July 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM), in collaboration with the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM), is planning to convene an independent scientific peer review panel (Panel) to assess the validation status of an up-and-down procedure (UDP) for acute dermal systemic toxicity testing. NICEATM requests nominations of scientific experts who can be considered for the Panel and submission of data for substances tested in in vivo acute dermal and oral systemic toxicity tests.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency proposes to update and reissue a current system of records titled, ``Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency20060002 National Emergency Management Information System (NEMIS)Mitigation (MT) Electronic Grants Management System of Records,'' and retitle it ``Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency 009 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Programs System of Records.'' As a result of the biennial review of this system, the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency is proposing changes to the following: (1) System name: (2) categories of individuals; (3) categories of records; (4) purposes; (5) routine uses; and (6) sources of records. This revised system will be included in the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency's inventory of record systems.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (the ``Commission'') is publishing interpretive guidance with respect to sections 3(a)(41) (the definition of ``mortgage related security'') and 3(a)(53)(A) (the definition of ``small business related security'') of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Exchange Act''), in light of section 939(e) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the ``Dodd-Frank Act''). Section 939(e) strikes provisions in sections 3(a)(41) and 3(a)(53)(A) of the Exchange Act that reference credit ratings issued by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (``NRSROs''), and inserts new text that provides that in order to satisfy these definitions a security must meet ``standards of credit-worthiness as established by the Commission.'' Because more time is needed to develop and establish standards of creditworthiness for purposes of these definitions, the Commission is providing a transitional interpretation that will be applicable on and after July 20, 2012, and until such time as final Commission rules establishing new standards of creditworthiness become effective. The Commission also is seeking comment on potential standards of creditworthiness that could be established to replace the use of NRSRO credit ratings in the definitions of the terms ``mortgage related security'' and ``small business related security.''

In this final rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1823 (2008), which, among other things, terminated sanctions against Rwanda concerning ``arms and related materiel'' imposed in 1994 pursuant to UNSCR 918. This rule includes conforming changes in the EAR related to the termination of the United Nations embargo on ``arms and related materiel'' against Rwanda, including the removal of machetes from the Commerce Control List (CCL). Further, BIS amends Part 746 (Embargoes and Other Special Controls) of the EAR to require a license to export or reexport certain items to countries subject to United Nations Security Council arms embargoes. A presumptive denial policy will apply to applications to export or reexport items that are controlled for UN reasons and that would contravene a United Nations Security Council arms embargo.

The Administration on Aging (AoA) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information collection requirements relating to the Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Program.

This Notice announces a decision by the Federal Geographic Data Committee's Federal Geodetic Control Subcommittee in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget, Circular A-16 (https:// www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a016/a016.html), to affirm the Puerto Rico Vertical Datum of 2002 (PRVD02) as the official civilian vertical datum for surveying and mapping activities for the islands of Puerto Rico, Culebra, Mona and Vieques of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and to the extent practicable, legally allowable and feasible, require that all Federal agencies, with the exception of those with specific military related applications, using or producing vertical height information undertake an orderly transition to PRVD02.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model MBB-BK 117 (all versions) and BO-105LS A-3 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the tail rotor pitch link spherical bearing for proper swaging. This AD is prompted by a report of a tail rotor pitch link with a spherical bearing that had migrated out of the bearing bore. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the tail rotor pitch link and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement Governmentwide requirements in National Defense Authorization Acts that establish minimum processes and requirements for the selection, accountability, training, equipping, and conduct of personnel performing private security functions outside the United States.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A318-112 and -121 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -115, - 132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-214, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-211, -212, -213, and -231 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of some fuselage nuts found cracked. This AD requires an inspection to determine if certain fuselage nuts are installed, a detailed inspection for cracking of fuselage nuts having a certain part number, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fuselage nuts found cracked, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for CHI Model 107-II and Kawasaki Model KV107-II and KV107-IIA helicopters. This AD requires, before further flight, replacing certain upper collective pitch control yoke bolts. This AD is prompted by three failures of the affected bolts. These actions are intended to prevent failure of an upper collective pitch control yoke bolt (bolt), excessive vibration, migration of the shafts, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of fatigue cracks in the lap joints, which initiated at scribe lines that were made during production when maskant was removed from the affected skin panels during the chemical milling process. This AD requires repetitive external phased-array ultrasonic inspections to detect cracks of the affected fuselage skin lap splices in Sections 41, 43, and 44, as applicable, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such fatigue cracking, which could grow large and cause sudden decompression and the inability to sustain limit flight and pressure loads.

This final rule establishes data collection standards necessary to implement aspects of section 1302 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act), which directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to define essential health benefits. This final rule outlines the data on applicable plans to be collected from certain issuers to support the definition of essential health benefits. This final rule also establishes a process for the recognition of accrediting entities for purposes of certification of qualified health plans.

The Audio Division, on its own motion, deletes four vacant allotments in various communities in Arkansas, Michigan, Montana, and Washington. These vacant allotments have been auctioned through our competitive bidding process, and are considered unsold permits that were included in Auction 93. We are deleting these vacant allotments from the FM Table, because there were no bona fide expressions of interest filed to retain these four vacant allotments. Deletion of these allotments may create other opportunities in nearby communities for new FM allotments or upgrades of existing stations. We conclude that the deletion of these vacant allotments could promote a more effective and efficient use of the FM broadcast spectrum. See Supplementary Information, supra.

This notice announces changes in the interest rates to be paid on debentures issued with respect to a loan or mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration under the provisions of the National Housing Act (the Act). The interest rate for debentures issued under section 221(g)(4) of the Act during the 6-month period beginning July 1, 2012, is 1\5/8\ percent. The interest rate for debentures issued under any other provision of the Act is the rate in effect on the date that the commitment to insure the loan or mortgage was issued, or the date that the loan or mortgage was endorsed (or initially endorsed if there are two or more endorsements) for insurance, whichever rate is higher. The interest rate for debentures issued under these other provisions with respect to a loan or mortgage committed or endorsed during the 6-month period beginning July 1, 2012, is 2\3/4\ percent. However, as a result of an amendment to section 224 of the Act, if an insurance claim relating to a mortgage insured under sections 203 or 234 of the Act and endorsed for insurance after January 23, 2004, is paid in cash, the debenture interest rate for purposes of calculating a claim shall be the monthly average yield, for the month in which the default on the mortgage occurred, on United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a constant maturity of 10 years.

The U.S. Navy (USN) requested that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) disestablish the restricted area (RA) located 4 nautical miles due south of Lands End in Newport, Rhode Island. The RA was established on August 31, 1987. The purpose of the RA was to establish a practice minefield for conducting mine detection and mine sweeping exercises. Use of the RA by the USN has been discontinued. Given the inert practice materials that were used at the site, the USN has determined that disestablishment of the area will not pose any hazard or threat to public safety.