Agencies and Commissions 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This is an amendment of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of Texas (FEMA- 1791-DR), dated 09/13/2008. Incident: Hurricane Ike. Incident Period: 09/07/2008 through 10/02/2008.

This is an amendment of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Indiana (FEMA-1795-DR), dated 09/23/ 2008. Incident: Severe Storms and Flooding. Incident Period: 09/12/2008 through 10/06/2008.

This final rule with comment period revises the Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system to implement applicable statutory requirements and changes arising from our continuing experience with this system, and to implement a number of changes made by the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. In this final rule with comment period, we describe the changes to the amounts and factors used to determine the payment rates for Medicare hospital outpatient services paid under the prospective payment system. These changes are applicable to services furnished on or after January 1, 2009. In addition, this final rule with comment period updates the revised Medicare ambulatory surgical center (ASC) payment system to implement applicable statutory requirements and changes arising from our continuing experience with this system. In this final rule with comment period, we set forth the applicable relative payment weights and amounts for services furnished in ASCs, specific HCPCS codes to which these changes apply, and other pertinent ratesetting information for the CY 2009 ASC payment system. These changes are applicable to services furnished on or after January 1, 2009. In this document, we are responding to public comments on a proposed rule and finalizing updates to the ASC Conditions for Coverage to reflect current ASC practices and new requirements in the conditions to promote and protect patient health and safety. Further, this final rule also clarifies policy statements included in responses to public comments set forth in the preamble of the March 30, 2007 final rule regarding the Secretary's ability to terminate Medicare providers and suppliers (that is, transplant centers) during an appeal of a determination that affects participation in the Medicare program.

The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Board) published a document in the Federal Register of November 5, 2008, (73 FR 65838), as corrected, concerning notice of a public hearing and meeting on December 5, 2008, with regard to the Department of Energy's (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration's incorporation of safety into the design and construction of new DOE defense nuclear facilities and into major modification of existing facilities. That public hearing and meeting has been postponed. The Board intends to reschedule the hearing and meeting and will publish a notice of the rescheduled date in the Federal Register when that date has been determined.

The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, 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 of 1995 (PRA), Public Law No. 104-13. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. Subject to the PRA, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information 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.

The U.S. General Services Administration's (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule Advisory Panel (MAS Panel), a Federal Advisory Committee, meeting scheduled for November 12, 2008, is cancelled.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (``Commission'' or ``CPSC'') is issuing a final rule for advertisements of certain toys and games. Section 105 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, Public Law 110-314, 122 Stat. 3016 (August 14, 2008), (``CPSIA''), directs the Commission to promulgate regulations to effectuate this section with respect to advertising for certain toys and games in catalogues and other printed materials not later than 90 days after enactment. The final rule details requirements regarding the size and placement of the cautionary labeling and the use of abbreviated warnings. The rule exempts catalogues circulated solely between businesses from the rule's requirements, except where the recipient business is one that could be expected to be purchasing the product for the use of children rather than for resale. There is a grace period of 180 days for distribution of catalogues and other printed materials printed prior to the effective date of February 10, 2009.

Pursuant to sections 254(a)(11)(A) and 255(b) of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), Public Law 107-252, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) hereby causes to be published in the Federal Register material changes to the HAVA State plans previously submitted by Louisiana and Nevada.

The Postal Service gives notice of its intent to file a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add the Canada Post United States Postal Service Contractual Bilateral Agreement for Inbound Market-Dominant Services to the Market-Dominant Products List pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3642 and of its exercise of its authority to adjust rates for that product pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3622.