[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 242 (Thursday, December 17, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69543-69544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33430]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

10 CFR Part 1

RIN 3150-AG10


Transfer of Rulemaking Functions

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its 
regulations to reflect the transfer of the rulemaking functions and 
responsibilities from the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research to the 
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards and the Office of 
Nuclear Reactor Regulation. This final rule is necessary to inform the 
public of the transfer of rulemaking responsibilities within the NRC.

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 17, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alzonia Shepard, Rules and Directives 
Branch, Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555-0001, telephone (301) 415-6864, e-
mail:[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    In a Staff Requirements Memorandum dated September 16, 1997, the 
Commission directed that all rulemaking functions and responsibilities 
be transferred from the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research to the 
program offices. The transfer became effective on February 28, 1998. 
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is amending portions of its 
regulations to reflect the transfer of rulemaking functions and 
responsibilities.
    Because these amendments deal solely with the organization and 
transfer of duties, the notice and comment provisions of the 
Administrative Procedure Act do not apply under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A). 
These amendments are effective upon publication in the Federal 
Register. Good cause exists to dispense with the usual 30-day delay in 
the effective date, because these amendments are of a minor and 
administrative nature, dealing with the organization and relocation of 
agency personnel.

Environmental Impact: Categorical Exclusion

    The NRC has determined that this final rule is the type of action 
described in categorical exclusion 10 CFR 51.22(c)(2). Therefore, 
neither an environmental impact statement nor an environmental 
assessment has been prepared for this final rule.

Paperword Reduction Act Statement

    This final rule contains no information collection requirements 
and, therefore, is not subject to the requirements of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 1

    Organization and functions (Government agencies).

    For the reason set out in the preamble and under the authority of 
the Atomic

[[Page 69544]]

Energy Act of 1954, as amended, the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, 
as amended, and 5 U.S.C. 552 and 553, the NRC is adopting the following 
amendments to 10 CFR part 1.

PART 1--STATEMENT OF ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION

    1. The authority citation for Part 1 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 23, 161, 68 Stat. 925, 948, as amended (42 
U.S.C. 2033, 2201); sec. 29, Pub. L. 85-256, 71 Stat. 579, Pub. L. 
95-209, 91 Stat. 1483 (42 U.S.C. 2039); sec. 191, Pub. L. 87-615, 76 
Stat. 409 (42 U.S.C. 2241); secs. 201, 203, 204, 205, 209, 88 Stat. 
1242, 1244, 1245, 1246, 1248, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5841, 5843, 
5844, 5845, 5849); 5 U.S.C. 552, 553; Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 
1980, 45 FR 40561, June 16, 1980.

    2. In Sec. 1.42, paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(9) are redesignated 
as (b)(2) through (b)(10) and a new paragraph (b)(1) is added to read 
as follows:


Sec. 1.42  Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) Development and promulgation of regulations.
* * * * *
    3. In Sec. 1.43, the introductory text of paragraph (a) is revised 
to read as follows:


Sec. 1.43  Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.

* * * * *
    (a) Develops, promulgates and implements regulations and develops 
and implements policies, programs, and procedures for all aspects of 
licensing, inspection, and safeguarding of--
* * * * *


Sec. 1.45  [Amended]

    4. In Sec. 1.45, paragraph (b) is removed and paragraphs (c) and 
(d) are redesignated as paragraphs (b) and (c).

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 2nd day of December, 1998.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
William D. Travers,
Executive Director for Operations.
[FR Doc. 98-33430 Filed 12-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M