[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 148 (Monday, August 3, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45864-45865]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17213]


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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

14 CFR Part 1217

[Docket No. NASA-2015-0006]
RIN 2700-AD99


Duty Free Entry of Space Articles

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

ACTION:  Direct final rule.

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SUMMARY:  This direct final rule makes non-substantive changes to 
correct citations and office titles. The revisions to this rule are 
part of NASA's retrospective plan completed in August 2011 under 
Executive Order (EO) 13563.

DATES: This direct final rule is effective on October 2, 2015. Comments 
due on or before September 2, 2015. If adverse comments are received, 
NASA will publish a timely withdrawal of the rule in the Federal 
Register.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be identified with RIN 2700-AD99 and may be 
sent to NASA via the Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments. Please note that NASA will post all comments on the Internet 
with changes, including any personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Salvas, 202-358-2330.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Direct Final Rule Adverse Comments

    NASA has determined this rulemaking meets the criteria for a direct 
final rule because it involves non-substantive changes to correct 
citations and office titles in 14 CFR part 1217. No opposition to the 
changes and no significant adverse comments are expected. However, if 
the Agency receives a significant adverse comment, it will withdraw 
this direct final rule by publishing a notice in the Federal Register. 
A significant adverse comment is one that explains: (1) Why the direct 
final rule is inappropriate, including challenges to the rule's 
underlying premise or approach; or (2) why the direct final rule will 
be ineffective or unacceptable without a change. In determining whether 
a comment necessitates withdrawal of this direct final rule, NASA will 
consider whether it warrants a substantive response in a notice and 
comment process.

Background

    Part 1217 was last amended February 12, 1997, [62 FR 6467] to 
extend and expand NASA's authority with respect to duty-free imports of 
articles for use by NASA and for the implementation of its 
international programs, as prescribed by Presidential Proclamation 6780 
issued March 23, 1995 [60 FR 15845]. The Part is being amended to 
correct citations and office titles. The revisions to this rule are 
part of NASA's retrospective plan completed in August 2011 under 
Executive Order (EO) 13563. NASA's full plan can be accessed on the 
Agency's open Government Web site at http://www.nasa.gov/feature/compliance-and-other-documents.

Statutory Authority

    The National Aeronautics and Space Act (the Space Act), 51 U.S.C. 
20113(a), authorizes the Administrator of NASA to make, promulgate, 
issue, rescind, and amend rules and regulations governing the manner of 
its operations and the exercise of the powers vested in it by law.

Regulatory Analysis

Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive 
Order 13563, Improvement Regulation and Regulation Review

    Executive Orders 13563 and 12866 direct agencies to assess all 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). EO 13563 
emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits of 
reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility. This rule 
has been designated as ``not significant'' under section 3(f) of EO 
12866.

Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires an 
agency to prepare an initial regulatory flexibility analysis to be 
published at the time the proposed rule is published. This requirement 
does not apply if the agency ``certifies that the rule will not, if 
promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a substantial number 
of small entities'' (5 U.S.C. 603).

[[Page 45865]]

This rule revises subpart 1 to correct citations and office titles.

Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act

    This direct final rule does not contain any information collection 
requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.).

Review Under EO 13132

    EO 13132, ``Federalism,'' 64 FR 43255 (August 4, 1999) requires 
regulations be reviewed for Federalism effects on the institutional 
interest of states and local governments, and if the effects are 
sufficiently substantial, preparation of the Federal assessment is 
required to assist senior policy makers. The amendments will not have 
any substantial direct effects on state and local governments within 
the meaning of the EO. Therefore, no Federalism assessment is required.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 1217:

    Custom duties and inspection, space transportation and exploration.

    Accordingly, under the authority of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Act, as amended, NASA amends 14 CFR part 1217 as follows:

PART 1217--DUTY-FREE ENTRY OF SPACE ARTICLES

0
1. The authority citation for part 1217 is revised as follows:

    Authority:  51 U.S.C. 20113; Proclamation No. 6780 of March 23, 
1995, 60 FR 15845.


0
2. In 1217.103, revise paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1217.103  Authority to certify.

    (a)* * *
    (1) The NASA Assistant Administrator for Procurement is authorized 
to issue the certification for articles imported into the United States 
which are procured by NASA or by other U.S. Government agencies, or by 
U.S. Government contractors or subcontractors when title to the 
articles is or will be vested in the U.S. Government pursuant to the 
terms of the contract or subcontract. Requests for certification should 
be sent to: Office of Procurement, Attn: Director, Contract and Grant 
Policy Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 
Washington, DC 20546.
    (2) The NASA Associate Administrator for International and 
Interagency Relations is authorized to issue the certification for 
articles imported into the United States pursuant to international 
agreements. Requests for certification should be sent to: Office of 
International and Interagency Relations, Attn: Director, Export Control 
and Interagency Liaison Division, National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, Washington, DC 20546.
    (3) The NASA Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and 
Operations is authorized to issue the certification for articles 
imported into the United States by persons or entities under agreements 
other than those identified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this 
section, including launch services agreements. Requests for 
certification should be sent to: Human Exploration and Operations 
Mission Directorate, Attn: Director, International Space Station 
Office, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 
20546.
* * * * *

Cheryl E. Parker,
NASA Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-17213 Filed 7-31-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7510-13-P