July 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announces a meeting of the Planetary Protection Subcommittee of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC). This Subcommittee reports to the Science Committee of the NAC. The Meeting will be held for the purpose of soliciting from the scientific community and other persons scientific and technical information relevant to program planning.

OSHA solicits comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the Information Collection requirement contained in the Welding, Cutting and Brazing Standard (29 CFR 1910.255(e)). The information collected is used by employers and employees whenever welding, cutting and brazing are performed. The purpose of the information is to ensure that employers evaluate hazards associated with welding and ensure that adequate measures are taken to make the process safe.

The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS, (Assistant Administrator) has renewed the affirmative finding for the Government of Mexico under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This affirmative finding will allow yellowfin tuna harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean(ETP) in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program (IDCP) by Mexican-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under Mexican jurisdiction to be imported into the United States. The affirmative finding was based on review of documentary evidence submitted by the Government of Mexico and obtained from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and the U.S. Department of State.

This document proposes to amend the beneficiary travel regulations of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that provide a mechanism for payment of travel expenses within the United States under 38 U.S.C. 111 to help veterans and other persons obtain care and services from VA's Veterans Health Administration (VHA). We propose to revise the regulations to more fully implement the statutory provisions governing such payments.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is issuing final regulations concerning the procedures used to collect debts that are owed to the NLRB. These final regulations conform to the legislative changes enacted in the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA) and the amended procedures presented in the Federal Claims Collection Standards (FCCS) issued by the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). This final action is intended to improve the NLRB's collection of debts owed to the United States.

NMFS is prohibiting retention of Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring that Pacific ocean perch in this area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species and discarded at sea with a minimum of injury. This action is necessary because the 2007 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in this area has been reached.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning Subcontractor Payments. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 72 FR 19187, April 17, 2007. No comments were received. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The Department of the Navy is amending a system of records notice in its existing inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

The U.S. Marine Corps is deleting three systems of records notices from its inventory of records systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a).

The U.S. Marine Corps is deleting a system of records notice from its inventory of records systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a).

The Fresno County Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Prather, California. The purpose of the meeting is to receive and review recommend project proposals for FY2007 funds regarding the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- Determination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-393) for expenditure of Payments to States Fresno County Title II funds.

In accordance with Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)), as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500- 1508), the Department of the Navy (DON), and Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCBQ) announces the availability of the DEIS, which evaluates the environmental effects of development of the Westside of MCBQ to accommodate approximately 3,000 personnel directed to MCBQ by the 2005 BRAC law, and potential development within the Westside to accommodate up to 2,000 additional personnel, or 5,000 personnel total including BRAC, to support other Marine Corps requirements.

Section 6034 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 established the Medicaid Integrity Program to promote the integrity of the Medicaid program by authorizing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to enter into contracts with contractors that will review the actions of individuals or entities furnishing items or services (whether fee-for-service, risk, or other basis) for which payment may be made under an approved State plan and/or any waiver of the plan approved under section 1115 of the Social Security Act; audit claims for payment of items or services furnished, or administrative services furnished, under a State plan; identify overpayments of individuals or entities receiving Federal funds; and educate providers of services, managed care entities, beneficiaries, and other individuals with respect to payment integrity and quality of care. This proposed rule would set forth limitations on a contractor's liability while performing these services under the Medicaid Integrity Program. This proposed rule would provide for limitation of a contractor's liability for actions taken to carry out a contract under the Medicaid Integrity Program. The proposed rule would, to the extent possible, employ the same or comparable standards and other substantive and procedural provisions as are contained in section 1157 (Limitation on Liability) of the Social Security Act.

We correct two column headings for the Education Savings and Asset Protection Allowance tables in the notice published on June 1, 2007 (72 FR 30570).

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-52-88 (TD 8455), Election to Expense Certain Depreciable Business Assets. (Sec. Sec. 1.179-2, 1.179-3).

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, EE-43-92 (TD 8619), Direct Rollovers and 20- Percent Withholding Upon Eligible Rollover Distributions From Qualified Plans (Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(31)-1, 1.402(c)-2, 1.402(f)-1, 1.403(b)-2, and 31.3405(c)-1.

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 2006-XX, Section 45H Certification.

This document grants in full the Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.'s, (MBUSA) petition for exemption of the C-Line Chassis vehicle line in accordance with 49 CFR part 543, Exemption from the Theft Prevention Standard. This petition is granted because the agency has determined that the antitheft device to be placed on the line as standard equipment is likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the parts-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard (49 CFR part 541).

An open meeting of the Taxpayer Assistance Center Committee of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel will be conducted (via teleconference). The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) is soliciting public comments, ideas, and suggestions on improving customer service at the Internal Revenue Service.