Agencies and Commissions October 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the requirement of Section 3506 (c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 which provides opportunity for public comment on new or revised data collections, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) will publish periodic summaries of proposed data collections. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the RRB's estimate of the burden of the collection of the information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden related to the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Title and purpose of information collection: Employee's Certification; OMB 3220-0140 Section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), provides for the payment of an annuity to the spouse or divorced spouse of a retired railroad employee. For the spouse or divorced spouse to qualify for an annuity, the RRB must determine if any of the employee's current marriage to the applicant is valid. The requirements for obtaining documentary evidence to determine valid marital relationships are prescribed in 20 CFR 219.30 through 219.35. Section 2(e) of the RRA requires that an employee must relinquish all rights to any railroad employer service before a spouse annuity can be paid. The RRB uses Form G-346 to obtain the information needed to determine whether the employee's current marriage is valid. Form G-346 is completed by the retired employee who is the husband or wife of the applicant for a spouse annuity. Completion is required to obtain a benefit. One response is requested of each respondent. The RRB proposes no changes to Form G-346. The RRB estimates that 4,830 G-346's will be completed annually at an estimated completion time of five minutes per response. Total respondent burden is estimated at 403 hours. In accordance with amended regulation 20 CFR 217.17, the RRB proposes the implementation of Form G-346sum. Proposed Form G-346sum, which will mirror the information collected on Form G-346, will be used when an employee, after being interviewed by an RRB field office staff member ``signs'' the form using an alternative signature method known as ``attestation''. Attestation refers to the action taken by the RRB field office employee to confirm and annotate the RRB's records of the applicant's affirmation under penalty of perjury that the information provided is correct and the applicant's agreement to sign the form by proxy. The RRB estimates that 2,070 G-346sum's will be completed annually at an estimated completion time of five minutes per response. Total respondent burden is estimated at 172 hours. Additional Information or Comments: To request more information or to obtain a copy of the information collection justification, forms, and/or supporting material, contact Charles Mierzwa, the RRB Clearance Officer, at (312) 751-3363 or Charles.Mierzwa@RRB.GOV. Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to Patricia Henaghan, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092 or e-mailed to Patricia.Henaghan@RRB.GOV. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

The Peace Corps will be submitting the Peace Corps Volunteer Application (OMB Control Number (0420-0005) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Notice of the information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on July 11, 2011 [FR Doc. 2011-17273, pages 40755-40756], allowing for a 60-day public comment period. A correction notice to correct an error in the previous notice of information collection was published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2011 [FR Doc. 2011-18804, page 46525]. Peace Corps received one comment noting that Peace Corps should not use criminal history information to ``engage in unlawful disparate treatment.'' The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments. Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies should address one or more of the following four points: (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and, (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

The United States International Trade Commission (``Commission'') is issuing a Handbook on Filing Procedures to replace its Handbook on Electronic Filing Procedures. The revision is necessary to implement a new Commission requirement for electronic filing of most documents with the agency. The intended effects of the change are to increase efficiency in processing documents filed with the Commission, reduce Commission expenditures, and conform agency processes to federal government initiatives.

This document proposes to amend the definition of ``auditory assistance device'' in the Commission's rules to allow such devices to be used by anyone at any location for simultaneous language interpretation, where the spoken words are translated continuously in near real time. This action is taken in response to a petition for declaratory ruling filed by Williams Sound Corporation (Williams Sound Petition), a provider of wireless auditory assistance devices. The current definition restricts the use of part 15 auditory assistance devices that operate in the 72.0-73.0 MHz, 74.6-74.8 MHz, and 75.2-76.0 MHz bands (72-76 MHz bands) to auditory assistance to a handicapped person or persons; such devices may be used for auricular training in an educational institution, for auditory assistance at places of public gatherings, such as a church, theater, or auditorium, and to handicapped individuals, only, in other locations. The proposed amendment would permit part 15 auditory assistance devices that operate in the 72-76 MHz bands to be used by anyone at any location for simultaneous language interpretation.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to request clearance of this collection. In accordance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing opportunity for public comment on this action. After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting OMB clearance of this collection for no longer than 3 years. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

This is a Notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of New York (FEMA- 4031-DR), dated 09/23/2011. Incident: Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee. Incident Period: 09/07/2011 through 09/11/2011.

This is a Notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of Kansas (FEMA-4035- DR), dated 09/23/2011. Incident: Flooding. Incident Period: 06/01/2011 through 08/01/2011.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 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 collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. 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; (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; and (e) ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC 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 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

This document informs the public that an appeal of the closing of the Argyle, Florida post office has been filed. It identifies preliminary steps and provides a procedural schedule. Publication of this document will allow the Postal Service, petitioners, and others to take appropriate action.

Pursuant to the provisions of the ``Government in the Sunshine Act'' (5 U.S.C. 552b), notice is hereby given of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board's (Board) public hearing and meeting described below. The Board will conduct a public hearing and meeting pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 2286b and invites any interested persons or groups to present any comments, technical information, or data concerning safety issues related to the matters to be considered.

This document announces the approval of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for information collection requirements in the sections outlined in the DATES section.

The Federal Election Commission is issuing guidance on when independent expenditure communications that take the form of yard signs, mini-billboards, handbills, t-shirts, hats, buttons, and similar items are ``publicly disseminated'' for purposes of certain reporting requirements in Commission regulations.