Items of Interest
Request for Nominations of Members To Serve on the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic, and Other Populations
The Director of the Census Bureau (Director) is seeking nominations for the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations (NAC). The purpose of the NAC is to provide advice to the Director on the full range of economic, housing, demographic, socioeconomic, linguistic, technological, methodological, geographic, behavioral and operational variables affecting the cost, accuracy and implementation of Census Bureau programs and surveys, including the decennial census. The Director has determined that the work of the NAC is in the public interest and relevant to the duties of the Census Bureau. Therefore, the Director is seeking nominations to fill vacancies on the NAC. Additional information concerning the NAC can be found by visiting the NAC’s website at: https://www.census.gov/about/cac/sac.html.
Request for Nominations for the Science Advisory Board 2021 Scientific and Technological Achievement Awards Panel
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office requests public nominations of scientific experts to form the SAB 2021 Scientific and Technological Achievement Awards (STAA) Panel.
Update: Notification of Upcoming Change in Federal-wide Unique Entity Identifier Requirements (NOT-OD-21-170)
The purpose of this notice is to update the applicant and recipient communities of the federal-wide transition from the DUN and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to a new government-owned Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). By April 2022, the federal government will stop using the DUNS number to uniquely identify entities registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). SAM will become the central repository for the new UEI that will be incorporated into an institution’s SAM registration. https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-21-170.html See also: New NIH “FORMS-G” Grant Application Forms and Instructions Coming for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2022 ( NOT-OD-21-169) https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-21-169.html
Maximizing Assistance To Respond to COVID-19
Consistent with the nationwide emergency declaration of March 13, 2020, concerning the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it is the policy of my Administration to combat and respond to COVID-19 with the full capacity and capability of the Federal Government to protect and support our families, schools, and businesses, and to assist State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments to do the same, including through emergency and disaster assistance available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Request for Nominations of Members To Serve on the Census Scientific Advisory Committee
The Director of the Census Bureau (Director) is seeking nominations for the Census Scientific Advisory Committee (CSAC). The purpose of the CSAC is to provide advice to the Director on the full range of Census Bureau programs and activities including communications, decennial, demographic, economic, field operations, geographic, information technology, and statistics. The Director has determined that the work of the CSAC is in the public interest and relevant to the duties of the Census Bureau. Therefore, the Director is seeking nominations to fill vacancies on the CSAC. Additional information concerning the CSAC can be found by visiting the CSAC’s website at: https://www.census.gov/about/cac/sac.html.
Membership in the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group
By Federal Register notice on May 6, 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS) invited interested persons to apply to fill one existing and one upcoming vacancy on the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG). This notice informs the public of the selection made for the one upcoming vacancy representing air tour operator concerns. No selection was made for the existing opening representing Native American tribal concerns so this notice also invites persons interested in that opening to apply.
Request for Nominations for Membership on the Native American Employment and Training Council
The Department of Labor (DOL) invites interested parties to submit nominations for individuals to serve on the Native American Employment and Training Council (NAETC) and announces the procedures for those nominations. When submitting nomination materials, please indicate the Region or Discipline for which the nominee would like to be considered. Information regarding the NAETC can be found at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/dinap/council.
Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Nominations for Vacancies
Council members must be qualified to appraise the programs instituted under ERISA. Appointments are for three-year terms. The Council’s prescribed duties are to advise the Secretary with respect to carrying out his functions under ERISA, and to submit to the Secretary, or his designee, related recommendations. The Council will meet at least four times each year.
Request for Nominations for Individuals and Consumer Organizations for Advisory Committees
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is requesting that any consumer organizations interested in participating in the selection of voting and/or nonvoting consumer representatives to serve on its advisory committees or panels notify FDA in writing. FDA is also requesting nominations for voting and/or nonvoting consumer representatives to serve on advisory committees and/or panels for which vacancies currently exist or are expected to occur in the near future. Nominees recommended to serve as a voting or nonvoting consumer representative may be self-nominated or may be nominated by a consumer organization. FDA seeks to include the views of women and men, members of all racial and ethnic groups, and individuals with and without disabilities on its advisory committees and, therefore, encourages nominations of appropriately qualified candidates from these groups.
Passports: Proposed Rule Allowing Passport Applicants Eligible To Apply By Mail for Renewal of Passports the Additional Option To Apply On-Line
Pursuant to Department regulations, the renewal of a U.S. passport must meet certain requirements to qualify for submission of an application by mail. The Department proposes to amend this rule by allowing qualified applicants the option of submitting renewal applications by mail or online via the Department’s official website. This amendment will provide more flexibility for the renewal applicant, improve the customer experience, and eliminate the added burden, time, and cost to the customer by providing the on-line option as an alternative to the mail in process.
Negotiated Rulemaking Committee; Negotiator Nominations and Schedule of Committee Meetings
We announce our intention to establish one negotiated rulemaking committee to prepare proposed regulations for the Federal Student Aid programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). The committee will include representatives of organizations or groups with interests that are significantly affected by the subject matter of the proposed regulations. We request nominations for individual negotiators who represent key stakeholder constituencies for the issues to be negotiated to serve on the committee. We also announce the creation of a subcommittee, and request nominations for individuals with pertinent expertise to participate on the subcommittee. The Department has set a schedule for committee meetings.
Final Rules
New Source Review Regulations; Correction
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is amending several New Source Review (NSR) regulations by making the following types of changes: Correcting typographical and grammatical errors, removing court vacated rule language, removing or updating outdated or incorrect cross references, conforming certain provisions to changes contained in the 1990 Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) Amendments, and removing certain outdated grandfathering or transitional exemptions. Federal Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Affected Area: EHS
Specific Listing for 4F-MDMB-BINACA, a Currently Controlled Schedule I Substance
The Drug Enforcement Administration is establishing a specific listing and Administration Controlled Substances Code Number (drug code) for 4F-MDMB-BINACA (also known as 4F-MDMB-BUTINACA or methyl 2-(1-(4-fluorobutyl)-1 H-indazole-3-carboxamido)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate) in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Although 4F-MDMB-BINACA is not specifically listed in schedule I of the CSA with its own unique drug code, it has been controlled in the United States since April 2017 as a positional isomer of 5F-AMB, a schedule I hallucinogen. Therefore, DEA is simply amending the schedule I hallucinogenic substances list in its regulations to separately include 4F-MDMB-BINACA. Federal Agency: Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice Affected Area: UAPD, UMC
Enforcement of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 With Respect to Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Light of Bostock v. Clayton County
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) issues this interpretation to clarify the Department’s enforcement authority over discrimination based on sexual orientation and discrimination based on gender identity under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County. This interpretation will guide the Department in processing complaints and conducting investigations, but it does not itself determine the outcome in any particular case or set of facts. Federal Agency: Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education Affected Area: Title IX
Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of para-Methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) in Schedule I
With the issuance of this final rule, the Drug Enforcement Administration places 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine (para-methoxymethamphetamine, PMMA), including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation, in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act to enable the United States to meet its obligations under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. This action imposes the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis, or possess), or propose to handle PMMA. Federal Agency: Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice Affected Area: UAPD, ORC, UMC
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program
The Secretary announces the Department of Education’s (Department) implementation of certain sections of the TEACH Grant program final regulations. Federal Agency: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education Affected Area: OAA
Rescission of Joint Employer Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act Rule
This action finalizes the Department’s proposal to rescind the final rule titled “Joint Employer Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act,” which published on January 16, 2020, and took effect on March 16, 2020. This rescission removes the regulations established by that rule.The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA or Act) requires all covered employers to pay nonexempt employees at least the Federal minimum wage for every hour worked in a non-overtime workweek.[1] In an overtime workweek, for all hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek, covered employers must pay a nonexempt employee at least one and one-half times the employee’s regular rate.[2] The FLSA also requires covered employers to make, keep, and preserve certain records regarding employees.[3] The FLSA does not define “joint employer” or “joint employment.” However, section 3(d) of the Act defines “employer” to “include[ ] any person acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an employer in relation to an employee.” [4] Section 3(e) generally defines “employee” to mean “any individual employed by an employer” [5] and identifies certain specific groups of workers who are not “employees” for purposes of the Act.[6] Section 3(g) defines “employ” to “include[ ] to suffer or permit to work.” [7] Federal Agency: Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Department of Labor (DOL) Affected Area: HR
Federal Acquisition Regulation; Federal Acquisition Circular 2021-07; Introduction
This document summarizes the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rules agreed to by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) in this Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2021-07. A companion document, the Small Entity Compliance Guide (SECG), follows this FAC. Federal Agency: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Affected Area: OSP, ORED
Federal Acquisition Regulation; Federal Acquisition Circular 2021-07; Small Entity Compliance Guide
This document is issued under the joint authority of DoD, GSA, and NASA. This Small Entity Compliance Guide has been prepared in accordance with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. It consists of a summary of the rules appearing in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2021-07, which amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Interested parties may obtain further information regarding these rules by referring to FAC 2021-07, which precedes this document. Federal Agency: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Affected Area: Procurement
Federal Acquisition Regulation: Good Faith in Small Business Subcontracting
DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, which requires examples of failure to make good faith efforts to comply with a small business subcontracting plan. Federal Agency: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Affected Area: Procurement
Federal Preemption and Joint Federal-State Regulation and Oversight of the Department of Education’s Federal Student Loan Programs and Federal Student Loan Servicers
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) issues this interpretation to revise and clarify its position on the legality of State laws and regulations that govern various aspects of the servicing of Federal student loans, such as preventing unfair or deceptive practices, correcting misapplied payments, or addressing refusals to communicate with borrowers. The Department concludes that these State laws are preempted only in limited and discrete respects, as further discussed in this interpretation. In addition, this interpretation will help facilitate close coordination between the Department and its State partners to further enhance both servicer accountability and borrower protections. This interpretation revokes and supersedes the interpretation published on March 12, 2018, “Federal Preemption and State Regulation of the Department of Education’s Federal Student Loan Programs and Federal Student Loan Servicers” (2018 interpretation). Federal Agency: Office of the Secretary, Department of Education Affected Area: Student Financial Aid Comments Due: 9/13/2021
Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of 4,4′-DMAR in Schedule I
With the issuance of this final rule, the Drug Enforcement Administration places 4,4′-dimethylaminorex (common name: 4,4′-DMAR) including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This action is being taken to enable the United States to meet its obligations under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. This action imposes the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis, or possess), or propose to handle 4,4′-DMAR. Federal Agency: Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice Affected Area: UAPD, UMC, ORC
Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances (19-2.F)
EPA is issuing significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for chemical substances which were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). This action requires persons to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing manufacture (defined by statute to include import) or processing of any of these chemical substances for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this rule. This action further requires that persons not commence manufacture or processing for the significant new use until they have submitted a Significant New Use Notice (SNUN), and EPA has conducted a review of the notice, made an appropriate determination on the notice, and has taken any risk management actions as are required as a result of that determination. Federal Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Affected Area: EHS
Proposed Rules
Request for Information Regarding Reporting on Pharmacy Benefits and Prescription Drug Costs
This document is a request for information on issues related to certain reporting requirements under section 204 of Title II of Division BB of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) that are applicable to group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage. The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury (the Departments) are issuing this request for information to gather input from the public regarding implementation considerations for the data collection required under section 204 of Title II of Division BB of the CAA, and the associated impact on group health plans and health insurance issuers. As part of this request for information, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is also seeking input from the public regarding implementation considerations for the data collection required under section 204 of Title II of Division BB of the CAA as it pertains to Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) carriers (whether or not they are also health insurance issuers). The Departments and OPM also seek input on specific data elements, including the level of detail that is feasible to report for entities subject to the data collection requirements and the associated burdens and potential compliance costs. Public comments will inform the Departments’ and OPM’s implementation of section 204 through rulemaking and the establishment of processes to receive the required information. Federal Agency: Office of Personnel Management; Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury; Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services. Affected Area: HR Comments Due: 7/23/2021
Handling of Animals; Contingency Plans
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued a final rule on December 31, 2012, to establish regulations under which research facilities and dealers, exhibitors, intermediate handlers, and carriers must meet certain requirements for contingency planning and training of personnel. Implementation of the final rule was stayed on July 31, 2013, so that the agency could conduct additional review to further consider the impact of contingency plan requirements on regulated entities. Since that time, we have conducted such a review, and the 2021 Congressional Appropriations Act has required us to propose to lift the stay. We are therefore proposing to lift the stay and make minor revisions to the requirements in order to update compliance dates and clarify intent. The lifting of the stay and proposed revisions would better ensure that entities responsible for animals regulated under the Animal Welfare Act are prepared to safeguard the health and welfare of such animals in the event of possible emergencies or disasters. Federal Agency: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA Affected Area: ORC, Animal Care Comments Due: 8/24/2021
TSCA Section 8(a)(7) Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing reporting and recordkeeping requirements for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In accordance with obligations under TSCA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, EPA proposes to require certain persons that manufacture (including import) or have manufactured these chemical substances in any year since January 1, 2011, to electronically report information regarding PFAS uses, production volumes, disposal, exposures, and hazards. EPA is requesting public comment on all aspects of this proposed rule and has also identified items of particular interest for public input. In addition to fulfilling statutory obligations under TSCA, this document will enable EPA to better characterize the sources and quantities of manufactured PFAS in the United States. Federal Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Affected Area: EHS Comments Due: 8/27/2021
TSCA Section 8(a)(7) Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing reporting and recordkeeping requirements for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In accordance with obligations under TSCA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, EPA proposes to require certain persons that manufacture (including import) or have manufactured these chemical substances in any year since January 1, 2011, to electronically report information regarding PFAS uses, production volumes, disposal, exposures, and hazards. EPA is requesting public comment on all aspects of this proposed rule and has also identified items of particular interest for public input. In addition to fulfilling statutory obligations under TSCA, this document will enable EPA to better characterize the sources and quantities of manufactured PFAS in the United States. Federal Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Affected Area: EHS Comments Due: 8/27/2021
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Updating Payment Parameters, Section 1332 Waiver Implementing Regulations, and Improving Health Insurance Markets for 2022 and Beyond Proposed Rule
This proposed rule sets forth proposed revised 2022 user fee rates for issuers offering qualified health plans (QHPs) through Federally-facilitated Exchanges (FFEs) and State-based Exchanges on the Federal platform (SBE-FPs); proposes repeal of separate billing requirements related to the collection of separate payments for the portion of QHP premiums attributable to coverage for certain abortion services; proposes to expand the annual open enrollment period and Navigator duties; proposes a new monthly special enrollment period for qualified individuals or enrollees, or the dependents of a qualified individual or enrollee, who are eligible for advance payments of the premium tax credit (APTC) and whose household income does not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL); proposes to repeal the recent establishment of a Direct Enrollment option for Exchanges; and proposes to modify regulations and policies related to section 1332 waivers. Federal Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. Department of the Treasury. Affected Area: HR Comments Due: 7/28/2021
Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of N-Ethylhexedrone
The Drug Enforcement Administration proposes placing six synthetic cathinones, as identified in this proposed rule, in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. If finalized, this action would make permanent the existing regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis, or possess), or propose to handle these six specified controlled substances. Federal Agency: Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice Affected Area: ORC, UMC, UAPD Comments Due: 8/16/2021
Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Amineptine in Schedule I
The Drug Enforcement Administration proposes placing the substance amineptine (chemical name: 7-[(10,11-dihydro-5 H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)amino]heptanoic acid), including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This action is being taken to enable the United States to meet its obligations under the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. If finalized, this action would impose the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis with, or possess), or propose to handle, amineptine. Federal Agency: Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice Affected Area: ORC, UMC, UAPD, Research Comments Due: 9/20/2021
Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors
This document proposes regulations to implement an Executive order titled “Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors,” which was signed by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. on April 27, 2021. The Executive order states that the Federal Government’s procurement interests in economy and efficiency are promoted when the Federal Government contracts with sources that adequately compensate their workers. The Executive order therefore seeks to raise the hourly minimum wage paid by those contractors to workers performing work on or in connection with covered Federal contracts to $15.00 per hour, beginning January 30, 2022; and beginning January 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, an amount determined by the Secretary of Labor (Secretary). The Executive order directs the Secretary to issue regulations by November 24, 2021, consistent with applicable law, to implement the order’s requirements. This proposed rule therefore establishes standards and procedures for implementing and enforcing the minimum wage protections of the Executive order. As required by the order, the proposed rule incorporates to the extent practicable existing definitions, principles, procedures, remedies, and enforcement processes under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, the Service Contract Act, the Davis-Bacon Act, and the Executive order of February 12, 2014, entitled “Establishing a Minimum Wage for Contractors,” as well as the regulations issued to implement that order. Federal Agency: Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor. Affected Area: HR, Contract Administration Comments Due: 8/23/2021
Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Federal Family Educational Loan Program-Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
The Department of Education (the Department) is requesting extension without change of the currently approved OMB information collection 1845-0093, Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the suspension of the collection of loans, the Department lacks sufficient data to allow for more accurate updates to the usage of these forms. The regulations require the FFEL loan holder to match its database against the Department of Defense (DOD) Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) or other official DOD database and automatically apply the interest rate limitation, as appropriate, to borrowers under the SCRA. There has been no change in the statute or in the regulations at 34 CFR 682.208(j). Federal Agency: Federal Student Aid (FSA), Department of Education (ED) Affected Area: Student Financial Aid Comments Due: 9/29/2021
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
The Bloodborne Pathogen Standard is an occupational safety and health standard that prevents occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The standard’s information collection requirements are essential components that protect workers from occupational exposure. The information is used by employers and workers to implement the protection required by the Standard. OSHA compliance officers will use some of the information in their enforcement of the Standard. For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2021 (86 FR 19904). Federal Agency: Department of Labor Affected Area: EHS, ORC, UMC Comments Due: 8/26/2021
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Virus-Serum-Toxin Act and Regulations
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act and regulations. Under the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act (21 U.S.C. 151-159), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is authorized to promulgate regulations designed to prevent the importation, preparation, sale, or shipment of harmful veterinary biological products. These regulations are contained in 9 CFR parts 102 through 124. Federal Agency: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA Affected Area: Animal Care, ORC Comments Due: 9/27/2021
Federal Acquisition Regulation: Amendments to the FAR Buy American Act Requirements
DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement an Executive order (E.O.) addressing domestic preferences in Government procurement. Federal Agency: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Affected Area: Procurement Comments Due: 9/28/2021
TSCA Section 8(a)(7) Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances; Extension of Comment Period
EPA issued a proposed rule in the Federal Register of June 28, 2021, concerning reporting and recordkeeping requirements for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This document extends the comment period for 31 days, from August 27, 2021 to September 27, 2021. An extension of the comment period was requested by some stakeholders to allow interested parties additional time to thoroughly review and analyze the proposed rule’s scope and its supporting documents. EPA agrees that a 30-day extension of the comment period is warranted and will respond to comments, including ICR-related comments, in the final rule. Thirty days from August 27, 2021, is September 26, 2021, which is a Sunday; therefore, EPA is extending the comment period to the following Monday, September 27, 2021. Federal Agency: Affected Area: EHS Comments Due: 9/27/2021
Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Mesocarb in Schedule I
The Drug Enforcement Administration proposes placing the substance mesocarb (chemical name: N-phenyl-N′-(3-(1-phenylpropan-2-yl)-1,2,3-oxadiazol-3-ium-5-yl)carbamimidate), including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This action is being taken to enable the United States to meet its obligations under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. If finalized, this action would impose the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis with, or possess), or propose to handle, mesocarb. Federal Agency: Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice Affected Area: UAPD, UMC Comments Due: 10/12/2021
Notices
Asbestos in Construction Standard; Extension of the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements
OSHA solicits public comments concerning the proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements specified in the Asbestos in Construction Standard. The Asbestos in Construction Standard (29 CFR 1926.1101) protects workers from adverse health effects arising from workplace exposure to asbestos, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis (an emphysema-like condition) and gastrointestinal cancer. The standard requires employers to monitor worker exposure, provide medical surveillance, and maintain accurate records of worker exposure to asbestos. These records will be used by employers, workers, and the Government to ensure that workers are not harmed by exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Federal Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor Affected Area: EHS, Campus Development Comments Due: 8/23/2021
Permit-Required Confined Spaces; Extension of the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements
OSHA solicits public comments concerning the proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements contained in the Standard on Permit-Required Confined Spaces. The purpose of the information collection requirements specified in the Permit-Required Confined Spaces Standard (29 CFR 1910.146) is to ensure that employers systematically evaluate the dangers in permit spaces before entry is attempted, and to ensure that adequate measures are taken to make the spaces safe for entry. Section 1910.146(c)(2) requires the employer to post danger signs to inform exposed employees of the existence and location of, and the dangers posed by, permit spaces. Federal Agency: Affected Area: EHS, Campus Development, Facilities Comments Due: 8/23/2021
Information Collection Request; Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Clean Water Act 404 State-Assumed Programs (Renewal); Correction
Section 404(g) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA/Clean Water Act (CWA)), authorizes states and tribes to assume the section 404 permit program for discharges of dredged or fill material into certain waters of the United States. This ICR covers the collection of information that EPA needs to perform its program approval and oversight responsibilities and that the state or tribe needs to implement its program. Request to assume CWA section 404 permit program. States and tribes must demonstrate that they meet the statutory and regulatory requirements at 40 CFR part 233 for an approvable program. Specified information and documents must be submitted by the state or tribe to EPA to request assumption and must be sufficient to enable EPA to conduct an analysis of the state or tribal program. The information contained in the assumption request submission is provided to the other involved federal agencies and to the general public for review and comment. Federal Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Affected Area: EHS, Facilities and Grounds; Campus Development Comments Due: 7/26/2021
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Federal Student Loan Program Deferment Request Forms
These forms serve as the means by which borrowers in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan), Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) and the Federal Perkins Loan (Perkins Loan) Programs may request deferment of repayment on their loans if they meet certain statutory and regulatory criteria. The U.S. Department of Education and other loan holders uses the information collected on these forms to determine whether a borrower meets the eligibility requirements for the specific deferment type being submitted. Federal Agency: Federal Student Aid (FSA), Department of Education (ED) Affected Area: Student Financial Aid Comments Due: 7/26/2021
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Events and Efforts Supporting Cybersecurity Career Awareness Week
As part of NIST’s charge for National Cybersecurity Awareness and Education outlined in the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014, the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) energizes and promotes a robust network and an ecosystem of cybersecurity education, training, and workforce development. NICE, led by NIST, fulfills this mission by coordinating with government, academic, and industry partners to build on existing successful programs, facilitate change and innovation, and bring leadership and vision to increase the number of skilled cybersecurity professionals helping to keep our Nation secure. Federal Agency: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Commerce Affected Area: OIT, CERA Comments Due: 8/27/2021
Approvals and Denials of Test Marketing Exemptions for Certain New Chemicals Under TSCA
This document provides notification of EPA’s approvals and denials of applications for test marketing exemptions (TMEs) submitted under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for certain new chemicals. The test marketing conditions are described in the TME applications and in this document.
Federal Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Affected Area: EHS
Notice of OFAC Sanctions Action
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is publishing the names of one or more persons that have been placed on OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) based on OFAC’s determination that one or more applicable legal criteria were satisfied. All property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of these persons are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
Federal Agency: Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury Affected Area: Capstone International, Procurement, ORED, CERA
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Assurance of Compliance-Civil Rights Certificate
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has enforcement responsibilities under several civil rights laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act. To meet these responsibilities, OCR collects assurances of compliance from applicants for Federal financial assistance from, and applicants for funds made available through, the Department of Education, as required by regulations. These entities include, for example, State educational agencies, local education agencies, and postsecondary educational institutions. If a recipient violates one or more of these civil rights laws, OCR and the Department of Justice can use the signed assurances of compliance in an enforcement proceeding. Federal Agency: Office of Civil Rights (OCR), Department of Education (ED) Affected Area: Student Financial Aid, Title IX, EEO, HR
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Performance Report for Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Program
GAANN grantees must submit a performance report annually. In addition, grantees are required to submit a supplement to the final performance report two years after submission of their final report. The reports are used to evaluate grantee performance. Further, the data from the reports will be aggregated to evaluate the accomplishments and impact of the GAANN Program as a whole. Results will be reported to the Secretary in order to respond to GPRA requirements. Federal Agency: Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), Department of Education (ED) Affected Area: OSP, Graduate School Comments Due: 8/12/2021
Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance
Title IX prohibits recipients of federal financial assistance from discriminating on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities. Specifically, the statute states that “[n]o person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance,” with specific exceptions for various entities, programs, and activities. 20 U.S.C. 1681(a). Title IX and Treasury’s Title IX regulations prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in the operation of, and the provision or denial of benefits by, educational programs or activities conducted not only by educational institutions but by other entities as well, including, for example, law enforcement agencies, and for profit and nonprofit organizations. Federal Agency: Department of the Treasury (Treasury) Affected Area: Title IX
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Improper Payments Information Form
Under the CARES Act’s Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), the Department has made over 12,000 awards to institutions of higher education (IHEs) to support emergency financial aid to students and institutional costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus. This form will be used by institutions that have improperly drawn down funds from their award accounts to provide the Department with information regarding funds being returned to correct these improper payments. Federal Agency: Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), Department of Education (ED) Affected Area: Student Financial Aid, Student Account Services, CERA, OSP Comments Due: 8/18/2021
Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Income Driven Repayment Plan Request for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans and Federal Family Education Loan Programs
The Department is requesting an extension of the current information collection. The Department files this request with the same total annual number of respondents for this renewal collection as was used in the prior filing. Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the suspension of the collection of loans, the Department lacks sufficient data to allow for more accurate updates to the usage of these forms. There has been no change in the underlying statutes or regulations which support these request forms. Federal Agency: Office of Management and Budget Affected Area: Student Financial Aid Comments Due: 8/18/2021
Federal Need Analysis Methodology for the 2022-23 Award Year-Federal Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, and TEACH Grant Programs
The Secretary announces the annual updates to the tables used in the statutory Federal Need Analysis Methodology that determines a student’s expected family contribution (EFC) for award year (AY) 2022-23 for student financial aid programs, Assistance Listing Numbers 84.063, 84.033, 84.007, 84.268, 84.408, and 84.379. The intent of this notice is to alert the financial aid community and the broader public to these required annual updates used in the determination of student aid eligibility. Federal Agency: Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education Affected Area: Student Financial Aid
Product Cancellation Order for Certain Pesticide Registrations
This submission announces EPA’s order for the cancellations, voluntarily requested by the registrants and accepted by the Agency, of the products listed in Table 1 & Table 1A of Unit II, pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This cancellation order follows a May 11, 2021 Federal Register Notice of Receipt of Requests from the registrants listed in Table 2 of Unit II to voluntarily cancel these product registrations. In the May 11, 2021 notice, EPA indicated that it would issue an order implementing the cancellations, unless the Agency received substantive comments within the 30-day comment period that would merit its further review of these requests, or unless the registrants withdrew their requests. The Agency did not receive any comments on the notice. Further, the Agency received a notice from a registrant to withdraw a certain cancellation request. Accordingly, EPA hereby issues in this submission, a cancellation order granting the requested cancellations. Any distribution, sale, or use of the products subject to this cancellation order is permitted only in accordance with the terms of this order, including any existing stocks provisions. Federal Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Affected Area: EHS, Facilities & Grounds
Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Impact Evaluation of Teacher Residency Programs
The U.S. Department of Education (ED)’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES) requests clearance for data collection activities to support a study of teacher residency programs. Teacher residency programs aim to better prepare new teachers by combining education coursework with extensive on-the-job training. Program participants complete a full-year apprenticeship, or “residency,” under the supervision of an experienced mentor teacher before they become teachers of record. The programs help meet the needs of their partner districts by preparing teachers to fill shortages in high-needs schools and subjects. They offer financial support for residents in exchange for a commitment to teach for at least three to five years in the district, in an effort to improve teacher retention. This financial support may also help expand the pool of teacher candidates by encouraging people to enter the profession who might be deterred by the cost of a traditional teacher preparation program. This second request covers additional data collection activities for the study to examine program outcomes. A prior request (1850-0960, approved 4/26/2021) covered the collection of classroom rosters from schools to support random assignment of students to participating teachers. Federal Agency: Institute of Educational Science (IES), Department of Education (ED) Affected Area: OAA Comments Due: 9/20/2021
Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Consolidated Annual Report (CAR) for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006
This information collection is used by the U.S. Department of Education to gather annual performance and financial data from eligible agencies under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 as amended by the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Pub. L. 115-224). We are proposing to revise the ICR to remove the option to report enrollment and performance data via the EDFacts system, amend the Fiscal Responsibility section of the Narrative Performance Report to collect additional data about subgrants and their recipients, and to make clarifying changes to some of the instructions. Federal Agency: Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE), Department of Education (ED) Affected Area: Student Financial Aid Comments Due: 9/21/2021
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection Comments Requested; Reinstatement, With Change, of a Previously Approved Collection for Which Approval Has Expired: 2021 Survey of Campus Law Enforcement Agencies (SCLEA)
The Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register, Volume 86, Number 94, page 26944 on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, allowing a 60-day comment period. Federal Agency: Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice Affected Area: UAPD Comments Due: 8/23/2021
Proposed Substances To Be Evaluated for Toxicological Profile Development
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) within the Department of Health and Human Services is initiating the development of another set of Toxicological Profiles. This notice solicits public nominations of substances for ATSDR to evaluate for Toxicological Profile development. ATSDR will consider nominations from the Substance Priority List found at www.atsdr.cdc.gov/SPL/. ATSDR also accepts nominations for substances not on the Substance Priority List (SPL) that may have public health implications, on the basis of ATSDR’s authority to prepare Toxicological Profiles for substances not found at sites on the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) National Priorities List (see CERCLA Section 104(i)(1)(B); 42 U.S.C. 9604(i)(1)(B)). For more information on the CERCLA National Priorities List, visit www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-national-priorities-list-npl. The agency accepts these nominations in order to establish and maintain an inventory of literature, research, and studies on the health effects of toxic substances, to respond to requests for consultation, and to support the site-specific response actions conducted by ATSDR, as otherwise necessary. Federal Agency: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Affected Area: EHS, ORC Comments Due: 8/30/2021
Availability of Six Draft Toxicological Profiles
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announces the opening of a docket to obtain comments on drafts of six updated Toxicological Profiles: Acetone, Aldrin/Dieldrin, Chlorophenols, 3,3-Dichlorobenzidine, Disulfoton, and Pentachlorophenol. ATSDR has prepared drafts of six updated toxicological profiles based on availability of new health effects and other information since their initial release. All toxicological profiles issued as “Drafts for Public Comment” represent the result of ATSDR’s evidence-based evaluations to provide important toxicological information on priority hazardous substances. ATSDR is seeking public comments and additional information or reports on studies about the health effects of these six substances for review and potential inclusion in the profiles. ATSDR considers key studies for these substances during the profile development process. This notice solicits any relevant, additional studies. ATSDR will evaluate the quality and relevance of such data or studies for possible inclusion in the profile. Federal Agency: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Affected Area: EHS Comments Due: 10/27/2021
Pesticide Registration Review; Interim Decisions and Case Closures for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability
This notice announces the availability of EPA’s interim registration review decisions for the following chemicals: 10, 10′-oxybisphenoxarsine (OBPA), acetochlor, coumaphos, citric acid, dimethenamid/-p, fenamidone, fenazaquin, halohydantoins, insect viruses, myclobutanil, polixetonium chloride (Busan 77), and propylene oxide (PPO). In addition, it announces the closure of the registration review case for Pseudomonas aureofaciens because the last U.S. registrations for this pesticide have been canceled. Federal Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Affected Area: EHS, Facilities and Grounds
2021 Survey of Campus Law Enforcement Agencies (SCLEA); Correction
The Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice, submitted a 30-day notice for publication in the Federal Register of July 23, 2021 soliciting comments to an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The document contained incorrect information. In the Federal Register of July 23, 2021, in FR Doc 2021-15716, on page 39078, in the second column, correct the estimated number of respondents to read 2,067 and the total estimated burden for the collection to 2,067 hours. Federal Agency: Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice Affected Area: UAPD
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Federal Student Loan Program: Internship/Residency and Loan Debt Burden Forbearance Forms
These forms serve as the means by which borrowers in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan), In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is proposing an extension without change of a currently approved collection. Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) and the Federal Perkins Loan (Perkins Loan) Programs may request forbearance of repayment on their loans if they meet certain conditions. The U.S. Department of Education and other loan holders uses the information collected on these forms to determine whether a borrower meets the eligibility requirements for the specific type of forbearance. Federal Agency: Federal Student Aid (FSA), Department of Education (ED) Affected Area: Student Financial Aid Comments Due: 9/1/2021
Notice Inviting Applications for Funds Under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), Section 2003 of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) for Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) That Meet the Criteria as a Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP)
The Secretary is announcing the availability of new HEERF funding for the ARP (a)(2) grant program authorized under ARP section 2003(2) and inviting applications under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.425M from eligible public and private nonprofit IHEs to address needs directly related to the coronavirus. These awards are in addition to the ARP (a)(1) grant funds and have been allocated by the Secretary proportionally based on the relative share of funding appropriated to SIP in the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020. The IHEs eligible for this funding include institutions eligible for SIP that did not receive funding under section 314(a)(2) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) and that are included in the ARP (a)(2) allocation table. This notice relates to the approved information collections under OMB control numbers 1801-0005 and 1840-0842. Federal Agency: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education Affected Area: Student Financial Aid, ORED
Pesticide Registration Review; Interim Decision for Paraquat Dichloride; Notice of Availability
This document announces the availability of EPA’s interim registration review decision for paraquat dichloride (paraquat). Federal Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Affected Area: EHS, Facilities and Grounds
Pesticide Registration Review; Draft Human Health and/or Ecological Risk Assessments for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability
This notice announces the availability of EPA’s draft human health and/or ecological risk assessments for the registration review of copper 8 quinolinolate, DCNA, nabam, triadimefon and triadimenol. Federal Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Affected Area: EHS Comments Due: 10/4/2021
Pesticide Registration Review; Proposed Interim Decisions for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability
This notice announces the availability of EPA’s proposed interim registration review decisions and opens a 60-day public comment period on the proposed interim decisions for the following pesticides: Amitraz, cinnamaldehyde, difenoconazole, farnesol and nerolidol, fenbuconazole, isoxaflutole, mesotrione, metaldehyde, MGK-264, Nosema locustae, oxadiazon, oxyfluorfen, piperonyl butoxide (PBO), pyrethrins, tembotrione, topramezone, Ulocladium oudemansii (U3 Strain). Federal Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Affected Area: EHS Comments Due: 10/4/2021
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Methylene Chloride Standard
The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-sponsored information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited. The standard requires employers to monitor employee exposure to methylene chloride (MC), to provide medical consultation and examinations, to train employees about the hazards of MC in their working areas, and to establish and maintain records of employee exposure to MC. These records will be used by employers, employees, physicians and the Government to ensure that employees are not being harmed by exposure to MC. For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on April 29, 2021 (86 FR 22715). Federal Agency: Department of Labor Affected Area: EHS Comments Due: 9/3/2021
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Slings Standard
The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-sponsored information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited. The provisions of the standard require that the employer make a periodic inspection of alloy steel chain slings at least once a year and to make and maintain a record of the inspection. It also requires the employer to ensure that each new, repaired or reconditioned alloy steel chain sling is proof tested and a certification record maintained. In addition, the standard requires the employer to maintain a record of the proof test on wire rope slings. For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on April 27, 2021 (86 FR 22278). Federal Agency: Department of Labor Affected Area: Campus Development, Facilities and Grounds Comments Due: 9/3/2021
Notice for Comment on Two Strategic Plans for the Subcommittee on Aquaculture Science Planning and Regulatory Efficiency Task Forces and on Updating the National Aquaculture Development Plan
The Subcommittee on Aquaculture (SCA) is a statutory subcommittee that operates under the Committee on Environment of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) under the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President [National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-362. 94 Stat. 1198, 16 U.S.C. 2801, et seq.) and the National Aquaculture Improvement Act of 1985 (Pub. L. 99-198, 99 Stat. 1641)]. In October 2018, the SCA established a Science Planning Task Force charged with documenting Federal science and technology opportunities and priorities for aquaculture by revising and updating the National Strategic Plan for Federal Aquaculture Research (2014-2019). Similarly, in February 2019, the SCA established a Regulatory Efficiency Task Force charged with developing a new plan for interagency science and technology coordination to improve regulatory efficiency, research and technology development, and economic growth. The Task Forces are seeking public comment on Science and Regulatory Efficiency strategic plans to determine if their respective topics are adequately covered. In addition, in May of 2020, the SCA established an Economic Development Task Force charged with developing a strategic plan for economic development through aquaculture. Separately from SCA, the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 requires select federal agencies to develop a National Aquaculture Development Plan (NADP). Last completed in 1983, the NADP describes aquaculture associated technologies, problems, and opportunities in the United States and its territories. It recommends actions to solve problems and analyzes the social, environmental, and economic impacts of growth in aquaculture. The SCA plans to update the NADP using the Science and Regulatory Efficiency plans described here, with the addition of the Economic Development plan currently in process. Federal Agency: Agricultural Research Service, USDA Affected Area: Water Institute Comments Due: 9/10/2021
Applications for New Awards; Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities-National Technical Assistance and Dissemination Center Program
The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications (NIA) for a new award for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities-National Technical Assistance and Dissemination Center (PPSID-NTAD) program, Assistance Listing Number 84.407C. This notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number 1894-0006. Federal Agency: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education Affected Area: Office of Disability Services
Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Income Based Repayment-Notifications
The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), established the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program under Title IV, Part B. Section 493C [20 U.S.C. 1098e] of the HEA authorizes income based repayment for Part B borrowers who have a partial financial hardship. The regulations in 34 CFR 682.215(e)(2) require notifications to borrowers from the loan holders once a borrower establishes a partial financial hardship and is placed in an income based repayment (IBR) plan by the loan holder. The regulations identify information the loan holder must provide to the borrower to continue to participate in an IBR plan. This is a request for extension without change of the current information collection 1845-0114. Federal Agency: Federal Student Aid (FSA), Department of Education (ED) Affected Area: Student Financial Aid Comments Due: 10/8/2021
Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA): Interest Rate Limitation Request
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides that those on active duty military service are entitled to have an interest rate in excess of 6% be capped at 6% for the duration of their qualifying military service. The Department is requesting an extension of the currently approved information collection. These Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program and Direct Loan Program regulations have not changed. The regulations require a loan holder to match its database against the Department of Defense’s Defense Manpower Data Start Printed Page 43532Center (DMDC) and automatically apply the interest rate limitation, as appropriate, to borrowers under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The form in this collection would only be used in limited cases where the borrower is not found in the Defense Manpower Data Center, or does not have a copy of military orders, but still wishes to receive benefits under the SCRA. Federal Agency: Federal Student Aid (FSA), Department of Education (ED) Affected Area: Student Financial Aid Comments Due: 10/8/2021
Annual Notice of Interest Rates for Fixed-Rate Federal Student Loans Made Under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
The Chief Operating Officer for Federal Student Aid announces the interest rates for Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loans (Direct Subsidized Loans), Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford/Ford Loans (Direct Unsubsidized Loans), and Federal Direct PLUS Loans (Direct PLUS Loans) made under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.268, with first disbursement dates on or after July 1, 2021, and before July 1, 2022. Federal Agency: Federal Student Aid, Department of Education Affected Area: Student Financial Aid
Annual Notice of Interest Rates for Variable-Rate Federal Student Loans Made Under the Federal Family Education Loan Program Prior to July 1, 2010
The Chief Operating Officer for Federal Student Aid announces the interest rates for loans made under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.032, that have variable interest rates. The rates announced in this notice are in effect for the period July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. Federal Agency: Department of Education Affected Area: Student Financial Aid
Annual Notice of Interest Rates for Variable-Rate Federal Student Loans Made Under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
The Chief Operating Officer for Federal Student Aid announces the interest rates for Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loans (Direct Subsidized Loans), Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford/Ford Loans (Direct Unsubsidized Loans), and Federal Direct PLUS Loans (Direct PLUS Loan), Assistance Listing Number 84.268, with first disbursement dates before July 1, 2006, and for Federal Direct Consolidation Loans (Direct Consolidation Loans) for which the application was received before February 1, 1999. The rates announced in this notice are in effect for the period July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. Federal Agency: Federal Student Aid, Department of Education Affected Area: Student Financial Aid
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal of an Existing Collection and Request for Comment; Expanded Access to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Confidential Business Information
The 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, expanded the categories of people to whom EPA may disclose TSCA confidential business information (CBI). The amendments authorize EPA to disclose TSCA CBI to state, tribal, and local governments; environmental, health, and medical professionals; and emergency responders, under certain conditions, including consistency with guidance that EPA is required to develop. Three guidance documents have been developed, corresponding to the new authorities in TSCA section 14(d)(4), (5), and (6).The conditions for access vary under each of the new provisions, but generally include the following: Requesters must show that they have a need for the information related to their employment, professional, or legal duties; recipients of TSCA CBI are prohibited from disclosing or permitting further disclosure of the information to individuals not authorized to receive it (physicians/nurses may disclose the information to their patient); and except in emergency situations EPA must Start Printed Page 44358notify the entity that made the CBI claim at least 15 days prior to disclosing the CBI. In addition, under these new provisions, requesters (except in some emergency situations) are required to sign an agreement and may be required to submit a statement of need to EPA. In accordance with the requirements of TSCA section 14(c)(4)(B), the guidance documents cover the content and form of the agreements and statements required under each provision, and include information on where and how to submit requests to EPA. Federal Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Affected Area: EHS Comments Due: 10/12/2021
Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Student Assistance General Provisions-Subpart K-Cash Management
The Department of Education (the Department) amended the Student Assistance General Provisions regulations issued under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), to implement the changes made to the Student Assistance General Provisions regulations—Subpart K—Cash Management § 668.164—Disbursing funds. These regulations are Start Printed Page 44703intended to ensure students and parents have convenient access to their Title IV, HEA program funds, do not incur unreasonable and uncommon financial account fees on these title IV funds and are not led to believe that they must open a particular financial account to receive their Federal student aid. This request is for an extension of the information collection for the requirements that are contained in the regulations § 668.164—Disbursing funds. The regulations require that an institution that makes direct payments to a student or parent by electronic funds transfer (EFT) and that chooses to enter into an arrangement described in 668.164(e) or (f), including an institution that uses a third-party servicer to make those payments, must establish a selection process under which the student chooses one of several options for receiving those Title IV, HEA fund payments. There has been no change to the regulations. Federal Agency: Federal Student Aid (FSA), Department of Education (ED) Affected Area: Student Financial Aid, Student Account Services Comments Due: 10/12/2021
Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), as part of its continuing effort to reduce public burden and maximize the utility of government information, invites the general public and other Federal agencies the opportunity to comment on a proposed and/or continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This notice invites comment on a proposed information collection project titled ATSDR Exposure Investigations (EIs). The information collection is designed to evaluate public health issues at a site resulting from environmental exposure. ATSDR EIs fill data gaps by conducting environmental and biological sampling. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is requesting a three-year extension of this generic clearance to allow the agency to conduct exposure investigations (EIs), through methods developed by ATSDR. After a chemical release or suspected release into the environment, EIs are usually requested by officials of a state health agency, county health department, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the general public, and/or ATSDR staff. EI results are used by public health professionals, environmental risk managers, and other decision makers to determine if current conditions warrant intervention strategies to minimize or eliminate human exposure.All of ATSDR’s targeted biological assessments (e.g., urine, blood) and some of the environmental investigations (e.g., air, water, soil, dust, or food sampling) involve participants to determine whether they are or have been exposed to unusual levels of pollutants at specific locations (e.g., where people live, spend leisure time, or anywhere they might come into contact with contaminants under investigation).Questionnaires, appropriate to the specific contaminant, are generally needed in about half of the EIs (at most, approximately 12 per year) to assist in interpreting the biological or environmental sampling results. ATSDR collects contact information (e.g., name, address, phone number) to provide the participant with their individual results. ATSDR also collects information on other possible confounding sources of chemical(s) exposure such as medicines taken, foods eaten, hobbies, jobs, etc. In addition, ATSDR asks questions on recreational or occupational activities that could increase a participant’s exposure potential. The information collected represents an individual’s exposure history. Federal Agency: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Affected Area: EHS Comments Due: 10/12/2021
International Drug Scheduling; Convention on Psychotropic Substances; Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs; 4F-MDMB-BICA (4F-MDMB-BUTICA)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is reopening the comment period for the notice entitled “International Drug Scheduling; Convention on Psychotropic Substances; Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs; 4F-MDMB-BICA (4F-MDMB-BUTICA); Brorphine; Metonitazene; Eutylone (bk-EBDB); BMDP (3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-benzylcathinone); Kratom (mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine); Phenibut” that appeared in the Federal Register of July 23, 2021. The Agency is taking this action to allow interested persons additional time to submit comments. These comments will be considered in preparing a response from the United States to the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the abuse liability and diversion of these drugs. WHO will use this information to consider whether to recommend that certain international restrictions be placed on these drug substances. Federal Agency: Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Affected Area: UAPD Comments Due: 8/24/2021
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Respiratory Protection Standard
This standard requires employers to develop a written respiratory protection program, provide medical surveillance, fit test employees, obtain certificates of analysis on cylinders, change sorbent beds and filters, to inspect emergency-use respirators, mark emergency-use respirator storage compartments, and maintain accurate employee records for fit testing and medical surveillance. For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on April 9, 2021 (86 FR 18557). Federal Agency: Department of Labor Affected Area: EHS Comments Due: 9/16/2021
Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request: Emergency Planning and Release Notification Requirements (EPCRA Sections 302, 303, and 304), EPA ICR Number 1395.11, OMB Control Number 2050-0092
The authority for the emergency planning and emergency release notification requirements is sections 302, 303, and 304 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 11002, 11003, and 11004). EPCRA established broad emergency planning and facility reporting requirements. Section 302 requires facilities to notify their State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) or Tribal Emergency Response Commission (TERC), Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) or Tribal Emergency Planning Committee (TEPC) with jurisdiction over their facility, of the presence of a threshold planning quantity of a listed extremely hazardous substance (EHS) at the facility. This activity was completed by existing facilities soon after the law was passed. Only new facilities that may become subject to these requirements must notify the SERC (or TERC) and the LEPC (or TEPC). Currently covered facilities are required to notify the LEPC (or TEPC) of any changes that occur at the facility which would be relevant to emergency planning. Section 303 requires the LEPC (or TEPC) to prepare local emergency response plans for their planning district using the information provided by facilities under Section 302. An LEPC (or TEPC) may request any information from facilities necessary to develop emergency response plans. Initial emergency response plans were developed within a few months after the law was passed. LEPCs (or TEPCs) are required to review and update the plan at least annually or more frequently as changes occur in the community. Section 304 requires facilities to report to SERCs (or TERCs) and LEPCs (or TEPCs) releases in excess of the reportable quantities listed for each EHS. This ICR also covers the notification and the written follow-up required under Section 304. The implementing regulations are codified in 40 CFR part 355. Federal Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Affected Area: EHS Comments Due: 10/18/2021
Clear Rules for Research Security and Researcher Responsibility
NSPM-33 implementation guidance will address three major areas: Disclosure Policy — ensuring that federally-funded researchers provide their funding agencies and research organizations with appropriate information concerning external involvements that may bear on potential conflicts of interest and commitment; Oversight and Enforcement — ensuring that federal agencies have clear and appropriate policies concerning consequences for violations of disclosure requirements and interagency sharing of information about such violations; and, Research Security Programs — ensuring that research organizations that receive substantial federal R&D funding (greater than $50 million annually) maintain appropriate research security programs. Federal Agency: Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy Affected Area: OSP, ORED
