Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
On February 1, 2007, the Senate amended and passed H.R. 2, a bill which would increase the minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $7.25 per hour over a period of two years. H.R. 2 would also apply federal minimum wage requirements to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands by increasing the minimum wage in the Commonwealth to $3.55 per hour, with $0.50 per hour increases (or less) every six months until it reaches the Federal minimum wage. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/12/07 news, 07011299, 3 for BP summary of House-passed version of H.R. 2.) (Senate amended H.R. 2 available at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h2eas.txt.pdf..)
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1. Senate Passes its Own Version of Federal Minimum Wage/Northern Marianas Minimum Wage Bill
2. USTR and Commerce Dept Submit 2007 Subsidies Report to Congress
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that on February 1, 2007 the USTR and the Commerce Department submitted to Congress the 2007 Subsidies Enforcement Report. According to the press release, the report details efforts by the USTR and Commerce Department to strengthen international trade rules against prohibited subsidies and to enforce compliance against the unfair use of foreign government subsidies across a broad range of industries, including aerospace, steel, paper, semiconductors, and fertilizer. (Press release, dated 02/01/07, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2007/January/USTR_Commerce_Submit_Subsidies_Enforcement_Report_to_Congress.html.)
3. ITA Travel and Tourism Office Requests Travel Brand Information
The International Trade Administration's (ITA's) Office of Travel and Tourism Industries is requesting information on a white paper presented by the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board entitled "Restoring America's Travel Brand: A National Strategy to Compete for International Visitors." The ITA states that comments will serve in the development of policies and programs to be implemented by the federal government concerning the tourism sector. Responses must be submitted by February 9, 2007. (ITA news release, dated 01/12/07, available at http://www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/tinews/archive/tinews2007/20070112.html; FR Pub 01/24/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-1015.pdf)
4. CPSC Settlement Agreement Regarding Sale of Certain Vacuum Cleaners
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a notice announcing that it has provisionally accepted a settlement agreement with Hoover Company, Inc. (Hoover) which contains a $750,000 civil penalty. This agreement settles CPSC allegations that Hoover failed to immediately inform the CPSC of certain defects and risks posed by certain defective Self-Propelled Wind Tunnel Upright vacuum cleaners. (D/N 07-C0003, FR Pub 01/24/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-292.pdf)
5. FMC Lists OTI Applications
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued one notice listing those applying for Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:
| NVOCC OTI applicants: |
| EDM International Logistics, Inc. (CA) |
| WW Messenger & Shipping Co. Inc. (NJ) |
| United Express Lines (CA) |
| CIC Trading Group Inc. (FL) |
| PNL Logistics, Inc. (CA) |
| NVOCC/FF OTI applicants: |
| Hilltop Logistics Inc. (CA) |
| Fastway Moving and Storage Inc. dba Fastway Moving (MA) |
| Logos Logistics Inc. (CA) |
| Oriental Air & Sea Transport (SFO), Inc. (CA) |
| FF OTI applicants: |
| VALCAD Construction, L.L.C. (TX) |
| Atlas Logistics USA Inc. (FL) |
FMC notice (FR Pub 01/31/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-1565.pdf
6. Various Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections
Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
| Agency | Information Collection | Comments Due |
|---|---|---|
| USDA 1 | Regulation Governing Inspection, Certification, and Standards for Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and other Products | 03/05/07 |
| USDA 2 | Spring Viremia of Carp-Susceptible Finfish and their Gametes, and Diagnostic Specimens Importation Permits | 03/05/07 |
| FDA 1 | Toll-Free Number for Reporting Adverse Events on Labeling for Human Drug Products; Labeling Comprehension Study | 03/05/07 |
| FDA 2 | General Licensing Provisions: Biologics License Application, Changes to an Approved Application, Labeling, Revocation and Suspension, Postmarketing Studies Status Reports (Forms FDA 456h and 2567) | 03/05/07 |
(USDA 1 Information Collection, FR Pub 02/02/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-1675.pdf
(USDA 2 Information Collection, FR Pub 02/01/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-1630.pdf
(FDA 1 Information Collection, FR Pub 02/02/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-1674.pdf
(FDA 2 Information Collection, FR Pub 02/02/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-1741.pdf