2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'' or ``SEC'') intends to issue an order pursuant to section 206 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the ``Advisers Act'') and rule 206(4)- 5 thereunder (the ``SEC Pay to Play Rule'') finding that the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (``MSRB'') rule G-37 (the ``MSRB Pay to Play Rule'') imposes substantially equivalent or more stringent restrictions on municipal advisors than the SEC Pay to Play Rule imposes on investment advisers and is consistent with the objectives of the SEC Pay to Play Rule.

The Commission adopts this Report and Order to implement a historic consensus proposal for ensuring that people with hearing loss have full access to innovative handsets.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) proposes to revise its regulations regarding the filing of complaints and disclosures with OSC, and also to update the prohibited personnel practice provisions. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, and implementing Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, OSC has also requested approval from OMB for a new, dynamic electronic form to be used for filing complaints and disclosures. This new form will replace Forms OSC-11, OSC-12, and OSC-13, which were previously approved by OMB. Access to the new electronic form relevant to this proposed rule has been submitted to the OMB for review.

These special conditions are issued for the Bombardier Inc. (Bombardier) Model BD-700-2A12 and BD-700-2A13 airplanes. These airplanes will have novel or unusual features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes. These design features include systems that, directly or as a result of failure or malfunction, affect structural performance. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. 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.

This final rule announces inseason changes to management measures in the Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries. This action, which is authorized by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (PCGFMP), is intended to allow fisheries to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks.

These special conditions are issued for the Bombardier Inc. (Bombardier) Model BD-700-2A12 and BD-700-2A13 airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. This design feature is hydrophobic coatings in lieu of windshield wipers. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. 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.

On April 4, 2016, the Administrator of the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program received a petition (Petition 013) to add ``relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (autoimmune)'' to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions (List). Upon reviewing the information provided by the petitioner, the Administrator has determined that Petition 013 is not substantially different from Petitions 007, 008, 009, and 011, which also requested the addition of autoimmune diseases, including various subtypes. The Administrator recently published responses to the four previous petitions in the Federal Register and has determined that Petition 013 does not provide additional evidence of a causal relationship between 9/11 exposures and autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis. Accordingly, the Administrator finds that insufficient evidence exists to request a recommendation of the WTC Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), to publish a proposed rule, or to publish a determination not to publish a proposed rule.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is announcing a 2-day public hearing to obtain input on issues related to communications by manufacturers, packers, and distributors, including their representatives (collectively ``firms''), regarding FDA-regulated drugs and medical devices for humans, including those that are licensed as biological products, and animal drugs (collectively, ``medical products''). FDA is engaged in a comprehensive review of its regulations and policies governing firms' communications about unapproved uses of approved/cleared medical products, and the input from this meeting will inform FDA's policy development in this area. FDA is seeking input on a number of specific questions, but is interested in any other pertinent information participants would like to share.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the fourth seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl deep-water species fishery in the GOA has been reached.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Connecticut on November 19, 2012. We propose to approve Connecticut's request to remove two regulations from its SIP that regulate ``open burning'' and ``portable fuel container spillage control.'' In place of the open burning regulation, we propose to approve into the Connecticut SIP a Connecticut statute that controls open burning. We also propose to approve a definition of ``brush,'' which was included in a December 15, 2015 SIP submittal by Connecticut to meet infrastructure requirements of the Clean Air Act for the 2012 fine particle (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The requirements in the Connecticut portable fuel container regulation have been superseded by federal portable fuel container requirements. This action is being taken in accordance with the Clean Air Act.

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to certain Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter, -200, and -300 series airplanes. Paragraphs (i) and (l) of the regulatory text contain typographical errors in the service bulletin number. This document corrects those errors. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

The Commission is amending the Hart-Scott-Rodino (``HSR'') Premerger Notification Rules (the ``Rules'') that require the parties to certain mergers and acquisitions to file reports with the Federal Trade Commission (``the Commission'' or ``FTC'') and the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (``the Assistant Attorney General'' or ``DOJ'') (together the ``Antitrust Agencies'' or ``Agencies'') and to wait a specified period of time before consummating such transactions. These amendments update the Rules to allow for submission of the Premerger Notification and Report Form (``Form'') and accompanying documents (together the ``HSR Filing'') on digital video/versatile disc (``DVD''), and clarify the Instructions to the Form.

NHTSA proposes to amend the means of recall notification to owners and purchasers required under the Safety Act to be in an electronic manner, in addition to first class mail, in accordance with Section 30130 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) and Section 24104 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act). Through this proposed rule, NHTSA also seeks to improve the efficacy of recalls by requiring manufacturers to send additional notifications of defects or noncompliance with applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) if a second notification by the manufacturer does not result in an adequate number of motor vehicles or replacement equipment being returned for remedy.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (the ``Commission'' or ``SEC'') is adopting amendments to Form ADV that are designed to provide additional information regarding advisers, including information about their separately managed account business, incorporate a method for private fund adviser entities operating a single advisory business to register using a single Form ADV, and make clarifying, technical and other amendments to certain Form ADV items and instructions. The Commission also is adopting amendments to the Advisers Act books and records rule and technical amendments to several Advisers Act rules to remove transition provisions that are no longer necessary.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-24-12 for all The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F airplanes. AD 2013-24-12 required repetitive ultrasonic or dye penetrant inspections for cracking of the barrel nuts and bolts on each forward engine mount, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2013-24-12 and also requires installing new barrel nuts at the forward engine mounts; or identifying the part number of the barrel nuts, inspecting affected barrel nuts for gaps of the strut bulkhead and forward engine mount, and doing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD also removes airplanes from the applicability. This new AD also requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to include a new structurally significant item. This AD was prompted by our determination that it is necessary to mandate the installation of new barrel nuts or new inspections to adequately address the unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracked barrel nuts on a forward engine mount, which could result in reduced load capacity of the forward engine mount, separation of an engine under power from the airplane, and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

This document contains final regulations that clarify the definition of real property for purposes of the real estate investment trust provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (Code). These final regulations provide guidance to real estate investment trusts and their shareholders.

This procedural rule amends certain provisions of the oil and gas regulations administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to recognize that the BLM is authorized to use either oral or internet- based auction procedures to conduct oil and gas lease sales under the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended (MLA). The changes made by this rule update the BLM's regulations to be consistent with the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 (NDAA), which specifically granted the BLM the authority to use internet-based bidding for its competitive oil and gas lease sales.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a safety zone on the waters of the Atlantic Ocean east of Jacksonville Beach, Florida during the Jacksonville Sea and Sky Spectacular. This safety zone will be enforced daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., from November 2 through November 6, 2016. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Jacksonville or a designated representative. The Coast Guard invites your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

On June 30, 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a rule titled, ``Clean Energy Incentive Program Design Details.'' The EPA is extending the comment period on the proposed rule, which was scheduled to close on September 2, 2016, by 60 days until November 1, 2016. The EPA is making this change to allow for requested tribal consultation in response to the proposed rule.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary safety zone on the waters of the Tinicum Range, Eddystone Range, Chester Range, and Marcus Hook Range, in the Delaware River from December 1, 2016 to March 15, 2016. The safety zone would temporarily restrict vessel traffic from transiting or anchoring in a portion of the Delaware River while rock blasting, dredging, and rock removal operations are being conducted to facilitate the Delaware River Main Channel Deepening project for the main navigational channel of the Delaware River. This action is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by rock blasting, dredging, and rock removal operations. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving portions of the October 26, 2015, State Implementation Plan (SIP) submittal from Alabama concerning the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR). Under CSAPR, large electricity generating units (EGUs) in Alabama are subject to Federal Implementation Plans (FIPs) requiring the units to participate in CSAPR's federal trading program for annual emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX) and one of CSAPR's two federal trading programs for annual emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2). This action approves the incorporation into Alabama's SIP of the state's regulations requiring Alabama EGUs to participate in new CSAPR state trading programs for annual NOX and SO2 emissions integrated with the CSAPR federal trading programs, replacing the corresponding FIP requirements. These CSAPR state trading programs are substantively identical to the CSAPR federal trading programs except with regard to the provisions allocating emission allowances among Alabama units. EPA is approving the portions of the SIP revision concerning these CSAPR state trading programs because these portions of the SIP revision meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) and EPA's regulations for approval of a CSAPR full SIP revision replacing the requirements of a CSAPR FIP. Under the CSAPR regulations, approval of these portions of the SIP revision automatically eliminates Alabama units' obligations to participate in CSAPR's federal trading programs for annual NOX and SO2 emissions under the corresponding CSAPR FIPs addressing interstate transport requirements for the 1997 and 2006 Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). Approval of these portions of the SIP revision fully satisfies Alabama's good neighbor obligation under the CAA to prohibit emissions which will significantly contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in any other state. This approval also addresses the judicial remand of the federally-established CSAPR Phase 2 SO2 budget for Alabama. EPA is not acting at this time on the portion of Alabama's SIP submittal intended to replace Alabama units' obligations to participate in CSAPR's federal trading program for ozone-season NOX emissions under a separate CSAPR FIP.

The Federal Trade Commission (the ``Commission'' or ``FTC'') is amending its Telemarketing Sales Rule (``TSR'') by updating the fees charged to entities accessing the National Do Not Call Registry (the ``Registry'') as required by the Do-Not-Call Registry Fee Extension Act of 2007.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300ER series airplanes. This AD requires replacing the low-pressure oxygen flex hoses with new non- conductive low-pressure oxygen flex hoses in the gaseous passenger oxygen system in airplanes equipped with therapeutic oxygen. This AD was prompted by a determination that the low-pressure oxygen flex hoses in the gaseous passenger oxygen system can potentially be conductive. We are issuing this AD to prevent electrical current from passing through the low-pressure oxygen flex hoses in the gaseous passenger oxygen system, which can cause the flex hoses to melt or burn, and a consequent oxygen-fed fire in the passenger cabin.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model CN-235, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of main landing gear (MLG) access doors detaching from the airplane as a result of excessive vibration and metal fatigue in the attach fittings. This AD requires modification of the MLG access door by replacing seals in the MLG fairing and, for certain airplanes, adding an additional bolt. We are issuing this AD to prevent a fracture in the MLG access door associated with excessive vibration and metal fatigue in the attach fittings. This condition could lead to MLG access door detachment and consequent impact of flight controls, resulting in reduced control of an airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by in-service reports of passenger door tensator spring failures, and qualification testing indicating that non-conforming tensator springs could be susceptible to failure prior to reaching their safe-life limit. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate certain temporary revisions, and replacing the passenger door tensator springs with new springs. We are issuing this AD to prevent tensator spring failure, resulting in the inability to open the main passenger door, which could impede evacuation in the event of an emergency.