2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (``EPCA''), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including walk-in coolers and freezers. EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') to periodically determine whether more-stringent, amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant amount of energy. DOE proposes prescribing energy conservation standards for certain categories of walk-in cooler and freezer refrigeration systems and plans to hold a public meeting to receive comment on these proposed standards along with their accompanying analyses.

On April 26, 2016, the Copyright Royalty Judges (Judges) published for comment proposed regulations governing royalty rates and terms for the distant retransmission of over-the-air television and radio broadcast stations by cable television systems to their subscribers. The participants in the proceeding concluded their negotiations and asked for readoption of the cable rate regulations without change. The Judges accepted the negotiated settlement and did not propose any substantive changes to the participants' proposed rates and terms. However, the Judges' proposed regulations updated terms, moved the rules to the chapter of the CFR that includes other applicable rules of the Copyright Royalty Board, and proposed certain other non-substantive changes to make the rules easier to read. The Judges received comments from the Phase I parties on the proposed changes and finding the suggested revisions therein clarified the rule, accepted all of the proposed changes.

On November 2, 2015, the President signed into law the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (the 2015 Act), which further amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990. The 2015 Act updates the process by which agencies adjust applicable civil monetary penalties (CMP) for inflation to retain the deterrent effect of those penalties. The 2015 Act requires that not later than July 1, 2016, and not later than January 15 of every year thereafter, the head of each agency must, by regulation published in the Federal Register, adjust each CMP within its jurisdiction by the inflation adjustment described in the 2015 Act. Accordingly, the Department of Defense must adjust the level of all civil monetary penalties under its jurisdiction through a final rule and make subsequent annual adjustments for inflation.

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) establishes the approximately 526,000-acre ``Willcox'' viticultural area in portions of Graham and Cochise Counties in southeastern Arizona. The ``Willcox'' viticultural area is not located within any other viticultural area. TTB designates viticultural areas to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adopts as final, without change, an interim final rule amending its medical regulations. Specifically, this rule allows veterans to complete applications for health care enrollment by providing application information, agreeing to VA's provisions regarding copayment liability and assignment of third-party insurance benefits, and attesting to the accuracy and authenticity of the information provided to a VA employee over the phone. This action makes it easier for veterans to apply to enroll and speeds VA processing of applications.

The Commission proposes amendments to the Energy Labeling Rule to require labels for portable air conditioners, large-diameter and high-speed small diameter ceiling fans, and instantaneous electric water heaters. Additionally, it proposes eliminating certain marking requirements for plumbing products.

The FAA is establishing a Special Flight Rules Area in the vicinity of Pearson Field Airport, Vancouver, Washington. Pearson Field Airport is located approximately three nautical miles northwest of Portland International Airport, Portland, Oregon. The close proximity of the airport traffic patterns and approach courses create converging flight paths between traffic on approach to Portland International Airport and traffic at Pearson Field Airport, increasing the risk for near mid-air collision, mid-air collision and wake turbulence events. The intended effect of this action is to mitigate the identified risk by establishing operating requirements applicable to all aircraft when operating within a designated area at Pearson Field Airport, which would increase overall system efficiency and safety.

The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) revises the regulations governing the award of agricultural commodities and financial and technical assistance to recipients under the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition (McGovern-Dole) Program. This revision is necessary to clarify requirements for applicants for, and recipients of, awards under the McGovern-Dole Program and to inform interested parties that the OMB guidance on Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, as supplemented by USDA regulations, applies to awards under the McGovern-Dole Program other than awards to foreign public entities. The revised regulations will enable applicants and recipients to better understand program requirements and FAS to more effectively implement the McGovern-Dole Program.

We are proposing amendments that would require registrants that file registration statements and periodic and current reports that are subject to the exhibit requirements under Item 601 of Regulation S- K, or that file on Forms F-10 or 20-F, to include a hyperlink to each exhibit listed in the exhibit index of these filings. To enable the inclusion of such hyperlinks, the proposed amendments would also require that registrants submit all such filings in HyperText Markup Language (``HTML'') format.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-16- 02, for all Airbus Model A330 series airplanes. AD 2015-16-02 currently requires revising the maintenance program or inspection program to incorporate certain maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. Since we issued AD 2015-16-02, we received a revision of an airworthiness limitations items (ALI) document, which provides new and more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations for airplane structures and systems. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate new maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are proposing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity and reduced control of these airplanes due to the failure of system components.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 170 airplanes. The NPRM proposed to supersede AD 2012-07-08, which requires revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate structural inspection requirements. The NPRM was prompted by a determination that more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary. Since the NPRM was issued, a new revision of the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the EMBRAER S.A. ERJ 170/175 Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR) was issued, which contains more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This action revises the NPRM by proposing to require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the new ALS of the MRBR. This supplemental NPRM (SNPRM) would also remove certain airplanes from the applicability. In addition, we propose to supersede AD 2006-06-09, AD 2012-05-08, and AD 2012-07-08, which require tasks that are now included in the new revision of the MRBR. We are proposing this SNPRM to detect and correct fatigue cracking of various principal structural elements; such cracking could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. We are also proposing this SNPRM to prevent safety-significant latent failures; such failures, in combination with one or more other specified failures or events, could result in a hazardous or catastrophic failure condition of avionics, hydraulic systems, fire detection systems, fuel systems, or other critical systems. In addition, we are also proposing this SNPRM to prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions; such failures, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss 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.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the waters of the Tennessee River beginning at mile marker 463.7 and ending at mile marker 464.5, extending bank to bank near Chattanooga, Tennessee. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect persons and property from potential damage and safety hazards during a fireworks display on or over the navigable waterway. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Ohio Valley or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is temporarily modifying the operating schedule that governs the Route 1 & 9 (Lincoln Highway) Bridge across the Hackensack River, mile 2.0, Jersey City, New Jersey. The bridge owner, New Jersey Department of Transportation, submitted a request to restrict bridge openings during the morning and afternoon rush hour periods to alleviate traffic congestion resulting from area roadway closures. It is expected that this change to the regulations would provide relief to vehicular traffic while continuing to meet the reasonable needs of navigation.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary regulated navigation area (RNA) on the Piscataqua River near the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, ME between Henderson Point Light on Seavey Island and the Memorial Bridge. This RNA establishes speed restrictions to eliminate vessel wake which could endanger the lives of divers and support crews working at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The speed restrictions apply to all vessels transiting the regulated area unless authorized by the First Coast Guard District Commander or the Captain of the Port (COTP), Sector Northern New England.

This rule prescribes special migratory bird hunting regulations for certain Tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off- reservation trust lands, and ceded lands. This rule responds to tribal requests for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we) recognition of their authority to regulate hunting under established guidelines. This rule allows the establishment of season bag limits and, thus, harvest at levels compatible with populations and habitat conditions.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is amending its regulations to remove the maximum civil money penalties table associated with statutory provisions. This information will be included in the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) regulations. We are taking this action to comply with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 2015.

The Health and Human Services Department (HHS) is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on July 8, 2016. The final rule increased the maximum number of patients to whom an individual practitioner may dispense or prescribe certain medications, including buprenorphine, from 100 to 275. Practitioners are eligible for the increased patient limit if they have prescribed covered medications to up to 100 patients for at least one year pursuant to secretarial approval, provided that they meet certain criteria and adhere to several additional requirements aimed at ensuring that patients receive the full array of services that comprise evidence- based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and minimize the risks that medications provided for treatment are misused or diverted. One pathway through which practitioners may become eligible to increase their patient limit is by obtaining additional credentialing from one of several credentialing bodies. In the final rule, the name of one of the credentialing bodies listed was incorrect. This action provides the correct name.

The General Services Administration (GSA) is issuing a proposed rule amending the General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) coverage on construction contracts, including provisions and clauses for solicitations and resultant contracts, to clarify, update, and incorporate existing construction contract administration procedures.

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (``CERCLA'' or ``the Act''), as amended, requires that the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (``NCP'') include a list of national priorities among the known releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants throughout the United States. The National Priorities List (``NPL'') constitutes this list. The NPL is intended primarily to guide the Environmental Protection Agency (``the EPA'' or ``the agency'') in determining which sites warrant further investigation. These further investigations will allow the EPA to assess the nature and extent of public health and environmental risks associated with the site and to determine what CERCLA-financed remedial action(s), if any, may be appropriate. This rule adds ten sites to the General Superfund section of the NPL.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving and disapproving portions of revisions to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) pertaining to the Texas New Source Review (NSR) program submitted on March 13, 1996; July 22, 1998; September 11, 2000; September 4, 2002; and October 5, 2010. Specifically, the EPA is approving the severable portions of the amendments to the General Definitions for the Texas NSR program, and the Minor NSR Qualified Facilities Program. The EPA is disapproving a severable portion of the General Definition of ``modification of existing facility'' submitted on October 5, 2010. We are taking these actions under section 110, parts C and D of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list Festuca ligulata (Guadalupe fescue), a plant species from the Chihuahuan Desert of west Texas and Mexico, as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to this species.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is amending its regulations to update various provisions that list specific immigration officials who are authorized to perform various immigration functions, including the issuance of notices to appear, warrants of removal, and arrest warrants. The lists are outdated and do not reflect the current DHS organizational structure. DHS is updating the lists with the specific officials who are currently authorized to perform these various functions. DHS is also making some technical corrections to update nomenclature and outdated references in the affected provisions.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Iowa Title V Operating Permits Program, the State Implementation Plan (SIP), and the 112(l) plan. The submission revises the Title V Operating Permits Program to include a new chapter to address fees for services by the air quality program. Administrative revisions made with this rulemaking to the SIP and 112(l) plan are associated with the new chapter.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve an update to a portion of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Air Regulations for Maryland. Requirements applying to OCS sources located within 25 miles of states' seaward boundaries must be updated periodically to remain consistent with the requirements of the corresponding onshore area (COA), as mandated by the Clean Air Act, as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act). The portion of the OCS air regulations that is being updated pertains to the requirements for OCS sources for which Maryland is the designated COA. The intended effect of approving the OCS requirements for the Maryland Department of the Environment is to regulate emissions from OCS sources in accordance with the requirements for onshore sources.