Establishment of the Administrative Review Board

This rule amends the regulations to provide that the functions performed by the Wage Appeals Board and the Board of Service Contract Appeals will henceforth be performed by the Administrative Review Board. This rule also amends the regulations to provide that when the Administrative Review Board is reviewing administrative decisions which were previously decided by either the Wage Appeals Board or the Board of Service Contract Appeals it will follow the rules of practice and procedure of the Board which would have decided the case prior to the promulgation of this rule. This rule also amends the regulations to provide that the functions previously performed by the Office of Administrative Appeals in advising and assisting the Secretary and other deciding officials of the Department of Labor will henceforth be performed by the Administrative Review Board, which is now designated to issue final agency decisions under a number of laws. This rule is promulgated to consolidate within one entity the authority delegated by the Secretary to decide administrative appeals and matters under administrative review. This consolidation should result in administrative efficiencies and cost savings.