Agencies and Commissions April 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the ``Recovery Act'' or ``the Act''), the Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'') or (``Commission'') must issue rules requiring vendors of personal health records and related entities to notify individuals when the security of their individually identifiable health information is breached. Accordingly, the FTC seeks comment on a proposed rule.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') is proposing amendments to Regulation SHO under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Exchange Act''). We are proposing two approaches to restrictions on short sellingone is a price test that would apply on a market wide and permanent basis (``short sale price test'' or ``short sale price test restriction'') and one that would apply only to a particular security during severe market declines in that security (``circuit breaker''). With respect to the first approach, we propose two alternative short sale price tests: One based on the national best bid and the second based on the last sale price. With respect to the second approach, we propose two basic alternatives: One alternative is a circuit breaker rule that would temporarily prohibit short selling in a particular security when there is a severe decline in the price of that security (a ``halt''), which could operate in place of, or in addition to, a short sale price test rule; and the second alternative is a circuit breaker rule that would trigger a short sale price test rule; we propose that such a short sale price test either be based on the national best bid for any security for which there has been a severe price decline or be based on the last sale price for any security for which there has been a severe price decline.

The United States Copyright Office (Copyright Office) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announce that interested parties may submit electronic comments and reply comments on facilitating access to copyrighted works for the blind or other persons with disabilities.

The Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration have agreed to delay the applicability date of FAR Case 2007-013, Employment Eligibility Verification, to June 30, 2009.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is making available preliminary draft proposed rule language to amend its regulations to add a new part 37 to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This new part 37 will contain the security (physical protection) requirements that are designed to provide reasonable assurance of preventing the theft or diversion of category 1 and category 2 quantities of radioactive material as designated by the International

This staff accounting bulletin (``SAB'') amends Topic 5.M. in the Staff Accounting Bulletin Series entitled Other Than Temporary Impairment of Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities (``Topic 5.M.''). On April 9, 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other- Than-Temporary Impairments (``FSP 115-2'') to provide guidance for assessing whether an impairment of a debt security is other than temporary. This SAB maintains the staff's previous views related to equity securities. It also amends Topic 5.M. to exclude debt securities from its scope.

This is a Notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of Minnesota (FEMA- 1830-DR), dated 04/09/2009.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), agencies are required to submit proposed reporting and recordkeeping requirements to OMB for review and approval, and to publish a notice in the Federal Register notifying the public that the agency has made such a submission.

In accordance with requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), the FDIC hereby gives notice that it plans to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for OMB review and renewal of the collections of information described below:

This action adds to the Procurement List a product and a service to be furnished by nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities, and deletes from the Procurement List the service previously furnished by such agency.

This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated 04/09/2009.

The Federal Communications Commission Technological Advisory Council (TAC) is in the process of being reestablished. This will enable the Commission to receive expert advice and recommendations on critical technologies and services fundamental to the growth of telecommunications. This information is necessary for the Commission to effectively fulfill its responsibilities under the Communication Act.

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 of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520. 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 Farm Credit Administration (FCA, we, or our) is proposing to amend its rules on Farm Credit System (System) bank and association director elections and other voting procedures to clarify director election processes and update its rules to incorporate interpretations made through several recent bookletters to System institutions. We propose consolidating general election procedures, clarifying the role of nominating committees, enhancing eligibility and disclosure requirements for director-candidates, and improving annual meeting information statement instructions. We also propose new regulations on floor nominations and meetings of stockholders. We expect this proposed rule will increase stockholder participation in the director election process and enhance impartiality and disclosure in director elections.