Office of the Secretary August 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the DoD is modifying and reissuing a current Department-wide system of records titled, ``Defense Reasonable Accommodation and Assistive Technology Records,'' DoD-0007. This system of records was originally established to collect and maintain records concerning DoD civilian employees and other members of the public requesting or receiving disability-related accommodations. Additionally, this system was established to collect and maintain records concerning wounded, ill and injured Service members on Active Duty requesting or receiving assistive technology solutions. These accommodations, which relate to enabling civilian employees, members of the public, and certain Service members to access DoD employment, systems, facilities, and programs are hereafter referred to collectively as ``accessibility accommodations.'' This SORN is being updated to expand coverage to DoD civilian and military personnel, and applicants for DoD employment, who request an exemption from generally applicable policies for reasons relating to individual medical conditions, religious beliefs or practices, or matters of conscience. The DoD is also modifying various other sections within the SORN to improve clarity or update information that has changed.

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.

The DoD is amending this part to correct an error in the Privacy Act exemption rule associated with the Privacy Act system of records DoD-0007, ``Defense Reasonable Accommodation and Assistive Technology Records.''

The DoD is publishing this notice to announce that the following Federal advisory committee meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee for the Prevention of Sexual Misconduct (DAC-PSM) will take place.

The DoD is publishing this notice to announce that the following Federal advisory committee meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (DACODAI) will occur.

The DoD is publishing this notice to announce that the following Federal advisory committee meeting of the Defense Science Board (DSB) will take place.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) 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 DoD is publishing this notice to announce the following Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the Defense Policy Board (DPB) will take place.

The DoD has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (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 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.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Undersecretary 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.

The DoD has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (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 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.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) seeks to maximize the use of American-made products and materials in all federally funded projects as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's implementation of the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA), which was included in the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). In this notice, DOT is taking action to finalize a limited waiver of Buy America requirements for de minimis costs and small grants. Based on public comments from stakeholders, this final waiver is narrower than what DOT had first proposed on November 4, 2022. The waiver will allow DOT and its assistance recipients to focus their domestic sourcing efforts on products that provide the greatest manufacturing opportunities for American workers and firms and reduce delays in the delivery of important transportation infrastructure projects that provide jobs and promote economic growth.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Defense Suicide Prevention Office and Naval Postgraduate School announce 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 DoD has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking comments on a proposed temporary general applicability public interest waiver of the requirements of section 70914(a) of the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and related domestic preference statutes administered by DOT and its Operating Administrations (OAs) for federal financial assistance awarded for infrastructure projects located in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, and American Samoa, collectively referred to as the Pacific Island territories. The proposed waiver would also apply to financial assistance that is subject to a DOT domestic preference statute and provided by DOT to the Freely Associated States in the Pacific (the Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Federated States of Micronesia). BABA only applies to the United States and its territories. The waiver would provide time for the Department to collect and analyze evidence to determine if a more targeted waiver of these requirements is in the public interest. The waiver would also allow time for the Department and its OAs to offer technical assistance to potential assistance recipients in the remote communities in the Pacific Island territories and Freely Associated States. The waiver will remain in effect for 18 months after the effective date of the final waiver and will be reviewed as often as necessary.

The DoD is publishing this notice to announce that the following Federal advisory committee meeting of the Department of Defense Board of Actuaries will take place.

With this notice, the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) seeks public comment on the proposed themes and framework of the First National Nature Assessment. Based on input received from this notice, USGCRP will begin the next phases of assessment development.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (Department or DOT) is issuing a final rule to amend the Department's Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulation to improve the accessibility of lavatories on single- aisle aircraft. This final rule is intended to ensure that our air transportation system is safe and accessible to individuals with disabilities.