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

In this document, the Commission addresses issues raised in a petition for reconsideration which include: the adoption of the final 2003-2004 Video Relay Service (VRS) rate of $8.854; whether the VRS rate should be fully retroactive; the compensability of research and development expense incurred for telecommunications relay service (TRS) enhancements that go beyond the applicable TRS mandatory minimum standards from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund); and the applicability of ``rate of return'' regulation to traditional TRS and speed of answer requirements to VRS.

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 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is advertising for nominations for the position of patient advocate on the Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI).

This document grants a proposal filed by CCR-Brawley IV, LLC as proposed in the Notice of Proposed Rule Making in this proceeding. Specifically, the license of Station KSIQ, Channel 241B, Brawley, California, is modified to specify operation on Channel 241B1 at Campo, California. The reference coordinates for the Channel 241B1 allotment at Campo, California, are 32-38-30 and 116-28-05. With this action, the proceeding is terminated.

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.

This notice informs the public of the interest rates and assumptions to be used under certain Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation regulations. These rates and assumptions are published elsewhere (or can be derived from rates published elsewhere), but are collected and published in this notice for the convenience of the public. Interest rates are also published on the PBGC's Web site (https://www.pbgc.gov).

In a Federal Register notice published on April 12, 2006, 71 FR 19054, the FTC requested comment on its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in connection with the Business Opportunity Rule. The Notice required that comments be submitted on or before June 16, 2006, and rebuttal comments be submitted on or before July 7, 2006. On June 1, 2006, 71 FR 31124, the Commission extended the comment period to July 17, 2006, and the rebuttal comment period until August 7, 2006. In response to a request received on July 24, 2006, the Commission has extended the rebuttal comment period until September 29, 2006.

This notice is issued in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209(c)(1) and 37 CFR 404.7(a)(1)(i). NASA hereby gives notice of its intent to grant an exclusive, license in the United States to practice the invention described and claimed in U.S. patent 5,880,834, titled ``Convex Diffraction Grating Imaging Spectrometer,'' NASA case number NPO-19293 to ASE Optics, Inc., having its principal place of business in Rochester, New York. The fields of use may be limited to monitoring and control of manufacturing processes. The patent rights in this invention have been assigned to the United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The prospective exclusive license will comply with the terms and conditions of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7.

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 the U.S.-China economic and security relationship. The mandate specifically charges the Commission to investigate ``the extent of Chinese access to, and use of United States capital markets, and whether the existing disclosure and transparency rules are adequate to identify Chinese companies which are active in United States markets and are also engaged in proliferation activities or other activities harmful to United States security interests.'' Pursuant to this mandate, the Commission will hold a public hearing in Washington, DC on August 22, 2006, to assess the nature and consequences of interaction between the Chinese and U.S. capital markets. China agreed to open its financial system to foreign participation when it joined the World Trade Organization. This process is already underway and accelerating, and the Commission, therefore, believes it is important and timely to assess the nature and consequences of interaction between the Chinese and U.S. capital markets.

We are proposing to further extend for smaller public companies the dates that were published in the Federal Register on September 29, 2005, in Release No. 33-8618 [70 FR 56825] for their compliance with the internal control requirements mandated by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Pursuant to the proposal, a non- accelerated filer would not be required to provide management's report on internal control over financial reporting until it files an annual report for a fiscal year ending on or after December 15, 2007. If we have not issued additional guidance for management on how to complete its assessment of internal control over financial reporting in time to be of assistance in connection with annual reports filed for fiscal years ending on or after December 15, 2007, this deadline could be further postponed. Under the proposal, the auditor's attestation report on internal control over financial reporting would not be required until a non-accelerated filer files an annual report for a fiscal year ending on or after December 15, 2008. If revisions to Auditing Standard No. 2 have not been finalized in time to be of assistance in connection with annual reports filed for fiscal years ending on or after December 15, 2008, this deadline could also be further postponed. We also are proposing to provide a transition period for newly public companies before they become subject to compliance with the internal control over financial reporting requirements. Under the proposal, a company would not become subject to these requirements until it previously has been required to file one annual report with the Commission.

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA or Agency), through the FCA Board (Board), has updated and reaffirmed at its regular July Board meeting a policy statement on equal employment opportunity and diversity. The policy statement provides guidance to management and staff on addressing affirmative employment and diversity, workplace harassment, the disabled veterans affirmative action program, and the delineation of responsibilities for implementing the Agency's equal employment opportunity and diversity programs. Effective Date: July 13, 2006.