March 29, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document proposes to modify the Commission's rules to allow Economic Area (EA)-based 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) licensees to exceed a channel spacing and bandwidth limitation, subject to two conditions. The Commission proposes to allow licensees to exceed the channel spacing and bandwidth limitation in the 813.5-824/858.5-869 MHz band in National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee (NPSPAC) regions where 800 MHz public safety licensee reconfiguration is complete. In areas where 800 MHz public safety reconfiguration is incomplete, EA-based 800 MHz licensees would only be allowed to exceed the channel spacing and bandwidth limitation in the 813.5-821/858.5-866 MHz band. Further, the Commission proposes to require any EA-based 800 MHz SMR licensee that intends to exceed the channel spacing and bandwidth limitation of its rules, which govern the above-listed MHz bands, to provide 30 days written notice to public safety licensees with base stations in the NPSPAC region and within 113 kilometers (70 miles) of the affected NPSPAC region. The Commission seeks comment on any additional steps that may need to be taken to protect 800 MHz public safety licensees against any possible increased interference. The proposed rule changes would allow geographic-based 800 MHz SMR licensees the flexibility to deploy new technologies and to better utilize their licensed spectrum, while also protecting 800 MHz public safety entities.

This rule amends the Schedule of Fees for consular services (Schedule) for nonimmigrant visa application processing fees, border crossing card application processing fees and immigrant visa application processing fees. The rule increases from $140 to $160 the fee charged for the processing of an application for most non-petition- based nonimmigrant visas (Machine-Readable Visas or MRVs) and Border Crossing Cards (BCCs) for Mexican citizens age 15 and over. The rule also provides amended application processing fees for certain categories of petition-based nonimmigrant visas and treaty trader and investor visas (all of which are also MRVs), as well as amended tiered application processing fees for immigrant visas. Finally, the rule increases from $14 to $15 the BCC fee charged to Mexican citizen minors who apply in Mexico, and whose parent or guardian already has a BCC or is applying for one, based on a Congressionally mandated surcharge that took effect since the last adjustment to the Schedule of Fees. The Department of State is adjusting the fees to ensure that sufficient resources are available to meet the costs of providing consular services in light of the recent fee review's findings that the U.S. government is not fully covering its costs for the processing of these visas under the current fee structure.

EPA is proposing to approve revisions which repeal and replace existing rules, and revisions to the applicable State Implementation Plan (SIP) for New Mexico submitted by the State of New Mexico on April 11, 2002, and April 25, 2005, which relate to construction permit fee requirement regulations. The repeal and replace and SIP revisions included in this action would address section 110(a)(2) Clean Air Act (the Act or CAA) requirements related to fees for reviewing and acting on specific air quality construction permit applications received by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED or Department) and for implementing and enforcing the terms and conditions of the construction permit, excluding any court costs or other costs associated with an enforcement action. EPA has determined that these SIP revisions comply with the Clean Air Act and EPA regulations and are consistent with EPA policies. This action is being taken under section 110 of the Act.

This document announces an extension of the time period for submitting comments on the Notice of Public Meeting (NOPM) and Availability of Framework Document Regarding Energy Conservation Standards for High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps. The comment period is extended to April 12, 2012.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-76C helicopters. This proposed AD is prompted by a bird-strike to the windshield that resulted in unintended movement of the engine control levers from the forward position and towards the flight-idle position, which reduced power on both engines. These actions are intended to prevent unintended movement of the ECLs, resulting in main rotor speed decay and subsequent loss of control of the aircraft.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France Model SA341G helicopters. This proposed AD is prompted by an analysis and tests performed by the manufacturer that indicate that the life limit of the rotating star should be 12,000 hours time-in-service (TIS). The proposed actions are intended to prevent failure of the rotating star and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local regulation during the Yorktown Parade of Sail, a parade of five tall ships and 195 other vessels, to be held on the waters of York River, Yorktown, Virginia on June 2, 2012. This regulation is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic in portions of the York River, Yorktown, Virginia during the event.

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) is promulgating this direct final rule for its National Motor Vehicle Title Information System Program (NMVTIS) in order to make two technical corrections to the NMVTIS regulations.

The United States Coast Guard published a direct final rule in the Federal Register on December 14, 2011 (76 FR 77712) revising regulations for the inspection and certification of seagoing barges to align with the language of the applicable statues. That document inadvertently transposed the titles of two tables in our amendatory instructions. Additionally, the Coast Guard is republishing the vessel inspection tables that rule amends in their entirety, so that the format of the tables is consistent with current Federal Register format requirements.