Office of the Secretary September 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) is exempting those records contained in DPFPA 07, entitled ``Counterintelligence Management Information System (CIMIS),'' pertaining to investigatory material compiled for counterintelligence and law enforcement purposes (under (k)(2) of the Act), other than material within the scope of subsection (j)(2) of the Privacy Act to enable the protection of identities of confidential sources who might not otherwise come forward and who furnished information under an express promise that the sources' identity would be held in confidence. The exemption will allow DoD to provide protection against notification of investigatory material including certain reciprocal investigations which might alert a subject to the fact that an investigation of that individual is taking place, and the disclosure of which would weaken the on-going investigation, reveal investigatory techniques, and place confidential informants in jeopardy who furnished information under an express promise that the sources' identity would be held in confidence. Further, requiring OSD to grant access to records and amend these records would unfairly impede the investigation of allegations of unlawful activities. To require OSD to confirm or deny the existence of a record pertaining to a requesting individual may in itself provide an answer to that individual relating to an on-going investigation. The investigation of possible unlawful activities would be jeopardized by agency rules requiring verification of record, disclosure of the record to the subject, and record amendment procedures.

The DoD is publishing this notice to announce a meeting of the National Commission on the Future of the Army (``the Commission''). The meeting will be partially closed to the public.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Financial Management, Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior has submitted a request for renewal of this information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and requests public comments on this submission.

In compliance with section 3507(a)(1)(D) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Secretary (OS), Department of Health and Human Services, has submitted an Information Collection Request (ICR), described below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The ICR is for revision of the approved information collection assigned OMB control number 0990-0281, scheduled to expire on November 30, 2015. Comments submitted during the first public review of this ICR will be provided to OMB. OMB will accept further comments from the public on this ICR during the review and approval period.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) announces a proposed 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 Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) is exempting those records contained in DPFPA 06, entitled ``Internal Affairs Records System,'' pertaining to open or closed investigatory material compiled for law enforcement purposes (under (j)(2) of the Act) to enable OSD to conduct certain internal affairs investigations, relay law enforcement information without compromise of the information, protect investigative techniques and efforts employed, as well as open or closed investigatory material compiled for law enforcement purposes (under (k)(2) of the Act), other than material within the scope of subsection (j)(2) of the Privacy Act to enable the protection of identities of confidential informants who might not otherwise come forward and who furnished information under an express promise that the informant's identity would be held in confidence. This exemption rule will allow the Pentagon Force Protection Agency to ensure the integrity of the Internal Affairs investigative process, including certain reciprocal investigations, by preventing the subject of the record from using the Privacy Act to learn of the existence of open investigations, thereby compromising investigative techniques, or open and closed investigations which place confidential informants in jeopardy who furnished information under an express promise that the informant's identity would be held in confidence. Further, requiring the Pentagon Force Protection Agency to grant access to records and amend these records would unfairly impede the investigation. To confirm or deny the existence of a record pertaining to an open investigation a requesting individual may in itself provide an answer to that individual. The investigation of possible unlawful activities would be jeopardized by agency rules requiring verification of record, disclosure of the record to the subject, and record amendment procedures.

The Department of Defense has submitted to OMB for clearance, the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act.

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to delegate functions, powers, and duties as the Secretary deems appropriate. This document amends the existing delegations of authority by adding and modifying certain delegations, as explained in the Supplementary Information section below.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Department of Homeland Security proposes to update and reissue a current Department of Homeland Security system of records titled ``Department of Homeland Security/ALL-008 Accounts Receivable System of Records.'' This system allows the Department of Homeland Security to collect and maintain payment records. As a result of a biennial review of this system, the Department of Homeland Security is updating this system of records notice to reflect an updated category of records, an additional system location, an updated routine use, and an updated retention schedule. Additionally, this notice includes non-substantive changes to simplify the formatting and text of the previously published notice.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Department of Homeland Security proposes to update and reissue a current Department of Homeland Security system of records titled ``Department of Homeland Security/ALL-010 Asset Management Records System of Records.'' This system allows the Department of Homeland Security to collect and maintain records of all Department-owned or controlled property that has been issued to DHS employees and contractors. As a result of a biennial review of this system, the Department of Homeland Security is updating this system of records notice to update the (1) category of records, (2) routine uses, (3) reflect an additional system location, and (4) update the record source categories. Additionally, this notice includes non-substantive changes to simplify the formatting and text of the previously published notice.

The Office of Trade and Labor Affairs (OTLA) gives notice that on September 21, 2015, Submission #2015-01 regarding Peru was accepted for review pursuant to Article 17.5.5 of the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA). On July 23, 2015, the International Labor Rights Forum, Per[uacute] Equidad, and seven Peruvian workers' organizations provided a formal submission to OTLA alleging violations of Chapter 17 (the Labor Chapter) of the PTPA by the Government of Peru (GOP). The submission alleges that the GOP has failed to adopt and maintain in its statutes and regulations, and practices thereunder, the right of freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, and that it has also failed to effectively enforce its labor laws with respect to freedom of association, collective bargaining, and acceptable conditions of work. OTLA's decision to accept the submission for review is not intended to indicate any determination as to the validity or accuracy of the allegations contained in the submission. The objective of the review will be to gather information so that OTLA can better understand the allegations contained in the submission and publicly report on the issues raised therein in light of the GOP's obligations under the Labor Chapter of the PTPA. As set out in the Procedural Guidelines (published as 71 FR 76691, December 21, 2006), OTLA will complete the review and issue a public report to the Secretary of Labor within 180 days of this acceptance, unless circumstances, as determined by OTLA, require an extension of time.

The Department of Defense has submitted to OMB for clearance, the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Underground Retorts,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Public comments on the ICR are invited.

The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text of a section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification. This is published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated July 21, 1996.

DoD announces the availability of the Inventory of Contracts for Services for Fiscal Year 2014 pursuant to section 2330a of title 10, United States Code. The inventory is available to the public.

In compliance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance, Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior is announcing its intention to request renewal for the collection of information for Alternatives Process in Hydropower Licensing. This collection request has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The information collection request describes the nature of the information collection and the expected burden and cost.

The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor (the Department) is issuing this notice to announce the applicable minimum wage rate to be paid to workers performing work on or in connection with Federal contracts covered by Executive Order 13658, beginning January 1, 2016. Executive Order 13658, Establishing a Minimum Wage for Contractors (the Executive Order or the Order), was signed by President Barack Obama on February 12, 2014, and raised the hourly minimum wage paid by contractors to workers performing work on covered Federal contracts to: $10.10 per hour, beginning January 1, 2015; and beginning January 1, 2016, and annually thereafter, an amount determined by the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) in accordance with the methodology set forth in the Order. See 79 FR 9851. The Secretary's determination of the Executive Order minimum wage rate also affects the minimum hourly cash wage that must be paid to tipped employees performing work on or in connection with covered contracts beginning January 1, 2016. See 79 FR 9851-52. The Secretary is required to provide notice to the public of the new minimum wage rate at least 90 days before such rate is to take effect. See 79 FR 9851. Pursuant to Executive Order 13658 and its implementing regulations at 29 CFR part 10, notice is hereby given that beginning January 1, 2016, the Executive Order minimum wage rate that generally must be paid to workers performing work on or in connection with covered contracts is $10.15 per hour. Notice is also hereby given that, beginning January 1, 2016, the required minimum cash wage that generally must be paid to tipped employees performing work on or in connection with covered contracts is $5.85 per hour.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Abandoned Individual Account Plan Termination,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Public comments on the ICR are invited.

In compliance with section 3507(a)(1)(D) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Secretary (OS), Department of Health and Human Services, has submitted an Information Collection Request (ICR), described below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The ICR is for renewal of the approved information collection assigned OMB control number 0937-0166, scheduled to expire on October 31, 2015. Comments submitted during the first public review of this ICR will be provided to OMB. OMB will accept further comments from the public on this ICR during the review and approval period.

The Department of Defense is publishing this notice to announce that it is establishing the charter for the Lake Eufaula Advisory Committee (``the Committee'').