2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures 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 for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This document contains final regulations that except certain partnership-related items from the centralized partnership audit regime created by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, and sets forth alternative rules that will apply to the examination of excepted items by the IRS. The centralized partnership audit regime does not apply to a partnership-related item if the item involves a special enforcement matter described in these regulations. Additionally, these regulations make changes to the existing centralized partnership audit regime regulations to account for changes to the Internal Revenue Code (Code) as well as changes that clarify those regulations. The regulations affect partnerships and partners to whom special enforcement matters apply.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, 737-200, 737-200C, 737-300, 737-400, 737-500, 737-600, 737-700, 737-700C, 737-800, 737-900, 737- 900ER, 757-200, 757-200PF, 757-200CB, 757-300, 767-200, 767-300, 767- 300F, and 767-400ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports indicating premature aging of certain passenger chemical oxygen generators. This proposed AD would require repetitively replacing affected chemical oxygen generators with serviceable parts. This proposed AD would also limit the installation of affected parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 123 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). If approved, the proposed rule would amend regulations governing limits on Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) (halibut) prohibited species catch (PSC), or bycatch, in the BSAI. Namely, the proposed amendment would link the halibut PSC limit to halibut abundance for the Amendment 80 commercial groundfish trawl fleet in the BSAI groundfish fisheries. This action responds to the obligation in section 303(a)(11) of the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) to minimize bycatch to the extent practicable, and is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act national standards. This action: minimizes halibut PSC to the extent practicable under National Standard 9; ensures that the FMP will continue to achieve optimum yield in the BSAI groundfish fisheries on a continuing basis under National Standard 1; is based upon the best scientific information available under National Standard 2; to the extent it involves an allocation of fishing privileges, is fair and equitable, reasonably promotes conservation by reducing incidental halibut mortality caused by the Amendment 80 trawl fleet, and does not result in any excessive shares of fishing privileges under National Standard 4; and takes into account the importance of fishery resources to fishing communities under National Standard 8. The action is expected to provide incentives for the Amendment 80 fleet to minimize halibut mortality at all times and conserve and improve bycatch management of the halibut resource, and it may result in additional harvest opportunities in the commercial halibut fishery. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, other applicable laws, and Amendment 123 to the BSAI FMP.

This technical amendment contains non-substantive corrections to address typographical errors, editorial errors, and outdated or incorrect references in various parts of FAA regulations.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-09-06, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and - 1041 airplanes. AD 2022-09-06 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-09-06, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2022-09-06 and would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate additional new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend the Class D and E airspace and revoke Class E airspace at Topeka, KS. The FAA is proposing these actions as the result of biennial airspace reviews. The name of Topeka Regional Airport, Topeka, KS, and the geographic coordinates of Philip Billard Municipal Airport, Topeka, KS, would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Christmas Valley Airport, OR. These actions will support the airport's transition from visual flight rules (VFR) to instrument flight rules (IFR) at the airport.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-07- 10, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2022-07-10 required revising the operator's existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL) to include dispatch restrictions. AD 2022- 07-10 allowed operators to inspect affected parts for discrepancies, and do applicable replacements, in order to terminate the revision of the operator's existing MEL. AD 2022-07-10 also prohibited the installation of affected parts. This AD was prompted by a determination that the optional inspection and applicable replacements should be required. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2022-07-10, and mandates the inspection of affected parts and applicable replacements, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which was incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

NMFS implements a closure in Federal waters off Georgia through New York for Atlantic migratory group cobia (Atlantic cobia) that are harvested and sold (commercial). Commercial landings of Atlantic cobia are projected to reach the commercial quota on December 16, 2022. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for Atlantic cobia in Federal waters from December 16, 2022, until the start of the next fishing year on January 1, 2023. This closure is necessary to protect the Atlantic cobia resource.

This document contains proposed regulations that identify certain syndicated conservation easement transactions and substantially similar transactions as listed transactions, a type of reportable transaction. Material advisors and certain participants in these listed transactions are required to file disclosures with the IRS and are subject to penalties for failure to disclose. The proposed regulations affect participants in these transactions as well as material advisors. In addition, while the proposed regulations exclude qualified organizations from being treated as participants or parties to a prohibited tax shelter transaction subject to excise tax, this notice of proposed rulemaking requests comments on whether the final regulations should remove the exclusion from the application of the excise tax for qualified organizations that facilitate syndicated conservation easement transactions. Finally, this document provides notice of a public hearing on the proposed regulations.

The Department of Commerce is amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by adding twenty-four entities under twenty-six entries to the Entity List. These entities have been determined by the U.S. Government to be acting contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States and will be listed on the Entity List under the destinations of Latvia, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). In addition, this final rule removes from the Entity List one entity listed in three entries under Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the U.A.E.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-02-07, which applies to certain General Electric Company (GE) CF6- 45 and CF6-50 series model turbofan engines with a specified low- pressure turbine (LPT) rotor stage 3 disk installed. AD 2012-02-07 requires inspections of high-pressure turbine (HPT) and LPT rotors, engine checks, vibration surveys, an optional LPT rotor stage 3 disk removal after a failed HPT blade borescope inspection (BSI) or a failed engine core vibration survey, establishes a lower life limit for the affected LPT rotor stage 3 disks, and requires removing these disks from service at times determined by a drawdown plan. Since the FAA issued AD 2012-02-07, four additional events of separation of the LPT rotor assembly have been reported resulting in the LPT rotor assembly departing the rear of the engine. The manufacturer has improved the design of the LPT rotor stage 3 disk. This proposed AD would continue to require inspections of HPT and LPT rotor stage 1 and stage 2 blades, vibration surveys, and use of a lower life limit for the affected LPT rotor stage 3 disks. As a terminating action to the inspections, engine checks, and vibration surveys, this proposed AD would require removal and replacement of the LPT rotor stage 3 disk with a redesigned LPT rotor stage 3 disk. This proposed AD would also revise the compliance time of the drawdown plan for the removal and replacement of the LPT rotor stage 3 disk. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation or reinstallation of certain LPT rotor stage 3 disks. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to amend certain airworthiness regulations to standardize the criteria for conducting safety assessments for systems, including flight controls and powerplants, installed on transport category airplanes. With this action, the FAA seeks to reduce risk associated with airplane accidents and incidents that have occurred in service, and reduce risk associated with new technology in flight control systems. The intended effect of this proposed action is to improve aviation safety by making system safety assessment (SSA) certification requirements more comprehensive and consistent.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) proposes to modify or eliminate certain provisions of its Video Relay Service (VRS) rules. Specifically, the Commission proposes to: increase from 50% to 80% the portion of a VRS provider's monthly minutes that may be handled by Communications Assistants (CAs) working from home; reduce or eliminate the three-year experience rule for CAs working from home, and allow VRS providers to use contract CAs for 30% of the providers' monthly call minutes; and allow Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund compensation of calls placed by registered VRS users to the United States from outside the country, for up to one year after leaving the country, as long as they notify their provider of such travel at any time before placing the first such call. The Commission also requests comment on whether any other at-home VRS rules should be modified.

This action establishes Area Navigation (RNAV) route Q-141 and amends RNAV route Q-437 in support of the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route Project.

This action amends two low altitude Area Navigation (RNAV) routes (T-routes), and establishes one T-route, in support of the VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The purpose is to enhance the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) by transitioning from ground-based navigation aids to a satellite-based navigation system.

In this document, the Commission amends its rules to reference a new publication for use in determining a television station's designated market area (DMA) for satellite and cable carriage under the Commission's regulations. Under the Commission's current rules, television broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite carriers determine DMA for carriage election and other purposes by reference to the Nielsen Station Index Directory (Annual Station Index) in combination with the United States Television Household Estimates (Household Estimates), or a successor publication. Nielsen Media Research division will no longer publish the Annual Station Index and has replaced it with a monthly Local TV Station Information Report (Local TV Report), which is now the only publication necessary to determine a station's DMA. The Household Estimates publication is no longer in use. The Report and Order therefore revises the rules to identify the Local TV Report as that successor publication. The Report and Order also specifies the Local TV Report published in the October two years prior to each triennial carriage election as the successor publication to be used to determine a station's DMA, as well as for determining the local market of broadcast television stations more generally.

This interim final rule provides procedures to implement certain provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21 NDAA) and the National Defense Authorization for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22 NDAA). The FY21 NDAA authorized the Secretary of Transportation to establish the Tanker Security Program (TSP) comprised of a fleet of active, commercially viable, militarily useful, privately owned product tank vessels of the United States. The fleet will meet national defense and other security requirements and maintain a United States presence in international commercial shipping. The FY22 NDAA made minor adjustments related to the participation of long-term charters in the TSP. The Maritime Administration solicits written comments on this rulemaking.

The U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') is publishing a final rule to amend its test procedures for single package vertical air conditioners and single package vertical heat pumps, collectively referred to as single package vertical units (``SPVUs''). DOE is incorporating by reference the most recent version of the relevant industry test standard, AHRI 390-2021, and amending certain provisions for representations for SPVUs. DOE is also establishing definitions for ``single-phase single package vertical air conditioners with cooling capacity less than 65,000 Btu/h'' and for ``single-phase single package vertical heat pumps with cooling capacity less than 65,000 Btu/h'' to distinguish such equipment from certain residential central air conditioners and heat pumps.

Delaware has applied to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for final authorization of revisions to its hazardous waste program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). EPA has determined that these revisions satisfy all requirements needed to qualify for final authorization and is hereby authorizing Delaware's revisions through this direct final rule. EPA is additionally removing and reserving codification of Delaware's hazardous waste program.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters of the Corpus Christi Shipping Channel in a zone defined by the following coordinates; 27[deg]50'31.28'' N, 97[deg]04'17.23'' W; 27[deg]50'31.73'' N, 97[deg]04'15.44'' W; 27[deg]50'29.06'' N, 97[deg]04'16.61'' W; 27[deg]50'29.32'' N, 97[deg]04'14.82'' W. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by pipelines that will be removed from the floor of the Corpus Christi Shipping Channel. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi or a designated representative.

This rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation on Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans by substituting a new table for determining expected retirement ages for participants in pension plans undergoing distress or involuntary termination with valuation dates falling in 2023. This table is needed to compute the value of early retirement benefits and, thus, the total value of benefits under a plan.

On November 8, 2022, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed airworthiness criteria (87 FR 67399) that announced the availability of, and requested comments on, the proposed airworthiness criteria for the Joby Aero, Inc. (Joby) Model JAS4-1 powered-lift. The comment period for this document expires on December 8, 2022. By email dated November 14, 2022, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) requested that the FAA extend the public-comment deadline December 22, 2022 to facilitate harmonizing FAA and EASA criteria for powered-lift. The FAA agrees to the request and announces an extension of the comment period to December 22, 2022.

NMFS announces a valid specified fishing agreement that allocates up to 1,500 metric tons (t) of the 2022 bigeye tuna limit for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to U.S. longline fishing vessels. The agreement supports the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands and fisheries development in the CNMI.