[Federal Register: March 22, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 54)] 
  [Rules and Regulations] 
  [Page 13682-13686] 
  From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] 
  [DOCID:fr22mr99-12]
[[Page 13682]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
27 CFR Part 24
[T.D. ATF-409] 
  RIN 1512-AB87
  Delegation of Authority
AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury.
ACTION: Treasury decision, final rule.
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SUMMARY: Authority delegation. This final rule places most ATF 
  authorities contained in part 24, title 27 Code of Federal Regulations 
  (CFR), with the ``appropriate ATF officer'' and requires that persons 
  file documents required by part 24, title 27 Code of Federal 
  Regulations (CFR), with the ``appropriate ATF officer'' or in 
  accordance with the instructions on the ATF form. Also, this final rule 
  removes the definitions of, and references to, specific officers 
  subordinate to the Director. Concurrently with this Treasury Decision, 
  ATF Order 1130.5 is being published. Through this order, the Director 
  has delegated most of the authorities in 27 CFR part 24 to the 
  appropriate ATF officers and specified the ATF officers with whom 
  applications, notices and other reports, which are not ATF forms, are 
filed.
EFFECTIVE DATE: March 22, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Ruhf, Revenue Operations 
  Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 650 Massachusetts 
  Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20226 (202-927-8220).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Pursuant to Treasury Order 120-01 (formerly 221), dated June 6, 
  1972, the Secretary of the Treasury delegated to the Director of the 
  Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the authority to 
  enforce, among other laws, the provisions of chapter 51 of the Internal 
  Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC). The Director has subsequently redelegated 
  certain of these authorities to appropriate subordinate officers by way 
  of various means, including by regulation, ATF delegation orders, 
  regional directives, or similar delegation documents. As a result, to 
  ascertain what particular officer is authorized to perform a particular 
  function under chapter 51, each of these various delegation instruments 
  must be consulted. Similarly, each time a delegation of authority is 
  revoked or redelegated, each of the delegation documents must be 
  reviewed and amended as necessary. 
  ATF has determined that this multiplicity of delegation instruments 
  complicates and hinders the task of determining which ATF officer is 
  authorized to perform a particular function. ATF also believes these 
  multiple delegation instruments exacerbate the administrative burden 
  associated with maintaining up-to-date delegations, resulting in an 
  undue delay in reflecting current authorities. 
  Accordingly, this final rule rescinds all authorities of the 
  Director in part 24 that were previously delegated and places those 
  authorities with the ``appropriate ATF officer.'' Most of the 
  authorities of the Director that were not previously delegated are also 
  placed with the ``appropriate ATF officer.'' Along with this final 
  rule, ATF is publishing ATF Order 1130.5, Delegation Order--Delegation 
  of the Director's Authorities in part 24, Wine, which delegates certain 
  of these authorities to the appropriate organizational level. The 
  effect of these changes is to consolidate all delegations of authority 
  in part 24 into one delegation instrument. This action both simplifies 
  the process for determining what ATF officer is authorized to perform a 
  particular function and facilitates the updating of delegations in the 
  future. As a result, delegations of authority will be reflected in a 
  more timely and user-friendly manner. 
  In addition, this final rule also eliminates all references in the 
  regulations that identify the ATF officer with whom an ATF form is 
filed. This is because ATF forms will indicate the officer with whom 
  they must be filed. Similarly, this final rule also amends part 24 to 
  provide that the submission of documents other than ATF forms (such as 
  letterhead applications, notices and reports) must be filed with the 
  ``appropriate ATF officer'' identified in ATF Order 1130.5. These 
  changes will facilitate the identification of the officer with whom 
  forms and other required submissions are filed. 
  This final rule also makes various technical amendments to Subpart 
  C--Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions of 27 CFR part 24. 
  Specifically, a new Sec. 24.19 is added to recognize the authority of 
  the Director to delegate regulatory authorities in part 24 and to 
  identify ATF Order 1130.5 as the instrument reflecting such 
  delegations. Also, Sec. 24.20 is amended to provide that the 
  instructions for an ATF form identify the ATF officer with whom it must 
  be filed. 
  ATF intends to make similar changes in delegations to all other 
  parts of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations through separate 
  rulemakings. By amending the regulations part by part, rather than in 
  one large rulemaking document and ATF Order, ATF minimizes the time 
  expended in notifying interested parties of current delegations of 
  authority.
Paperwork Reduction Act
The provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104- 
  13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 
  1320, do not apply to this final rule because there are no new or 
  revised recordkeeping or reporting requirements.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
Because no notice of proposed rulemaking is required for this rule, 
  the provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) 
  do not apply. A copy of this final rule was submitted to the Chief 
  Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration in accordance 
  with 26 U.S.C. 7805(f). No comments were received.
Executive Order 12866
It has been determined that this rule is not a significant 
  regulatory action because it will not: (1) Have an annual effect on the 
  economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way 
  the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, 
  the environment, public health or safety, or State, local or tribal 
  governments or communities; (2) Create a serious inconsistency or 
  otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency; 
  (3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user 
  fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients 
  thereof; or (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal 
  mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in 
  Executive Order 12866.
Administrative Procedure Act
Because this final rule merely makes technical amendments and 
  conforming changes to improve the clarity of the regulations, it is 
  unnecessary to issue this final rule with notice and public procedure 
  under 5 U.S.C. 553(b). Similarly it is unnecessary to subject this 
  final rule to the effective date limitation of 5 U.S.C. 553(d).
Drafting Information
The principal author of this document is Robert Ruhf, Regulations 
  Division,
[[Page 13683]]
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 24
Administrative practice and procedure, Authority delegations, 
  Claims, Electronic fund transfers, Excise taxes, Exports, Food 
  additives, Fruit juices, Labeling, Liquors, Packaging and containers, 
  Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Research, Scientific 
  equipment, Spices and flavorings, Surety bonds, Taxpaid wine bottling 
  house, Transportation, Vinegar, Warehouses, Wine.
Authority and Issuance
Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:
PART 24--WINE
Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 24 continues to read 
  as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 26 U.S.C. 5001, 5008, 5041, 5042, 
  5044, 5061, 5062, 5081, 5111-5113, 5121, 5122, 5142, 5143, 5173, 
  5206, 5214, 5215, 5351, 5353, 5354, 5356, 5357, 5361, 5362, 5364- 
  5373, 5381-5388, 5391, 5392, 5511, 5551, 5552, 5661, 5662, 5684, 
  6065, 6091, 6109, 6301, 6302, 6311, 6651, 6676, 7011, 7302, 7342, 
  7502, 7503, 7606, 7805, 7851; 31 U.S.C. 9301, 9303, 9304, 9306.
Sec. 24.3 [Removed]
Par. 2. Section 24.3 is removed. 
  Par. 3. Section 24.10 is amended by removing the definitions of 
  ``Area supervisor'', ``ATF Officer'', ``Region'', and ``Regional 
  director (compliance)'' and by adding a new definition of ``Appropriate 
  ATF officer'' to read as follows:
Sec. 24.10 Meaning of terms.
* * * * * 
  Appropriate ATF Officer. An officer or employee of the Bureau of 
  Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) authorized to perform any functions 
  relating to the administration or enforcement of this part by ATF Order 
  1130.5, Delegation Order--Delegation of the Director's Authorities in 
  27 CFR Part 24--Wine. 
  * * * * * 
  Par. 4. In Subpart C--Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions, 
  the undesignated center heading of ``Authorities of the Director'' is 
  amended by removing the words ``of the Director''. 
  Par. 5. A new Sec. 24.19 is added in Subpart C after the 
  undesignated center heading of ``Authorities'', to read as follows:
Sec. 24.19 Delegations of the Director.
Most of the regulatory authorities of the Director contained in 
  this Part 24 are delegated to appropriate ATF officers. These ATF 
  officers are specified in ATF Order 1130.5, Delegation Order-- 
  Delegation of the Director's Authorities in 27 CFR Part 24--Wine. ATF 
  delegation orders, such as ATF Order 1130.5, are available to any 
  interested person by mailing a request to the ATF Distribution Center, 
  P.O. Box 5950, Springfield, Virginia 22150-5190, or by accessing the 
  ATF web site 
  (http://www.atf.treas.gov/).
Sec. Sec. 24.20, 24.21, 24.22, 24.87, 24.127, 24.245, 24.246, 24.247, 
  24.248, 24.249, and 24.250 [Amended]
Par. 6. In part 24 remove the words ``Director'' each place it 
  appears and add, in substitution, the words ``appropriate ATF officer'' 
  in the following places: 
  (a) Section 24.20(a); 
  (b) Section 24.21(a) introductory text, and (c); 
  (c) Section 24.22(a) introductory text, and (b); 
  (d) Section 24.87; 
  (e) Section 24.127; 
  (f) Section 24.245; 
  (g) Section 24.246(a)(1); 
  (h) Section 24.247; 
  (i) Section 24.248; 
  (j) Section 24.249(a); and (k) Section 24.250(b)(9). 
  Par. 7. Section 24.20 is amended by adding a sentence at the end of 
  paragraph (a) and revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 24.20 Forms prescribed.
(a) * * * The form will be filed in accordance with the 
  instructions for the form. 
  (b) Forms may be requested from the ATF Distribution Center, P.O. 
  Box 5950, Springfield, Virginia 22150-5190, or by accessing the ATF web 
  site (http://www.atf.treas.gov/). 
  * * * * *
Sec. Sec. 24.21, 24.26, 24.27, 24.28, 24.29, 24.30, 24.31, 24.32, 
  24.52, 24.60, 24.62, 24.65, 24.66, 24.69, 24.70, 24.77, 24.91, 24.96, 
  24.105, 24.107, 24.108, 24.110, 24.111, 24.115, 24.116, 24.120, 24.123, 
  24.124, 24.125, 24.135, 24.137, 24.140, 24.141, 24.150, 25.154, 25.155, 
  24.157, 24.159, 24.165, 24.166, 24.167, 24.169, 24.170, 24.183, 24.191, 
  24.231, 24.236, 24.242, 24.249, 24.260, 24.265, 24.272, 24.273, 24.276, 
  24.278, 24.279, 24.296, 24.300 and 24.313 [Amended]
Par. 8. Part 24 is further amended by removing the words ``regional 
  director (compliance)'' each place it appears and adding, in 
  substitution, the words ``appropriate ATF officer'' in the following 
  places: 
  (a) Section 24.21(b); 
  (b) Section 24.26; 
  (c) Section 24.27; 
  (d) Section 24.28; 
  (e) Section 24.29; 
  (f) Section 24.30; 
  (g) Section 24.31; 
  (h) Section 24.32; 
  (i) Section 24.52(a); 
  (j) Section 24.60; 
  (k) Section 24.62; 
  (l) Section 24.65(a) introductory text, (b) introductory text, and 
  (c) introductory text; 
  (m) Section 24.66(a); 
  (n) Section 24.69(b); 
  (o) Section 24.70; 
  (p) Section 24.77(c), (d) and (e); 
  (q) Section 24.91(c); 
  (r) Section 24.96(a); 
  (s) Section 24.105; 
  (t) Section 24.107; 
  (u) Section 24.108; 
  (v) Section 24.110(c)(1); 
  (w) Section 24.111; 
  (x) Section 24.115; 
  (y) Section 24.116; 
  (z) Section 24.120; 
  (aa) Section 24.123; 
  (bb) Section 24.124; 
  (cc) Section 24.125(c); 
  (dd) Section 24.135(b)(4), (c), (d) and (e); 
  (ee) Section 24.137(a), (b)(3) and (c); 
  (ff) Section 24.140(a) and (b)(3); 
  (gg) Section 24.141; 
  (hh) Section 24.150; 
  (ii) Section 24.154; 
  (jj) Section 24.155 (a), introductory text and (b); 
  (kk) Section 24.157; 
  (ll) Section 24.159; 
  (mm) Section 24.165; 
  (nn) Section 24.166; 
  (oo) Section 24.167(a); 
  (pp) Section 24.169; 
  (qq) Section 24.170(a) and (b); 
  (rr) Section 24.183; 
  (ss) Section 24.191; 
  (tt) Section 24.231; 
  (uu) Section 24.236; 
  (vv) Section 24.242 (a), introductory text, (b), (c)(1), 
  introductory text, and (c)(2); 
  (ww) Section 24.249(c); 
  (xx) Section 24.260; 
  (yy) Section 24.265; 
  (zz) Section 24.272(b)(3) and (e); 
  (aaa) Section 24.273(b); 
  (bbb) Section 24.276; 
  (ccc) Section 24.278(h); 
  (ddd) Section 24.279(a); 
  (eee) Section 24.296(a) and (b); 
  (fff) Section 24.300(d); and 
  (ggg) Section 24.313, introductory text. 
  Par. 9. In Subpart C-Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions, 
  the undesignated center headings of ``Authorities of the Regional 
  Director (Compliance)'' and ``Authorities of ATF Officers'' are 
  removed.
[[Page 13684]]
Sec. 24.22 [Amended]
Par. 10. Paragraph (b) of Sec. 24.22 is amended by removing the 
  words ``the regional director (compliance) for transmittal to''. 
  Par. 11. Paragraph (c) of Sec. 24.22 is amended by removing the 
  phrase ``the regional director (compliance), or the Director'' and 
  adding, in substitution, the phrase ``appropriate ATF officer''.
Secs. 24.36, 24.230 and 24.235 [Amended]
Par. 12. Section 24.36, Sec. 24.230, and paragraph (b) of 
  Sec. 24.235 are amended by removing the words ``area supervisor'' and 
  adding, in substitution, the words ``appropriate ATF officer''. 
  Par. 13. Section 24.25 is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 24.25 Emergency variations from requirements.
(a) General. The appropriate ATF officer may approve construction, 
  equipment, and methods of operation other than as specified in this 
  part, when in the judgment of such officer an emergency exists, the 
  proposed variations from the specified requirements are necessary, and 
  the proposed variations: 
  (1) Will afford the security and protection to the revenue intended 
  by the prescribed specifications; 
  (2) Will not hinder the effective administration of this part; and 
  (3) Will not be contrary to any provisions of law. 
  (b) Application. The proprietor must submit a written application 
  to the appropriate ATF officer within 24 hours of any temporary 
  approval granted under paragraph (c) of this section, which describes 
  the proposed variation, and sets forth the reasons therefor. 
  (c) Temporary Approval. The proprietor who desires to employ an 
  emergency variation from requirements must contact the appropriate ATF 
  officer and request temporary approval until the written application, 
  required by paragraph (b) of this section, is acted upon. The 
  appropriate ATF officer will be a subordinate of the ATF officer 
  designated in paragraph (a) of this section. Where the emergency 
  threatens life or property, the proprietor may take immediate action to 
  correct the situation without prior notification; however, the 
  proprietor must promptly contact the appropriate ATF officer and file 
  with that officer a report concerning the emergency and the action 
  taken to correct the situation. 
  (d) Conditions. The proprietor must, during the period of variation 
  from requirements granted under this section, comply with the terms of 
  the approved application. A failure to comply in good faith with any 
  procedures, conditions, and limitations will automatically terminate 
  the authority for a variation. Upon termination of the variation, the 
  proprietor must fully comply with requirements of regulations for which 
  the variation was authorized. Authority for any variation may be 
  withdrawn whenever in the judgment of the appropriate ATF officer the 
  revenue is jeopardized or the effective administration of this part is 
  hindered by the continuation of the variation.
Secs. 24.30, 24.35, 24.37, 24.40, 24.54, 24.77, 24.91, 24.117, 24.259, 
  24.291, 24.293, 24.300 and 24.304 [Amended]
Par. 14. Part 24 is further amended by adding the word 
  ``appropriate'' before the words ``ATF officer'' each place it appears 
  in the following places: 
  (a) Section 24.30; 
  (b) Section 24.35; 
  (c) Section 24.37; 
  (d) Section 24.40; 
  (e) Section 24.54(c); 
  (f) Section 24.77(d); 
  (g) Section 24.91, introductory text; 
  (h) Section 24.117; 
  (i) Section 24.259(c); 
  (j) Section 24.291(c); 
  (k) Section 24.293(b); 
  (l) Section 24.300(b) and (e)(3); and 
  (m) Section 24.304(a).
Sec. 24.31 [Amended]
Par. 15. Section 24.31 is amended by removing the phrase ``a 
  designated'', and in substitution, adding the phrase ``an 
  appropriate''. 
  Par. 16. Section 24.41 is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 24.41 Office facilities.
The appropriate ATF officer may require the proprietor to furnish 
  temporarily a suitable work area, desk and equipment necessary for the 
  use of appropriate ATF officers in performing Government duties whether 
  or not such office space is located at the specific premises where 
  regulated operations occur or at corporate business offices where no 
  regulated activity occurs. Such office facilities will be subject to 
  approval by the appropriate ATF officer.
Sec. 24.52 [Amended]
Par. 16. The second sentence of paragraph (b) of Sec. 24.52 is 
  amended by removing the words ``regional director (compliance) of the 
  region in which the bonded wine premises or taxpaid wine bottling house 
  is located'' and adding, in substitution, the phrase ``appropriate ATF 
  officer''. 
  Par. 17. The first, fifth and sixth sentences of paragraph (b) of 
  Sec. 24.77 are revised to read as follows:
Sec. 24.77 Experimental wine.
* * * * * 
  (b) Qualification. An institution that wants to conduct 
  experimental wine operations must apply in letter form to the 
  appropriate ATF officer. * * * The applicant must, when required by the 
  appropriate ATF officer, furnish as part of the application, additional 
  information that may be necessary to determine whether the application 
  should be approved. Operations may not begin until authorized by the 
  appropriate ATF officer. 
  * * * * * 
  Par. 19. The second and last sentences of Sec. 24.80 are revised to 
  read as follows:
Sec. 24.80 General.
* * * The formula must be prepared and filed on ATF F 5120.29, 
  Formula and Process for Wine, in accordance with the instructions on 
  the form.* * * Except for research, development, and testing, no 
  special natural wine, agricultural wine, or, if required to be covered 
  by an approved formula, wine other than standard wine may be produced 
  prior to approval by the appropriate ATF officer of a formula covering 
  each ingredient and process (if the process requires approval) used in 
  the production of the product. 
  * * * * * 
  Par. 20. The third and sixth sentences of Sec. 24.81 are revised as 
  follows:
Sec. 24.81 Filing of formulas.
* * * After a change in formula is approved, the original formula 
  must be surrendered to the appropriate ATF officer. * * * The 
  appropriate ATF officer may at any time require the proprietor to file 
  a statement of process in addition to that required by the ATF F 
  5120.29 or any other data to determine whether the formula should be 
  approved or the approval continued. 
  * * * * *
Sec. 24.82 [Amended]
Par. 21. The fourth sentence of Sec. 24.82 is amended by removing 
  the words ``Director or the regional director (compliance)'' and 
  adding, in substitution, the words ``appropriate ATF officer''.
Sec. 24.100 [Amended]
Par. 22. Section 24.100 and the introductory text of paragraph (g) 
  of Sec. 24.300 are amended to remove the phrase ``to the regional 
  director (compliance)''.
Sec. 24.101 [Amended]
Par. 23. The first and second sentences of paragraph (a) of 
  Sec. 24.101
[[Page 13685]]
are amended to remove the phrase ``with the regional director 
  (compliance)'' and in the first sentence only add, in substitution, the 
  phrase ``as provided in Sec. 24.105''. 
  Par. 24. Section 24.103 is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 24.103 Other operations.
Upon the specific approval of the appropriate ATF officer, other 
  operations not provided for in this part may be conducted on wine 
  premises. Authority to conduct other operations may be obtained by 
  submitting an application to the appropriate ATF officer. The 
  application must specifically describe the operation to be conducted 
  and the wine premises and equipment to be used. An appropriate ATF 
  officer may make any inquiry necessary to determine whether the conduct 
  of other operations on wine premises would jeopardize the revenue, 
  conflict with wine operations, or be contrary to law. Other operations 
  authorized under this section will be conducted in accordance with the 
  conditions, limitations, procedures, and terms stated in the approved 
  application. Authority to conduct other operations may be withdrawn 
  whenever the appropriate ATF officer determines the conduct of the 
  other operations on wine premises jeopardizes the revenue, conflicts 
  with wine operations, or is contrary to law.
Sec. Sec. 24.106, 24.114, 24.135, and 24.137 [Amended]
Par. 25. The fourth sentence of Sec. 24.106, the second and third 
  sentences of Sec. 24.114, the introductory text of paragraph (b) of 
  Sec. 24.135 and paragraph (b) of Sec. 24.137 are amended to remove the 
  phrase ``with the regional director (compliance)''.
Sec. 24.109 [Amended]
Par. 26. The second sentence of paragraph (k) of Sec. 24.109 is 
  amended by removing the words ``regional director (compliance) of any 
  ATF region'' and adding, in substitution, the phrase ``appropriate ATF 
  officer'' and the fourth and fifth sentences are amended by removing 
  the words ``regional director (compliance)'' and by adding, in 
  substitution, the phrase ``appropriate ATF officer''. 
  Par. 27. Paragraph (d) of Sec. 24.110 is revised to read as 
  follows:
Sec. 24.110 Organizational Documents.
* * * * * 
  (d) Availability of additional corporate documents. The originals 
  of documents required to be submitted under this section and additional 
  documents that may be required by the appropriate ATF officer (such as 
  articles of incorporation, bylaws, and any certificate issued by a 
  State authorizing operations) must be made available to any appropriate 
  ATF officer upon request. 
  * * * * *
Sec. 24.116 [Amended]
Par. 28. The last sentence of Sec. 24.116 is amended to remove the 
  words ``regional director'' and adding, in substitution, the phrase 
  ``appropriate ATF officer''.
Sec. 24.131 [Amended]
Par. 29. Section 24.131 is amended to remove the words ``regional 
  director (compliance) through the area supervisor'' from the first 
  sentence and the words ``regional director (compliance)'' from the 
  third sentence and adding in both sentences, in substitution, the 
  phrase ``appropriate ATF officer''. 
  Par. 30. The first and second sentences of Sec. 24.145 are revised 
  to read as follows:
Sec. 24.145 General requirements.
Each person required to file a bond or consent of surety under this 
  part must prepare, execute and submit the bond or consent of surety on 
  the prescribed form in accordance with this part and the instructions 
  printed on the form. A person may not commence or continue any business 
  or operation relating to wine until all bonds and consents of surety 
  required under this part with respect to the business or operation have 
  been approved by the appropriate ATF officer.* * *
Sec. 24.201 [Amended]
Par. 31. The first sentence of Sec. 24.201 is amended by removing 
  the phrase ``from the Director'' and adding, in substitution, the word 
  ``an''.
Sec. 24.211 [Amended]
Par. 32. The second sentence of Sec. 24.211 is amended by removing 
  the words ``with the Director''. 
  Par. 33. Paragraph (b) of Sec. 24.249 is revised to read as 
  follows:
Sec. 24.249 Experimentation with new treating material or process.
* * * * * 
  (b) Application. The proprietor who wants to conduct 
  experimentation must file an application with the appropriate ATF 
  officer setting forth in detail the experimentation to be conducted and 
  the facilities and equipment to be used. The proposed experimentation 
  must not be conducted until the appropriate ATF officer has determined 
  that the conduct of such experimentation must not jeopardize the 
  revenue, conflict with wine operations, or be contrary to law, and has 
  approved the application. 
  * * * * *
Sec. 24.250 [Amended]
Par. 34. Paragraph (a) of Sec. 24.250 is amended by removing the 
  following phrase ``regional director (compliance) of the region in 
  which the bonded wine premises is located'' and adding, in 
  substitution, the phrase ``appropriate ATF officer''.
Sec. 24.250 [Amended]
Par. 35. Paragraph (c) of Sec. 24.250 is revised by removing the 
  word ``Director'' in the first sentence and, in substitution, adding 
  the phrase ``appropriate ATF officer'', and removing the last two 
  sentences. 
  Par. 36. Paragraph (d) of Sec. 24.250 is revised to read as 
  follows:
Sec. 24.250 Application for use of new treating material or process.
* * * * * 
  (d) Processing of application. After evaluation of the data 
  submitted with the application, the appropriate ATF officer will make a 
  decision regarding the acceptability of the proposed treatment in good 
  commercial practice. The appropriate ATF officer will notify the 
  proprietor of the approval or disapproval of the application. 
  * * * * *
Sec. 24.267 [Amended]
Par. 37. Section 24.267 is amended by removing the words ``regional 
  director (compliance) or nearest designated'' and adding, in 
  substitution, the word ``appropriate''. 
  Par. 38. The text of 24.268 is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 24.268 Losses by fire or other casualty.
The proprietor must immediately report any loss by theft, fire or 
  other casualty, or any other extraordinary or unusual loss to the 
  appropriate ATF officer. If required by the appropriate ATF officer, 
  the proprietor must file a claim under the provisions of Sec. 24.65. 
  The volume of wine loss must be reported on ATF F 5120.17 for the 
  reporting period during which the loss occurred. 
  * * * * *
Sec. 24.272 [Amended]
Par. 39. Paragraph (b)(1) of Sec. 24.272 is amended by removing the 
  words ``regional director (compliance) of each ATF region in which 
  taxes are paid'' and adding, in substitution, the words ``appropriate 
  ATF officer''. 
  Par. 40. Paragraph (a) of Sec. 24.294 is revised to read as 
  follows:
[[Page 13686]]
Sec. 24.294 Destruction of Wine.
(a) General. Wine on bonded wine premises may be destroyed on or 
  off wine premises by the proprietor without payment of tax. A 
  proprietor who wants to destroy wine on or off wine premises must file 
  with the appropriate ATF officer an application stating the kind, 
  alcohol content, and approximate volume of wine to be destroyed, where 
  the wine is to be destroyed, and the reason for destruction. Wine to be 
  destroyed must be inspected, and the destruction supervised, by an 
  appropriate ATF officer unless the appropriate ATF officer authorizes 
  the proprietor to destroy the wine without inspection and supervision. 
  The wine must not be destroyed until the proprietor has received 
  authority from the appropriate ATF officer. 
  Par. 41. The third sentence of paragraph (a) introductory text, of 
  Sec. 24.300 is amended by removing the phrase ``submitted to the 
  regional director (compliance)''. 
  Par. 42. Sec. 24.300, paragraph (c) and the third and fifth 
  sentences of paragraph (g)(2) are revised to read as follows:
Sec. 24.300 General.
* * * * * 
  (c) Prescribed forms. All reports required by this part must be 
  submitted on forms prescribed by Sec. 24.20. Entries will be made as 
  indicated by the headings of the columns and lines, and as required by 
  the instructions for the form. Report forms are furnished free of cost. 
  * * * * * 
  (g) ATF F 5120.17, Report of bonded wine premises operations. * * * 
  (2) * * * A proprietor who is commencing operations during a 
  calendar year and expects to meet these criteria may use a letter 
  notice to the appropriate ATF officer, and file an annual ATF F 5120.17 
  for the remaining portion of the calendar year. * * * If there is a 
  jeopardy to the revenue, the appropriate ATF officer may at any time 
  require any proprietor otherwise eligible for annual filing of a report 
  of bonded wine premises operations to file such report monthly. 
  * * * * *
Signed: December 9, 1998. 
  John W. Magaw, 
  Director.
Approved: February 9, 1999. 
  John P. Simpson, 
  Deputy Assistant Secretary (Regulatory, Tariff and Trade Enforcement). 
  [FR Doc. 99-6736 Filed 3-19-99; 8:45 am] 
  BILLING CODE 4810-31-P This was last updated on March 23, 1999