96-14851. Recodification of the Statement of Procedural Rules in Part 70 (96R-007P)  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 115 (Thursday, June 13, 1996)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 30013-30014]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-14851]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
    Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
    
    27 CFR Parts 0 and 70
    
    [Notice No. 824]
    RIN 1512-AB54
    
    
    Recodification of the Statement of Procedural Rules in Part 70 
    (96R-007P)
    
    AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Department of 
    the Treasury.
    
    ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
    
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    SUMMARY: As part of a regulatory reform initiative, the Bureau of 
    Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is proposing to revise the 
    statement of procedural rules in subpart E of 27 CFR Part 70, and 
    recodify this statement as a new part 0 of 27 CFR. ATF solicits 
    comments on its proposals and suggestions for further improvements in 
    the statement of procedural rules.
    
    DATES: Written comments must be received by August 12, 1996.
    
    ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Chief, Wine, Beer and Spirits 
    Regulations Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, P.O. Box 
    50221, Washington, DC 20091-0221, Attn: Notice No. 824. Copies of 
    written comments received in response to this notice of proposed 
    rulemaking will be available for public inspection during normal 
    business hours at: ATF Reference Library, Office of Public Affairs and 
    Disclosure, Room 6480, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 
    20226.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marjorie D. Ruhf, Wine, Beer and 
    Spirits Regulations Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 
    650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226 (202-927-8230).
    
    [[Page 30014]]
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Background
    
        On February 21, 1995, President Clinton announced a regulatory 
    reform initiative. As part of this initiative, each Federal agency was 
    instructed to conduct a page by page review of all agency regulations 
    to identify those which are obsolete or burdensome and those whose 
    goals could be better achieved through the private sector, self-
    regulation or state and local governments. In cases where the agency's 
    review disclosed regulations which should be revised or eliminated, the 
    agency would propose administrative changes to its regulations. In 
    addition, on April 13, 1995, the Bureau published Notice 809 (60 FR 
    18783) requesting comments from the public regarding which ATF 
    regulations could be improved or eliminated.
        No specific comments were received in response to that notice 
    concerning the content or arrangement of the statement of procedural 
    rules in subpart E of 27 CFR Part 70. The Bureau, in its own review, 
    determined that the statement of procedural rules should be removed 
    from its present location and placed in a location which reflects its 
    unique function as a summary statement of the regulations and the 
    formal and informal procedures applicable to the activities conducted 
    under the laws administered and enforced by ATF. In addition, the 
    statement of procedural rules will soon need substantial revision to 
    reflect ongoing projects consolidating, eliminating and revising other 
    parts of the regulations. Finally, ATF wishes to improve the usefulness 
    of the statement of procedural rules to the public and regulated 
    industries as a guide to agency operations.
    
    Proposed Changes
    
        When the pending regulatory reform projects are complete, ATF plans 
    to revise the statement of procedural rules in order to provide current 
    descriptions and citations. At the same time, ATF proposes to move the 
    statement of procedural rules from its current location as sections 
    70.411 to 70.462 of subpart E of 27 CFR Part 70 to a new location as 27 
    CFR Part 0 at the beginning of 27 CFR for ease of use. We also plan to 
    restructure the statement. We believe the statement will be more 
    helpful and easier to use as a reference tool if it is divided into 
    more sections, to allow for better indexing, and arranged by commodity, 
    so that all provisions relating to a particular subject will be 
    together. For example, instead of having information pertaining to wine 
    labels mixed in with discussions of nonindustrial use of distilled 
    spirits and establishment of breweries, we will adopt an arrangement 
    which will place descriptions of all ATF procedural rules which affect 
    wine labeling together in one location.
    
    Public Participation
    
        ATF requests comments from all interested persons on the proposals 
    presented in this notice. We particularly request suggestions for any 
    additional information which should be placed in the statement of 
    procedural rules to make it more useful, and any suggestions for 
    arrangement or indexing of the information already contained in the 
    statement.
        After consideration of all comments and suggestions, ATF may issue 
    a Treasury decision. The proposals discussed in this notice may be 
    modified due to comments and suggestions received.
        Comments received on or before the closing date will be carefully 
    considered. Comments received after the closing date will be given the 
    same consideration if it is practical to do so, but assurance of 
    consideration cannot be given except as to comments received on or 
    before the closing date. ATF will not recognize any material or 
    comments as confidential. All comments submitted in response to this 
    notice will be available for public inspection. Any material that the 
    commenter considers 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.
    
    Executive Order 12866
    
        It has been determined that this document is not a significant 
    regulatory action as defined in E.O. 12866; therefore, a regulatory 
    assessment is not required.
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        It is hereby certified that these proposed regulations will not 
    have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
    entities. Accordingly, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not 
    required. The changes proposed are for the purpose of clarifying the 
    existing regulations and making them easier to use. No substantive 
    changes are proposed. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal 
    Revenue Code, this proposed regulation has been submitted to the Chief 
    Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment 
    on its impact on small business.
    
    Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        Although the information collections described in sections 70.411 
    through 70.414, 70.431 and 70.433 of subpart E of Part 70 merely 
    summarize and reference the parts of Title 27 CFR where the information 
    collections are imposed, these sections were reviewed and approved by 
    the Office of Management and Budget under control numbers 1512-0141 and 
    1512-0472. These control numbers were in effect on October 1, 1995, the 
    effective date of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Any comments on 
    these collections of information may be sent to the Office of 
    Management and Budget, Attention: Desk officer for the Department of 
    the Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Office of 
    Information and Regulatory Affairs, Washington, DC 20503, with copies 
    to the Chief, Document Services Branch, Room 3450, Bureau of Alcohol, 
    Tobacco and Firearms, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 
    20226. No additional requirement to collect information is proposed in 
    this document.
    
        Drafting Information: The principal author of this document is 
    Marjorie D. Ruhf of the Wine, Beer and Spirits Regulations Branch, 
    Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
    
    List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 70
    
        Administrative practice and procedure, Alcohol and alcoholic 
    beverages, Authority delegations, Bankruptcy, Claims, Disaster 
    assistance, Excise taxes, Firearms and ammunition, Government 
    employees, Law enforcement, Law enforcement officers, Penalties, 
    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Seizures and forfeitures, 
    Surety bonds, Tobacco.
    
        Authority: This notice of proposed rulemaking is issued under 
    the authority in 18 U.S.C. 847 and 926; 26 U.S.C. 7805; 27 U.S.C. 
    201-219a.
    
        Signed: May 21, 1996.
    John W. Magaw,
    Director.
    
        Approved: May 24, 1996.
    John P. Simpson,
    Deputy Assistant Secretary (Regulatory, Tariff and Trade Enforcement).
    [FR Doc. 96-14851 Filed 6-12-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4810-31-U
    
    

Document Information

Published:
06/13/1996
Department:
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Document Number:
96-14851
Dates:
Written comments must be received by August 12, 1996.
Pages:
30013-30014 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Notice No. 824
RINs:
1512-AB54: Recodification of Statement of Procedural Rules
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1512-AB54/recodification-of-statement-of-procedural-rules
PDF File:
96-14851.pdf
CFR: (2)
27 CFR 0
27 CFR 70