2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Agency) proposes to amend its regulations at 5 CFR part 1600. These changes implement the Agency's automatic enrollment program as authorized by the Thrift Savings Plan Enhancement Act of 2009.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that relaxed the handling requirements prescribed under the California table grape marketing order (order) and the table grape import regulation. The interim rule relaxed the one-quarter pound minimum bunch size requirement for the 2010 and subsequent seasons for grapes packed in consumer packages holding 2 pounds net weight or less. Under the relaxation, up to 20 percent of the weight of such containers may consist of single clusters of at least five berries each. This action continues the relaxation that was prescribed on a one-year test basis in 2009 and provides California desert grape handlers and importers the flexibility to respond to an ongoing marketing opportunity to meet consumer needs.

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.

We are quarantining the States of Florida and Georgia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, two parishes in Louisiana, and two counties in South Carolina due to the presence of citrus greening and quarantining Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, Texas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, three counties in South Carolina, portions of one county in Arizona, and all of three and portions of an additional three counties in California due to the presence of Asian citrus psyllid, a vector of the bacterial pathogen that causes citrus greening. This action follows the discovery of these pests in the respective quarantined areas. We are also establishing restrictions on the interstate movement of regulated articles from the quarantined areas. This action is necessary on an emergency basis in order to prevent the spread of the disease and its vector to noninfested areas of the United States.

Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, the IRS is issuing temporary regulations under the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the Affordable Care Act) dealing with rules relating to status as a grandfathered health plan. The IRS is issuing the temporary regulations at the same time that the Employee Benefits Security Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor and the Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are issuing substantially similar interim final regulations with respect to group health plans and health insurance coverage offered in connection with a group health plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act. The temporary regulations provide guidance to employers, group health plans, and health insurance issuers providing group health insurance coverage. The text of those temporary regulations also serves as the text of these proposed regulations.

This rule specifies regulations to implement the new Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment (RTCP) Program for geographically disadvantaged farmers and ranchers authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill). The purpose of the RTCP Program is to assist farmers and ranchers in Hawaii, Alaska and insular areas who paid to transport either an agricultural commodity or an input used to produce an agricultural commodity. The payments provided by the RTCP Program are intended to offset a portion of the costs of transporting agricultural inputs and products over long distances. This rule specifies eligibility requirements, payment application procedures, and the method for calculating individual payments.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Honeywell International Inc. auxiliary power unit (APU) models GTCP36- 150(R) and GTCP36-150(RR). This AD requires inspecting the fuel control unit (FCU) differential pressure (Delta P) sleeve bore for erosion, replacing the FCU if it fails the inspection, and installing a fuel deflector on the Delta P sleeve of the FCU. This AD results from eight reports of fuel leakage from the FCU. We are issuing this AD to prevent fuel leakage in the APU compartment, which could lead to ignition of fuel vapor, creating a fire and explosion hazard resulting in injury, and damage to the APU and the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) to supersede AD 2009-24-13, which applies to certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model 525A airplanes. AD 2009-24-13 currently requires you to repetitively inspect the thrust attenuator paddle assemblies for loose and damaged fasteners and for cracks. AD 2009-24-13 also requires you to replace loose or damaged fasteners and replace cracked thrust attenuator paddles found during any inspection. Since we issued AD 2009-24-13, Cessna has developed new design thrust attenuator paddles and universal head rivets as terminating action for the repetitive inspections. Consequently, this AD would retain the requirements of AD 2009-24-13 until replacement of both thrust attenuator paddles and the eight countersunk fasteners with new design thrust attenuator paddles and universal head rivets. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct loose and damaged fasteners and cracks in the thrust attenuator paddles, which could result in in-flight departure of the thrust attenuator paddles. This failure could lead to rudder and elevator damage and result in loss of control.

NMFS is implementing approved measures in Amendment 3 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan (Skate FMP), including final specifications for the 2010 and 2011 fishing years (FY). Amendment 3 was developed by the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) to rebuild overfished skate stocks and implement annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs) consistent with the requirements of the reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Amendment 3 implements a rebuilding plan for smooth skate and establishes an ACL and annual catch target (ACT) for the skate complex, total allowable landings (TAL) for the skate wing and bait fisheries, seasonal quotas for the bait fishery, new possession limits, in season possession limit triggers, and other measures to improve management of the skate fisheries. This interim final rule also includes skate fishery specifications for FY 2010 and 2011, pursuant to the specifications process established in Amendment 3.

NMFS is reopening the comment period on the proposed rule to set the commercial possession limit for weakfish caught in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) at 100 lb (45 kg) per day or trip, whichever is longer in duration, and set the recreational possession limit at 1 fish per person per day or trip, whichever is longer in duration. The intent of the proposed rule is to modify regulations for the Atlantic coast stock of weakfish to be more compatible with Addendum IV to Amendment 4 of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (Commission) Interstate Fishery Management Plan (ISFMP) for weakfish. Such action is authorized under the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act (Atlantic Coastal Act).

This document contains final regulations under section 6404(g)(2)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code on the suspension of any interest, penalty, addition to tax, or additional amount with respect to listed transactions or undisclosed reportable transactions. The final regulations reflect changes to the law made by the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005, the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, and the Small Business and Work Opportunity Tax Act of 2007. The regulations provide guidance to individual taxpayers who have participated in listed transactions or undisclosed reportable transactions.

The Audio Division dismisses a Petition for Reconsideration jointly filed by Portland Broadcasting, LLC (``Portland Broadcasting''), licensee of Station KXPC-FM, Channel 279C, Lebanon, Oregon, Bicoastal Media Licenses IV, LLC (``Bicoastal''), licensee of Station KACI-FM, Channel 249C2, The Dalles, Oregon, and Station KMSW(FM), Channel 224C3, The Dalles, Oregon, and Extra Mile Media, Inc., licensee of Station KHPE(FM), Channel 300C, Albany, Oregon, collectively (the ``Joint Petitioners''). In this regard, Portland Broadcasting, Columbia Gorge Broadcasters, Inc., M.S.W Communications, LLC, Bicoastal, and Extra Media, Inc. (the ``Joint Parties'') filed a Motion to Dismiss the Petition for Reconsideration. The Joint Parties' Motion to Dismiss the Petition for Reconsideration contained a Settlement Agreement between Cumulus and the Joint Parties. In accordance with Section 1.420(j) of the Commission's Rules, we are granting the Joint Parties' Motion to Dismiss. In doing so, we approve the Settlement Agreement. The Joint Parties will collectively and individually receive payments that are less than their respective legitimate and prudent expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, filing and advocacy of the Counterproposal. Each party filed a declaration in accordance with Section 1.420(j), containing an itemization of its respective legal, engineering and other legitimate and prudent expenses. The Joint Parties and Cumulus each state in its respective declaration that aside from the Settlement Agreement, neither respective licensee nor any of its members, officers, or employees is a party to any agreement, written or oral, that will require the respective licensee to pay or receive any monies or provide or receive any other consideration from or to the existing and former licensee for the actions described in each respective declaration.

The Postal Service announces the issuance of Issue 36 of the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM[supreg]) and its incorporation by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations.

The Commission is initiating an investigation into the methodologies for estimating volume changes due to pricing incentive programs. If a change in analytical principles is warranted, the Commission may propose a specific methodology for adoption. This document announces establishment of a docket to consider this investigation and provides an opportunity for public comment.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the waters of the Columbia River near Hermiston, Oregon for the installation of new power lines across the river. The safety zone is necessary to help ensure the safety of the workers as well as the maritime public and will do so by prohibiting all persons and vessels from entering or remaining in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

This rule corrects two typographical errors that appeared in a rule published on June 4, 2010. One error is in the License Requirements section of Export Control Classification Number 2B001 and the other is in the Technical Note on Adjusted Peak Performance (``APP'') found at the end of Category 4 on the Commerce Control List.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90-day finding on five petitions to list seven species of Hawaiian yellow-faced bees (Hylaeus anthracinus, H. assimulans, H. facilis, H. hilaris, H. kuakea, H. longiceps, and H. mana) as endangered and designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).

This regulation establishes a temporary exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of Bacillus thuringiensis eCry3.1Ab protein in corn in or on the food and feed commodities of corn; corn, field; corn, sweet; and corn, pop, when used as a plant- incorporated protectant in accordance with the terms of Experimental Use Permit 67979-EUP-8. Syngenta Seeds, Incorporated submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting a temporary exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of Bacillus thuringiensis eCry3.1Ab protein in corn under the FFDCA. The temporary tolerance exemption expires on June 1, 2012.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have adopted as final, with minor changes, an interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-09-10, entitled ``Initial Implementing Guidance for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,'' (the Recovery Act) with respect to publicizing contract actions. The OMB issued Memorandum M-09-15, entitled ``Updated Implementing Guidance for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,'' to supplement, amend, and clarify the initial guidance in OMB Memorandum M-09-10.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on an interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement Section 826 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (FY08 NDAA). Section 826 established additional requirements in subsection (c) of 10 U.S.C. 2377. As a matter of policy, these requirements are extended to all executive agencies. Specifically, the head of the agency must conduct market research before issuing an indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) task or delivery order for a noncommercial item in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold. In addition, a prime contractor with a contract in excess of $5 million for the procurement of items other than commercial items is required to conduct market research before making purchases that exceed the simplified acquisition threshold for or on behalf of the Government.

This document is issued under the joint authority of the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of General Services and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This Small Entity Compliance Guide has been prepared in accordance with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. It consists of the summaries of the rules appearing in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-42 which amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Interested parties may obtain further information regarding this rule by referring to FAC 2005-42 which precedes this document. These documents are also available via the Internet at http:/ /www.regulations.gov.

This document summarizes the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rules agreed to by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) in this Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-42. A companion document, the Small Entity Compliance Guide (SECG), follows this FAC. The FAC, including the SECG, is available via the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are issuing an interim rule amending the FAR to align the FAR with the revised Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) Board standards 412, ``Cost Accounting Standard for composition and measurement of pension cost;'' and 415, ``Accounting for the cost of deferred compensation.''

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to revise the list of articles determined to be domestically nonavailable.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have adopted as final, without change, an interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to add Taiwan (known in the World Trade Organization as ``the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei))'' as a designated country, due to the accession of Taiwan to membership in the World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement.