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

LSC is conducting a Rulemaking Workshop in connection with its rulemaking to consider revisions to its regulations on prohibition on discrimination on the basis of handicap at 45 CFR part 1624. LSC hereby solicits expressions of interest in participation in the Workshop from the regulated community, its clients, advocates, the organized bar, the disability rights community and other interested parties.

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA) published a final rule under parts 611, 612, 614, 615, and 620 on September 13, 2005 (70 FR 53901). This final rule amends our regulations governing preferred stock issued by Farm Credit System (FCS or System) banks, associations, and service corporations. This final rule requires greater board involvement and oversight in the retirement of preferred stock, enhances FCA's current standards of conduct regulations to specifically address insider preferred stock transactions, modifies and streamlines the FCA review and clearance process, and requires disclosure of senior officer and director preferred stock transactions. Lastly, we add a new provision to require FCA prior approval of investments by FCS banks, associations, and service corporations in preferred stock of other System institutions, including the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation. In accordance with 12 U.S.C. 2252, the effective date of the final rule is 30 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register during which either or both Houses of Congress are in session. Based on the records of the sessions of Congress, the effective date of the regulation is November 3, 2005.

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 (PRA) 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 Commission will consider a First Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning the Emergency Alert System rules. 2.................. Media................... Title: Implementation of the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004 (MB Docket no. 05- 49) and Implementation of Section 340 of the Communications Act. Summary: The Commission will consider a Report and Order to adopt rules for satellite carriage of ``significantly viewed'' television stations pursuant to the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act (SHVERA).

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 Committee is extending through December 31, 2005, the period for making a determination on whether to request consultations with China regarding imports of cotton, wool and man-made fiber socks (Category 332/432 and 642 Part).

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Board) is soliciting comments on an interim rule that would amend the section of its Rules Regarding Equal Opportunity (EEO Rules) which governs the employment of persons who are not United States citizens consistent with the Board's requirements for the security of its information. The amendments would clarify the limitations on access to sensitive information for non-citizen employees. The amendment, which concerns the internal management of the Board, is issued as an immediately effective interim rule, with opportunity for public comment, to ensure that hiring decisions facing the Board can be made as soon as possible.

The Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (Council) is announcing the December 2, 2005, meeting of the Council.

This is an amendment of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Mississippi (FEMA-1604-DR), dated 08/ 29/2005. Incident: Hurricane Katrina. Incident Period: 08/29/2005 through 10/14/2005. Effective Date: 10/27/2005. Physical Loan Application Deadline Date: 01/11/2006. EIDL Loan Application Deadline Date: 05/29/2006.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a), notice is hereby given that the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) is publishing an amended system notice pertaining to financial management records. The system notice provides information on the existence and character of the system of records. This amended system notice reflects minor changes, which clearly identify the types of Agency records maintained in this system, the purposes for this system of records, and the sources of information.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) proposes to amend its regulations to permit current power reactor licensees to implement a voluntary, risk-informed alternative to the current requirements for analyzing the performance of emergency core cooling systems (ECCS) during loss-of-coolant accidents (LOCAs). In addition, the proposed rule would establish procedures and criteria for requesting changes in plant design and procedures based upon the results of the new analyses of ECCS performance during LOCAs.

On October 11, 2005, the Committee received a request from the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition, the National Council of Textile Organizations, the National Textile Association, and UNITE HERE requesting that the Committee limit imports from China of cotton terry and other pile towels (Category 363). They request that a textile and apparel safeguard action, as provided for in the Report of the Working Party on the Accession of China to the World Trade Organization (the Accession Agreement) be applied on imports of such towels. The Committee hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with regard to whether imports from China of such towels are, due to market disruption, threatening to impede the orderly development of trade in this product. Comments must be submitted by December 7, 2005 to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3001A, United States Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20230.

The Committee is extending through November 8, 2005, the period for making a determination on whether to request consultations with China regarding imports of cotton and man-made fiber nightwear (Category 351/651).

The Committee is extending through November 8, 2005, the period for making a determination on whether to request consultations with China regarding imports of women's and girls' cotton and man-made fiber shirts and blouses, not-knit (Category 341/641).