Review of Existing Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

27 CFR Chapter I

[Notice No. 809; 95R-007T]

Review of Existing Regulations

AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Department of

the Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is

soliciting public comment as to which,

[[Page 18784]]

if any, of the regulations and programs which ATF administers may be

improved or eliminated. This request is being made to assist ATF in

implementing the President's February 21, 1995, regulatory reform

initiative.

DATES: Comments for inclusion in the first report to the President must

be received on or before April 28, 1995. However, this review is an

ongoing process and comments received after the due date will be

considered.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Deputy Associate Director,

Regulatory Enforcement Programs; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and

Firearms; P.O. Box 50221, Washington, DC 20091-0221; Attn: Notice No.

809.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marjorie D. Ruhf, Regulatory

Enforcement, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 650 Massachusetts

Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20226 (202-927-8230).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On February 21, 1995, President Clinton announced a regulatory

reform initiative. This initiative included instructions to each agency

to:

(a) Conduct a page-by-page review of all 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. This review will include cleanup of old rules,

rules that focus on describing organizations and procedures and rules

that simply repeat statutory language. Second, the review will resolve

any conflicts or overlaps which are found with rules of other agencies.

Finally, the review will focus on ways of clarifying or streamlining

remaining regulations.

(b) Review the statutes underlying agency regulations and programs

and make recommendations for any necessary changes.

(c) Review agency policy and administrative decisions from this new

perspective.

In cases where the agency's review discloses statutes, regulations

or programs which should be revised or eliminated, the agency will, as

soon as possible, suggest changes to the statutes or propose

administrative changes to its regulations and programs.

The President also called on agencies to form partnerships with

people affected by regulations to insure that reform is guided by

reality. ATF plans to send representatives to scheduled industry events

in the next few months to advance these ideas.

To further involve the public and regulated industries in this

effort, ATF is also soliciting comments through this notice. The Bureau

requests that comments be as specific as possible. If the person

submitting a comment can cite a specific section of law or regulations,

that information will help ATF to organize and analyze the responses.

If the cite is not available, at least name the commodity (for

instance, wine, cigarettes, ammunition, fireworks) and the activity

(producing, labeling, importing) which the comment addresses. We

encourage persons who wish to comment to start the process with outline

suggestions within the 15-day comment period, with the understanding

that more detailed proposals may be submitted later. Most changes which

come about as a result of this initiative will be issued as proposed

rules, so further opportunity to comment on specific changes will be

afforded to interested persons.

ATF will not recognize any submitted material as confidential and

comments may be disclosed to the public. Any material which the person

commenting considers to be confidential or inappropriate for disclosure

to the public should not be included in the comments. The name of the

person submitting a comment is not exempt from disclosure.

Comments may be submitted by facsimile transmission (FAX) to (202)

927-8602, provided the comments: (1) are legible, (2) are 81/2'' x 11''

in size, (3) contain a written signature, and (4) are five pages or

less in length. This limitation is necessary to assure reasonable

access to the equipment. Comments sent by FAX in excess of five pages

will not be accepted. Receipt of FAX transmittals will not be

acknowledged. Facsimile transmitted comments will be treated as

originals.

Drafting Information. The author of this document is Marjorie D.

Ruhf, Wine, Beer & Spirits Regulations Branch, Bureau of Alcohol,

Tobacco and Firearms.

Authority: This notice is issued under the authority in 5 U.S.C.

301, 18 U.S.C. 847 and 926, 22 U.S.C. 2778, 26 U.S.C. 7805, and 27

U.S.C. 205 and 215.

Approved: April 10, 1995.

Richard J. Watkins,

Acting Director.

[FR Doc. 95-9184 Filed 4-12-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4810-31-U