December 29, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Delegations of Authority
Document Number: 2010-32952
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Technical Service Provider Assistance
Document Number: 2010-32945
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Disclosure of Cochineal Extract and Carmine in the Labeling of Wines, Distilled Spirits, and Malt Beverages; Comment Period Extension
Document Number: 2010-32877
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Department of Treasury, Department of the Treasury
In response to a request from a national trade association, TTB is extending for an additional 60 days the comment period prescribed in Notice No. 111, Disclosure of Cochineal Extract and Carmine in the Labeling of Wines, Distilled Spirits, and Malt Beverages, a notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal Register on November 3, 2010.
Use of Various Winemaking Terms on Wine Labels and in Advertisements; Comment Period Extension
Document Number: 2010-32874
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Department of Treasury, Department of the Treasury
In response to a request made on behalf of a wine industry association, TTB is extending for an additional 60 days the comment period prescribed in Notice No. 109, Use of Various Winemaking Terms on Wine Labels and in Advertisements; Request for Public Comment, an advance notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal Register on November 3, 2010.
Expansion of the Santa Maria Valley Viticultural Area
Document Number: 2010-32873
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Department of Treasury, Department of the Treasury
This Treasury decision expands the Santa Maria Valley viticultural area in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, California, by 18,790 acres. We designate viticultural areas to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase.
Gap in Termination Provisions
Document Number: 2010-32864
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Library of Congress, Agencies and Commissions, Copyright Office
The Copyright Office of the Library of Congress is extending the time in which comments can be filed in response to its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to amend its regulations governing notices of termination of certain grants of transfers and licenses of copyright under section 203 of the Copyright Act of 1976.
Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Electronic Health Record Incentive Program; Correcting Amendment
Document Number: 2010-32861
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services
This document corrects typographical and technical errors identified in the final rule entitled ``Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Electronic Health Record Incentive Program'' that appeared in the July 28, 2010 Federal Register.
Amendments to Regulations Regarding Eligibility for a Medicare Prescription Drug Subsidy
Document Number: 2010-32848
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
We are revising our regulations to incorporate changes to the Medicare prescription drug coverage low-income subsidy (Extra Help) program made by the Affordable Care Act which was enacted on March 23, 2010. Under our interpretation of section 3304 of the Affordable Care Act and this interim final rule, if the death of a beneficiary's spouse would decrease or eliminate the subsidy provided by the Extra Help program, we will, based on a determination, or redetermination, extend the effective period of eligibility for the most recent determination or redetermination until 1 year after the month following the month we are notified of the death of the spouse. These regulatory changes will allow us to implement this provision of the Affordable Care Act when it goes into effect on January 1, 2011. We are also revising our regulations to incorporate changes made by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA), which affect the way we account for income and resources when determining eligibility for the Extra Help program. The statute provides that we no longer count as a resource the value of any life insurance policy for Extra Help applications filed, or redeterminations that are effective, on or after January 1, 2010. In addition, we will no longer count as income the help a beneficiary receives when someone else provides food and shelter, or pays household bills for food, mortgage, rent, electricity, water, property taxes, or heating fuel or gas. These revisions will update our rules to reflect these statutory changes.
Safety Zone; New Year's Celebration for the City of San Francisco, Fireworks Display, San Francisco, CA
Document Number: 2010-32802
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in support of the New Year's Eve Celebration for the City of San Francisco Fireworks Display. The temporary safety zone will extend 100 feet from the nearest point of the barge during the loading, transit, and arrival of the pyrotechnics, and will extend 1,000 feet from the nearest point of the barge during the fireworks display. This safety zone is established to ensure the safety of participants and spectators from the dangers associated with the pyrotechnics. Unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or remaining in the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port or her designated representative.
Importation of Clementines From Spain; Amendment to Inspection Provisions
Document Number: 2010-32770
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are proposing to amend the regulations governing the importation of clementines from Spain by removing from the regulations the number of clementines per consignment intended for export to the United States that are required to be sampled by inspectors of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). In place of this number, we propose to state in the regulations that the number to be sampled will be determined by APHIS. By removing from the regulations the number of clementines per consignment from Spain to be sampled, APHIS would have the flexibility to respond to changing risk levels while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of quarantine pests.
Asian Longhorned Beetle; Quarantined Area and Regulated Articles
Document Number: 2010-32768
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the Asian longhorned beetle regulations by adding a portion of Worcester County, MA, to the list of quarantined areas and restricting the interstate movement of regulated articles from that area. The interim rule also updated the list of regulated articles in order to reflect new information concerning host plants. The interim rule was necessary to prevent the artificial spread of Asian longhorned beetle to noninfested areas of the United States. As a result of the interim rule, the interstate movement of regulated articles from the quarantined area is restricted.
Action To Ensure Authority To Issue Permits Under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration Program to Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Finding of Failure To Submit State Implementation Plan Revisions Required for Greenhouse Gases
Document Number: 2010-32762
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
The EPA is making a finding that seven states have failed to submit revisions to their EPA-approved state implementation plans (SIPs) to satisfy requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) to apply Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) requirements to greenhouse gas (GHG)-emitting sources. By notice dated December 13, 2010, EPA issued a ``SIP call'' for these seven, and six other, states, requiring each state to revise its SIP as necessary to correct the SIP's failure to apply PSD to such sources and establishing a SIP submittal deadline for each state. EPA established December 22, 2010, as the deadline for these seven states. By this action, EPA is making a finding that the seven states failed to submit the required SIP revisions by that date. This finding requires EPA to promulgate a Federal implementation plan (FIP) for these seven states applying PSD to GHG-emitting sources, and EPA is taking a separate action to promulgate the FIP immediately. The seven states are Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Oregon, and Wyoming.
Prevention of Payments to Deceased Persons
Document Number: 2010-32760
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is amending regulations as required by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill) to clarify the regulations governing payments earned by persons who die, disappear, or are declared incompetent before the payment is made. The payments must have been timely requested by that person themselves or by an authorized representative. These amendments are intended to clarify payment provisions and to prevent incorrect payments, particularly with respect to instances where persons have died. Payment eligibility where the payment was earned by persons who have since died is the subject of a specific 2008 Farm Bill requirement addressed in this rule.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles
Document Number: 2010-32726
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
NHTSA and EPA published in the Federal Register of November 30, 2010, proposed rules to establish a comprehensive Heavy-Duty National Program that will increase fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for on-road heavy-duty vehicles, responding to the President's directive on May 21, 2010, to take coordinated steps to produce a new generation of clean vehicles. That document inadvertently contained some incorrect fuel consumption values in NHTSA-specific tables in the preamble that resulted from using an incorrect conversion factor for determining CO2 emissions to equivalent fuel consumption for gasoline fuel. That document also contained some rounding errors in NHTSA-specific tables in the preamble. This document corrects the rounding errors by adopting a uniform rounding approach for all fuel consumption equivalents for those NHTSA-specific tables and makes the appropriate corrections to the conversions.
Security Zone, Michoud Slip Position 30°0′34.2″ N, 89°55′40.7″ W to Position 30°0′29.5″ N, 89°55′52.6″ W
Document Number: 2010-32720
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security
The Captain of the Port of New Orleans, under the authority of the Magnuson Act, 33 CFR sections 165.30 and 165.33, has established a security zone for the Michoud Slip encompassing the entire slip from position 30[deg]0'34.2'' N, 89[deg]55'40.7'' W to position 30[deg]0'29.5'' N, 89[deg]55'52.6'' W across the mouth of the slip. Vessels will not be allowed to enter this security zone without the permission of the Captain of the Port, New Orleans. This security zone is necessary to protect the Deepwater Horizon blowout preventer and adjacent piers and infrastructure from destruction, loss or injury from sabotage or other subversive acts, accidents or other causes of a similar nature.
Office of the Attorney General; Applicability of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act
Document Number: 2010-32719
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Department of Justice
By this rule, the Department of Justice is finalizing an interim rule specifying that the requirements of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, title I of Public Law 109-248, apply to all sex offenders, including sex offenders convicted of the offense for which registration is required before the enactment of that Act.
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Major Defense Acquisition Programs
Document Number: 2010-32713
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense
DoD is issuing a final rule to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement section 207 of the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009. Section 207 addresses organizational conflicts of interest in major defense acquisition programs.
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Foreign Participation in Acquisitions in Support of Operations in Afghanistan (DFARS Case 2009-D012)
Document Number: 2010-32711
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense
DoD is issuing a final rule to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement Waiver of section 302(a) of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended, which prohibits acquisitions of products or services from nondesignated countries, in order to allow acquisition from the nine South Caucasus/Central and South Asian (SC/CASA) states; and Determination of inapplicability of the Balance of Payments Program evaluation factor to offers of products (other than arms, ammunition, or war materials) from the SC/CASA states to support operations in Afghanistan.
Changes in Flood Elevation Determinations
Document Number: 2010-32707
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security
Modified Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) are finalized for the communities listed below. These modified BFEs will be used to calculate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and their contents.
Inmate Discipline Program/Special Housing Units: Subpart Revision and Clarification
Document Number: 2010-32706
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons
The Bureau of Prisons (Bureau) is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register of December 8, 2010 (75 FR 76263). The document issued a final rule amending the Bureau's Inmate Discipline Program and Special Housing Units (SHU) regulations. The Bureau issues this correction document in order to correct typographical and numbering errors. No substantive changes are being made to the final rule document.
Changes in Flood Elevation Determinations
Document Number: 2010-32703
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security
Modified Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) are finalized for the communities listed below. These modified BFEs will be used to calculate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and their contents.
Proposed Flood Elevation Determinations
Document Number: 2010-32702
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security
Comments are requested on the proposed Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and proposed BFE modifications for the communities listed in the table below. The purpose of this notice is to seek general information and comment regarding the proposed regulatory flood elevations for the reach described by the downstream and upstream locations in the table below. The BFEs and modified BFEs are a part of the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of having in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In addition, these elevations, once finalized, will be used by insurance agents and others to calculate appropriate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and the contents in those buildings.
Changes in Flood Elevation Determinations
Document Number: 2010-32701
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security
This interim rule lists communities where modification of the Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) is appropriate because of new scientific or technical data. New flood insurance premium rates will be calculated from the modified BFEs for new buildings and their contents.
Changes in Flood Elevation Determinations
Document Number: 2010-32700
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security
Modified Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) are finalized for the communities listed below. These modified BFEs will be used to calculate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and their contents.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Regulation Restructuring: Issuance Regulation Update and Reorganization To Reflect the End of Coupon Issuance Systems
Document Number: 2010-32686
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is adopting as a final rule, without change, a direct final rule that made changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations to account for the replacement of the paper coupon issuance system with the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system as the nationwide method of distributing benefits to program participants. This action is in accordance with the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110-246, (the 2008 Farm Bill) which prohibited State agencies from issuing paper food stamp coupons and made EBT cards the sole method of benefit delivery. The 2008 Farm Bill also de-obligated paper coupons as legal tender as of June 18, 2009. Therefore, paper coupons no longer have any value and can no longer be redeemed at any store. In line with EBT implementation and the elimination of coupons, these changes remove coupon issuance and EBT pilot regulations that are no longer applicable, revise regulatory language to more appropriately reflect the new EBT issuance system and the Program's new name, and reorganize sections to develop a more cohesive set of issuance regulations.
Flaring Versus Venting To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Outer Continental Shelf; Public Workshop
Document Number: 2010-32674
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement is announcing a workshop to discuss possible new requirements on flaring versus venting of natural gas in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), when such atmospheric release of natural gas is necessary and in compliance with regulations. The main focus of this workshop will be aimed at the potential reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Mississippi: Prevention of Significant Deterioration; Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule Revision
Document Number: 2010-32667
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
EPA is taking final action to approve a revision to the State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted by the State of Mississippi, through the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), to EPA on September 14, 2010, for parallel processing. MDEQ submitted the final version of this SIP revision on December 9, 2010. The SIP revision incorporates updates to MDEQ's air quality regulations impacting the regulation of greenhouse gas (GHG) under Mississippi's New Source Review (NSR) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program. Specifically, the SIP revision establishes appropriate emission thresholds for determining which new stationary sources and modification projects become subject to Mississippi's PSD permitting requirements for their GHG emissions. The change is necessary because without it, on January 2, 2011, PSD requirements would apply at the 100 or 250 tons per year (tpy) levels otherwise provided under the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act), which would overwhelm Mississippi's permitting resources. EPA is approving Mississippi's December 9, 2010, SIP revision because the Agency has made the determination that this SIP revision is in accordance with the CAA and EPA regulations, including regulations pertaining to PSD permitting for GHGs. Additionally, EPA is responding to adverse comments received on EPA's November 5, 2010, proposed approval of Mississippi's September 14, 2010, draft SIP revision.
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Alabama: Prevention of Significant Deterioration; Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule Revision
Document Number: 2010-32665
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
EPA is taking final action to approve a revision to the State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted by the State of Alabama, through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), to EPA on August 17, 2010, for parallel processing. ADEM submitted the final version of this SIP revision on December 14, 2010. The SIP revision incorporates updates to ADEM's air quality regulations impacting the regulation of greenhouse gas (GHG) under Alabama's New Source Review (NSR) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program. Specifically, the SIP revision establishes appropriate emission thresholds for determining which new stationary sources and modification projects become subject to Alabama's PSD permitting requirements for their GHG emissions. The change is necessary because without it, on January 2, 2011, PSD requirements would apply at the 100 or 250 tons per year (tpy) levels otherwise provided under the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act), which would overwhelm Alabama's permitting resources. EPA is approving Alabama's December 14, 2010, SIP revision because the Agency has made the determination that this SIP revision is in accordance with the CAA and EPA regulations, including regulations pertaining to PSD permitting for GHGs. Additionally, EPA is responding to adverse comments received on EPA's November 5, 2010, proposed approval of Alabama's August 17, 2010, draft SIP revision.
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Kentucky: Prevention of Significant Deterioration; Greenhouse Gas Permitting Authority and Tailoring Rule Revision
Document Number: 2010-32664
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
EPA is taking final action to approve a revision to the State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted by the Commonwealth of Kentucky's Energy and Environment Cabinet, through the Kentucky Division for Air Quality (KDAQ), to EPA on August 5, 2010, for parallel processing. KDAQ submitted the final version of this SIP revision on December 13, 2010. The SIP revision, which incorporates updates to KDAQ's air quality regulations, includes two significant changes impacting the regulation of greenhouse gas (GHG) under Kentucky's New Source Review (NSR) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program. First, the revision provides the Commonwealth with authority to issue PSD permits governing GHGs. Second, the SIP revision establishes appropriate emission thresholds for determining which new stationary sources and modification projects become subject to Kentucky's PSD permitting requirements for their GHG emissions. The first change is necessary because the Commonwealth of Kentucky is required to apply its PSD program to GHG-emitting sources, and unless it does so (or unless EPA promulgates a Federal implementation plan (FIP) to do so), such sources will be unable to receive preconstruction permits and therefore may not be able to construct or modify. The second change is necessary because without it, on January 2, 2011, PSD requirements would apply at the 100 or 250 tons per year (tpy) levels otherwise provided under the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act), which would overwhelm Kentucky's permitting resources. EPA is approving the Commonwealth of Kentucky's December 13, 2010, SIP revision because the Agency has made the determination that this SIP revision is in accordance with the CAA and EPA regulations, including regulations pertaining to PSD permitting for GHGs. Additionally, EPA is responding to adverse comments received on EPA's November 5, 2010, proposed approval of Kentucky's August 5, 2010, SIP revision.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Steller Sea Lion Protection Measures for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Groundfish Fisheries Off Alaska; Correction
Document Number: 2010-32654
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This document contains corrections to the interim final rule pertaining to Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Steller Sea Lion Protection Measures for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Groundfish Fisheries Off Alaska published on December 13, 2010. These corrections amend one error in the preamble to the interim final rule and one typographical error and content within regulatory tables to eliminate potential confusion by the public.
Appliance Labeling Rule
Document Number: 2010-32577
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Federal Trade Commission, Agencies and Commissions
The Commission proposes changing the effective date for its new light bulb labeling requirements (published on July 19, 2010, 75 FR 41696) to January 1, 2012, to provide manufacturers with additional time to incorporate the new label on their packaging. The Commission also proposes not requiring the new label for incandescent bulbs (e.g., 75 watt bulbs) that, as of 2013, will not meet federal energy efficiency standards.
Truth in Lending
Document Number: 2010-32534
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Federal Reserve System, Agencies and Commissions
The Board is publishing for comment an interim rule amending Regulation Z, which implements the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). This interim rule revises the Board's interim rule published on September 24, 2010, which implemented certain requirements of the Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act of 2008. The September 2010 interim rule requires creditors who extend consumer credit secured by real property or a dwelling to disclose summary information about interest rates and payment changes in a tabular format. The Board is issuing this interim rule to clarify certain provisions of the September 2010 interim rule. Specifically, this rule clarifies the requirements for adjustable-rate transactions that are ``5/1 ARM'' loans. It corrects the requirements for interest-only loans to clarify that the disclosures should reflect the date of the interest rate change rather than the date the first payment is due under the new rate. This interim rule also revises the definition of ``negative amortization loans'' to clarify which transactions are covered by the special disclosure requirements for such loans.
Nutrition Labeling of Single-Ingredient Products and Ground or Chopped Meat and Poultry Products
Document Number: 2010-32485
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending the Federal meat and poultry products inspection regulations to require nutrition labeling of the major cuts of single-ingredient, raw meat and poultry products on labels or at point-of-purchase, unless an exemption applies. FSIS is also amending its regulations to require nutrition labels on all ground or chopped meat and poultry products, with or without added seasonings, unless an exemption applies. In addition, the rule provides that, when a ground or chopped product does not meet the regulatory criteria to be labeled ``low fat,'' a lean percentage statement may be included on the label or in labeling as long as a statement of the fat percentage that meets the specified criteria also is displayed on the label or in labeling.
Imazosulfuron; Pesticide Tolerances
Document Number: 2010-32451
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of imazosulfuron in or on pepper, bell; pepper, non-bell; rice, grain; and tomato. Valent USA Corporation requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
Safeguarding Child Support Information
Document Number: 2010-32424
Type: Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) created and expanded State and Federal Child Support Enforcement databases under title IV-D of the Social Security Act (the Act) and significantly enhanced access to information for title IV-D child support purposes. States are moving toward a more integrated service delivery to better serve families and further the mission of the Child Support Enforcement program, while protecting confidential data. This final rule specifies requirements for: State Parent Locator Service responses to authorized location requests; and State Child Support Enforcement program safeguards for confidential information and authorized disclosures of this information. This final rule revises certain aspects of the State Parent Locator Service; Safeguarding Child Support Information final rule published on September 26, 2008 with an effective date delayed until December 30, 2010. This final rule will prohibit the disclosure of confidential and personally identifiable information to private collection agencies and expand disclosure to child welfare programs and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Hours of Service of Drivers
Document Number: 2010-32251
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2010-12-29
Agency: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
To promote safety and to protect driver health, FMCSA proposes to revise the regulations for hours of service for drivers of property- carrying commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). To achieve these goals, the proposed rule would provide flexibility for drivers to take breaks when needed and would reduce safety and health risks associated with long hours. The proposed rule would make seven changes from current requirements. First, the proposed rule would limit drivers to either 10 or 11 hours of driving time following a period of at least 10 consecutive hours off duty; on the basis of all relevant considerations, FMCSA currently favors a 10-hour limit, but its ultimate decision will include a careful consideration of comments and any additional data received. Second, it would limit the standard ``driving window'' to 14 hours, while allowing that number to be extended to 16 hours twice a week. Third, actual duty time within the driving window would be limited to 13 hours. Fourth, drivers would be permitted to drive only if 7 hours or less have passed since their last off-duty or sleeper-berth period of at least 30 minutes. Fifth, the 34- hour restart would be retained, subject to certain limits: The restart would have to include two periods between midnight and 6 a.m. and could be started no sooner than 168 hours (7 days) after the beginning of the previously designated restart. Sixth, the definition of ``on duty'' would be revised to allow some time spent in or on the CMV to be logged as off duty. Seventh, the oilfield operations exception would be revised to clarify the language on waiting time and to state that waiting time would not be included in the calculation of the driving window.
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