Agencies and Commissions February 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The OCC, Board, FDIC and OTS published in the Federal Register on March 29, 2005 interpretive guidance on the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) and the Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards (Security Guidelines). In footnote six of the interpretive guidance, the Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'') citation reads 12 CFR part 314 whereas it should read 16 CFR part 314.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (``Commission'' or ``CFTC'') is amending Commission regulations that impose minimum financial and related reporting requirements upon each person registered as a futures commission merchant (``FCM''). The amended regulations address the capital computations of FCMs that are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'') as securities brokers or dealers (``FCM/BDs''), and, who, pursuant to SEC's regulations governing consolidated supervised entities (``CSEs''), have received SEC approval to use internal mathematical models to determine the deductions from their capital for market risk and credit risk associated with their proprietary trading assets. Subject to the reporting and other requirements specified in the amended regulations, these FCM/BDs may elect to compute their adjusted net capital using their SEC-approved alternative market risk and credit risk capital deductions in lieu of CFTC requirements. The Commission is also adopting other rule amendments that address confidential treatment for the reports and statements that would be required to be filed under the amended regulations, and also address the confidential treatment of certain other information that all FCMs must file with both the Commission and the SEC. Finally, the Commission is also adopting amendments that will affect the minimum financial requirements of FCMs and introducing brokers (``IBs'') by reducing the capital deductions for their uncovered inventory or forward contracts in specified foreign currencies. This reduction is consistent with guidance currently provided by the Commission to FCMs and IBs.

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA, we, or our) issues this final rule amending our regulations affecting the governance of the Farm Credit System (System). The final rule enhances impartiality and disclosure in the election of directors; requires that Farm Credit banks and associations establish policies identifying desirable director qualifications; requires boards to have a director or an advisor who is a financial expert; requires System institutions to establish director training procedures; and ensures that boards conduct annual self-evaluations. The final rule addresses the term of service and removal of outside directors, while requiring all Farm Credit banks and associations with assets over $500 million to have at least two outside directors. The rule also provides associations with small boards an exemption from having at least two outside directors. The rule further requires that Farm Credit banks and associations have nominating committees and that all System institutions have audit and compensation committees. The final rule clarifies the current rule on disclosure of conflicts of interest and compensation. The final rule does not apply to the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (FAMC).

In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces the renewal of an existing computer matching program that SSA is currently conducting with the IRS.

The Corporation for National and Community Service (Corporation) proposes regulations to implement the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act of 1986 (Act). The Act authorizes certain Federal agencies, including the Corporation, to impose, through administrative adjudication, civil penalties and assessments against any person who makes, submits, or presents a false, fictitious, or fraudulent claim or written statement to the agency. The proposed regulations establish the procedures the Corporation will follow in implementing the provisions of the Act and specifies the hearing and appeal rights of persons subject to penalties and assessments under the Act. They also designate the Corporation's Chief Financial Officer to act on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer in carrying out certain duties and responsibilities under the regulations.

The Export-Import Bank, as a 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 form will be used by exporters to report and pay premiums on insured shipments to various foreign buyers. Our customers will be able to submit this form on paper or electronically.

Under the provision of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), agencies are required to publish a Notice in the Federal Register notifying the public, that the Agency is preparing an information collection request for OMB review, approval, and request public review and comment on the submission. Comments are being solicited on the need for the information; the accuracy of the Agency's burden estimate; the quality, practical utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the reporting burden, including automated collection techniques by using other forms of technology. The proposed form under review is summarized below.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has received Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the following public information collections pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number.

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 No. 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.