Office of the Secretary 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the General Counsel, Standards of Conduct Office, announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: 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; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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 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 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) revision titled, ``Regulations Containing Procedures for Handling of Retaliation Complaints,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1994, (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for the utilization of the U.S. Department of Transportation Accessibility Concern Form when reporting accessibility challenges faced during travel on our Nation's streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, buses, trains, airports, and planes. The system will provide an accessible, coordinated, and seamless web-based portal for the traveling public to submit accessibility problems or challenges they face during travel on the Nation's streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, buses, trains, airports, and planes. The establishment of the system is in response the President's National Council on Disability (NCD) Report, ``Transition Update: Where We've Been and What We've Learned,'' released in 2015, as well as a letter to the Secretary of Transportation from the NCD dated May 12, 2015. The information received through the system will strengthen DOT's ability to understand the challenges and impacts that passengers with disabilities face every day when they use our nation' transportation systems.

In compliance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Secretary (OS), Department of Health and Human Services, announces plans to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR), described below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The ICR is for revision of the approved information collection assigned OMB control number 0990-0275, which expires on 08/31/2016. Prior to submitting the ICR to OMB, OS seeks comments from the public regarding the burden estimate, below, or any other aspect of the ICR.

The Department of Defense (DoD) is publishing this notice to announce that it is re-establishing the Board of Advisors to the Presidents of the Naval Postgraduate School and the Naval War College (``the Board'').

The Department of Defense (DoD) is publishing this notice to announce that it is renewing the charter for the Defense Business Board (``the Board'').

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Summary Plan Description Requirements Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as Amended,'' 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 the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: 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; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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.

Notice is hereby given that the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) has taken final action in the following case: Meredyth M. Forbes, Albert Einstein College of Medicine: Based on an assessment conducted by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (AECM), an admission from the Respondent, and additional analysis conducted by ORI in its oversight review, ORI found that Ms. Meredyth M. Forbes, former Graduate Student, AECM, engaged in research misconduct in research supported by National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), grants R01 GM089979, T32 GM007491, R01 GM55101, and R01 GM88202 and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), NIH, grant T32 HD007502. ORI found that Respondent engaged in research misconduct by intentionally falsifying and/or fabricating data reported in the following three (3) published papers and four (4) meeting presentations:

The Office of the Secretary of Defense proposes to add a new system of records, DSCA 05, entitled ``Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management (DISAM) Information System Mission (DISM).'' The DISAM Information Mission System is a web based portal designed to hold several applications for the purposes of efficient administration of students, and the effective management of DISAM personnel and guest lecturers. The portal also provides DISAM personnel the ability to submit travel requests and travel arrangements. Finally, the web based portal uses a relational database to record, manage and report information about students, personnel, and travel, including reports of annual training. Records are also used as a management tool for statistical analysis, tracking, reporting to Congress, evaluating program effectiveness, and conducting research.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is issuing a final rule to extend the exemptions from certain provisions of the Privacy Act to the updated and reissued system of records titled, ``DHS/CBP-014 Regulatory Audit Archive System (RAAS) System of Records.'' Specifically, the Department exempts portions of the ``DHS/CBP-014 Regulatory Audit Archive System (RAAS) System of Records'' from one or more provisions of the Privacy Act because of criminal, civil, and administrative enforcement requirements.

This interim final rule is being issued to adjust for inflation each civil monetary penalty (CMP) provided by law within the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce (Commerce Department). The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 and the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, requires the head of each agency to adjust for inflation its CMP levels in effect as of November 2, 2015, under a revised methodology effective for 2016 which provides for initial catch up adjustments for inflation in 2016, and under a revised methodology for each year thereafter. The revised methodologies provide for the improvement of the effectiveness of CMPs and to maintain their deterrent effect. The initial catch up adjustment for inflation of a CMP in 2016 shall not exceed 150 percent of the amount of the CMP on the date of enactment of the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (November 2, 2015). The initial catch up adjustments for inflation to CMPs are required to be published through an interim final rule not later than July 1, 2016, and the adjustments for inflation shall take effect not later than August 1, 2016. For each year thereafter, the adjustments for inflation to CMPs shall take effect not later than January 15. These adjustments for inflation apply only to CMPs with a dollar amount, and will not apply to CMPs written as functions of violations. These adjustments for inflation apply only to those CMPs, including those whose associated violation predated such adjustment, which are assessed by Commerce Department after the effective date of the new CMP level.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: 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; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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.

Section 70103 of title 49, United States Code (U.S.C.), which was established in section 8001 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, directs the Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy (Under Secretary) to establish a National Multimodal Freight Network (NMFN) to: (1) Assist States in strategically directing resources toward improved system performance for the efficient movement of freight on the NMFN; (2) inform freight transportation planning; (3) assist in the prioritization of Federal investment; and (4) assess and support Federal investments to achieve the national multimodal freight policy goals described in section 70101(b) of title 49, U.S.C., and the national highway freight program goals described in section 167 of title 23, U.S.C. Within 180 days of the enactment of the FAST Act, the Under Secretary is directed to establish an Interim NMFN. This notice establishes an Interim NMFN per the statutory requirements and solicits public comment to help inform the Final NMFN that will be designated by December 4, 2017, per the statutory requirement.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense proposes to alter a system of records, DPA 02, entitled ``AFNConnect (AFNC)''. This system is used to document the eligibility and continued validation of authorized Outside the Contiguous United States (OCONUS) individuals who register an America Forces Network (AFN) satellite decoder and/or subscribe to AFN Over the Top (OTT) Live Streaming and Video on Demand (VOD) Services. AFNConnect, AFN OTT Live Streaming, and VOD services provide U.S. military commanders worldwide a means to communicate internal information to OCONUS users. Records may also be used as a management tool for statistical analysis, tracking, reporting, evaluating program effectiveness, and conducting research.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: 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; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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.

Notice is hereby given that the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) has taken final action in the following case: Karen M. D'Souza, Ph.D., University of Chicago: Based on the report of an investigation conducted by the University of Chicago (UC) and additional analysis conducted by ORI in its oversight review, ORI found that Dr. Karen M. D'Souza, former Research Professional Associate, Department of Surgery, UC, engaged in research misconduct in research supported by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), grants K08 HL081472 and R01 HL107949. ORI found that falsified and/or fabricated data were included in the following one (1) funded NIH grant, two (2) publications, two (2) posters, and one (1) presentation:

This final rule replaces the Statewide and Tribal Automated Child Welfare Information Systems (S/TACWIS) rule with the Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) rule. The rule also makes conforming amendments in rules in related requirements. This rule will assist title IV-E agencies in developing information management systems that leverage new innovations and technology in order to better serve children and families. More specifically, this final rule supports the use of cost-effective, innovative technologies to automate the collection of high-quality case management data and to promote its analysis, distribution, and use by workers, supervisors, administrators, researchers, and policy makers.

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.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Department of Defense Education Activity announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: (1) 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; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) 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) is submitting the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Trade Adjustment Assistance Program Reserve Funding Request,'' 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 Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employment and Training Administration sponsored information collection request (ICR) revision titled, ``Reporting and Performance Standards System for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Programs,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for use 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 Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Standard Job Corps Contractor Information Gathering,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the potential deployment of a Continental United States (CONUS) Interceptor Site (CIS). A CIS Draft EIS was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA and assesses the impacts of the potential deployment of a CIS. As required by the fiscal year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, the MDA has conducted extensive surveys and assessments for development of a Draft EIS in order to evaluate candidate sites for the potential future deployment of additional ground-based interceptors for homeland defense against threats from nations such as North Korea and Iran. All potential sites analyzed in this Draft EIS contain wetlands that would be affected. All practicable measures were taken to arrange a CIS footprint to minimize and avoid impacts to wetlands while still maintaining operational effectiveness. However there are no practicable deployment alternatives that would completely avoid impacts to wetlands. If a deployment decision were made MDA would coordinate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and applicable state department of environmental protection to determine appropriate mitigations for wetland impacts. As required by Executive Order (EO) 11990 (Protection of Wetlands), MDA would prepare a Finding of No Practicable Alternative (FONPA) for the selected site. The FONPA would explain why there is no practicable alternative to impacting wetlands at the identified site. MDA is providing a public review, in accordance with EO 11990, of its findings in the Draft EIS concerning wetlands impacts and potential mitigation measures.