September 12, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Notice is hereby given of the regular meeting of the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation Board (Board). Date and Time: The meeting of the Board will be held at the offices of the Farm Credit Administration in McLean, Virginia, on September 13, 2007, from 10:30 a.m. until such time as the Board concludes its business.

In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, CMS is proposing to establish a new system of records (SOR) titled, ``Performance Measurement and Reporting System (PMRS),'' System No. 09-70-0584. PMRS will serve as a master system of records to assist in projects that provide transparency in health care on a broad-scale enabling consumers to compare the quality and price of health care services so that they can make informed choices among individual physicians, practitioners and providers of services. In cooperation with local or regional public-private collaborative stakeholders; individuals assigned to provider groups; insurance and provider associations; government agencies; employers; accrediting and quality organizations; Chartered Value Exchanges (CVE), data aggregators, and other community leaders who are committed to improving the quality of services, CMS is laying the foundation for pooling and analyzing information about the quality of medical services and performance provided by physicians and health care providers. PMRS will further assist in developing existing strategies to improve health care quality including transparency of cost and/or price information, quality and utilization information; and patient safety for Medicare beneficiaries by collecting and aggregating data, by measuring performance at the individual physician level, and by reporting meaningful information to Medicare beneficiaries in order to make informed choices and improve outcomes. Pursuant to the ``routine use'' promulgated under this system of records notice, CMS or a non-Quality Improvement Organization (non-QIO) contractor would make the individual physician-level performance measurement results available to Medicare beneficiaries by posting it on a public Web site and by various other methods of data dissemination. If local Web sites are used by a local or regional collaborative, CMS would have links to these Web sites on its main Web site. This information would be made available for the purpose of, and in a manner that would promote more informed choices by Medicare beneficiaries among their Medicare coverage options (i.e., the Medicare Advantage, local or regional plans offered in their area, and original fee-for-service Medicare). The routine uses established with this system contain a proper explanation as to the need for the disclosure provisions and provide clarity to CMS's intention to disclose individual-specific information contained in this system. The primary purpose of this system is to support the collection, maintenance, and processing of information promoting the effective, efficient, and economical delivery of health care services, and promoting the quality of services of the type for which payment may be made under title XVIII by allowing for the establishment and implementation of performance measures, and the provision of feedback to physicians. Information in this system will also be disclosed to: (1) Support regulatory, reimbursement, and policy functions performed for the Agency or by a contractor, consultant, or a CMS grantee; (2) assist another Federal and/or state agency, agency of a state government, or an agency established by state law; (3) promote more informed choices by Medicare beneficiaries among their Medicare group options by making physician performance measurement information available to Medicare beneficiaries through a Web site and other forms of data dissemination; (4) provide CVEs and data aggregators with information that will assist in generating single or multi-payer performance measurement results to promote transparency in health care to members of their community; (5) assist individual physicians, practitioners, providers of services, suppliers, laboratories, and others health care professionals who are participating in health care transparency projects; (6) assist individuals or organizations with projects that provide transparency in health care on a broad-scale enabling consumers to compare the quality and price of health care services; or for research, evaluation, and epidemiological projects related to the prevention of disease or disability; restoration or maintenance of health or for payment purposes; (7) assist Quality Improvement Organizations; (8) support litigation involving the agency; and (9) combat fraud, waste, and abuse in certain health benefits programs. We have provided background information about this new system in the ``Supplementary Information'' section below. Although the Privacy Act requires only that CMS provide an opportunity for interested persons to comment on the proposed routine uses, CMS invites comments on all portions of this notice. See ``Effective Dates'' section for comment period.

The proposed information collection requirement described below has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal. Mortgagees who elect to assign multifamily property to HUD complete form HUD-2537, Mortgagee's Application for Partial Settlement, Multifamily Mortgage. HUD uses the information to process a partial claim payment within 24 to 48 hours after assignment or conveyance.

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection: Worker InformationTerms and Conditions of Employment (WH-516 English and WH-516 Espanol). A copy of the information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this Notice.

We are quarantining parts of Bingham and Bonneville Counties, ID, due to the discovery of the potato cyst nematode there and establishing restrictions on the interstate movement of regulated articles from the quarantined area. This action is necessary on an emergency basis to prevent the spread of the potato cyst nematode to noninfested areas of the United States.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: To prevent the cockpit door windows separating from their frames, * * * We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

This proposed rule would update HUD's environmental regulations to implement statutory changes and make environmental compliance easier. The rule would consider the use of electronic communication for certain records and submissions. The rule would also make other changes to clarify HUD's environmental regulations and provide conforming amendments.

EPA is proposing to approve revisions to the North Carolina State Implementation Plan (SIP). On February 16, 2005, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources submitted revisions to the Mecklenburg County Air Pollution Control Ordinance (MCAPCO), to be incorporated into the Mecklenburg County portion of the North Carolina SIP. The revisions include changes to MCAPCO 2.0902, ``Applicability,'' and 2.0933, ``Petroleum Liquid Storage in External Floating Roof Tanks.'' These changes were made to maintain consistency with State and federal regulations, and are part of Mecklenburg County's strategy to attain and maintain the 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard, by reducing precursors to ozone. In the Final Rules Section of this Federal Register, the EPA is approving North Carolina's SIP revision as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If adverse comments are received in response to this rule, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this document. Any parties interested in commenting on this document should do so at this time.

This document contains an interim final rule that amends Interpretive Bulletin 95-1 to limit the application of the Bulletin to the selection of annuity providers for defined benefit plans. This interim final rule implements section 625 of the Pension Protection Act of 2006. Also appearing in today's Federal Register is a proposed regulation, entitled ``Selection of Annuity Providers for Individual Account Plans'', which, in the form of a safe harbor, provides guidance concerning the fiduciary considerations attendant to the selection of annuity providers and contracts for purposes of benefit distributions from individual account plans. The amendment to Interpretive Bulletin 95-1, as well as the proposed safe harbor for annuity selections, will affect plan sponsors and fiduciaries of individual account plans, and the participants and beneficiaries covered by such plans.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the Sunshine in the Government Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102-3.150, The Defense Task Force on Sexual Assault in the Military Services published a document in the Federal Register of August 14, 2007 concerning the Place of Meeting, Date, Time and Purpose of the Meeting. Due to scheduling changes beyond the control of the Task Force the schedule for the Task Force's September 19, 2007 administrative working meeting must be changed. Since these changes were subsequent to the Task Force publishing its meeting notice in the Federal Register, the Committee Management Officer for the Department of Defense, pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.150(b), waives the 15-calendar day notification requirement. The purpose for the administrative working meeting remains unchanged and, pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.160(b), the meeting is closed to the public.

This rule revises the requirements for interhandler transfers of almonds under the administrative rules and regulations of the California almond marketing order (order). The order regulates the handling of almonds grown in California and is administered locally by the Almond Board of California (Board). This rule requires handlers who transfer almonds to other handlers to report to the Board whether or not the almonds were treated to achieve a 4-log reduction in Salmonella bacteria (Salmonella). This action will help the Board track treated and untreated almonds and facilitate administration of its mandatory Salmonella treatment program.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has submitted a request for a new information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval.

The Defense Science Board Task Force on Integrating Sensor- Collected Intelligence will meet in closed session on September 25-26, 2007; at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), 4001 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA. The briefing will contain proprietary material and ensuing discussions will be at the collateral secret level. The mission of the Defense Science Board is to advise the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics on scientific and technical matters as they affect the perceived needs of the Department of Defense. At the meeting, the Defense Science Board Task Force will: Assess the sufficiency of support for U.S. military forces by current and planned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems. The task force's findings and recommendations, pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.140 through 102-3.165, will be presented and discussed by the membership of the Defense Science Board prior to being presented to the Government's decision maker. Pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.120 and 102- 3.150, the Designated Federal Office for the Defense Science Board will determine and announce the Federal Register when the findings and recommendations of the September 25-26, 2007 meeting are deliberated by the Defense Science Board. Interested persons may submit a written statement for consideration by the Defense Science Board. Individuals submitting a written statement must submit their statement to the Designated Federal Official at the address detailed below, at any point, however, if a written statement is not received at least 10 calendar days prior to the meeting, which is the subject of this notice, then it may not be provided to or considered by the Defense Science Board. The Designated Federal Official will review all timely submissions with the Defense Science Board Chairperson, and ensure they are provided to members of the Defense Science Board before the meeting that is the subject of this notice.

The Defense Science Board Task Force on Integrating Sensor- Collected Intelligence will meet in closed session on December 3-4, 2007 at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), 4001 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA. The briefing will contain proprietary material and ensuing discussions will be at the collateral secret level. The mission of the Defense Science Board is to advise the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics on scientific and technical matters as they affect the perceived needs of the Department of Defense. At the meeting, the Defense Science Board Task Force will: Assess the sufficiency of support for U.S. military forces by current and planned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems. The task force's findings and recommendations, pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.140 through 102-3.165, will be presented and discussed by the membership of the Defense Science Board prior to being presented to the Government's decision maker. Pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.120 and 102- 3.150, the Designated Federal Officer for the Defense Science Board will determine and announce in the Federal Register when the findings and recommendations of the December 3-4, 2007 meeting are deliberated by the Defense Science Board. Interested persons may submit a written statement for consideration by the Defense Science Board. Individuals submitting a written statement must submit their statement to the Designated Federal Official at the address detailed below, at any point, however, if a written statement is not received at least 10 calendar days prior to the meeting that is the subject of this notice, then it may not be provided to or considered by the Defense Science Board. The Designated Federal Official will review all timely submissions with the Defense Science Board Chairperson, and ensure they are provided to members of the Defense Science Board before the meeting that is the subject of this notice.

Colville National Forest's Resource Advisory Committee has scheduled a meeting to occur in Colville, Washington. The purpose of the meeting is to provide recommendations for Title II projects to be funded by the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, more commonly known as Payments to Counties, in Fiscal Year 2008.