Office of the Secretary March 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below has been forwarded to OMB for extension of the currently approved collection. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on October 10, 2007 (72 FR 57631). The purpose of this notice is to allow the public an additional 30 days from the date of this notice to submit comments on our application to renew ICR 2105-0552, Reports by Carriers on Incidents Involving Animals During Air Transport. The current information collection request approved by OMB expires on March 31, 2008.

The National Defense University (NDU), Designated Federal Officer, has scheduled a meeting of the Board of Visitors. Request subject notice be published in the Federal Register. The National Defense University Board of Visitors is a Federal Advisory Board. The Board meets twice a year in proceedings that are open to the public.

The Department of Defense revises the current rule addressing military recruiting and Reserve Officer Training Corps program access at institutions of higher education. This final rule implements 10 U.S.C. 983, as amended by the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Pub. L. 108-375 (October 28, 2004)). As amended, 10 U.S.C. 983 clarifies access to campuses, access to students and access to directory information on students for the purposes of military recruiting, and now states that access to campuses and students on campuses shall be provided in a manner that is at least equal in quality and scope to that provided to any other employer. The prohibition against providing Federal funds when there is a violation of 10 U.S.C. 983 has an exception for any Federal funds provided to an institution of higher education, or to an individual, that are available solely for student financial assistance, related administrative costs, or costs associated with attendance. Such funds may be used for the purpose for which the funding is provided. A similar provision in section 8120 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-79; 113 Stat. 1260) has been repealed. This rule also rescinds the previous policy that established an exception that would limit recruiting on the premises of the covered school only in response to an expression of student interest when the covered school certified that too few students had expressed interest to warrant accommodating military recruiters.

The Defense Science Board (DSB) Task Force on the National Nuclear Security Administration Strategic Plan for Advanced Computing will meet in closed session on April 16-17, 2008; in the Washington DC metro area. The exact meeting location is still to be determined. The mission of the Defense Science Board is to advise the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics on scientific and technical matters as they affect the perceived needs of the Department of Defense. At the meeting, the task force shall conduct an evaluation of the strategic plan for advanced computing of the National Nuclear Security Administration and assess the impact of using the planned capability for other National Security issues. The task force's findings and recommendations, pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.140 through 102-3.165, will be presented and discussed by the membership of the Defense Science Board prior to being presented to the Government's decision maker. Pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.120 and 102-3.150, the Designated Federal Officer for the Defense Science Board will determine and announce in the Federal Register when the findings and recommendations of the April 16-17, 2008 meeting are deliberated by the Defense Science Board. Interested persons may submit a written statement for consideration by the Defense Science Board. Individuals submitting a written statement must submit their statement to the Designated Federal Official at the address detailed below, at any point; however, if a written statement is not received at least 10 calendar days prior to the meeting that is the subject of this notice, then it may not be provided to or considered by the Defense Science Board. The Designated Federal Official will review all timely submissions with the Defense Science Board Chairperson, and ensure they are provided to members of the Defense Science Board before the meeting that is the subject of this notice.

We (Department of the Interior, DOI) have submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) described below. This IC is scheduled to expire March 31, 2008. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this IC.

In accordance with section 205 of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, this final rule amends the OIG regulations at 42 CFR part 1008 by (1) revising the process for advisory opinion requestors to submit payments for advisory opinion costs, and (2) clarifying that notices to the public announcing procedures for processing advisory opinion requests will be published on OIG's Web site.

The Defense Intelligence Agency is amending a system of records notice to its existing inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended) and the Sunshine in Government Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended) and 41 CFR 102-3.150, the Department of Defense announces that the following Federal advisory committee meeting will take place. Name of Committee: Missile Defense Advisory Committee. Dates of Meeting: Wednesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 3, 2008. Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Security clearance and visit requests are required for access. Location: 7100 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-7100. Purpose of the Meeting: At this meeting, the committee will receive classified briefings by Missile Defense Agency senior staff, Program Managers, senior Department of Defense leaders, representatives from industry and the Services on the appropriate role for the Missile Defense Agency in Cruise Missile Defense. Agenda: Topics tentatively scheduled for discussion include, but are not limited to administrative work; Service (Air Force and Navy) Cruise Missile Defense Capabilities and Perspectives; the Asymmetric Threat Study; and development of draft outbrief to the Director, Missile Defense Agency. Meeting Accessibility: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended, and 41 CFR 102-3.155 the Missile Defense Agency has determined that the meeting shall be closed to the public. The Director, Missile Defense Agency, in consultation with the Missile Defense Agency Office of General Counsel, has determined in writing that the public interest requires that all sessions of the committee's meeting will be closed to the public because they will be concerned with classified information and matters covered by section 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(1). Committee's Designated Federal Officer: Mr. Al Bready, mdac@mda.mil, phone/voice mail 703-695-6438, or mail at 7100 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-7100.

Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102-3.150, the Department of Defense announces that the following Federal advisory committee meeting will take place: 1. Name of Committee: Advisory Council on Dependents' Education. 2. Date: Friday, May 2, 2008. 3. Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Japan Standard Time. 4. Location: New Sanno Hotel, 4-12-20 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0047, Japan. 5. Purpose of the Meeting: Recommend to the Director, DoDEA, general policies for the operation of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS); to provide the Director with information about effective educational programs and practices that should be considered by DoDDS; and to perform other tasks as may be required by the Secretary of Defense. 6. Agenda: The meeting agenda will be the current operational qualities of schools and the institutionalized school improvement processes, as well as other educational matters. 7. Public's Accessibility to the Meeting: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b and 41 CFR 102-3.140 through 102-3.165, and the availability of space, this meeting is open to the public. Seating is on a first-come basis. Appropriate government issued identification will be required to enter the meeting facility, which is a U.S. Military managed facility. 8. Committee's Point of Contact: Mr. Jim Jarrard, telephone (703) 588-3121, 4040 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203, e-mail: james.jarrard@hq.dodea.edu.

Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, (5 U.S.C. appendix, as amended), the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102-3.65, the Department of Defense gives notice that it is renewing the charter for the Defense Science Board (hereafter referred to as the Board). The Board is a discretionary federal advisory committee established by the Secretary of Defense to provide the Department of Defense independent advice and recommendations on scientific, technical, manufacturing, acquisition process, and other matters of special interest to the Department of Defense. The Board is not established to advise on individual DoD procurements, but instead shall be concerned with the pressing and complex technology problems facing the Department of Defense in such areas as research, engineering, and manufacturing, and will ensure the identification of new technologies and new applications of technology in those areas to strengthen national security. No matter shall be assigned to the Board for its consideration that would require any Board Member to participate personally and substantially in the conduct of any specific procurement or place him or her in the position of acting as a ``procurement official,'' as that term is defined pursuant to law. The Board shall be composed of approximately 35 members and approximately six Senior Fellow members, who are eminent authorities in the fields of scientific, technical, manufacturing, acquisition process, and other matters of special interest to the Department of Defense. The Board members shall be appointed by the Secretary of Defense, and their appointments will be renewed on an annual basis. Those members, who are not full-time federal officers or employees, shall serve as Special Government Employees under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 3109. The Secretary of Defense, based upon the recommendation of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics), shall appoint the Board's Chairperson. The Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) shall appoint the Vice Chairperson. The Board Chairman and Vice Chairman will be appointed for two-year terms and may be reappointed for additional terms. Members may be appointed for terms ranging from one to four years. Such appointments will normally be staggered among the Board membership to ensure an orderly turnover in the Board's overall composition on a periodic basis. With the exception of travel and per diem for official travel, they shall normally serve without compensation, unless otherwise authorized by the appointing authority. The Secretary of Defense may invite other distinguished Government officers to serve as non-voting Observers of the Board, and these appointments shall not count toward the Board's total membership. The Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics) may appoint consultants, with special expertise, to assist the Board on an ad hoc basis. All consultants shall serve as Special Government Employees under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 3109. In addition, the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) may identify chairpersons from other advisory committees to serve on the Board. These individuals will sit as observers only and shall not vote on matters before the Board. The Board shall be authorized to establish subcommittees, as necessary and consistent with its mission, and these subcommittees or working groups shall operate under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976, and other appropriate federal regulations. Such subcommittees or workgroups shall not work independently of the chartered Board, and shall report all their recommendations and advice to the Board for full deliberation and discussion. Subcommittees or workgroups have no authority to make decisions on behalf of the chartered Board nor can they report directly to the Department of Defense or any federal officers or employees who are not Board members.

This amendment will revise the order of Secretarial succession for the Department. This action is taken on the Department's initiative.

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) is proposing to add a system of records notice to its inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

The Department of Navy proposes to add a system of records to its inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

The Department of Defense (DoD or ``the Department''), is proposing to establish a higher limit to the initial maximum uniform allowance used to procure and issue uniform items for firefighter personnel. This proposal is pursuant to the authority granted to DoD by Sec. 591.104 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which states that an agency may establish one or more initial maximum uniform allowance rates greater than the government-wide maximum uniform allowance rate established under 5 CFR 591.103.

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency is proposing to add a system of records to its inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

Pursuant to Section 10(a), Public Law 92-463, as amended, notice is hereby given of a forthcoming meeting of the Defense Department Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS). The purpose of the Committee meeting is to receive briefings on subject pertaining to the 2008 topics and review protocols for upcoming installation visits. The meeting is open to the public, subject to the availability of space. Interested persons may submit a written statement for consideration by the Defense Department Advisory Committee on Women in the Services. Individuals submitting a written statement must submit their statement to the Point of Contact listed below at the address detailed below NLT 5 p.m., Friday, March 21, 2008. If a written statement is not received by Friday, March 21, 2008 prior to the meeting, which is the subject of this notice, then it may not be provided to or considered by the Defense Department Advisory Committee on Women in the Services until its next open meeting. The Designated Federal Officer will review all timely submissions with the Defense Department Advisory Committee on Women in the Services Chairperson and ensure they are provided to the members of the Defense Department Advisory Committee on Women in the Services. If members of the public are interested in making an oral statement, a written statement must be submitted as above. After reviewing the written comments, the Chairperson and the Designated Federal Officer will determine who of the requesting persons will be able to make an oral presentation of their issue during an open portion of this meeting or at a future meeting. Determination of who will be making an oral presentation will depend on time available and if the topics are relevant to the Committee's activities. Two minutes will be allotted to persons desiring to make an oral presentation. Oral presentations by members of the public will be permitted only on Tuesday, March from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. before the full Committee. Number of oral presentations to be made will depend on the number of requests received from members of the public. Dates & Times: March 25, 2008, 8:30 a.m.5 p.m. Location: Double Tree Hotel Crystal City National Airport, 300 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202.