August 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The proposed information collection requirement described below has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal. HUD is evaluating alternative survey methodologies to collect gross rent data for specific areas in a relatively fast and accurate way that may be used to estimate and update Section 8 Fair Market Rents (FMRs) in areas where FMRs are believed to be incorrect and data from the American Community Survey is not available at the local level. Section 8(C)(1) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 requires the Secretary to publish Fair Market Rents (FMRs) annually to be effective on October 1 of each year. FMRs are used for the Section 8 Rental Certificate Program (including space rentals by owners of manufactured homes under that program); the Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy program; housing assisted under the Loan Management and Property Disposition programs; payment standards for the Rental Voucher program; and any other programs whose regulations specify their use. Random digit dialing (RDD) telephone surveys have been used for many years to adjust FMRs and will be evaluated for continued use. These surveys are based on a sampling procedure that uses computers to select statistically random samples of telephone numbers to locate certain types of rental housing units for surveying. Cell phone surveys will be incorporated into this methodology and comprise roughly one-third of the sample. In addition HUD will collect survey data using web-based and mail systems. Initially, as the methodology is being refined, HUD will conduct surveys of up to 4 individual FMR areas in a year to test the accuracy of their FMRs. Up to 5 individual FMR area will be surveyed after the new methodology is determined.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend the following currently approved information collection:

The Federal Transit Administration invites public comment about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval to renew the following information collection:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend the following currently approved information collection:

Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102-3.150 the Department of Defense announces that Defense Intelligence Agency Advisory Board and two of its subcommittees will meet on September 28 and 29, 2011. The meetings are closed to the public.

The Department of Labor (Department or DOL), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) [44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)(A)]. The program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of the collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. The proposed information collection is for an evaluation of the implementation of the Green Jobs and Health Care training grants. This evaluation is sponsored by ETA to understand the processes surrounding the design and implementation of these grants.

The Department of State has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Title of Information Collection: Passport Demand Forecasting Study Phase III. OMB Control Number: OMB Number 1405-0177. Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection. Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Passport Services CA/PPT. Form Number: SV2011-0010. Respondents: A national representative sample of all U.S. Citizens and U.S. Nationals, who are 16 years of age or older, that are eligible and entitled to a United States Passport product. Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,000 survey respondents per month. Estimated Number of Responses: 48,000 survey responses annually. Average Hours per Response: 10 minutes per survey. Total Estimated Burden: 8,000 hours annually. Frequency: Monthly. Obligation to Respond: Voluntary.

The Federal Trade Commission (the Commission or ``FTC'' is amending its Telemarketing Sales Rule (``TSR'') by updating the fees charged to entities accessing the National Do Not Call Registry (the Registry as required by the Do-Not-Call Registry Fee Extension Act of 2007.

This notice sets forth the schedule and agenda for an open meeting of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (Board). The agenda may change to accommodate Board business. The final agenda will be posted on the Department of Commerce Web site for the Board at https://tinet.ita.doc.gov/TTAB/TTAB_Home.html. At the meeting, the Board will hear and deliberate on proposed recommendations to be presented by the Advocacy and Research subcommittees. The Board also will summarize all recommendations adopted throughout its 2009-2011 charter term in a final presentation to the Secretary of Commerce.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. Comments are requested concerning (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e) ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

Notice is hereby given of meetings of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Name: William A. Reinsch, Chairman of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. The Commission is mandated by Congress to investigate, assess, evaluate and report to Congress annually on the U.S.-China economic and security relationship. The mandate specifically charges the Commission to prepare a report to Congress ``regarding the national security implications and impact of the bilateral trade and economic relationship between the United States and the People's Republic of China [that] shall include a full analysis, along with conclusions and recommendations for legislative and administrative actions * * *'' Purpose of Meetings: Pursuant to this mandate, the Commission will meet in Washington, DC on September 14-15, October 6-7, and October 17- 18, 2011 to consider drafts of material for its 2011 Annual Report to Congress that have been prepared for its consideration by the Commission staff, and to make modifications to those drafts that Commission members believe are needed; and release the final annual report to the public on November 16, 2011. The report review-editing sessions are for members of the Commission to review and edit staff drafts of sections of the Commission's 2011 Annual Report for submission to Congress. The Commission was subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) with the enactment of the Science, State, Justice, Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 that was signed into law on November 22, 2005 (Pub. L. 109-108). In accord with FACA's requirement, meetings of the Commission to make decisions concerning the substance and recommendations of its 2011 Annual Report to Congress are open to the public. Topics To Be Discussed: The Commissioners will be considering draft report sections addressing the following topics: The United States-China trade and economic relationship, including its bilateral investment and the role of state-owned enterprises, intellectual property protection and its 5-year plan, technology transfers, and outsourcing. China's activities directly affecting U.S. national security interests, including its area control military strategy, space developments, and intelligence activities and capabilities. China's foreign and regional activities and relationships, including those pertaining to Taiwan and Hong Kong. China's foreign and national security policies. Dates and Times (Eastern Daylight Time):

Under the provisions of Section 3507(a)(l)(D) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for the opportunity for public comment on the proposed data collection projects, the Center for Scientific Review (CSR), National Institutes of Health (NIH), has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve the information collection listed below. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on July 22, 2011 (Vol. 76, No. 141, p. 44020) and allowed 60-days for public comment. There was one public comment received during this time. The purpose of this notice is to allow 30 days for public comment. The National Institutes of Health may not conduct or sponsor and the respondent is not required to respond to, an information collection that has been extended, revised, or implemented on or after October 1, 1995, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Proposed Collection: Title: Extension of Generic Clearance for Voluntary Partner and Customer Satisfaction Surveys. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension. Need and Use of Information Collection: The information collected in these surveys will be used by the Center for Scientific Review management and personnel: (1) To assess the quality of the modified operations and processes now used by CSR to review grant applications; (2) To assess the quality of service provided by CSR to our customers; (3) To enable identification of the most promising biomedical research that will have the greatest impact on improving public health by using a peer review process that is fair unbiased from outside influence, timely, and (4) To develop new modes of operation based on customer need and customer feedback about the efficacy of implemented modifications. These surveys will almost certainly lead to quality improvement activities to enhance and/or streamline CSR's operations. The major mechanism by which CSR will request input is through surveys. The major initiatives ongoing at the present time include: Shortening the review and application process, shortening the grant application, recruiting the best reviewers by developing additional review modes, improving study section alignment to ensure the best reviews, and others. Surveys will be collected via Internet. Information gathered from these surveys will be presented to, and used directly by, CSR management to enhance the operations, processes, organization of, and services provided by the Center. Frequency of Response: The participants will respond once, unless there is a compelling reason for a subsequent survey. Affected public: Universities, not-forprofit institutions, business or other forprofit, small businesses and organizations, and individuals. Type of Respondents: Adult scientific professionals.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this notice to advise the public that the Notice of Intent (NOI) published on January 13, 2004, at 69 FR 2040, to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed highway project in Ada County, Idaho is being rescinded.

Pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended by the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976, and to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regulations, all interested parties are hereby invited to participate with Oxbow Mining, LLC, on a pro rata cost-sharing basis, in a program for the exploration of coal deposits owned by the United States of America in lands located in Delta County, Colorado.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is considering establishing a retention period of one year for patent- related papers that have been scanned into the Image File Wrapper system (IFW) or the Supplemental Complex Repository for Examiners (SCORE). Specifically, the USPTO is considering establishing a one-year retention period that begins on September 1, 2011, for papers scanned into IFW or SCORE prior to September 1, 2011; or a paper's submission date, for papers scanned into IFW or SCORE on or after September 1, 2011. After the expiration of the one-year retention period (after September 1, 2012, or later), the USPTO would dispose of the paper unless, within sufficient time prior to disposal of the paper, the relevant patent applicant, patent owner, or reexamination party files a bona fide request to correct the electronic record of the paper in IFW or SCORE, and the request remains outstanding at the time disposal of the paper would have otherwise occurred. Establishing a one-year retention period for papers scanned into IFW or SCORE would replace the USPTO's past practice of indefinitely retaining the papers, which has been rendered unnecessary and cost-ineffective by improvements in scanning and indexing.