[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 88 (Friday, May 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24658-24659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-11485]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Collection of Fees at United States Ports Designated To Conduct 
Rodent Infestation Inspections and Issue Deratting and Deratting 
Exemption Certificates

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of 
Health and Human Services (DHHS).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is 
adopting a requirement for collection of user fees for conducting 
rodent infestation inspection of ships, and issuing Deratting and 
Deratting Exemption Certificates. While the United States does not 
require these certificates for ships to enter its seaports, the United 
States conducts inspections and issues certificates in accordance with 
42 CFR 71.46 and Article 17 of the International Health Regulations.

DATES: Effective date is June 6, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James E. Barrow, Chief, Program 
Operations Branch, Division of Quarantine, National Center for 
Infectious Diseases, CDC, Mailstop E-03, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, 
telephone: (404) 639-8107, fax (404) 639-2599, e-mail: [email protected].

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 264-271, 42 CFR 71.46, IHR Articles 17 and 
53.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to charge fees for rodent 
infestation inspections of ships, and issuance of Deratting and 
Deratting Exemption Certificates, where these services are provided 
directly by employees or vendors of the CDC was published in the 
Federal Register on November 24, 1998 (63 FR 64967).

Comments Received

    Interested parties were afforded an opportunity to comment on the 
proposal. One media inquiry and no comments were received during the 
comment period.

Conclusion

    CDC has determined that in the interest of defraying the cost of 
inspection and certificate issuance, user fees will be implemented for 
rodent infestation of ships, and issuance of Deratting and Deratting 
Exemption Certificates. Rodent infestation inspections for ships will 
be conducted at 11 major ports upon request, including: Baltimore, 
Maryland; Honolulu, Hawaii; Houston, Texas; Jacksonville, Florida; Los 
Angeles, California; Miami, Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana; New York, 
New York; San Francisco, California; Savannah, Georgia; and Seattle, 
Washington.

Cost Impact

    The United States does not require a Rodent Infestation Inspection, 
or a Deratting or Deratting Exemption Certificate, for ships to enter 
its seaports. Article 17 of the International Health Regulations, 
published by the World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, 
requires that each Health Administration provide these services, and 
Article 82 outlines the criteria for charging fees. 42 CFR 71.46 
authorizes the performance of these services by the Public Health 
Service as carried out by CDC. CDC has for many years offered these 
services at no cost to the owners or agents of ships requesting them. 
These user fees will, in a manner consistent with most other countries, 
pass the cost of conducting these services along as a charge to those 
receiving and benefitting from the inspections and certificates.

Regulatory Impact

    The requirements adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
action does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    This action (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) will not have a significant economic impact, 
positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under 
the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act; and (3) does not impose 
additional costs upon any State or local government as a result of a 
mandate imposed upon them as a government agency, as described in the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

Collection of Information

    This final rule contains no new collection-of-information 
requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.).

User Fee Administration

    1. Effective June 6, 1999, user fees will be collected for all 
rodent infestation inspections of ships, and the associated issuance of 
Deratting and Deratting Exemption Certificates, by CDC and its vendors.
    2. Rodent infestation inspections for ships will be conducted at 11 
ports upon request, including: Baltimore, Maryland; Honolulu, Hawaii; 
Houston, Texas; Jacksonville, Florida; Los Angeles, California; Miami, 
Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana; New York, New York; San Francisco, 
California; Savannah, Georgia; and Seattle, Washington.
    3. Costs are determined by taking into consideration such items as 
salaries, benefits, vendor services, printing, supplies, and agency 
overhead. The charge for the first full year during which fees for 
rodent infestation inspections and issuance of Deratting and Deratting 
Exemption Certificates are assessed is $150 for each inspection 
conducted. Shipping companies will be provided by mail instructions for 
submitting fees. The fees will be due at the address specified in the 
bill, not later than 30 days following the inspection. Arrangements may 
also be made to prepay user fees and draw against those prepayments.


[[Page 24659]]


    Dated: May 3, 1999.
Joseph R. Carter,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operation, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 99-11485 Filed 5-6-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P