Agencies and Commissions December 1, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) took two actions. First, the Commission responded to a writ of mandamus that would have vacated the Commission's rules governing compensation for ISP-bound traffic had the Commission not acted by November 5, 2008. Specifically, the Commission held that although ISP-bound traffic falls within the scope of section 251(b)(5) of the Communications Act, this interstate, interexchange traffic is to be afforded different treatment from other section 251(b)(5) traffic pursuant to our authority under section 201 and 251(i) of the Act. The Commission thus maintained the $.0007 cap and the mirroring rule. Second, the Commission responded to the Comprehensive Reform Recommended Decision of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Joint Board). The Commission is statutorily obligated to complete any proceeding regarding subsequent recommendations from the Joint Board within one year. The Commission thanked the Joint Board and its staff for their hard work in studying these difficult issues and in developing their recommendations, but chose not to implement these recommendations at this time.

The FTC plans to conduct a consumer study to research alternatives to existing lamp (i.e., light bulb) labeling requirements. This study is part of the Commission's rulemaking proceeding to examine the effectiveness of current light bulb package labeling as directed by Congress. Before conducting this research, the FTC is seeking public comments on the proposed study as part of its compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA'').

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of an existing information collection. This information collection, ``Health Benefits Election Form'' (OMB Control No. 3206-0141; OPM Form 2809), is used by annuitants and former spouses to elect, cancel, suspend, or change health benefits enrollment during periods other than open season. Comments are particularly invited on: whether this information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Office of Personnel Management, 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 in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. There are approximately 30,000 changes to health benefits coverage per year. Of these, 20,000 are submitted on OPM Form 2809 and 10,000 verbally or in written correspondence. Each form takes approximately 45 minutes to complete; data collection by telephone or mail takes approximately 10 minutes. The annual burden for the form is 15,000 hours; the burden not using the form is 1,667 hours. The total burden is 16,667 hours. For copies of this proposal, contact Cyrus S. Benson on (202) 606- 4808, FAX (202) 606-0910 or via E-mail to Cyrus.Benson@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

This rule amends Appendix D to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation on Benefits Payable in Terminated Single- Employer Plans by adding the maximum guaranteeable pension benefit that may be paid by the PBGC with respect to a plan participant in a single- employer pension plan that terminates in 2009. The amendment is necessary because the maximum guarantee amount changes each year, based on changes in the contribution and benefit base under section 230 of the Social Security Act. The effect of the amendment is to advise plan administrators, participants and beneficiaries of the increased maximum guarantee amount for 2009.

Congress amended the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (``FECA''), to extend the expiration date for the Administrative Fines Program (``AFP'') from December 31, 2008 to December 31, 2013. Under the AFP, the Commission may assess civil monetary penalties for violations of the reporting requirements of section 434(a) of the FECA. Accordingly, the Commission is extending the applicability of the AFP rules and the AFP penalty schedules. Further information is provided in the Supplementary Information that follows.

The Commission hereby gives notice of the scheduling of a full review pursuant to section 751(c)(5) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1675(c)(5)) (the Act) to determine whether revocation of the antidumping duty order on saccharin from China would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. For further information concerning the conduct of this review and rules of general application, consult the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, part 201, subparts A through E (19 CFR part 201), and part 207, subparts A, D, E, and F (19 CFR part 207).

The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 104-13. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid control number. Comments are requested concerning (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.