### 290 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 2 / Tuesday, January 5, 2016 / Notices

9 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority. 9 Jill M. Peterson, Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015–33115 Filed 1–4–16; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 8011–01–P**

**SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION**

**[Docket No. SSA–2015–0074]**

**Rate for Assessment on Direct Payment of Fees to Representatives in**  **2016**

**AGENCY :**  Social Security Administration (SSA).

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  We are announcing that the assessment percentage rate under sections 206(d) and 1631(d)(2)(C) of the Social Security Act (Act), 42 U.S.C. 406(d) and 1383(d)(2)(C), is 6.3 percent for 2016.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Jeffrey C. Blair, Associate General Counsel for Program Law, Office of the General Counsel, Social Security Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235–6401. Phone: (410) 965–3157, email Jeff.Blair@ssa.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  A claimant may appoint a qualified individual as a representative to act on his or her behalf in matters before the Social Security Administration (SSA). If the claimant is entitled to past-due benefits and was represented either by an attorney or by a non-attorney representative who has met certain prerequisites, the Act provides that we may withhold up to 25 percent of the past-due benefits and use that money to pay the representative’s approved fee directly to the representative.

When we pay the representative’s fee directly to the representative, we must collect from that fee payment an assessment to recover the costs we incur in determining and paying representatives’ fees. The Act provides that the assessment we collect will be the lesser of two amounts: a specified dollar limit; or the amount determined by multiplying the fee we are paying by the assessment percentage rate. (Sections 206(d), 206(e), and 1631(d)(2) of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 406(d), 406(e), and 1383(d)(2).)

The Act initially set the dollar limit at $75 in 2004 and provides that the limit will be adjusted annually based on changes in the cost-of-living. (Sections 206(d)(2)(A) and 1631(d)(2)(C)(ii)(I) of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 406(d)(2)(A) and 1383(d)(2)(C)(ii)(I).) The maximum dollar limit for the assessment currently is $91, as we announced in the Federal Register on October 30, 2015 (80 FR 66963).

The Act requires us each year to set the assessment percentage rate at the lesser of 6.3 percent or the percentage rate necessary to achieve full recovery of the costs we incur to determine and pay representatives’ fees. (Sections 206(d)(2)(B)(ii) and 1631(d)(2)(C)(ii)(II) of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 406(d)(2)(B)(ii) and 1383(d)(2)(C)(ii)(II).)

Based on the best available data, we have determined that the current rate of 6.3 percent will continue for 2016. We will continue to review our costs for these services on a yearly basis.

Dated: December 28, 2015. Michelle King, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Budget, Finance, Quality, and Management.
[FR Doc. 2015–33135 Filed 1–4–16; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4191–02–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION**

**Federal Aviation Administration**

**Membership in the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group Aviation**  **Rulemaking Committee**

**AGENCY :**  Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation.

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS) are inviting interested persons to apply to fill two upcoming openings on the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC). The upcoming openings will represent commercial air tour operator and environmental interests, respectively. The selected members will serve 3-year terms.

**DATES :**  Persons interested in applying for these NPOAG openings representing air tour operator and environmental interests need to apply by February 12,
2016.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Keith Lusk, Special Programs Staff, Federal Aviation Administration, Western-Pacific Region Headquarters, P.O. Box 92007, Los Angeles, CA 90009–2007, telephone: (310) 725–3808, email: Keith.Lusk@faa.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Background

The National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 (the Act) was enacted on April 5, 2000, as Public Law 106–181. The Act required the establishment of the advisory group within 1 year after its enactment. The NPOAG was established in March 2001. The advisory group is comprised of a balanced group of representatives of general aviation, commercial air tour operations, environmental concerns, and Native American tribes. The Administrator of the FAA and the Director of NPS (or their designees) serve as ex officio members of the group. Representatives of the Administrator and Director serve alternating 1-year terms as chairman of the advisory group.

In accordance with the Act, the advisory group provides ‘‘advice, information, and recommendations to the Administrator and the Director-

(1) On the implementation of this title [the Act] and the amendments made by this title;

(2) On commonly accepted quiet aircraft technology for use in commercial air tour operations over a national park or tribal lands, which will receive preferential treatment in a given air tour management plan;

(3) On other measures that might be taken to accommodate the interests of visitors to national parks; and

(4) At the request of the Administrator and the Director, safety, environmental, and other issues related to commercial air tour operations over a national park or tribal lands.’’ Membership

The NPOAG ARC is made up of one member representing general aviation, three members representing the commercial air tour industry, four members representing environmental concerns, and two members representing Native American interests. Current members of the NPOAG ARC are as follows:

The current NPOAG consists of Melissa Rudinger representing general aviation; Alan Stephen, Mark Francis, and Matthew Zuccaro representing commercial air tour operators; Michael Sutton, Nicholas Miller, Mark Belles, and Dick Hingson representing environmental interests; and Leigh Kuwanwisiwma and Martin Begaye representing Native American interests. The 3-year membership terms of Mr. Francis and Mr. Sutton expire on May 19, 2016.

Selection

In order to retain balance within the NPOAG ARC, the FAA and NPS are


### 291 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 2 / Tuesday, January 5, 2016 / Notices

seeking candidates interested in filling Mr. Francis’ and Mr. Sutton’s soon to be expiring seats. The open seats to be filled will represent air tour operator and environmental interests, respectively. The FAA and NPS invite persons interested in serving on the ARC to contact Mr. Keith Lusk (contact information is written above in **FOR**
**FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**). Requests to serve on the ARC must be made to Mr. Lusk in writing and postmarked or emailed on or before February 12, 2016. The request should indicate whether or not you are a member of an association or group related to air tour operations or environmental concerns or have another affiliation with issues relating to aircraft flights over national parks. The request should also state what expertise you would bring to the NPOAG ARC as related to issues and concerns with aircraft flights over national parks. The term of service for NPOAG ARC members is 3 years. Current members may re-apply for another term.

On June 18, 2010, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum directing agencies in the Executive Branch not to appoint or re-appoint federally registered lobbyists to advisory committees and other boards and commissions. Therefore, before appointing an applicant to serve on the NPOAG, the FAA and NPS will require the prospective candidate to certify that they are not a federally registered lobbyist.

Issued in Hawthorne, CA, on December 28,
2015. Keith Lusk, Program Manager, Special Programs Staff, Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 2015–33159 Filed 1–4–16; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4910–13–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION**

**Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration** 

**[Docket No. FMCSA–2015–0480]**

**Commercial Driver’s License Standards: Application for Exemption;**  **CRST Expedited (CRST)**

**AGENCY :**  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

**ACTION :**  Notice of application for exemption; request for comments.

**SUMMARY :**  FMCSA announces that CRST Expedited (CRST) has applied for an exemption from the requirement in 49 CFR 383.25(a)(1) that requires a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holder to always be accompanied by a commercial driver’s license (CDL) holder with the proper CDL class and endorsements seated in the front seat of the vehicle while the CLP holder performs behind-the-wheel training on public roads or highways. CRST requests an exemption to allow CLP holders who have successfully passed the CDL skills test to be able to drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) without having a CDL holder seated beside them in the CMV. CRST states that the CDL holder would remain in the CMV at all times while the CLP holder is driving, but not necessarily in the passenger seat. CRST believes that the exemption, if granted, would promote greater productivity and help individuals who have passed the CDL skills test return to actively earning a living faster while achieving a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety provided by complying with the regulations. FMCSA requests public comment on CRST’s application for exemption.

**DATES :**  Comments must be received on or before February 4, 2016

**ADDRESSES :**  You may submit comments identified by Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Number FMCSA–2015–0480 by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.

• Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001.

• Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12– 140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

• Fax: 1–202–493–2251

• Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket number for this notice. Note that DOT posts all comments received without change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal information included in a comment. Please see the Privacy Act heading below.

Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments, go to www.regulations.gov at any time or visit Room W12–140 on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The on-line Federal Docket Management System is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year.

Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  For information concerning this notice, contact Mr. Richard Clemente, FMCSA Driver and Carrier Operations Division; Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety Standards; Telephone: 202–366– 4325. Email: MCPSD@dot.gov. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Docket Services, telephone (202) 366–9826.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  I. Public Participation and Request for Comments

FMCSA encourages you to participate by submitting comments and related materials. Submitting Comments

If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this notice (FMCSA–2015–0480), indicate the specific section of this document to which the comment applies, and provide a reason for suggestions or recommendations. You may submit your comments and material online or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. FMCSA recommends that you include your name and a mailing address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of your document so the Agency can contact you if it has questions regarding your submission.

To submit your comments online, go
to www.regulations.gov and put the docket number, ‘‘FMCSA–2015–0480’’ in the ‘‘Keyword’’ box, and click ‘‘Search.’’ When the new screen appears, click on ‘‘Comment Now!’’ button and type your comment into the text box in the following screen. Choose whether you are submitting your comment as an individual or on behalf of a third party and then submit. An option to upload a file is provided. If you submit your comments by mail or hand 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 comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during the comment period and may grant or not grant this application based on your comments.