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

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is announcing the availability of and is seeking comments on NUREG-1852, ``Demonstrating the Feasibility and Reliability of Operator Manual Actions in Response to Fire, Draft Report For Comment.''

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

In this document, the Commission denies a petition for reconsideration of the Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) equipment certification requirements for ship station equipment that were adopted in the Sixth Report and Order in PR Docket No. 92-257. The Commission concludes that there is no compelling justification for adopting domestic AIS equipment certification standards that diverge from the international standards. In support of this conclusion, the Commission notes that any such departure from the international standards would delay AIS deployment in the United States, discourage voluntary AIS carriage, and create other problems, including difficulties in AIS coordination with maritime authorities of other nations.

The Corporation for National and Community Service (the ``Corporation''), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirement on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning its AmeriCorps Application Instructions: States without Commissions. These application instructions are used by current and prospective grantees to apply for funds for these programs. Copies of the information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed in the address section of this notice.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) requests additional comment on issues pertaining to maritime Automatic Identification Systems (AIS). AIS is an important tool for enhancing maritime safety and homeland security. Having determined in the Report and Order in this proceeding that VHF maritime Channels 87B and 88B should be allocated for exclusive AIS use, in keeping with the international allocation of those channels for AIS, the Commission now seeks comment on whether the designation of those channels for ASIS should be effective throughout the Nation or, as the Commission initially proposed, only in the nine maritime VHF public coast (VPC) service areas (VPCSAs). The Commission asks commenters to consider, in this regard, the United States Coast Guard's plans to develop satellite AIS tracking capabilities. Second, the Commission requests comment on equipment standards and other issues pertaining to AIS base stations. Finally, the Commission requests comment on a proposed standard for authorizing Class B AIS devices.

In this document, the Commission designates VHF maritime Channels 87B (161.975 MHz) and 88B (162.025 MHz) for Automatic Identification Systems (AIS). The designation of Channels 87B and 88B for AIS in the United States is consistent with establishment of a seamless global AIS framework, and will facilitate the broad, efficient and effective implementation of AIS in U.S. territorial waters. The intended effect of this action is to maximize the benefits of AIS for United States homeland security and maritime safety.

The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) 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.

Notice is hereby given of a meeting 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 prepare an annual report to the Congress ``regarding the national security implications and impact of the bilateral trade and economic relationship between the United States and the People's Republic of China . . . [that] shall include a full analysis, along with conclusions and recommendations for legislative and administrative actions . . .'' Purpose of Meeting: Pursuant to this mandate, the Commission will meet in Washington, DC on October 16 and 17, 2006, to consider drafts of material for its 2006 Annual Report that have been prepared for its consideration by the Commission staff, and to make modifications to those drafts that Commission members believe are needed. Topics to Be Discussed: The Commissioners will be considering draft Report sections addressing the following topics: China's Regional Activities. China's Energy Activities. China's Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights and Its Production of Counterfeit Goods. China's Financial System and Its Effect on the United States. China's Proliferation To and Relationships With North Korea and Iran. China's Media Control Activities. In addition, Commissioners may discuss draft Report sections previously considered at the Commission's August 23 meeting: China's Internal Challenges and Their Impact on China's Actions Affecting Other Nations Including the United States. China's Military Modernization. The Effect of U.S. and Multilateral Export Controls on China's Military Modernization. The Impact of China's Industrial Expansion and Industrial Subsidies on U.S. and Other Markets. China's WTO Compliance. China's Impact on the U.S. Auto and Auto Parts Industries. Date and Time: Monday and Tuesday, October 16-17, 2006, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Place of Meeting: The meetings will occur in Conference Room 333 on Monday, October 16 and in Conference Room 235 on Tuesday, October 17 of the Hall of The States, 444 North Capitol Street, NW., Washington, DC 20001. Public seating is limited, and will be available on a ``first- come, first-served'' basis. Advance reservations are not required. Accessibility Statement: The entirety of this Commission meeting will be open to the public. Any member of the public is permitted to file a written statement with the Commission. Such statements may be left with the Commission's Executive Director during the meeting, or mailed or delivered to him at the Commission's office address: 444 North Capitol Street, Suite 602, Washington, DC 20001. The Commission's procedures for conducting its Annual Report preparation meetings do not provide for members of the public to speak during these meetings. The drafts prepared for Commissioners' use and consideration during the meeting are available for public inspection in the Commission's offices (see address above) during its normal office hours of 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Any member of the public may request copies of any of these materials, which shall be provided at the Commission's actual cost for photocopying10 cents per pagewith payment to be made in cash in advance. During the meeting, at various points the Commission may take breaks from work on its Annual Report to deal with various administrative matters, such as budgetary, scheduling, and personnel matters. Those matters are not subject to the open meeting requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act and at those times, all members of the public will be asked to depart the room. The circumstances under which the Commission is permitted to use appropriated funds to pay for food or beverages are limited, and this meeting does not qualify. Therefore, Commissioners have paid out of their own pockets for coffee and other refreshments for their consumption during the meeting, and for lunch; these will not be available to guests. Members of the public may obtain refreshments in a carry-out store on the ground floor of the building in which the meeting will be conducted, or may bring refreshments to the meeting from other sources. For Further Information About This Meeting, Contact: Kathy Michels, Associate Director, U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, 444 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 602, Washington DC 20001; phone 202-624-1409; e-mail kmichels@uscc.gov.

Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade Commission has determined not to review the presiding administrative law judge's (``ALJ'') initial determination (``ID'') (Order No. 3) terminating the above-captioned investigation on the basis of a binding term sheet.

This notice sets forth the schedule and a summary of the agenda for an upcoming meeting of the National Institute for Literacy Advisory Board (Board). The notice also describes the functions of the Board. Notice of this meeting is required by section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. This document is intended to notify the general public of their opportunity to attend the meeting. Individuals who will need accommodations for a disability in order to attend the meeting (e.g., interpreting services, assistive listening devices, or materials in alternative format) should notify Liz Hollis at telephone number (202) 233-2072 no later than October 18, 2006. We will attempt to meet requests for accommodations after this date but cannot guarantee their availability. The meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities.

The Commission will consider a Notice of Inquiry that seeks comments and information for the Thirteenth Annual Report on the status of competition in the market for the delivery of video programming. 2 Wireless Title: Qualcomm Incorporated Petition for Telecommunications. Declaratory Ruling (WT Docket No. 05-7). Summary: The Commission will consider an Order concerning a request for declaratory ruling regarding the interference protection requirements applicable to the 700 MHz Band. 3 Office of Engineering Title: Unlicensed Operation in the TV and Technology. Broadcast Bands (ET Docket No. 04-186). Summary: The Commission will consider a First Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making concerning new wireless operations in the TV broadcast bands. 4 Wireline Competition. Title: AT&T Inc. and BellSouth Corporation Application for Transfer of Control (WC Docket No. 06-74). Summary: The Commission will consider a Memorandum Opinion and Order regarding the transfer of control application of AT&T and BellSouth. 5 Wireline Competition. Title: Broadband Industry Practices. Summary: The Commission will consider a Notice of Inquiry regarding broadband industry practices.

On September 5, 2006, SBA published in the Federal Register a proposed rule on Business Loan Program; Lender Examination and Review Fees (71 FR 52296). This proposed rule implements a recent amendment to the Small Business Act authorizing SBA to assess fees to lenders participating in SBA's 7(a) loan guarantee program to cover the costs of examinations, reviews, and other Lender Oversight activities. The original comment period was from September 5, 2006, through October 5, 2006. SBA is reopening the comment period until November 9, 2006. Given the significant level of interest the proposed rule has generated, SBA believes the affected parties would find it beneficial to have more time to review the proposal and prepare their comments. In addition SBA is correcting the Addresses section of the proposed rule by eliminating the Agency Web Site address and amending the E-mail address to Proposedfeerule@sba.gov.