[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 179 (Thursday, September 16, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 50265]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24159]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 179 / Thursday, September 16, 1999 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 50265]]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

27 CFR Parts 4 and 24

[Notice No. 868]
RIN 1512-AB78


Implementation of Public Law 105-34, Section 1417, Related to the 
Use of Additional Ameliorating Material in Certain Wines (98R-89P)

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking cross-referenced to temporary 
regulations.

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SUMMARY: In the Rules and Regulations portion of this Federal Register, 
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is issuing temporary 
regulations to implement section 1417 of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 
1997. The new law made changes in the use of additional ameliorating 
material in certain wines. The wine regulations are amended to extend 
the amelioration and sweetening limitations so that wines made 
exclusively from any fruit (excluding grapes) or berry with a fixed 
acid content of 20 or more parts per thousand is entitled to a volume 
of up to 60 percent ameliorating material.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before December 15, 
1999.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Chief, Regulations Division, 
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, P.O. Box 50221, Washington, DC 
20091-0221, Attention: Notice Number 868.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas B. Busey, Regulations Division, 
650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226; (202) 927-8204.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

    It has been determined that this proposed rule is not a significant 
regulatory action as defined by Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a 
regulatory assessment is not required.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Because this proposed rule does not impose a collection of 
information requirement on small entities, the provisions of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601) do not apply. Moreover, the 
revenue effects of this rulemaking on small businesses flow directly 
from the underlying statute. Likewise, any secondary or incidental 
effects, or other compliance burdens flow directly from the statute. 
Pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 7805(f), this proposed regulation will be 
submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration for comment on its impact on small business.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3507) and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 1320, do not apply 
to this notice of proposed rulemaking because no new requirement to 
collect information is proposed.

Public Participation

    ATF requests comments on the temporary regulations from all 
interested persons. Comments received on or before the closing date 
will be carefully considered. Comments received after that date will be 
given the same consideration if it is practicable to do so, but 
assurance of consideration cannot be given except as to comments 
received on or before the closing date.
    Comments may be submitted by facsimile transmission (FAX) to (202) 
927-8602, provided the comments: (1) are legible, (2) are 8 \1/2\'' x 
11'' in size, (3) contain a written signature, and (4) are three pages 
or less in length. This limitation is necessary to assure reasonable 
access to the equipment. Comments sent by FAX in excess of three pages 
will not be accepted. Receipt of FAX transmittals will not be 
acknowledged. Facsimile transmitted comments will be treated as 
originals.
    ATF will not recognize any material in comments as confidential. 
Comments may be disclosed to the public. Any material which the 
commenter considers to be confidential or inappropriate for disclosure 
to the public should not be included in the comment. The name of the 
person submitting the comment is not exempt from disclosure. During the 
comment period, any person may request an opportunity to present oral 
testimony at a public hearing. However, the Director reserves the 
right, in light of all circumstances, to determine if a public hearing 
is necessary.
    The temporary regulations in this issue of the Federal Register 
amend the regulations in 27 CFR parts 4 and 24. For the text of the 
temporary regulations see T.D. ATF-403, published in the Rules and 
Regulations section of this issue of the Federal Register.

Drafting Information

    The principal author of this document is Thomas B. Busey, 
Regulations Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

    Signed: July 22, 1999.
John W. Magaw,
Director.

    Approved: August 13, 1999.
John P. Simpson,
Deputy Assistant Secretary (Regulatory, Tariff and Trade Enforcement).
[FR Doc. 99-24159 Filed 9-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-P