The Federal Register

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

Thu, Dec 13 2007 11:00:00 GMT

The OCC, Board, FDIC, OTS, NCUA, and FTC (Agencies) are publishing for comment proposed regulations and guidelines to implement the accuracy and integrity provisions in section 312 of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACT Act).\1\ The proposed regulations and guidelines would implement the requirement that the Agencies issue guidelines for use by furnishers regarding the accuracy and integrity of the information about consumers that they furnish to consumer reporting agencies and prescribe regulations requiring furnishers to establish reasonable policies and procedures for implementing the guidelines. The Agencies also are publishing for comment proposed regulations to implement the direct dispute provisions in section 312. The proposed regulations would implement the requirement that the Agencies issue regulations identifying the circumstances under which a furnisher must reinvestigate disputes about the accuracy of information contained in a consumer report based on a d

Reasonable Contract or Arrangement Under Section 408(b)(2)--Fee Disclosure

Thu, Dec 13 2007 11:00:00 GMT

This document contains a proposed regulation under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) that, upon adoption, would require that contracts and arrangements between employee benefit plans and certain providers of services to such plans include provisions that will ensure the disclosure of information to assist plan fiduciaries in assessing the reasonableness of the compensation or fees paid for services that are rendered to the plan and the potential for conflicts of interest that may affect a service provider's performance of services. The proposed regulation will redefine what constitutes a ``reasonable contract or arrangement'' for purposes of the statutory exemption from certain prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA. The regulation, upon adoption, will affect employee benefit plan sponsors and fiduciaries and the service providers to such plans.

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding on a Petition To List the Jollyville Plateau

Thu, Dec 13 2007 11:00:00 GMT

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12month finding on a petition to list the Jollyville Plateau salamander (Eurycea tonkawae) as endangered and to designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After review of all available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the Jollyville Plateau salamander as threatened or endangered is warranted. Currently, however, listing of the Jollyville Plateau salamander is precluded by higher priority actions to amend the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. Upon publication of this 12month petition finding, we will add Jollyville Plateau salamander to our candidate species list. We will develop a proposed rule to list this species as our priorities allow. We will make any determination on critical habitat during development of the proposed listing rule.

Empowerment Zones: Performance Standards for Utilization of Grant Funds

Thu, Dec 13 2007 11:00:00 GMT

This final rule establishes certain planning and performance standards for utilization of grant funds allocated to Empowerment Zones, including planning and performance standards for benefit levels and economic development activities. The standards are designed to ensure that activities undertaken with HUD Empowerment Zone grant funds are consistent with the strategic plans of the Empowerment Zones. This final rule follows publication of a proposed rule, takes into consideration the public comments received on the proposed rule, and makes certain changes in response to public comment.

Apprenticeship Programs, Labor Standards for Registration, Amendment of Regulations

Thu, Dec 13 2007 11:00:00 GMT

The Department of Labor (DOL or Department) is issuing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to update the regulations that implement the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937. 29 U.S.C. 50. On February 18, 1977, the Department promulgated 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 29 to establish, for certain Federal purposes, labor standards, policies and procedures for the registration, cancellation and deregistration of apprenticeship programs, and apprenticeship agreements. Part 29 also provided for the recognition of a State Apprenticeship Agency as an agency authorized to register local apprenticeship programs for Federal purposes, and for the revocation of such recognition. In the succeeding 30 years, the American economy and workforce have changed significantly. The proposed rule addresses those changes by both making the procedures for apprenticeship program registration more flexible and by strengthening oversight of program performance. The proposed rule also updates part 29 to incorp

The Advisory Committee on Veterans' Employment, Training and Employer Outreach (ACVETEO); Notice of Open Meeting

Thu, Dec 13 2007 11:00:00 GMT

The Advisory Committee on Veterans' Employment, Training and Employer Outreach (ACVETEO) was established pursuant to Title II of the Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006 (P.L. 109233) and Section 9 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (P.L. 92462, Title 5 U.S.C. app.II). The ACVETEO's authority is codified in Title 38 U.S. Code, Section 4110.

The ACVETEO is responsible for assessing employment and training needs of veterans; determining the extent to which the programs and activities of the Department of Labor meets these needs; and assisting in carrying out outreach to employers seeking to hire veterans.

The Advisory Committee on Veterans' Employment, Training and Employer Outreach will meet on Monday, February 11th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Tuesday, February 12th from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, 3203 Quebec Street, Denver, Colorado 80207.

The committee will discuss programs assisting veterans seeking employment with speci