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

In accordance with the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Commission has submitted a proposal for the collection of information to OMB for approval. The proposed information collection is an user survey that solicits feedback on the investigative procedures used by the Commission in its import injury investigations. Comments concerning the proposed user survey are requested in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The OMB is particularly interested in comments which: (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulations on Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans and Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans prescribe interest assumptions for valuing and paying benefits under terminating single-employer plans. This final rule amends the regulations to adopt interest assumptions for plans with valuation dates in December 2005. Interest assumptions are also published on the PBGC's Web site (https://www.pbgc.gov).

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) announces a meeting of the Advisory Committee on the Electronic Records Archives (ACERA). The committee serves as a deliberative body to advise the Archivist of the United States on technical, mission, and service issues related to the Electronic Records Archives (ERA). This includes, but is not limited to, advising and making recommendations to the Archivist on issues related to the development, implementation, and use of the ERA system. Date of Meeting: November 30, 2005. Time of Meeting: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Place of Meeting: 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Washington, DC 20408-0001. This meeting will be open to the public. However, due to space limitations and access procedures, the name and telephone number of individuals planning to attend must be submitted to the Electronic Records Archives Program at era.program@nara.gov.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is granting a waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule for Photographic Film, Paper, Plate, and Chemical Manufacturing. The basis for waivers is that no small business manufacturers are supplying these classes of products to the Federal government. The effect of a waiver would be to allow otherwise qualified regular dealers to supply the products of any domestic manufacturer on a Federal contract set aside for small businesses, service disabled veteran-owned small businesses or SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program. The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments and potential source information from interested parties.

Background. Notice is hereby given of the final approval of proposed information collection by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) under OMB delegated authority, as per 5 CFR 1320.16 (OMB Regulations on Controlling Paperwork Burdens on the Public). Board-approved collections of information are incorporated into the official OMB inventory of currently approved collections of information. Copies of the OMB 83-I and supporting statements and approved collection of information instrument(s) are placed into OMB's public docket files. The Federal Reserve may not conduct or sponsor, and the respondent is not required to respond to, an information collection that has been extended, revised, or implemented on or after October 1, 1995, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is amending the size eligibility criteria for its Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) Program for construction (general or special trades) or service concerns performing contracts in the Presidentially-declared disaster areas resulting from the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, or Wilma. This rule amends the SBG size standard for some concerns by requiring them to meet either the size standard for the primary industry in which it, together with its affiliates, is engaged, or the current $6 million standard for the SBG Program, whichever is higher. The amended size standard applies only to construction and service concerns seeking SBA- guaranteed surety bonds for contracts or subcontracts, public or private, that are performed in the Presidentially-declared disaster areas resulting from the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, or Wilma. Surety companies with whom SBA has executed a Preferred Surety Bond (PSB) Agreement under 13 CFR part 115 will be responsible for determining eligibility in compliance with this regulation. SBA surety bond personnel will be responsible for determining eligibility in compliance with this regulation for those surety guarantees that require SBA's prior approval. SBA prepared this rule as an interim final rule because its immediate implementation will make available needed SBG Program assistance to otherwise eligible small businesses and facilitate reconstruction and recovery of the Gulf Coast and Florida.

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) has extended until December 2, 2005 the public comment period on the Working Principles for revising the ACHP's ``Policy Statement Regarding Treatment of Human Remains and Grave Goods.'' Those Working Principles were published in the Federal Register on September 1, 2005. The extended comment period will afford greater opportunity to all interested parties to review and submit comments on the principles.

This notice announces the availability, and opportunity for public review and comment, of the environmental assessment (EA) that supports the National Science Foundation (NSF) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposal to authorize the continued expenditure of grant funds totaling $12.3 million by the Smithsonian Institution to construct a four-telescope array near Tucson, Arizona. The draft EA is available at https://veritas.sao.arizona.edu/.

This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of North Carolina dated 11/04/2005. Incident: Hurricane Ophelia. Incident Period: 09/14/2005 through 09/23/5005. Effective Date: 11/04/2005. Physical Loan Application Deadline Date: 01/03/2006. EIDL Loan Application Deadline Date: 08/04/2006.

This is a notice of an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration for the State of California, dated 10/27/2005. Incident: Lake Tahoe Sewage Spill. Incident Period: 07/19/2005. Effective Date: 10/27/2005. EIDL Loan Application Deadline Date: 07/27/2006.

This is an amendment of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Louisiana (FEMA-1607-DR), dated 09/24/ 2005. Incident: Hurricane Rita. Incident Period: 09/23/2005 and continuing through 11/01/2005. Effective Date: 11/01/2005. Physical Loan Application Deadline Date: 01/11/2006. EIDL Loan Application Deadline Date: 06/26/2006.

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) has adopted final amendments to its Regulation A to reflect the Board's approval of an increase in the primary credit rate at each Federal Reserve Bank. The secondary credit rate at each Reserve Bank automatically increased by formula as a result of the Board's primary credit rate action.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the General Services Administration will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve a renewal of a currently approved information collection requirement regarding Market Research for the Office of Citizen Services and Communications. The clearance currently expires on April 30, 2006. This information collection will be used to determine the utility and ease of use of GSA's Web site, https://www.gsa.gov. The respondents include individuals and representatives from businesses currently holding GSA contracts. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary 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; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.

The Committee is proposing to add to the Procurement List a service to be furnished by nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities. Comments Must be Received on or Before: December 10, 2005.