2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are proposing to amend the regulations regarding the interstate movement of livestock to require approved livestock facilities and listed slaughtering and rendering establishments to maintain certain records for 5 years. Currently, approved livestock facilities are required to retain certain records for 2 years, and there are no record retention provisions that apply to listed slaughtering and rendering establishments. Requiring the retention of certain records for 5 years would allow us to trace the prior movements of diseased livestock further into the past than is currently possible, thus providing the opportunity to locate potentially infected or exposed livestock that might otherwise remain unidentified. We are also proposing to require the operators of slaughtering and rendering establishments to sign listing agreements to document their agreement to comply with the requirements of the regulations for listed slaughtering and rendering establishments. Such agreements are currently required for approved livestock facilities, but not for slaughtering and rendering facilities. The proposed change would eliminate that inconsistency.

This document proposes to rescind Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 219, ``Windshield zone intrusion.'' This proposed action results from NHTSA's periodic review of its regulations to determine whether a continuing safety need exists for the standard under review. NHTSA tentatively concludes that the windshield zone intrusion standard is no longer necessary because other FMVSSs are now in place to meet the safety need that the standard had addressed.

In 1997, Illinois adopted and submitted rules establishing a cap and trade program regulating emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC). The program, known as the Emission Reduction Market System (ERMS), was designed to address VOC sources in the Chicago area with potential to emit at least 25 tons per year. Then, in 2004, the Chicago ozone nonattainment area was in effect reclassified from severe to moderate, which according to EPA guidance revised the applicable definition of major sources from 25 tons per year to 100 tons per year. This ``reclassification'' could have resulted in the program no longer including sources with potential to emit more than 25 but less than 100 tons per year. Instead, Illinois adopted rule revisions, submitted to EPA on January 10, 2007, which required that these sources remain part of the program. Illinois' rule revisions also addressed other potential ramifications of the ``reclassification.'' EPA is approving these rule revisions.

The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) has established an advisory committee to make recommendations on issues related to the effectiveness of emergency alarm systems for individuals with hearing loss or deafness on passenger vessels. The advisory committee recommendations will assist the Access Board in developing accessibility guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act for passenger vessels. This notice announces the dates, time, and location of the next committee meeting.

This proposed rule would address proposed changes to Medicare Part B payment policy. We are proposing these changes to ensure that our payment systems are updated to reflect changes in medical practice and the relative value of services. This proposed rule also discusses refinements to resource-based practice expense (PE) relative value units (RVUs); geographic practice cost indices (GPCI) changes; malpractice RVUs; requests for additions to the list of telehealth services; several coding issues; payment for covered outpatient drugs and biologicals; the competitive acquisition program (CAP); application of health professional shortage area (HPSA) bonus payments; payment for renal dialysis services; performance standards for mobile independent diagnostic testing facilities; and physician and nonphysician practitioners furnishing diagnostic testing services; a solicitation for comments regarding the use of the Federal Payment Levy Program to recover delinquent Federal tax debts; a proposed amendment to the exemption for computer-generated facsimile transmissions from the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) SCRIPT standard for transmitting prescription and certain prescription-related information for Part D covered drugs prescribed for Part D eligible individuals; conforming and clarifying changes for comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities (CORFs); revisions for rehabilitation agencies; therapy-related technical corrections; the physician quality reporting initiative; physician self-referral issues and anti-markup; beneficiary signature for nonemergency ambulance transport; the chiropractic services demonstration; educational requirements for nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists; qualifications of portable x-ray supplier personnel; the expiration of provisions of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007; bonus payments for long ambulance transports; the annual update for clinical laboratory fees under the clinical laboratory fee schedule; physician certification/recertification for home health services; a prohibition concerning providers of sleep tests; organ retrieval; a revision to the ``Appeals of CMS or CMS contractor Determinations When a Provider or Supplier Fails to Meet the Requirements for Medicare Billing Privileges'' final rule; and, potentially misvalued services under the physician fee schedule.

This action establishes Class E5 airspace at Plains, TX. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using new RNAV Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Yoakum County Airport, Plains, TX. This action will enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft operations at Yoakum County Airport.

The staff approves the withdrawal of three petitions for rulemaking filed by Charles Crawford and a counterproposal filed by Munbilla Broadcasting Properties, Ltd. in this consolidated FM allotment proceeding. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

Due to a request from the Gulf of Mexico shrimp industry, and based on new information collected through a NMFS-funded cooperative research proposal, NMFS is reopening the comment period on the proposed rule that would revise the list of allowable bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) certified for use in the shrimp fishery of the Gulf of Mexico. Reopening the comment period would allow interested constituents adequate time to prepare comments based on the new information regarding the performance of BRDs. NMFS is reopening the comment period for the proposed rule on July 7, 2008 and it will remain open through August 6, 2008. The proposed rule is intended to improve bycatch reduction in the shrimp fishery and better meet the requirements of national standard 9.

The U.S. Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone in the Thea Foss Waterway, Tacoma, Washington during a reception at the Museum of Glass. This security zone is necessary to ensure the safety of dignitaries while attending the reception. Entry into, transit through, mooring, or anchoring within this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Puget Sound or his designated representatives.

This final rule amends the regulations governing the renewal of Atlantic tunas longline limited access permits (LAPs), and amends the workshop attendance requirements for businesses issued Atlantic shark dealer permits. Specifically, these regulatory changes allow for the renewal of Atlantic tunas longline LAPs that have been expired for more than one year by the most recent permit holder of record, provided that the applicant has been issued a swordfish LAP (other than a handgear LAP) and a shark LAP, and all other requirements for permit renewal are met. Also, this rule amends the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop requirements by: specifying that a workshop certificate be submitted upon permit renewal, and later possessed and available for inspection, for each place of business listed on the dealer permit which first receives Atlantic sharks by way of purchase, barter, or trade (rather than for each location listed on their dealer permit); and requiring that extensions of a dealer's business, such as trucks or other conveyances, must possess a copy of a valid dealer or proxy certificate issued to a place of business listed on the dealer permit.

NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 30A to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule establishes accountability measures for the commercial and recreational fisheries for greater amberjack and gray triggerfish, establishes commercial quotas for greater amberjack and gray triggerfish, establishes a recreational quota for greater amberjack and recreational catch limits for gray triggerfish, increases the commercial and recreational minimum size limit for gray triggerfish, increases the recreational minimum size limit for greater amberjack, and reduces the greater amberjack bag limit to zero for captain and crew of a vessel operating as a charter vessel or headboat. In addition, Amendment 30A establishes management targets and thresholds for gray triggerfish consistent with the requirements of the Sustainable Fisheries Act. This final rule is intended to end overfishing of greater amberjack and gray triggerfish and to rebuild these stocks to sustainable levels.

On June 6, 2008, the Department of Energy (DOE) published a notice of public meeting and availability of the Framework Document to the Federal Register (73 FR 32243) to announce to the public that DOE was beginning its rulemaking activities for residential central air conditioners and heat pumps. The notice of availability of the Framework document announced the closing date for receiving public comments would be July 7, 2008. Meeting attendees collectively requested that the comment period be extended to allow additional time to understand the document and prepare written comments. The Department agrees to this extension of the comment period and will extend the close of the comment period to 4:30 p.m. (EDT) July 31, 2008. The Department does not foresee that this extension will affect the publication due dates for any subsequent documentation associated with this rule or any associated public meetings. The Framework document is written to inform stakeholders and to facilitate explanation of DOE's rulemaking process. It details the analytical approach and identifies several issues on which DOE is particularly interested in receiving comment. The Department of Energy is initiating the rulemaking and data collection process to consider establishing amended energy conservation standards for residential central air conditioners and heat pumps. DOE welcomes written comments from the public on this rulemaking. A copy of the Framework Document is available at: https://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_ standards/residential/central_ac_hp.html.

PHMSA is concerned that current requirements may not adequately address the risks associated with the storage of explosives while they are in transportation. On November 16, 2005, we published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to solicit comments concerning measures to reduce those risks. The comment period closed February 14, 2006. To ensure that our stakeholders are fully aware of the risks we are addressing and given sufficient opportunity to comment, this ANPRM re-opens the comment period, summarizes the comments already in the docket, and announces a public meeting.

This action establishes a low altitude Area Navigation (RNAV) route, designated T-274 in the State of Oregon. T-routes are low altitude Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes, based on RNAV, for use by aircraft having instrument flight rules (IFR)-approved Global Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment. The FAA is taking this action to enhance safety and improve the efficient use of the navigable airspace in Oregon.

This proposed rule would amend regulations for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). The changes are intended to improve program service, ensure consistency between FDPIR and the Food Stamp Program, and respond to concerns expressed by the National Association of Food Distribution Programs on Indian Reservations (NAFDPIR) that the current FDPIR resource limit was insufficient for the target population and served as a barrier to participation. The proposed rule would increase the maximum level of allowable resources to the same level permitted under the Food Stamp Program (including annual adjustments for inflation in accordance with Section 4104 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-234)), allow a resource exclusion for the first $1,500 of the value of one pre-paid funeral arrangement per household member, and allow households in which all members are elderly and/or disabled to be certified for up to 24 months. The rule would also implement Section 4107 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-171), which established a resource limit of $3,000 for Food Stamp Program households with a disabled member.

In the Rules and Regulations section of this issue of the Federal Register, the IRS is issuing temporary regulations relating to the subpart F treatment of aircraft and vessel leasing income under sections 954 and 956 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) and the transfer of tangible property incorporated in aircraft and vessels that are used predominantly outside the United States under section 367 of the Code. The regulations reflect statutory changes made by section 415 of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (AJCA). In general, the regulations will affect United States shareholders of controlled foreign corporations that derive income from the leasing of aircraft or vessels in foreign commerce and that transfer property subject to these leases to a foreign corporation. The text of those temporary regulations also serves as the text of these proposed regulations.

EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and oxides of sulfur (SOX) emissions from facilities emitting 4 tons or more per year of NOX or SOX in the year 1990 or any subsequent year under the SCAQMD's Regional Clean Air Incentives Market (RECLAIM) program. We are approving local rules that regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act).

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on Lake Ontario, Olcott, NY. This zone is intended to restrict vessels from a portion of Lake Ontario during the July 3, 2008 Olcott, NY fireworks display. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

This document contains final and temporary regulations that provide rules relating to the disclosure and use of tax return information by tax return preparers. These regulations provide updated guidance regarding the disclosure of a taxpayer's social security number to a tax return preparer located outside of the United States. The text of these regulations also serves as the text of the proposed regulations set forth in the notice of proposed rulemaking on this subject in the Proposed Rules section in this issue of the Federal Register.

This document contains final regulations relating to a claim that a child is a dependent by parents who are divorced, legally separated under a decree of separate maintenance, or separated under a written separation agreement, or who live apart at all times during the last 6 months of the calendar year. The regulations reflect amendments under the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004 (WFTRA) and the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005.

The U.S. Coast Guard is establishing a 100 yard temporary security zone surrounding the USCGC EAGLE during a reception while anchored in Elliott Bay, Seattle, Washington. This security zone is necessary to ensure the safety of dignitaries embarked on USCGC EAGLE for the reception. Entry into, transit through, mooring, or anchoring within this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Puget Sound or his designated representatives.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Lake Union, Seattle, WA Safety Zone in Lake Union from 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4th, 2008. This action is necessary to ensure the safety of participants and spectators during the Lake Union, Seattle, WA (Ivar's Fireworks Show). During the enforcement period, entry into the Safety Zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Puget Sound, Seattle, WA. The Captain of the Port may establish transit lanes along the east and west shorelines of Lake Union and may allow boaters to transit north and south through the safety zone in these lanes. If established, these transit lanes will remain open until 10 p.m. and then be closed until the end of the fireworks display.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the Amtrak Bridge, mile 3.0, across the Thames River at New London, Connecticut. While this temporary deviation is in effect, the bridge may remain in the closed position for three days and operate on a temporary operating schedule for nine days.

We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the Asian longhorned beetle regulations by expanding the boundaries of the quarantined areas in New York and restricting the interstate movement of regulated articles from these areas. The interim rule was necessary to prevent the artificial spread of the Asian longhorned beetle to noninfested areas of the United States.