E-Government News, Some Deadly

5 March 2001
Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr-cont.html

Contents:

1. National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Notice, Request or Comments on Section 105(a) of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, March 2, 2001.

2. Drug Enforcement Administration, Electronic Commerce: Electronic Orders for Schedule I and II Controlled Substances; Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled Substances, March 5, 2001.

3. Department of Education, Electronic Grant Initiatives, March 5, 2001.

4. Department of Education, Grants and Cooperative Agreements; Availability, etc., March 5, 2001.

5. Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Information: Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Electronic Reporting and Recordkeeping and Delayed Effective Date of Recordkeeping Provisions in the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act of 2000, March 5, 2001.

6. Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program; Call for Public Comments on 8 Nominations, Proposed for Listing in or Delisting From the Report on Carcinogens, Tenth Edition, March 5, 2001. Your furniture kills.

[Federal Register: March 2, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 42)]
[Notices]
[Page 13048-13050]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02mr01-45]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

[Docket No. 010222048-1048-01]
RIN 0660-XX11

Notice, Request or Comments on Section 105(a) of the Electronic
Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Request for comments on the Section 105(a) of the Electronic
Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.

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SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA) invites interested parties to review and comment on section
105(a) of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act
(``ESIGN'' or ``the Act'') (Pub. L. 106-229, 114 Stat. 464). Section
105(a) requires the Secretary of Commerce to conduct an inquiry and
report to Congress on the effectiveness of delivery of electronic
records to consumers using electronic mail as compared with the
delivery of written records via the United States Postal Service and
private express mail services. In connection with this report, this
Federal Register notice is intended to solicit comments from interested
parties. NTIA invites the public to submit comments on section 105(a)
of the ESIGN Act in paper or electronic form. All comments submitted in
response to this Notice will be posted on the NTIA website.

DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit comments no later than
April 2, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Josephine Scarlett, Office of the
Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications and Information
Administration, Room 4713 HCHB, 1401 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington,
DC 20230. Paper submissions should include a diskette in ASCII,
WordPerfect (please specify version) or Microsoft Word (please specify
version) format. Diskettes should be labeled with the name and
organizational affiliation of the filer, and the name version of the
word processing program used to create the document.
In the alternative, comments may be submitted electronically to the
following electronic mail address: esign105a@ntia.doc.gov>. Comments
submitted via electronic mail should be submitted in one or more of the
formats specified above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josephine Scarlett, Office of the
Chief Counsel, telephone: (202) 482-1816; or electronic mail:
jscarlett@ntia.doc.gov>. Media inquiries should be directed to the
Office of Public Affairs, National Telecommunications and Information
Administration, at (202) 482-7002.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Advances in information technology and increased Internet usage in
domestic and international business transactions have produced
significant benefits to U.S. businesses and consumers. Electronic
commerce or ``e-commerce'' has contributed significantly to the growth
of the U.S. economy in recent years. Census Bureau statistics show that
total retail e-commerce sales for 2000 reached an estimated $25.8
billion, and accounted for .08 percent of the total retail sales.
Although commercial transactions over the Internet have increased over
previous years, one of the greatest burdens to the growth of Internet
commerce has been the lack of consistent, national rules that govern
the use of electronic documents and signatures in electronic business
transactions.
In order to promote continued growth in electronic commerce,
Congress enacted ESIGN on June 30, 2000. ESIGN facilitates the use of
electronic documents in domestic and international commerce and
reinforces the validity and enforceability of electronic contracts and
signatures. The Act gives businesses the option of transmitting
electronic copies of documents that are legally required to be provided
to consumers in written form, and provides consumers with the option of
receiving electronic copies of these documents. ESIGN does not apply,
however, to all documents and notices that are required to be presented
in writing.\1\
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\1\ Section 103 of ESIGN provides exceptions for testamentary
and domestic relations documents, court orders, notices of
cancellation for utility services and health benefits, housing or
rental foreclosure and default notices, and product safety and
hazardous material notices. ESIGN does not affect state or federal
laws that require a writing for these types of documents and
notices.

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[[Page 13049]]

Section 105(a) of ESIGN directs the Secretary of Commerce to
prepare a study comparing the effectiveness of electronic mail in the
delivery of electronic records with the effectiveness of traditional
methods of document delivery (e.g. mail, express delivery services),
and to report the findings of the study to Congress no later than June
30, 2001. NTIA invites interested parties to submit comments on the
general issue of the effectiveness of electronic mail in the delivery
of electronic documents in comparison to the traditional methods of
document delivery and on the specific issues set out in this Notice.
NTIA recently sought public comment on a joint study conducted with
the Federal Trade Commission on section 105(b) of the ESIGN Act.\2\ The
joint study being conducted under section 105(b) concerns the consumer
consent provisions of the ESIGN Act and is separate from the study
being prepared for this Notice. Comments submitted in this proceeding
may be used in preparation of the report to Congress regarding the
consumer consent provisions of the Act under section 105(b). Parties
should note or incorporate by reference any comment that was submitted
in conjunction with the joint study under 105(b) that also should be
considered in this study.
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\2\ See Request for Comment and Notice of Public Workshop:
Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 66 FR
10011 (Feb. 13, 2001). The notice and comments received concerning
the joint study are also available on NTIA's homepage at http://
www.ntia.doc.gov>.
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II. Statutory Language Requiring a Report to Congress

The statutory language requiring the Secretary of Commerce to
submit a report to Congress on the effectiveness of electronic mail is
found in section 105(a) of ESIGN and is set forth below.
Sec. 105. STUDIES.
(a) DELIVERY.--Within 12 months after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall conduct an inquiry regarding
the effectiveness of the delivery of electronic records to consumers
using electronic mail as compared with delivery of written records via
the United States Postal Service and private express mail services. The
Secretary shall submit a report to the Congress regarding results of
such inquiry by the conclusion of such 12-month period.

III. Specific Questions

The Department seeks comment on the following specific questions.
Parties need not address all questions, but are encouraged to respond
to those about which they have particular knowledge or information.

1. General Issues

a. Provide an estimate of the percentage of transactions that you
conduct per month that require next day, or same day, delivery.
b. Of the transactions included in 1(a) above, approximately what
percentage of these are complicated by the fact that mail services do
not have Sunday delivery?
c. Describe any delivery problems that you experience with
electronic transmissions. How do these problems compare with any
problems you experience using the Postal Service, private express, or
courier services for delivery of records?

2. Business Issues

a. Do you offer consumers a choice of delivery mechanisms (i.e.
electronic or traditional)? Has the market evolved enough to give
consumers the choices they need? State whether you conduct a mail or
express delivery service, or an electronic mail business.
b. Explain any benefits to your business of providing consumers
with a choice between electronic transmission, postal service, or
express mail service delivery of documents. Is cost a large factor in
your decision to offer more than one method of delivery?
c. How important is the elimination of paper to your business?
d. Does your software enable your company or business to accurately
keep track of customer confirmations and electronically ``file''
correspondence and consents received from customers?
e. What method(s), if any, do you employ for sender/signature
verification for electronic transactions?
f. What types of consent mechanisms does your business employ?
g. What methods do you employ for third parties who are
authenticating electronic delivery?
h. Under what circumstances will information received from a
customer be shared?
i. Do you provide universal service (i.e. delivery to all
geographic locations)?
(i) Please estimate the percentage of the population that your
business serves that receives daily deliveries, as opposed to
deliveries every few days (e.g. to areas less populated). Estimate the
number of those who receive deliveries every few days that also use
your electronic services, if available, for faster delivery.
(ii) What percentage of your electronic customers are small
businesses, what percentage are large businesses, and what percentage
are individuals?

3. Consumer Issues

a. Do you have access to the necessary tools to enable you to
receive documents electronically?
b. If you have the option of receiving electronic records but
choose not to, is this decision related to a lack of technology to
conduct business in this manner?
c. Describe any burdens that you as a consumer experience, or
expect to experience, in receiving electronic records (such as the
inability to open, store, or print electronic records).
d. Compare the usefulness and burdens of receiving an electronic
record, and confirming receipt electronically, with the usefulness and
burdens of receiving a written record.
e. Describe how the existence of electronic records affects the
convenience of record-keeping, both negatively and positively.
f. How concerned are you with online privacy and security issues?
Describe any specific issues you have encountered (e.g. viruses).
g. Describe any concerns you have with keeping paper documents
confidential during their transmission or storage. Are the same
concerns present for electronic documents received through electronic
mail? If so, state whether you are more concerned with preserving the
confidentiality of paper documents or electronic documents.
h. Are electronic transactions complicated by the fact that the
consumer must notify a business when the consumer's e-mail address
changes? If so, how significantly?
i. Do electronic transactions increase or decrease the potential
for fraud or identity theft?

4. Technology Issues

a. What are the estimated costs, either to businesses or consumers,
of updating software to ensure compatibility for the electronic
transmission of electronic records?
b. What types of technology are being employed to ensure security
of transmissions? For example, does your business utilize smart cards,
encryption, or password protection devices? Are these devices
effective?
c. Are anonymizer-type programs effective in protecting online
privacy? Do such programs render authentication ineffective?
d. Does your business use/provide biometrics?
e. Does your business provide consumers with technical support in
the

[[Page 13050]]

event that consumers encounter difficulties in making electronic
transmissions?

Kathy D. Smith,
Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 01-5053 Filed 3-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-P

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[Federal Register: March 5, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 43)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 13274]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05mr01-21]

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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Drug Enforcement Administration

21 CFR Parts 1304, 1305, 1306, 1311

[DEA-214A]
RIN 1117-AA60, 1117-AA61

Electronic Commerce: Electronic Orders for Schedule I and II
Controlled Substances; Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled
Substances

AGENCY: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Justice.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is publishing this
Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to formally notify the interested
public of DEA's intent to publish Notices of Proposed Rulemaking
regarding two electronic initiatives. The first electronic initiative
(RIN 1117-AA60) will propose regulations to provide DEA registrants
with the option of ordering Schedule I and II controlled substances
electronically in a manner consistent with the requirements of the
Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.). The regulations will
propose that this electronic system may also be used for ordering
controlled substances in Schedules III, IV and V. The second electronic
initiative (RIN 1117-AA61) will propose regulations to permit DEA
registered prescribers to electronically write, sign and transmit
prescriptions. These proposed regulations would be an addition to, not
a replacement of, the existing rules. Through these electronic
initiatives, DEA will be proposing regulations consistent with the
Government Paperwork Elimination Act (Pub. L. 105-277) (GPEA) and the
Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (Pub. L. 106-
229) (E-Sign). Publication of this Advance Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking also responds to the requirements of E-Sign which state that
for a Federal agency which has announced, proposed, or initiated a
rulemaking proceeding to prescribe a regulation responding to E-Sign on
or before March 1, 2001, the effect of E-Sign's record retention
provision is delayed until June 1, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia M. Good, Chief, Liaison and
Policy Section, Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement
Administration, Washington, D.C. 20537, Telephone (202) 307-7297, Web
site: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Why Is DEA Publishing This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking?

DEA is publishing this Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to
formally notify the interested public that DEA intends to publish, in
the near future, two Notices of Proposed Rulemaking regarding two
electronic initiatives DEA has undertaken. These electronic
initiatives, and their accompanying regulations, will permit DEA to
comply with GPEA and E-Sign, while ensuring appropriate controls over
the ordering and prescribing of controlled substances in order to
prevent diversion. DEA is publishing this Advance Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking to comply with Sec. 107(b)(1)(B) of Pub. L. 106-229 which
states: ``DELAYED EFFECT FOR PENDING RULEMAKINGS. If on March 1, 2001,
a Federal regulatory agency or State regulatory agency has announced,
proposed, or initiated, but not completed, a rulemaking proceeding to
prescribe a regulation under section 104(b)(3) with respect to a
requirement described in subparagraph (A), this title shall be
effective on June 1, 2001, with respect to such requirement.''

What Electronic Initiatives Does DEA Intend To Propose?

DEA expects to publish, in the near future, two Notices of Proposed
Rulemaking to propose new regulations for two electronic initiatives.
The first electronic initiative (RIN 1117-AA60) will propose
regulations to provide DEA registrants with the option of ordering
Schedule I and II controlled substances electronically in a manner
consistent with the requirements of the Controlled Substances Act (21
U.S.C. 801 et seq.). The regulations will propose that this electronic
system may also be used for controlled substances in Schedules III, IV
and V. The second electronic initiative (RIN 1117-AA61) will propose
regulations to permit DEA registered prescribers to electronically
write, sign and transmit prescriptions. These proposed regulations
would be an addition to, not a replacement of, the existing rules.

What Actions Has DEA Already Undertaken Regarding These Electronic
Initiatives?

In 1999, PEC Solutions, Inc. (PEC) (formerly Performance
Engineering Corporation) was selected by DEA's Office of Diversion
Control to analyze mandated, paper-based regulatory processes and to
design and develop proposed concepts for public key infrastructures
(PKIs) that would allow DEA and industry the option of using the
current paper-based systems or electronic formats to order or prescribe
controlled substances. As part of the project methodology, DEA/PEC
sought input from persons within the interested industries to gain an
understanding of processes involved in these regulated activities. DEA
has published relevant documents and information regarding both
electronic initiatives on the Office of Diversion Control's web site,
at http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov, link to ``Electronic Commerce
Initiatives''. Finally, DEA has held a number of public meetings
(announced on DEA's web site and in letters to the industry) to detail
progress of the projects, answer questions and solicit further input.
DEA continues to provide information on its web site regarding project
documents, updates and future meetings.

Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

Due to the preliminary nature of this document, information to
complete the rulemaking analyses and notice is unavailable, and thus,
not contained in this Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

Dated: February 27, 2001.
Laura M. Nagel,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Diversion Control.
[FR Doc. 01-5362 Filed 3-1-01; 11:12 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-09-P

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[Federal Register: March 5, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 43)]
[Notices]
[Page 13381-13383]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05mr01-113]

[[Page 13381]]

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Part II

Department of Education

Electronic Grant Initiatives; Notice

[[Page 13382]]

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Electronic Grant Initiatives

AGENCY: Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice announcing the development and implementation of a
system to administer grants via the Internet.

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SUMMARY: The Chief Financial Officer announces the U.S. Department of
Education Electronic Grant Initiatives (e-Grants) and requests comments
on the effectiveness of this system. We intend to use your comments to
assist us in improving our services and helping potential applicants
and grantees to benefit from electronic commerce (e-commerce).

ADDRESSES: Address all comments and suggestions regarding e-Grants to
Rebecca Harding-Spitzgo, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland
Avenue, SW., room 4E310, Washington, DC 20202-4300. If you prefer to
send your comments through the Internet, use the following address:
edcapsuser@ed.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Blanca Rosa Rodriguez, Director,
Grants Policy and Oversight Staff, U.S. Department of Education, 400
Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3652, ROB-3, Washington, DC 20202-4248.
Telephone: (202) 260-0172; fax: (202) 205-0667; or via Internet:
Blanca_Rodriguez@ed.gov or Rebecca Harding-Spitzgo, Project Manager
(GAPS), U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room
4E310, Washington, DC 20202-4300. Telephone: (202) 205-0707; fax: (202)
205-0729; or via Internet: Rebecca--Harding@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may
call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to either contact person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

New Initiatives in Electronic Grant-Making at the U.S. Department
of Education

The Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA) of 1998, (Pub. L.
105-277) and the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement
Act of 1999, (Pub. L. 106-107) encourage us to undertake initiatives to
improve our grant process. Enhancing the ability of individuals and
entities to conduct business with us electronically is a major part of
our response to these Acts. E-commerce--for example, conducting
transactions via Internet--is playing a vital role in achieving our
mission. This notice presents an overview of the Department's present
and proposed activities.
We are taking steps to adopt the Internet as our chief means of
conducting transactions in order to improve services to our customers
and to simplify and expedite our business processes.
We are also working with other Federal departments and agencies to
develop the Federal Commons, which will be a shared location on the
Internet for information about Federal financial assistance. The goal
of this initiative is to create a single point of entry on the Internet
to make it easier for prospective applicants to locate information
about, and apply for, grants under all Federal programs. In the future,
applicants who access the Federal Commons can search for available
funding opportunities throughout the Federal Government, complete
standard application forms, and submit grant applications online. You
may obtain more information about the Federal Commons at: http://
www.fedcommons.gov.

Accomplishments to Date

During fiscal year (FY) 2000, under our Grant Administration and
Payment System (GAPS), we conducted a pilot project using an Internet-
based software program for submitting applications. The project
involved eight grant competitions. Applicants had the opportunity to
submit their grant applications to us online through the e-Application
Web site.
A survey after the pilot project indicated that participants were
positive about their experiences using e-Application. In fact, 90
percent of the participating applicants found our system easy to use,
and most said that they would use the system in future competitions. To
help applicants get used to applying for grants electronically, we have
established a demonstration and training area on the e-Grants Web site.
We have also developed e-Reports, a new electronic enhancement to
GAPS. Using e-Reports grantees will be able to submit their annual
grant performance reports to us via the Internet. The system will also
notify each grantee of the deadline for its annual grant performance
report. Additional features of the system will include applicant
registration, e-mail confirmations, and printing capabilities.
In addition, we are developing e-Reader, another electronic
enhancement to GAPS, to support the review of grant applications. With
e-Reader, an ED discretionary grant program can use the Internet to
transmit applications electronically to reviewers at various locations,
enable reviewers to evaluate and score applications on a Web-based
form; and collect the reviewers' scores and comments. One of the many
benefits of e-Reader is that it will give program officials a cost-
effective way to facilitate and monitor the application review process
from their offices in the Washington, DC area.

ED's Plans for the Future

For FY 2001 we plan to--
Provide applicants the option of submitting their
applications electronically in up to 50 percent of our new grant
competitions, including several formula programs;
Increase the number of ED programs using e-Reports,
allowing grantees in these programs to submit their annual grant
performance reports electronically; and
Complete the development of e-Reader and apply it in eight
to ten grant competitions that use the electronic grant application
review process.
Beyond FY 2001 we plan to expand and promote the use of electronic
procedures for the submission and review of applications and the filing
of reports under all of our grant programs. Our goal over time is to
encourage applicants and grantees to make e-commerce their preferred
method of doing business. We will do this by communication and outreach
efforts to the public.
We plan to do the following to make applicants and grantees aware
of our Electronic Grant Initiatives and familiar with our electronic
business process:
Continue to host public workshops on our electronic grant
initiatives at various national conferences and meetings of project
directors;
Make the system more convenient for users by increasing
the hours it is available;
Provide ongoing support to applicants who need assistance
using the system;
Inform the public about changes and improvements to our
Electronic Grant Initiatives; and
Work toward further integration of our electronic
applications system with the Governmentwide system known as the Federal
Commons.
Information concerning the availability of e-Application will be

[[Page 13383]]

contained in specific program announcements and application packages,
grant forecasts, and specific areas of our Web site. In addition,
program offices will make grantees aware of electronic reporting
options as they become available.
Please be aware that electronic application and reporting will be
voluntary. Paper-based application and reporting options will still be
available to applicants and grantees who do not have the capability to
do business electronically. We will give every application, whether
paper or electronic, the same consideration in the review process.

Invitation To Comment

We are determined to help make the transition to e-commerce as
smooth as possible for our customers. As we develop e-commerce
capabilities, we ask you for your support and welcome your suggestions
regarding our plans for electronic grantmaking. We invite you, as
potential applicants and grantees, to use the electronic methods
described and to provide feedback about your experiences. We also
invite you to comment now on the plans outlined in this notice. Please
send your comments to the address in the ADDRESSES section of this
notice.
To obtain additional information about e-GRANTS or to participate
in e-GRANTS pilot projects, see the portal page at: http://e-
grants.ed.gov.

Electronic Access to This Document

You may view this document, as well as all other Department of
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe
Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at either of the
following sites:

http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm
http://www.ed.gov/news.html

To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available
free at either of the previous sites. If you have questions about using
PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-
888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC area at (202) 512-1530.

Note: The official version of this document is the document
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://
www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html.

Dated: February 27, 2001.
Mark Carney,
Deputy Chief Financial Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-5253 Filed 3-2-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P

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[Federal Register: March 5, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 43)]
[Notices]
[Page 13311-13312]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05mr01-47]

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA No. 84.341]

Grants and Cooperative Agreements; Availability, etc.

AGENCY: Office of Vocational and Adult Education.

ACTION: Notice inviting applicants to serve as field readers for the
Community Technology Centers Program.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) invites
interested individuals to apply to serve as field readers to evaluate
grant applications for the Community Technology Centers Program. The
purpose of the Community Technology Centers Program is to increase
access to information technology and related educational services for
adults and children in economically distressed low-income urban and
rural communities through grants to establish or expand community
technology centers.

DATES: Interested individuals are strongly encouraged to apply by April
15, 2001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Detailed information on the program is
available online at: http://ed.gov/offices/OVAE/CTC.
Duties and Compensation of Field Readers: Field readers will review
applications according to the applicable selection criteria. It is
expected that reviewers will be mailed applications and materials,
oriented in a telephone conference call, assigned to a panel, and given
a set period of time to review applications. Panel discussions with
other reviewers will take about five hours and will also be conducted
by telephone conference call. Each field reader who is selected will
receive compensation for the review.
Field Reader Qualifications: The Department is seeking experienced
and knowledgeable professionals who are current with issues regarding
the provision of computers and technology to residents of low-income
urban and rural communities. These professionals should be familiar
with issues dealing with the start-up and expansion of community
technology centers; use of technology in adult, preschool, elementary
or secondary education programs; technology and technology management;
or community development and outreach to residents of low-income
communities.
Prospective field readers may include technology providers,
administrators, and experts; individuals with experience in use of
technology in preschool, elementary, secondary or adult education;
individuals from State and district agencies, early childhood,
elementary and secondary education, institutions of higher education,
and community-based organizations and agencies; and individuals with
experience in providing access to technology in low-income communities.
Each field reader must have the expertise necessary to accurately
assess an applicant's submission on the applicable selection criteria.
The Community Technology Centers Program will be participating in a
pilot of e-Reader, the Department's electronic field reading
initiative. Readers will be required to have unrestricted access to a
computer with Internet accessibility and a printer. In addition, a
reader should be able to navigate a World Wide Web browser, be able to
complete and submit on-line forms, and be able to send and receive e-
mail.
Conflict of Interest: You may not serve as a reviewer if you or
your spouse plan to submit a grant application under the program in
Fiscal Year (FY) 2001 and you will be paid by the grant if awarded,
and/or you or your spouse otherwise have a financial interest in the
outcome of the FY 2001 grant competition.
Application Process: If you are interested in serving as a field
reader, mail, fax or e-mail a copy of your resume to the address listed
below and indicate that you are interested in serving as a field reader
for the Community Technology Centers Program. Resumes should not exceed
two pages and should include an e-mail address. A cover letter should
highlight any experience the individual may have had as a reader in
other competitions and any special knowledge and skills that are
applicable for the review of applications under this competition.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Community Technology Centers Program,
Division of Adult Education and Literacy, Office of Vocational and
Adult Education, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202-
7240. Resumes and inquiries may be sent by e-mail to ctc@ed.gov or by
Fax to: (202) 205-8973. Individuals who use a telecommunication device
for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time,
Monday through Friday.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audio tape, or computer
diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding
paragraph.

[[Page 13312]]

Electronic Access to This Document

http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm
http://www.ed.gov/news.html

To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available
free at either of the previous sites. If you have questions about using
PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office toll free at 1-888-293-
6498 or in the Washington, DC area at (202) 512-1530.

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6832.

Dated: February 28, 2001.
Robert Muller,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education.
[FR Doc. 01-5256 Filed 3-2-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-M

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[Federal Register: March 5, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 43)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 13273-13274]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05mr01-20]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

17 CFR Chapter II

[Release Nos. 33-7955, 34-44014, 35-27350, IA-1929, IC-24879]
RIN 3235-AI14

Public Information: Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on
Electronic Reporting and Recordkeeping and Delayed Effective Date of
Recordkeeping Provisions in the Electronic Signatures in Global and
National Commerce Act of 2000

AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Securities and Exchange Commission announces several
upcoming rulemaking activities regarding recordkeeping requirements
under the federal securities laws consistent with the Electronic
Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act of 2000. The action
delays the effective date of certain provisions in the Act that may
affect certain recordkeeping requirements under the federal securities
laws.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael A. Macchiaroli, Associate
Director, (202) 942-0131; Thomas K. McGowan, Assistant Director, (202)
942-4886; Randall W. Roy, Special Counsel, (202) 942-0798, or Mathew
Comstock, Attorney, (202) 942-0156, Division of Market Regulation (for
broker-dealers); Larry E. Bergmann, Associate Director, (202) 942-0770;
Jerry Carpenter, Assistant Director; David Karasik, Special Counsel,
(202) 942-4187, Division of Market Regulation (for transfer agents);
Martha B. Peterson, Special Counsel, Office of Regulatory Policy,
Division of Investment Management (202) 942-0690; Victoria J. Adraktas,
Attorney-Advisor, Office of Public Utility Regulation (202) 942-0545;
Mark Borges, Attorney-Advisor, Office of Rulemaking, Division of
Corporation Finance, (202) 942-2900, at the Securities and Exchange
Commission, 450 5th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Securities and Exchange Commission
announces today several upcoming rulemaking activities regarding
recordkeeping requirements under the federal securities laws consistent
with the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act of
2000 (Pub. L. 106-229) (``ESign''). Under Section 107(b)(1)(B) of
ESign, the record retention provisions of Title I of that Act will
become effective on June 1, 2001.
Under the federal securities laws, regulated entities, including
registered broker-dealers, transfer agents, investment companies,
investment advisers, and public utility holding companies, must keep
certain records of their activities. The Commission currently allows
these entities to keep certain records electronically, subject to
standards designed to protect investors' interests, the financial
stability of regulated entities and generally to further the purposes
of the federal securities laws. ESign is intended to remove unnecessary
impediments to the use of electronic records in commerce, while
preserving the ability of agencies

[[Page 13274]]

like the Commission to reconcile ESign's policy with the statutes they
administer. The Commission will act shortly to provide interpretative
guidance and, where appropriate, propose or adopt rules consistent with
ESign. These releases will be published separately in the Federal
Register.
Because ESign does not generally apply to information required to
be filed with government agencies, the Commission is not currently
contemplating any changes to its existing filing rules as a result of
ESign. Filers should therefore continue to follow current filing rules.

Dated: February 28, 2001.

By the Commission.
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-5328 Filed 3-1-01; 11:12 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P

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[Federal Register: March 5, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 43)]
[Notices]
[Page 13334-13338]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05mr01-80]

[[Page 13334]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Public Health Service

National Toxicology Program; Call for Public Comments on 8
Nominations, Proposed for Listing in or Delisting From the Report on
Carcinogens, Tenth Edition

Background

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) solicits final public
comments on agents, substances, mixtures and exposure circumstances
reviewed in 2000 for listing in or delisting from the Report on
Carcinogens, Tenth Edition. This Report (previously known as the Annual
Report on Carcinogens) is a Congressionally mandated listing of known
human carcinogens and reasonably anticipated human carcinogens and its
preparation is delegated to the National Toxicology Program by the
Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Section
301(b)(4) of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, provides that
the Secretary, (DHHS), shall publish a biennial report which contains a
list of all substances (1) which either are known to be human
carcinogens or may reasonably be anticipated to be human carcinogens;
and (2) to which a significant number of persons residing in the United
States (US) are exposed. The law also states that the reports should
provide available information on the nature of exposures, the estimated
number of persons exposed and the extent to which the implementation of
Federal regulations decreases the risk to public health from exposure
to these chemicals.
In 2000, eight nominations were reviewed for listing in the Tenth
Report. This review included two Federal and one non-government,
scientific peer reviews and public comment and review. The three
scientific review committees evaluated all available data relevant to
the criteria for inclusion of candidate nominations in the Report. The
criteria used in the review process and a detailed description of the
review procedures, including the steps in the current formal review
process, can be obtained from the NTP Home Page web site at http://ntp-
server.niehs.nih.gov/ or by contacting: Dr. C.W. Jameson, National
Toxicology Program, Report on Carcinogens, MD EC-14, P.O. Box 12233,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709; phone: (919) 541-4096, fax: (919)
541-0144, email: jameson@niehs.nih.gov.

Public Comment Requested

The nominations reviewed in 2000 are provided in the following
table with their Chemical Abstracts Services (CAS) Registry numbers
(where available) and the recommendations from the three scientific
peer reviews of the nominations. The NTP will be making a final
recommendation in 2001 for these eight nominations for listing in, or
changing the current listing from reasonably anticipated to be a human
carcinogen to the known to be a human carcinogen category in the Tenth
Report.
Background documents provided to the review committees and the
public are available on the web in PDF-format at the address above.
Hard copies of these documents are also available upon request. The NTP
will review the recommendations from each of the review committees and
consider the public comments received throughout the process in making
decisions regarding the NTP recommendations to the Secretary, DHHS, for
listing of the nominated substances in the Tenth Edition of the Report
on Carcinogens. The NTP solicits final public comment to supplement any
previously submitted comments or to provide comments for the first time
on any substance in the following table. Comments will be accepted for
60 days from the publication date of this announcement and should be
directed to Dr. C.W. Jameson at the address listed above. Individuals
submitting public comments are asked to include relevant contact
information [name, affiliation (if any), address, telephone, fax, and
e-mail].
Attachment

Dated: February 21, 2001.
Kenneth Olden,
Director, National Toxicology Program.

Summary of RG1,9 RG2 2 and NTP Board Subcommittee 3 Recommendations for the Agents, Substances, Mixtures or
Exposure Circumstances Reviewed in 2000 for Listing in, Delisting From, or Upgrading in the Report on
Carcinogens,4 10th Edition
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NTP board
Nomination/CAS No. Primary uses or RG1 action RG2 action subcommittee
exposures action
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Broad Spectrum UV Radiation Solar and Motion to list UVR Motion list UVR as Motion to list UVR
(UVR) and UVA, and UVB, and UVC. artificial as known to be a known to be a as known to be a
sources of human carcinogen human carcinogen human carcinogen
ultraviolet passed by passed by passed by
radiation. unanimous vote (6/ unanimous vote (8/ unanimous vote
0). 0). (10/0).
Motion to list Motion to list Motion to list UVA
UVA, UVB and UVC UVA, UVB and UVC as reasonably
as reasonably as reasonably anticipated to be
anticipated to be anticipated to be human carcinogen
human carcinogens human carcinogens passed by
passed by passed by unanimous vote
unanimous vote (6/ unanimous vote (8/ (10/0).
0). 0).
Motion to list UVB
as reasonably
anticipated to be
human carcinogen
passed by vote of
7 yes to 3 no.
Negative votes
(3) cast because
members felt data
meets criteria to
list as known
human carcinogen.

[[Page 13335]]

Motion to list UVC
as reasonably
anticipated to be
human carcinogen
passed by vote of
9 yes to 1 no.
Negative vote (1)
cast because
member felt
insufficient
human data to
list as
reasonably
anticipated
carcinogen.
Chloramphenicol (56-75-7)....... Chloramphenicol Motion to list Motion to list Motion to list
has been used an Chloramphenicol Chloramphenicol Chloramphenicol
antibiotic since as reasonably reasonably as reasonably
the 1950s. anticipated to be anticipated to be anticipated to be
human carcinogen human carcinogen human carcinogen
passed by passed by vote of passed by
unanimous vote (7/ 7 yes to 0 no unanimous vote
0). with 1 (10/0).
abstention.
Abstention (1)
was because
member felt data
concerning link
between aplastic
anemia and
leukemia was not
compelling.
Estrogens, Steroidal............ Estrogens are Motion to list Motion to list Motion to list
widely used in Steroidal Steroidal Steriodal
post-menopausal Estrogens as Estrogens as Estrogens as
therapy and in known to be a known to be a known to be a
oral human carcinogen human carcinogen human carcinogen
contraceptives passed by passed by passed by a vote
for women. unanimous vote (7/ unanimous vote (8/ of 8 yes to 1 no.
0). 0). Negative vote (1)
cast because
member felt
insufficient
human data to
list all
steroidal
estrogens in the
Report.
Methyleugenol (93-15-2)......... Methyleugenol are Motion to list Motion to list Motion to list
flavoring agents Methyleugenol as Methyleugenol as Methyleugenol as
used in jellies, reasonably reasonably reasonably
baked goods, anticipated to be anticipated to be anticipated to be
nonalcoholic human carcinogen human carcinogen human carcinogen
beverages, passed by passed by passed by a vote
chewing gum, unanimous vote (7/ unanimous vote (8/ of 9 yes to 1 no.
candy, and ice 0). 0). Negative vote (1)
cream. Also used cast because
as fragrance for member felt
many perfumes, insufficient
lotions, human data to
detergents and list in the
soaps. Report.
Nickel (metallic) and Certain Metallic Nickel Motion to list Motion to list Motion to list
Nickel Alloys. and Nickel Alloys Metallic Nickel Metallic Nickel Metallic Nickel
have been used in and Certain as reasonability as reasonability
commercial Nickel alloys as anticipated to be anticipated to be
applications for reasonability human carcinogen human carcinogen
over 100 years. anticipated to be passed by a vote passed by a vote
human carcinogen of 7 yes to 1 no. of 7 yes to 3 no.
passed by a vote Negative vote (1) Negative votes
of 6 yes to 2 no. cast because (3) cast because
Negative votes member felt the members felt that
(2) cast because animal data not the human and
members did not persuasive to animal data not
agree with the list in the persuasive to
use of term Report as list in the
``certain'' in reasonably Report as
the listing of anticipated human reasonably
Nickel alloys. carcinogens anticipated human
because of carcinogens.
inappropriate
routes of
exposure.

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Motion not to list Motion to list
Certain Nickel Certain Nickel
Alloys in RoC was Alloys as
passed a vote of reasonably
6 yes to 2 no. anticipated to be
Negative votes human carcinogen
(2) cast because was defeated by a
members felt data vote of 3 yes to
meets criteria to 7 no. in RoC.
list as Negative votes
reasonably (7) cast because
anticipated to be members felt
a human available data
carcinogen. not persuasive to
list in the
Report as
reasonably
anticipated human
carcinogens.
Motion not to list
Certain Nickel
Alloys in RoC was
passed by a vote
of 9 yes 1 no.
Negative votes
(1) cast because
member felt data
meets criteria to
list as
reasonably
anticipated to be
a human
carcinogen.
Talc (14807-96-6) Abestiform and Both Asbestiform Motion to list Motion to list Motion to list
Non-Abestiform. talc (i.e., talc Talc containing Talc containing Talc containing
containing asbestiform asbestiform asbestiform
asbestiform fibers as known fibers as known fibers as
fibers) and non- to be a human to be a human reasonably
asbestiform talc carcinogen passed carcinogen was anticipated to be
(i.e. talc not by unanimous vote defeated by a a human
containing (7/0). vote of 2 yes to carcinogen
asbestiform Motion to list 6 no. Negative resulted in a tie
fibers) occur in Talc not votes (6) cast vote (5 yes to 5
various containing because members no). Negatives
geological asbestiform felt human data votes (4) cast
settings around fibers as were not because members
the world. reasonably sufficient to felt human and
Occupational anticipated to be list as a known animal data not
exposure to both a human human carcinogen sufficient to
forms occurs carcinogen passed because list in Report.
during mining, by a vote of 6 asbestiform Other negative
milling, and yes to 1 no. fibers were not (1) cast because
processing. Negative vote (1) considered to member felt
Exposure to non- cast because include asbestos action should be
asbestiform talc member questioned contamination. deferred.
by the general the biological
population occurs plausibility of
through the use talc using
of products such causing ovarian
as cosmetics. neoplasms in
women.

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Motion to list Motion not to list
Talc containing talc not
asbestiform containing
fibers as asbestiform
reasonably fibers as
anticipated to be reasonably
a human anticipated to be
carcinogen passed a human
by a vote of 6 carcinogen passed
yes to 2 no. by a vote of 7
Negative vote (1) yes to 3 no.
cast because Negative votes
member felt data cast either
sufficient to because the
list as a known member felt that
human carcinogen. data meets
Other negative criteria to list
vote (1) cast talc not
because member containing
felt evidence not asbestiform
adequate to list fibers as
in the Report. reasonability
Motion to list anticipated to be
Talc not a human
containing carcinogen or
asbestiform that ovarian
fibers as cancer studies
reasonably should have been
anticipated to be considered in the
human carcinogen evaluation. The
passed by a vote Subcommittee did
of 7 yes to 1 no. not consider the
Negative vote (1) ovarian cancer
cast because studies in the
member felt evaluation of
animal data not talc not
sufficient and containing
human data asbestiform
confounded fibers because it
because of the was unclear if
uncertainty of the talc used in
possible these studies
contamination of might have been
talc with contaminated with
asbestos. asbestos.
Trichloroethylene (TCE) (79-01- Trichloroethylene Motion to list TCE Motion to list TCE Motion that the
6). is widely used as as known to be a as known to be a listing of TCE
a solvent with 80- human carcinogen human carcinogen should remain as
90% used passed by was defeated by a reasonably
worldwide for unanimous vote (7/ vote of 3 yes to anticipated to be
degreasing metals. 0). 4 no. Negative a human
votes (4) cast carcinogen passed
because members by a vote of 9
felt the human yes to 1 no.
data did not meet Negative vote (1)
the criteria for because member
listing as a felt human data
known human sufficient to
carcinogen list as a known
because the human carcinogen.
exposures in the
human studies may
not have been
specific for TCE.
Wood Dust....................... It is estimated Motion to list Motion to list Motion to list
that at least two Wood Dust as Wood as known to Wood Dust as
million people known to be a be a human known to be a
are routinely human carcinogen carcinogen passed human carcinogen
exposed passed by by unanimous vote passed by
occupationally to unanimous vote (\70\). unanimous vote
wood dust (\80\). (\80\).
worldwide. Non-
occupational
exposure also
occurs. The
highest exposures
have generally
been reported in
wood furniture
and cabinet
manufacture,
especially during
machine sanding
and similar
operations..
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1 The NIEHS Review Committee for the Report on Carcinogens (RG1).
2 The NTP Executive Committee (Agencies from the NTP Executive Committee represented on RG2 include: Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), National Center for Environmental Health of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (NCEH/CDC), National Center for Toxicological Research of the Food and Drug Administration (NCTR/
FDA), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health/CDC (NIOSH/CDC), Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NCI/NIH), and National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/NIH(NIEHS/NIH) Interagency Working Group for the Report on
Carcinogens (RG2).
3 The NTP Board of Scientific Counselors Report on Carcinogens Subcommittee (the External Peer Review Group).
4 RoC--Report on Carcinogens.

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[FR Doc. 01-5175 Filed 3-2-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P

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