[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 189 (Friday, September 27, 1996)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 50711-50712] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-24696] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION 29 CFR Part 2200 Rules of Procedure AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. ACTION: Final rule; extension of sunset provision. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission has determined that additional time is necessary to properly evaluate the efficacy of its pilot E-Z Trial program. Accordingly, the Review Commission is amending the ``sunset'' provisions of the Commissions ``E-Z Trial'' rules to extend the pilot program and additional six months. EFFECTIVE DATE: September 27, 1996. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Earl R. Ohman, Jr., General Counsel, (202) 606-5410. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 14, 1995 the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission published in the Federal Register (60 FR 41805) new procedural rules for a pilot program designed to simplify and accelerate adjudication for cases that warrant a less formal, less costly process. Designated ``E-Z Trial,'' the pilot program was to run for one year, terminating on September 30, 1996. A ``sunset'' provision was inserted into the rules to effectively end the program on that date unless extended by the Commission by final rule published in the Federal Register. 29 CFR Sec. 2200.201(b). While the Review Commission is pleased with the progress of the pilot program, as the end of the one-year period approaches, the Review Commission has concluded that an additional six months is necessary to fully evaluate E-Z Trial and to determine what, if any, amendments are necessary. Accordingly, the Commission is revising Sec. 2200.201(b) to extend the pilot program through March 31, 1997. [[Page 50712]] List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 2200 Administrative practice and procedures, Hearing and appeal procedures. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, Title 29, Chapter XX, Part 2200, Subpart M of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows: PART 2200--RULES OF PROCEDURE 1. The authority citation continues to read as follows: Authority: 29 U.S.C. 661(g). 2. Section 2200.201 is amended by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows: Sec. 2200.201 [Amended] * * * * * (b) Sunset Provision. Section 2200.203(a), which permits the Chief Administrative Law Judge to assign a case for E-Z Trial, will no longer be effective after March 31, 1997 unless the rule is extended by the Commission by publication of a final rule in the Federal Register. After March 31, 1997, a case will only be assigned to E-Z Trial if the assignment is requested by a party. Dated: September 20, 1996. Stuart E. Weisberg, Chairman. Dated: September 20, 1996. Velma Montoya, Commissioner. Dated: September 20, 1996. Daniel Guttman, Commissioner. [FR Doc. 96-24696 Filed 9-26-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7600-01-M