2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of the Army is amending its Law Enforcement Regulation. Specifically, Army is clarifying language for contractors who are required to register as sex offenders on Army installations. This change will allow the Department to collect information from registered sex offenders in accordance with their contract requirements. This ensures contractors meet the government requirements under the terms and conditions of the contract.

This document contains final regulations that remove the rule that a deemed discharge of indebtedness for which a Form 1099-C, ``Cancellation of Debt,'' must be filed occurs at the expiration of a 36-month non-payment testing period. The Treasury Department and the IRS are concerned that the rule creates confusion for taxpayers and does not increase tax compliance by debtors or provide the IRS with valuable third-party information that may be used to ensure taxpayer compliance. The final regulations affect certain financial institutions and governmental entities.

This action modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Carmi Municipal Airport, Carmi, IL; De Kalb Taylor Municipal Airport, De Kalb, IL; Harrisburg-Raleigh Airport, Harrisburg, IL; Kewanne Municipal Airport, Kewanne, IL; Litchfield Municipal Airport, Litchfield, IL; Edgar County Airport, Paris, IL; and Taylorville Municipal Airport, Taylorville, IL. Decommissioning of non- directional radio beacons (NDB), cancellation of NDB approaches, or implementation of area navigation (RNAV) procedures have made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the above airports. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of Carmi Municipal Airport, De Kalb Taylor Municipal Airport, Harrisburg-Raleigh Airport, Litchfield Municipal Airport, Edgar County Airport, and Taylorville Municipal Airport to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Arkansas International Airport, Blytheville, AR; Blytheville Municipal Airport, Blytheville, AR; Frank Federer Memorial Airport, Brinkley, AR; Clarksville Municipal Airport, Clarksville, AR; and J. Lynn Helms Sevier County Airport, De Queen, AR. Decommissioning of non-directional radio beacons (NDBs), cancellation of NDB approaches, and implementation of area navigation (RNAV) procedures have made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the above airports. This action also updates the name of Arkansas International Airport, and the geographic coordinates for Arkansas International Airport, Blytheville Municipal Airport, and Clarksville Municipal Airport, to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Model ASK 21 gliders. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as cable slack in gliders equipped with a rudder hand control system leading to a short-term blockage of the rudder control system and reduced control. We are issuing this proposed AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600 and A300 B4-600R series airplanes. This action revises the NPRM by adding additional inspections for cracking, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary, and adding airplanes to the applicability. We are proposing this SNPRM to detect and correct cracking on the frame (FR) 40 forward fittings, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. Since these actions impose an additional burden over those proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

We are proposing amendments to the federal proxy rules to require the use of universal proxies in all non-exempt solicitations in connection with contested elections of directors other than those involving registered investment companies and business development companies. Our proposal would require the use of universal proxies that include the names of both registrant and dissident nominees and thus allow shareholders to vote by proxy in a manner that more closely resembles how they can vote in person at a shareholder meeting. We further propose amendments to the form of proxy and proxy statement disclosure requirements to specify clearly the applicable voting options and voting standards in all director elections.

On March 17, 2016, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) to amend the test procedure for commercial packaged boilers. That proposed rulemaking serves as the basis for the final rule. DOE incorporates by reference certain sections of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Air- Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Standard 1500, ``2015 Standard for Performance Rating of Commercial Space Heating Boilers.'' In addition, this final rule incorporates amendments that clarify the coverage for field-constructed commercial packaged boilers and the applicability of DOE's test procedure and standards for this category of commercial packaged boilers, provide an optional field test for commercial packaged boilers with fuel input rate greater than 5,000,000 Btu/h, provide a conversion method to calculate thermal efficiency based on combustion efficiency testing for steam commercial packaged boilers with fuel input rate greater than 5,000,000 Btu/h, modify the inlet water temperatures during tests of hot water commercial packaged boilers, establish limits on the ambient temperature during testing, modify setup and instrumentation requirements to remove ambiguity, and standardize terminology and provisions for ``rated input'' and ``fuel input rate.''

These special conditions are issued for the BHTI Model 525 helicopter. This helicopter will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with the electronic CAS. 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.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making an administrative change to update the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to reflect a change made to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) on May 31, 2016, as a result of EPA's concurrence on a substitute transportation control measure (TCM) for the Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW) portion of the Texas SIP. On August 16, 2016, the State of Texas, through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), submitted a revision to the Texas SIP requesting that EPA update its SIP to reflect a substitution of a TCM. The substitution was made pursuant to the TCM substitution provisions contained in the Clean Air Act (CAA). EPA concurred on this substitution on May 31, 2016. In this administrative action, EPA is updating the non-regulatory provisions of the Texas SIP to reflect the substitution. In summary, the substitution was a replacement of a High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane TCM within the DFW 8-hour ozone nonattainment area with traffic signalization projects. EPA has determined that this action falls under the ``good cause'' exemption in the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) which, upon finding ``good cause,'' authorizes an agency to make an action effective immediately, thereby avoiding the 30-day delayed effective date otherwise provided for in the APA.

FinCEN is issuing this final rule to prohibit U.S. financial institutions from opening or maintaining a correspondent account for, or on behalf of, North Korean banking institutions. The rule further prohibits U.S. financial institutions from processing transactions for the correspondent account of a foreign bank in the United States if such a transaction involves a North Korean financial institution, and requires institutions to apply special due diligence to guard against such use by North Korean financial institutions.

This request for information seeks information and data on additional reforms and policy options that we can consider to accelerate the provision of home and community-based services (HCBS) to Medicaid beneficiaries taking into account issues affecting beneficiary choice and control, program integrity, ratesetting, quality infrastructure, and the homecare workforce.

This action changes the southern and eastern boundaries of the Southern Gear Restricted Area, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. This rule is intended to increase access to traditional squid fishing areas, while maintaining protection for juvenile scup.

The Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone for the Duquesne Light/Santa Spectacular on the Monongahela River mile 0.00-0.22, Allegheny River mile 0.00-0.25, and Ohio River mile 0.0-0.3 extending the entire width of the three rivers. This zone is needed to protect vessels transiting the area and event spectators from the hazards associated with the barge based firework event. During the enforcement period, entry into, transiting, or anchoring in the safety zone is prohibited to all vessels not registered with the sponsor as participants or official patrol vessels, unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Pittsburgh or a designated representative.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Model DA 40 NG airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as possible loss of engine power and emergency landing with consequent damage to the airplane and occupant injury caused by a manufacturing quality deficiency in a batch of V-clamps that could cause the V-clamp to crack and fail. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of wire chafing damage, which caused an electrical arc to an adjacent hydraulic tube located on the forward bulkhead of the main landing gear (MLG) wheel well, resulting in a hole in a hydraulic tube and consequent total loss of system B hydraulic fluid. This AD requires an inspection for chafing damage of wire bundles and a hydraulic tube in the right side of the MLG wheel well, and corrective action if necessary; and installation of clamps between the wire bundles and hydraulic tube. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing damage, which could result in electrical arcing that can cause a hole in the hydraulic tube and consequent loss of hydraulic fluid, possibly resulting in a fire in the MLG wheel well.

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of fluxapyroxad in or on banana, coffee green bean, mango, and papaya. BASF Corporation requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), to ensure that residues on these commodities when imported into the United States would be in compliance with the FFDCA.

In a final rule published in the Federal Register on August 30, 2016, and effective on October 31, 2016, we amended the Virus- Serum-Toxin Act regulations to make veterinary biologics labeling requirements more consistent with current science and veterinary practice. However, we inadvertently removed a requirement for an indications statement that should appear on final container labels, carton labels, and enclosures. This document corrects that error.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that Novus International, Inc., has filed a petition proposing that the food additive regulations be amended to provide for the safe use of poly (2- vinylpyridine-co-styrene) as a nutrient protectant for methionine hydroxy analog in animal food for beef cattle, dairy cattle, and replacement dairy heifers. Additionally, the petition proposes that the food additive regulations be amended to provide for the safe use of ethyl cellulose as a binder for methionine hydroxy analog to be incorporated into animal food.

This document proposes revisions to Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) rules to improve WEA, leveraging advancements in technology to improve WEA's multimedia, multilingual and geo-targeting capabilities, as well as lessons learned from alert originators' experience since WEA was initially deployed. This document also proposes steps to improve the availability of information about WEA, both to empower consumers to make informed choices about the emergency information that they will receive, as well as to promote transparency for emergency management agencies and other WEA stakeholders. By this action, the Commission affords interested parties an opportunity to participate more fully in WEA, and to enhance the utility of WEA as an alerting tool.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is authorized to issue regulations to facilitate the implementation of the sustainable harvest management obligations under the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Russian Federation on the Conservation and Management of the Alaska- Chukotka Polar Bear Population (U.S.-Russia Agreement). To that end, the Service is soliciting public comment on the development of a regulatory program and local management structures for carrying out the responsibilities under the U.S.-Russia Agreement and title V of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended. The Service is also interested in entering into a cooperative agreement with an Alaska Native Organization for the purposes of involving subsistence users in conservation and management of polar bears in Alaska, including the creation of effective two-way communication pathways; collecting and exchanging local observations on polar bears for the development of sound management practices for polar bears in Alaska; managing and monitoring the harvest of polar bears for subsistence use; and developing a polar bear co-management structure.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) wants to provide states and NOAA with a more efficient process for making changes to state coastal management programs (``management programs''). NOAA proposes to revise the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) program change regulations and associated guidance (Program Change Guidance (July 1996) and Addendum (November 2013)) within our regulations. Under the CZMA, a coastal state may not implement any amendment, modification, or other change as part of its approved management program unless the amendment, modification, or other change is approved by the Secretary of Commerce under this subsection. Once NOAA approves the incorporation of a change into a management program, any new or amended management program enforceable policies are applied to federal actions through the CZMA federal consistency provision. This proposed rule addresses the issues raised in NOAA's Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 73 FR 29093 (May 20, 2008) (ANPR) to: Provide a more efficient process for states and NOAA to make changes to state management programs; remove unnecessary requirements in the current regulations; establish program change documentation that all states would adhere to; continue to ensure that federal agencies and the public have an opportunity to comment to NOAA on a state's proposed change to its management program; and comply with the requirements of the CZMA and other applicable federal law. The proposed rule also addresses comments submitted on the ANPR.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a redesignation substitute and making finding of attainment for both the revoked 1-hour and the revoked 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for the Dallas-Fort Worth ozone nonattainment areas (DFW area).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland. The revision pertains to changes and amendments to Maryland regulations for continuous opacity monitoring (COM or COMs) and continuous emissions monitoring (CEM or CEMs) and to an amendment adding requirements for Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) as they pertain to COMs. EPA is approving these revisions to the COMs and CEMs requirements in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

NHTSA and FMCSA have received requests to extend the comment period for their proposal that would require vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 11,793.4 kilograms (26,000 pounds) to be equipped with a speed limiting device and that such device be maintained for the service life of the vehicle. In the proposal, NHTSA and FMCSA established a deadline for the submission of written comments of November 7, 2016. The Agencies have also received a letter opposing any extension of the comment period. To ensure that all interested parties have a sufficient amount of time to fully develop their comments, the Agencies are extending the deadline for the submission of written comments on the proposal, including comments on the Preliminary Regulatory Impact Analysis and Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis and Draft Environmental Assessment accompanying the proposal, by 30 days.