[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 50 (Thursday, March 15, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 12166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-4707]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

 International Trade Administration


Implementation of Tariff Rate Quota Established Under Title V of 
the Trade and Development Act of 2000 as Amended by the Trade Act of 
2002, the Miscellaneous Trade Act of 2004, and the Pension Protection 
Act of 2006, for Imports of Certain Worsted Wool; Proposed Collection 
Extension; Comment Request

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the 
continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 35068 (2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 14, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th & 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 or via the Internet at 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to: Sergio Botero, Trade Development, Room 3119, 14th & 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; Phone number: (202) 
482-4058 and fax number: (202) 482-0667.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Title V of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 (``the Act'') as 
amended by the Trade Act of 2002, the Miscellaneous Trade Act of 2004, 
and the Pension Protection Act of 2006 contains several provisions to 
assist the wool products industries. These include the establishment of 
tariff rate quotas (TRQ) for a limited quantity of worsted wool 
fabrics. The Act requires the President to fairly allocate the TRQ to 
persons who cut and sew men's and boys' worsted wool suits and suit 
like jackets and trousers in the United States, and who apply for an 
allocation based on the amount of suits they produce in the prior year. 
The Act specifies factors to be addressed in considering such requests. 
The TRQ was originally effective for goods entered or withdrawn from 
warehouse for consumption, on or after January 1, 2001, and was to 
remain in force through 2003. On August 6, 2002, President Bush signed 
into law the Trade Act of 2002, which includes several amendments to 
Title V of the Act including the extension of the program through 2005. 
On December 3, 2004, the Act was further amended pursuant to the 
Miscellaneous Trade Act of 2004, Public Law 108-429, by increasing the 
TRQ for worsted wool fabric with average fiber diameters greater than 
18.5 microns, HTS 9902.51.11, to an annual total level of 5.5 million 
square meters, and extending it through 2007, and increasing the TRQ 
for average fiber diameters of 18.5 microns or less, HTS 9902.51.15 
(previously 9902.51.12), to an annual total level of 5 million square 
meters and extending it through 2006. On August 17, 2006, the Act was 
further amended pursuant to the Pension Protection Act of 2006, Public 
Law 109-280, which extended both TRQs, 9902.51.11 and 9902.51.15, 
through 2009. A TRQ allocation will be valid only in the year for which 
it is issued.
    On December 1, 2000, the President issued Proclamation 7383 that, 
among other things, delegates authority to the Secretary of Commerce to 
allocate the TRQ and to issue regulations to implement these 
provisions. On January 22, 2001, the Department of Commerce published 
regulations establishing procedures for allocation of the tariff rate 
quotas (66 FR 6459, 15 CFR part 335). These interim regulations were 
adopted, without change, as a final rule published on October 24, 2005 
(70 FR 61363). The Department must collect certain information in order 
to fairly allocate the TRQ to eligible persons.

II. Method of Collection

    The information collection forms will be provided via the Internet 
and by mail to requesting firms.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0625-0240.
    Form Number: ITA-4139, and ITA-4140P.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 20.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 1-3 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 160 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Costs: $47,400.
    The estimated annual cost for this collection is $47,400 ($5,400 
for respondents and $42,000 for Federal Government).

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and costs) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or forms of information technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: March 9, 2007.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E7-4707 Filed 3-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P