secretary, 
National Labor Relations Board, 1015 Half Street SE., Washington, DC 
20570, (202) 273-3737 (this is not a toll-free number), 1-866-315-6572 
(TTY/TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background on the Rulemaking

    The changes are summarized below:

I. Video Conferencing Testimony

    The Board added language covering procedures applicable to 
deposition testimony contemporaneously transmitted by videoconference. 
The procedures cover the filing of applications to take depositions by 
videoconference, the safeguards required for the taking of 
videoconference testimony, the timing, method, and bases for filing 
objections to the admissibility of videoconference testimony, 
transcription of videoconference testimony, and the payment of witness 
and court reporter fees associated with the taking of videoconference 
testimony.

II. Amicus Curiae Brief Filings

    The Board added language setting forth the procedures covering 
procedures applicable to amicus curiae briefs. The procedures cover the 
circumstances when motions for permission to file an amicus brief may 
be filed, the contents of such motions, replies to motions, page length 
of amicus briefs, parties' answering briefs to amicus briefs, and the 
solicitation of amicus briefs by the Board.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

    Pursuant to Section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 
U.S.C. 605(b), the Agency has determined that these rule amendments 
will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    These rule amendments will not result in the expenditure by state, 
local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private 
sector, of $100,000,000 or more in any one year, and it will not 
significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no 
actions are deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

    This action is not a major rule as defined by Section 804 of the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, 5 U.S.C. 
804. These amendments will not result in an annual effect on the 
economy of $100,000,000 or more or a major increase in costs or prices, 
nor will these amendments have significant adverse effects on 
competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on 
the ability of United States-based companies to compete with foreign-
based companies in domestic and export markets.

Paperwork Reduction

    The amended regulations contain no additional information-
collection or record-keeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

Public Participation

    This rule is published as a final rule. The National Labor 
Relations Board considers this rule to be a procedural rule which is 
exempt from notice and public comment, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(3)(A), as a rule of ``agency organization, procedure, or 
practice.'' If you wish to contact the Agency, please do so at the 
above listed address. However, before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 102

    Administrative practice and procedure, Labor management relations.

Gary Shinners,
Executive Secretary.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, the National Labor 
Relations Board amends 29 CFR part 102 as follows:

PART 102--RULES AND REGULATIONS, SERIES 8

0
1. The authority citation for part 102 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  Sections 1, 6, National Labor Relations Act (29 
U.S.C. 151, 156). Section 102.117 also issued under section 
552(a)(4)(A) of the Freedom of Information Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 
552(a)(4)(A)), and Section 102.117a also issued under section 
552a(j) and (k) of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a(j) and 
(k)). Sections 102.143 through 102.155 also issued under section 
504(c)(1) of the Equal Access to Justice Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 
504(c)(1)).


[[Page 43696]]



0
2. Amend Sec.  102.30 by revising paragraphs (a) and (c) through (e) 
and adding paragraph (g) to read as follows:


Sec.  102.30   Depositions, examination of witnesses.

* * * * *
    (a) Applications to take depositions, including deposition 
testimony contemporaneously transmitted by videoconference, must be in 
writing and set forth the reasons why the depositions may be taken, the 
name, mailing address and email address (if available) of the witness, 
the matters concerning which it is expected the witness will testify, 
and the time and place proposed for taking the deposition, together 
with the name and mailing and email addresses of the person before whom 
it is desired that the deposition be taken (for the purposes of this 
section hereinafter referred to as the ``officer''). Such application 
must be made to the Regional Director prior to the hearing, and to the 
Administrative Law Judge during and subsequent to the hearing but 
before transfer of the case to the Board pursuant to Sec.  102.45 or 
Sec.  102.50. Such application must be served on the Regional Director 
or the Administrative Law Judge, as the case may be, and on all other 
parties, not less than 7 days (when the deposition is to be taken 
within the continental United States) and 15 days (if the deposition is 
to be taken elsewhere) prior to the time when it is desired that the 
deposition be taken. The Regional Director or the Administrative Law 
Judge, as the case may be, will upon receipt of the application, if in 
the Regional Director's or Administrative Law Judge's discretion, good 
cause has been shown, make and serve on the parties an order specifying 
the name of the witness whose deposition is to be taken and the time, 
place, and designation of the officer before whom the witness is to 
testify, who may or may not be the same officer as that specified in 
the application. Such order will be served on all the other parties by 
the Regional Director or on all parties by the Administrative Law 
Judge.
* * * * *
    (c) At the time and place specified in the order, the officer 
designated to take the deposition will permit the witness to be 
examined and cross-examined under oath by all the parties appearing in 
person or by contemporaneous transmission through videoconference, and 
testimony shall be transcribed by the officer or under the officer's 
direction. All objections to questions or evidence will be deemed 
waived unless made at the examination. The officer will not have power 
to rule upon any objections but the objections will be noted in the 
deposition. The testimony must be subscribed by the witness to the 
satisfaction of the officer who will attach a certificate stating that 
the witness was duly sworn by the officer, that the deposition is a 
true record of the testimony and exhibits given by the witness, and 
that the officer is not of counsel or attorney to any of the parties 
nor interested in the event of the proceeding or investigation. If the 
deposition is not signed by the witness because the witness is ill, 
dead, cannot be found, or refuses to sign it, such fact will be 
included in the certificate of the officer and the deposition may then 
be used as fully as though signed. The officer will immediately deliver 
the transcript, together with the certificate, in person, by registered 
or certified mail, or by E-File to the Regional Director or Division of 
Judges' office handling the matter.
    (d) The Administrative Law Judge will rule upon the admissibility 
of the deposition or any part of the deposition. A party may object to 
the admissibility of deposition testimony by videoconference on grounds 
that the taking of the deposition did not comply with appropriate 
safeguards as set forth in Sec.  102.35(c), provided that the party 
opposing the admission of the deposition raised deficiencies in 
safeguards at the time of the deposition when corrections might have 
been made.
    (e) All errors or irregularities in compliance with the provisions 
of this section will be deemed waived unless a motion to suppress the 
deposition in whole or part is made with reasonable promptness after 
such defect is or, with due diligence, might have been ascertained.
* * * * *
    (g) The official record of the deposition testimony will be the 
official transcript prepared by the officer designated to transcribe 
the deposition testimony.

0
3. Revise Sec.  102.32 to read as follows:


Sec.  102.32   Payment of witness fees and mileage; fees of officer who 
transcribes deposition or video testimony.

    Witnesses summoned before the Administrative Law Judge must be paid 
the same fees and mileage that are paid witnesses in the courts of the 
United States, and witnesses whose depositions are taken or who testify 
by videoconference and the officer who transcribes the testimony shall 
severally be entitled to the same fees as are paid for like services in 
the courts of the United States, and those fees shall be paid by the 
party at whose instance the deposition is taken.

0
4. Amend Sec.  102.35 by adding paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  102.35   Duties and powers of Administrative Law Judges; 
stipulations of cases to Administrative Law Judges or to the Board; 
assignment and powers of settlement judges; video testimony.

* * * * *
    (c) Upon a showing of good cause based on compelling circumstances, 
and under appropriate safeguards, the taking of video testimony by 
contemporaneous transmission from a different location may be 
permitted.
    (1) Applications to obtain testimony by videoconference must be 
presented to the Administrative Law Judge in writing, and the 
requesting party must simultaneously serve notice of the application 
upon all parties to the hearing. The application must set forth the 
compelling circumstances for such testimony, the witness's name and 
address, the location where the video testimony will be held, the 
matter concerning which the witness is expected to testify, the 
conditions in place to protect the integrity of the testimony, the 
transmission safeguards, and the electronic address from which the 
video testimony will be transmitted. Such application and any 
opposition must be made promptly and within such time as not to delay 
the proceeding.
    (2) Appropriate safeguards must ensure that the Administrative Law 
Judge has the ability to assess the witness's credibility and that the 
parties have a meaningful opportunity to examine and cross-examine the 
witness, and must include at a minimum measures that ensure that 
representatives of the parties have the opportunity to be present at 
the remote location, the judge, participants, and the reporter are able 
to hear the testimony and observe the witness, the camera view is 
adjustable to provide a close-up view of counsel and the witness and a 
panoramic view of the room, exhibits used in the witness's examination 
are exchanged in advance of the examination, and video technology 
assistance is available to assist with technical difficulties that 
arise during the examination. The Administrative Law Judge may also 
impose additional safeguards.
    (3) The official record of the videoconference testimony will be 
the official transcript prepared by the officer designated to 
transcribe the testimony.

0
5. Amend Sec.  102.46 by revising the section heading and adding 
paragraph (i) to read as follows:

[[Page 43697]]

Sec.  102.46   Exceptions and brief in support; answering briefs to 
exceptions; cross-exceptions and brief in support; answering briefs to 
cross-exceptions; reply briefs; failure to except; oral argument; 
filing requirements; amicus curiae briefs.

* * * * *
    (i) Amicus curiae briefs. Amicus curiae briefs will be accepted 
only by permission of the Board. Motions for permission to file an 
amicus brief must state the bases of the movant's interest in the case 
and why the brief will be of benefit to the Board in deciding the 
matters at issue. Unless the Board directs otherwise, the following 
procedures will apply.
    (1) The Board will consider motions to file an amicus brief only 
when: (a) A party files exceptions to an Administrative Law Judge's 
decision; or (b) a case is remanded by the court of appeals and the 
Board requests briefing from the parties.
    (2) In circumstances where a party files exceptions to an 
Administrative Law Judge's decision, the motion must be filed with the 
Office of the Executive Secretary of the Board no later than 42 days 
after the filing of exceptions, or in the event cross-exceptions are 
filed, no later than 42 days after the filing of cross-exceptions. 
Where a case has been remanded by the court of appeals, the motion must 
be filed no later than 21 days after the parties file statements of 
position on remand. A motion filed outside these time periods must be 
supported by a showing of good cause. The motion will not operate to 
stay the issuance of a Board decision upon completion of the briefing 
schedule for the parties.
    (3) The motion must be accompanied by the proposed amicus brief and 
must comply with the service and form prescribed by Sec.  102.5. The 
brief may be no more than 25 pages in length.
    (4) A party may file a reply to the motion within 7 days of service 
of the motion. A party may file an answering brief to the amicus brief 
within 14 days of issuance of the Board's order granting permission to 
file the amicus brief. Replies to an answering brief will not be 
permitted.
    (5) The Board may direct the Executive Secretary to solicit amicus 
briefs. In such cases, the Executive Secretary will specify in the 
invitation the due date and page length for solicited amicus briefs, 
and the deadline for the parties to file answering briefs. Absent 
compelling reasons, no extensions of time will be granted for filing 
solicited amicus briefs or answering briefs.

[FR Doc. 2017-19783 Filed 9-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7545-01-P



                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 19, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                           43695

                                                  List of Subjects in 19 CFR Part 12                       FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:      Gary            annual effect on the economy of
                                                    Cultural property, Customs duties and                  Shinners, Executive Secretary, National               $100,000,000 or more or a major
                                                  inspection, Imports, Prohibited                          Labor Relations Board, 1015 Half Street               increase in costs or prices, nor will
                                                  merchandise.                                             SE., Washington, DC 20570, (202) 273–                 these amendments have significant
                                                                                                           3737 (this is not a toll-free number), 1–             adverse effects on competition,
                                                  Amendment to CBP Regulations                             866–315–6572 (TTY/TDD).                               employment, investment, productivity,
                                                    For the reasons set forth above, part                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            innovation, or on the ability of United
                                                  12 of Title 19 of the Code of Federal                                                                          States-based companies to compete with
                                                                                                           Background on the Rulemaking                          foreign-based companies in domestic
                                                  Regulations (19 CFR part 12), is
                                                  amended as set forth below.                                The changes are summarized below:                   and export markets.

                                                  PART 12—SPECIAL CLASSES OF                               I. Video Conferencing Testimony                       Paperwork Reduction
                                                  MERCHANDISE                                                 The Board added language covering                    The amended regulations contain no
                                                                                                           procedures applicable to deposition                   additional information-collection or
                                                  ■ 1. The general authority citation for                  testimony contemporaneously
                                                  part 12 and the specific authority                                                                             record-keeping requirements under the
                                                                                                           transmitted by videoconference. The                   Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44
                                                  citation for § 12.104g continue to read as               procedures cover the filing of
                                                  follows:                                                                                                       U.S.C. 3501, et seq.
                                                                                                           applications to take depositions by
                                                    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 66,                 videoconference, the safeguards                       Public Participation
                                                  1202 (General Note 3(i), Harmonized Tariff               required for the taking of
                                                  Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)),                  videoconference testimony, the timing,                  This rule is published as a final rule.
                                                  1624;                                                    method, and bases for filing objections               The National Labor Relations Board
                                                                                                           to the admissibility of videoconference               considers this rule to be a procedural
                                                  *      *      *       *      *                                                                                 rule which is exempt from notice and
                                                     Sections 12.104 through 12.104i also                  testimony, transcription of
                                                  issued under 19 U.S.C. 2612;                             videoconference testimony, and the                    public comment, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
                                                                                                           payment of witness and court reporter                 553(b)(3)(A), as a rule of ‘‘agency
                                                  *      *      *       *      *                                                                                 organization, procedure, or practice.’’ If
                                                                                                           fees associated with the taking of
                                                  § 12.104(g)      [Amended]                               videoconference testimony.                            you wish to contact the Agency, please
                                                                                                                                                                 do so at the above listed address.
                                                  ■  2. In § 12.104g, paragraph (a), the table             II. Amicus Curiae Brief Filings                       However, before including your address,
                                                  is amended in the entry for ‘‘Mali’’ by:
                                                  ■ a. In the column headed ‘‘Cultural                        The Board added language setting                   phone number, email address, or other
                                                  Property,’’ after the word ‘‘century’’ add               forth the procedures covering                         personal identifying information in your
                                                  the following words: ‘‘, and ethnological                procedures applicable to amicus curiae                comment, you should be aware that
                                                  materials dating between the twelfth                     briefs. The procedures cover the                      your entire comment—including your
                                                  and twentieth centuries’’, and                           circumstances when motions for                        personal identifying information—may
                                                  ■ b. In the column headed ‘‘Decision                     permission to file an amicus brief may                be made publicly available at any time.
                                                  No.,’’ by removing ‘‘12–14’’ and                         be filed, the contents of such motions,               While you can ask us in your comment
                                                  replacing it with ‘‘17–12’’.                             replies to motions, page length of                    to withhold your personal identifying
                                                                                                           amicus briefs, parties’ answering briefs              information from public review, we
                                                    Dated: September 15, 2017.                                                                                   cannot guarantee that we will be able to
                                                                                                           to amicus briefs, and the solicitation of
                                                  Ronald D. Vitiello,                                                                                            do so.
                                                                                                           amicus briefs by the Board.
                                                  Acting Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Customs
                                                  and Border Protection.                                   Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification              List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 102
                                                    Approved:                                                Pursuant to Section 605(b) of the                     Administrative practice and
                                                  Timothy E. Skud,                                         Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C.                  procedure, Labor management relations.
                                                  Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.              605(b), the Agency has determined that
                                                                                                           these rule amendments will not have a                 Gary Shinners,
                                                  [FR Doc. 2017–20056 Filed 9–15–17; 4:15 pm]
                                                                                                           significant impact on a substantial                   Executive Secretary.
                                                  BILLING CODE 9111–14–P
                                                                                                           number of small entities.
                                                                                                                                                                   For the reasons stated in the
                                                                                                           Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995                  preamble, the National Labor Relations
                                                  NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS                                                                                       Board amends 29 CFR part 102 as
                                                  BOARD                                                      These rule amendments will not
                                                                                                           result in the expenditure by state, local,            follows:
                                                  29 CFR Part 102                                          and tribal governments, in the aggregate,             PART 102—RULES AND
                                                                                                           or by the private sector, of $100,000,000             REGULATIONS, SERIES 8
                                                  RIN 3142–AA10                                            or more in any one year, and it will not
                                                  Procedural Rules and Regulations                         significantly or uniquely affect small
                                                                                                           governments. Therefore, no actions are                ■ 1. The authority citation for part 102
                                                  AGENCY:    National Labor Relations                      deemed necessary under the provisions                 continues to read as follows:
                                                  Board.                                                   of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                     Authority: Sections 1, 6, National Labor
                                                  ACTION:    Final rule.                                   of 1995.                                              Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 151, 156). Section
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with RULES




                                                                                                                                                                 102.117 also issued under section
                                                  SUMMARY:  The National Labor Relations                   Small Business Regulatory Enforcement                 552(a)(4)(A) of the Freedom of Information
                                                  Board amends its procedural rules and                    Fairness Act of 1996                                  Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(A)), and
                                                  regulations to include testimony                                                                               Section 102.117a also issued under section
                                                                                                             This action is not a major rule as                  552a(j) and (k) of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5
                                                  transmitted by videoconference, and                      defined by Section 804 of the Small                   U.S.C. 552a(j) and (k)). Sections 102.143
                                                  amicus brief filings.                                    Business Regulatory Enforcement                       through 102.155 also issued under section
                                                  DATES: This rule is effective on                         Fairness Act of 1996, 5 U.S.C. 804.                   504(c)(1) of the Equal Access to Justice Act,
                                                  September 29, 2017.                                      These amendments will not result in an                as amended (5 U.S.C. 504(c)(1)).



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                                                  43696            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 19, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  ■ 2. Amend § 102.30 by revising                         will not have power to rule upon any                  paid by the party at whose instance the
                                                  paragraphs (a) and (c) through (e) and                  objections but the objections will be                 deposition is taken.
                                                  adding paragraph (g) to read as follows:                noted in the deposition. The testimony                ■ 4. Amend § 102.35 by adding
                                                                                                          must be subscribed by the witness to the              paragraph (c) to read as follows:
                                                  § 102.30 Depositions, examination of                    satisfaction of the officer who will
                                                  witnesses.                                                                                                    § 102.35 Duties and powers of
                                                                                                          attach a certificate stating that the
                                                  *      *     *     *     *                              witness was duly sworn by the officer,                Administrative Law Judges; stipulations of
                                                     (a) Applications to take depositions,                that the deposition is a true record of
                                                                                                                                                                cases to Administrative Law Judges or to
                                                  including deposition testimony                                                                                the Board; assignment and powers of
                                                                                                          the testimony and exhibits given by the               settlement judges; video testimony.
                                                  contemporaneously transmitted by                        witness, and that the officer is not of
                                                  videoconference, must be in writing and                                                                       *      *     *     *    *
                                                                                                          counsel or attorney to any of the parties                (c) Upon a showing of good cause
                                                  set forth the reasons why the                           nor interested in the event of the
                                                  depositions may be taken, the name,                                                                           based on compelling circumstances, and
                                                                                                          proceeding or investigation. If the                   under appropriate safeguards, the taking
                                                  mailing address and email address (if                   deposition is not signed by the witness
                                                  available) of the witness, the matters                                                                        of video testimony by contemporaneous
                                                                                                          because the witness is ill, dead, cannot
                                                  concerning which it is expected the                                                                           transmission from a different location
                                                                                                          be found, or refuses to sign it, such fact
                                                  witness will testify, and the time and                                                                        may be permitted.
                                                                                                          will be included in the certificate of the               (1) Applications to obtain testimony
                                                  place proposed for taking the                           officer and the deposition may then be
                                                  deposition, together with the name and                                                                        by videoconference must be presented
                                                                                                          used as fully as though signed. The                   to the Administrative Law Judge in
                                                  mailing and email addresses of the                      officer will immediately deliver the
                                                  person before whom it is desired that                                                                         writing, and the requesting party must
                                                                                                          transcript, together with the certificate,            simultaneously serve notice of the
                                                  the deposition be taken (for the                        in person, by registered or certified
                                                  purposes of this section hereinafter                                                                          application upon all parties to the
                                                                                                          mail, or by E-File to the Regional
                                                  referred to as the ‘‘officer’’). Such                                                                         hearing. The application must set forth
                                                                                                          Director or Division of Judges’ office
                                                  application must be made to the                                                                               the compelling circumstances for such
                                                                                                          handling the matter.
                                                  Regional Director prior to the hearing,                    (d) The Administrative Law Judge                   testimony, the witness’s name and
                                                  and to the Administrative Law Judge                     will rule upon the admissibility of the               address, the location where the video
                                                  during and subsequent to the hearing                    deposition or any part of the deposition.             testimony will be held, the matter
                                                  but before transfer of the case to the                  A party may object to the admissibility               concerning which the witness is
                                                  Board pursuant to § 102.45 or § 102.50.                 of deposition testimony by                            expected to testify, the conditions in
                                                  Such application must be served on the                  videoconference on grounds that the                   place to protect the integrity of the
                                                  Regional Director or the Administrative                 taking of the deposition did not comply               testimony, the transmission safeguards,
                                                  Law Judge, as the case may be, and on                   with appropriate safeguards as set forth              and the electronic address from which
                                                  all other parties, not less than 7 days                 in § 102.35(c), provided that the party               the video testimony will be transmitted.
                                                  (when the deposition is to be taken                     opposing the admission of the                         Such application and any opposition
                                                  within the continental United States)                   deposition raised deficiencies in                     must be made promptly and within
                                                  and 15 days (if the deposition is to be                 safeguards at the time of the deposition              such time as not to delay the
                                                  taken elsewhere) prior to the time when                 when corrections might have been                      proceeding.
                                                  it is desired that the deposition be                    made.                                                    (2) Appropriate safeguards must
                                                  taken. The Regional Director or the                        (e) All errors or irregularities in                ensure that the Administrative Law
                                                  Administrative Law Judge, as the case                   compliance with the provisions of this                Judge has the ability to assess the
                                                  may be, will upon receipt of the                        section will be deemed waived unless a                witness’s credibility and that the parties
                                                  application, if in the Regional Director’s              motion to suppress the deposition in                  have a meaningful opportunity to
                                                  or Administrative Law Judge’s                           whole or part is made with reasonable                 examine and cross-examine the witness,
                                                  discretion, good cause has been shown,                  promptness after such defect is or, with              and must include at a minimum
                                                  make and serve on the parties an order                  due diligence, might have been                        measures that ensure that
                                                  specifying the name of the witness                      ascertained.                                          representatives of the parties have the
                                                  whose deposition is to be taken and the                                                                       opportunity to be present at the remote
                                                                                                          *      *     *     *     *
                                                  time, place, and designation of the                        (g) The official record of the                     location, the judge, participants, and the
                                                  officer before whom the witness is to                   deposition testimony will be the official             reporter are able to hear the testimony
                                                  testify, who may or may not be the same                                                                       and observe the witness, the camera
                                                                                                          transcript prepared by the officer
                                                  officer as that specified in the                                                                              view is adjustable to provide a close-up
                                                                                                          designated to transcribe the deposition
                                                  application. Such order will be served                                                                        view of counsel and the witness and a
                                                                                                          testimony.
                                                  on all the other parties by the Regional                                                                      panoramic view of the room, exhibits
                                                                                                          ■ 3. Revise § 102.32 to read as follows:
                                                  Director or on all parties by the                                                                             used in the witness’s examination are
                                                  Administrative Law Judge.                               § 102.32 Payment of witness fees and                  exchanged in advance of the
                                                  *      *     *     *     *                              mileage; fees of officer who transcribes              examination, and video technology
                                                     (c) At the time and place specified in               deposition or video testimony.                        assistance is available to assist with
                                                  the order, the officer designated to take                  Witnesses summoned before the                      technical difficulties that arise during
                                                  the deposition will permit the witness                  Administrative Law Judge must be paid                 the examination. The Administrative
                                                  to be examined and cross-examined                       the same fees and mileage that are paid               Law Judge may also impose additional
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with RULES




                                                  under oath by all the parties appearing                 witnesses in the courts of the United                 safeguards.
                                                  in person or by contemporaneous                         States, and witnesses whose depositions                  (3) The official record of the
                                                  transmission through videoconference,                   are taken or who testify by                           videoconference testimony will be the
                                                  and testimony shall be transcribed by                   videoconference and the officer who                   official transcript prepared by the officer
                                                  the officer or under the officer’s                      transcribes the testimony shall severally             designated to transcribe the testimony.
                                                  direction. All objections to questions or               be entitled to the same fees as are paid              ■ 5. Amend § 102.46 by revising the
                                                  evidence will be deemed waived unless                   for like services in the courts of the                section heading and adding paragraph
                                                  made at the examination. The officer                    United States, and those fees shall be                (i) to read as follows:


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                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 19, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                        43697

                                                  § 102.46 Exceptions and brief in support;               NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS                              ■ 2. Amend § 102.21 by revising the
                                                  answering briefs to exceptions; cross-                  BOARD                                                 second sentence to read as follows:
                                                  exceptions and brief in support; answering
                                                  briefs to cross-exceptions; reply briefs;               29 CFR Part 102                                       § 102.21 Where to file; service upon the
                                                  failure to except; oral argument; filing                                                                      parties; form.
                                                  requirements; amicus curiae briefs.                     RIN 3142–AA09                                           * * * Immediately upon the filing of
                                                  *      *     *     *     *                                                                                    the answer, Respondent shall serve a
                                                     (i) Amicus curiae briefs. Amicus                     Procedural Rules and Regulations;
                                                                                                                                                                copy thereof on the other parties. * * *
                                                  curiae briefs will be accepted only by                  Corrections
                                                                                                                                                                ■ 3. Amend § 102.30 by revising the first
                                                  permission of the Board. Motions for                    AGENCY:    National Labor Relations                   sentence of paragraph (c) to read as
                                                  permission to file an amicus brief must                 Board.                                                follows:
                                                  state the bases of the movant’s interest
                                                                                                                Final rule; correcting
                                                                                                          ACTION:
                                                  in the case and why the brief will be of                                                                      § 102.30 Depositions, examination of
                                                                                                          amendments.                                           witnesses.
                                                  benefit to the Board in deciding the
                                                  matters at issue. Unless the Board                      SUMMARY:    On March 6, 2017, the                     *     *     *     *     *
                                                  directs otherwise, the following                        National Labor Relations Board revised                  (c) At the time and place specified in
                                                  procedures will apply.                                  its rules and regulations. Those                      the order, the officer designated to take
                                                     (1) The Board will consider motions                  revisions inadvertently failed to include             the deposition will permit the witness
                                                  to file an amicus brief only when: (a) A                certain language, which provided                      to be examined and cross-examined
                                                  party files exceptions to an                            further clarification with respect to the             under oath by all the parties appearing,
                                                  Administrative Law Judge’s decision; or                 prohibition on producing files and                    and the witness’s testimony will be
                                                  (b) a case is remanded by the court of                  documents, and the prohibition on                     reduced to type-writing by the officer or
                                                  appeals and the Board requests briefing                 testifying. This document corrects that               under his/her direction. * * *
                                                  from the parties.                                       Section, as well as additional                        *     *     *     *     *
                                                     (2) In circumstances where a party                   inadvertent errors that appear                        ■ 4. Amend § 102.65 by revising the
                                                  files exceptions to an Administrative                   throughout the revised rules and
                                                  Law Judge’s decision, the motion must                                                                         second and eighth sentences of
                                                                                                          regulations.                                          paragraph (a) to read as follows:
                                                  be filed with the Office of the Executive
                                                  Secretary of the Board no later than 42                 DATES:  The correcting amendments are                 § 102.65 Motions; intervention; appeals of
                                                  days after the filing of exceptions, or in              effective September 19, 2017, but are                 Hearing Officer’s rulings.
                                                  the event cross-exceptions are filed, no                applicable beginning March 6, 2017.                     (a) * * * The Motion shall
                                                  later than 42 days after the filing of                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary                 immediately be served on the other
                                                  cross-exceptions. Where a case has been                 Shinners, Executive Secretary, National               parties to the proceeding.* * * The
                                                  remanded by the court of appeals, the                   Labor Relations Board, 1015 Half Street               Regional Director may rule upon all
                                                  motion must be filed no later than 21                   SE., Washington, DC 20570, (202) 273–                 motions filed with him/her, causing a
                                                  days after the parties file statements of               3737 (this is not a toll-free number), 1–             copy of the ruling to be served on the
                                                  position on remand. A motion filed                      866–315–6572 (TTY/TDD).                               parties, or may refer the motion to the
                                                  outside these time periods must be                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March                   Hearing Officer, except that if the
                                                  supported by a showing of good cause.                   6, 2017, the National Labor Relations                 Regional Director prior to the close of
                                                  The motion will not operate to stay the                 Board revised its rules and regulations               the hearing grants a motion to dismiss
                                                  issuance of a Board decision upon                       and inadvertently failed to include                   the petition, the petitioner may obtain a
                                                  completion of the briefing schedule for                 language in § 102.118. This is the first              review of such ruling in the manner
                                                  the parties.                                            set of corrections to the NLRB revisions              prescribed in § 102.71.* * *
                                                     (3) The motion must be accompanied                   that were published in the Federal                    *     *     *     *     *
                                                  by the proposed amicus brief and must                   Register on February 24, 2017 (82 FR                  ■ 5. Amend § 102.66 by revising
                                                  comply with the service and form                        11748).
                                                  prescribed by § 102.5. The brief may be                                                                       paragraph (f) to read as follows:
                                                  no more than 25 pages in length.                        List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 102
                                                                                                                                                                § 102.66 Introduction of evidence: rights of
                                                     (4) A party may file a reply to the                    Administrative practice and                         parties at hearing; preclusion; subpoenas;
                                                  motion within 7 days of service of the                  procedure, Labor management relations.                oral argument and briefs.
                                                  motion. A party may file an answering                     Accordingly, 29 CFR part 102 is                     *      *    *    *     *
                                                  brief to the amicus brief within 14 days                corrected by making the following                        (f) Subpoenas. The Board, or any
                                                  of issuance of the Board’s order granting               correcting amendments:                                Member thereof, shall, on the written
                                                  permission to file the amicus brief.                                                                          application of any party, forthwith issue
                                                  Replies to an answering brief will not be               PART 102—RULES AND                                    subpoenas requiring the attendance and
                                                  permitted.                                              REGULATIONS, SERIES 8                                 testimony of witnesses and the
                                                     (5) The Board may direct the                                                                               production of any evidence, including
                                                  Executive Secretary to solicit amicus                   ■ 1. The authority citation for part 102              books, records, correspondence, or
                                                  briefs. In such cases, the Executive                    continues to read as follows:                         documents, in their possession or under
                                                  Secretary will specify in the invitation                  Authority: Sections 1, 6, National Labor            their control. The Executive Secretary
                                                  the due date and page length for                        Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 151, 156). Section           shall have the authority to sign and
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with RULES




                                                  solicited amicus briefs, and the deadline               102.117 also issued under section                     issue any such subpoenas on behalf of
                                                  for the parties to file answering briefs.               552(a)(4)(A) of the Freedom of Information            the Board or any Member thereof. Any
                                                  Absent compelling reasons, no                           Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(A)), and          party may file applications for
                                                  extensions of time will be granted for                  Section 102.117a also issued under section
                                                                                                          552a(j) and (k) of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5
                                                                                                                                                                subpoenas in writing with the Regional
                                                  filing solicited amicus briefs or                                                                             Director if made prior to hearing, or
                                                                                                          U.S.C. 552a(j) and (k)). Sections 102.143
                                                  answering briefs.                                                                                             with the Hearing Officer if made at the
                                                                                                          through 102.155 also issued under section
                                                  [FR Doc. 2017–19783 Filed 9–18–17; 8:45 am]             504(c)(1) of the Equal Access to Justice Act,         hearing. Applications for subpoenas
                                                  BILLING CODE 7545–01–P                                  as amended (5 U.S.C. 504(c)(1)).                      may be made ex parte. The Regional


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Document Created: 2018-10-24 14:18:24
Document Modified: 2018-10-24 14:18:24
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesThis rule is effective on September 29, 2017.
ContactGary Shinners, Executive Secretary, National Labor Relations Board, 1015 Half Street SE., Washington, DC 20570, (202) 273-3737 (this is not a toll-free number), 1-866-315-6572 (TTY/TDD).
FR Citation82 FR 43695 
RIN Number3142-AA10
CFR AssociatedAdministrative Practice and Procedure and Labor Management Relations

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