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DOJ/LA RIN: 1105-AB33 Publication ID: Fall 2010 
Title: Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Regulations: Allowance for Costs and Expenses 
Abstract: This rule conforms Department regulations implementing the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. section 2210 note (2006) to the decision of the Tenth Circuit in the case of Hackwell v. United States 491 F.3d 1229, 1241 (10th Cir. 2007). The Tenth Circuit held that the plain meaning of "services rendered" in section 9(a) of the Act revealed Congress's unambiguous intent to exclude "costs incurred" from the attorney fee limitation. Consequently, the court invalidated section 79.74(b) as "contrary to the RECA's plain language." (See also the District Court decision on remand: No. 04-cv-00827-EWN, 2008 WL 2900933.) Accordingly, the Department is amending its regulation at 28 CFR 79.74(b) to strike the language "including costs incurred" from the agency's limitation on payments to attorneys representing claimants under RECA. 
Agency: Department of Justice(DOJ)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Completed Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 28 CFR 79   
Legal Authority: 42 USC 2210 note (2006) Radiation Exposure Compensation Act   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Final Action  08/10/2010  75 FR 48274   
Final Action Effective  09/09/2010    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Dianne S. Spellberg
Senior Counsel, Civil Division, Torts Branch
Department of Justice
Legal Activities
Room 3123, Room 3144, 1425 New York Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20005
Phone:202 616-4129
Fax:202 616-4313
Email: dianne.spellberg@usdoj.gov