September 8, 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Internal Revenue Service, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The IRS is soliciting comments concerning Treasury Regulation section 1.529A-2 in Treasury Decision (TD) 9923 relating to qualified ABLE programs.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving, under the Clean Air Act (CAA), a revision to the Ohio State Implementation Plan (SIP) intended to provide for attainment of the 2010 primary, health-based 1-hour sulfur dioxide (SO2) national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS or standard) for the Muskingum River SO2 nonattainment area. This SIP revision (hereinafter referred to as Ohio's Muskingum River SO2 attainment plan or plan), includes Ohio's attainment demonstration and other attainment planning elements required under the CAA. EPA is finding that Ohio has appropriately demonstrated that the plan provides for attainment of the 2010 1-hour primary SO2 NAAQS in the Muskingum River, Ohio nonattainment area and that the plan meets the other applicable requirements under the CAA. EPA is also incorporating by reference Ohio Director's Final Findings and Orders (DFFOs), issued on May 23, 2023, into the Ohio SIP. The DFFOs set forth additional requirements at Globe Metallurgical (Globe) to verify appropriate source characterization for modeling purposes.

The Department of Justice (``Department'') proposes amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (``ATF'') regulations to implement the provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (``BSCA''), effective June 25, 2022, that broaden the definition of when a person is considered ``engaged in the business'' as a dealer in firearms other than a gunsmith or pawnbroker. This proposed rule incorporates the BSCA's definition of ``predominantly earn a profit,'' creates a stand-alone definition of ``terrorism,'' and amends the definitions of ``principal objective of livelihood and profit'' and ``engaged in the business'' to ensure each conforms with the BSCA's statutory changes and can be relied upon by the public. The proposed rule also clarifies what it means for a person to be ``engaged in the business'' of dealing in firearms, and to have the intent to ``predominantly earn a profit'' from the sale or disposition of firearms. In addition, it clarifies the term ``dealer,'' including how that term applies to auctioneers, and defines the term ``responsible person.'' These proposed changes would assist persons in understanding when they are required to have a license to deal in firearms. Consistent with the Gun Control Act (``GCA'') and existing regulations, the proposed rule also defines the term ``personal collection'' to clarify when persons are not ``engaged in the business'' because they make only occasional sales to enhance a personal collection, or for a hobby, or if the firearms they sell are all or part of a personal collection. This proposed rule further addresses the lawful ways in which former licensees, and responsible persons acting on behalf of such licensees, may liquidate business inventory upon revocation or other termination of their license. Finally, the proposed rule clarifies that a licensee transferring a firearm to another licensee must do so by following the verification and recordkeeping procedures instead of using a Firearms Transaction Record, ATF Form 4473.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing a new rule to govern the management of surface resources and Special Areas in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A), consistent with its duties under the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act (NPRPA), Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), and other authorities. The proposed rule would revise the framework for designating and assuring maximum protection of Special Areas' significant resource values, and would protect and enhance access for subsistence activities throughout the NPR-A. It would also incorporate aspects of the NPR-A Integrated Activity Plan (IAP) approved in April 2022. The proposed rule would have no effect on currently authorized oil and gas operations in the NPR-A. We solicit comments on all aspects of this proposed action.

In December 2020, the Department of Justice issued a final rule (the ``AA96 Final Rule'') establishing novel limits on the authority of immigration judges and the Board of Immigration Appeals (``BIA'' or ``Board'') to manage their dockets and efficiently dispose of cases. Among other changes, the AA96 Final Rule would have required the BIA to set simultaneous briefing schedules for every appeal, limited the authority of immigration judges and the BIA to temporarily pause cases while the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (``USCIS'') adjudicates a noncitizen's pending visa application, and restricted the BIA's discretion to remand matters to immigration judges in light of legal and factual errors. The AA96 Final Rule was enjoined shortly after its issuance in March 2021, and it has not been in effect since that date. After careful reconsideration, the Department proposes to restore longstanding procedures in place prior to the AA96 Final Rule, including administrative closure, and to clarify and codify other established practices. Given the aforementioned injunction, the proposed regulatory language largely reflects the currently operative status quo. The Department believes that this rule will promote the efficient and expeditious adjudication of cases, afford immigration judges and the BIA flexibility to efficiently allocate their limited resources, and protect due process for parties before immigration judges and the BIA.

The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily finds that producers/exporters subject to this administrative review made sales of subject merchandise at less than normal value during the period of review (POR), August 1, 2021, through July 31, 2022. In addition, we are rescinding the administrative review with respect to one company. We invite interested parties to comment on these preliminary results.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently approved information collection, the Fruits, Nuts, and Specialty Crops Surveys. Revisions to burden are needed due to (1) funding status changes for surveys conducted under cooperative agreements under full cost recovery and (2) changes in the size of the target population, sample design, and minor changes in questionnaire design.

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aims to improve the management and administration of its preparedness grant programs to continue to assist the nation in building and sustaining capabilities to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to terrorist attacks and other hazards. FEMA is issuing this Notice and Request for Information (RFI) to seek public input on simplifying and streamlining its preparedness grant process to improve the efficiency and accessibility of its suite of preparedness grant programs.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this Wage and Hour Division (WHD)-sponsored information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

We are giving notice that the National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee will be holding a public meeting.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden and it includes the actual data collection instrument.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, the Commission) has received a license amendment application from Northern States Power Company (NSPM) for an amendment to Materials License No. SNM-2506 for the Prairie Island Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (PI ISFSI) located in Welch, Minnesota. The amendment request seeks to revise the technical specifications (TS) for the PI ISFSI. NSPM proposes to allow use of a Code alternative as an option to the requirements of the 2004 Edition through 2006 Addenda of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel (B&PV) Code, Section III, Division 1, Subsection NB, Paragraph NB-5130, by revising the TS to add the Code alternative to TS section 4.4, table 4.4-1, TN-40HT ASME Code Exceptions.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Department is proposing a revision of a currently approved information collection request (ICR).

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, and to allow a second opportunity for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing for the Commission's consideration concerning a negotiated service agreement. This notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services announces a meeting of the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC). The meeting will provide information on federal efforts related to serious mental illness (SMI) and serious emotional disturbance (SED).

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) invites comment on a proposal to implement the Whistleblower Intake Guide (FR 30; OMB No. 7100-NEW).

This is a Notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Florida (FEMA-4734-DR), dated 08/31/2023. Incident: Hurricane Idalia. Incident Period: 08/27/2023 and continuing.