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

Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade Commission has determined not to review an initial determination (``ID'') issued by the presiding administrative law judge (``ALJ'') adding Fabio Perini S.p.A. as a complainant and amending the notice of investigation in the above-captioned investigation accordingly.

Notice is hereby given of the following hearing of the U.S.- China Economic and Security Review Commission. Name: Larry M. Wortzel, Chairman of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. The Commission is mandated by Congress to investigate, assess, evaluate and report to Congress annually on ``regional economic and security impacts.'' The mandate specifically charges the Commission to evaluate ``The triangular economic and security relationship among the United States, Taipei and the People's Republic of China (including the military modernization and force deployments of the People's Republic of China aimed at Taipei).'' Pursuant to this mandate, the Commission will be holding a public hearing in Washington, DC on March 16-17, 2006.

The Executive Director of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Agency) is adopting as final, without change, the Agency's proposed rule to permit the Agency to rely on a participant's marital status as stated on a Federal income tax form when determining whether a deceased participant had a common law marriage.

The Commission will host two briefings on March 1, 2006. One will address a study of postal volume growth in developing countries. The other will address the effect of certain data collection design changes on a major Postal Service annual financial report. These briefings will provide an open forum for the presentation of information of interest to the postal community and the general public.

This document seeks comments on additional payment component of default payments for the auction of new nationwide commercial Air- Ground Radiotelephone Service licenses in the 800 MHz band (Auction No. 65), scheduled to commence on May 10, 2006.

The General Services Administration (GSA) announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the expansion/ renovation of the Calexico West Port of Entry (POE), located in Calexico, California. The purpose of the expansion/renovation is to reduce traffic congestion in Calexico and Mexicali city centers caused by vehicles crossing the border, to improve border security; and to provide safe, secure, and efficient operational areas for the public and Federal employees. This facility serves both vehicular and pedestrian traffic into and out of the Mexican city of Mexicali. The need for this expansion/renovation derives from the substantial increase in its use by international travelers. The existing POE is not equipped to process this increase within an acceptable level of service consistent with the Federal Inspection Service's minimum standards. Problems at the current facility are mostly related to inadequate space for inspection operations, equipment, and personnel. The facility also requires seismic retrofitting. The EIS will address potential environmental impacts of the alternatives for the proposed project related to geology and soils, water resources, land use, biological resources, cultural resources, visual resources, infrastructure, traffic, air quality, noise, human health and safety, socioeconomics, and environmental justice. The existing contamination of the New River and traffic congestion have been identified as potential environmental impacts. Information regarding other potential environmental impacts will be gathered during the public scoping process.

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the Government in the Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C. 552b(e)(3)), of the regular meeting of the Farm Credit Administration Board (Board). Date and Time: The regular meeting of the Board will be held at the offices of the Farm Credit Administration in McLean, Virginia, on March 9, 2006, from 9 a.m. until such time as the Board concludes its business.

Pursuant to sections 254(a)(11)(A) and 255(b) of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), Public Law 107-252, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) hereby causes to be published in the Federal Register material changes to the HAVA State plans previously submitted by Maryland and Puerto Rico.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is considering granting a request for a waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule for Furniture (except drafting tables, hospital beds, medical furniture) Merchant Wholesalers; Office Furniture Merchant Wholesalers; Furniture (except wood), Office-Type, Padded, Upholstered, or Plain, Manufacturing; Furniture Design Services; Furniture Frames and Parts, Metal, Manufacturing; Furniture Frames, Wood, Manufacturing; Furniture Parts, Finished Metal, Manufacturing; Furniture Parts, Finished Plastics, Manufacturing; Furniture Parts, Finished Wood, Manufacturing; Furniture, Factory-type (e.g., cabinets, stools, tool stands, work benches), Manufacturing; Furniture, Hospital (e.g., hospital beds, operating room furniture), Manufacturing; and Furniture, Laboratory- type (e.g., benches, cabinets, stools, tables), Manufacturing. According to the request, no small business manufacturers are supplying this class of product to the Federal government. If granted, the waiver would 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 business or SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is denying a request for a waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule for Forklifts Manufacturing based on our recent discovery of a small business manufacturer for this class of products. Denying this waiver will require recipients of contracts set aside for small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, or SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program to provide the products of small business manufacturers or processors on such contracts.