Implementation of Public Law 105-34, Section 1417, Related to the Use of Additional Ameliorating Material in Certain Wines (98R-89P)

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

27 CFR Parts 4 and 24

[Notice No. 868]

RIN 1512-AB78

Implementation of Public Law 105-34, Section 1417, Related to the

Use of Additional Ameliorating Material in Certain Wines (98R-89P)

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

the Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking cross-referenced to temporary

regulations.

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SUMMARY: In the Rules and Regulations portion of this Federal Register,

the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is issuing temporary

regulations to implement section 1417 of the Taxpayer Relief Act of

1997. The new law made changes in the use of additional ameliorating

material in certain wines. The wine regulations are amended to extend

the amelioration and sweetening limitations so that wines made

exclusively from any fruit (excluding grapes) or berry with a fixed

acid content of 20 or more parts per thousand is entitled to a volume

of up to 60 percent ameliorating material.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before December 15,

1999.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Chief, Regulations Division,

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, P.O. Box 50221, Washington, DC

20091-0221, Attention: Notice Number 868.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas B. Busey, Regulations Division,

650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226; (202) 927-8204.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

It has been determined that this proposed rule is not a significant

regulatory action as defined by Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a

regulatory assessment is not required.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

Because this proposed rule does not impose a collection of

information requirement on small entities, the provisions of the

Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601) do not apply. Moreover, the

revenue effects of this rulemaking on small businesses flow directly

from the underlying statute. Likewise, any secondary or incidental

effects, or other compliance burdens flow directly from the statute.

Pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 7805(f), this proposed regulation will be

submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business

Administration for comment on its impact on small business.

Paperwork Reduction Act

The provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.

3507) and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 1320, do not apply

to this notice of proposed rulemaking because no new requirement to

collect information is proposed.

Public Participation

ATF requests comments on the temporary regulations from all

interested persons. Comments received on or before the closing date

will be carefully considered. Comments received after that date will be

given the same consideration if it is practicable to do so, but

assurance of consideration cannot be given except as to comments

received on or before the closing date.

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

927-8602, provided the comments: (1) are legible, (2) are 8 \1/2\'' x

11'' in size, (3) contain a written signature, and (4) are three pages

or less in length. This limitation is necessary to assure reasonable

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

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

acknowledged. Facsimile transmitted comments will be treated as

originals.

ATF will not recognize any material in comments as confidential.

Comments may be disclosed to the public. Any material which the

commenter considers to be 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. During the

comment period, any person may request an opportunity to present oral

testimony at a public hearing. However, the Director reserves the

right, in light of all circumstances, to determine if a public hearing

is necessary.

The temporary regulations in this issue of the Federal Register

amend the regulations in 27 CFR parts 4 and 24. For the text of the

temporary regulations see T.D. ATF-403, published in the Rules and

Regulations section of this issue of the Federal Register.

Drafting Information

The principal author of this document is Thomas B. Busey,

Regulations Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Signed: July 22, 1999.

John W. Magaw,

Director.

Approved: August 13, 1999.

John P. Simpson,

Deputy Assistant Secretary (Regulatory, Tariff and Trade Enforcement).

[FR Doc. 99-24159 Filed 9-15-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4810-31-P