November 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Office of Management (OM), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 30 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information needed to determine if the contractor has adequate security to warrant payment in advance.

In April 2014, PBGC proposed to amend its regulations to clarify the treatment of benefits resulting from a rollover distribution from a defined contribution plan to a defined benefit plan, if the defined benefit plan was terminated and trusteed by PBGC. Under the proposal, a benefit resulting from rollover amounts generally would not be subject to PBGC's maximum guaranteeable benefit or phase- in limitations and would be in the second highest priority category of benefits in the allocation of assets. PBGC is now finalizing that proposal. Except for making minor clarifications suggested by commenters, the final regulation is the same as the proposed regulation. This rulemaking is part of PBGC's efforts to enhance retirement security by promoting lifetime income options.

The inventions listed below are owned by an agency of the U.S. Government and are available for licensing in the U.S. in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR part 404 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally-funded research and development. Foreign patent applications are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for companies and may also be available for licensing.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR), ``Title IV of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002: Drinking Water Security and Safety'' (EPA ICR No. 2103.05, OMB Control No. 2040-0253) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through November 30, 2014. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on July 16, 2014, during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. A fuller description of the ICR is provided in this request, including its estimated burden and cost to the public. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Notice is hereby given that the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) has taken final action in the following case: Dr. Igor Dzhura, Vanderbilt University: Based on an inquiry conducted and admission obtained by Vanderbilt University (VU) and additional analysis conducted by ORI in its oversight review, ORI found that Dr. Igor Dzhura, former Senior Research Associate, Department of Biomedical Engineering, VU, engaged in research misconduct in research supported by U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) funds, specifically National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), grants R01 HL070250, R01 HL062494, P01 HL046681, and K08 HL03727, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), NIH, grant R01 AR044864, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), NIH, grant R01 MH063232, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, grant U01 AI06223, and National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, grant U54 CA113007. ORI found that Respondent engaged in research misconduct by providing falsified and/or fabricated data to his supervisor and colleagues. Specifically, Respondent:

The Postal Service hereby provides notice that it has filed a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to transfer First-Class Mail Parcels from the Mail Classification Schedule's Market-Dominant Product List to its Competitive Product List.

The Federal Trade Commission publishes this request for public comment concerning a proposed parental consent method submitted by AgeCheq Inc. (``AgeCheq'') under the Voluntary Commission Approval Processes provision of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule. This is the second proposed new method submitted by AgeCheq.

The FTC has completed its regulatory review of its Retail Food Store Advertising and Marketing Practices Rule (``Unavailability Rule'' or ``Rule''). After reviewing public comments regarding the Rule's overall costs, benefits, and regulatory and economic impact, the Commission retains the Rule. The Commission, however, takes this opportunity to issue guidance concerning the Rule's coverage. The Commission also corrects a typographical error, and ceases to publish dissents to the Rule's previous amendment.

The purpose of this notice is to initiate the scoping process for the preparation of an integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for proposed improvements to the existing navigation project at Redwood City Harbor and San Bruno Shoal.

This notice announces that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has forwarded the Information Collection Request (ICR), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 1652-0028, abstracted below to OMB for review and approval of an extension of the currently approved collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. TSA published a Federal Register notice, with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments of the following collection of information, on September 9, 2014, 79 FR 53438. Upon registering for a voluntary advanced self-defense training class provided by TSA, the collection process involves requesting the name, contact information, airline employee number, and Social Security number (last four digits) from flight and cabin crew members of air carriers to verify employment status and to confirm eligibility to participate. Eligible training participants are flight and cabin crew members of a U.S. airline conducting scheduled passenger operations. On attending class in person, crew members are asked to show a second form of identification to confirm registration information. Additionally, each participant is asked to complete a voluntary course evaluation form after the training concludes.

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting in Hawaii in December 2014 regarding social science in the fishery management council process.