Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
A House Ways and Means press release reports that Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rangel has introduced H.R. 5264, a bill to provide, among other things, an extension to September 30, 2010 of the following three trade preference programs scheduled to expire this year: the Andean Trade Preferences (ATPA/ATPDEA) due to expire on February 29; the Caribbean Basin Preferences (CBI/CBTPA) scheduled to expire in September 30; and the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) scheduled to expire on December 31. (Release, dated 02/08/08, available at http://waysandmeans.house.gov/News.asp?FormMode=release&ID=620; text of H.R. 5264 available at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h5264ih.txt.pdf.)
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1. Chairman Introduces Bill to Extend ATPDEA, CBTPA, GSP to 2010, Etc.
2. TSA Erred in Estimated TWIC Enrollment, Additional 750,000 Must Enroll
Land Line Magazine reports that the Transportation Security Administration's Transportation Worker Identification Credential program director and a TWIC contractor admitted to a House Maritime Transportation Subcommittee that TSA erred in its estimation that 700,000 to 880,000 truck drivers and port workers need to enroll in TWIC, as they missed an additional 750,000 workers that must enroll. (Land Line Magazine, dated 02/04/08, available at http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2008/Feb08/020408/020408-03.htm)
3. Less than 10% of Maritime Workers Have Applied for TWIC Card
American Shipper reports that less than one in ten maritime workers applied for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential during the first 100 days of enrollment. (American Shipper, dated 02/05/08, www.americanshipper.com)
4. U.S. and Russia Sign Uranium Agreement to Benefit U.S. Utilities
The Department of Commerce has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. and Russia have signed an agreement which allows for sales of Russian uranium products directly to U.S. utility companies under a quota for Russian exports during 2014 and 2020. Russia will also be able to export smaller quantities of uranium products during the years 2011 through 2013. (Commerce, dated 02/01/08, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_005136)
5. CBP Posts Updated Documents on RFI for Container Security Devices
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted an updated question and answer document and minor modification regarding its December 2007 Request for Information (RFI) for conveyance security devices (CSDs, commonly referred to as container security devices). (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/16/08 news, 08011610 for BP summary of updated information on the RFI with link to the original RFI.) (Updated CBP documents, dated 02/01/08, available at http://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/USCS/PDDC20229/Reference%2DNumber%2DRFICSD/Modification%2007.html)
6. State Dept Makes Minor Corrections to Passport Regulations
The State Department has issued two final rules making minor corrections to its November 2007 passport rule which reorganized and updated the passport regulations to make them easier for users to access information, remove outdated provisions, etc. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/20/07 news, 07122099 9, for BP summary of the November 2007 final rule.) (State Dept.'s first correction notice, Public Notice 6071, FR Pub 01/24/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-1205.pdf and State Dept.'s second correction notice, (Public Notice 6084, FR Pub 01/30/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-1670.pdf)
7. ITA Council Meeting Held on Manufacturer Renewable Energy Issues
The International Trade Administration issued a notice that announced a fact-finding meeting of the Manufacturing Council on February 5, 2008 to collect information on the problems manufacturers face in using or adopting renewable energies. The Council is gathering information for later use in preparing a report for the Secretary of Commerce. (ITA notice, FR Pub 01/16/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/08-139.pdf)
8. State Dept Instituted New Passport Fee Schedule on Feb. 1, 2008
The State Department issued a press release which announced that on February 1, 2008, it instituted a new fee schedule for passport services, which, among other things, increases the total passport book fee for adults from $97 to $100. Applicants will also have the option of pre-ordering a new Passport Card, an alternative to the passport book (for land and sea only) designed for those living along the border, which has a total fee of $45 for adults. (State Dept. press release, dated 01/29/08, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2008/jan/99809.htm)