April 23, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On January 16, 2013, President Barack Obama announced a series of Executive Actions to reduce gun violence in the United States, including efforts to improve the Federal government's background check system for the sale or transfer of firearms by licensed dealers, called the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Among those persons disqualified from possessing or receiving firearms under Federal law are individuals who have been involuntarily committed to a mental institution; found incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity; or otherwise have been determined, through a formal adjudication process, to have a severe mental condition that results in the individuals presenting a danger to themselves or others or being incapable of managing their own affairs (referred to below as the ``mental health prohibitor''). Concerns have been raised that, in certain states, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule may be a barrier to States' reporting the identities of individuals subject to the mental health prohibitor to the NICS. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS or ``the Department''), which administers the HIPAA regulations, is issuing this Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to solicit public comments on such barriers to reporting and ways in which these barriers can be addressed. In particular, we are considering creating an express permission in the HIPAA rules for reporting the relevant information to the NICS by those HIPAA covered entities responsible for involuntary commitments or the formal adjudications that would subject individuals to the mental health prohibitor, or that are otherwise designated by the States to report to the NICS. In addition, we are soliciting comments on the best methods to disseminate information on relevant HIPAA policies to State level entities that originate or maintain information that may be reported to NICS. Finally, we are soliciting public input on whether there are ways to mitigate any unintended adverse consequences for individuals seeking needed mental health services that may be caused by creating express regulatory permission to report relevant information to NICS. The Department will use the information it receives to determine how best to address these issues.

The Commission amends the Alternative Fuels Rule (``Labeling Requirements for Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fueled Vehicles'') to consolidate the FTC's alternative fueled vehicle (AFV) labels with new fuel economy labels required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The amendments also eliminate labeling requirements for used AFV labels.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Route 136 Bridge across the Saugatuck River, mile 1.3, at Westport, Connecticut. The deviation is necessary to facilitate emergency repairs. Under this temporary deviation, the bridge owner requires a 24 hour advance notice for bridge openings through June 1, 2013.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Smith Point Bridge, mile 6.1, across Narrow Bay, between Smith Point and Fire Island, New York. The deviation is necessary to facilitate the Smith Point Triathlon. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed for two hours to facilitate public safety during a public event.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation for a portion of Robertson Lake & O'Leary Lake, Moss Point, MS. This action is necessary for the safeguard of participants and spectators, including all crews, vessels, and persons on navigable waters during the Moss Point Rockin' the Riverfront Festival high speed boat races. Entry into, transiting or anchoring in this area is prohibited to all vessels not registered with the sponsor as participants or not part of the regatta patrol, unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Mobile or a designated representative.

In this document, the Commission announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, for a period of three years, the information collection associated with the Commission's Local Community Radio Act of 2010; Revision of Service and Eligibility Rules for Low Power FM Stations, Sixth Report and Order (Order) and revisions to Form 318. This notice is consistent with the Order, which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing OMB approval and the effective date of the requirements.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary safety zone in the navigable waters of the Port of Redwood City near Redwood City, CA in support of the Redwood City 4th of July Fireworks Show on July 4, 2013. This safety zone is necessary to ensure the safety of participants and spectators from the dangers associated with the pyrotechnics. The safety zone will temporarily restrict vessel movement within the designated area on July 4, 2013, from 9:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.

The Coast Guard is confirming the removal of the Decker Island restricted anchorage area in the Sacramento River. The restricted anchorage area was needed in the past to prevent non-government vessels from transiting through or anchoring in the United States Army's tug and barge anchorage zones. The United States Army relinquished control of the Island in 1975. A direct final rule detailing the removal of the restricted anchorage regulation was published in the Federal Register on January 23, 2013. We received no comments in response, therefore, the rule will go into effect as scheduled.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that modified the grade requirements for potatoes handled under the Colorado potato marketing order, Area No. 2. The interim rule relaxed the minimum grade requirement for size B and 1-inch to 1\3/4\-inch diameter round, red- skinned potatoes handled under the marketing order from U.S. No. 1 to U.S. Commercial. This change is expected to facilitate the handling and marketing of the Area No. 2 potato crop, provide producers and handlers with increased returns, and supply consumers with increased potato purchasing options.

The FAA withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. The proposed AD would have required installing new operational software in the cabin management system, and loading new software into the mass memory card. Since the proposed AD was issued, we have received new data that indicates the unsafe condition would not be adequately addressed by the proposed action. Subsequently, we are considering issuing new rulemaking that positively addresses the unsafe condition identified in the NPRM and eliminates the need for the actions proposed in the NPRM. Accordingly, the proposed AD is withdrawn.

This document establishes a reconfigured 800 MHz band plan for the National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee Regions bordering Mexico. This action is necessary to meet the Commission's goals to improve public safety communications in the 800 MHz band. This order ensures an orderly and efficient transition to the new 800 MHz band plan along the Mexico border.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, designate critical habitat for Umtanum desert buckwheat (Erigonum codium) and White Bluffs bladderpod (Physaria douglasii subsp. tuplashensis) under the Act. In total, approximately 344 acres (139 hectares) are designated as critical habitat for Eriogonum codium in Benton County, Washington, and approximately 2,861 acres (1,158 hectares) are designated as critical habitat for Physaria douglasii subsp. tuplashensis in Franklin County, Washington. The effect of this regulation is to conserve both species' habitat under the Endangered Species Act.

On August 17, 2012, OSHA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking, as well as a companion direct final rule, that proposed applying the requirements in OSHA's 2010 cranes and derricks construction standard to underground construction work and demolition work. The notice of proposed rulemaking also proposed to correct inadvertent errors in the underground construction and demolition standards. After receiving a comment recommending that OSHA clarify the proposed regulatory text of the demolition standard, OSHA clarified the text and is issuing this final rule to apply the cranes and derricks standard to underground construction work and demolition work.