Labor & Employment

Federal Employee Performance Appraisal Rule - Citation Correction

OPM issued a correction on March 26, 2026, to its proposed rule on performance appraisal for General Schedule, Prevailing Rate, and certain other federal employees. The correction updates a missing Federal Register citation in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section, changing the placeholder '90 FR xxxxx (MM, DD, YYYY)' to the correct citation '91 FR 10904 (March 5, 2026)'. This administrative correction does not alter any substantive requirements or the scope of the proposed rule.

Withdrawal of Administrative Law Judges Proposed Rule

OPM has withdrawn its 2020 proposed rule (85 FR 59207) that would have revised regulations governing the appointment and employment of administrative law judges. The withdrawal is effective April 2, 2026. OPM cited that the public comments received are over five years old and that agencies have already implemented Executive Order 13843 as reasons for the withdrawal.

ERISA Employee Benefit Plan Claims Procedure - Information Collection Request

The Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR) to OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act regarding ERISA employee benefit plan claims procedures. The ICR covers requirements for plans to provide claimants with written denial notices containing specific reasons, plan provisions references, and appeal instructions. Public comments are requested by May 4, 2026.

Information Collection Request for Life Insurance Prohibited Transaction Exemption 92-6

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting an Information Collection Request (ICR) to OMB for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act regarding PTE 92-6, which exempts employee benefit plans from prohibited transaction restrictions when selling individual life insurance or annuity contracts. Public comments on this ICR are invited through May 4, 2026.

Safety Standard Modification Request - Respirable Dust Protection

MSHA published a notice of petition for modification from Marfork Coal Company, LLC requesting approval to use an alternative respirable dust protection method at the Glen Alum Tunnel Mine in West Virginia. The petitioner seeks to use a 3M Versaflow TR-800-HIK Intrinsically Safe PAPR motor/battery unit, which currently lacks MSHA permissibility certification. Public comments are invited until May 4, 2026.

Petition for Modification - Fan Testing Requirements at Prairie Eagle Underground Mine

MSHA published a notice seeking public comments on a petition for modification filed by Knight Hawk Coal, LLC regarding 30 CFR 75.312(c) fan testing requirements. The petitioner seeks to test the automatic fan signal device at Prairie Eagle Underground Mine (MSHA ID No. 11-03147) every 31 days without stopping the fan. Comments must be submitted by May 4, 2026.

Marfork Coal Company petition to modify permissible equipment standard

MSHA published a notice seeking public comments on a petition for modification filed by Marfork Coal Company, LLC regarding its Glen Alum Tunnel Mine in West Virginia. The petitioner requests authorization to use a 3M Versaflow TR-800-HIK Intrinsically Safe Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) as an alternative compliance method under 30 CFR 75.507-1(a). Comments on the petition must be received by May 4, 2026.

Mountain Coal Company Modification Petition for Trailing Cable Requirements

MSHA published a notice seeking public comment on a petition for modification from Mountain Coal Company, LLC regarding trailing cable requirements at the West Elk Mine in Colorado. The petitioner requests authorization to use 1,100 feet of No. 2 AWG G-GC trailing cable for shuttle cars and mobile roof bolters operating at 995 volts AC. Comments must be submitted by May 4, 2026.

Petition for Modification of Coarse Coal Refuse Backfill Standards

MSHA published a notice seeking public comments on a petition for modification submitted by Kepler Processing Company, LLC regarding 30 CFR 77.214(a) (Refuse Piles; general). The petitioner requests approval to use coarse coal refuse as backfill material for five mine openings at the inactive Road Fork Development Company—Kepler Sewell Mine in West Virginia. Comments are due by May 4, 2026.

Marfork Coal petitions MSHA for safety standard modifications

MSHA published a notice of a petition for modification filed by Marfork Coal Company, LLC requesting a variance from 30 CFR 75.500(d) to permit use of a 3M Versaflow TR-800-HIK Intrinsically Safe Powered Air Purifying Respirator motor/blower and battery at the Glen Alum Tunnel Mine in West Virginia. The petition claims no battery-powered respirators currently meet MSHA permissibility standards for use in potentially explosive underground atmospheres. MSHA is soliciting public comments on the petition by May 4, 2026.