Agencies and Commissions 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Commissioner has determined (1) A 3.3 percent cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (the Act), effective for December 2006; (2) An increase in the Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) monthly benefit amounts under title XVI of the Act for 2007 to $623 for an eligible individual, $934 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, and $312 for an essential person; (3) The student earned income exclusion to be $1,510 per month in 2007 but not more than $6,100 in all of 2007; (4) The dollar fee limit for services performed as a representative payee to be $34 per month ($66 per month in the case of a beneficiary who is disabled and has an alcoholism or drug addiction condition that leaves him or her incapable of managing benefits) in 2007; (5) The dollar limit on the administrative-cost assessment charged to attorneys representing claimants to be $77 in 2007; (6) The national average wage index for 2005 to be $36,952.94; (7) The Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) contribution and benefit base to be $97,500 for remuneration paid in 2007 and self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in 2007; (8) The monthly exempt amounts under the Social Security retirement earnings test for taxable years ending in calendar year 2007 to be $1,080 and $2,870; (9) The dollar amounts (``bend points'') used in the primary insurance amount benefit formula for workers who become eligible for benefits, or who die before becoming eligible, in 2007 to be $680 and $4,100; (10) The dollar amounts (``bend points'') used in the formula for computing maximum family benefits for workers who become eligible for benefits, or who die before becoming eligible, in 2007 to be $869, $1,255, and $1,636; (11) The amount of taxable earnings a person must have to be credited with a quarter of coverage in 2007 to be $1,000; (12) The ``old-law'' contribution and benefit base to be $72,600 for 2007; (13) The monthly amount deemed to constitute substantial gainful activity for statutorily blind individuals in 2007 to be $1,500, and the corresponding amount for non-blind disabled persons to be $900; (14) The earnings threshold establishing a month as a part of a trial work period to be $640 for 2007; and (15) Coverage thresholds for 2007 to be $1,500 for domestic workers and $1,300 for election workers.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services announces the following information collection has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). 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 requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the addressee section of this notice.

The consent agreement in this matter settles alleged violations of federal law prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts or practices or unfair methods of competition. The attached Analysis to Aid Public Comment describes both the allegations in the draft complaint and the terms of the consent orderembodied in the consent agreementthat would settle these allegations.

The General Services Administration (GSA) proposes to establish a system of records subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a. This system of records notice is for the GSA Smart Card Program (GSA/CIO-1), which covers the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12, Policy for a Common Identification Standard for Federal Employees and Contractors (HSPD-12), process after adjudication and determines if the individual can receive identification (ID) card. The records include both mandatory and optional information necessary to the request for an ID card, registration, verification, and issuance procedures, the index/database of active and invalid ID cards, and the information stored on the ID cards. The system may include records of individuals who entered and exited Federal facilities or accessed systems. The GSA Smart Card Program will ensure the safety and security of Federal facilities, information systems, and their occupants and users, by verifying that all persons entering Federal facilities, using Federal information resources, or accessing classified information are authorized to do so. The system also will track and control identification ID cards issued to individuals for these purposes.

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 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.

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, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act 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.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning the clauses and provisions required for use in commercial item acquisitions. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 38867, July 10, 2006. No comments were received. The OMB clearance expires on October 31, 2006. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, 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; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 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.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat is submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning right of first refusal of employment. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 38137 on July 5, 2006. No comments were received. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, 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; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 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.

On October 12, 2006 (71 FR 60200), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued for public comment NUREG 1852, ``Demonstrating the Feasibility and Reliability of Operator Manual Actions in Response to Fire, Draft Report for Comment.'' A request has been made to extend the public comment period such that the public will have a full 60 days to review this report. Currently, the Federal Register specifies that the public comment period ends on November 6, 2006, less than 30 days after the issuance of the Federal Register Notice.

The information collection requirements described below are being submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA''), 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520. The FTC is seeking public comments on proposed information requests to beverage alcohol advertisers. The FTC proposes to issue compulsory process orders to beverage alcohol advertisers for information concerning, inter alia, compliance with voluntary advertising placement provisions, sales and marketing expenditures, and the status of third-party review of complaints regarding compliance with voluntary advertising codes.

Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade Commission has determined not to review an initial determination (``ID'') of the presiding administrative law judge (``ALJ'') terminating the above-captioned investigation under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1337). The Commission has terminated the investigation based on a settlement agreement.

This is an amendment of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of New York (FEMA-1650-DR), dated 07/03/ 2006. Incident: Severe Storms and Flooding. Incident Period: 06/26/2006 through 07/10/2006. Effective Date: 10/16/2006. Physical Loan Application Deadline Date: 10/30/2006. EIDL Loan Application Deadline Date: 04/03/2007.