Agencies and Commissions January 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection(s), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Public Law 104-13. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act that does not display a valid control number. Comments are requested concerning (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The Agency announces its upcoming Spring 2005 Solicited Grant Competition. The Solicited Grant competition is restricted to projects that fit specific themes and topics identified in advance by the Institute of Peace. The themes and topics for the Spring 2005 Solicited competition are: Solicitation A: Promoting Sustainable Peace in Societies Emerging from Violent Conflict Solicitation B: Conflict and Peacemaking in the Muslim World Deadline: March 1, 2005, Application Material Available on Request.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget a request for review of an expiring information collection. RI 20-80, Alternative Annuity Election, is used for individuals who are eligible to elect whether to receive a reduced annuity and a lump-sum payment equal to their retirement contributions (alternative form of annuity) or an unreduced annuity and no lump sum. Approximately 200 RI 20-80 forms are completed annually. We estimate it takes approximately 20 minutes to complete this form. The annual burden is 67 hours. Comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of OPM, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, fax (202) 418-3251 or via e-mail to mbtoomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.

In accordance with requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the FDIC hereby gives notice that it plans to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for OMB review and approval of the two information collection systems described below.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register of December 20, 2004 (69 FR 75820). Among other things, the document issued a list of factors to consider in evaluating a prime contractor's performance and good faith efforts to achieve the requirements in its subcontracting plan and authorized the use of goals in subcontracting plans, and/or past performance in meeting such goals, as a factor in source selection when placing orders against Federal Supply Schedules, government-wide acquisition contracts, and multi-agency contracts. This document incorrectly stated that the final rule was effective on December 20, 2004. The document did not put the public on notice that the final rule had been designated as a major rule under the Congressional Review Act.

The Commission will hold its next public meeting on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 and Thursday, January 13, 2005, at the Ronald Reagan Building, International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. The meeting is tentatively scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on January 12, and at 9 a.m. on January 13. Topics for discussion include findings on congressionally mandated studies on specialty hospitals and risk adjustment and other issues related to the adjusted average per capita cost (AAPCC). The Commission will also discuss and vote on recommendations related to pay for performance for hospitals, physicians, and home health; and incentives for health care information technology for hospitals, physicians, and home health; and incentives for health care information technology adoption. In addition, the Commission will discuss and vote on recommendations related to payment adequacy for hospitals, physicians, skilled nursing facilities, home health, and dialysis. Other topics will include imaging, measuring physician resource use, and outpatient pharmacy services in hospitals. Agendas will be e-mailed approximately one week prior to the meeting. The final agenda will be available on the Commission's Web site (https://www.MedPAC.gov).

The Export-Import Bank, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the proposed information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has determined that the proceeds that can be realized from the liquidation of assets of the receivership listed in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION are insufficient to wholly satisfy the priority claims of depositors against the receivership estate. Therefore, upon satisfaction of secured claims, depositor claims, and claims which have priority over depositors under applicable law, no amount will remain or will be recovered sufficient to allow a dividend, distribution, or payment to any creditor of lesser priority, including but not limited to claims of general creditors. Any such claims are hereby determined to be worthless.

We are adopting new and amended rules and forms to address comprehensively the registration, disclosure and reporting requirements for asset-backed securities under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The final rules and forms accomplish the following: update and clarify the Securities Act registration requirements for asset-backed securities offerings, including expanding the types of asset-backed securities that may be offered in delayed primary offerings on Form S-3; consolidate and codify existing interpretive positions that allow modified Exchange Act reporting that is more tailored and relevant to asset-backed securities; provide tailored disclosure guidance and requirements for Securities Act and Exchange Act filings involving asset-backed securities; and streamline and codify existing interpretive positions that permit the use of written communications in a registered offering of asset-backed securities in addition to the statutory registration statement prospectus. We also request additional comment regarding the appropriate treatment of certain structured securities that do not meet our definition of ``asset-backed security.''

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, as amended, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration announces a forthcoming meeting of the NASA Earth Science and Applications from Space Strategic Roadmap Committee.

The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (The Committee) has submitted the collection of information listed below to OMB for approval under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act. This notice solicits comments on that collection of information.

This action adds to the Procurement List a product to be furnished by nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities, and deletes from the Procurement List services previously furnished by such agencies.