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

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA or Agency) is publishing its notice under the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 (No FEAR Act) (Pub. L. 107-174), as required by the No FEAR Act and 5 CFR part 724. Under the No FEAR Act, agencies are required to notify employees, former employees, and applicants of their rights and remedies under Federal antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection laws applicable to them. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has published implementing regulations at 5 CFR part 724, which require notice and training, and include model language for agency notices.

In this document, the Commission amends its Amateur Radio Service rules to revise the frequency segments of the 80 meter and 40 meter amateur service High Frequency (HF) bands on which amateur stations are authorized to transmit voice communications; authorize amateur stations to transmit certain emission types on additional amateur service bands or frequency segments; revise the procedures for the amateur service vanity call sign system; eliminate unnecessary restrictions imposed on manufacturers of certain types of equipment that may be used at amateur stations; and make other conforming amendments to the amateur service rules.

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.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of a revised information collection. RI 20-63, Survivor Annuity Election for a Spouse, is used by annuitants to elect a reduced annuity with a survivor annuity for their spouse. RI 20-116 is a cover letter for RI 20-63 giving information about the cost to elect less than the maximum survivor annuity. This letter may be used to decline to elect. RI 20- 117 is a cover letter for RI 20-63 giving information about the cost to elect the maximum survivor annuity. This letter may be used to ask for more information or to decline to elect. RI 20-117 is accompanied by RI 20-63A, Information on Electing a Survivor Annuity for Your Spouse, or RI 20-63B, Information on Electing a Survivor Annuity for Your Spouse When You Are Providing a Former Spouse Annuity. Both booklets explain the election. RI 20-63A is for annuitants who do not have a former spouse who is entitled to survivor annuity benefit; RI 20-63B is for those who do have a former spouse who is entitled to a benefit. These booklets do not require OMB clearance. They have been included because they provide the annuitant additional information. Comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Office of Personnel Management, and whether it will have practical utility, whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Approximately 2,400 RI 20-63 forms are returned each year electing survivor annuities and 200 annuitants return the cover letter to ask for information about the cost to elect less than the maximum survivor annuity or to refuse to provide any survivor benefit. It is estimated to take approximately 45 minutes to complete the form with a burden of 1,800 hours and 10 minutes to complete the letter, which gives a burden of 34 hours. The total burden for RI 20-63 is 1,834 hours. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, FAX (202) 418-3251 or via e-mail to MaryBeth.Smith- Toomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.

The Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (Council) is announcing its November 30 to December 1, 2006 meeting and planning session.

The EAC, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on a proposed information collection. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the following information collection requirement to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13. This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 52348, and no comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of this second notice. Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for National Science Foundation, 725 17th Street, NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, and to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send e-mail to splimpto@nsf.gov. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling 703-292-7556. NSF may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) regrets to inform the public that there are no appropriated funds available for the Labor Management Cooperation Program for Fiscal Year 2007. However, there is limited amount of funds still remaining for FY2006. We will continue to accept grant proposals and will award grants subject to funds availability.

Notice is hereby given that a complaint was filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission on October 6, 2006, under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1337, on behalf of Fluke Corporation of Everett, Washington. Letters supplementing the complaint were filed on October 27 and October 30, 2006. The complaint, as supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 in the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain digital multimeters, and products with multimeter functionality by reason of infringement of U.S. Trademark Registration No. 2,796,480 and also by reason of infringement of trade dress, the threat or effect of which is to destroy or substantially injure an industry in the United States. The complaint further alleges that there exists an industry in the United States with respect to the asserted intellectual property rights. The complainant requests that the Commission institute an investigation and, after the investigation, issue a permanent general exclusion order and permanent cease and desist orders.

Notice is hereby given that a complaint was filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission on October 6, 2006, under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1337, on behalf of Norgren, Inc. of Littleton, Colorado. An amended complaint was filed on October 25, 2006 and a supplement thereto was filed on November 1, 2006. The complaint, as amended and supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 in the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain connecting devices, known as ``quick clamps,'' for compressed air conditioning units, which include filters, regulators, and lubricators, known collectively as ``FRL's,'' which together are used in larger pneumatic systems, by reason of infringement of certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 5,372,392. The complaint further alleges that an industry in the United States exists as required by subsection (a)(2) of section 337. The complainant requests that the Commission institute an investigation and, after the investigation, issue a permanent exclusion order and a permanent cease and desist order.

This is a Notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Louisiana (FEMA-1668-DR), dated 11/02/2006. Incident: Severe Storms and Flooding. Incident Period: 10/16/2006 and continuing. Effective Date: 11/02/2006. Physical Loan Application Deadline Date: 01/02/2007. Economic Injury (EIDL) Loan Application Deadline Date: 08/02/2007.

This interim rule revises the NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) to implement the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) EVM coverage issued in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-11.