[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 71 (Thursday, April 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18783-18784]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-9184]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

27 CFR Chapter I

[Notice No. 809; 95R-007T]


Review of Existing Regulations

AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Department of 
the Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is 
soliciting public comment as to which, 

[[Page 18784]]
if any, of the regulations and programs which ATF administers may be 
improved or eliminated. This request is being made to assist ATF in 
implementing the President's February 21, 1995, regulatory reform 
initiative.

DATES: Comments for inclusion in the first report to the President must 
be received on or before April 28, 1995. However, this review is an 
ongoing process and comments received after the due date will be 
considered.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Deputy Associate Director, 
Regulatory Enforcement Programs; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and 
Firearms; P.O. Box 50221, Washington, DC 20091-0221; Attn: Notice No. 
809.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marjorie D. Ruhf, Regulatory 
Enforcement, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 650 Massachusetts 
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20226 (202-927-8230).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On February 21, 1995, President Clinton announced a regulatory 
reform initiative. This initiative included instructions to each agency 
to:
    (a) Conduct a page-by-page review of all regulations to identify 
those which are obsolete or burdensome and those whose goals could be 
better achieved through the private sector, self-regulation or state 
and local governments. This review will include cleanup of old rules, 
rules that focus on describing organizations and procedures and rules 
that simply repeat statutory language. Second, the review will resolve 
any conflicts or overlaps which are found with rules of other agencies. 
Finally, the review will focus on ways of clarifying or streamlining 
remaining regulations.
    (b) Review the statutes underlying agency regulations and programs 
and make recommendations for any necessary changes.
    (c) Review agency policy and administrative decisions from this new 
perspective.
    In cases where the agency's review discloses statutes, regulations 
or programs which should be revised or eliminated, the agency will, as 
soon as possible, suggest changes to the statutes or propose 
administrative changes to its regulations and programs.
    The President also called on agencies to form partnerships with 
people affected by regulations to insure that reform is guided by 
reality. ATF plans to send representatives to scheduled industry events 
in the next few months to advance these ideas.
    To further involve the public and regulated industries in this 
effort, ATF is also soliciting comments through this notice. The Bureau 
requests that comments be as specific as possible. If the person 
submitting a comment can cite a specific section of law or regulations, 
that information will help ATF to organize and analyze the responses. 
If the cite is not available, at least name the commodity (for 
instance, wine, cigarettes, ammunition, fireworks) and the activity 
(producing, labeling, importing) which the comment addresses. We 
encourage persons who wish to comment to start the process with outline 
suggestions within the 15-day comment period, with the understanding 
that more detailed proposals may be submitted later. Most changes which 
come about as a result of this initiative will be issued as proposed 
rules, so further opportunity to comment on specific changes will be 
afforded to interested persons.

    ATF will not recognize any submitted material as confidential and 
comments may be disclosed to the public. Any material which the person 
commenting considers to be confidential or inappropriate for disclosure 
to the public should not be included in the comments. The name of the 
person submitting a comment is not exempt from disclosure.

    Comments may be submitted by facsimile transmission (FAX) to (202) 
927-8602, provided the comments: (1) are legible, (2) are 81/2'' x 11'' 
in size, (3) contain a written signature, and (4) are five pages or 
less in length. This limitation is necessary to assure reasonable 
access to the equipment. Comments sent by FAX in excess of five pages 
will not be accepted. Receipt of FAX transmittals will not be 
acknowledged. Facsimile transmitted comments will be treated as 
originals.

    Drafting Information. The author of this document is Marjorie D. 
Ruhf, Wine, Beer & Spirits Regulations Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, 
Tobacco and Firearms.

    Authority: This notice is issued under the authority in 5 U.S.C. 
301, 18 U.S.C. 847 and 926, 22 U.S.C. 2778, 26 U.S.C. 7805, and 27 
U.S.C. 205 and 215.

    Approved: April 10, 1995.
Richard J. Watkins,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 95-9184 Filed 4-12-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4810-31-U