[Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions] [Federal Maritime Commission Semiannual Regulatory Agenda ] [From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Part LVI Federal Maritime Commission ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Semiannual Regulatory Agenda [[Page 31380]]FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION (FMC) _______________________________________________________________________ FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION 46 CFR Ch. IV Unified Agenda AGENCY: Federal Maritime Commission. ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda. _______________________________________________________________________ SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 4(b) of Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Commission anticipates having under consideration, during the period from April 1, 2003, to March 31, 2004, actions in the areas listed below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information concerning Commission rulemaking proceedings or the status of any matter listed below, contact: Bryant L. VanBrakle, Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW., Washington, DC 20573, (202) 523-5725. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 602 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 602) requires the publication of an agenda of items for which regulatory agencies may propose or promulgate a rule which is likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Section 4(b) of Executive Order 12866 also requires agencies to publish a regulatory agenda. The agenda includes information on regulatory activities being conducted or reviewed during the succeeding 12 months by the Commission. The following is the Commission's unified regulatory agenda. The agenda does not necessarily include all petitions for rulemakings that are under staff review. In addition, the Commission maintains a compilation of the status of pending rulemaking proceedings and a listing of rules that have become final since the publication of the most recent regulatory agenda. This will be made available to the public, including the press and interested persons. Bryant L. VanBrakle, Secretary. Federal Maritime Commission--Proposed Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4037 Content of Ocean Common Carrier and Marine Terminal Operator Agreements Subject to 3072-AC11 the Shipping Act of 1984 (Docket No. 99-13)......................................... 4038 Impact of Government Paperwork Elimination Act and Electronic Signatures in Global 3072-AC17 and National Commerce Act (Docket No. 01-08)........................................ 4039 Common Carrier Status Under the Shipping Act of 1984................................ 3072-AC21 4040 Passenger Vessel Financial Responsibility (Docket No. 02-15)........................ 3072-AC22 4041 Revisions to Commission's Regulations Regarding the Filing of Agreement Minutes..... 3072-AC23 4042 Revisions to the Information Form and Monitoring Report Regulations for Carrier 3072-AC24 Agreements.......................................................................... 4043 Amendment to Service Contract Regulations........................................... 3072-AC25 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Federal Maritime Commission--Long-Term Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4044 Coloading Practices and Possible Section 16 Exemption for Coloading (Docket Nos. 93- 3072-AB75 22 and 94-26)....................................................................... 4045 Port Restrictions and Requirements in the United States/Japan Trade (Docket No. 96- 3072-AB97 20)................................................................................. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________________________________ Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Proposed Rule Stage _______________________________________________________________________ 4037. CONTENT OF OCEAN COMMON CARRIER AND MARINE TERMINAL OPERATOR AGREEMENTS SUBJECT TO THE SHIPPING ACT OF 1984 (DOCKET NO. 99-13) Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 46 USC app 1701 et seq; PL 105-258 CFR Citation: 46 CFR 535 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The FMC issued an inquiry to solicit comments concerning the appropriate content of agreements filed with the Commission pursuant to the Shipping Act of 1984, as amended by the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998. The comments received will assist the Commission in preparing a rule to update or refine the existing content standards. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Notice of Inquiry 08/03/99 64 FR 42057 Inquiry Comment Period End 10/04/99 NPRM 06/00/03 NPRM Comment Period End 08/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Amy W. Larson, Acting General Counsel, Federal Maritime Commission Phone: 202 523-5740 Fax: 202 523-5738 [[Page 31381]] Email: amyl@fmc.gov RIN: 3072-AC11 _______________________________________________________________________ 4038. IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT PAPERWORK ELIMINATION ACT AND ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES IN GLOBAL AND NATIONAL COMMERCE ACT (DOCKET NO. 01-08) Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: PL 105-277, Government Paperwork Elimination Act; PL 106-229, Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act CFR Citation: 46 CFR 500 et seq Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, October 21, 2003. Abstract: The Federal Maritime Commission is issuing this inquiry to solicit information and comments concerning the impact of the Government Paperwork Elimination Act and the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act on all sectors of the U.S. ocean shipping industry. These comments will assist the Commission as it analyzes the use and acceptance of documents in electronic form, as well as other means of engaging in electronic transactions. The Commission, via a rulemaking, plans to provide individuals or entities with the option to submit information or transact business with the Commission electronically, where practicable, and to maintain records electronically when practicable. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Notice of Inquiry 07/18/01 66 FR 37468 Comments Due 08/17/01 Comment Period Extended to 09/ 17/2001 08/17/01 66 FR 43261 NPRM 08/00/03 NPRM Comment Period End 10/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Austin L. Schmitt, Deputy Executive Director, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20573 Phone: 202 523-5800 Fax: 202 523-5827 Email: austins@fmc.gov RIN: 3072-AC17 _______________________________________________________________________ 4039. COMMON CARRIER STATUS UNDER THE SHIPPING ACT OF 1984 Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 5 USC 553; 46 USC app 1701 et seq; PL 105-258 CFR Citation: 46 CFR 515; 46 CFR 520; 46 CFR 530; 46 CFR 535 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Federal Maritime Commission is proposing to amend its rules to address the criteria that it will use to establish ocean common carrier status under the Shipping Act of 1984. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/03 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Florence A. Carr, Director, Bureau of Trade Analysis, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20573 Phone: 202 523-5796 Fax: 202 523-4372 Email: florence@fmc.gov Vern W. Hill, Director, Bureau of Enforcement, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20573 Phone: 202 523-5783 Fax: 202 523-5785 Email: vernh@fmc.gov RIN: 3072-AC21 _______________________________________________________________________ 4040. PASSENGER VESSEL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (DOCKET NO. 02-15) Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 5 USC 552 to 553; 46 USC app 817d to 817e; 46 USC 1716; 31 USC 9701 CFR Citation: 46 CFR 540 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The FMC proposes to amend its rules regarding the establishment of passenger vessel financial responsibility under sections 2 (Casualty) and 3 (Performance) of Public Law 89-777. The amendments would: Eliminate the current ceiling on required Performance coverage; adjust the amount of coverage required by providing for consideration of the obligations of credit card issuers; provide for the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including the Commission's ADR program, in resolving passenger Performance claims; revise the application form; and make a number of technical adjustments to the Performance and Casualty rules. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 10/31/02 67 FR 66352 NPRM Comment Period End 01/08/03 NPRM Comment Period Extended 12/27/02 67 FR 79029 NPRM Comment Period End 04/08/03 NPRM Comment Period Extended 04/08/03 68 FR 17003 NPRM Comment Period End 05/30/03 Notice of Public Hearing To Be Held 06/11/2003 05/00/03 Requests To Participate in Public Hearing Due 05/28/03 Final Action 12/00/03 Final Action Effective 02/00/04 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Sandra L. Kusumoto, Director, Bureau of Consumer Complaints & Licensing, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20573 Phone: 202 523-5787 Fax: 202 523-5830 Email: sandrak@fmc.gov Ronald D. Murphy, Commission Dispute Resolution Specialist, Federal Maritime Commission Phone: 202 523-5787 Email: adr@fmc.gov Amy W. Larson, Acting General Counsel, Federal Maritime Commission Phone: 202 523-5740 Fax: 202 523-5738 Email: amyl@fmc.gov RIN: 3072-AC22 [[Page 31382]] _______________________________________________________________________ 4041. [bull] REVISIONS TO COMMISSION'S REGULATIONS REGARDING THE FILING OF AGREEMENT MINUTES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 5 USC 553; 46 USC app 1701 to 1707; 46 USC app 1709 to 1710; 46 USC app 1712; 46 USC app 1714 to 1718; ... CFR Citation: 46 CFR 535 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The FMC is considering amending its regulations governing the filing of minutes and related documents by carrier agreements. The minutes reporting regulations require that certain types of agreements on file with the FMC submit a report of each meeting held, describing all matters discussed or considered within the scope of the agreement. The FMC is considering changing the rules to ensure that it receives relevant information to enable it to assess the competitive consequences of agreement discussions. The modifications would clarify the level of detail adequate to describe matters discussed or considered at agreement meetings, and update, refine, and simplify the regulations. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/03 NPRM Comment Period End 08/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Florence A. Carr, Director, Bureau of Trade Analysis, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20573 Phone: 202 523-5796 Fax: 202 523-4372 Email: florence@fmc.gov RIN: 3072-AC23 _______________________________________________________________________ 4042. [bull] REVISIONS TO THE INFORMATION FORM AND MONITORING REPORT REGULATIONS FOR CARRIER AGREEMENTS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 5 USC 553; 46 USC app 1701 to 1707; 46 USC app 1709 to 1710; 46 USC app 1712; 46 USC app 1714 to 1718; ... CFR Citation: 46 CFR 535 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The FMC is considering amending its regulations governing the requirements for Information Forms and Monitoring Reports submitted by parties to carrier agreements filed with the Commission. The revisions being considered would seek to ensure that the Commission receives the most relevant and reliable data from agreement carriers so that the competitive impact of these agreements can be assessed as accurately as possible. The modifications would update, refine, and simplify the regulations to require data essential to the Agency's agreement review process and monitoring program. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/03 NPRM Comment Period End 08/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Florence A. Carr, Director, Bureau of Trade Analysis, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20573 Phone: 202 523-5796 Fax: 202 523-4372 Email: florence@fmc.gov RIN: 3072-AC24 _______________________________________________________________________ 4043. [bull] AMENDMENT TO SERVICE CONTRACT REGULATIONS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 5 USC 553; 46 USC app 1704 to 1707; 46 USC app 1716 CFR Citation: 46 CFR 530 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The FMC proposes to amend its regulations on the electronic filing of service contracts for ocean transportation under the Shipping Act of 1984, as amended by the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998. The amendments would add a provision to permit persons authorized to transmit electronically service contract filings for vessel-operating common carriers, conferences and agreements, to correct within 48 hours an original service contract filing (or an amendment) that is defective due to electronic transmission errors. The revision would allow a ``corrected transmission'' of the original service contract or amendment submission to be designated as such and filed in the Commission's electronic service contract filing system (SERVCON). Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 04/02/03 68 FR 15978 NPRM Comment Period End 05/02/03 Final Action 08/00/03 Final Action Effective 09/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Florence A. Carr, Director, Bureau of Trade Analysis, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20573 Phone: 202 523-5796 Fax: 202 523-4372 Email: florence@fmc.gov RIN: 3072-AC25 [[Page 31383]] _______________________________________________________________________ Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Long-Term Actions _______________________________________________________________________ 4044. COLOADING PRACTICES AND POSSIBLE SECTION 16 EXEMPTION FOR COLOADING (DOCKET NOS. 93-22 AND 94-26) Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 46 CFR 520.11 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 11/24/93 58 FR 62077 NPRM Comment Period End 03/11/94 59 FR 5974 Notice of Inquiry (Docket No. 94-26) 11/09/94 59 FR 55826 Comment Period End for NOI (Docket No. 94-26) 12/27/94 NOI Comment Period Extended to 01/23/95 12/28/94 59 FR 66880 Final Action To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Amy W. Larson Phone: 202 523-5740 Fax: 202 523-5738 Email: amyl@fmc.gov RIN: 3072-AB75 _______________________________________________________________________ 4045. PORT RESTRICTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES/JAPAN TRADE (DOCKET NO. 96-20) Priority: Other Significant CFR Citation: 46 CFR 551 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 11/13/96 61 FR 58160 Comment Period Extended to 01/ 20/97 12/27/96 61 FR 68200 NPRM Comment Period End 01/13/97 Final Rule - Report Due 08/26/ 1999 and Every 180 Days Thereafter 03/04/97 62 FR 9696 Final Rule Effective 04/14/97 Status Reports and Comments Due 08/05/97 04/16/97 62 FR 18433 Amendment to Final Rule 04/16/97 62 FR 18532 Final Rule Effectiveness Extended to 09/04/97 04/16/97 62 FR 18533 Status Reports and Comments Due 07/01/97 04/16/97 62 FR 18533 Amendment to Final Rule - Denial of Petition 10/20/97 62 FR 54396 Final Rule Effectiveness Suspended 11/13/97 11/19/97 62 FR 61648 Final Rule Removed 06/07/99 64 FR 30245 Final Rule Removed Effective 06/07/99 Requirement for Reporting Revised 08/15/01 66 FR 42859 Report Due 11/07/2001 and Every 180 Days Thereafter 08/15/01 Next Action Undetermined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Amy W. Larson Phone: 202 523-5740 Fax: 202 523-5738 Email: amyl@fmc.gov RIN: 3072-AB97 [FR Doc. 03-7441 Filed 05-23-03; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6730-01-S