Notices. Notice of meeting

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BILLING CODE 4120-01-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS-4112-N] Medicare Program; Meeting of the Advisory Panel on Medicare Education, January 26, 2006 AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. ACTION: Notice of meeting. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2, section 10(a) (Pub. L. 92-463), this notice announces a meeting of the Advisory Panel on Medicare Education (the Panel) on January 26, 2006.

The Panel advises and makes recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of consumer education strategies concerning the Medicare program. This meeting is open to the public. DATES: The meeting is scheduled for January 26, 2006 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., e.s.t. *Deadline for Presentations and Comments:* January 19, 2006, 12 noon, e.s.t. ADDRESSES:

The meeting will be held at the Wyndham City Center, 1143 New Hampshire Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20036,

(202)775-0800. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynne Johnson, Health Insurance Specialist, Division of Partnership Development, Center for Beneficiary Choices, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail stop S2-23-05, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850,

(410)786-0090. Please refer to the CMS Advisory Committees' Information Line (1-877-449-5659 toll free)/(410-786-9379 local) or the Internet ( *http://www.cms.hhs.gov/faca/apme/default.asp* ) for additional information and updates on committee activities, or contact Ms. Johnson via e-mail at *Lynne.Johnson@cms.hhs.gov.* Press inquiries are handled through the CMS Press Office at

(202)690-6145. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 222 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 217a), as amended, grants to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) the authority to establish an advisory panel for the purpose of advising the Secretary in connection with any of his functions. The Secretary signed the charter establishing this Panel on January 21, 1999 (64 FR 7849) and approved the renewal of the charter on January 14, 2005. The Panel advises and makes recommendations to the Secretary and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

(CMS)on opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of consumer education strategies concerning the Medicare program. *The goals of the Panel are as follows:* • To develop and implement a national Medicare education program that describes the options for selecting a health plan under Medicare. • To enhance the Federal government's effectiveness in informing the Medicare consumer, including the appropriate use of public-private partnerships. • To expand outreach to vulnerable and underserved communities, including racial and ethnic minorities, in the context of a national Medicare education program. • To assemble an information base of best practices for helping consumers evaluate health plan options and build a community infrastructure for information, counseling, and assistance. *The current members of the Panel are:* Dr. Drew E. Altman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation; Dr. Jane Delgado, Chief Executive Officer, National Alliance for Hispanic Health; Clayton Fong, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Asian Pacific Center on Aging; Thomas Hall, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Cardio-Kinetics, Inc.; The Honorable Bobby Jindal, United States Congress; David Knutson, Director, Health System Studies, Park Nicollet Institute for Research and Education; Dr. David Lansky, Director, Health Program, Markle Foundation; Dr. Frank I. Luntz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Luntz Research Companies; Dr. Daniel Lyons, Senior Vice President, Government Programs, Independence Blue Cross; Dr. Frank B. McArdle, Manager, Hewitt Research Office, Hewitt Associates, Katherine Metzger, Director, Medicare and Medicaid Programs, Fallon Community Health Plan; Dr. Keith Mueller, Professor and Section Head, Health Services Research and Rural Health Policy, University of Nebraska; Lee Partridge, Senior Health Policy Advisor, National Partnership for Women and Families; Dr. Marlon Priest, Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Susan O. Raetzman, Associate Director, Public Policy Institute, AARP; Rebecca Snead, Administrative Manager, National Council of State Pharmacy Association Executives; Catherine Valenti, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Caring Voice Coalition, and Grant Wedner, Manager, Business Development Team, Cosmix Corporation. *The agenda for the January 26, 2006 meeting will include the following:* • Recap of the previous (September 27, 2005) meeting. • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services update. • Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-173): outreach and education strategies. • Public comment. • Listening session with CMS leadership. • Next steps. Individuals or organizations that wish to make a 5-minute oral presentation on an agenda topic should submit a written copy of the oral presentation to Lynne Johnson, Health Insurance Specialist, Division of Partnership Development, Center for Beneficiary Choices, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail stop S2-23-05, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 or by e-mail at *Lynne.Johnson@cms.hhs.gov* , no later than 12 noon, e.s.t., January 19, 2006. The number of oral presentations may be limited by the time available. Individuals not wishing to make a presentation may submit written comments to Ms. Johnson by 12 noon, (e.s.t.), January 19, 2006. The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to the space available. *Special Accommodation:* Individuals requiring sign language interpretation or other special accommodations should contact Ms. Johnson at least 15 days before the meeting. Authority: Sec. 222 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 217a) and sec. 10(a) of Pub. L. 92-463 (5 U.S.C. App. 2, sec. 10(a) and 41 CFR 102-3). (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.733, Medicare—Hospital Insurance Program; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare—Supplementary Medical Insurance Program) Dated: December 16, 2005. Mark B. McClellan, Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. [FR Doc. E5-7757 Filed 12-22-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-01-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration [Docket No. 2005N-0484] Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Medical Device Reporting: Manufacturer Reporting, Importer Reporting, User Facility Reporting, and Distributor Reporting AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration

(FDA)is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the **Federal Register** concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on Medical Device Reporting: Manufacturer Reporting, Importer Reporting, User Facility Reporting, and Distributor Reporting. DATES: Submit written or electronic comments on the collection of information by February 21, 2006. ADDRESSES: Submit electronic comments on the collection of information to: *http://www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments* . Submit written comments on the collection of information to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. All comments should be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Denver Presley, Office of Management Programs (HFA-250), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-1472. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. “Collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the **Federal Register** concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, FDA is publishing notice of the proposed collection of information set forth in this document. With respect to the following collection of information, FDA invites comments on these topics:

(1)Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of FDA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2)the accuracy of FDA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3)ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4)ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques, when appropriate, and other forms of information technology. Medical Device Reporting: Manufacturer Reporting, Importer Reporting, User Facility Reporting, and Distributor Reporting—21 CFR Part 803 (OMB Control Number 0910-0437) Section 519(a), (b), and

(c)of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act) (21 U.S.C. 360i(a), (b), and (c)) requires user facilities, manufacturers, and importers of medical devices to report adverse events involving medical devices to FDA. On December 11, 1995 (60 FR 63578 at 63597), FDA issued part 803 (21 CFR part 803) that implemented section 519 of the act. The regulation was amended to conform to the changes reflected in the FDA Modernization Act of 1997. Information from these reports will be used to evaluate risks associated with medical devices and to enable FDA to take appropriate regulatory measures to protect the public health. Respondents to this collection of information are businesses or other for profit and nonprofit organizations including user facilities, manufacturers, and importers of medical devices. FDA estimates the burden of this collection of information as follows: **Table 1.—Estimated Annual Reporting Burden ** 1 21 CFR Section No. of Respondents Annual Frequency per Response Total Annual Responses Hours per Response Total Hours 803.19 55 4 220 3 660 803.30 700 5 3,500 1 3,500 803.33, FDA Form 3419 700 1 700 1 700 803.40 40 17 680 1 680 803.50 1,465 57 83,505 1 83,505 803.55, FDA Form 3417 700 5 3,500 1 3,500 Total 92,545 1 There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of information. **Table 2.—Estimated Annual Recordkeeping Burden ** 1 21 CFR Section No. of Recordkeepers Annual Frequency per Recordkeeping Total Annual Records Hours per Record Total Hours 803.17 220 1 220 3.3 726 803.18(c) and

(d)30,000 1 30,000 1.5 45,000 Total 45,726 1 There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of information. Part 803 requires user facilities to report to the device manufacturer, and to FDA in the case of a death, incidents where a medical device caused or contributed to a death or serious injury. Manufacturers of medical devices are required to report to FDA when they become aware of information indicating that one of their devices may have caused or contributed to death or serious injury or has malfunctioned in such a way that should the malfunction recur it would be likely to cause or contribute to a death or serious injury. Device importers report deaths and serious injuries to the manufacturers and FDA. Importers report malfunctions only to the manufacturers, unless they are unknown, then the reports are sent to FDA. The number of respondents for each CFR section in table 1 of this document is based upon the number of respondents entered into FDA's internal databases. FDA estimates, based on its experience and interaction with the medical device community, that all reporting CFR sections are expected to take 1 hour to complete, with the exception of § 803.19. Section 803.19 is expected to take approximately 3 hours to complete, but is only required for reporting the summarized data quarterly to FDA. By summarizing events, the total time used to report for this section is reduced because the respondents do not submit a full report for each event they report in a quarterly summary report. The agency believes that the majority of manufacturers, user facilities, and importers have already established written procedures to document complaints and information to meet the medical device reporting

(MDR)requirements as part of their internal quality control system. There are an estimated 30,000 medical device distributors. Although they do not submit MDR reports, they must maintain records of complaints, under § 803.18(d). The agency has estimated that on average, 220 user facilities, importers, and manufacturers would annually be required to establish new procedures, or revise existing procedures, in order to comply with this provision. Therefore, FDA estimates the one-time burden to respondents for establishing or revising procedures to be 2,200 hours (220 respondents x 10 hours). For those entities, a one-time burden of 10 hours is estimated for establishing written MDR procedures. The remaining manufacturers, user facilities, and importers, not required to revise their written procedures to comply with this provision, are excluded from the burden because the recordkeeping activities needed to comply with this provision are considered “usual and customary” under 5 CFR 1320.3(b)(2). The annual burden for recordkeeping to respondents follows. Under § 803.17, FDA estimates 220 respondents will spend approximately 3.3 hours to complete the requirements for this section. The number of respondents was estimated by consolidating the total of all new reporting entities together. The 3.3 hours was estimated by FDA, as this section deals with a respondent creating new MDR procedures and is a one-time function. The “total hours” for this section equals approximately 726 hours. Under § 803.18, 30,000 respondents represent distributors, importers, and other respondents to this information collection. FDA estimates that it should take them approximately 1 1/2 hours to complete the recordkeeping requirement for this section. Total hours for this section equal 45,000 hours. Dated: December 8, 2005. Jeffrey Shuren, Assistant Commissioner for Policy. [FR Doc. E5-7726 Filed 12-22-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160-01-S DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard [USCG-2005-23285] Collection of Information Under Review by Office of Management and Budget: OMB Control Number 1625-0048 AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Request for comments. SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to seek the approval of OMB for the renewal of an Information Collection Request (ICR). The ICR is 1625-0048, Vessel Reporting Requirements. Before submitting the ICRs to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments on them as described below. DATES: Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before February 21, 2006. ADDRESSES: To make sure that your comments and related material do not enter the docket [USCG-2005-23285] more than once, please submit them by only one of the following means:

(1)By mail to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001.

(2)By delivery to room PL-401 on the Plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.

(3)By fax to the Docket Management Facility at 202-493-2251.

(4)Electronically through the Web Site for the Docket Management System at *http://dms.dot.gov* . The Docket Management Facility maintains the public docket for this notice. Comments and material received from the public, as well as documents mentioned in this notice as being available in the docket, will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or copying at room PL-401 on the Plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also find this docket on the Internet at *http://dms.dot.gov* . Copies of the complete ICR are available through this docket on the Internet at *http://dms.dot.gov* , and also from Commandant (CG-611), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, room 6106 (Attn: Mr. Arthur Requina), 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001. The telephone number is 202-475-3523. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Arthur Requina, Office of Information Management, telephone 202-475-3523, or fax 202-475-3929, for questions on these documents; or telephone Ms. Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 202-493-0402, for questions on the docket. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Participation and Request for Comments We encourage you to respond to this request for comments by submitting comments and related materials. We will post all comments received, without change, to *http://dms.dot.gov* ; they will include any personal information you have provided. We have an agreement with DOT to use the Docket Management Facility. Please see the paragraph on DOT's “Privacy Act Policy” below. *Submitting comments:* If you submit a comment, please include your name and address, identify the docket number [USCG-2005-23285], indicate the specific section of the document to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. You may submit your comments and material by electronic means, mail, fax, or delivery to the Docket Management Facility at the address under ADDRESSES ; but please submit them by only one means. If you submit them by mail or delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 8 1/2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit them by mail and would like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period. We may change the documents supporting this collection of information or even the underlying requirements in view of them. *Viewing comments and documents:* To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this notice as being available in the docket, go to *http://dms.dot.gov* at any time and conduct a simple search using the docket number. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in room PL-401 on the Plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. *Privacy Act:* Anyone can search the electronic form of all comments received in dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the Privacy Act Statement of DOT in the **Federal Register** published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477), or you may visit *http://dms.dot.gov* . Information Collection Request 1. *Title:* Vessel Reporting Requirements. *OMB Control Number:* 1625-0048. *Summary:* The information obtained from these reports will be used by the Coast Guard to determine if the vessel reported on is in distress and if so, to take action to provide needed assistance. These reports

(a)increase the likelihood of timely assistance to vessels in distress, especially those that cannot communicate their distress to the vessel's owner or others in a position to help, and

(b)to place a burden of responsibility upon the owner, charterer, managing operator or agent for the safety of the vessels. This is of the utmost importance since these persons are often the only ones with knowledge of the vessels' intended movements. *Need:* Paragraph

(a)of 46 U.S.C. 2306 requires the owner, charterer, managing operator or agent of a vessel of the United States to immediately notify the Coast Guard if there is reason to believe that the vessel may have been lost or imperiled. Further, the owner, charterer, managing operator or agent of a vessel required to report to the United States Flag Merchant Vessel Location Filing System (USMER) must immediately notify the Coast Guard if more than 48 hours have passed since last receiving communication from the vessel. These reports must be followed by written communication submitted to the Coast Guard within 24 hours. Paragraph

(c)of 46 U.S.C. 2306 gives the Secretary of Transportation authority to prescribe regulations to carry out 46 U.S.C. 2306. The Secretary has delegated this 46 U.S.C. 2306 responsibility to the Coast Guard in Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170-2(92)(a). The Coast Guard has implemented these reporting requirements for all vessels regulated under Title 46 CFR. The implementing regulations are 46 CFR Part 4. *Respondents:* Owners, charterers, managing operators or agents of a vessel of the United States. *Frequency:* On occasion. *Burden Estimate:* The estimated burden remains 137 hours a year. Dated: December 19, 2005. R.T. Hewitt, Rear Admiral, Assistant Commandant for Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Information Technology. [FR Doc. E5-7793 Filed 12-22-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-15-P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard [CGD08-05-016] RIN 1625-AA01 Anchorage Regulations; Mississippi River Below Baton Rouge, LA, Including South and Southwest Passes AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Notice of meeting. SUMMARY: The United States Coast Guard will meet to discuss the comments received relating to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

(NPRM)for Kenner Bend Anchorage as published in the **Federal Register** , Vol. 70, No. 80 on Wednesday, April 27, 2005. DATES: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2006, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This meeting may adjourn early if all business is finished. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Basement Conference Room at the Hale Boggs Federal Building, 500 Poydras Street, New Orleans, Louisiana. This notice is available on the Internet at *http://dms.dot.gov.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Junior Grade

(LTJG)Melissa Owens, Waterways Management Division, telephone

(504)846-5923, fax

(504)589-8919. Background Runway 1-19 at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is positioned in a north-south line running parallel to the Airport Access Road. Aircraft approaching the runway from the south or departing the runway from the north pass over the Lower Kenner Bend Anchorage. Due to the close proximity of Runway 1-19 to Kenner Bend, aircraft occasionally descend and ascend directly over vessels anchored in the Lower Kenner Bend Anchorage, creating a potentially dangerous situation that is of particular concern during periods of reduced visibility. Aircraft approaching the runway from the south follow a descending glide slope path with a minimum height of 311 feet above mean sea level over the Kenner Bend Anchorage. Certain vessels with cargo handling equipment such as cranes and boom are capable of extending equipment to a height upwards of 300 feet above the waterline. This amendment to the anchorage regulations for the Mississippi River below Baton Rouge, LA, including South and Southwest Passes is proposed to prohibit vessels that are anchored in the Lower Kenner Bend Anchorage from engaging in cargo transfer operations or exercising any shipboard equipment such as cranes and booms while at anchor. This proposed revision is needed to increase safety at Kenner Bend by reducing the potential for collision between aircraft and vessels anchored in the Lower Kenner Bend Anchorage. Discussion of Issues The Coast Guard received three negative comments to the NPRM for Kenner Bend Anchorage from the Maritime Navigation Safety Association (MNSA), the Steamship Association of Louisiana (SALA), and the New Orleans and Baton Rouge Port (NOBRA) Pilots. All three organizations contend that the complete prohibition against using cargo-handling equipment is excessive, and argue that some operations should be allowed while at anchor. To better express their concerns, all parties requested a public meeting be held. This meeting is open to the public. Please note that the meeting may close early if all business is finished. Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities, or to request special assistance at the meetings, contact the Committee Administrator at the location indicated under Addresses as soon as possible. Dated: December 8, 2005. R.F. Duncan, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander Eighth Coast Guard District. [FR Doc. E5-7794 Filed 12-22-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-15-P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Transportation Security Administration Renewal of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee

(ASAC)AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS. ACTION: Notice of committee renewal. SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration

(TSA)announces that the Aviation Security Advisory Committee

(ASAC)was renewed on November 28, 2005. The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security has determined that renewal of the ASAC is necessary and in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties of TSA. This determination follows consultation with the Committee Management Secretariat, General Services Administration (GSA), who is responsible for monitoring and reporting executive branch compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Corrao, Designated Federal Official, Aviation Security Advisory Committee, Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 22202-4220; telephone

(571)227-2980, e-mail *joseph.corrao@dhs.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Federal Advisory Committee Act In 1972, the Federal Advisory Committee Act

(FACA)(Pub. L. 92-463, 5 U.S.C., App) was enacted by Congress. FACA is the legal foundation defining how Federal advisory committees operate. The law has special emphasis on open meetings, chartering, public involvement, and reporting. Its purpose was to ensure that advice rendered to the executive branch by the various advisory committees, task forces, boards, and commissions formed over the years by Congress and the president, be both objective and accessible to the public. The Act not only formalized a process for establishing, operating, overseeing, and terminating these advisory bodies, but also created the Committee Management Secretariat, an organization whose task it is to monitor and report executive branch compliance with the Act. 5 U.S.C. App. 1, section 2(a). When initially enacted, FACA assigned to the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)responsibility for Government oversight of advisory committees. In 1977, Executive Order 12024 transferred the advisory committee functions, as well as the statutorily mandated Committee Management Secretariat, from OMB to the General Services Administration (GSA). As part of its responsibility under FACA, GSA issues government-wide guidelines and regulations for Federal Advisory Committee Management. GSA's implementation regulations on FACA management may be found in 41 CFR part 102-3. The Aviation Security Advisory Committee TSA's Aviation Security Advisory Committee

(ASAC)is a “discretionary” advisory committee. A discretionary advisory committee is one that is established under the authority of an agency head or authorized by statute. An advisory committee referenced in general (non-specific) authorizing language or Congressional committee report language is discretionary, and its establishment or termination is within the legal discretion of an agency head. Normally, a discretionary advisory committee's charter is terminated upon the expiration of a period not to exceed two years, unless renewed. ASAC is a standing committee composed of Federal and private sector organizations that was chartered in 1989 by the Federal Aviation Administration in the wake of the crash of Pan American World Airways Flight 103 in 1988 over Lockerbie, Scotland. ASAC's purpose was to “develop * * * recommendations for the improvement of methods, equipment, and procedures to improve civil aviation security.” On November 19, 2001, the Aviation and Transportation Security Act

(ATSA)was signed into law, which among other things established the Transportation Security Administration

(TSA)and transferred to it the responsibility for civil aviation security. Accordingly, sponsorship of ASAC was also transferred to TSA. Since taking on management of ASAC in August 2002, TSA has taken steps to focus the committee's efforts in directions that are relevant and useful to TSA's post-September 11 mission. In 2003, TSA revised the ASAC charter, organizing ASAC's membership to better assure fair balance in terms of the points of view of those represented and the functions performed by the committee. The charter also standardizes membership renewal dates for public representatives, and continues to encourage participation by other interested government agencies. The Aviation Security Advisory Committee Renewal The renewal and use of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee are determined to be in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed on TSA by law as follows: *Name of Committee:* Aviation Security Advisory Committee. *Purpose and Objective:* The Aviation Security Advisory Committee

(ASAC)will examine areas of civil aviation security, as tasked by TSA, with the aim of developing recommendations for the improvement of civil aviation security methods, equipment, and procedures. ASAC recommendations are forwarded to the TSA Administrator for consideration in future rulemaking actions and security program amendments. *Balanced Membership Plans:* ASAC is composed of the following organizations representing key constituencies affected by aviation security requirements: • Victims of Terrorist Acts Against Aviation • Law Enforcement and Security Experts • Government Agencies • Aviation Consumer Advocates • Airport Tenants and General Aviation • Airport Operators • Airline Management • Airline Labor • Aircraft Manufacturers • Air Cargo Representatives Each private sector organization shall be appointed to membership in one, and no more than one, of the foregoing constituent categories. Apart from Federal Government, there shall be a maximum of three member organizations per membership category. *Duration:* The committee's charter is effective November 28, 2005, upon filing, and expires November 28, 2007. *Responsible TSA Officials:* Joseph Corrao, Designated Federal Official (DFO), Aviation Security Advisory Committee, Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 22202-4220; telephone

(571)227-2980, e-mail *joseph.corrao@dhs.gov.* Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on December 19, 2005. Mike Restovich, Assistant Administrator, Transportation Sector Network Management. [FR Doc. 05-24400 Filed 12-22-05; 8:45 am]

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