January 6, 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 707 airplanes and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that undetected web fatigue cracking caused by oil canning may exist in the station 1440 aft pressure bulkhead web. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections for any oil canning or cracking of the station 1440 aft pressure bulkhead web, and related corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-13- 08, for certain Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2007-13-08 currently requires repetitive inspections of the auxiliary power unit (APU) starter motor, APU inlet plenum, and APU air intake for discrepancies; repetitive cleaning of the APU air intake, and applicable corrective actions. Since we issued AD 2007-13- 08, a determination was made that the unsafe condition could occur on additional airplanes. This proposed AD would expand the applicability in AD 2007-13-08, and include an optional terminating installation for the repetitive actions. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

EPA is proposing to add natural gas processing (NGP) facilities (also known as natural gas liquid extraction facilities) to the scope of the industrial sectors covered by the reporting requirements of section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), commonly known as the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and section 6607 of the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA). Adding these facilities would meaningfully increase the information available to the public on releases and other waste management of listed chemicals from the natural gas processing sector and further the purposes of EPCRA section 313. EPA estimates that at least 282 NGP facilities in the U.S. would meet the TRI employee threshold (10 full- time employees or equivalent) and manufacture, process, or otherwise use (threshold activities) at least one TRI-listed chemical in excess of applicable threshold quantities. NGP facilities in the U.S. manufacture, process, or otherwise use more than 21 different TRI- listed chemicals, including n-hexane, hydrogen sulfide, toluene, benzene, xylene, and methanol. EPA expects that TRI reporting by U.S. NGP facilities would provide significant release and waste management data on these chemicals to the public.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON airplanes; Model FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes; Model MYSTERE-FALCON 200 airplanes; Model MYSTERE-FALCON 20-C5, 20-D5, 20-E5, and 20-F5 airplanes; and MYSTERE-FALCON 50 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that, during approach for landing, the main entry door detached from an airplane. This AD requires a functional test or check of the main entry door closure and warning system, and applicable door closing inspections, adjustments, operational tests, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) is reclassifying surgical instrumentation for use with urogynecologic surgical mesh from class I (general controls) exempt from premarket notification to class II (special controls) and subject to premarket notification, and identifying them as ``specialized surgical instrumentation for use with urogynecologic surgical mesh.'' FDA is designating special controls that are necessary to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. FDA is reclassifying this device on its own initiative based on new information.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to reclassify Echinocereus fendleri var. kuenzleri (Kuenzler hedgehog cactus) from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that reclassifying E. fendleri var. kuenzleri as threatened is warranted. This document also serves as our 12-month finding on a petition to reclassify E. fendleri var. kuenzleri as threatened. We request information and comments from the public regarding this proposed rule and our 12-month finding.

This document contains final and temporary regulations under chapter 4 of Subtitle A (sections 1471 through 1474) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Code) regarding information reporting by foreign financial institutions (FFIs) with respect to U.S. accounts and withholding on certain payments to FFIs and other foreign entities. This document finalizes (with changes) certain proposed regulations under chapter 4, and withdraws corresponding temporary regulations. This document also includes temporary regulations providing additional rules under chapter 4. The text of the temporary regulations also serves as the text of proposed regulations set forth in a notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Proposed Rules section of this issue of the Federal Register. The regulations included in this document affect persons making certain U.S.-related payments to FFIs and other foreign persons and payments by FFIs to other persons.

This document contains final and temporary regulations regarding withholding of tax on certain U.S. source income paid to foreign persons, information reporting and backup withholding with respect to payments made to certain U.S. persons, and portfolio interest paid to nonresident alien individuals and foreign corporations. This document finalizes (with minor changes) certain proposed regulations under chapters 3 and 61 and sections 871, 3406, and 6402 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Code), and withdraws corresponding temporary regulations. This document also includes temporary regulations providing additional rules under chapter 3 of the Code. The text of the temporary regulations also serves as the text of the proposed regulations set forth in a notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Proposed Rules section of this issue of the Federal Register. The temporary regulations affect persons making payments of U.S. source income to foreign persons.

Under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to remove the lesser long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris curasoae yerbabuenae) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife (List) due to recovery. This determination is based on a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, which indicates that the threats to this subspecies have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the subspecies has recovered and no longer meets the definition of endangered or threatened under the Act. This document also serves as the 12-month finding on a petition to reclassify this subspecies from endangered to threatened on the List. We are seeking information, data, and comments from the public on the proposed rule to remove the lesser long-nosed bat from the List.

This final rule implements provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA) affecting the eligibility, benefits, certification, and employment and training (E&T) requirements for applicant or participant households in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The rule amends the SNAP regulations to: Exclude military combat pay from the income of SNAP households; raise the minimum standard deduction and the minimum benefit for small households; eliminate the cap on the deduction for dependent care expenses; index resource limits to inflation; exclude retirement and education accounts from countable resources; clarify reporting requirements under simplified reporting; permit States to provide transitional benefits to households leaving State-funded cash assistance programs; allow States to establish telephonic and gestured signature systems; permit States to use E&T funds to provide job retention services; and update requirements regarding the E&T funding cycle. These provisions are intended to more accurately reflect needs, reduce barriers to participation, and improve efficiency in the administration of the program. This rule also replaces outdated language in SNAP certification regulations with the new program name and updates procedures for accessing SNAP benefits in drug and alcohol treatment centers and group living arrangements with use of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards. This rule provides States with regulatory options for conducting telephone interviews in lieu of face-to-face interviews and for averaging student work hours. Finally, the Department is issuing an interim final rule (with a request for additional comment) that will require that drug and alcohol treatment and group living arrangements (GLA) centers to: Submit completed change report forms to the State agency when a resident leaves the center; notify the State agency within 5 days when the center is not able to provide the resident with their EBT card at departure; and return EBT cards to residents with pro-rated benefits based up on the date of their departure.

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products, including consumer central air conditioners and heat pumps. 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. In this proposed rule, DOE proposes to amend the energy conservation standards for consumer central air conditioners and heat pumps identical to those set forth in a direct final rule published elsewhere in this Federal Register. If DOE receives an adverse comment and determines that such comment may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawing the direct final rule, DOE will publish a notice withdrawing the direct final rule and will proceed with this proposed rule.