December 13, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Labor (DOL or Department) is issuing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to update the regulations that implement the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937. 29 U.S.C. 50. On February 18, 1977, the Department promulgated 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 29 to establish, for certain Federal purposes, labor standards, policies and procedures for the registration, cancellation and deregistration of apprenticeship programs, and apprenticeship agreements. Part 29 also provided for the recognition of a State Apprenticeship Agency as an agency authorized to register local apprenticeship programs for Federal purposes, and for the revocation of such recognition. In the succeeding 30 years, the American economy and workforce have changed significantly. The proposed rule addresses those changes by both making the procedures for apprenticeship program registration more flexible and by strengthening oversight of program performance. The proposed rule also updates part 29 to incorporate gender neutral terms and technological advances in the delivery of related technical instruction. Such revisions will enable DOL to promote apprenticeship opportunity in the 21st century while continuing to safeguard the welfare of apprentices.

We are amending the gypsy moth regulations by making editorial and nonsubstantive changes to several terms and providing necessary updates throughout the regulations. These actions will improve the clarity and consistency of the regulations while continuing to provide protection against the artificial spread of gypsy moth into noninfested areas of the United States.

EPA is proposing to disapprove the State Plan submitted by Nevada on November 15, 2006. The plan is intended to address the requirements of EPA's Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR), promulgated on May 18, 2005 and subsequently revised on June 9, 2006. EPA is proposing to determine that the submitted Nevada State Plan does not meet certain CAMR requirements and, therefore, must be disapproved. CAMR requires States to regulate emissions of mercury (Hg) from large coal-fired electric generating units (EGUs). CAMR establishes State budgets for annual EGU Hg emissions and requires States to submit State Plans that ensure that annual in-state EGU Hg emissions will not exceed the applicable State budget. States have the flexibility to choose which control measures to adopt to achieve the budgets, including participating in the EPA-administered CAMR cap-and-trade program. In the State Plan that EPA is proposing to disapprove, Nevada has chosen to meet CAMR requirements by participating in the EPA- administered CAMR cap-and-trade program addressing Hg emissions. However, Nevada's plan does not meet the mandatory timing requirements for allowance allocations, and differs substantively from certain required provisions of EPA's model rule (including the provision requiring unrestricted allowance transfer and trading).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the animal drug regulations to reflect approval of a supplemental new animal drug application (NADA) filed by Elanco Animal Health. The supplemental NADA provides for an increased level of monensin in three-way combination Type C medicated feeds containing ractopamine, melengestrol, and monensin for heifers fed in confinement for slaughter.

This final rule relaxes regulatory requirements governing public awareness programs conducted by operators of master meter systems and certain operators of petroleum gas systems. These operators typically manage property and incidentally provide gas service to customers located on the property. The change provides a less burdensome means for these operators to satisfy public awareness needs.

This final rule establishes certain planning and performance standards for utilization of grant funds allocated to Empowerment Zones, including planning and performance standards for benefit levels and economic development activities. The standards are designed to ensure that activities undertaken with HUD Empowerment Zone grant funds are consistent with the strategic plans of the Empowerment Zones. This final rule follows publication of a proposed rule, takes into consideration the public comments received on the proposed rule, and makes certain changes in response to public comment.

Currently, Globalstar, Inc. (Globalstar) and Iridium Satellite LLC (Iridium) are the two operational providers of Mobile-Satellite Service (MSS) in the 1610-1626.5 MHz band (Big LEO L-band). By this decision, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) revises the spectrum sharing plan between the two systems. Specifically, the Commission assigns Globalstar exclusive access to the 1610-1617.775 MHz segment of the L-band, assigns Iridium exclusive access to the 1618.725-1626.5 MHz segment, and assigns for sharing between the two MSS providers a small segment of the L-band, at 1617.775-1618.725 MHz.

This document contains a proposed regulation under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) that, upon adoption, would require that contracts and arrangements between employee benefit plans and certain providers of services to such plans include provisions that will ensure the disclosure of information to assist plan fiduciaries in assessing the reasonableness of the compensation or fees paid for services that are rendered to the plan and the potential for conflicts of interest that may affect a service provider's performance of services. The proposed regulation will redefine what constitutes a ``reasonable contract or arrangement'' for purposes of the statutory exemption from certain prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA. The regulation, upon adoption, will affect employee benefit plan sponsors and fiduciaries and the service providers to such plans.

The EPA is approving a revision to the Illinois State Implementation Plan (SIP) to incorporate site-specific Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) regulations for the Corrosion Inhibiting (CI) packaging production facility of Cromwell-Phoenix, Incorporated (Cromwell- Phoenix) located in Alsip, Illinois (Cook County). The EPA is approving an adjusted standard from Illinois' paper coating regulations for Cromwell-Phoenix's CI packaging production facility.

This rule amends Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of changes in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding of new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

The OCC, Board, FDIC, OTS, NCUA, and FTC (Agencies) are publishing for comment proposed regulations and guidelines to implement the accuracy and integrity provisions in section 312 of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACT Act).\1\ The proposed regulations and guidelines would implement the requirement that the Agencies issue guidelines for use by furnishers regarding the accuracy and integrity of the information about consumers that they furnish to consumer reporting agencies and prescribe regulations requiring furnishers to establish reasonable policies and procedures for implementing the guidelines. The Agencies also are publishing for comment proposed regulations to implement the direct dispute provisions in section 312. The proposed regulations would implement the requirement that the Agencies issue regulations identifying the circumstances under which a furnisher must reinvestigate disputes about the accuracy of information contained in a consumer report based on a direct request from a consumer.

This action establishes Class D, E2 and E4 airspace at Easton, MD to provide adequate airspace that will support the new Air Traffic Control Tower constructed at Easton Airport/Newnam Field. Increased safety and airspace management is enhanced through this rule by providing controlled airspace for Instrument Approaches and Instrument and Visual Flight Rule operations. This action also amends Class E5 airspace at Easton, MD by imparting a technical correction to the airport's name.

This action establishes additional Class E Airspace at Honesdale, PA. The existing controlled airspace does not adequately support a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Special Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) that has been developed for medical flight operations. This action will enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations by providing the required controlled airspace to protect for this approach around Honesdale, PA.