September 17, 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On August 29, 2018, FRA published a final rule to reduce the paperwork burden associated with compliance with Federal hours of service laws and regulations. In preparing that final rule for publication, a technical error was made as described in the Supplementary Information. FRA is correcting this minor error so that the final rule clearly conforms to FRA's intent.

This action extends the Order Limiting Operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) published on January 18, 2008, and most recently amended on June 21, 2016. The Order remains effective until October 24, 2020.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA or Agency) is providing notice and inviting comment on a proposed rule to improve the liquidity of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) (the Enterprises) To-Be-Announced (TBA) eligible mortgage-backed securities (MBS) by requiring the Enterprises to maintain policies that promote aligned investor cash flows both on current TBA-eligible MBS, and, upon its implementation, on the Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security (UMBS)a common, fungible MBS that will be eligible for trading in the TBA market for fixed-rate mortgage loans backed by 1-4 unit (single-family) properties.

On July 24, 2018, the Federal Election Commission received a Petition for Rulemaking, which asks the Commission to revise and amend the existing regulation concerning the personal use of campaign funds, to specify that that regulation applies to leadership PAC funds. The Commission seeks comments on the petition.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing approval of several Tennessee State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC), on behalf of Knox County's Air Quality Management Division, through letters dated March 7, 2017, and April 17, 2017. The SIP revisions modify the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR) regulations in the Knox County portion of the Tennessee SIP to address changes to the federal new source review (NSR) regulations in recent years for the implementation of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). Additionally, the SIP revisions include updates to Knox County's minor source permitting regulations. This action is being approved pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).

The Board is publishing a final rule that amends Subpart C of Regulation CC to address situations where there is a dispute as to whether a check has been altered or was issued with an unauthorized signature, and the original paper check is not available for inspection. This rule adopts a presumption of alteration for disputes between banks over whether a substitute check or electronic check contains an alteration or is derived from an original check that was issued with an unauthorized signature of the drawer.

EPA is promulgating significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 28 chemical substances which were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). The chemical substances are subject to Orders issued by EPA pursuant to the TSCA. This action requires persons who intend to manufacture (defined by statute to include import) or process any of these 28 chemical substances for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this rule to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity. The required notification initiates EPA's evaluation of the intended use within the applicable review period. Persons may not commence manufacture or processing for the significant new use until EPA has conducted a review of the notice, made an appropriate determination on the notice, and has taken such actions as are required with that determination.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-20- 04, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Airbus SAS Model A319 series airplanes; Airbus SAS Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Airbus SAS Model A321-111, - 112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. AD 2014-20-04 requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the four titanium angles between the belly fairing and the keel beam side panel, an inspection for cracking of the open holes if any cracking is found in the titanium angles, and repair or replacement if necessary. Since we issued AD 2014-20-04, we have determined that additional work is necessary for certain airplanes. This proposed AD would continue to require repetitive inspections for cracking of the four titanium angles between the belly fairing and the keel beam side panel, an inspection for cracking of the open holes if any cracking is found in the titanium angles, and repair or replacement if necessary. This proposed AD would also revise the applicability by adding Model A320-216 airplanes. This proposed AD would also require a detailed inspection for and replacement of certain rivets (including a rotating probe test for cracks in the open holes), and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2015-20- 04, which applies to certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PT6B- 37A turboshaft engines. AD 2015-20-04 requires initial and repetitive inspections until replacement of the No. 10 bearing, and eventual replacement of the No. 9 bearing, both located in the engine reduction gearbox (RGB) assembly. Since we issued AD 2015-20-04, P&WC has determined that the repetitive inspection of the bearings has an associated risk of gearbox damage or contamination and that the bearing installation required by AD 2015-20-04 does not adequately address the issue of bearing axial movement. This proposed AD would require removal from service and replacement of the No. 9 and No. 10 position bearings. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of cracks in the body station (STA) 303.9 frame web and doubler at fastener holes common to the stop fitting at stringer 16 left (S-16L). This proposed AD would require repetitive surface high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections for cracking of the STA 303.9 frame web and doubler at the stop fitting at S-16L, and applicable on-condition actions. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of cracks, in various directions, in the lower portion of a main landing gear (MLG) piston. This AD requires a detailed visual inspection of the MLG, and replacement if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Department of Transportation (DOT or Department) is issuing a final rule to facilitate innovation and growth in the air charter industry while strengthening the legal protections provided to consumers of charter air transportation. First, this rule allows ``air charter brokers'' as principals or bona fide agents to provide single entity charter air transportation of passengers. Second, it requires air charter brokers to make certain disclosures including those responsive to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendation and to make other disclosures upon request. Third, it enumerates certain practices by air charter brokers as prohibited unfair or deceptive practices or unfair methods of competition. Fourth, this rule requires air taxis and commuter air carriers that sell charter air transportation to make certain disclosures including those responsive to an NTSB recommendation and other disclosures upon request. Fifth, it enumerates certain practices by an air taxi or commuter air carrier as prohibited unfair or deceptive practices or unfair methods of competition. At the same time, the Department is not adopting a proposal to codify exemption authority allowing indirect air carriers to engage in the sale of air transportation related to air ambulance services. Nor is it adopting a proposal to codify that certain air transportation services performed under contract with the Federal Government are in common carriage.