Office of the Secretary 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Secretary of Agriculture today announced a reassignment of surplus sugar under domestic cane sugar allotments of 325,000 short tons raw value (STRV) to imports, and increased the fiscal year (FY) 2011 raw sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ) by the same amount.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Employee Retirement Income Security Act Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 96-62, Process for Expedited Approval of an Exemption for Prohibited Transaction,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, (5 U.S.C. Appendix), 41 CFR 102-3.55(a)(1), and the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b), effective June 11, 2011 the Department of Defense gives notice that it is terminating the Transformation Advisory Group.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Employee Retirement Income Security Act Class Exemption 77-4 for Certain Transactions between Investment Companies and Employee Benefit Plans,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is amending an existing Forest Service Privacy Act system of records, USDA/FS-3, Uniform Allowance System.

The Department of Homeland Security is giving concurrent notice of a newly established system of records pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 for the ``Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency011 Training and Exercise Program Records System of Records'' and this proposed rulemaking. In this proposed and consolidating rulemaking, the Department proposes to exempt portions of the system of records from one or more provisions of the Privacy Act in order to preserve the objectivity and fairness of testing and examination material.

The Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee is publishing Civilian Personnel Per Diem Bulletin Number 275. This bulletin lists revisions in the per diem rates prescribed for U.S. Government employees for official travel in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and Possessions of the United States. AEA changes announced in Bulletin Number 194 remain in effect. Bulletin Number 275 is being published in the Federal Register to assure that travelers are paid per diem at the most current rates.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the Sunshine in the Government Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102-3.150, the Department of Defense announces the following Federal advisory committee member solicitation: Name of Committee: Reserve Forces Policy Board (RFPB). Background: Secretary of Defense, George C. Marshall, abolished the Civilian Components Policy Board in June, 1951 and created the Reserve Forces Policy Board. The Congress and President Harry S. Truman codified this decision in the Armed Forces Reserve Act of July 1952. The Reserve Forces Policy Board, thus created, has remained essentially the same in its mission and responsibility for nearly sixty years. There is in the Office of the Secretary of Defense a Reserve Forces Policy Board. Changes to Functions: Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011. SEC. 514. Revision of Structure and Functions of the Reserve Forces Policy Board.

Reference Federal Register Notice (FRN), Docket ID: DOD-2010- OS-0034, published 1 April 2010, DOD has updated portions of the Phase III draft Business Rules for the Defense Personal Property Program (DP3) in the Defense Transportation Regulation (DTR) Part IV (DTR 4500.9R). The updates/revisions to the Phase III business rules include the elimination of the Domestic and International Local Move (dLM and iLM) and Intra-Country Move (iCM) Tender of Service. Requirements for Domestic Local Moves (dLM) can be met using the existing DP3 domestic ``dHHG'' market using intrastate/interstate domestic shipment code ``D'' and the 400NG solicitation. In addition, Phase III development efforts will incorporate International Local Moves (iLM) into the DP3 international ``iHHG'' market using a new shipment code of service (COS) ``C'' and the SDDC International Tender (IT). Implementation timelines will be based on completion of Defense Personal Property System (DPS) Phase III programming to account for the above efforts projected for FY14.

In this final rule, the Department of Labor (Department or DOL) revises regulations issued pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) and the Portal-to-Portal Act of 1947 (Portal Act) that have become out of date because of subsequent legislation. These revisions conform the regulations to FLSA amendments passed in 1974, 1977, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2007, and Portal Act amendments passed in 1996.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense proposes to alter a system of records in its inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this notice announces a meeting of the Department of Defense Historical Advisory Committee. The Committee will discuss the report of the Department of the Army Subcommittee. The meeting will be open to the public.

Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, (5 U.S.C. Appendix), 41 CFR 102-3.55(a)(1), the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b), and the Sunset provisions of Section 596 of Public Law 110-417, effective April 1, 2011 the Department of Defense gives notice that it is terminating the Military Leadership Diversity Commission.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the proposed Employment and Training Administration (ETA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Evaluation of the Aging Worker Initiative Grants,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps, Division of Public Affairs, Community Relations Branch announces a proposed new public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The Department of Labor (DOL) hereby announces the submission of the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Petition for Classifying Labor Surplus Areas,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

Under the provisions of 33 U.S.C. 2251 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, (5 U.S.C. Appendix), the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b), and 41 CFR 102-3.50(a), the Department of Defense gives notice that it is renewing the charter for the Inland Waterways Users Board (hereafter referred to as the Board). The Board is a non-discretionary federal advisory committee that shall provide the Secretary of Defense through the Secretary of the Army and the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, independent advice and recommendations on matters relating to construction and rehabilitation priorities and spending levels on the commercial navigation features and components of the U.S. inland waterways and inland harbors as defined in Public Law 95-502 and amended by Public Law 99-662. The Board shall annually file their recommendations with the Secretary of the Army and with the Congress. The Secretary of the Army may act upon the Board's advice and recommendations. Pursuant to 33 U.S.C. 2251(a), the Board shall be composed of eleven members appointed by the Secretary of Defense. The members shall be selected so as to represent various regions of the country and a spectrum of the primary users and shippers utilizing the inland and intra-coastal waterways for commercial purposes. Due considerations shall be given to assure a balance among the members based on the ton- mile shipment of the various categories of commodities shipped on inland waterways. Board members appointed by the Secretary of Defense, who are not full-time federal officers or employees, shall be appointed as experts and consultants under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 3109, and these individuals shall serve as Special Government Employees. Board members shall, with the exception of travel and per diem for official travel, serve without compensation. Board members shall serve two-year terms, with their appointments renewed on an annual basis by the Secretary of Defense. No member, unless otherwise selected by the Secretary of the Army and approved by the Secretary of Defense, shall serve more than four consecutive years on the Board. Appointments vacated prior to the expiration of the term of appointment shall be filled only for the remainder of the term. The Secretary of the Army shall select the Board's Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson from the total membership, and these individuals shall serve at the discretion of the Secretary of the Army. The Vice Chairperson will act as Chairperson in the absence or incapacity of the Chairperson, or in the event of a vacancy in the office of the Chairperson. The Secretary of the Army shall designate, and the Secretaries of Agriculture, Transportation and Commerce may designate, representatives to act as non-voting observers of the Board. In addition, the Secretary of the Army through the Secretary of Defense may appoint consultants with special expertise to assist the Board on an ad hoc basis. With DoD approval, the Board is authorized to establish subcommittees, as necessary and consistent with its mission and these subcommittees shall operate under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b), and other appropriate federal regulations. Such subcommittees shall not work independently of the chartered Board, and shall report all their recommendations and advice to the Board for full deliberation and discussion. Subcommittees have no authority to make decisions on behalf of the chartered Board; nor can they report directly to the Department of Defense or any Federal officers or employees who are not Board members. Subcommittee members, who are not Commission members, shall be appointed in the same manner as the Board members. Such individuals, if not full-time or part-time government employees, shall be appointed to serve as experts and consultants under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 3019, and serve as special government employees, whose appointments must be renewed by the Secretary of Defense on an annual basis.

The Secretary of Agriculture has renewed the charter of the Forestry Research Advisory Council (FRAC), a statutory committee established in accordance with the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981, Section 1441(c). Chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Council provides advice to the Secretary of Agriculture on accomplishing efficiently the purposes of the Act of October 10, 1962 (16 U.S.C. 582a, et seq.), commonly known as the McIntire-Stennis Act of 1962. The Council also provides advice relative to the Forest Service research program, authorized by the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-307, 92 Stat.353, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 1600 (note)). FRAC serves as a joint council between the Forest Service and Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, agencies within USDA.

The Department of the Interior (DOI) is proposing to revise the Department of the Interior Acquisition Regulation (DIAR) in order to make minor corrections to DOI acquisition procedures to be consistent with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and to add a new clause covering contract administration roles and responsibilities. Some DIAR coverage is being revised and obsolete material is being removed.

In accordance with the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App., 2, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Wildland Fire Executive Council (WFEC) will meet as indicated below.

The Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary is announcing a public meeting of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee.

The National Defense University, Designated Federal Officer, has scheduled a meeting of the Board of Visitors. The National Defense University Board of Visitors is a Federal Advisory Board. The Board meets twice a year in proceedings that are open to the public.

Mrs. Katrina McFarland, President, Defense Acquisition University (DAU), will host a forum to discuss implementation of Better Buying Power: Guidance for Obtaining Greater Efficiency and Productivity in Defense Spending, outlined in the Dr. Ashton B. Carter, Undersecretary of Defense, Acquisition, Technology & Logistics, 14 September 2010 memorandum to acquisition professionals. Name of Event: Defense Acquisition University Industry Day: ``Better Buying Power'' Initiatives.