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56482 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 183 / Monday, September 22, 2014 / Rules and Regulations asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES dependability, dispatchability, risk, diversity, and the ability to verify demand-side alternatives. Evaluation criteria will be reviewed as the need for resources changes or when long-term commitments to purchase power expire. (d) Evaluation criteria will be consistent with Western’s power marketing policy, which states that Federal power is to be marketed in such a manner as to encourage the most widespread use thereof at the lowest possible rates to consumers consistent with sound business principles. The policy, found in Delegation Order No. 00–037.00A, is derived from statutes authorizing the sale of power from both Department of the Army and Department of the Interior hydroelectric projects. These statutes include section 5 of the Flood Control Act of 1944, 16 U.S.C. 825(s) and section 9(c) of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939. (e) Resource acquisition planning will be consistent with power marketing plans and associated contractual obligations. (f) Resource acquisition decisions will be documented and made available to Western’s power customers and the public. official interpretations and commentary for the agencies’ regulations that implement the Consumer Leasing Act (CLA). The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) amended the CLA by requiring that the dollar threshold for exempt consumer leases be adjusted annually by any annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI–W). Based on the annual percentage increase in the CPI–W as of June 1, 2014, the Board and the Bureau are adjusting the exemption threshold to $54,600, effective January 1, 2015. Because the Dodd-Frank Act also requires similar adjustments in the Truth in Lending Act’s threshold for exempt consumer credit transactions, the Board and the Bureau are making similar amendments to each of their respective regulations implementing the Truth in Lending Act in a rule published elsewhere in the Federal Register. This final rule is effective January 1, 2015. DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Board: Vivian W. Wong, Counsel, Division of Consumer and Community § 905.51 Transmission planning principles. Affairs, Board of Governors of the Western’s transmission planning is Federal Reserve System, at (202) 452– conducted to assess the capability of the 3667; for users of Telecommunications Federal transmission system to provide Device for the Deaf (TDD) only, contact adequate and reliable electric service to (202) 263–4869. its customers and the interconnected Bureau: David Friend, Counsel, Office power grid. These planning efforts occur of Regulations, Bureau of Consumer as part of its participation in regional Financial Protection, at (202) 435–7700. and sub-regional planning entities as SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: well as Western’s Open Access I. Background Transmission Tariff. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform [FR Doc. 2014–22367 Filed 9–19–14; 8:45 am] and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 BILLING CODE 6450–01–P (Dodd-Frank Act) increased the threshold in the Consumer Leasing Act (CLA) for exempt consumer leases from FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM $25,000 to $50,000, effective July 21, 12 CFR Part 213 2011.1 In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act requires that this threshold be adjusted [Docket No. R–1495] annually for inflation by the annual RIN 7100–ZA–09 percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL Clerical Workers (CPI–W), as published PROTECTION by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In April 2011, the Board issued a final rule 12 CFR Part 1013 amending Regulation M (which implements the CLA) consistent with Consumer Leasing (Regulation M) these provisions of the Dodd-Frank AGENCY: Board of Governors of the Act.2 Federal Reserve System (Board); and Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act Bureau of Consumer Financial transferred rulemaking authority for a Protection (Bureau). number of consumer financial protection laws from the Board to the ACTION: Final rule; official interpretations and commentary. The Board and the Bureau are publishing final rules amending the SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:51 Sep 19, 2014 Jkt 232001 1 Public Law 111–203 section 1100E, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010). 2 76 FR 18349 (Apr. 4, 2011). PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Bureau, effective July 21, 2011. In connection with this transfer of rulemaking authority, the Bureau issued its own Regulation M implementing the CLA in an interim final rule, 12 CFR part 1013 (Bureau Interim Final Rule).3 The Bureau Interim Final Rule substantially duplicated the Board’s Regulation M, including the revisions to the threshold for exempt transactions made by the Board in April 2011. Although the Bureau has the authority to issue rules to implement the CLA for most entities, the Board retains authority to issue rules under the CLA for certain motor vehicle dealers covered by section 1029(a) of the DoddFrank Act, and the Board’s Regulation M continues to apply to those entities.4 Section 213.2(e)(1) of the Board’s Regulation M and § 1013.2(e)(1) of the Bureau’s Regulation M, and their accompanying commentaries, provide that the exemption threshold will be adjusted annually effective January 1 of each year based on any annual percentage increase in the CPI–W that was in effect on the preceding June 1. Any increase in the threshold amount will be rounded to the nearest $100 increment. For example, if the annual percentage increase in the CPI–W would result in a $950 increase in the threshold amount, the threshold amount will be increased by $1,000. However, if the annual percentage increase in the CPI–W would result in a $949 increase in the threshold amount, the threshold amount will be increased by $900.5 II. Adjustment and Commentary Revision Effective January 1, 2015, the adjusted exemption threshold amount is $54,600. This adjustment is based on the CPI–W index in effect on June 1, 2014, which was reported on May 15, 2014. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes consumer-based indices monthly, but does not report a CPI change on June 1; adjustments are reported in the middle of the month. The CPI–W is a subset of the CPI–U index (based on all urban consumers) and represents approximately 28 percent of the U.S. population. The adjustment reflects a 2 percent increase in the CPI–W from April 2013 to April 2014 and is rounded to the nearest $100 increment. Accordingly, the Board and the Bureau are revising the commentaries to their respective regulations to add new comment 2(e)–9.vi stating that, from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 3 76 FR 78500 (Dec. 19, 2011). also 12 U.S.C. 5519(b). 5 See comments 2(e)–9 in Supplements I of 12 CFR part 213 and 12 CFR part 1013. 4 See E:\FR\FM\22SER1.SGM 22SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 183 / Monday, September 22, 2014 / Rules and Regulations 2015, the threshold amount is $54,600. These revisions are effective January 1, 2015. III. Administrative Law Matters Administrative Procedure Act Under the Administrative Procedure Act, notice and opportunity for public comment are not required if the Board and the Bureau find that notice and public comment are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.6 This annual adjustment is required by statute. The amendment in this notice is technical and nondiscretionary, and it applies the method previously established in the agencies’ regulations for determining adjustments to the exemption threshold. For these reasons, the Board and the Bureau have determined that publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking and providing opportunity for public comment are unnecessary. Therefore, the amendments are adopted in final form. Regulatory Flexibility Act The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) does not apply to a rulemaking where a general notice of proposed rulemaking is not required.7 As noted previously, the agencies have determined that it is unnecessary to publish a general notice of proposed rulemaking for this joint final rule. Accordingly, the RFA’s requirements relating to an initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis do not apply. Paperwork Reduction Act In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,8 the agencies reviewed this final rule. No collections of information pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act are contained in the final rule. List of Subjects Text of Final Revisions For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Board amends Regulation M, 12 CFR part 213, as set forth below: PART 213—CONSUMER LEASING (REGULATION M) Advertising, Consumer leasing, Consumer protection, Federal Reserve System, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1604 and 1667f; Pub. L. No. 111–203 section 1100E, 124 Stat. 1376. 12 CFR Part 226 2. In Supplement I to Part 213, under Section 213.2—Definitions, under 2(e) Consumer Lease, paragraph 9.vi is added to read as follows: ■ 16:51 Sep 19, 2014 BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION * Truth in Lending (Regulation Z) * * * * Section 213.2—Definitions * * * * * * * * * Authority and Issuance For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Bureau amends Regulation M, 12 CFR part 1013, as set forth below: PART 1013—CONSUMER LEASING (REGULATION M) 1. The authority citation for part 1013 is revised to read as follows: ■ Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1604 and 1667f; Pub. L. 111–203 section 1100E, 124 Stat. 1376. 2. In Supplement I to part 1013, under Section 1013.2—Definitions, under 2(e) Consumer Lease, paragraph 9.vi is added to read as follows: Supplement I to Part 1013—Official Interpretations * * * * * * * * 2(e) Consumer Lease. * * * 9. Threshold amount. * * * vi. From January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015, the threshold amount is $54,600. PO 00000 * * Frm 00007 * Fmt 4700 * Sfmt 4700 The Board and the Bureau are publishing final rules amending the official interpretations and commentary for the agencies’ regulations that implement the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) amended TILA by requiring that the dollar threshold for exempt consumer credit transactions be adjusted annually by any annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI–W). Based on the annual percentage increase in the CPI– W as of June 1, 2014, the Board and the Bureau are adjusting the exemption threshold to $54,600, effective January 1, 2015. Because the Dodd-Frank Act also requires similar adjustments in the Consumer Leasing Act’s threshold for exempt consumer leases, the Board and the Bureau are making similar amendments to each of their respective regulations implementing the Consumer Leasing Act in a joint rulemaking published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register. DATES: This final rule is effective January 1, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Board: Vivian W. Wong, Counsel, Division of Consumer and Community Affairs, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, at (202) 452– SUMMARY: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection * Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board); and Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau). ACTION: Final rule; official interpretations and commentary. AGENCY: * 2(e) Consumer lease. 9. Threshold amount. * * * vi. From January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015, the threshold amount is $54,600. * Jkt 232001 RIN 7100 ZA–08 12 CFR Part 1026 Section 1013.2—Definitions VerDate Sep<11>2014 [Docket No. R–1494] Supplement I to Part 213—Official Staff Interpretations Advertising, Consumer leasing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604. 8 44 U.S.C. 3506; 5 CFR 1320. BILLING CODE 6210–01–P; 4810–AM–P FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM * 7 See [FR Doc. 2014–21847 Filed 9–19–14; 8:45 am] 1. The authority citation for part 213 is revised to read as follows: 12 CFR Part 1013 6 See By order of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, September 8, 2014. Robert deV. Frierson, Secretary of the Board. Dated: September 3, 2014. Richard Cordray, Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. ■ ■ 12 CFR Part 213 asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 56483 E:\FR\FM\22SER1.SGM 22SER1