Agencies and Commissions August 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The NTSB is proposing to amend its regulations that address the NTSB's investigation procedures. Specifically, the NTSB proposes to organize regulations into distinct mode-specific subparts, where appropriate. While some of these proposed amendments are merely technical in nature, this notice proposes several substantive changes. In addition, in this rulemaking, the NTSB proposes including its party agreement form as an appendix and solicits comment on revisions to the party agreement.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is granting an exemption to allow a departure from the certification information of Tier 1 of the generic design control document (DCD) and issuing License Amendment No. 12 to Combined Licenses (COL) NPF-93 and NPF-94. The COLs were issued to South Carolina Electric and Gas (SCE&G) and South Carolina Public Service Authority (Santee Cooper) (the licensee), for construction and operation of the Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station (VCSNS), Units 2 and 3 located in Fairfield County, South Carolina. The amendment consists of changes to the updated final safety analysis report (UFSAR) for VCSNS Units 2 and 3 (including the plant-specific Tier 1 Table 3.3-1 and Figure 3.3-11B) and the corresponding Table 3.3- 1 and Figure 3.3-11B of Appendix C to the Facility COLs. The granting of the exemption allows the changes to Tier 1 information as specified in the license amendment request (LAR). Because the acceptability of the exemption was determined in part by the acceptability of the amendment, the exemption and amendment are being issued concurrently.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and approval by OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens. The RRB invites comments on the proposed collection of information to determine (1) The practical utility of the collection; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden of the collection; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information that is the subject of collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of collections on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments to the RRB or OIRA must contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of your comments, it is best if the RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days of the publication date. Title and Purpose of Information Collection: Certification of Termination of Service and Relinquishment of Rights; OMB 3220-0016. Under Section 2(e)(2) of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), an age and service annuity, spouse annuity, or divorced spouse annuity cannot be paid unless the RRB has evidence that the applicant has ceased railroad employment and relinquished rights to return to the service of a railroad employer. The procedure pertaining to the relinquishment of rights by an annuity applicant is prescribed in 20 CFR 216.24. Under Section 2(f)(6) of the RRA, earnings deductions are required each month an annuitant works in certain nonrailroad employment termed Last Pre- Retirement Non-Railroad Employment. Normally, the employee, spouse, or divorced spouse relinquishes rights and certifies that employment has ended as part of the annuity application process. However, this is not always the case. In limited circumstances, the RRB utilizes Form G-88, Certification of Termination of Service and Relinquishment of Rights, to obtain an applicant's report of termination of employment and relinquishment of rights. One response is required of each respondent. Completion is required to obtain or retain benefits. Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (79 FR 29821 on May 23, 2014) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

The Federal Maritime Commission (Commission) amends its regulations concerning the adjudication of small claims filed with the Commission seeking reparations in the amount of $50,000 or less for violation of the Shipping Act of 1984. The rule transfers responsibility for the assignment of these claims from the Alternative Dispute Resolution Specialist to the Chief Administrative Law Judge.

Summary of Application: Applicants request an order to permit certain registered closed-end investment companies to make periodic distributions of long-term capital gains with respect to their outstanding common stock as frequently as twelve times in any one taxable year, and as frequently as distributions are specified by or in accordance with the terms of any outstanding preferred stock that such investment companies may issue. The requested order would supersede a prior order (``Prior Order'').\1\

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), and as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, the National Science Foundation (NSF) is inviting the general public or other Federal agencies to comment on this proposed continuing information collection. The NSF will publish periodic summaries of the proposed projects. Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the NSF, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the NSF's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, 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 on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Board) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (77 FR 44174) on July 27, 2012. The proposed rule established procedures for conducting preliminary and formal safety investigations of events or practices at Department of Energy (DOE) defense nuclear facilities that the Board determines have adversely affected, or may adversely affect, public health and safety. The Board's experience in conducting formal safety investigations necessitates codifying the procedures set forth in the final rule. Among other benefits, these procedures will ensure a more efficient investigative process, protect confidential and privileged safety information, and promote uniformity of future safety investigations. The rule also promotes public awareness through greater transparency in the conduct of Board investigations. The Board's enabling legislation, 42 U.S.C. 2286 et seq., was amended on January 2, 2013, by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013. The amendments appeared before the final rule was published. This second notice of proposed rule incorporates changes necessitated by those amendments.

The Commission requests public comment on its Telemarketing Sales Rule (``TSR'' or ``Rule''). The Commission is soliciting comments as part of the FTC's systematic review of all current Commission regulations and guides.

The Broadcasting Board of Governors (Board) will be meeting at the time and location listed above. The Board will vote on a consent agenda consisting of the minutes of its June 20, 2014 meeting and a resolution to change the BBG meeting date in October 2014. The Board will discuss and vote on FY 2015 regional strategies based on this year's strategy review and consider establishing new Board special committees. The Board will also receive a report by its Special Committee on the Future of Shortwave Broadcasting. Finally, the Board will receive a presentation providing an overview of Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty and engage in a conversation with the Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communication. This meeting will also be available for public observation via streamed webcast, both live and on-demand, on the agency's public Web site at www.bbg.gov. Information regarding this meeting, including any updates or adjustments to its starting time, can also be found on the agency's public Web site. The public may also attend this meeting in person at the address listed above as seating capacity permits. Members of the public seeking to attend the meeting in person must register at https:// bbgboardmeetingaugust2014.eventbrite.com by 12:00 p.m. (EDT) on August 12. For more information, please contact BBG Public Affairs at (202) 203-4400 or by email at pubaff@bbg.gov.

The Advisory Committee on Rules of Criminal Procedure will hold a two-day meeting. The meeting will be open to public observation but not participation.

We are giving notice that on August 1, 2014, a new agreement will enter into force that replaces the original U.S.-Swiss Social Security agreement that has been in effect since November 1, 1980. The new agreement, which was signed on December 3, 2012, was concluded pursuant to section 233 of the Social Security Act. The new agreement updates and clarifies several provisions in the original U.S.-Swiss Social Security agreement. The primary purpose, however, is to correct an anomalous situation, caused by a change in Swiss law, in which the original agreement allowed U.S. nationals to receive certain disability benefits from Switzerland on more favorable terms than Swiss nationals. Additionally, the new agreement provides that under certain conditions less restrictive than those of the original agreement. U.S. nationals may qualify for Swiss flat-rate, needs-based benefits. The new agreement also introduces new and enhanced provisions for the protection and integrity of personal data transmitted under the agreement. Individuals who wish to obtain copies of the new agreement or want general information about its provisions may write to the Social Security Administration, Office of International Programs, Post Office Box 17741, Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7741. The Social Security Web site at https://www.socialsecurity.gov/international also includes the text of the new agreement. Anyone who wants information about the Swiss Social Security programs may write to the Swiss Compensation Office, 18 Avenue Ed. Vaucher, CH-1211 Geneva 28, Switzerland.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an order imposing a civil monetary penalty to Geisser Engineering Corporation. The order requires Geisser Engineering Corporation to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $8,400.

The Advisory Committee on Rules of Evidence will hold a one- day meeting. The meeting will be open to public observation but not participation.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish a notice of permit applications received to conduct activities regulated under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978. NSF has published regulations under the Antarctic Conservation Act at Title 45 Part 670 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This is the required notice of permit applications received.

The Committee is proposing to add a product to the Procurement List that will be furnished by a nonprofit agency employing persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities. Comments Must Be Received on or Before: 9/8/2014.