January 16, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (``Commission'' or ``CFTC'') is amending Commission regulations to require that notices of exemption or exclusion under Part 4 of the Commission's regulations submitted to National Futures Association (``NFA'') be filed electronically. Under the regulations the Commission is amending, the submission of a notice through NFA's electronic exemption filing system by a person duly authorized to bind the submitter will be permitted in lieu of the manual signature currently required by each of these regulations. In addition, the Commission also is adopting technical amendments that remove the procedure for making filings with the Commission required by Part 4, and revising other sections of Part 4 to refer to filings made with NFA rather than the Commission.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) has established a 21st Century Strategic Plan to transform the Office into a more quality-focused, highly productive, responsive organization supporting a market-driven intellectual property system. One goal of the 21st Century Strategic Plan is the electronic exchange of information and documents between intellectual property offices. Consistent with this goal, the Office is revising the rules of practice to provide for the electronic transfer of certified copies of applications for which priority is claimed under the Paris Convention (priority applications) from other intellectual property offices with which the Office has negotiated priority document exchange agreements. The Office is also revising the rules of practice to permit applicants to request that the Office permit other participating intellectual property offices to electronically retrieve certified copies of United States patent applications without payment of a fee. This electronic exchange of copies of priority documents will benefit applicants by reducing the cost of ordering paper certified copies of priority applications for filing in other participating intellectual property offices, and will benefit participating intellectual property offices by reducing the administrative costs associated with handling paper copies of priority documents and scanning them into their electronic image record management systems.

This notice sets forth the agenda of the forthcoming meeting of the National Museum and Library Services Board. This notice also describes the function of the Board. Notice of the meeting is required under the Sunshine in Government Act.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, we) is publishing proposed recommendations for the reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee program for the process of human drug application review for fiscal years (FY) 2008 to 2012. These proposed recommendations were developed after discussions with regulated industry and consultation with appropriate scientific and academic experts, healthcare professionals, and representatives of patient and consumer advocacy groups. Section 505 of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, enacted June 12, 2002, directs FDA to publish these proposed recommendations in the Federal Register; hold a meeting at which the public may present its views on such recommendations; and provide for a period of 30 days for the public to provide written comments on such recommendations.

NMFS is adjusting the A and B season allowances of pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the current A and B season allowances of pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA are incorrectly specified and to ensure the A and B season catch of pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA does not exceed the appropriate amount, based on the best available scientific information for pollock in the GOA. This action is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.

This is Supplement No. 6 to the Treasury Department Circular 570, 2006 Revision, published June 30, 2006, at 71 FR 37694.

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS or sanctuary) is seeking applicants for the following vacant seats on its Sanctuary Advisory Council (council): At-Large (two seats), Agriculture, Business/Industry, Commercial Fishing, Recreational Fishing, Recreation, Research, and Conservation. Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; philosophy regarding the protection and management of marine resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve 3-year terms, pursuant to the council's Charter.

This notice is published in accordance with Section 9(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (Pub. L. 92-463). Following consultation with the General Services Administration, notice is hereby given that the Secretary of the Interior has established the United States Geological SurveyClimate Change Science Program Committee for Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.4: Abrupt Climate Change. The Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), a consortium of federal agencies performing climate science, has established a synthesis and assessment (S&A) program as a part of its Strategic Plan. There are 21 S&A products to be administered by 13 federal agencies over a 5 year period. The U.S. Geological Survey, a participant in the CCSP, is responsible for 3 S&A products. S&A product 3.4: Abrupt Climate Change is the subject of this federal advisory committee. The primary function of the committee is to synthesize and assess the state fo knowledge on the topic of abrupt climate change and communicate this information to the U.S. Geological Survey. Committee members will meet and discuss issues relating to the study design, research methodology, data sources and quality, and study findings. The committee will draft a report that will serve as the CCSP definitive document on current knowledge pertaining to the topic of abrupt climate change. Membership will consist of federal and non-federal scientists who are recognized as experts in the climate science community.

This notice announces the intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) allow the proposed information collection project: ``Improving Quality of Care in Long Term Care.'' In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection.