July 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In this document, the Commission proposes to migrate interstate and intrastate originating end office and tandem switching and transport charges for toll free (8YY) calls to bill-and-keep, continuing the reform efforts that began with the 2011 USF/ICC Transformation Order. The Commission also proposes to cap 8YY database query rates at the lowest rate charged by any price cap local exchange carrier, and to limit charges to one database query charge per call, regardless of the number of carriers are in the call path or the number of database queries conducted. These proposals should limit unreasonably inflated charges and reduce or eliminate incentives for parties to engage in the types of abuse described in the record.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to extend the period during which certain electronic reports required by the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) may be submitted as portable document format (PDF) files using the Emissions Collection and Monitoring Plan System (ECMPS) Client Tool. This action will extend the end date of that period from June 30, 2018, to July 1, 2020. This extension is necessary because the electronic reporting system that owners or operators of affected MATS sources will be required to use when PDF filing is no longer allowed will not be available by June 30, 2018. This extension does not alter the responsibility of owners or operators of affected MATS sources to comply with the applicable MATS and report their compliance information to the appropriate authority. In addition, this extension ensures that the compliance information can be submitted in a timely manner and made available to the public. Finally, this rule is effective on July 1, 2018, to provide the regulated community a continuous and viable vehicle to submit compliance reports.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters on the Lower Mississippi River between mile markers (MM) 137.5 and MM 138.5 above Head of Passes. The safety zone is needed to protect persons, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans or a designated representative.

On June 3, 2016, the Rural Business-Cooperative Service promulgated changes to its Guaranteed Loanmaking and Servicing Regulations. Following final implementation of this final rule, RBS found that conforming amendments for adoption for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) had not been included. This technical correction makes amendments to allow REAP to continue to use procedures and forms from the revised Guaranteed program.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the navigable waters of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway near Surf City, North Carolina, in support of a fireworks display on July 3, 2018. This temporary safety zone is intended to restrict vessel traffic from a portion of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway during the Surf City fireworks display to protect the life and property of the maritime public and spectators from the hazards posed by aerial fireworks displays. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) North Carolina or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Willamette River near Lake Oswego, OR. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters during a fireworks display on July 4, 2018. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Columbia River or a designated representative.

Pursuant to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is issuing this final rule establishing a safety standard for booster seats. The Commission is also amending its regulations regarding third party conformity assessment bodies to include the safety standard for booster seats in the list of notices of requirements (NORs).

The Coast Guard will enforce various safety zones within the Captain of the Port San Francisco Zone on specified dates and times. This action is necessary to ensure the safety of vessels, spectators and participants from hazards associated with fireworks. During the enforcement period, unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring in the safety zone, unless authorized by the Patrol Commander (PATCOM).

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA or our) is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on June 12, 2019 that amends our regulations governing investments of both Farm Credit System (FCS) banks and associations. The final rule strengthens eligibility criteria for investments that FCS banks purchase and hold, and implements section 939A of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act by removing references to and requirements for credit ratings and substituting other appropriate standards of creditworthiness. The final rule revises FCA's regulatory approach to investments by FCS associations by limiting the type and amount of investments that an association may hold for risk management purposes.

Addressing childhood lead exposure is a priority for EPA. As part of EPA's efforts to reduce childhood lead exposure, EPA evaluated the current dust-lead hazard standards (DLHS) and the definition of lead-based paint (LBP). Based on this evaluation, EPA is proposing to lower the DLHS from 40 [mu]g/ft\2\ and 250 [mu]g/ft\2\ to 10 [mu]g/ ft\2\ and 100 [mu]g/ft\2\ on floors and window sills, respectively. EPA is proposing no changes to the current definition of LBP due to insufficient information to support such a change.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) seeks comment on whether to streamline or eliminate provisions of our regulation which require the posting and maintenance of broadcast licenses and related information in specific locations. The Commission tentatively concludes that these licenses posting rules should be eliminated because they are redundant and obsolete now that licensing information is readily accessible online through the Commission's databases. Through this action we advance our efforts to modernize our media regulations and remove unnecessary requirements that can impede competition and innovation in the media marketplace