Proposed Collection; Comment Request, 44054-44055 [E6-12560]

Download as PDF 44054 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 149 / Thursday, August 3, 2006 / Notices schedule extended discovery or a hearing. Rule 197(c) [39 CFR 3001.197(c)]. Participants intending to object to proceeding under rule 197 [39 CFR 3001.197] shall file supporting written argument, if any, by August 14, 2006. Participants also shall file statements identifying issues that would indicate the need to schedule a hearing by August 14, 2006. The Commission intends to make a decision on these issues shortly after the prehearing conference. Motion for expedition. The Postal Service’s motion for expedition and to show cause is denied. Rule 197(d) [39 CFR 3001.197(d)] already provides for expedited treatment of requests to renew negotiated service agreements. Likewise, rule 197(c) [38 CFR 3001.197(c)] already requires participants to plead whether or not any material issues of fact exist that require discovery or evidentiary hearings at the time of the prehearing conference. Ordering Paragraphs It is ordered: hsrobinson on PROD1PC69 with NOTICES 1. The Commission establishes Docket No. MC20056–6 to consider the Postal Service Request referred to in the body of this order. 2. The Commission will sit en banc in this proceeding. 3. Shelley S. Dreifuss, director of the Commission’s Office of the Consumer Advocate, is designated to represent the interests of the general public. 4. The deadline for filing notices of intervention is August 14, 2006. 5. A prehearing conference will be held August 15, 2006 at 2 p.m. in the Commission’s hearing room. 6. Participants shall file statements identifying issues that would indicate the need to schedule a hearing, or objections to proceeding under rule 197 [39 CFR 3001.197] by August 14, 2006. 7. The Motion of the United States Postal Service for Expedited Issuance of a Recommended Decision, filed July 26, 2006, is denied. 8. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this notice and order in the Federal Register. Issued: July 27, 2006. By the Commission. Steven W. Williams, Secretary. [FR Doc. 06–6653 Filed 8–2–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710–FW–M VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:20 Aug 02, 2006 Jkt 208001 RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD Proposed Collection; Comment Request SUMMARY: 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: Job Information Report, OMB 3220–0193. In July of 1997, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) adopted standards for the adjudication of occupational disabilities under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA). As part of these standards, the RRB requests job information to determine an applicant’s eligibility for an occupational disability. The job information received from the railroad employer and railroad employee is compared, reconciled (if needed), and then used in the occupational disability determination process. The process of obtaining information from railroad employers used to determine an applicant’s eligibility for an occupational disability is outlined in 20 CFR 220.13. To determine an occupational disability, the RRB determines if an employee is precluded from performing the full range of duties of his or her regular railroad occupation. This is accomplished by comparing the restrictions on impairment(s) causes against an employee’s ability to perform his/her normal duties. To collect information needed to determine the effect of a disability on an applicant’s ability to work, the RRB needs the applicant’s work history. The RRB currently utilizes Form G–251, Vocational Report (OMB 3220–0141), to obtain this information from the employee applicant. Note: Form G–251 is provided to all applicants for employee disability annuities and to those applicants for a widow(er)’s PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 disability annuity who indicate that they have been employed at some time. In accordance with the standards, the RRB also requests pertinent job information from employers. The employer is given thirty days from the date of the notice to respond. The responses are not required, but are voluntary. If the job information is received timely, it is compared to the job information provided by the employee. Any material differences are resolved by an RRB disability examiner. Once resolved, the information is compared to the restrictions caused by the medical impairment. If the restrictions prohibit the performance of the regular railroad occupation, the claimant is found occupationally disabled. The RRB uses two forms to secure job information data from the railroad employer. RRB Form G–251a, Employer Job Information (job description), is released to an employer when an application for an occupational disability is filed by an employee whose regular railroad occupation is one of the more common types of railroad jobs (locomotive engineer, conductor, switchman, etc.) It is accompanied by a *generic job description* for that particular railroad job. The generic job descriptions describe how these select occupations are generally performed in the railroad industry. However, not all occupations are performed the same way from railroad to railroad. Thus, the employer is given an opportunity to comment on whether the job description matches the employee’s actual duties. If the employer concludes that the generic job description accurately describes the work performed by the applicant, no further action will be necessary. If the employer determines that the tasks are different, it may provide the RRB with a description of the actual job tasks. The employer has thirty days from the date the form is released to reply. Form G–251b, Employer Job Information (general), is released to an employer when an application for an RRB occupational disability is filed by an employee whose regular railroad occupation does not have a generic job description. It notifies the employer that the employee has filed for a disability annuity and that, if the employer wishes, it may provide the RRB with job duty information. The type of information the RRB is seeking is outlined on the form. The employer has thirty days from the date the form is released to reply. The RRB proposes no changes to Forms G–251a and G–251b. E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM 03AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 149 / Thursday, August 3, 2006 / Notices The completion time for Form G–251a and G–251b is estimated at 20 minutes. Completion is voluntary. The RRB estimates that approximately 125 G– 251a’s and 305 G–251b’s are completed annually. Additional Information Or Comments: To request more information or to obtain a copy of the information collection justification, forms, and/or supporting material, please call the RRB Clearance Officer at (312) 751–3363 or send an e-mail request to Charles.Mierzwa@RRB.GOV. Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611–2092 or send an e-mail to Ronald.Hodapp@RRB.GOV. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice. Charles Mierzwa, Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E6–12560 Filed 8–2–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7905–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–54227; File No. SR–Amex– 2006–65] Self-Regulatory Organizations; American Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto Relating to the Suspension of Transaction Charges for Specialist Orders in the Nasdaq-100 Tracking Stock (QQQQ) July 27, 2006. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that, on July 13, 2006, the American Stock Exchange LLC (‘‘Amex’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by Amex. On July 25, 2006, the Exchange submitted Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change.3 Amex has designated the proposal as one establishing or changing 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 In Amendment No. 1, the Exchange altered the proposed rule text to reflect that the transaction charges have been suspended in the Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock (QQQQ) from July 13, 2006 (rather than July 10, 2006), through August 31, 2006, for specialist orders. The Exchange made corresponding changes to the Purpose section. The Exchange also changed a reference to the annual technology fee in the Purpose section. hsrobinson on PROD1PC69 with NOTICES 2 17 VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:20 Aug 02, 2006 Jkt 208001 a due, fee, or other charge imposed by the Exchange pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 4 and Rule 19b–4(f)(2) thereunder,5 which renders it effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change, as amended, from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend the Amex Exchange Traded Funds and Trust Issued Receipts Fee Schedule (the ‘‘ETF Fee Schedule’’) to suspend transaction charges for specialist orders in connection with the trading of the Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock (Symbol: QQQQ) from July 13, 2006 through August 31, 2006. The text of the proposed rule change is available on Amex’s Web site (https:// www.amex.com), at Amex’s Office of the Secretary, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, Amex included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change, as amended, and discussed any comments it received on the proposal. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Exchange proposes to suspend transaction charges for specialist orders in the QQQQ from July 13, 2006 through August 31, 2006. The previous suspension of specialist transaction charges in the QQQQ terminated on June 30, 2006. Specialist orders currently are charged $0.0034 ($0.34 per 100 shares), capped at $300 per trade (88,235 shares). Effective December 1, 2004, the Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock formerly ‘‘QQQ,’’ transferred its listing from Amex to the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. It now trades on Nasdaq under the symbol QQQQ. After the transfer, Amex 4 15 5 17 PO 00000 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2). Frm 00043 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 44055 began trading QQQQ on an unlisted trading privileges basis. Amex previously suspended the transaction charges of specialist orders in connection with the QQQQ through June 30, 2006.6 The Exchange asserts that the proposed suspension of transaction fees for specialist orders in connection with the QQQQ is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act.7 Specifically, the Exchange believes that the proposal provides for an equitable allocation of reasonable fees among Exchange members largely based on the fact that a specialist has greater obligations than other members and are also subject to other Exchange fees, in addition to transaction fees. In connection with the proposal to suspend or waive transaction fees for specialist orders in the QQQQ, the Exchange notes that specialists are subject to a variety of Exchange fees other than transaction charges. For example, the Exchange imposes floor fees solely on specialists such as a floor clerk fee, a floor facility fee, a post fee, and a registration fee.8 In addition, for those members on the floor of the Exchange, a technology fee and membership fees are also charged by the Exchange.9 Certain market participants, such as customers, non-member brokerdealers and market-makers, and member broker-dealers are not subject to the majority of these fees. In addition, a specialist unit, in order to adequately ‘‘make a market’’ in assigned securities, must be sufficiently staffed 10 and have adequate technology resources to handle the volume of orders (especially in the QQQQ) that are sent to the Exchange. The Exchange believes that these operational costs borne by a specialist further support the Exchange’s proposal to temporarily suspend QQQQ transaction fees on specialist orders. Specialists have certain obligations required by Exchange rules, as well as 6 See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53701 (April 21, 2006), 71 FR 25253 (April 28, 2006). 7 Section 6(b)(4) states that the rules of a national securities exchange must provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its members and issuers and other persons using its facilities. 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4). 8 The floor clerk, floor facility, post, and registration fees, on an annual basis, are $900, $2,400, $1,000 and $800, respectively. 9 A technology fee of $6,000 per year is assessed on all specialists and other floor participants at the Exchange. Annual membership dues of $1,500 must be paid by all members while annual membership fees are payable depending on the type of membership and circumstances. Non-members are not subject to these fees. 10 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53386 (February 28, 2006), 71 FR 11250 (March 6, 2006) (requiring specialists to employ an adequate number of clerks). E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM 03AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 149 (Thursday, August 3, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44054-44055]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-12560]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

SUMMARY: 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: Job Information 
Report, OMB 3220-0193. In July of 1997, the Railroad Retirement Board 
(RRB) adopted standards for the adjudication of occupational 
disabilities under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA). As part of these 
standards, the RRB requests job information to determine an applicant's 
eligibility for an occupational disability. The job information 
received from the railroad employer and railroad employee is compared, 
reconciled (if needed), and then used in the occupational disability 
determination process. The process of obtaining information from 
railroad employers used to determine an applicant's eligibility for an 
occupational disability is outlined in 20 CFR 220.13.
    To determine an occupational disability, the RRB determines if an 
employee is precluded from performing the full range of duties of his 
or her regular railroad occupation. This is accomplished by comparing 
the restrictions on impairment(s) causes against an employee's ability 
to perform his/her normal duties. To collect information needed to 
determine the effect of a disability on an applicant's ability to work, 
the RRB needs the applicant's work history. The RRB currently utilizes 
Form G-251, Vocational Report (OMB 3220-0141), to obtain this 
information from the employee applicant.


    Note: Form G-251 is provided to all applicants for employee 
disability annuities and to those applicants for a widow(er)'s 
disability annuity who indicate that they have been employed at some 
time.


    In accordance with the standards, the RRB also requests pertinent 
job information from employers. The employer is given thirty days from 
the date of the notice to respond. The responses are not required, but 
are voluntary. If the job information is received timely, it is 
compared to the job information provided by the employee. Any material 
differences are resolved by an RRB disability examiner. Once resolved, 
the information is compared to the restrictions caused by the medical 
impairment. If the restrictions prohibit the performance of the regular 
railroad occupation, the claimant is found occupationally disabled.
    The RRB uses two forms to secure job information data from the 
railroad employer. RRB Form G-251a, Employer Job Information (job 
description), is released to an employer when an application for an 
occupational disability is filed by an employee whose regular railroad 
occupation is one of the more common types of railroad jobs (locomotive 
engineer, conductor, switchman, etc.) It is accompanied by a *generic 
job description* for that particular railroad job. The generic job 
descriptions describe how these select occupations are generally 
performed in the railroad industry. However, not all occupations are 
performed the same way from railroad to railroad. Thus, the employer is 
given an opportunity to comment on whether the job description matches 
the employee's actual duties. If the employer concludes that the 
generic job description accurately describes the work performed by the 
applicant, no further action will be necessary. If the employer 
determines that the tasks are different, it may provide the RRB with a 
description of the actual job tasks. The employer has thirty days from 
the date the form is released to reply.
    Form G-251b, Employer Job Information (general), is released to an 
employer when an application for an RRB occupational disability is 
filed by an employee whose regular railroad occupation does not have a 
generic job description. It notifies the employer that the employee has 
filed for a disability annuity and that, if the employer wishes, it may 
provide the RRB with job duty information. The type of information the 
RRB is seeking is outlined on the form. The employer has thirty days 
from the date the form is released to reply.
    The RRB proposes no changes to Forms G-251a and G-251b.

[[Page 44055]]

    The completion time for Form G-251a and G-251b is estimated at 20 
minutes. Completion is voluntary. The RRB estimates that approximately 
125 G-251a's and 305 G-251b's are completed annually.
    Additional Information Or Comments: To request more information or 
to obtain a copy of the information collection justification, forms, 
and/or supporting material, please call the RRB Clearance Officer at 
(312) 751-3363 or send an e-mail request to Charles.Mierzwa@RRB.GOV. 
Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to 
Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, 
Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092 or send an e-mail to 
Ronald.Hodapp@RRB.GOV. Written comments should be received within 60 
days of this notice.

Charles Mierzwa,
Clearance Officer.
 [FR Doc. E6-12560 Filed 8-2-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.