Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/06/2020-04018/discretionary-review-by-the-secretary
Timestamp: 2020-03-29 03:13:00
Document Index: 784124788

Matched Legal Cases: ['ART 417', 'ART 580', 'ART 50', 'ART 60', 'arts 641', 'arts 2', 'art 471', 'arts 501', 'arts 1978', 'arts 50', 'art 18', 'arts 655', 'art 18', 'art 214', 'art 655', 'art 503', 'arts 50', '§\u2009655', '§\u200913', '§\u200924', '§\u200924', 'art\n44', '§\u200938', '§\u2009471', '§\u2009471', '§\u2009501', '§\u2009580', '§\u20091978', '§\u20091978', '§\u20091979', '§\u20091979', '§\u20091980', '§\u20091980', '§\u20091981', '§\u20091981', '§\u20091982', '§\u20091982', '§\u20091983', '§\u20091983', '§\u20091984', '§\u20091984', '§\u20091985', '§\u20091985', '§\u20091986', '§\u20091986', '§\u20091987', '§\u20091987', '§\u20091988', '§\u20091988', 'art 50', '§\u200950', '§\u200960', '§\u200960', '§\u200960']

Federal Register :: Discretionary Review by the Secretary
A Proposed Rule by the Employment and Training Administration, the Labor-Management Standards Office, the Wage and Hour Division, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Federal Contract Compliance Programs Office on 03/06/2020
The Department invites interested persons to submit comments on the proposed rules. To ensure consideration, comments must be in writing and must be submitted (transmitted, postmarked, or delivered) by April 6, 2020.
85 FR 13086
13086-13104 (19 pages)
DOL-2020-0003
PART 417—OBLIGATIONS OF FEDERAL CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS; NOTIFICATION OF EMPLOYEE RIGHTS UNDER FEDERAL LABOR LAWS
PART 580 CIVIL MONEY PENALTIES—PROCEDURES FOR ASSESSING AND CONTESTING PENALTIES
PART 50-203—RULES OF PRACTICE
PART 60-30—RULES OF PRACTICE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS TO ENFORCE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 11246
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2020-04018 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2020-04018
You may send comments, identified by Regulatory Identification Number (RIN) 1290-AA39, by either one of the following methods:
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the website instructions for submitting Start Printed Page 13087comments. To facilitate receipt and processing of comments, the Department encourages interested parties to submit their comments electronically.
Mail, hand delivery, express mail, courier service, or email. You may submit your comments and attachments to Mr. Thomas Shepherd, Clerk of the Appellate Boards, Room S-5220, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210, or you may submit them by email to Shepherd.Thomas@dol.gov. The Office of the Clerk is open during business hours on all days except Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and Regulatory Information Number (RIN) for this rulemaking. All comments received will generally be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.
This preamble is divided into five sections: Section I describes the process of rulemaking using a direct final rule with a companion proposed rule; Section II provides general background information on the development of the proposed rulemaking; Section III summarizes the proposed regulatory text; Section IV covers the administrative requirements for this proposed rulemaking; and Section V provides additional information and instructions to those wishing to comment on the rule.
This proposed rule is not expected to be an Executive Order 13771 regulatory action because it is not significant under Executive Order 12866. Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs designated this as not a major rule as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
The Department is simultaneously publishing with this proposed rule a “direct final” rule elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, which makes identical changes to the regulatory text. In direct final rulemaking, an agency publishes a final rule with a statement that the rule will go into effect unless the agency receives significant adverse comments within a specified period. If the agency receives no significant adverse comments in response to the direct final rule, the rule goes into effect. If the agency receives significant adverse comments, the agency withdraws the direct final rule and treats such comments as submissions on the proposed rule. The proposed rule then provides the procedural framework to finalize the rule. An agency typically uses direct final rulemaking when it anticipates the rule will be non-controversial.
The Department has determined that this rule is suitable for direct final rulemaking. The proposed revisions to the Department's internal adjudicatory processes would establish a mechanism by which the Secretary can review cases pending before or decided by BALCA, and make other conforming amendments to Departmental regulations to align with this new system of discretionary review as well as the similar system of discretionary review established in Secretary's Order 01-2020 over decisions of the ARB. These are rules of agency management and personnel and are entirely procedural changes to how officers within the Department of Labor exercise delegated authority on behalf of the Secretary; therefore, the Department is not required to engage in a notice and comment process to issue them. See 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2), (b)(A). Indeed, the vast majority of the proposed changes are merely technical amendments to rules governing the manner in which the ARB issues decisions that are designed to eliminate any potential for confusion or ambiguity in light of the issuance of Secretary's Order 01-2020. Further, discretionary review by an agency head over adjudicatory decisions exists in many other executive branch agencies, including at the Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Education. The proposed rules are thus consistent with well-known and well-established models of internal agency review. In consequence, the proposed changes to the Department's internal adjudicatory processes should not be controversial.
The comment period for this proposed rule runs concurrently with the comment period for the direct final rule. Any comments received in response to this proposed rule will also be considered as comments regarding the direct final rule and vice versa. For purposes of this rulemaking, a significant adverse comment is one that explains: (1) Why the rule is inappropriate, including challenges to the rule's underlying premise or approach; or (2) Why the direct final rule will be ineffective or unacceptable without a change. In determining whether a significant adverse comment necessitates withdrawal of the direct final rule, the Department will consider whether the comment raises an issue serious enough to warrant a substantive response. A comment recommending an addition to the rule will not be considered significant and adverse unless the comment explains how the direct final rule would be ineffective without the addition.
The Department requests comments on all issues related to this rule, including economic or other regulatory impacts of this rule on the public. All interested parties should comment at this time because the Department will not initiate an additional comment period on the proposed rule even if it withdraws the direct final rule.
Two of the four review boards within the Department of Labor were created by voluntary delegations of authority by previous Secretaries of Labor. Specifically, the Administrative Review Board (ARB)—which has authority to hear appeals from the decisions of the Department's Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) about certain immigration, child labor, employment discrimination, federal construction/service contracts, and other issues—and the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals (BALCA)—which has authority over appeals from the decisions of the Employment and Training Administration's adjudication of foreign labor certification applications—were created, respectively, by a Secretary's Order and by regulation. Their existence is neither compelled nor governed by statute. Notably, before the ARB was created in 1996, many of the types of cases now subject to its jurisdiction were decided directly by the Secretary. Each board was also entrusted with the power to issue final agency decisions in the name of the Secretary. Currently, the Secretary's Order and regulations establishing the ARB and BALCA provide no mechanism by which the Secretary can review, where necessary, the decisions of the officers who exercise power on his behalf.
To ensure that the Secretary has the ability to properly supervise and direct the actions of the Department, the Department proposes to establish systems of discretionary secretarial review over the decisions of the ARB and decisions of and appeals before BALCA, which will be accomplished through the proposed rule contained herein and the simultaneous issuance of a Secretary's Order governing the ARB. The Department's authority to effect Start Printed Page 13088these reforms derives from 5 U.S.C. 301, which authorizes the heads of agencies to regulate the internal operations of their departments, 5 U.S.C. 305, which provides for continuing review of agency operations, and the Secretary's authority to administer the statutes and programs at issue in ARB and BALCA proceedings. In combination, these statutes establish many of the powers of the Department within the Office of the Secretary, and give the Secretary wide latitude to delegate those powers to his subordinates on the terms he deems appropriate. Thus, the Secretary has the power to delegate his authority to appropriately supervise the adjudicatory process within the Department, and is now exercising that same authority to assert his decision-making prerogatives duly assigned to him by Congress by modifying the terms on which the members of the ARB and BALCA exercise his delegated authority.
The proposed reforms to BALCA (and conforming edits to various Departmental regulations governing the ARB, BALCA, and the OALJ) preserve the existing structures by which the Department processes adjudications while giving the Secretary the option, in his sole discretion, to initiate review directly in a case where the Secretary's involvement is necessary and appropriate. Again, Congress has assigned the administration of various statutes to the Secretary of Labor, meaning that the Secretary is obligated to ensure that those laws are administered, executed, interpreted, and enforced according to law and Executive Branch priorities and policies. Under these reforms, the Secretary will rely on the ARB and BALCA to assist him in identifying cases where secretarial review may be warranted. Consistent with the practice of other agencies, the Department does not anticipate that the power of secretarial review will be used often. The Department similarly anticipates that secretarial review—while completely within the Secretary's discretion as the officer assigned to administer the laws in the first place—will typically be reserved for matters of significant importance. Finally, the Department will ensure that the secretarial review process will be accomplished in a manner that complies with any applicable legal requirements.
Because of significant differences between how the ARB and BALCA operate, the proposed systems of review for each board are designed somewhat differently. Most importantly, whereas with respect to the ARB the Secretary will not exercise review over cases until after a decision has been rendered, the proposed regulations modifying BALCA's authority would allow the Secretary to assume jurisdiction over most cases even before a decision has been issued. This is because BALCA processes significantly more cases each year than does the ARB, and, due to the nature of the temporary visa programs and DOL's role in administering these programs, does so much more quickly than does the ARB. As a result, under the BALCA regulations, the Secretary will be able to initiate review of a case even before BALCA has issued a decision.
The Department appreciates the expeditious nature of many types of BALCA proceedings, such as those involving temporary labor certification, and does not anticipate that the new system of secretarial review established over such cases will significantly disrupt or otherwise impede the way such cases are currently processed. As noted above, the department expects that secretarial review over BALCA decisions will, as with agency head review at other departments, likely not be exercised often. Further, the proposed changes to 29 CFR 18.95 provide that a BALCA decision is the Secretary's final administrative decision unless the Secretary assumes jurisdiction over the case. For example, once the BALCA issues a decision that grants a labor certification or remands for further processing, the private party in the case will be able to proceed immediately to the next step of the application process, and will only be delayed in doing so if the Secretary later decides to undertake review. Moreover, the revised 29 CFR 18.95 limits any potential uncertainty that may exist because of the possibility of secretarial review by placing strict time limits on when the Secretary will have the option of assuming jurisdiction over a case.
The Department proposes to revise several sections of the Code of Federal Regulations including 20 CFR parts 641, 655, 656, 658, 667, 683, and 702; 29 CFR parts 2, 7, 8, 10, 13, 18, 24, 29, 38, and 96; 29 CFR part 471; 29 CFR parts 501 and 580; 29 CFR parts 1978-1988; and 41 CFR parts 50-203 and 60-30 to harmonize the manner in which the ARB issues decisions on behalf of the Secretary under the Department's regulations with the scope of the final decision-making authority delegated to the ARB by the Secretary in Secretary's Order 01-2020. Specifically, references to final decisions of the ARB have been modified or removed to ensure that no regulation contradicts the terms on which an ARB decision becomes final under the Secretary's Order. Certain provisions governing the timing of petitions for review to the ARB and when the ARB is required to issue decisions have also been amended to eliminate potential ambiguity or confusion over the distinction between when the ARB is required to issue a decision and when such decision becomes the final action of the Department pursuant to the Secretary's Order.
The Department also proposes to revise 29 CFR part 18 by modifying the conditions under which a decision of BALCA becomes the final decision of the Department and by creating a process by which the Secretary of Labor can exercise discretionary review over cases pending before or decided by the BALCA. Technical amendments are also proposed to 20 CFR parts 655 and 656 to harmonize the manner in which BALCA issues decisions on behalf of the Secretary with the new system of discretionary review established in 29 CFR part 18.
The Department of Labor and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have determined that it is appropriate to issue a separate rule regarding the Secretary of Labor's review authority over H-2B cases under 29 CFR 18.95 to address the same issues addressed by this rule in the H-2B context. It is the Departments' intent to promulgate this separate rule after the publication of this rule. This determination follows conflicting court decisions concerning DOL's authority to issue legislative rules on its own to carry out its duties in the H-2B program. Although DOL and DHS each have authority to issue rules implementing their respective duties in the H-2B program, the Departments plan to make the amendments to the applicable regulations jointly to ensure that there can be no question about the authority underlying such technical amendments. This approach is consistent with the joint rulemaking governing the Temporary Non-Agricultural Employment of H-2B Aliens in the United States, 80 FR 24042 (Apr. 29, 2015) (codified at 8 CFR part 214, 20 CFR part 655, and 29 CFR part 503).
In order to ensure that all parties appearing before the ARB and BALCA have fair notice of the new systems of discretionary review established in this rulemaking and in Secretary's Order 01-2020, the Secretary will not exercise his review authority over any decision of either Board issued before the passage of 30 calendar days from the date on which the rule becomes effective.Start Printed Page 13089
This proposed rule has been drafted and reviewed in accordance with Executive Order 12866. The Department of Labor, in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), determined that this proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 because the rule will not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; will not create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency; and will not materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof. Furthermore, the rule does not raise a novel legal or policy issue arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in the Executive Order.
Because no notice of proposed rulemaking is required for this rule under section 553 of the Administrative Procedure Act, the regulatory flexibility analysis requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 603, 604, do not apply to this rule. See 5 U.S.C. 601(2).
The Department has determined that this proposed rule is not subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., as this rulemaking does not involve any collections of information. See 5 CFR 1320.3(c).
The Department has reviewed this proposed rule in accordance with the requirements of Executive Order 13132 and the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq., and has found no potential or substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. As there is no Federal mandate contained herein that could result in increased expenditures by State, local, and tribal governments, or by the private sector, the Department has not prepared a budgetary impact statement.
The Department has reviewed this proposed rule in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and has determined that it does not have “tribal implications.” The proposed rule does not “have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal government and Indian tribes.”
This proposed rule addresses matters of internal agency management and personnel, as well as matters of agency organization, practice and procedure, and consequently are exempt from the notice and public comments requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act. See 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2), (b)(A). Nevertheless, the Department wishes to provide the public an opportunity to submit comments.
Please be advised that the Department will generally post all comments without making any change to the comments, including any personal information provided. The www.regulations.gov website is the Federal e-rulemaking portal, and all comments received electronically or by mail, hand delivery, express mail, or courier service will be available and accessible to the public on this website. Therefore, the Department recommends that commenters safeguard their personal information by not including social security numbers, personal addresses, telephone numbers, or email addresses in comments. It is the responsibility of the commenter to safeguard his or her information.
In addition to all comments received by the Department being accessible on www.regulations.gov, the Department will make all the comments available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office listed in the ADDRESSES section above. If you need assistance to review the comments, the Department will provide you with appropriate aids such as readers or print magnifiers. The Department will make copies of the proposed rule available, upon request, in large print or electronic file on portable digital media. The Department will consider providing the proposed rule in other formats upon request. To schedule an appointment to review the comments or obtain the proposed rule in an alternate format, contact Thomas Shepherd at the office of the Clerk of the Appellate Boards, at (202)-693-6319 or Shepherd.Thomas@dol.gov.
Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may access the telephone number above by TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
Procedures for removal of local labor organization officers
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Department of Labor proposes to amend 20 CFR chapters V and VI, 29 CFR subtitle A and chapters IV, V, and XVII, and 41 CFR parts 50-203 and 60-30 as follows:Start Printed Page 13091
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3056 et seq .; Pub. L. 114-144, 130 Stat. 334 (Apr. 19, 2016).
(c) Failure to comply with special procedures. If the OFLC Administrator determines that the employer has failed to comply with special procedures required pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, the OFLC Administrator will send a written notice to the employer, stating that the employer's otherwise affirmative H-2A certification determination will be reduced by 25 percent of the total number of H-2A workers requested (which cannot be more than those requested in the previous year) for a period of 1 year. Notice of such a reduction in the number of workers requested will be Start Printed Page 13092conveyed to the employer by the OFLC Administrator in the OFLC Administrator's written certification determination. The notice will offer the employer an opportunity to request administrative review or a de novo hearing before an ALJ. If administrative review or a de novo hearing is requested, the procedures prescribed in § 655.171 will apply, provided that if the ALJ or the Secretary affirms the OFLC Administrator's determination that the employer has failed to comply with special procedures required by paragraph (a) of this section, the reduction in the number of workers requested will be 25 percent of the total number of H-2A workers requested (which cannot be more than those requested in the previous year) for a period of 1 year.
(b) The decision of the ALJ constitutes final agency action unless, within 20 days of the decision, a party dissatisfied with the ALJ's decision has filed a petition for review with the Administrative Review Board (ARB) (established under Secretary's Order No. 01-2020), specifically identifying the procedure, fact, law, or policy to which exception is taken. Any exception not specifically urged is deemed to have been waived. A copy of the petition for review must be sent to the opposing party at that time. Thereafter, the decision of the ALJ constitutes final agency action unless the ARB, within 30 days of the filing of the petition for review, notifies the parties that the case has been accepted for review. In any case accepted by the ARB, a decision must be issued by the ARB within 180 days of acceptance. If a decision is not so issued, the decision of the ALJ constitutes final agency action.
End Authority Start Printed Page 13093 Start Amendment Part
Final agency decisions issued under the statutory authority of the U.S. Department of Labor may be issued by the Secretary of Labor, or by his or her designee under a written delegation of authority. The Administrative Review Board, an organizational entity within the Office of the Secretary, has been delegated authority to issue final agency decisions under the statutes, executive orders, and regulations according to, and except as provided in Secretary's Order 01-2020.
(d) In considering the matters within the scope of its jurisdiction the Board shall act as the authorized representative of the Secretary of Labor. The Board shall act as fully and finally as might the Secretary of Labor concerning such matters, except as provided in Secretary's Order 01-2020.
(c) In considering the matters within the scope of its jurisdiction the Board shall act as the authorized representative of the Secretary of Labor and shall act as fully and finally as might the Secretary of Labor concerning such matters, except as provided in Secretary's Order 01-2020.
(c) Orders. If the Board concludes a violation occurred, an order shall be issued mandating action to remedy the violation, including, but not limited to, monetary relief for unpaid wages. Where the Administrator has sought imposition of debarment, the Board shall determine whether an order imposing debarment is appropriate. The ARB's order is subject to discretionary review by the Secretary as provided in Secretary's Order 01-2020.
(c) Orders. If the Board concludes a violation occurred, an order shall be issued mandating action to remedy the violation, including, but not limited to, any monetary or equitable relief described in § 13.44. Where the Administrator has sought imposition of debarment, the Administrative Review Board shall determine whether an order imposing debarment is appropriate. The ARB's order is subject to discretionary review by the Secretary as provided in Secretary's Order 01-2020.
(2) Review. (i) The Secretary may, at any point within the time periods provided for in paragraph (b) of this section, and in his or her sole discretion, assume jurisdiction to review the decision or determination of the Certifying Officer, the Office of Foreign Labor Certification Administrator, the National Prevailing Wage Center Director, or the BALCA, as the case may be.
(iii) In any case the Secretary decides, the Secretary's decision shall be stated in writing and transmitted to the BALCA, which shall promptly transmit Start Printed Page 13095it to the parties to the case. Such decision shall constitute final action by the Department and shall serve as binding precedent on all Department employees and in all Department proceedings involving the same issue or issues.
(d) Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, after the issuance of a final order (including a decision issued by the Secretary upon his or her discretionary review) for which judicial review is available, any person adversely affected or aggrieved by the order may file a petition for review of the order in the United States district court in which the violation allegedly occurred. For purposes of judicial economy and consistency, when a final order under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act also is issued under any other statute listed in § 24.100(a), the adversely affected or aggrieved person may file a petition for review of the entire order in the United States Court of Appeals for the circuit in which the violation allegedly occurred or the circuit in which the complainant resided on the date of the violation. The time for filing a petition for review of an order issued under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and any other statute listed in § 24.100(a) is determined by the time period applicable under the other statute(s).
End Authority Start Printed Page 13096 Start Amendment Part
44. In § 38.112, revise paragraph (b)(1)(viii) and remove paragraph (b)(3). The revision reads as follows:
Authority: Secs. 401, 402, 73 Stat. 533, 534 (29 U.S.C. 481, 482); Secretary's Order No. 03-2012, 77 FR 69376, November 16, 2012; Secretary's Order No. 01-2020.
51. In § 471.13, revise paragraph (b)(4) to read as follows:
(4) After the expiration of time for filing exceptions, the Administrative Review Board may issue an administrative order, or may otherwise appropriately dispose of the matter. In an expedited proceeding, unless the Administrative Review Board issues an administrative order within 30 days after the expiration of time for filing exceptions, the Administrative Law Start Printed Page 13097Judge's recommended decision will become the final administrative order. If the Administrative Review Board determines that the contractor has violated the Executive Order or the regulations in this part, the administrative order will order the contractor to cease and desist from the violations, require the contractor to provide appropriate remedies, or, subject to the procedures in § 471.14, impose appropriate sanctions and penalties, or any combination thereof.
53. Revise § 501.45 to read as follows:
55. Revise § 580.16 to read as follows:
57. In § 1978.110, revise paragraphs (a), (c), (d), and (e) to read as follows:
(c) The decision of the ARB will be issued within 120 days of the conclusion of the hearing, which will be deemed to be 14 days after the date of the decision of the ALJ, unless a motion for reconsideration has been filed with the ALJ in the interim. In such case, the conclusion of the hearing is the date the motion for reconsideration is ruled upon or 14 days after a new decision is issued. The ARB's decision will be served upon all parties and the Chief Administrative Law Judge by mail. The decision also will be served on the Assistant Secretary, and on the Associate Solicitor, Division of Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Labor, even if the Assistant Secretary is not a party.
(d) If the ARB concludes that the respondent has violated the law, the ARB will issue an order providing relief to the complainant. The order, which will be subject to discretionary review by the Secretary as provided in Secretary's Order 01-2020, will require, where appropriate: Affirmative action to abate the violation; reinstatement of the complainant to his or her former position with the same compensation, terms, conditions, and privileges of the complainant's employment; payment of compensatory damages (back pay with interest and compensation for any special damages sustained as a result of the retaliation, including any litigation costs, expert witness fees, and reasonable attorney fees the complainant may have incurred); and payment of punitive damages up to $250,000. Interest on back pay will be calculated using the interest rate applicable to underpayment of taxes under 26 U.S.C. 6621 and will be compounded daily.
(e) If the ARB concludes that the respondent has not violated the law, the ARB will issue an order denying the complaint. Such order will be subject to discretionary review by the Secretary as provided in Secretary's Order 01-2020.
58. In § 1978.112, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
60. In § 1979.110, revise paragraphs (a), (c), (d), and (e) to read as follows:
(a) Any party desiring to seek review, including judicial review, of a decision of the administrative law judge, or a named person alleging that the complaint was frivolous or brought in bad faith who seeks an award of attorney's fees, must file a written petition for review with the Administrative Review Board (“the Board”). The decision of the Administrative Law Judge shall become the final order of the Secretary unless, pursuant to this section, a petition for review is timely filed with the Board. Start Printed Page 13098The petition for review must specifically identify the findings, conclusions, or orders to which exception is taken. Any exception not specifically urged ordinarily shall be deemed to have been waived by the parties. To be effective, a petition must be filed within ten business days of the date of the decision of the Administrative Law Judge. The date of the postmark, facsimile transmittal, or email communication will be considered to be the date of filing; if the petition is filed in person, by hand delivery or other means, the petition is considered filed upon receipt. The petition must be served on all parties and on the Chief Administrative Law Judge at the time it is filed with the Board. Copies of the petition for review and all briefs must be served on the Assistant Secretary, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and on the Associate Solicitor, Division of Fair Labor Standards, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, DC 20210.
(d) If the ARB concludes that the party charged has violated the law, the ARB shall order the party charged to take appropriate affirmative action to abate the violation, including, where appropriate, reinstatement of the complainant to that person's former position, together with the compensation (including back pay), terms, conditions, and privileges of that employment, and compensatory damages. At the request of the complainant, the Board shall assess against the named person all costs and expenses (including attorney and expert witness fees) reasonably incurred. The ARB's order is subject to discretionary review by the Secretary as provided in Secretary's Order 01-2020.
(e) If the ARB concludes that the party charged has not violated the law, the ARB shall issue an order denying the complaint. If, upon the request of the named person, the Board determines that a complaint was frivolous or was brought in bad faith, the Board may award to the named person reasonable attorney fees, not exceeding $1,000. An order under this section is subject to discretionary review by the Secretary as provided in Secretary's Order 01-2020.
61. In § 1979.112, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
63. In § 1980.110, revise paragraphs (a), (c), (d), and (e) to read as follows:
(e) If the ARB concludes that the respondent has not violated the law, the ARB will issue an order denying the complaint. If, upon the request of the respondent, the ARB determines that a complaint was frivolous or was brought in bad faith, the ARB may award to the respondent reasonable attorney fees, not exceeding $1,000. An order under this section is subject to discretionary review by the Secretary as provided in Secretary's Order 01-2020.Start Printed Page 13099
64. In § 1980.112, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
66. In § 1981.110, revise paragraphs (a), (c), (d), and (e) as follows:
(d) If the ARB concludes that the party charged has violated the law, the ARB shall order the party charged to take appropriate affirmative action to abate the violation, including, where appropriate, reinstatement of the complainant to that person's former position, together with the compensation (including back pay), terms, conditions, and privileges of that employment, and compensatory damages. At the request of the complainant, the Board shall assess against the named person all costs and expenses (including attorney and expert witness fees) reasonably incurred. Such order is subject to discretionary review by the Secretary as provided in Secretary's Order 01-2020.
(e) If the ARB concludes that the party charged has not violated the law, the ARB will issue an order denying the complaint. If, upon the request of the named person, the Board determines that a complaint was frivolous or was brought in bad faith, the Board may award to the named person reasonable attorney fees, not exceeding $1,000. An order under this section is subject to discretionary review by the Secretary as provided in Secretary's Order 01-2020.
67. In § 1981.112, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
69. In § 1982.110, revise paragraphs (a), (c), (d), and (e) to read as follows:
(c) The decision of the ARB will be issued within 120 days of the conclusion of the hearing, which will be deemed to be 14 days after the date of the decision of the ALJ, unless a motion for reconsideration has been filed with the ALJ in the interim. In such case, the conclusion of the hearing is the date the motion for reconsideration is denied or 14 days after a new decision is issued. The ARB's decision will be served upon all parties and the Chief Administrative Law Judge by mail. The decision also Start Printed Page 13100will be served on the Assistant Secretary, and on the Associate Solicitor, Division of Fair Labor Standards, U.S. Department of Labor, even if the Assistant Secretary is not a party.
70. In § 1982.112, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
72. In § 1983.110, revise paragraphs (a), (c), (d), and (e) as follows:
73. In § 1983.112, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
75. In § 1984.110, revise paragraphs (a), (c), (d), and (e) as follows:
(a) Any party desiring to seek review, including judicial review, of a decision of the ALJ, or a respondent alleging that the complaint was frivolous or brought Start Printed Page 13101in bad faith who seeks an award of attorney fees, must file a written petition for review with the Administrative Review Board (ARB). The parties should identify in their petitions for review the legal conclusions or orders to which they object, or the objections may be deemed waived. A petition must be filed within 14 days of the date of the decision of the ALJ. The date of the postmark, facsimile transmittal, or electronic communication transmittal will be considered to be the date of filing; if the petition is filed in person, by hand delivery or other means, the petition is considered filed upon receipt. The petition must be served on all parties and on the Chief Administrative Law Judge at the time it is filed with the ARB. Copies of the petition for review must be served on the Assistant Secretary, and on the Associate Solicitor, Division of Fair Labor Standards, U.S. Department of Labor.
(d) If the ARB concludes that the respondent has violated the law, the ARB will issue an order providing relief to the complainant. The order will require, where appropriate, affirmative action to abate the violation; reinstatement of the complainant to the complainant's former position, together with the compensation (including back pay and interest), terms, conditions, and privileges of the complainant's employment; and payment of compensatory damages, including, at the request of the complainant, the aggregate amount of all costs and expenses (including attorney and expert witness fees) reasonably incurred. Interest on back pay will be calculated using the interest rate applicable to underpayment of taxes under 26 U.S.C. 6621 and will be compounded daily. The order will also require the respondent to submit appropriate documentation to the Social Security Administration allocating any back pay award to the appropriate period. Such order is subject to discretionary review by the Secretary as provided in Secretary's Order 01-2020.
76. In § 1984.112, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
78. In § 1985.110, revise paragraphs (a), (c), (d), and (e) to read as follows:
(e) If the ARB concludes that the respondent has not violated the law, the ARB will issue an order denying the complaint. If, upon the request of the respondent, the ARB determines that a complaint was frivolous or was brought Start Printed Page 13102in bad faith, the ARB may award to the respondent reasonable attorney fees, not exceeding $1,000. An order under this section is subject to discretionary review by the Secretary as provided in Secretary's Order 01-2020.
79. In § 1985.112, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
81. In § 1986.110, revise paragraphs (a), (c), (d), and (e) to read as follows:
(d) If the ARB concludes that the respondent has violated the law, the ARB will issue an order providing relief to the complainant. The order will require, where appropriate, affirmative action to abate the violation; reinstatement of the complainant to his or her former position, with the same compensation, terms, conditions, and privileges of the complainant's employment; payment of compensatory damages (back pay with interest and compensation for any special damages sustained as a result of the retaliation, including any litigation costs, expert witness fees, and reasonable attorney fees the complainant may have incurred); and payment of punitive damages up to $250,000. Interest on back pay will be calculated using the interest rate applicable to underpayment of taxes under 26 U.S.C. 6621 and will be compounded daily. Such order is subject to discretionary review by the Secretary as provided in Secretary's Order 01-2020.
(e) If the ARB concludes that the respondent has not violated the law, the ARB will issue an order denying the complaint. Such order is subject to discretionary review by the Secretary as provided in Secretary's Order 01-2020.
82. In § 1986.112, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
84. In § 1987.110, revise paragraphs (a), (c), (d), and (e) to read as follows:
(c) The decision of the ARB will be issued within 120 days of the conclusion of the hearing, which will be deemed to be 14 days after the date of the decision of the ALJ, unless a motion for reconsideration has been filed with the ALJ in the interim. In such case the conclusion of the hearing is the date the motion for reconsideration is denied or 14 days after a new decision is issued. The ARB's decision will be served upon all parties and the Chief Administrative Law Judge by mail. The decision will also be served on the Assistant Secretary and on the Associate Solicitor, Division of Fair Labor Standards, U.S. Department of Labor, even if the Assistant Secretary is not a party.Start Printed Page 13103
85. In § 1987.112, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
87. In § 1988.110, revise paragraphs (a), (c), (d), and (e) to read as follows:
88. In § 1988.112, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
89. The authority citation for part 50-203 continues to read as follows:
90. In § 50-203.21, revise paragraph (d) to read as follows:
(d) Thereafter, the Administrative Review Board may issue a decision ruling upon each exception filed and including any appropriate wage determination. Any such decision shall be published in the Federal Register Start Printed Page 13104after it becomes the final action of the Department.
92. Revise § 60-30.29 to read as follows:
93. Revise § 60-30.30 to read as follows:
94. Revise § 60-30.37 to read as follows: