June 4, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the extension of a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

The Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) Product Development Committee for Synthesis and Assessment Product 1.3 (CPDC-S&A 1.3) was established by a Decision Memorandum dated November 21, 2006. CPDC-S&A 1.3 is the Federal Advisory Committee charged with responsibility to develop a draft Synthesis and Assessment Product that addresses CCSP Topic 1.3: ``Re-analyses of Historical Climate Data for Key Atmospheric Features: Implications for Attribution of Causes of Observed Change.'' Time and Date: The meeting will be held Monday, June 25, 2007, from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday, June 26, 2007, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Wednesday, June 27, 2007, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. These times and the agenda topics described below are subject to change. Refer to the Web page https://www.climate.noaa.gov/ccsp/13.jsp for the most up-to-date meeting agenda. Place: The meeting will be held at the NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80305, Room GB-124. Status: The meeting will be open to public participation with a 30- minute public comment period on Monday, June 25 from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. (check Web site to confirm this time). The CPDC-S&A 1.3 expects that public statements presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously submitted verbal or written statements. In general, each individual or group making a verbal presentation will be limited to a total time of five (5) minutes. Written comments (at least 35 copies) should be received by the CPDC-S&A 1.3 Designated Federal Official by June 18, 2007 to provide sufficient time for review. Written comments received after June 18 will be distributed to the CPDC-S&A 1.3, but may not be reviewed prior to the meeting date. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Matters To Be Considered: The meeting will include the following topics: (1) Review, recommend and make changes to the reanalysis and attribution chapters of Synthesis and Assessment Product 1.3; and (2) Discussion of plans for completion and submission of the first draft of Synthesis and Assessment Product 1.3.

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning an existing final regulation, PS-97-91 and PS-101-90 (TD 8448), Enhanced Oil Recovery Credit (Section 1.43-3(a)(3) and 1.43-3(b)(3)).

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative.

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning Revenue Procedure 2004-44, Extension of the Amortization Period.

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning Form 8817, Allocation of Patronage and Nonpatronage Income and Deductions.

In 1998 the Internal Revenue Service established the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC). The primary purpose of ETAAC is for industry partners to provide an organized public forum for discussion of electronic tax administration issues in support of the overriding goal that paperless filing should be the preferred and most convenient method of filing tax and information returns. ETAAC offers constructive observations about current or proposed policies, programs, and procedures, and suggests improvements. Listed is a summary of the agenda along with the planned discussion topics.

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning an existing final regulation, REG-246256-96 (TD 8978), Excise Taxes on Excess Benefit Transactions (Sec. 53.4958-6).

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning an existing notice of proposed rulemaking, INTL-941-86; INTL-656-87; and INTL-704-87, Treatment of Shareholders of Certain Passive Foreign Investment Companies (Sec. 1.1291-1, 1.1291-2, 1.1291-3, 1.1291-6, and 1.1291-8).

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning Form 8877, Request for Waiver of Annual Income Recertification Requirement for the Low-Income Housing Credit.

Pursuant to the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2006, Public Law 109-469, section 707(c), the Director, National Drug Control Policy is establishing regulations under which interested coalitions of law enforcement agencies from an area may petition for designation as a high intensity drug trafficking area.

On May 25, 2007, The U.S. Department of Commerce issued an amended Export Trade Certificate of Review to Necole Shannon Global, Inc. (``NSG'').

In the March 1, 2007 Federal Register (72 FR 9311), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission) published a notice in accordance with provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) to announce the agency's intention to seek an extension of approval of information collection requirements in the Standard for the Flammability of Mattresses and Mattress Pads. 16 CFR part 1632. Comments were received from Barbara Lafferty and Clifford Nopp opposing a new standard for the flammability (open flame) of mattress sets under 16 CFR part 1633. Gabe Owens submitted comments stating that part 1632 should be terminated and superseded by the requirements in part 1633. These comments do not pertain to the collection of information requirements under part 1632. These comments should have been submitted in, and similar comments previously were addressed in the rulemaking proceeding promulgating 16 CFR part 1633, which is now codified. Accordingly, the Commission now announces that it is submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for extension of approval of this collection of information. The standard is intended to reduce unreasonable risks of burn injuries and deaths from fires associated with mattresses and mattress pads. The standard prescribes a test to assure that a mattress or mattress pad will resist ignition from a smoldering cigarette. The standard requires manufacturers and importers to perform prototype tests of each combination of materials and construction methods used to produce mattresses or mattress pads and to obtain acceptable results from such testing. Manufacturers and importers are required to maintain the records and test results specified under the standard. OMB previously approved the collection of information under control number 3041-0014. OMB's most recent extension of approval will expire on August 31, 2007. An additional mattress standard was promulgated under section 4 of the Flammable Fabrics Act, 15 U.S.C. 1191-1204, effective July 1, 2007, to reduce deaths and injuries related to mattress fires, particularly those ignited by open flame sources such as lighters, candles and matches. 16 CFR part 1633. That standard established new performance requirements for mattresses and mattress sets that will generate a smaller size fire from open flame source ignitions. Part 1633 also contains recordkeeping requirements to document compliance with the standard. OMB approved that collection of information under Control Number 3041-0133, with an expiration date of June 30, 2009. 71 FR 37910. In May 2006, an Interim Enforcement Policy for Mattresses subject to 16 CFR parts 1632 and 1633, effective May 1, 2006, was issued that reduced prototype surface testing and recordkeeping requirements from six mattress surfaces to two mattress surfaces for each new prototype created after March 15, 2006. That policy is available at https:// www.cpsc.gov/BUSINFO/Interimmattress.pdf. Mattress prototypes created before March 15, 2006, are subject to the full requirements of part 1632. In addition, mattress pads are not subject to this policy and must continue to adhere to all the requirements set forth in part 1632.

In the February 12, 2007 Federal Register (72 FR 6534), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission) published a notice in accordance with provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) to announce the agency's intention to seek an extension of approval of information collection requirements in regulations codified at 16 CFR part 1019, which establish procedures for export of noncomplying products. No comments were received. The Commission now announces that it is submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for extension of approval of that collection of information. These regulations implement provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and the Flammable Fabrics Act that require persons and firms to notify the Commission before exporting any product that fails to comply with an applicable standard or regulation enforced under provisions of those laws. The Commission is required by law to transmit the information relating to the proposed exportation to the government of the country of intended destination. OMB previously approved the collection of information under control number 3041-0003. OMB's most recent extension of approval will expire on August 31, 2007.

NHTSA is having a public meeting to bring together a roundtable of State and local government policymakers, school bus and seat manufacturers, pupil transportation associations, and public interest groups to discuss the issue of seat belts on large school buses. The discussion on how best to provide safety during a crash, by compartmentalization or through the use of seat belts, has been ongoing for many years. This public meeting is an opportunity for an exchange among interested parties, as well as the public, on the safety, policy and economic issues related to the use of seat belts on school buses. The date, time, location, and framework for this public meeting are announced in this notice.

This notice informs the public of the sanitary and phytosanitary standard-setting activities of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), in accordance with section 491 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended, and the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, Public Law 103-465, 108 Stat. 4809. This notice also provides a list of other standard-setting activities of Codex, including commodity standards, guidelines, codes of practice, and revised texts. This notice, which covers the time periods from June 1, 2006, to May 31, 2007, and June 1, 2007, to May 31, 2008, seeks comments on standards under consideration and recommendations for new standards.

On April 20, 2007, the FAA published in the Federal Register a direct final rule entitled Change in Extinguishing Agent Container Requirements. The rule aligned the operational and certification requirements regarding airplane extinguishing agent containers or fire bottles; and it removed an obsolete section reference from part 135. This action withdraws the rule because the FAA received several adverse comments.