[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 1998)] [Notices] [Page 30715] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-14937] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Statement of Financial Interests (for Use by Members and Executive Directors of Regional Fishery Management Councils) ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 4, 1998. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20230. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Richard Surdi, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 14618, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, 301-713-2337. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act authorizes the establishment of Regional Fishery Management Councils to exercise sound judgment in the stewardship of fishery resources through the preparation, monitoring, and revision of such plans under circumstances (a) which will enable the States, the fishing industry, consumer and environmental organizations, and other interested persons to participate in, and advise on, the establishment and administration of such plans, and (b) which take into account the social and economic needs of the States. Section 302(j) of the Act, requires that Council members and Executive Directors disclose their financial interests in any harvesting, processing, or marketing activity that is being, or will be, undertaken within any fishery over which the Council concerned has jurisdiction. A member required to disclose a financial interest shall not vote on a Council decision which would have a significant and predictable effect on such financial interest. A Council decision shall be considered to have a significant and predictable effect on a financial interest if there is a close causal link between the Council decision and an expected and substantially disproportionate benefit to the financial interest of the affected individual relative to the financial interest of other participants in the same gear type or sector of the fishery. An affected individual who may not vote may participate in Council deliberations relating to the decision after notifying the Council of the voting recusal and identifying the financial interest that would be affected. II. Method of Collection The disclosure of financial interest and recusal of a nominee by the Governor of a State shall be made before appointment by the Secretary. Members appointed by the Secretary must make disclosure within 45 days of taking office. Members must update his/her disclosure form at any time any such financial interest is acquired or substantially changed. III. Data OMB Number: 0648-0192. Form Number: NOAA Form 88-195. Type of Review: Regular submission. Affected Public: Individuals or households. Estimated Number of Respondents: 196. Estimated Time Per Response: 35 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 114. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: No capital expenditures required. IV. Request for Comments Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. Dated: June 1, 1998. Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and Organization. [FR Doc. 98-14937 Filed 6-4-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P