January 10, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Using data from Management Information System annual reports, FRA has determined that the 2004 rail industry random testing positive rate was 0.94 percent for drugs and 0.18 percent for alcohol. Since the industry-wide random drug testing positive rate has remained below 1.0 percent for the last two years, the Federal Railroad Administrator (Administrator) has determined that the minimum annual random drug testing rate for the period January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2006, will remain at 25 percent of covered railroad employees. Since the random alcohol testing violation rate has remained below 0.5 percent for the last two years, the Administrator has determined that the minimum random alcohol testing rate will remain at 10 percent of covered railroad employees for the period January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2006.

EPA is proposing new requirements to reduce exposure to lead hazards created by renovation, repair, and painting activities that disturb lead-based paint. This action supports the attainment of the Federal government's goal of eliminating childhood lead poisoning by 2010. The proposal would establish requirements for training renovators and dust sampling technicians; certifying renovators, dust sampling technicians, and renovation firms; accrediting providers of renovation and dust sampling technician training; and for renovation work practices. These requirements would apply in ``target housing,'' defined in section 401 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) as any housing constructed before 1978, except housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities (unless any child under age 6 resides or is expected to reside in such housing) or any 0-bedroom dwelling. Initially the rule would apply to all renovations for compensation performed in target housing where a child with an increased blood lead level resides, rental target housing built before 1960 and owner- occupied target housing built before 1960, unless, with respect to owner-occupied target housing, the person performing the renovation obtains a statement signed by the owner-occupant that the renovation will occur in the owner's residence and that no child under age 6 resides there. EPA is proposing to phase in the applicability of this proposal to all rental target housing and owner-occupied target housing built in the years 1960 through 1977 where a child under age 6 resides. This proposal is issued under the authority of TSCA section 402(c)(3). EPA is also proposing to allow interested States, Territories, and Indian Tribes the opportunity to apply for and receive authorization to administer and enforce all of the elements of the new renovation provisions.

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau proposes to establish the ``Saddle Rock-Malibu'' viticultural area in Los Angeles County, California. The proposed area consists of approximately 2,090 acres, approximately 5 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean and 32 miles west of downtown Los Angeles. We designate viticultural areas to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase. We invite comments on this proposed addition to our regulations.

The Coast Guard has temporarily changed the drawbridge operation regulations that govern the U.S. 1 Bridge, mile 3.5, across the Housatonic River, at Stratford, Connecticut. This temporary final rule allows the bridge owner to open only one of the two moveable spans for bridge openings at various times from January 9, 2006 through September 1, 2006, to facilitate bridge rehabilitation construction. Full bridge openings will be available at various times during the above time period after a seven-day notice is given by calling the number posted at the bridge.

These special conditions are issued for a Boeing Model 747-400 airplane modified by Lufthansa Technik AG. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with the installation of large non-structural glass items in the cabin area of an executive interior occupied by passengers and crew. The installation of these items in a passenger compartment, which can be occupied during taxi, takeoff, and landing, is a novel or unusual design feature with respect to the material used. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards. Effective Date: January 3, 2006.

This document amends the regulations governing the administration of the Montgomery GI BillSelected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program. The amendments implement provisions in the Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2000 and the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003. The Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2000 contained a provision that changed an eligibility criterion concerning the time for obtaining a high school diploma. The Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 expanded the MGIB-SR eligibility period from 10 years to 14 years for reservists who first become eligible after September 30, 1992.

The Board is amending Regulation E, which implements the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, and the official staff commentary to the regulation codified in Supplement I to Part 205. The commentary interprets the requirements of Regulation E to facilitate compliance primarily by financial institutions that offer electronic fund transfer services to consumers. The revisions address the regulation's coverage of electronic check conversion services. Under the final rule, merchants and other payees that initiate electronic check conversion transactions must obtain a consumer's authorization for each transaction. In addition, commentary revisions address preauthorized transfers, error resolution, and other matters.