### 77178 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 250 / Monday, December 31, 2012 / Notices

**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 2013.

**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 :**  Individuals claiming Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income payments may choose to hire representatives to assist them with their
claims. If the claim is successful and the individual 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 on the claim 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 $88, as we announced in the Federal Register on October 30, 2012 (77 FR 65754).

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 2013. We will continue to review our costs for these services on a yearly basis.

Dated: December 21, 2012.

Tina Waddell, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Budget, Finance and Management.

[FR Doc. 2012–31372 Filed 12–28–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4191–02–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF STATE**

**[Public Notice 8136]**

**Culturally Significant Objects Imported**
**for Exhibition Determinations: ‘‘Pre Raphaelites: Victorian Art and Design,** 
**1848–1900’’**

**SUMMARY :**  Notice is hereby given of the following determinations: Pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Act of October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. 985; 22 U.S.C. 2459), Executive Order 12047 of March 27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (112 Stat.

2681, et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6501 note, et

seq. ), Delegation of Authority No. 234 of October 1, 1999, Delegation of Authority No. 236–3 of August 28, 2000 (and, as appropriate, Delegation of Authority No. 257 of April 15, 2003), I hereby determine that the objects to be
included in the exhibition ‘‘PreRaphaelites: Victorian Art and Design, 1848–1900,’’ imported from abroad for temporary exhibition within the United States, are of cultural significance. The objects are imported pursuant to loan agreements with the foreign owners or
custodians. I also determine that the exhibition or display of the exhibit objects at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, from on or about February 17, 2013, until on or about May 19, 2013, and at possible additional exhibitions or venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest.
I have ordered that Public Notice of these Determinations be published in
the Federal Register

. **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  For further information, including a list of the exhibit objects, contact Julie Simpson, Attorney-Adviser, Office of the Legal Adviser, U.S. Department of State (telephone: 202–632–6467). The mailing address is U.S. Department of State, SA–5, L/PD, Fifth Floor (Suite 5H03), Washington, DC 20522–0505.

Dated: December 21, 2012.
J. Adam Ereli, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of State.

[FR Doc. 2012–31440 Filed 12–28–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4710–05–P OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES** 
**TRADE REPRESENTATIVE**

**2013 Special 301 Review: Identification**
**of Countries Under Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974: Request for Public** 
**Comment and Announcement of Public Hearing** 

**AGENCY :**  Office of the United States Trade Representative.

**ACTION :**  Request for written submissions from the public and announcement of public hearing.

**SUMMARY :**  Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Trade Act) (19 U.S.C. 2242) requires the United States Trade Representative (Trade Representative) to identify countries that deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) or deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons who rely on intellectual property protection. (The provisions of Section 182 are commonly referred to as the ‘‘Special 301’’ provisions of the Trade Act.) The Trade Act requires the Trade Representative to determine which, if any, of these countries to identify as Priority Foreign Countries. Acts, policies, or practices that are the basis of a country’s identification as a Priority Foreign Country can be subject to the procedures set out in sections 301–305
of the Trade Act.

In addition, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has created a ‘‘Priority Watch List’’ and
‘‘Watch List’’ to assist the Administration in pursuing the goals of the Special 301 provisions. Placement of a trading partner on the Priority Watch
List or Watch List indicates that particular problems exist in that country with respect to IPR protection, enforcement, or market access for persons that rely on intellectual property protection. Trading partners placed on the Priority Watch List are the
focus of increased bilateral attention concerning the problem areas.

USTR chairs an interagency team that reviews information from many sources,
and that consults with and makes
recommendations to the Trade Representative on issues arising under Special 301. Written submissions from interested persons are a key source of information for the Special 301 review process. In 2013, USTR again will conduct a public hearing as part of the review process.

USTR is hereby requesting written submissions from the public concerning foreign countries’ acts, policies, or practices that are relevant to deciding whether a particular trading partner should be identified as a priority foreign