September 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Division of Transplantation, is soliciting input, feedback, and suggestions from researchers and interested parties within the organ donation and transplant community regarding guidance for a possible grant or contract that focuses on improvements in clinical management of deceased organ donors. Given the continued imbalance between the demand for and supply of deceased donor organs, it is essential that deceased donors be managed appropriately to optimize the number and function of donor organs. It is reasonable to expect that better clinical donor management would improve organ quality, organs transplanted per donor (OTPD), and post- transplant recipient outcomes.

This final rule updates the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) to reflect statutory changes that extended the authority for relocation expenses test programs for Federal employees, made by the passage of Public Law 111-112 on November 30, 2009.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation Regulatory Secretariat, will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning the American Recovery and Reinvestment ActQuarterly Reporting for Prime Contractors. 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.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation Regulatory Secretariat will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-Reporting RequirementsOne-Time Reporting for First-Tier Subcontractors. 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 Technology Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on October 12, 2010, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the CFTC's Washington, DC headquarters.

On September 2, 2010, HUD posted on https://www.Grants.gov its Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for HUD's FY2010 Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program and Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Program. Today's Federal Register publication announces that HUD has posted on https://www.Grants.gov a technical correction that, among other things, corrects Appendix A of the NOFA. Appendix A of the NOFA inadvertently omitted listing three jurisdictions that are eligible to apply for the FY2010 Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration NOFA. As a result, HUD is correcting Appendix A and establishing deadlines for the three affected eligible jurisdictions to submit an application and a waiver request to reduce the statutory match. HUD also posted an incorrect benchmark form for the FY2010 Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration NOFA. As a result, HUD is extending the deadline for the submission of applications for other jurisdictions unaffected by the error in Appendix A. For jurisdictions eligible under the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program NOFA, there is no change to the deadline date for submission and timely receipt. The revised Appendix A and revised benchmark form for the Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Program NOFA can be found and downloaded from https://www.grants.gov, using the CFDA number for that program, 14.905.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission lifts the price cap for all electric transmission customers reassigning transmission capacity based on the Commission's experience to date and a two-year study, released April 15, 2010. The removal of the price cap is intended to help facilitate the development of a market for electric transmission capacity reassignments as a competitive alternative to transmission capacity acquired directly from the transmission owner.

In accordance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 which provides opportunity for public comment on new or revised data collections, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) will publish periodic summaries of proposed data collections. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed information collections are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the RRB's estimate of the burden for the collection of the information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden related to the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. 1. Title and purpose of information collection: Placement Service; OMB 3220-0057: Section 12(i) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA), authorizes the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) to establish, maintain, and operate free employment offices to provide claimants for unemployment benefits with job placement opportunities. Section 704(d) of the Regional Railroad Reorganization Act of 1973, as amended, and as extended by the consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, required the RRB to maintain and distribute a list of railroad job vacancies, by class and craft, based on information furnished by rail carriers to the RRB. Although the requirement under the law expired effective August 13, 1987, the RRB has continued to obtain this information in keeping with its employment service responsibilities under Section 12(k) of the RUIA. Application procedures for the job placement program are prescribed in 20 CFR 325. The procedures pertaining to the RRB's obtaining and distributing job vacancy reports furnished by rail carriers are described in 20 CFR 346.1. The RRB currently utilizes four forms to obtain information needed to carry out its job placement responsibilities. Form ES-2, Supplemental Information for Central Register, is used by the RRB to obtain information needed to update a computerized central register of separated and furloughed railroad employees available for employment in the railroad industry. Form ES-21, Referral to State Employment Service, and ES-21c, Report of State Employment Service Office, are used by the RRB to provide placement assistance for unemployed railroad employees through arrangements with State Employment Service offices. Form UI-35, Field Office Record of Claimant Interview, is used primarily by RRB field office staff to conduct in-person interviews of claimants for unemployment benefits. Completion of these forms is required to obtain or maintain a benefit. In addition, the RRB also collects Railroad Job Vacancies information received voluntarily from railroad employers. No changes are proposed to any of the data collection instruments associated with the information collection.

Section 10331 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, ``Public Reporting of Performance Information'' requires CMS to establish a Physician Compare Web site by January 1, 2011. This notice announces a Town Hall meeting to discuss the Physician Compare Web site. The purpose of this Town Hall meeting is to solicit input from stakeholders on the Physician Compare Web site. The opinions and alternatives provided during this meeting will assist us in future expansion of the Physician Compare Web site. The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to space available.

This rule prescribes special late-season migratory bird hunting regulations for certain tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands, and ceded lands. This rule responds to tribal requests for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we) recognition of their authority to regulate hunting under established guidelines. This rule allows the establishment of season bag limits and, thus, harvest at levels compatible with populations and habitat conditions.

As directed by the National Forest Management Act (NFMA), the USDA Forest Service is preparing the Shoshone National Forest's revised land management plan (forest plan) and an environmental impact statement (EIS) for this revised forest plan. This notice briefly describes the nature of the decision to be made, the need for change and proposed action, and information concerning public participation. It also provides estimated dates for filing the EIS and the name and address of the responsible agency official and the individual who can provide additional information. Finally, this notice briefly describes the applicable planning rule and how plan revision work completed under the 2008 planning rule will be used or modified for completing this plan revision. The revised land management plan will supersede the 1986 forest plan, as amended. The amended plan will remain in effect until the revision takes effect.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is adjusting the fee schedule for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS conducted a comprehensive fee study, refined its cost accounting process, and determined that current fees do not recover the full costs of services provided. DHS has found that adjustment to the fee schedule is necessary to fully recover costs and maintain adequate service. In response to comments, several adjustments were made to the proposed rule published on June 11, 2010. In this final rule, DHS: increases the fees by a weighted average of 10 percent; establishes three new fees covering USCIS costs related to processing the Regional Center Designation under the Immigrant Investor Pilot Program, Civil Surgeon Designation, and DHS Processing of Immigrant Visa requests; and adjusts the premium processing service fee by the percentage increase in inflation according to the Consumer Price IndexUrban Consumers (CPI-U) published as of July 2010. This rule also finalizes the interim rule that established the premium processing service and fees.

NCUA is amending its general lending rule to enable Federal credit unions (FCUs) to offer short-term, small amount loans (STS loans) as a viable alternative to predatory payday loans. The amendment permits FCUs to charge a higher interest rate for an STS loan than is permitted under the general lending rule, but imposes limitations on the permissible term, amount, and fees associated with an STS loan. This final rule also requires an FCU to set a cap on the total dollar amount of STS loans it will make and to set a length of membership requirement of at least one month. Also, any loan under this rule must be fully amortized. The STS loan alternative will assist FCUs in meeting their mission to promote thrift and meet their members' credit needs, particularly the provident needs of members of modest means. Permitting a higher interest rate for STS loans will allow FCUs to make loans cost effective while the limitations will appropriately constrain the product to meeting its purpose as an alternative to predatory credit products. This final rule also includes guidance in the form of ``best practices'' FCUs should consider incorporating into their individual STS programs.

This notice announces the annual adjustment in the amount in controversy (AIC) threshold amounts for Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearings and judicial review under the Medicare appeals process. The adjustment to the AIC threshold amounts will be effective for requests for ALJ hearings and judicial review filed on or after January 1, 2011. The 2011 AIC threshold amounts are $130 for ALJ hearings and $1,300 for judicial review.

This Notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for possible use to assist the homeless.

The Board is publishing final rules amending Regulation Z, which implements the Truth in Lending Act and Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act. The purpose of the final rule is to protect consumers in the mortgage market from unfair or abusive lending practices that can arise from certain loan originator compensation practices, while preserving responsible lending and sustainable homeownership. The final rule prohibits payments to loan originators, which includes mortgage brokers and loan officers, based on the terms or conditions of the transaction other than the amount of credit extended. The final rule further prohibits any person other than the consumer from paying compensation to a loan originator in a transaction where the consumer pays the loan originator directly. The Board is also finalizing the rule that prohibits loan originators from steering consumers to consummate a loan not in their interest based on the fact that the loan originator will receive greater compensation for such loan. The final rules apply to closed-end transactions secured by a dwelling where the creditor receives a loan application on or after April 1, 2011.

The Board is publishing for comment a proposed rule to amend Regulation Z, which implements the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). The proposed rule would implement Section 1461 of the recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Section 1461 amends TILA to provide a separate, higher threshold for determining coverage of the Board's escrow requirement applicable to higher-priced mortgage loans, for loans that exceed the maximum principal balance eligible for sale to Freddie Mac.

The Board is publishing for comment an interim rule amending Regulation Z, which implements the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). The interim rule implements certain requirements of the Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act of 2008, which amended TILA. The amendments and this interim rule require creditors extending consumer credit secured by real property or a dwelling to disclose certain summary information about interest rates and payment changes, in a tabular format, as well as a statement that consumers are not guaranteed to be able to refinance their transactions in the future. The interest rate and payment summary tables replace the payment schedule previously required as part of the TILA disclosure for mortgage transactions. Disclosures for non-mortgage, closed-end consumer credit will continue to include the current payment schedule.