[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 215 (Friday, November 6, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59921-59922]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29746]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
27 CFR Parts 4, 19, 24, 194, 250 and 251
[Notice No. 869; Ref: Notice No. 859]
RIN 1512-AB71
Implementation of Public Law 105-34, Sections 908, 910 and 1415,
Related to Hard Cider, Semi-generic Wine Designations, and Wholesale
Liquor Dealers' Signs (97-2523)
AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Department of
the Treasury.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of comment period.
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SUMMARY: This notice reopens the comment period for Notice No. 859, a
notice of proposed rulemaking, published in the Federal Register on
August 21, 1998. ATF has received requests to extend the comment period
in order to provide sufficient time for all interested parties to
respond to the issues raised in the notice.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before December 7, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Chief, Regulations Division;
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; P.O. Box 50221; Washington, DC
20091-0221; ATTN: Notice No. 859. See the Public Participation section
of this notice for alternative means of commenting.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marjorie D. Ruhf, Regulations
Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 650 Massachusetts
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226 (202-927-8230),
mdruhf@atfhq.atf.treas.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On August 21, 1998, ATF published a temporary rule and an
associated notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register
soliciting comments from the public and industry on three sections of
the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, (Treasury Decision ATF-398, 63 FR
44779, and Notice No. 859, 63 FR 44819).
The comment period for Notice No. 859 closed on October 20, 1998.
Prior to the close of the comment period ATF received requests from Ms.
Cheryl A. Lau, a cider industry representative, Mr. Kirk Seggie, Winery
Manager of Andres Wines (B.C.) Ltd., Mr. Kenton E. Kidd, of the
California Apple Commission, and Mr. Thomas E. Dalldorf, Sr., Publisher
of Celebrator Beer News, to extend the comment period for a short time.
All these writers stated that potential commenters in the apple
industry were in the middle of the apple harvest and would not be able
to take time to provide the sort of historical and technical
information requested in the notice. They suggested an extension until
late November to afford these interested persons an opportunity to
comment. In consideration of the above, ATF finds that a reopening of
the comment period is warranted.
Public Participation
ATF requests comments on the temporary regulations published in
Treasury decision ATF-398 (63 FR 44779) from all interested persons.
Comments received on or before the closing date will be carefully
considered. Comments received after that date will be given the same
consideration if it is practicable to do so, but assurance of
consideration cannot be given except as to comments received on or
before the closing date.
Comments may be submitted by facsimile transmission (FAX) to (202)
927-8602, provided the comments: (1) Are legible, (2) are 8\1/
2\'' x 11'' in size, (3) contain a written signature, and (4) are three
pages or less in length. This limitation is necessary to assure
reasonable access to the equipment. Comments sent by FAX in excess of
three pages will not be accepted. Facsimile transmitted comments will
be treated as originals.
Comments may also be sent by electronic mail (e-mail) to
nprm@atfhq.atf.treas.gov, provided (1) the message is entitled
``Comment on Notice No. 859; (2) the name and company affiliation, if
any, of the commenter is contained in the body of the message; and (3)
the message contains no attachments, special characters or encryption.
E-mail comments will be printed and filed with comments submitted on
paper and by facsimile transmission.
Receipt of comments will not be acknowledged. ATF will not
recognize any material in comments as confidential. Comments may be
disclosed to the public. Any material which the commenter considers to
be confidential or inappropriate for disclosure to the public should
not be included in the comment. The name of the person submitting the
comment is not exempt from disclosure. During the comment period, any
person may request an opportunity to present oral testimony at a public
hearing. However, the Director reserves the right, in light
[[Page 59922]]
of all circumstances, to determine if a public hearing is necessary.
Disclosure
Copies of this notice, Notice No. 859, and the written comments
will be available for public inspection during normal business hours
at: ATF Public Reading Room, Room 6480, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC.
Drafting Information
The author of this document is Marjorie D. Ruhf, Regulations
Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
List of Subjects
27 CFR Part 4
Advertising, Consumer protection, Customs duties and inspection,
Imports, Labeling, Packaging and containers, Wine.
27 CFR Part 19
Administrative practice and procedure, Alcohol and alcoholic
beverages, Authority delegations, Chemicals, Claims, Customs duties and
inspections, Electronic funds transfers, Excise taxes, Exports,
Gasohol, Imports, Labeling, Liquors, Packaging and containers, Puerto
Rico, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Research, Security
measures, Spices and flavorings, Stills, Surety bonds, Transportation,
Vinegar, Virgin Islands, Warehouses, Wine.
27 CFR Part 24
Administrative practice and procedure, Authority delegations,
Claims, Electronic fund transfers, Excise taxes, Exports, Food
additives, Fruit juices, Labeling, Liquors, Packaging and containers,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Research, Scientific
equipment, Spices and flavoring, Surety bonds, Taxpaid wine bottling
house, Transportation, Vinegar, Warehouses, Wine.
27 CFR Part 194
Alcohol and alcoholic beverages, Authority delegations, Beer,
Claims, Excise taxes, Exports, Labeling, Liquors, Packaging and
containers, Penalties, Reporting requirements, Wine.
27 CFR Part 250
Administrative practice and procedure, Alcohol and alcoholic
beverages, Authority delegations (Government agencies), Beer, Claims,
Customs duties and inspections, Drugs, Electronic funds transfers,
Excise taxes, Foods, Liquors, Packaging and containers, Puerto Rico,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Spices and flavorings, Surety
bonds, Transportation, Wine.
27 CFR Part 251
Administrative practice and procedure, Alcohol and alcoholic
beverages, Authority delegations, Beer, Customs duties and inspections,
Excise taxes, Imports, Labeling, Liquors, Packaging and containers,
Perfume, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation,
Wine.
Authority and Issuance
This notice is issued under the authority in 26 U.S.C. 5301, 7805,
and 27 U.S.C. 205.
Signed: October 29, 1998.
John W. Magaw,
Director.
[FR Doc. 98-29746 Filed 11-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-U
