2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) establishes a regulatory framework for facilities-based providers of wireline broadband Internet access service. Under this framework, the Commission determines that facilities-based wireline broadband Internet access service is an information service, and that facilities-based providers of the service are no longer required to separate out the transmission component (i.e., transmission in excess of 200 kilobits per second (kbps) in at least one direction) of wireline broadband Internet access services as a stand-alone telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Act), subject to a one-year transition period, during which providers must continue to provide existing wireline broadband Internet access transmission offerings, on a grandfathered basis, to unaffiliated information service providers (ISPs). After the transition period, facilities-based wireline broadband Internet access service providers are permitted to offer broadband Internet access services on a common carrier basis under Title II or on a non-common carrier basis. In addition, the Bell Operating Companies (BOCs) are immediately relieved of all requirements associated with the Commission's Computer Inquiry Orders with respect to wireline broadband Internet access services. The document further concludes that the broadband transmission component of wireline broadband Internet access service is not a telecommunication service under the Act. It also addresses other important areas relating to the provision of broadband Internet access services. Overall, this new regulatory framework encourages the ubiquitous availability of broadband to all Americans by removing outdated regulations, developing consistent regulations across broadband platforms, and encouraging broadband investment and deployment.

This notice advises all interested persons of a public meeting of the President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) gives notice as required by 42 CFR 83.12(e) of a decision to evaluate a petition to designate a class of employees at the Linde Ceramics Plant, Tonawanda, New York, to be included in the Special Exposure Cohort under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000. The initial proposed definition for the class being evaluated, subject to revision as warranted by the evaluation, is as follows:

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the environmental impacts of issuing permits facilitating research on endangered northern right whales. Publication of this notice begins the official scoping process that will help identify alternatives and determine the scope of environmental issues to be addressed in the EIS. This notice requests public participation in the scoping process and provides information on how to participate.

This document corrects an earlier version of this action that was published on October 3, 2005, in which the ACTION statement was omitted. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has submitted a Fishery Management and Evaluation Plan (FMEP) and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has submitted an amendment to an FMEP pursuant to the protective regulations promulgated for Lower Columbia River (LCR) coho salmon under the Endangered Species Act. The FMEPs specify the future management of inland recreational fisheries potentially affecting LCR coho salmon. This document serves to notify the public of the availability of the FMEPs for review and comment before final approval or disapproval is made by NMFS.