December 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. Comments are requested concerning: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid OMB control number.

Due to a clerical error, comments submitted by the Center for Biological Diversity on a requested extension of Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act exploration licenses were not considered until after the licenses were extended. After reviewing and considering those comments, NOAA has found that they provide no basis for reconsidering the requested license extensions or revising the now-extended licenses.

The invention listed below is owned by an agency of the U.S. Government and is available for licensing and/or co-development 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 and/or co-development.

The invention listed below is owned by an agency of the U.S. Government and is available for licensing and/or co-development 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 and/or co-development.

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to incorporate increased thresholds for application of the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement and the Free Trade Agreements, as determined by the United States Trade Representative.

DoD is proposing to amend the DFARS to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 and a section of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for FY 2015, which address various requirements for multiyear contracts.

The Coast Guard is modifying the effective dates of a published temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad swing span drawbridge across Des Allemands Bayou, mile 14.0, at Des Allemands, St. Charles and Lafourche Parishes, Louisiana. This modification of the dates is necessary due to weather delaying the scheduled rehabilitations. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in its closed-to-navigation position for three eight-hour periods during three consecutive days on two separate occasions.

DoD is issuing an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to provide contractors with additional time to implement security requirements specified by a National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Scientific & Statistical Committee to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval. The FMCSA seeks emergency approval to revise an ICR titled, ``Licensing Applications for Motor Carrier Operating Authority,'' that is used by for-hire motor carriers of regulated commodities, motor passenger carriers, freight forwarders, property brokers, and certain Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to register their operations with the FMCSA.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions of 107 individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from this rule if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these CMV drivers.

This order extends the duration of the withdrawal created by Public Land Order No. 7177 for an additional 20-year period, which would otherwise expire on December 20, 2015. The extension is necessary for continued protection of the investment of Federal funds in the United States Forest Service Glacier Loop Administrative Site near Juneau, Alaska.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for the utilization of the Voluntary Web- Based Questionnaire of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Firms. The questionnaire will be for the use of firms certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE). DBE's that choose to participate will be asked to provide information regarding the nature of their business and bidding history, and perceived barriers/challenges that may have prevented them from receiving a contract or successfully competing in DOT's DBE program. A link to the survey will be made available by DOT's Departmental Office of Civil Rights for use by the Department's state and local recipients, which can in turn post this link on their own Web sites. The information collected will be used to assist DOT in measuring whether the DBE program is achieving its objectives.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

In the Federal Register published on January 22, 2015, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) issued a proposed rule that would allow the agency to accept covered disclosures of wrongdoing from employees working under a contract or grant with the Federal government. OSC hereby withdraws this proposed rule.

The U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service or Agency) is amending its internal directives for ski area concessions by adding two clauses to the Special Uses Handbook, Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 2709.11, Chapter 50, addressing the sufficiency of water for operation of ski areas on National Forest System (NFS) lands. The Forest Service recognizes the importance of winter sports opportunities on NFS lands and the need to address the sufficiency of water for ski areas operating on NFS lands. By addressing this need, this final directive will promote the long-term sustainability of ski areas on NFS lands and the economies of the communities that depend on revenue from those ski areas.

The Postal Service gives notice of filing a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add a domestic shipping services contract to the list of Negotiated Service Agreements in the Mail Classification Schedule's Competitive Products List.

The Postal Service gives notice of filing a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add a domestic shipping services contract to the list of Negotiated Service Agreements in the Mail Classification Schedule's Competitive Products List.

This document provides guidance regarding reverse auction participation by parties to pending transactions involving broadcast television licenses.