Office of the Secretary March 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text of a section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification. This is published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated July 21, 1996.

Section 6019 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act; Pub. L. 114-94; December 4, 2015; codified at 49 U.S.C. 6503) requires that the Secretary develop a 5-year transportation research and development strategic plan to guide future Federal transportation research and development activities. The FAST Act states that the strategic plan shall ``describe how the plan furthers the primary purpose of the transportation research and development program.

In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a), HHS is updating a department-wide system of records, System No. 09-90-0058, currently titled ``Freedom of Information Case Files and Correspondence Control Log, HHS/OS/ASPA/ FOIA.'' This system of records was established prior to 1979 (see 44 FR 58144) and was previously revised in 1989 and 1994 (see 54 FR 41684 and 59 FR 55845). Due to the length of time since the last revision, the updates published in this Notice affect most sections of the System of Records Notice (SORN). The updates include changing the system name to ``Tracking Records and Case Files for FOIA and Privacy Act Requests and Appeals;'' expanding the scope of the system to include tracking records and case files pertaining to not only FOIA and Privacy Act requests processed in agency FOIA offices, but Privacy Act requests and appeals handled by System Managers for Privacy Act systems and related privacy personnel, when those records are retrieved by personal identifier; adding several new routine uses; and clarifying that some of the records in this system of records may be exempt from certain Privacy Act requirements. The updates are more fully explained in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this Notice.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. 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 information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

This notice is to advise interested parties of a Military Health System (MHS) demonstration project under the authority of Title 10, United States Code, Section 1092, entitled TRICARE Bundled Payment for Lower Extremity Joint Replacement or Reattachment (LEJR) Surgeries that will test bundled payment and quality measurement on an ``episode of care'' basis to encourage hospitals, physicians, and post-acute care providers to work together to improve the quality and coordination of care from the initial hospitalization through recovery. This demonstration is being conducted in compliance with Section 726 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2016. This particular TRICARE demonstration will be based on Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) Model, which will be implemented in 67 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) beginning April 1, 2016. CMS's CJR Model is designed to promote better and more efficient care for beneficiaries undergoing LEJR surgery (DRG 469 (major joint replacement or reattachment of lower extremity with major complications or comorbidities) or 470 (major joint replacement or reattachment of lower extremity without major complications or comorbidities)). Participant hospitals in the CMS model will be held financially accountable for the quality and cost of the entire episode of care, which begins with hospital admission of a beneficiary and ends 90 days post-discharge in order to cover all related costs for the complete recovery period. This ``bundled'' episode includes all related items and services paid under Medicare Part A and Part B for all Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries. The TRICARE demonstration project will test this value-based payment model in the Tampa-St. Petersburg MSA for DRG 470 only (including 90 days of related post-operative care) to assess whether value-driven bundled payment incentives will result in a reduction in the rate of increase in health care spending and improvements in health care quality, patient experience of care, and overall health of TRICARE beneficiaries. All network and non-network hospitals with at least 20 TRICARE admissions for DRG 470 over the three years of Fiscal Year (FY) 2013, 2014, and 2015 shall be required to participate in the demonstration project (excluding admissions for beneficiaries with primary Other Health Insurance (OHI), Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs), and Medicare-TRICARE dual eligible beneficiaries). Once selected for participation, hospitals will remain in the project throughout the duration of this demonstration (regardless of actual TRICARE utilization) unless the Government directs otherwise.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. 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 information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. 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 information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the DFAS announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. 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 information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The Department of Defense is publishing this notice to announce the following Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the Judicial Proceedings since Fiscal Year 2012 Amendments Panel (``the Judicial Proceedings Panel'' or ``the Panel''). The meeting is open to the public.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the DFAS announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. 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 information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The JSC hereby publishes Supplementary Materials accompanying the MCM as amended by Executive Orders 13643, 13669, and 13696. These changes have not been coordinated within the Department of Defense under DoD Directive 5500.1, ``Preparation, Processing and Coordinating Legislation, Executive Orders, Proclamations, Views Letters and Testimony,'' June 15, 2007, and do not constitute the official position of the Department of Defense, the Military Departments, or any other Government agency. These Supplementary Materials have been approved by the JSC and the Acting General Counsel of the Department of Defense.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE) of the Defense Security Service announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. 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 information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is issuing a final rule to extend the exemptions from certain provisions of the Privacy Act to the updated and reissued system of records titled, ``DHS/U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)-007 Border Crossing Information System of Records.'' Specifically, the Department exempts portions of the ``DHS/CBP-007 Border Crossing Information System of Records'' from one or more provisions of the Privacy Act because of criminal, civil, and administrative enforcement requirements.

This notice announces an opportunity to request funding from the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), a Department of Defense (DoD) field activity, for community planning assistance to help communities respond to announced reductions in force structure and personnel. Planning funds are available to assist communities to respond to these cuts on behalf of local workforce, business, and other community impacts. Generally, this assistance is available to help communities to organize and undertake general economic analyses to better understand how the reductions may affect local housing, schools, and businesses, etc. This notice includes proposal submission requirements and instructions, eligibility requirements, and the selection criteria that will be used to evaluate proposals from eligible respondents. OEA grants to a state or local government may result from any proposal submitted under this notice, subject to the availability of appropriations.

The Office of Inspector General proposes to alter a system of records, CIG-16, Defense Case Activity Tracking System (D-CATS) to carry out its responsibilities pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended. The OIG is statutorily directed to conduct and supervise investigations relating to the programs and operations of the Department of Defense, to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of such programs and operations, and to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse in such programs and operations. Accordingly, the records in this system are used in the course of investigating individuals suspected of administrative or criminal misconduct. This system is also used for case management, case tracking, information storage, to respond to requests for information, and to fulfill mandatory reporting requirements. It fulfills these purposes by enabling users to record complaints, allegations of wrongdoing, and requests for assistance; to document inquiries; to store investigative case records; to compile statistical information; to provide prompt, responsive and accurate information regarding the status of ongoing cases; to provide a record of complaint disposition; and to record actions taken and notifications of interested parties and agencies.

The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text of a section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification. This is published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated July 21, 1996.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is issuing a final rule to amend its regulations to exempt portions of newly established system of records titled, ``Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Customs and Border Protection, DHS/CBP-001, Import Information System [IIS] System of Records'' from certain provisions of the Privacy Act. Specifically, the Department exempts portions of the DHS/CBP-001 IIS system of records from one or more provisions of the Privacy Act because of criminal, civil, and administrative enforcement requirements.

The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text of a section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification. This is published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated July 21, 1996.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers Handbook,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Public comments on the ICR are invited.

This proposed rule establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures for the establishment and operation of elected school boards for elementary, middle and high schools operated by the DoD Education Activity in the Continental United States and the Territories, Possessions and Commonwealths. Specific direction is given to facilitate compliance with 10 U.S.C. 2164(d), as implemented by DoD Instruction 1342.25, regarding the election of board members, composition, roles and responsibilities, operating procedures and resolution of conflicts.

This document extends the period for filing written comments until April 12, 2016 on the proposed rulemaking: Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) was published in the Federal Register on February 25, 2016. The Department of Labor (Department) is taking this action in order to provide interested parties additional time to submit comments.

The Department of Commerce (Commerce Department) hereby revises its debt collection regulations as a result of, and to conform to, an amendment made by the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014 (DATA Act). Specifically, the law, as amended by the DATA Act, requires Commerce Department to refer to the Secretary of the Treasury all past due, legally enforceable nontax debt that are over 120 days delinquent, including nontax debt administered by a third party acting as an agent for the Federal Government, for purposes of administrative offset. These revised debt collection regulations also provide updated references to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service as the agency within the Department of the Treasury to which Commerce Department refers delinquent debts to reflect a reorganization made by the Department of the Treasury.

This notice announces a deadline for submitting comments on the draft National Freight Strategic Plan (NFSP) to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to satisfy requirements of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) and the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act). On October 18, 2015, DOT released for public comment a draft NFSP (available at https:// www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/ DRAFT_NFSP_for_Public_Comment_508_10%2015%2015%20v1.pdf). The DOT intends to consider all comments received from the public when updating and finalizing the NFSP to be consistent with the FAST Act requirements.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) revision titled, ``Benefit Rights and Experience Report,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense proposes to add a new system of records, DMDC 23 DoD, entitled ``Investigations and Resolutions Case Management System (IRCMS).'' This system will serve as the Department of Defense's enterprise-wide, web-based tracking and case management application that provides an effective mechanism to manage and track Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaints submitted for investigation.