[The Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions]
[Department of Homeland Security Semiannual Regulatory Agenda]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]


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Part VII





Department of Homeland Security





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

[[Page 64448]]



DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)






_______________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Office of the Secretary

6 CFR Chs. I and II

[DHS Docket No. OGC-RP-04-001]

Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DHS.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

_______________________________________________________________________

SUMMARY: This regulatory agenda is a semiannual summary of all current 
and projected rulemakings, existing regulations, and completed actions 
of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its components. This 
agenda provides the public with information about DHS's regulatory 
activity. DHS expects that this information will enable the public to 
be more aware of, and effectively participate in, the Department's 
regulatory activity. DHS invites the public to submit comments on any 
aspect of this agenda.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

General

    Please direct general comments and inquiries on the agenda to 
the Regulatory Affairs Division, Office of the General Counsel, 
Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528.

Specific

    Please direct specific comments and inquiries on individual 
regulatory actions identified in this agenda to the individual 
listed in the summary of the regulation as the point of contact for 
that regulation.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

    DHS provides this notice pursuant to the requirements of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (Pub. L. 96-354, September 19, 1980) and 
Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review'' 
(September 30, 1993), which require the Department to publish a 
semiannual agenda of regulations. The regulatory agenda is a 
summary of all current and projected rulemakings, as well as 
actions completed since the publication of the last regulatory 
agenda for the Department.

    DHS's last semiannual regulatory agenda was published on May 
11, 2009, at 74 FR 21944.

    Beginning in fall 2007, the Internet became the basic means for 
disseminating the Unified Agenda. The complete Unified Agenda will 
be available online at www.reginfo.gov.

    As part of the Unified Agenda, federal agencies are also 
required to prepare a Regulatory Plan of the most important 
significant regulatory actions that the agency reasonably expects 
to issue in proposed or final form in that fiscal year. As in past 
years, for fall editions of the Unified Agenda, the entire 
regulatory plan, including DHS's regulatory plan, is printed in the 
Federal Register.

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 602) requires federal 
agencies to publish their regulatory flexibility agenda in the 
Federal Register. A regulatory flexibility agenda shall contain, 
among other things, ``a brief description of the subject area of 
any rule . . . which is likely to have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities.'' DHS's printed 
agenda entries include regulatory actions that are in the 
Department's regulatory flexibility agenda. Printing of these 
entries is limited to fields that contain information required by 
the agenda provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Additional 
information on these entries is available in the Unified Agenda 
published on the Internet.

    The semiannual agenda of the Department conforms to the Unified 
Agenda format developed by the Regulatory Information Service 
Center.

Dated: October 9, 2009.

 Christina E. McDonald,

Deputy Associate General Counsel for Regulatory Affairs.

                         U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
375         Registration Requirements for Employment-Based Categories Subject to Numerical            1615-AB71
            Limitations (Reg Plan Seq No. 59).....................................................
376         Adjustment of the Immigration and Naturalization Benefit Application and Petition Fee     1615-AB80
            Schedule..............................................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.


                           U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
377         Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Transitional Nonimmigrant Investor           1615-AB75
            Classification (Reg Plan Seq No. 63)..................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.


[[Page 64449]]


                                      U.S. Coast Guard--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
378         Claims Procedures Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (USCG-2004-17697)...............    1625-AA03
379         Standards for Living Organisms in Ships' Ballast Water Discharged in U.S. Waters (USCG-   1625-AA32
            2001-10486) (Reg Plan Seq No. 66).....................................................
380         Commercial Fishing Industry Vessels (USCG-2003-16158).................................    1625-AA77
381         Inspection of Towing Vessels (USCG-2006-24412) (Reg Plan Seq No. 67)..................    1625-AB06
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.


                                       U.S. Coast Guard--Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
382         Numbering of Undocumented Barges (USCG-1998-3798).....................................    1625-AA14
383         Passenger Weight and Inspected Vessel Stability Requirements (USCG-2007-0030).........    1625-AB20
384         Great Lakes Pilotage Rates--2010 Annual Review and Adjustment (Section 610 Review)....    1625-AB39
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                              U.S. Customs and Border Protection--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
385         Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements (Reg Plan Seq No. 69)....    1651-AA70
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.


                           Transportation Security Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
386         Aircraft Repair Station Security (Reg Plan Seq No. 72)................................    1652-AA38
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.


                            Transportation Security Administration--Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
387         Modification of the Aviation Security Infrastructure Fee (ASIF) (Market Share)........    1652-AA43
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                            Federal Emergency Management Agency--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
388         Update of FEMA's Public Assistance Regulations (Reg Plan Seq No. 84)..................    1660-AA51
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.


[[Page 64450]]

_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Homeland Security (DHS)               Proposed Rule Stage


U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)



_______________________________________________________________________




375. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED CATEGORIES SUBJECT 
TO NUMERICAL LIMITATIONS

 Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 59 in part II of this issue of 
the Federal Register.

RIN: 1615-AB71
_______________________________________________________________________




376. ADJUSTMENT OF THE IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION BENEFIT 
APPLICATION AND PETITION FEE SCHEDULE

Legal Authority: 8 USC 1356(m)

Abstract: This rule will adjust the fee schedule for U.S. Citizenship 
and Immigration Services (USCIS) immigration and naturalization benefit 
applications and petitions, including nonimmigrant applications and 
visa petitions. These fees fund the cost of processing applications and 
petitions for immigration benefits and services, and USCIS' associated 
operating costs. USCIS is revising these fees because the current fee 
schedule does not adequately recover the full costs of services 
provided by USCIS. Without an adjustment of the fee schedule, USCIS 
cannot provide adequate capacity to process all applications and 
petitions in a timely and efficient manner. The fee review is 
undertaken pursuant to the requirements of the Chief Financial Officers 
Act of 1990 (CFO Act), 31 U.S.C. 901-03. The CFO Act requires each 
agency's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to ``review, on a biennial 
basis, the fees, royalties, rents, and other charges imposed by the 
agency for services and things of value it provides, and make 
recommendations on revising those charges to reflect costs incurred by 
it in providing those services and things of value.`` Id. at 902(a)(8). 
This rule will reflect recommendations made by the DHS CFO and USCIS 
CFO, as required under the CFO Act.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            05/00/10
NPRM Comment Period End         07/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Rendell Jones, Chief Financial Officer, Department of 
Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 20 
Massachusetts Avenue NW., Suite 4018, Washington, DC 20259
Phone: 202 272-1969
Fax: 202 272-1970
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1615-AB80
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Homeland Security (DHS)                  Final Rule Stage


U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)



_______________________________________________________________________




377. COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS TRANSITIONAL 
NONIMMIGRANT INVESTOR CLASSIFICATION

 Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 63 in part II of this issue of 
the Federal Register.

RIN: 1615-AB75
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Homeland Security (DHS)               Proposed Rule Stage


U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)



_______________________________________________________________________




378. CLAIMS PROCEDURES UNDER THE OIL POLLUTION ACT OF 1990 (USCG-2004-
17697)

Legal Authority: 33 USC 2713 and 2714

Abstract: This rulemaking implements section 1013 (Claims Procedures) 
and section 1014 (Designation of Source and Advertisement) of the Oil 
Pollution Act of 1990. An interim rule was published in 1992, and 
provides the basic requirements for the filing of claims for 
uncompensated removal costs or damages resulting from the discharge of 
oil, for the designation of the sources of the discharge, and for the 
advertisement of where claims are to be filed. The interim rule also 
includes the processing of natural resource damage (NRD) claims. The 
NRD claims, however, were not processed until September 25, 1997, when 
the Department of Justice issued an opinion that the Oil Spill 
Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF) is available without further appropriation 
to pay trustee NRD claims under the general claims provisions of the 
Oil Pollution Act (OPA) of 1990, 33 U.S.C. 2712(a)(4). Release of this 
more comprehensive notice of proposed rulemaking has been delayed while 
the Coast Guard gained experience on NRD claims, as well as other OPA 
damages. This rulemaking supports the Coast Guard's broad role and 
responsibility of maritime stewardship.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              08/12/92                    57 FR 36314
Correction                      09/09/92                    57 FR 41104
Interim Final Rule Comment 
Period End                      12/10/92
Supplemental NPRM               10/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Benjamin White, Project Manager, National Pollution 
Funds Center, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, NPFC 
MS 7100, United States Coast Guard, 4200 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, 
VA 20598-7100
Phone: 202 493-6863

[[Page 64451]]

Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1625-AA03
_______________________________________________________________________




379. STANDARDS FOR LIVING ORGANISMS IN SHIPS' BALLAST WATER DISCHARGED 
IN U.S. WATERS (USCG-2001-10486)

 Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 66 in part II of this issue of 
the Federal Register.

RIN: 1625-AA32
_______________________________________________________________________




380. COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY VESSELS (USCG-2003-16158)

Legal Authority: 46 USC 4502(a) to 4502(d); 46 USC 4505 and 4506; 46 
USC 6104; 46 USC 10603; DHS Delegation No. 0170.1(92)

Abstract: This rulemaking would amend commercial fishing industry 
vessel requirements to enhance maritime safety. The proposed changes 
would affect vessel stability and watertight integrity, carriage of 
immersion suits, training, compliance documentation, and safety 
equipment.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           03/31/08                    73 FR 16815
ANPRM Comment Period End        12/15/08
NPRM                            06/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Jack Kemerer, Project Manager, CG-5433, Department of 
Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 Second Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20593
Phone: 202 372-1249
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1625-AA77
_______________________________________________________________________




381. INSPECTION OF TOWING VESSELS (USCG-2006-24412)

 Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 67 in part II of this issue of 
the Federal Register.

RIN: 1625-AB06
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Homeland Security (DHS)                 Long-Term Actions


U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)



_______________________________________________________________________




382. NUMBERING OF UNDOCUMENTED BARGES (USCG-1998-3798)

Legal Authority: 46 USC 12301

Abstract: Title 46 U.S.C. 12301, as amended by the Abandoned Barge Act 
of 1992, requires that all undocumented barges of more than 100 gross 
tons operating on the navigable waters of the United States be 
numbered. This rulemaking would establish a numbering system for these 
barges. The numbering of undocumented barges will allow identification 
of owners of barges found abandoned and help prevent future marine 
pollution. This rulemaking supports the Coast Guard's broad role and 
responsibility of maritime stewardship.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Request for Comments            10/18/94                    59 FR 52646
Comment Period End              01/17/95
ANPRM                           07/06/98                    63 FR 36384
ANPRM Comment Period End        11/03/98
NPRM                            01/11/01                     66 FR 2385
NPRM Comment Period End         04/11/01
NPRM Reopening of Comment Period08/12/04                    69 FR 49844
NPRM Comment Period End         11/10/04


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Patricia Williams, Project Manager, National Vessel 
Documentation Center, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast 
Guard, 792 T.J. Jackson Drive, Falling Waters, WV 25419
Phone: 304 271-2506

RIN: 1625-AA14
_______________________________________________________________________




383. PASSENGER WEIGHT AND INSPECTED VESSEL STABILITY REQUIREMENTS (USCG-
2007-0030)

Legal Authority: 33 USC 1321(j); 43 USC 1333; 46 USC 2103, 2113, 3205, 
3301, 3306, 3307, 3703, 5115, 6101; 49 USC App 1804; EO 11735; EO 
12234; Dept of Homeland Security Delegation No 0170.1; PL 103-206, 107 
Stat 2439; 49 USC App 1804; EO 11735

Abstract: The Coast Guard proposes developing a rule that addresses 
both the stability calculations and the environmental operating 
requirements for certain domestic passenger vessels. The proposed rule 
would address the outdated per-person weight averages that are 
currently used in stability calculations for certain domestic passenger 
vessels. In addition, the proposed rule would add environmental 
operating requirements for domestic passenger vessels that could be 
adversely affected by sudden inclement weather. This rulemaking would 
increase passenger safety by significantly reducing the risk of certain 
types of passenger vessels capsizing due to either passenger 
overloading or operating these vessels in hazardous weather conditions. 
This rulemaking would support the Coast Guard's broad role and 
responsibility of maritime safety.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            08/20/08                    73 FR 49244
NPRM Comment Period End         11/18/08
NPRM Comment Period Reopened    12/08/08                    73 FR 74426
Comment Period End              02/06/09
NPRM Comment Period Reopened    02/18/09                     74 FR 7576
Comment Period End              03/20/09
Final Action                     To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: William Peters, Program Manager, Office of Design and 
Engineering Standards, Systems Engineering Division (CG-5212), 
Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 Second Street 
SW., STOP 7126, Washington, DC 20593-7126
Phone: 202 372-1371
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1625-AB20
_______________________________________________________________________




384.  GREAT LAKES PILOTAGE RATES--2010 ANNUAL REVIEW 
AND ADJUSTMENT (SECTION 610 REVIEW)

Legal Authority: 46 USC 9303(f)

[[Page 64452]]

Abstract: The Coast Guard is proposing to update the rates for pilotage 
on the Great Lakes by 5.07 percent to generate sufficient revenue to 
cover allowable expenses, target pilot compensation, and returns on 
investment. The proposed update reflects an August 1, 2010, increase in 
benchmark contractual wages and benefits, as well as an increase in the 
ratio of pilots to ``bridge hours.'' This rulemaking promotes the Coast 
Guard strategic goal of maritime safety.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            10/30/09                    74 FR 56153
NPRM Comment Period End         11/30/09


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Agency Contact: Paul Wasserman, Director, Great Lakes Pilotage (CG-
54122), Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 Second 
Street SW., STOP 7581, Washington, DC 20593-7581
Phone: 202 372-1535
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1625-AB39
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Homeland Security (DHS)                  Final Rule Stage


U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP)



_______________________________________________________________________




385. IMPORTER SECURITY FILING AND ADDITIONAL CARRIER REQUIREMENTS

 Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 69 in part II of this issue of 
the Federal Register.

RIN: 1651-AA70
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Homeland Security (DHS)               Proposed Rule Stage


Transportation Security Administration (TSA)



_______________________________________________________________________




386. AIRCRAFT REPAIR STATION SECURITY

 Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 72 in part II of this issue of 
the Federal Register.

RIN: 1652-AA38
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Homeland Security (DHS)                 Long-Term Actions


Transportation Security Administration (TSA)



_______________________________________________________________________




387. MODIFICATION OF THE AVIATION SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE FEE (ASIF) 
(MARKET SHARE)

Legal Authority: 49 USC 44901; 49 USC 44940

Abstract: The Transportation Security Administration will revise the 
method for apportioning the Aviation Security Infrastructure Fee (ASIF) 
among air carriers. The ASIF is a fee imposed on air carriers and 
foreign air carriers to help pay the Government's costs of providing 
civil aviation security services.
Starting in fiscal year 2005, the Aviation and Transportation Security 
Act (ATSA) (Pub. L. 107-71; Nov. 19, 2001), codified at 49 U.S.C. 
44940, authorizes TSA to change the methodology for imposing the ASIF 
on air carriers and foreign air carriers from a system based on their 
2000 screening costs to a system based on market share or other 
appropriate measures.
On November 5, 2003, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 
published a notice requesting comment on possible changes in order to 
allow for open industry and public input. TSA sought comments on issues 
regarding how to impose the ASIF, and whether, when, and how often the 
ASIF should be adjusted. The comment period was extended on the notice 
for an additional 30 days, until February 5, 2004. TSA is considering a 
market share methodology for implementation.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Notice; Requesting Comment- 
Imposition of the Aviation 
Security Infrastructure Fee 
(ASIF)                          11/05/03                    68 FR 62613
Notice--Imposition of ASIF; 
Comment Period End              01/05/04
Notice--Imposition of ASIF; 
Comment Period Extended         12/31/03                    68 FR 75611
Notice--Imposition of ASIF; 
Extended Comment Period End     02/05/04


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

[[Page 64453]]

Agency Contact: Michael Gambone, Deputy Director, Office of Revenue, 
Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security 
Administration, Office of Finance and Administration, TSA-14, HQ, W12-
319, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 20598-6014
Phone: 571 227-1081
Fax: 571 227-2904
Email: [email protected]

Nicholas (Nick) Acheson, Sr. Economist, Regulatory Development and 
Economic Analysis, Department of Homeland Security, Transportation 
Security Administration, Office of Transportation Sector Network 
Management, TSA-28, HQ, E10-410N, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 
20598-6028
Phone: 571 227-5474
Fax: 571 227-1362
Email: [email protected]

Linda L. Kent, Assistant Chief Counsel, Regulations and Security 
Standards Division, Department of Homeland Security, Transportation 
Security Administration, Office of the Chief Counsel, TSA-2, HQ, E12-
126S, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 20598-6002
Phone: 571 227-2675
Fax: 571 227-1381
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1652-AA43
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Homeland Security (DHS)               Proposed Rule Stage


Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)



_______________________________________________________________________




388. UPDATE OF FEMA'S PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REGULATIONS

 Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 84 in part II of this issue of 
the Federal Register.

RIN: 1660-AA51
[FR Doc. E9-28603 Filed 12-04-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-9B-S