2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC (BATO), has determined that certain Bridgestone bus tires do not fully comply with paragraph S6.5(e) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 119, New Pneumatic Tires for Motor Vehicles With a GVWR of More than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) and Motorcycles. BATO has filed an appropriate report dated July 7, 2015, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.

The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing concerning the addition of Priority Mail Contract 159 negotiated service agreement to the competitive product list. This notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps.

This notice announces the intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve the proposed information collection project: ``Online Submission Form for Supplemental Evidence and Data for Systematic reviews for the Evidence-based Practice Center Program.'' In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521, AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on September 21st, 2015 and allowed 60 days for public comment. AHRQ did not receive any substantive comments. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposes to amend the Cotton Board Rules and Regulations to remove the cotton import de minimis provision. The Cotton Research and Promotion (R&P) Program assesses U.S. cotton producers and importers of cotton and cotton- containing products. Importers are exempt from paying the cotton import assessment (known commonly among importers as the ``cotton fee'') if a line item on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) documentation is $2.00 or less. The exemption was initially established to lessen the administrative burden of collecting an import assessment, which was originally estimated to be $2.00 per line item, in instances in which the transactions costs of the collection would exceed the actual value of the assessment. However, technological advances in the CBP documentation process significantly reduced the transactions costs associated with collecting import assessments, and CBP has since stopped charging USDA for the processing and collecting of assessments. Given that transactions costs no longer exceed assessment rates of $2.00 or less, AMS proposes to remove this de minimis provision from the regulations. In addition, the definition of cotton with respect to procedures for conducting the sign-up period would also be modified.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a revision submitted by the State of Minnesota on July 16, 2015. The purpose of this revision is to establish transportation conformity criteria and procedures related to interagency consultation, and enforceability of certain transportation related control and mitigation measures.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to revise regulations governing the exercise of non-Federal oil and gas rights in order to improve our ability to protect refuge resources, visitors, and the general public's health and safety from potential impacts associated with non-Federal oil and gas operations located within U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge units. Non-Federal oil and gas development refers to oil and gas activities associated with any private, State, or tribally owned mineral interest where the surface estate is administered by the Service as part of the Refuge System. The existing non-Federal oil and gas regulations have remained unchanged for more than 50 years and provide vague guidance to staff and operators. This proposed rule would make the regulations consistent with existing laws, policies and industry practices. It is designed to provide regulatory clarity and guidance to oil and gas operators and refuge staff, provide a simple process for compliance, incorporate technological improvements in exploration and drilling technology, and ensure that non-Federal oil and gas operations are conducted in a manner that avoids or minimizes impacts to refuge resources.

This Notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for use to assist the homeless.

This document contains corrections to the final regulations that became effective June 30, 2015, as published in the 2015 edition of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Petitions for Reconsideration (Petitions) have been filed in the Commission's proceeding by: Kathleen O'Brien Ham, on behalf of T- Mobile USA, Inc.; Caressa D. Bennet, on behalf of PBP Group, LLC, Bulloch Cellular, Inc., Pineland Cellular, Inc., and Planters Rural Cellular, Inc.; and A. Wray Fitch, III, on behalf of Walker Broadcasting Company, Inc. T-Mobile USA, Inc.'s petition requests a declaratory ruling in the alternative.

This is a Notice that the U.S. Small Business Administration is accepting applications for disaster loans from the State of New Jersey. Incident: Hurricane Sandy Reopening. Incident Period: 10/26/2012 through 11/08/2012.

This is a Notice that the U.S. Small Business Administration is accepting applications for disaster loans from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Incident: Tidal Surge, Rain and Wind from Hurricane Sandy Reopening. Incident Period: 10/28/2012.

This is a Notice that the U.S. Small Business Administration is accepting applications for disaster loans from the State of New York. Incident: Hurricane Sandy Reopening. Incident Period: 10/27/2012 through 11/08/2012. Effective Date: 12/02/2015. Physical Loan Application Deadline Date: 12/01/2016. Economic Injury (EIDL) Loan Application Deadline Date: 12/01/2016.

HUD is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the information collection described below. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is requesting comment from all interested parties on the proposed collection of information. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment.

The SBA is issuing this notice to announce the location, date, time and agenda for the 2nd quarter meetings of the National Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Advisory Board.

Based on affirmative final determinations by the Department of Commerce (Department) and the International Trade Commission (ITC), the Department is issuing a countervailing duty order on supercalendered paper (SC paper) from Canada.

The Secretary of Commerce, through the Office of Trade and Economic Analysis (``OTEA''), issued an amended Export Trade Certificate of Review to the California Almond Export Association on November 24, 2015. The Certificate has now been amended ten times. The most recent previous amendment was issued to CAEA on August 17, 2015, and a notice of its issuance was published in the Federal Register on September 1, 2015 (80 FR 52738).

This is a Notice that the U.S. Small Business Administration is accepting applications for disaster loans from the State of Maryland. Incident: Hurricane Sandy Reopening. Incident Period: 10/26/2012 through 11/04/2012. Effective Date: 12/02/2015. Physical Loan Application Deadline Date: 12/01/2016. Economic Injury (EIDL) Loan Application Deadline Date: 12/01/2016.

This is a Notice that the U.S. Small Business Administration is accepting applications for disaster loans from the State of Maryland. Incident: Hurricane Sandy Reopening. Incident Period: 10/26/2012 through 11/04/2012. Effective Date: 12/02/2015. Physical Loan Application Deadline Date: 12/01/2016. Economic Injury (EIDL) Loan Application Deadline Date: 12/01/2016.

This is a Notice that the U.S. Small Business Administration is accepting applications for disaster loans from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Incident: Tropical Storm Sandy Reopening. Incident Period: 10/25/2012 through 10/26/2012. Effective Date: 12/02/2015. Physical Loan Application Deadline Date: 12/01/2016. Economic Injury (EIDL) Loan Application Deadline Date: 12/01/2016.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) received a request from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for a Buy America waiver for Voith Turbo Schneider Propeller GmbH (Voith) 21/R5 propulsion units based on non-availability. Voith, located in Germany, is the sole manufacturer of the required propulsion units. VDOT is procuring the propulsion units as part of an engine and drive system replacement for the Ferry Boat Pocahontas, which is operated by VDOT. There are no domestic manufacturers of equivalent propulsion units. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(3)(A), FTA published a notice of the waiver request and sought public comment in deciding whether to grant the request. Having received no comments opposing the waiver, FTA is hereby granting a non-availability waiver for this one procurement of the specific Voith Turbo Schneider Propeller GmbH identified in this waiver request, and not to any future procurement by VDOT or others.

This rule establishes the National Language Services Corps (NLSC) in the Code of Federal Regulations by describing the program and its responsibilities pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, Section 954. This Section authorized the Secretary of Defense to establish the NLSC to respond to federal agencies' needs for language skills in emergencies or surge requirements. Once a federal agency identifies a need, NLSC members are advised of the potential assignment. If an individual is interested and available, he or she will go through a screening and selection process as discussed in the rule. The decision to use NLSC rests with the requesting agency and support agreements must be established before work can begin.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the following information collection requirement to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register at 80 FR 50328, and no comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of this second notice. The full submission may be found at: https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; or (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for National Science Foundation, 725 17th Street NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, and to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1265, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send email to splimpto@nsf.gov. Comments regarding this information collection are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling 703-292-7556.

The U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration (ITA), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, is organizing the third Japan-United States Decommissioning and Remediation Fukushima Recovery Forum (``Fukushima Recovery Forum'') on February 24-25, 2016 in Tokyo, Japan. Building on the second Fukushima Recovery Forum held in April 2015, the third Fukushima Recovery Forum aims to continue to develop U.S.-Japanese cooperation on Fukushima recovery efforts, the decommissioning of other Japanese reactors, and the restart of Japan's reactor fleet. The event will be a venue for U.S. firms to hear from Japanese Ministries, utilities, and commissioning entities on the status of Japan's civil nuclear energy program. In addition, the event will be a forum for U.S. and Japanese firms to share experiences, expertise, and lessons learned in remediation and decommissioning, including work underway at Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station, and in Tohoku, the area affected by the accident at Fukushima. The event also aims to address interest in cooperation in areas related to nuclear power as Japan moves forward with its plan for decommissioning or restarting its nuclear reactors. U.S. firms will also be given an opportunity to network with Japanese firms and identify potential business partners. ITA is seeking the participation of a maximum of 25 U.S. companies that produce technology or provide services in the decommissioning or remediation sector as well as in areas related to nuclear restarts. Staff from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Global Markets, Industry & Analysis (I&A), and U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service (CS) units will also be available in Tokyo to provide export counseling and civil nuclear trade policy guidance to participating companies. Support for the Fukushima Recovery Forum was confirmed at meetings of the U.S-Japan Bilateral Commission on Civil Nuclear Cooperation. The Bilateral Commission serves as a senior-level, forum for consultations on mutual issues of concern to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and advance shared interests in the area of civil nuclear cooperation. The Bilateral Commission is chaired by the Department of Energy and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI). There are five working groups under the Bilateral Commission that coordinate bilateral cooperation in the areas of civil nuclear energy research and development, the decommissioning of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station, environmental management, emergency management, nuclear security, and safety and regulatory issues. The Decommissioning and Environmental Management Working Group (DEMWG) under the Bilateral Commission addresses the long-term consequences of the Fukushima accident, including facility decommissioning, spent fuel storage, decontamination, and remediation of contaminated areas. The Fukushima Recovery Forum is under the auspices of the DEMWG to further industry cooperation in support of Fukushima recovery efforts.