Agencies and Commissions August 6, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 1 - 23 of 23
Farm Credit Administration Board; Regular Meeting
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the Government in the Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C. 552b(e)(3)), of the regular meeting of the Farm Credit Administration Board (Board).
Request for Public Comment on a Commercial Availability Request under the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement (USAFTA)
On February 26, 2008, CITA published in the Federal Register a request for public comment on a commercial availability petition from Gentry Mills that there be a modification to the rules of origin for a certain viscose/polyester blended yarn (73 FR 10227). No public comments were received alleging that viscose rayon fiber could be supplied in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Subsequently, the United States requested consultations with the Government of Australia on its proposal to modify the rule of origin for 5510.90.2000 to allow the use of non-U.S. and non-Australian viscose rayon fiber. In those consultations, the Government of Australia proposed expanding the scope of the U.S. proposal for a modification to the rule of origin. The Government of Australia proposes that the modification to the rule of origin be applied to all yarns of subheading 5510.90 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). The President may proclaim a modification to the USAFTA rules of origin for textile and apparel products after reaching an agreement with the Government of Australia on the modification. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this proposal to expand the scope of the rule of origin modification to all yarns in HTSUS subheading 5510.90 to allow the use of non-U.S. and non-Australian viscose rayon fiber. Comments must be submitted by September 5, 2008 to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3001, United States Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.
Information Collection; Federal Management Regulation; Standard Form 151, Deposit Bond, Annual Sale of Government Personal Property
Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the General Services Administration has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement regarding Standard Form 151, Deposit Bond, Annual Sale of Government Personal Property. A request for public comments was published at 72 FR 20052, April 14, 2008. No comments were received. This OMB clearance expires on September 30, 2008. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.
Information Collection; Standard Form 150, Deposit Bond-Individual Invitation, Sale of Government Personal Property
Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the General Services Administration will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement regarding Standard Form 150, Deposit Bond- Individual Invitation, Sale of Government Personal Property. The clearance currently expires on September 30, 2008. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.
Enhanced Disclosure and New Prospectus Delivery Option for Registered Open-End Management Investment Companies
The Securities and Exchange Commission is reopening the period for public comment on amendments it originally proposed in Securities Act Release No. 8861 (Nov. 21, 2007) [72 FR 67790 (Nov. 30, 2007)]. The rule proposal would, if adopted, require key information to appear in plain English in a standardized order at the front of the mutual fund prospectus; and permit a person to satisfy its mutual fund prospectus delivery obligations under section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 by sending or giving the key information directly to investors in the form of a summary prospectus and providing the statutory prospectus on an Internet Web site.
Commission Guidance Regarding the Duties and Responsibilities of Investment Company Boards of Directors With Respect to Investment Adviser Portfolio Trading Practices
The Securities and Exchange Commission is publishing for comment this proposed guidance to boards of directors of registered investment companies to assist them in fulfilling their fiduciary responsibilities with respect to overseeing the trading of investment company portfolio securities. The guidance focuses on the role of an investment company board in overseeing the best execution obligations of the investment adviser hired to invest in securities and other instruments on the investment company's behalf. In this respect, we address the conflicts of interest that may exist when an investment adviser uses an investment company's brokerage commissions to purchase services other than execution, such as the purchase of brokerage and research services through client commission arrangements. The Commission also is requesting comment on whether to propose that advisers be subject to new disclosure requirements concerning the use of client commission arrangements to investment company shareholders and other investment advisory clients.
National Science Board; Request for Public Comment on Use of Cost Sharing in National Science Foundation-Funded Activities
On August 9, 2007, the America COMPETES Act directed the National Science Board (Board) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to ``evaluate the impact of its [2004] policy to eliminate cost sharing for research grants and cooperative agreements for existing programs that were developed around industry partnerships and historically required industry cost sharing, such as the Engineering Research Centers [ERCs] and Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers [I/ UCRCs].'' The Act directed that the Board ``also consider the impact that the cost sharing policy has on initiating new programs for which industry interest and participation are sought.'' In fall 2007, the Board charged a Task Force on Cost Sharing to evaluate the impacts of its 2004 policy on the ERC and I/UCRC programs and also on the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), another NSF program with capacity-building goals. On February 8, 2008, the Board issued a report to Congress containing several recommendations regarding mandatory cost sharing policy at NSF (https:// www.nsf.gov/nsb/publications/2008/rprt_congress_cs_policy.pdf ). The Board is continuing its study, focusing now on voluntary cost sharing and the impact of both mandatory and voluntary cost sharing on broadening the participation of traditionally underrepresented groups and organizations in federally sponsored research. The Board's intent is to release a second, more comprehensive report on NSF cost sharing policy in early 2009. Qualitative input from the research community for this report will be drawn in part from responses to this notice and from two public roundtable discussions held in Arlington, VA on July 9 and 10, 2008. The Board is soliciting public comment regarding community experiences in cost sharing with emphasis on the following: (1) The relationship between cost sharing and NSF program goals; (2) the relationship between cost sharing and institutional competitiveness in NSF grant funding; (3) the role of cost sharing in the NSF merit review process; (4) the importance of types, sources, and timing of voluntary cost sharing; (5) effort associated with tracking and reporting cost- shared resources; (6) the relationship between cost sharing and institutional strategic investment; (7) options for ensuring equity in NSF grant funding when cost sharing is either required or volunteered; (8) research resources from state providers; and (9) research resources from industry providers. Full text of questions can be found at https://www.nsf.gov/nsb/ committees/cs/comment.jsp. Additional background material about the Task Force can be found at https://www.nsf.gov/nsb/committees/tskforce_ cs.jsp.
Medical Use of Byproduct Material-Amendments/Medical Event Definitions
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations that govern medical use of byproduct material related to reporting and notifications of medical events (MEs) to clarify requirements for permanent implant brachytherapy. The proposed amendments would change the criteria for defining an ME for permanent implant brachytherapy from dose-based to activity-based; add a requirement to report, as an ME, any administration requiring a written directive (WD) if a WD was not prepared; clarify requirements for WDs for permanent implant brachytherapy; and make certain administrative and clarification changes. These amendments regarding permanent implant brachytherapy are being proposed in response to several incidents involving therapeutic use of byproduct material. The proposed changes are based in part on recommendations from NRC's Advisory Committee on the Medical Use of Isotopes (ACMUI) and the NRC's Medical Radiation Safety Team. This proposed rule would affect all medical licensees that perform procedures using byproduct material that require completion of a WD.
Office of New Reactors;
The NRC is soliciting public comment on its Proposed Interim Staff Guidance (ISG) DC/COL-ISG-06 (ADAMS Accession No. ML081850160). This ISG is to clarify the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) position on what is an acceptable level of detail and content for demonstrating compliance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 20.1406 (10 CFR 20.1406). Regulatory Guide (RG) 4.21, ``Minimization of Contamination and Waste Generation: Life Cycle Planning,'' provides an acceptable method of demonstrating compliance. This ISG provides further clarification on the evaluation and acceptance criteria that will be used by NRC staff in reaching a reasonable assurance finding that a Design Certification (DC) or Combined License (COL) applicant has complied with the requirements of 10 CFR 20.1406. The NRC staff issues DC/COL-ISGs to facilitate timely implementation of the current staff guidance and to facilitate activities associated with review of applications for DC and COLs by the Office of New Reactors. The NRC staff will also incorporate the approved DC/COL-ISG-006 into the next revision of the Standard Review Plan and related guidance documents.
Administrative Practice and Procedure; Postal Service
The Commission is transferring Premium Forwarding Service from the market dominant list to the competitive product list. It is updating the market dominant product list to reflect the status of several agreements. It is also republishing the product lists. These actions are consistent with changes in a recent law.
The Impact of Free Access to Public Access Computers and the Internet at Public Libraries Study, Submission for OMB Review, Comment Request
The Institute of Museum and Library Services announces the following information collection has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). A copy of this proposed form, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by calling the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Associate Deputy Director for Research and Statistics, Carlos Manjarrez at (202) 653-4671. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY/TDD) may call (202) 653-4614. This study is to examine the use of public access computers in public libraries; undertake an analysis of the impact on individuals, families, and communities of the provision of public access computers and access to the Internet in public libraries; and identify and disseminate indicators of impact within communities for public libraries to use for future assessments.
Meeting of Humanities Panel
Pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, as amended), notice is hereby given that a meeting of the Humanities Panel will be held at the Old Post Office, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20506.
General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation; Information Collection; Price Reductions Clause
Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the General Services Administration will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement regarding the GSAR Price Reductions Clause. The clearance currently expires on October 31, 2008. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.
Personal Identity Verification of Contractors
NASA proposes to revise the NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) to update procedures for compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 4.13, Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel. FAR 4.13 requires that agencies include their implementing guidance of FIPS 201 and OMB guidance M-05-24 in solicitations and contracts that require the contractor to have routine physical access to Federally-controlled facilities and/or access to Federally- controlled information systems. NASA further proposes to designate The Assistant Administrator, Office of Security and Program Protection as the official with overall responsibility for verifying contractor employee personal identity.
Arbitration Services
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) proposes to amend its rules relating to arbitrators' inactive status, removal, appointment, referral and obligation to provide FMCS with information. The proposed rules also address the appointment of arbitrators where a party has failed to pay fees in previous cases. In addition, the proposed rules raise the annual listing fee for arbitrators on the FMCS Roster. The changes will promote more efficient and effective procedures involving arbitrator retention and arbitration services. The increased cost of listing arbitrator biographical data more accurately reflects FMCS' costs of maintaining and administering this information.
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