Agencies and Commissions December 7, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires that agencies publish semiannual regulatory agendas in the Federal Register describing regulatory actions they are developing that may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities (5 U.S.C. 602). Executive Order 12866 ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' signed September 30, 1993 (58 FR 51735) and Office of Management and Budget memoranda implementing section 4 of that Order establish minimum standards for agencies' agendas, including specific types of information for each entry. Section 4 of Executive Order 12866 also directs that each agency prepare, as part of its submission to the fall edition of the Unified Agenda, a regulatory plan of the most important significant regulatory actions that the agency reasonably expects to issue in proposed or final form during the upcoming fiscal year. The Regulatory Plan (Plan) and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Unified Agenda) help agencies fulfill these requirements.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announces that it is holding tribal consultation meetings in Seattle, Washington and Albuquerque, New Mexico on the topic of the proposed 8(a) Business Development (BD) program regulations. Testimony presented at this tribal consultation meeting will become part of the administrative record for SBA's consideration when the Agency deliberates on approaches to changes in the regulations pertaining to the 8(a) BD program.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Regulatory Secretariat will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve a reinstatement of a previously approved information collection requirement concerning economic price adjustment. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 74 FR 27025, on June 5, 2009. 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.

Following receipt on November 9, 2009, of a request from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)), the U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission) instituted investigation No. 332-511, ASEAN: Regional Trends in Economic Integration, Export Competitiveness, and Inbound Investment for Selected Industries.

The Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (``OSHRC'') is making various corrections and technical amendments to its rules of procedure and regulations which implement the Government in the Sunshine Act and the Equal Access to Justice Act in proceedings before OSHRC.

The Federal Election Commission is promulgating new and revised rules implementing the provision of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act governing non-commercial campaign travel on aircraft. These changes restrict, and in some situations prohibit, Federal candidates and certain political committees from expending campaign funds for non-commercial air travel. The rules apply to all Federal candidates, including publicly funded presidential candidates, and other individuals traveling on behalf of candidates, political party committees, and other political committees, where the travel is in connection with Federal elections.

Twice a year, in spring and fall, the Commission publishes in the Federal Register a list in the Unified Agenda of those major items and other significant proceedings under development or review that pertain to the Regulatory Flexibility Act. See 5 U.S.C. 602. The Unified Agenda also provides the Code of Federal Regulations citations and legal authorities that govern these proceedings.

The Board is issuing this agenda under the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the Board's Statement of Policy Regarding Expanded Rulemaking Procedures. The Board anticipates having under consideration regulatory matters as indicated below during the period November 1, 2009, through April 30, 2010. The next agenda will be published in spring 2010.

Pursuant to its ongoing policy of reviewing regulations, NCUA is publishing a list of current and projected rulemakings, reviews of existing regulations, and completed actions as of July 31, 2009, to be included in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions.