Agencies and Commissions March 18, 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On July 25, 2014, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) published for comment an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to obtain input from members of the public on the development of a draft regulatory basis. The draft regulatory basis would identify potential changes to the NRC's current radiation protection regulations. The potential changes, if implemented, would achieve a closer alignment between the NRC's radiation protection regulations and the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) contained in ICRP Publication 103 (2007). The NRC is extending the comment period for the ANPR to provide additional time for members of the public to develop and submit their comments.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, as amended, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration announces a meeting of the Ad Hoc Task Force on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC). This Task Force reports to the NAC.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, notice is hereby given of a meeting of the FDIC Advisory Committee on Community Banking, which will be held in Washington, DC. The Advisory Committee will provide advice and recommendations on a broad range of policy issues that have particular impact on small community banks throughout the United States and the local communities they serve, with a focus on rural areas.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is seeking input and comments on its Early Stage Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) initiative, promulgated in the final rule on April 27, 2012. The intent of the initiative was to license and provide SBA leverage to SBICs over a 5-year period (fiscal years 2012 through 2016) that would focus on making investments in early stage small businesses. Although 58 investment funds applied to the program, to date SBA has only licensed 5 Early Stage SBICs. SBA is seeking input from the public to determine whether existing market conditions warrant SBA continuing to license Early Stage SBICs past fiscal year 2016 on an ongoing basis and, if so, what changes should be made to the program to attract qualified early stage fund managers.

Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade Commission has determined not to review an initial determination (``ID'') (Order No. 30) granting a joint motion to terminate the above- captioned investigation based on a settlement agreement.

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. Comments are requested concerning: 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; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; 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; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid OMB control number.

Notice is hereby given that a complaint was filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission on February 9, 2015, under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1337, on behalf of Andrea Electronics Corp., of Bohemia, New York. A letter supplementing the complaint was filed on March 3, 2015. The complaint, as supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 based upon the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain audio processing hardware and software and products containing same by reason of infringement of certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 5,825,898 (``the '898 patent''); U.S. Patent No. 6,483,923 (``the '923 patent''); U.S. Patent No. 6,049,607 (``the '607 patent''); U.S. Patent No. 6,363,345 (``the '345 patent''); and U.S. Patent No. 6,377,637 (``the '637 patent''). The complaint further alleges that an industry in the United States exists as required by subsection (a)(2) of section 337. The complainant requests that the Commission institute an investigation and, after the investigation, issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.