The Trump administration released its first regulatory agenda on July 20. The agenda lists the priorities of the Trump administration and the rulemakings they expect to release in 2017. Many of the items listed roll back rules released under the Obama administration. 

Department of Labor 
The Department of Labor removed many of the rules that were previously listed by the Obama Administration and they have taken the first step to removing others. The Department recently issued a Request For Information (RFI) on the overtime rule. This is likely the first step in issuing a revised proposed overtime exemption rule. The public has the opportunity to submit comments on the RFI until Sept. 25, 2017.

Additionally, the agency has issued a proposal to rescind the persuader rule, officially named the “Interpretation of the ‘Advice’ Exemption in Section 203(c) of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act.” Comments on rescinding the persuader rule, which ABC and its members have opposed since it was first proposed in 2011, are due Aug. 11.

On the agenda for October is a proposal to reconsider, revise, or remove provisions of the Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses final rule. Other OSHA rules on the agenda include:

• Crane Operator Qualification in Construction  – Proposed Rule, July 2017 
• Occupational Exposure to Beryllium – Proposed Rule, Comments due Aug. 28
• Standards Improvement Project IV – Final Rule, September 2017 
• Quantitative Fit Testing Protocol: Amendment to the Final Rule on Respiratory Protection  – Analyze Comments, October 2017
• Lock-Out/Tag-Out Update – Request for Information, April 2018
• Amendments to the Cranes and Derricks in Construction Standard – Long Term Action

Finally, the department has listed a proposed rule entitled “Apprenticeship Programs, Labor Standards for Registration, Amendment of Regulations” for May 2018. This proposed rule is a result of Executive Order 13801, Expanding Apprenticeships in America.  This executive order expands apprenticeship past the government-defined definition to create a system for industry-recognized apprenticeship programs. The proposed rule would be the first step in creating regulations for this executive order.

Environmental Protection Agency:

• Definition of "Waters of the United States" – Recodification of Preexisting Rules – Comments due Aug. 28
• Second Action: Definition of "Waters of the U.S.” – Proposed Rule, December 2017
• Lead: Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program for Public and Commercial Buildings– Long Term Action 

Department of Transportation: 

FAA: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Expanded Operations – Proposed Rule, December 2017