2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This final rule implements a new Medicare Part A and B payment model under section 1115A of the Social Security Act, called the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) model, in which acute care hospitals in certain selected geographic areas will receive retrospective bundled payments for episodes of care for lower extremity joint replacement (LEJR) or reattachment of a lower extremity. All related care within 90 days of hospital discharge from the joint replacement procedure will be included in the episode of care. We believe this model will further our goals in improving the efficiency and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries with these common medical procedures.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-22-20 for certain Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, and A340-300 series airplanes. AD 2008-22-20 required repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections for cracking, repair if necessary, and modification of the upper shell structure of the fuselage. This new AD shortens certain compliance times. This AD was prompted by a determination from a fatigue and damage tolerance evaluation that the compliance times must be reduced. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the upper shell structure of the fuselage, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

This document announces the Agency's receipt of several initial filings of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities.

At the request of the designated operator for Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba, the Postal Service is adding this country to Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM[supreg]), to reflect these islands' status as special municipalities of the Netherlands with their own designated operator.

This final rule corrects editorial errors, makes minor regulatory changes and, in response to requests for clarification, improves the clarity of certain provisions in the Hazardous Materials Regulations. The intended effect of this rule is to enhance the accuracy and reduce misunderstandings of the regulations. The amendments contained in this rule are non-substantive changes and do not impose new requirements.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a May 12, 2014 State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted for the Commonwealth of Virginia by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ). This revision adds Plantwide Applicability Limit (PAL) provisions for Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) to Virginia's Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Commission recently adopted rules to repurpose broadcast television spectrum for new wireless services via an incentive auction. This document modifies Commission rules for unlicensed wireless devices and wireless microphones in the reconstituted TV bands and the new 600 MHz band. This document modifies the Commission's rules for unlicensed operations in the frequency bands that are now and will continue to be allocated and assigned to broadcast television services (TV bands), including fixed and personal/portable white space devices and unlicensed wireless microphones. It adopts technical and operational rules for unlicensed devices and wireless microphones in the 600 MHz guard bands, including the duplex gap, and in the 600 MHz band that will be repurposed for new wireless services. It also adopts rules for fixed and personal/portable white space device operation on channel 37 and for the operation of unlicensed wireless microphones in the TV bands. This document modify the white space database rules to implement certain decisions, including protecting areas where new 600 MHz service licensees commence operation and areas used by incumbent services on channel 37.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the S168 Bridge (Battlefield Boulevard) across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, mile 12.0, at Chesapeake (Great Bridge), VA. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position to facilitate the annual Chesapeake Christmas Parade.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) is classifying the ultraviolet (UV) radiation chamber disinfection device into class II (special controls). The special controls that will apply to the device are identified in this order and will be part of the codified language for the UV radiation chamber disinfection device classification. The Agency is classifying the device into class II (special controls) in order to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) is publishing an order granting a petition requesting exemption from premarket notification requirements for electric positioning chair devices. An electric positioning chair is a device with a motorized positioning control that is intended for medical purposes and that can be adjusted to various positions. These devices are used to provide stability for patients with athetosis (involuntary spasms) and to alter postural positions. This order exempts electric positioning chairs, class II devices, from premarket notification, subject to certain conditions for exemption. This exemption from premarket notification, subject to these conditions (and the limitations in the physical medicine devices limitations of exemptions from premarket notification section of the device regulations), is immediately in effect for electric positioning chairs. FDA is publishing this order in accordance with the exemption from class II premarket notification section of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act).

This action proposes special conditions for the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation GVI airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes. This design feature is non-rechargeable lithium battery systems. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

This document corrects an error that appeared in Docket No. FAA-2015-3367, Special Conditions No. 25-596-SC, which was published in the Federal Register on September 30, 2015 (80 FR 58597). The error is in a reference to Boeing in a note preceding a section titled, Inflatable Lap Belt Special Conditions. It is being corrected herein.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2006-19- 12, which applies to certain The Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 2006-19-12 currently requires inspecting the lower web of the aft fairing of the engine struts for any discoloration and doing any related investigative and corrective action if necessary; inspecting the heat shield castings for any damage and doing any corrective action if necessary; installing gap cover strips; and replacing insulation blankets with new insulation blankets. Since we issued AD 2006-19-12, we have received a report that an aft fairing lower spar web exceeded the allowable conductivity limits. This proposed AD would also require, depending on airplane configuration, one-time or repetitive detailed inspections for cracking and deformation, as applicable, of the aft fairing lower structure, and one-time or repetitive conductivity inspections of the aft fairing lower structure and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also adds airplanes to the applicability. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct degradation of the aft fairing lower web, which could lead to cracking of the web and could allow flammable fluids to leak into the heat shield pan castings, and consequent increased risk of an uncontained fire and subsequent structural damage.

EPA is withdrawing significant new use rules (SNURs) promulgated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for three chemical substances, which were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). EPA published these SNURs using direct final rulemaking procedures, which requires EPA to take certain actions if a notice of intent to submit an adverse comment is received. EPA received notices of intent to submit adverse comments regarding the SNURs identified in this document. Therefore, the Agency is withdrawing the direct final rule SNURs identified in this document, as required under the direct final rulemaking procedures.

These special conditions are issued for the CFM International (CFM), LEAP-1B engine models. This engine model will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with the engine: woven composite fan blades. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to clarify how the clause prescription addresses applicability when an exception to the Buy American statute or Balance of Payments Program applies.

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to eliminate a requirement for military departments and defense agencies to collect and report relevant data on award and incentive fees paid to contractors.

DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to add a definition of ``long-haul telecommunications.''

DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, which amended a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, to extend and modify contract authority for advanced component development and prototype units.

The Coast Guard proposes amending the Columbus Day weekend regulated navigation area on Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida. The proposed amended regulation extends the Biscayne Bay regulated navigation enforcement period to New Year's Eve and Fourth of July events. It also expands the boundaries of the regulated navigation area south to Turkey Point, east to Elliott Key, west to the shoreline, and north to the Julia Tuttle Causeway. These regulations are necessary to protect the public during Columbus Day weekend, New Year's Eve events, and Fourth of July events; periods that have historically had a significant concentration of persons and vessels on the waters of Biscayne Bay. To ensure the public's safety, all vessels within the regulated navigation area are: Required to transit the regulated navigation area at no more than 15 knots; subject to control by the Coast Guard; and required to follow the instructions of all law enforcement vessels in the area. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

This NPRM provides interested parties with the opportunity to comment on proposed revisions to the FHWA and FTA joint regulations that implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act. The revisions are prompted by the enactment of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), which requires rulemaking to address programmatic approaches. This NPRM proposes to revise the FHWA/FTA Environmental Impact and Related Procedures and Parks, Recreation Areas, Wildlife and Waterfowl Refuges, and Historic Sites regulations due to MAP-21 changes to the environmental review process that FHWA and FTA have not previously captured in other rulemakings, such as the use of programmatic agreements and the use of single final environmental impact statement/record of decision documents. In addition, FHWA and FTA propose changes to the regulatory text to improve readability and to reflect current practice, consistent with an Executive order to improve regulations and regulatory review. The FHWA and FTA seek comments on the proposals contained in this notice.

As the Nation's housing agency, HUD administers programs designed to meet the goal of ensuring decent housing and a suitable living environment for all. In furtherance of this goal, in February 2012, HUD promulgated a final rule entitled ``Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity'' (Equal Access Rule), which requires that HUD-assisted and HUD-insured housing be made available without regard to actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status, and which generally prohibits inquiries into sexual orientation or gender identity for the purpose of determining eligibility for such housing or otherwise making such housing available. HUD's Equal Access Rule provides a limited exception for inquiries about the sex of an individual to determine eligibility for housing provided or to be provided to the individual when the housing is a temporary, emergency shelter that involves the sharing of sleeping areas or bathrooms, or for inquiries made for the purpose of determining the number of bedrooms to which a household may be entitled. At that time, HUD decided not to set national policy regarding how transgender persons would be accommodated in temporary, emergency shelters that involve shared sleeping quarters or shared bathing facilities, but instead decided to monitor and review its programs to determine if transgender individuals had greater access to temporary, emergency shelters as a result of the rule or if additional guidance or a national policy was warranted. HUD also committed to review the prohibition on inquiries contained in the Equal Access Rule. HUD has now monitored and reviewed its programs and, based on that review, is proposing this rule to require recipients and subrecipients of assistance from HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD), as well as owners, operators, and managers of shelters, buildings, and other facilities and providers of services covered by CPD's programs, to provide transgender persons and other persons who do not identify with the sex they were assigned at birth with access to programs, benefits, services, and accommodations in accordance with their gender identity. This proposed rule would also amend the definition of ``gender identity'' included in HUD's Equal Access Rule so the definition more clearly reflects the difference between actual and perceived gender identity. Finally, HUD has completed its review of the inquiries provision, and the proposed rule would eliminate the Equal Access Rule's current prohibition on inquiries related to sexual orientation or gender identity, while maintaining the prohibition against discrimination on those bases.

This action sets forth the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) final decision on the issues for which it granted reconsideration on January 21, 2015, that pertain to certain aspects of the January 31, 2013, final amendments to the ``National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Major Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers and Process Heaters'' (Boiler MACT). The EPA is retaining a minimum carbon monoxide (CO) limit of 130 parts per million (ppm) and the particulate matter (PM) continuous parameter monitoring system (CPMS) requirements, consistent with the January 2013 final rule. The EPA is making minor changes to the proposed definitions of startup and shutdown and work practices during these periods, based on public comments received. Among other things, this final action addresses a number of technical corrections and clarifications of the rule. These corrections will clarify and improve the implementation of the January 2013 final Boiler MACT, but do not have any effect on the environmental, energy, or economic impacts associated with the proposed action. This action also includes our final decision to deny the requests for reconsideration with respect to all issues raised in the petitions for reconsideration of the final Boiler MACT for which we did not grant reconsideration.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, and A330-300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked support strut body ends at a certain frame location of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer (THS). This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the strut ends of the THS support located at a certain frame in the tail cone, and replacement if necessary; and reinstallation or installation of reinforcing clamps on certain strut ends. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracked support strut body ends of the THS, which could lead to the loss of all four THS support struts, making the remaining structure unable to carry limit loads, resulting in the loss of the horizontal tail plane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Zodiac Aerotechnics (formerly Intertechnique Aircraft Systems) flightcrew oxygen mask regulators as installed on, but not limited to, various transport and small airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that improper maintenance on oxygen mask regulators was found. This AD requires the identification and replacement of all potentially affected units. This AD also requires installation of a placard and revision of the airplane flight manual to include an operational procedure for use in case of depressurization. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct affected oxygen mask regulators, which could lead to inadequate protection to the affected flightcrew against hypoxia. Hypoxia can start from a headache and drowsiness and lead eventually to unconsciousness with severe consequence in terms of airplane controllability.