To transmit a request for public comment on a Notice of Proposed Rule Making, concerning amendments to the Trade Adjustment Assistance program. The proposed rule will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval.

September 28, 2006

ETA REGIONAL INFORMATION ALERT NO. 031-06

ORIGINATING OFFICE: Region 5

SUBJECT: Request for Comments – Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers, Workforce Investment Act; Amendment of Regulations; Proposed Rule

PROGRAMS: TAA, ATAA, TRA

1. Purpose. To transmit a request for public comment on a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), concerning amendments to the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. The proposed rule will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval.

2. References. Federal Register, Vol. 71, No. 165, August 25, 2006, pp. 50759-50832; Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act; 20 CFR 617, 665 and 671; Trade Act of 1974; North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA); NAFTA Implementation Act of 1983, Title II, Chapter 2, Subchapter D, section 250; Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998; Wagner-Peyser Act.; Federal Travel Regulations 41 CFR, sections 301, 302, 303 and 304; Social Security Act, section 303(e)(2); 29 CFR 31, 32, 35, 36, 37, 93, 95, 97 and 98; 2 CFR 220, 225 and 230 Executive Orders 12866, 12875 and 13132; Paperwork Reduction Act; Unfunded Mandates Reform Act; Regulatory Flexibility Act, Pub.L. 105-277 [112 Stat. 2681]; Congressional Review Act (Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, subtitle E); Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance 17.245; Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA); Public Service Health Act; Jobs for Veterans Act of 2002 [38 U.S.C. 4215(b)]

3. Links. This Alert is in the Regional website Resource page at: http://www.doleta.gov/regions/regionalresources/

Link to the Federal Register attachment (.pdf)

4. Action. Program administrators are request to share this Information Alert with appropriate staff and other agencies, and are invited to comment, on or before October 24th to:

Erica Cantor
Director, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance
Ref. RIN 1205-AB32
U.S. Department of Labor
Employment and Training Administration
Room C-5311
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20210

5. Contact. Questions and comments about the NPRM may be directed to: Erica Cantor on 202.693.3560. Questions or comments about the format of this Alert may be directed to Robert Rainault on 312.596.5416.

6. Expiration Date. October 24, 2006

7. Attachment. Federal Register, Vol. 71, No. 165, August 25, 2006, pp. 50760-50832