Agencies and Commissions January 24, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade Commission has requested supplemental briefing in the above-captioned investigation and has determined to extend the target date for completion of the investigation.

This document contains a correction to the final regulations which were published in the Federal Register of May 24, 2004. The regulations amended several definitions and made procedural and technical amendments to cover the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) HUBZone, size and government contracting programs. This rule also inadvertently included two provisions that except for one word are substantively similar. SBA is removing one of these two provisions to eliminate the confusion.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to request clearance for this collection. In accordance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing opportunity for public comment on this action. After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting OMB clearance of this collection for no longer than three years. 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 collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information of respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 552a, the Federal Election Commission (``the Commission'' or ``the FEC'') is publishing for comment a revised system of records that is maintained by the Commission. The system entitled Inspector General Investigative Records (FEC 12) has been revised to: include additional routine uses (3 through 17); expand the list of ``Categories of records in the system;'' include additional data elements required for systems of records notices, including ``Security Classification,'' ``Purpose,'' ``Disclosure to consumer reporting agencies,'' and ``Exemptions claimed for the system;'' and incorporate administrative and technical changes that have taken place since the last publication of FEC systems of records on December 15, 1997. 62 FR 65694. The minor changes include: clarifying the ``System location;'' adding new language to explain but not increase the ``Categories of individuals covered by the system;'' clarifying the language for ``Storage;'' adding new language under ``Retrievability;'' expanding the ``Safeguards;'' adding language to ``Retention and disposal;'' making a technical change to the ``System manager(s);'' clarifying the ``Notification,'' ``Record access,'' and ``Contesting record'' procedures; and updating the ``Record source categories.'' The revised system of records should provide improved protection for the privacy rights of individuals.

The information collection requirements described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA''). The FTC is seeking public comments on its proposal to extend through February 28, 2010 the current PRA clearance for information collection requirements contained in its Alternative Fuel Rule. That clearance expires on February 28, 2007.

The Federal Communications Commissions, 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.

This document denies a Petition for Reconsideration filed by Bryan A. King, successor to BK Radio, directed to the Report and Order in this proceeding. 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 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.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat has submitted 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 examination of records by comptroller general and contract audit. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 65478, on November 8, 2006. No comments were received. The clearance currently expires on April 30, 2007. 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 August 18, 2006, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (71 FR 56923, September 28, 2006) (NPRM) in the proceeding captioned above. The NPRM seeks comment from the public on proposed licensing procedures and service rules for satellites providing Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) service. The NPRM also seeks comment on licensing non-nine-degree-spaced DBS applications. On December 22, 2006, SES Americom, Inc. filed a Motion for Extension of Time, requesting the Commission to extend the reply comment filing deadline in this proceeding. SES Americom, Inc. stated that an extension would enable the parties to the proceeding to provide a more complete record for review, considering the important policy and technical issues raised in the proceeding. The Commission concurred that the issues raised in the proceeding are complex, technical, and of great importance to the DBS service and to direct-to-home satellite consumers throughout the United States. Thus, the Commission granted SES Americom, Inc.'s request, and extended the reply comment pleading deadline to January 25, 2007. The Commission stated that the public interest will be served by the extension to enable the filing of a more complete record in this proceeding. Accordingly, pursuant to section 1.46 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.46, the request of SES Americom, Inc. is granted. The deadline for filing reply comments in this proceeding is extended to January 25, 2007. This action is taken under delegated authority pursuant to sections 0.51 and 0.261 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 0.51, 0.261.