Agencies and Commissions November 9, 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.

By letter dated July 6, 2004, Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota requested that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) enter into an Agreement with the State as authorized by section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (Act). Under the proposed Agreement, the Commission would discontinue, and Minnesota would assume, portions of the Commission's regulatory authority exercised within the State. As required by the Act, NRC is publishing the proposed Agreement for public comment. NRC is also publishing the summary of a Draft Staff Assessment of the Minnesota Program. Comments are requested on the proposed Agreement and the NRC Draft Staff Assessment which finds the Program adequate to protect public health and safety and compatible with NRC's program for regulation of agreement material. The proposed Agreement would release (exempt) persons who possess or use certain radioactive materials in Minnesota from portions of the Commission's regulatory authority. The Act requires that NRC publish those exemptions. Notice is hereby given that the pertinent exemptions have been previously published in the Federal Register and are codified in the Commission's regulations as 10 CFR part 150.

The NRC has recently submitted to OMB for review the following proposal for the collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). The NRC hereby informs potential respondents that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and that a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a current valid OMB control number.

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) plans to submit to the Office of Management and Budget a request for the review of an expiring information collection form, Occupational Questionnaire (OPM Form 1203-FX). The Occupational Questionnaire is an optical scan form designed to collect applicant information and qualifications in a format suitable for automated processing and to create applicant records for an automated examining system. The 1203 series was commonly referred to as the ``Qualifications and Availability Form C.'' OPM has re-titled the series as ``Occupational Questionnaire'' to fit a more generic need. OPM uses this form to carry out its responsibility for open competitive examining for admission to the competitive service in accordance with section 3304, of title 5, United States Code. OPM is not revising the current Occupational Questionnaire. OPM Form 1203-FX is a seven page version that allows the applicant to transmit information via facsimile, mail, or the Internet using a fillable Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF) file. Additionally, OPM is discontinuing the three-page version, OPM Form 1203-EZ which was previously approved by OMB in 2002. It was thought at that time the shortened form would reduce the public burden in applying for federal positions, but with the advent of platform changes to OPM's automated staffing product, the additional system programming needed to recognize the difference between the FX and EZ forms never occurred. Comments are particularly invited on whether this information is necessary for the proper performance of OPM; whether it will have practical utility; whether OPM's estimate of public burden in the collection of the information is accurate, based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways in which the burden of information collection can be minimized on those that respond through the use of appropriate collection technology or other forms of information technology. The public reporting burden of collecting this information is estimated to vary from 20 to 45 minutes to complete this form including time for reviewing instructions, gathering the data needed, and completing and reviewing entries. The average time to complete the form is 30 minutes. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey at 202- 606-8358, fax at 202-418-3251, or e-mail at mbtoomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.

LSC is conducting a Rulemaking Workshop in connection with its rulemaking to consider revisions to its regulations on client grievance procedures at 45 CFR part 1621. LSC hereby solicits expressions of interest in participation in the Workshop from the regulated community, its clients, advocates, the organized bar and other interested parties.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) ruled that, until August 1, 2006, it will base the hearing aid compatibility compliance rating of dual-band GSM handsets on their operation in the 1900 MHz band only. Given its broad applicability, the Commission clarified that its action applies to all handset manufacturers, carriers and service providers that offer dual-band GSM wireless handsets that operate in both the 850 MHz and 1900 MHz bands. Consistent with this action, the Commission granted in part a request from Cingular Wireless LLC (Cingular). Finally, the Commission imposed conditions on Cingular and all other entities that elect to avail themselves of the temporary relief granted by the Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O).

The Board has approved the 2006 fee schedules for Federal Reserve priced services and electronic access and a private-sector adjustment factor (PSAF) for 2006 of $117.7 million. These actions were taken in accordance with the requirements of the Monetary Control Act of 1980, which requires that, over the long run, fees for Federal Reserve priced services be established on the basis of all direct and indirect costs, including the PSAF. The Board has also approved maintaining the current earnings credit rate on clearing balances.