July 17, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In this document, the Commission extends the deadline for filing reply comments on the Commission's Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) proposing additional rules to help consumers prevent and detect the placement of unauthorized charges on their telephone bills, an unlawful and fraudulent practice commonly referred to as cramming. The extension will facilitate the development of a full record given the importance of the issues in this proceeding.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. That NPRM proposed to require performing repetitive operational tests of the engine fuel suction feed of the fuel system, and other related testing if necessary. That NPRM was prompted by reports of two in-service occurrences on Model 737-400 airplanes of total loss of boost pump pressure of the fuel feed system, followed by loss of fuel system suction feed capability on one engine, and in- flight shutdown of the engine. This action revises that NPRM by proposing to require repetitive operational tests, and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to detect and correct loss of the engine fuel suction feed capability of the fuel system, which in the event of total loss of the fuel boost pumps could result in dual engine flameout, inability to restart the engines, and consequent forced landing of the airplane. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the previous NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (hereafter known as ``Ex-Im Bank'') is issuing a final rule to exempt portions of a system of records entitled ``EIB-35Office of Inspector General Investigative Records'' from one or more provisions of the Privacy Act because of criminal, civil, and administrative enforcement requirements.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that Representative Edward J. Markey has filed a petition proposing that the food additive regulations be amended to no longer provide for the use of Bisphenol A (BPA)-based epoxy resins as coatings in packaging for infant formula because these uses have been abandoned. FDA expressly requests comments on the petitioner's request.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (``CFTC'' or ``Commission'') is proposing a rule pursuant to its authority under Section 4(c) of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) allowing cooperatives meeting certain conditions to elect not to submit for clearing certain swaps that such cooperatives would otherwise be required to clear in accordance with Section 2(h)(1) of the CEA.

At various times throughout the month of July, the Coast Guard will enforce certain safety zones located in 33 CFR 165.939. This action is necessary and intended for the safety of life and property on navigable waters during this event. During each enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the respective safety zone without the permission of the Captain of the Port Buffalo.

EPA is approving the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submittals from the State of Idaho demonstrating that the Idaho SIP meets the requirements of section 110(a)(1) and (2) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) promulgated for ozone on July 18, 1997. EPA finds that the current Idaho SIP meets the following 110(a)(2) infrastructure elements for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS: (A), (B), (C), (D)(ii), (E)(i), (E)(iii), (F), (G), (H), (J), (K), (L), and (M). EPA is taking no action on CAA section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii) at this time. We will address the requirements of this sub-element in a separate action. EPA is also approving a SIP revision that applies Idaho's Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Program to greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting sources above certain thresholds, updates Idaho's SIP to incorporate by reference revised versions of specific federal regulations, and removes unnecessary language from the SIP due to the incorporation by reference of the federal NAAQS and PSD regulations. In addition, EPA is rescinding the Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) put in place to ensure the availability of a permitting authority for greenhouse gas emitting sources in Idaho.

EPA is proposing to approve a request submitted by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management on May 14, 2012, to revise the Indiana State Implementation Plan (SIP). The submission revises the Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) definition of ``References to the Code of Federal Regulations,'' from the 2009 edition to the 2011 edition.

The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and the Office of Engineering and Technology (Bureaus) adopt the 2011 ANSI Standard for evaluating the hearing aid compatibility of wireless phones. The Bureaus take this action to ensure that a selection of digital wireless handset models is available to consumers with hearing loss.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the main gearbox (MGB) for a crack. This AD is prompted by a crack in the cored passage of the MGB housing, which may be indicated by oil on the housing. These actions are intended to detect a crack in the MGB housing, which could result in loss of oil, failure of the MGB, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. That AD currently requires replacement of the existing deactivation pin, aft cascade pin bushing, and pin insert on each thrust reverser half with new, improved components. This new AD requires a dye penetrant inspection for cracking of the rivet holes of the bushing plate and repair or replacement, if necessary; and for certain airplanes, replacing the existing bushing with a new bushing and deactivation pin, and installing a new or serviceable stowage bracket for the deactivation pins on all airplanes powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D series engines. This AD was prompted by reports that certain airplanes require installation of a new bushing and deactivation pin with increased load carrying capability and all airplanes powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D series engines require installation of a new bracket for stowing the deactivation pin. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the thrust reverser deactivation pins, which could fail to prevent a deployment of a deactivated thrust reverser in flight and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) is revising the rules of patent practice to implement the preissuance submissions by third parties provision of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA). This provision provides a mechanism for third parties to contribute to the quality of issued patents by submitting to the Office, for consideration and inclusion in the record of a patent application, any patents, published patent applications, or other printed publications of potential relevance to the examination of the application. A preissuance submission may be made in any non- provisional utility, design, and plant application, as well as in any continuing application. A third-party preissuance submission must include a concise description of the asserted relevance of each document submitted, and must be submitted within a certain statutorily specified time period. The third party must submit a fee as prescribed by the Director, and a statement that the submission complies with the statutory provision. The Office has also revised the rules of patent practice to make related aspects of the existing protest rule more consistent with the new rule implementing the preissuance submissions by third parties provision. Further, the Office is eliminating the provision providing for public use proceedings.

The Secretary proposes to amend the Federal Perkins Loan (Perkins Loan) program, Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program, and William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) program regulations. The proposed regulations would implement a new Income Contingent Repayment (ICR) plan in the Direct Loan program based on the President's ``Pay As You Earn'' repayment initiative, incorporate recent statutory changes to the Income Based Repayment (IBR) plan in the Direct Loan and FFEL programs, and streamline and add clarity to the total and permanent disability discharge process for borrowers in the title IV, HEA loan programs. The proposed regulations implementing a new ICR Plan and the statutory changes to the IBR plan would assist borrowers in repaying their loans while the proposed changes to the total and permanent disability discharge process would reduce burden for borrowers who are disabled and seeking a discharge of their title IV debt.