[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 22, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62880-62881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-25167]



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

15 CFR Part 303

[Docket No. 080716841-81292-02]
RIN 0625-AA80


Changes in the Insular Possessions Watch, Watch Movement and 
Jewelry Programs 2008

AGENCIES: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce; Office of Insular Affairs, Department of the 
Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Departments of Commerce and the Interior (the Departments) 
amend their regulations governing watch duty-exemption allocations and 
watch and jewelry duty-refund benefits for producers in the United 
States insular possessions (the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American 
Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). The rule 
amends the regulations by updating the formula that is used to 
calculate the combined amount of individual and family health and life 
insurance per year that is creditable towards the duty refund benefit.

DATES: This rule is effective November 21, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Address written comments to Faye Robinson, Director, 
Statutory Import Programs Staff, Room 2104, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 14th and Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Faye Robinson, (202) 482-3526, same 
address as above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Departments issue this rule to amend 
their regulations governing watch duty-exemption allocations and watch 
and jewelry duty-refund benefits for producers in the United States 
insular possessions (the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and 
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). The background 
information and purpose of this rule is found in the preamble to the 
proposed rule (73 FR 49371, August 21, 2008) and is not repeated here.

Amendments

    The Departments amend Sec. 303.2(a)(13)(ii), 
Sec. 303.2(a)(13)(ii)(A),

[[Page 62881]]

Sec. 303.2(a)(14)(ii), Sec. 303.2(a)(14)(ii)(A), Sec. 303.16(a)(9)(ii), 
Sec. 303.16(a)(9)(ii)(A), Sec. 303.16(a)(10)(ii), and 
Sec. 303.2(a)(10)(ii)(A) by increasing the percentage used to calculate 
the combined amount of individual and family health and life insurance 
per year that is creditable towards the duty refund benefit for watch 
and jewelry producers. Under the rule, the combined creditable amount 
of individual health and life insurance per year may not exceed 130 
percent of the ``weighted average'' yearly individual federal employee 
health insurance, and the combined creditable amount of family health 
and life insurance per year may not exceed 150 percent of the 
``weighted average'' yearly family federal employee health insurance.
    The Departments received no comments in response to the proposed 
rule and request for comments. As a result, the Departments are 
adopting the proposed regulations without change.

Administrative Law Requirements

    Regulatory Flexibility Act. In accordance with the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., the Chief Counsel for Regulation 
at the Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for 
Advocacy, Small Business Administration, at the proposed rule stage, 
that this rule would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. The factual basis for this 
certification was published in the proposed rule and is not repeated 
here. No comments were received on the certification or on the economic 
effects of the rule more generally.
    Paperwork Reduction Act. This rulemaking does not contain revised 
collection of information requirements subject to review and approval 
by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995. Collection activities are currently approved by 
the Office of Management and Budget under control numbers 0625-0040 and 
0625-0134.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information unless it 
displays a currently valid OMB control number.
    E.O. 12866. It has been determined that this rulemaking is not 
significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.

List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 303

    Administrative practice and procedure, American Samoa, Customs 
duties and inspection, Guam, Imports, Marketing quotas, Northern 
Mariana Islands, Reporting and record keeping requirements, Virgin 
Islands, Watches and jewelry.

0
For reasons set forth above, the Departments amend 15 CFR Part 303 as 
follows:

PART 303--WATCHES, WATCH MOVEMENTS AND JEWELRY PROGRAMS

0
1. The authority citation for 15 CFR Part 303 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: Pub. L. 97-446, 96 Stat. 2331 (19 U.S.C. 1202, note); 
Pub. L. 103-465, 108 Stat. 4991; Pub. L. 94-241, 90 Stat. 263 (48 
U.S.C. 1681, note); Pub. L. 106-36, 113 Stat.167; Pub. L. 108-429, 
118 Stat. 2582.


Sec.  303.2  [Amended]

0
2. Section 303.2 is amended as follows:
0
A. Remove ``100'' from the first sentence in paragraph (a)(13)(ii) 
introductory text and add ``130'' in its place.
0
B. Remove ``120'' from the first sentence in paragraph (a)(13)(ii)(A) 
and add ``150'' in its place.
0
C. Remove ``100'' from the first sentence in paragraph (a)(14)(ii) 
introductory text and add ``130'' in its place.
0
D. Remove ``120'' from the first sentence in paragraph (a)(14)(ii)(A) 
and add ``150'' in its place.


Sec.  303.16  [Amended]

0
3. Section 303.16 is amended as follows:
0
A. Remove ``100'' from the first sentence in paragraph (a)(9)(ii) 
introductory text and add ``130'' in its place.
0
B. Remove ``120'' from the first sentence in paragraph (a)(9)(ii)(A) 
and add ``150'' in its place.
0
C. Remove ``100'' from the first sentence in paragraph (a)(10)(ii) 
introductory text and add ``130'' in its place.
0
D. Remove ``120'' from the first sentence in paragraph (a)(10)(ii)(A) 
and add ``150'' in its place.

    Dated: October 16, 2008.
David Spooner,
Assistant Secretary for Import Administration, Department of Commerce.

    Dated: October 16, 2008.
Joseph McDermott,
Acting Director, Office of Insular Affairs, Department of the Interior.
[FR Doc. E8-25167 Filed 10-21-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S