Agencies and Commissions 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 order embodied in the consent agreement that would settle these allegations.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to issue

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (``PBGC'') intends to request the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') to extend approval, under the Paperwork Reduction Act, of a collection of information under its regulation on Rules for Administrative Review of Agency Decisions. This notice informs the public of PBGC's intent and solicits public comment on the collection of information.

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 Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service request to add Inbound International Expedited Services 1 to the Competitive Product List. The Postal Service has also filed a related

This final rule amends Regulation A to provide a process by which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York may determine the eligibility of credit rating agencies in the Term Asset-backed Securities Loan Facility. The final rule does not apply to discount window lending or other extensions of credit provided by the Federal Reserve System. In addition, the final rule only applies to asset- backed securities that are not backed by commercial real estate. The amendment does not represent a change in the stance of monetary policy.

The Federal Maritime Commission is issuing this Inquiry to solicit information and comments concerning the benefits and burdens of the current Commission requirements by which passenger vessel operators establish proof of financial responsibility in the event of nonperformance of a contracted cruise from a U.S. port. Comments received from the public and interested segments of the passenger cruise industry will assist in determining whether or not the Commission should amend its regulations at 46 CFR Part 540, Subpart A.

On October 28, 2009, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA or Agency) proposed changes to its 8(a) Business Development (8(a) BD) and Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) programs as well as its size regulations. The rule proposes to make a number of changes to the regulations governing the 8(a) BD and SDB programs, and several changes to SBA's size regulations. Some of the changes involve technical issues. Other changes are more substantive and result from SBA's experience in implementing the current regulations. SBA requested comments on the various approaches for the proposed changes in the proposed rulemaking. The proposed rule provided a 60-day comment period closing on December 28, 2009.

On December 3, 2009, the National Science Foundation (NSF) issued a Record of Decision (ROD) approving the funding for the construction of the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (ATST) Project at the Preferred Mees site located within the Haleakala High Altitude Observatory on the Island of Maui, Hawai`i. The decision to fund the ATST is in response to a construction proposal submitted by the National Solar Observatory in 2004. The ATST is founded on one of NSF's fundamental missions, which is to support the scientific community's objectives to achieve unprecedented progress in solar observation. Although major adverse environmental impacts will result, the construction of the ATST at the Preferred Mees site represents an opportunity to implement a critical and unique astronomical resource that is expected to be useful and innovative for several decades to come. Increasing our understanding of the Sun and its ability to affect life on Earth will go a long way toward helping us predict certain

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the following information collection requirement to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register at 74 FR 27829, and no comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of this second notice. The full submission may be found at: https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; or (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms

This gives notice of OPM decisions granting authority to make appointments under Schedules A, B, and C in the excepted service as required by 5 CFR 213.103.