[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 25, 1998)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 14336-14344] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-7726] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION 12 CFR PART 792 The Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act AGENCY: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NCUA is revising its regulations governing the disclosure of information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to reflect recent changes to FOIA brought about by the enactment of the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996 (E-FOIA). The revised regulation sets forth new procedures NCUA will employ to implement provisions of E-FOIA, such as expedited treatment of requests and multi-track processing. The rule also clarifies the information that must be included in FOIA requests so that NCUA can process them. Other changes to the rule provide guidance to the public on how to obtain records contained in the files of the Office of Inspector General. A change to the fee provision reflects a recalculation of the agency's duplication costs. DATES: This regulation is effective April 24, 1998. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dianne Salva, Staff Attorney, or Sheila Albin, Associate General Counsel, (703) 518-6540. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On October 2, 1996, the President signed into law the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996, Public Law 104-231. E- FOIA has twin goals of making records contained in government files more easily accessible to the public and improving administration of FOIA programs in the agencies. In particular, Congress moved to amend the FOIA because it found that government agencies were increasingly using computers to conduct agency business and store valuable agency records and information. In recognition of the vast amount of information the government maintains in electronic format, E-FOIA was designed to ensure continued public access to government information, including that maintained in electronic format. This final rule revises the NCUA's information disclosure regulations, 12 CFR part 792, to comply with E-FOIA. On November 13, 1997, NCUA published a proposed rule, (62 FR 60799), and, in response, received five comments from the public. The comments received generally supported the proposal. Several commenters applauded the breadth of information available on the NCUA website, but also asked that NCUA consider expanding the categories of information available on the website and emphasized the need to update the website information expeditiously. NCUA has a wide variety of records on its website and more information is added regularly. One commenter asked that information on the website be made available in various electronic formats. These comments have been forwarded to the NCUA staff responsible for maintenance of the website for consideration. One commenter expressed confusion over the mechanics of the multi- track system. NCUA believes that a multi-track processing system is the most efficient and fair way to process FOIA requests. If requests were processed on a strict first-in first-out basis, a request that could be easily answered, such as one for a press release, would be processed only after an earlier-received, complex request requiring extensive search and review. Accordingly, the multi-track system remains incorporated in this final rule. One commenter expressed confusion over the interaction between the treatment of an expedited request and the multi-track processing system, as well as the standards that will be applied to determine to which track a request is assigned. To address such confusion, NCUA's final rule clarifies that the multi-track system includes a fast track, an expedited track and a regular track. The types of requests that will enter the fast track are described in the proposal as those that seek records which are readily identifiable or have already been cleared for public release. In general, requests placed on the fast track will be those seeking records that are not voluminous and do not require extensive review to determine the applicability of any FOIA exemptions. The commenter asked that NCUA explain, by example, what type of records would meet that standard. Generally speaking, records that will qualify for the fast track will be those that have previously been released publicly by NCUA under FOIA, and that can be quickly located at the Information Center handling the request. Examples of such documents include NCUA letters to credit unions, reports to Congress, call report data as available on the NCUA website or listings of credit unions in a geographical area. NCUA received four comments suggesting that it establish a specific time limit for processing requests under the multi-track or expedited processing [[Page 14337]] systems. NCUA carefully considered the comments concerning setting specific time frames for fast track or expedited requests. The procedure for the multi-track system will be that, when a request is received, the Information Center will review it and determine which track it should enter. Requests within each track will generally be processed according to their date of receipt. This should result in the greatest number of requests being completed in the least amount of time. Furthermore, we reviewed other agencies' final regulations implementing E-FOIA and found that no other agency has elected to assign a time frame of less than 20 days for response to requests in any track of a multi-track system. NCUA is aware that some requests may not easily be categorized, or may appear to qualify for the fast track initially, but be determined to be more complex once the processing is underway. For these reasons, it was determined that no specific time frames, other than those set forth in the statute, should be adopted in the final rule. One commenter suggested that NCUA establish an electronic form for filing FOIA requests from its website, and another asked that NCUA identify an e-mail address and fax numbers for submitting requests. Since FOIA requests may be submitted to NCUA's Central Office or any of its six regional offices, a list of fax numbers in the rule would be cumbersome, but an e-mail address has been added. NCUA is currently planning to devote space in its website to E-FOIA, and will take the remaining comments into consideration in developing that space. New Provisions Section 792.02 now reflects the additional category of records NCUA will make publicly available for inspection and copying: records released under FOIA after March 31, 1997, which the agency determines have become or are likely to become the subject of subsequent requests. Section 792.03 sets forth the indices of records made available for public inspection and copying and includes the additional index of popular FOIA responses. Section 792.04 informs the public that certain records created by NCUA after November 1, 1996 are also available on the NCUA website. Section 792.06 clarifies that records maintained in electronic format are subject to FOIA. Section 792.07 identifies the places within NCUA where the public may write to request records. The Office of Inspector General has been added to reflect that the NCUA Board has delegated authority to the Inspector General to respond to initial FOIA requests for records contained in Office of Inspector General files. Sections 792.08 and 792.09 clarify administrative requirements and procedures for submitting FOIA requests. To improve communications between the agency and requesters, requesters are instructed to include their name, address and telephone number with their request. In recognition of the new requirement that agencies honor form or format requests, requesters are also asked to designate their form or format of choice, if other than paper copy, at the time they make their request. Section 792.10 sets forth the procedures for the multi-track processing system comprised of a fast track, expedited track and regular track. Fast track processing will apply to records that are easily identifiable by NCUA staff and have been previously cleared for release to the public. Fast track requests will be handled as expeditiously as possible in the order they are received. Requests will be placed on the expedited track if the requester meets the requirements for expedited treatment set forth in Sec. 792.18. All information requests that do not meet the fast track or expedited track processing standards will be handled under regular processing procedures. A requester who desires fast track processing, but whose request does not meet those standards, may contact the NCUA to try to narrow the scope of the request so that it will qualify for fast track processing. Section 792.12 was added to inform requesters that, as long as it is technically feasible and would not harm an interest that a FOIA exemption is intended to protect, NCUA will indicate where, why and how much information was withheld from its response. Section 792.13 was added to advise requesters that they may obtain information in any readily reproducible form or format they request. It also clarifies that only one copy of a record will be produced. Section 792.15 sets forth the new processing time limit of 20 working days in place of the prior 10 working days. It also sets forth the two exceptions to the 20 working day time limit: the suspension of time for the payment of fees or if unusual circumstances exist. Section 792.16 describes the criteria for determining whether unusual circumstances exist. The criteria have not changed. The regulation contains a new provision on aggregating multiple requests which, together, cause unusual circumstances to exist. NCUA will now aggregate multiple requests from the same requester or group of requesters acting in concert, if it believes they constitute a single request, and if, taken together, the requests satisfy the unusual circumstances criteria. This section also contains a new provision advising requesters that, if NCUA sends them a notice extending the processing time due to unusual circumstances, it will also tell them that they may reduce the scope of their request so that it can be processed within the statutory time frame or agree to an alternative time frame. Section 792.18 has been added to implement the expedited processing provision of E-FOIA. It sets forth the criteria for a requester seeking to establish a compelling need to support a request for expedited processing. E-FOIA permits two categories of requests involving compelling needs to be granted expedited treatment: Those that entail an imminent threat to the life or physical safety of an individual or those that are filed by persons primarily engaged in disseminating information and involve an urgency to inform the public concerning actual or alleged government activity. For ease of administration and consistency, the proposed rule uses the term ``representative of the news media'' to describe a person primarily engaged in disseminating information, because the term has been used for many years in other provisions of the regulation and is familiar to the public and agency staff. In keeping with Congress' express intent that the specified criteria for compelling need be narrowly applied, expedited processing will only be granted in those extraordinary cases meeting the specific requirements of the regulation. H.R. Rep. 795, 104th Cong., 2d Sess. 26 (1996). As the legislative history states, ``the expedited process procedure is intended to be limited to circumstances in which a delay in obtaining information can reasonably be foreseen to cause a significant adverse consequence to a recognized interest.'' Id. To meet the criterion of an urgency to inform the public concerning an actual or alleged federal government activity, the requester must show that a delay in the release of the information would compromise a significant recognized interest, and that the requested information pertains to a matter of current exigency to the American public. This section also informs the public of the right of appeal for denial of a request for expedited processing. [[Page 14338]] Section 792.19 has been amended to reflect that the current fee schedule is available on the NCUA website. It has also been amended to reflect a new duplication rate. The current regulation sets out that searches for records responsive to a FOIA request will be conducted by computer using existing programming. The final rule strikes the reference to existing programming and adds language to say that no modification of existing programming or system will be made if it would significantly interfere with the operation of an NCUA automated information system. Section 792.28 clarifies that appeals are permitted when NCUA denies a request for a fee waiver or reduction. Regulatory Procedures Regulatory Flexibility Act The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires the NCUA to prepare an analysis to describe any significant economic impact any proposed regulation may have on a substantial number of small credit unions, meaning those under $1 million in assets. The NCUA Board has determined and certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small credit unions. The rule simplifies some of the procedures regarding the release of information and requires disclosure of information in certain instances in accordance with law. The disclosure requirements are imposed on the NCUA, therefore, they should not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small credit unions. Paperwork Reduction Act Analysis These regulations will impose no additional information collection, reporting or record keeping requirements subject to the approval of the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq. Executive Order 12,612 The NCUA Board certifies that the rule will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among various levels of government. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA) (Pub. L. 104-121) provides generally for congressional review of agency rules. The reporting requirement is triggered when a final rule is issued. The rule has been submitted to OMB for determination of whether this final rule constitutes a major rule as defined under the statute. A major rule is one that OMB finds has resulted in or is likely to result in: (1) An annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individuals, industries, federal state or local government agencies or geographic regions; or (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of United States based enterprises to compete with foreign based enterprises in domestic and export markets. OMB has determined that this rule is not a major rule. List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 792 Administrative practice and procedure, Credit unions, Confidential business information, Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act. By the National Credit Union Administration Board on March 19, 1998. Becky Baker, Secretary of the Board. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, NCUA amends 12 CFR part 792 as follows: PART 792--[AMENDED] 1. The authority citation for part 792 is revised to read as follows: Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301, 552, 552a, 552b; 12 U.S.C. 1752a(d), 1766, 1789, 1795f; E.O. 12600, 52 FR 23781, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 235; E.O. 12958, 60 FR 19825, 3 CFR, 1995 Comp., p.333. Secs. 792.20--792.37 (Subpart B) [Redesignated as Subpart E (Secs. 792.52--792.69)] 2. Redesignate subpart B (792.20-792.37) as subpart E (792.52- 792.69) and reserve subpart B. 3. Revise subpart A of part 792 to read as follows: Subpart A--The Freedom of Information Act General Purpose Sec. 792.01 What What is the purpose of this subpart? Records Publicly Available 792.02 What records does NCUA make available to the public for inspection and copying? 792.03 How will I know which records to request? 792.04 How can I obtain these records? 792.05 What is the significance of records made available and indexed? Records Available Upon Request 792.06 Can I obtain other records? 792.07 Where do I send my request? 792.08 What must I include in my request? 792.09 What if my request does not meet the requirements of this subpart? 792.10 What will NCUA do with my request? 792.11 What kind of records are exempt from public disclosure? 792.12 How will I know what records NCUA has determined to be exempt? 792.13 Can I get the records in different forms or formats? 792.14 Who is responsible for responding to my request? 792.15 How long will it take to process my request? 792.16 What unusual circumstances can delay NCUA's response? 792.17 What can I do if the time limit passes and I still have not received response? Expedited Processing 792.18 What if my request is urgent and I cannot wait for the records? Fees 792.19 How does NCUA calculate the fees for processing my request? 792.20 What are the charges for each fee category? 792.21 Will NCUA provide a fee estimate? 792.22 What will NCUA charge for other services? 792.23 Can I avoid charges by sending multiple, small requests? 792.24 Can NCUA charge me interest if I fail to pay my bill? 792.25 Will NCUA charge me if the records are not found or are determined to be exempt? 792.26 Will I be asked to pay fees in advance? Fee Waiver or Reduction 792.27 Can fees be reduced or waived? Appeals 792.28 What if I am not satisfied with the response I receive? Submitter Notice 792.29 If I send NCUA confidential commercial information, can it be disclosed under FOIA? Release of Exempt Records 792.30 Is there a prohibition against disclosure of exempt records? 792.31 Can exempt records be disclosed to credit unions, financial institutions and state or federal agencies? 792.32 Can exempt records be disclosed to investigatory agencies? Subpart A--The Freedom of Information Act General Purpose Sec. 792.01 What is the purpose of this subpart? This subpart describes the procedures you must follow to obtain records from NCUA under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), (5 U.S.C. 552). [[Page 14339]] Records Publicly Available Sec. 792.02 What records does NCUA make available to the public for inspection and copying? Except for records that are exempt from public disclosure under FOIA as amended (5 U.S.C. 552) or are promptly published and copies are available for purchase, NCUA routinely makes the following five types of records available for you to inspect and copy: (a) Final opinions, including concurring and dissenting opinions, and orders made in the adjudication of cases; (b) Statements of policy and interpretations which have been adopted by the agency but not published in the Federal Register; (c) Administrative staff manuals and instructions to staff that affect a member of the public; (d) Copies of all records, regardless of form or format, which have been released after March 31, 1997, in response to a FOIA request and which, because of the nature of their subject matter, NCUA determines have been or are likely to become the subject of subsequent requests; and (e) Indices of the documents referred to in this paragraph. Sec. 792.03 How will I know which records to request? NCUA maintains current indices providing identifying information for the public for any matter referred to in Sec. 792.02, issued, adopted, or promulgated after July 4, 1967. The listing of material in an index is for the convenience of possible users and does not constitute a determination that all of the items listed will be disclosed. NCUA has determined that publication of the indices is unnecessary and impractical. You may obtain copies of indices by making a request to the Office of Administration, at NCUA, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-2387 or, as indicated, on the NCUA web site. The indices are available for public inspection and copying and are provided at their duplication cost. The indices are: (a) NCUA Publications List: Manuals relating to general and technical information, booklets published by NCUA, and the Credit Union Directory. The NCUA Publications list is available on the NCUA web site. (b) Directives Control Index: A list of statements of policy, NCUA Instructions, Bulletins, Letters to Credit Unions, and certain internal manuals. (c) Popular FOIA Index: Records released in response to a FOIA request, that NCUA determines are likely to be the subject of subsequent requests because of the nature of their subject matter. The Popular FOIA Index will be available on the NCUA web site on or before December 31, 1999. Sec. 792.04 How can I obtain these records? You may obtain these types of records or information in the following ways: (a) You may obtain copies of the records referenced in Sec. 792.02 by obtaining the index referred to in Sec. 792.03 and following the ordering instructions it contains, or by making a request to the FOIA Officer, NCUA, Office of General Counsel at 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3428. (b) If they were created by NCUA on or after November 1, 1996, records referenced in Sec. 792.02 are available on the NCUA web site, found at http://www.ncua.gov. Sec. 792.05 What is the significance of records made available and indexed? The records referred to in Sec. 792.02 may be relied on, used, or cited as precedent by NCUA against a party, provided: (a) The materials have been indexed and either made available or published; or (b) The party has actual and timely notice of the materials' contents. Records Available Upon Request Sec. 792.06 Can I obtain other records? Except with respect to records routinely made available under Sec. 792.02 or published in the Federal Register, or to the extent that records are exempt under the FOIA, if you make a request for records in accordance with this subpart, NCUA will make such records available to you, including records maintained in electronic format, as long as you agree to pay the actual, direct costs. Sec. 792.07 Where do I send my request? (a) You must send your request to one of NCUA's Information Centers. The Central Office, Regional Offices, Office of Inspector General and the Asset Management and Assistance Center are designated as Information Centers for the NCUA. The Freedom of Information Officer of the Office of General Counsel is responsible for the operations of the Information Center maintained at the Central Office. The Regional Directors are responsible for the operation of the Information Centers in their Regional Offices. The Inspector General is responsible for the operation of the Office of Inspector General Information Center. (b) If you think that the records are located at one of NCUA's Regional Offices, then you should send your request to the appropriate Regional Director, whose address can be found in Sec. 790.2(c) of this chapter. (c) If you think that the records are located at the Asset Management and Assistance Center, then you should send your request to the President, Asset Management and Assistance Center, 4807 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 5100, Austin, Texas 78759-8490. (d) If you think that the records you want are in the files of the Office of Inspector General, then you should send your request to the Inspector General, NCUA, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314- 3428. (e) When you are not sure of the location of records, or if you think that the records you want are located in the Central Office, you should send your request to the Freedom of Information Officer at NCUA, Office of the General Counsel, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3428. You may also send your request by electronic mail to [email protected]. Sec. 792.08 What must I include in my request? Your request must include the following: (a) Your name, address and a telephone number where you can be reached during normal business hours. (b) A reasonable description of the records you seek. A reasonable description is one that enables an NCUA employee, who is familiar with the subject area of the request, to locate the record with a reasonable amount of effort. (c) A statement agreeing to pay all applicable fees or to pay fees up to a certain maximum amount, or requesting a fee reduction or waiver in accordance with Sec. 792.27. If the actual fees are expected to exceed the maximum amount you indicate in your request, NCUA will contact you to see if you are willing to pay the estimated fees. If you do not want to pay the estimated fees, your request will be closed and no bill will be sent. (d) If other than paper copy, you must identify the form and format of responsive information you are requesting. Sec. 792.09 What if my request does not meet the requirements of this subpart? NCUA need not accept or process your request if it does not comply with the requirements of this subpart. NCUA may return such a request to you with an explanation of the deficiency. You may then submit a corrected request, which will be treated as a new request. [[Page 14340]] Sec. 792.10 What will NCUA do with my request? (a) On receipt of any request, the Information Center assigns it to the appropriate processing schedule, pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section. The date of receipt for any request, including one that is addressed incorrectly or that is referred to NCUA by another agency, is the date the appropriate Information Center actually receives the request. (b) NCUA has a multi-track processing system. Requests for records that are readily identifiable by the Information Center and have already been cleared for public release may qualify for fast track processing. Requests which meets the requirements of Sec. 792.18 will be processed on the expedited track. All other requests will be handled under normal processing procedures. (c) The Information Center will make the determination whether a request qualifies for fast track processing or expedited track processing. You may contact the Information Center to learn to which track your request has been assigned. If your request has not qualified for fast track processing, you will have an opportunity to limit the scope of material requested to qualify for fast track processing. Limitations of requests must be in writing. If your request for expedited processing is not granted, you will be advised of your right to appeal. (d) The Information Center will normally process requests in the order they are received in the separate processing tracks. However, in NCUA's discretion, a particular request may be processed out of turn. (e) Upon a determination by the appropriate Information Center to comply with your initial request for records, the records will be made promptly available to you. If we notify you of a denial of your request, we will include the names and titles or positions of each person responsible for the denial. Sec. 792.11 What kind of records are exempt from public disclosure? (a) All records of NCUA or any officer, employee, or agent thereof, are confidential, privileged and exempt from disclosure, except as otherwise provided in this subpart, if they are: (1) Records specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive Order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy and are in fact properly classified pursuant to an Executive Order. (2) Records related solely to NCUA internal personnel rules and practices. This exemption applies to internal rules or instructions which must be kept confidential in order to assure effective performance of the functions and activities for which NCUA is responsible and which do not materially affect members of the public. This exemption also applies to manuals and instructions to the extent that release of the information would permit circumvention of laws or regulations. (3) Specifically exempted from disclosure by statute, where the statute either makes nondisclosure mandatory or establishes particular criteria for withholding information. (4) Records which contain trade secrets and commercial or financial information which relate to the business, personal or financial affairs of any person or organization, are furnished to NCUA, and are confidential or privileged. This exemption includes, but is not limited to, various types of confidential sales and cost statistics, trade secrets, and names of key customers and personnel. Assurances of confidentiality given by staff are not binding on NCUA. (5) Inter-agency or intra-agency memoranda or letters which would not be available by law to a private party in litigation with NCUA. This exemption preserves the existing freedom of NCUA officials and employees to engage in full and frank written or taped communications with each other and with officials and employees of other agencies. It includes, but is not limited to, inter-agency and intra-agency reports, memoranda, letters, correspondence, work papers, and minutes of meetings, as well as staff papers prepared for use within NCUA or in concert with other governmental agencies. (6) Personnel, medical, and similar files (including financial files), the disclosure of which without written permission would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Files exempt from disclosure include, but are not limited to: (i) The personnel records of the NCUA; (ii) The personnel records voluntarily submitted by private parties in response to NCUA's requests for proposals; and (iii) Files containing reports, records or other material pertaining to individual cases in which disciplinary or other administrative action has been or may be taken. (7) Records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, but only to the extent that the production of such law enforcement records or information: (i) Could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings; (ii) Would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication; (iii) Could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy; (iv) Could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of a confidential source, including a state, local, or foreign agency or authority or any private institution which furnished information on a confidential basis, and, in the case of a record or information compiled by a criminal law enforcement authority in the course of a criminal investigation on or by an agency conducting a lawful national security intelligence investigation, information furnished by the confidential source; (v) Would disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigation or prosecutions, or would disclose guidelines for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions if such disclosure could reasonably be expected to risk circumvention of the law; or (vi) Could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual. This includes, but is not limited to, information relating to enforcement proceedings upon which NCUA has acted or will act in the future. (8) Contained in or related to examination, operating or condition reports prepared by, or on behalf of, or for the use of NCUA or any agency responsible for the regulation or supervision of financial institutions. This includes all information, whether in formal or informal report form, the disclosure of which would harm the financial security of credit unions or would interfere with the relationship between NCUA and credit unions. (b) We will provide any reasonably segregable portion of a requested record after deleting those portions that are exempt from disclosure under this section. Sec. 792.12 How will I know what records NCUA has determined to be exempt? As long as it is technically feasible and does not threaten an interest protected by the FOIA, we will: (a) Mark the place where we redacted information from documents released to you and note the exemption that protects the information from public disclosure; or (b) Make reasonable efforts to include with our response to you an estimate of the volume of information withheld. Sec. 792.13 Can I get the records in different forms or formats? NCUA will provide a copy of the record in any form or format requested, [[Page 14341]] such as computer disk, if the record is readily reproducible by us in that form or format, but we will not provide more than one copy of any record. Sec. 792.14 Who is responsible for responding to my request? The appropriate Regional Director, the Inspector General, the President of the Asset Management and Assistance Center, or the Freedom of Information Officer, or, in their absence, their designee, is responsible for making the initial determination on whether to grant or deny a request for information. This official may refer a request to an NCUA employee who is familiar with the subject area of the request. Other NCUA staff members may aid the official by providing information, advice, recommending a decision, or implementing a decision, but no NCUA employee other than an authorized official may make the initial determination. Referral of a request by the official to an employee will not affect the time limitation imposed in Sec. 792.15 unless the request involves an unusual circumstance as provided in Sec. 792.16. Sec. 792.15 How long will it take to process my request? NCUA will respond to requests within 20 working days, except: (a) Where the running of such time is suspended for payment of fees pursuant to Sec. 792.26; (b) In unusual circumstances, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(B) and Sec. 792.16, the time limit may be extended for: (1) An additional 10 working days as provided by written notice to you, stating the reasons for the extension and the date on which a determination will be sent; or (2) Such alternative time period as mutually agreed by you and the Information Office, when NCUA notifies you that the request cannot be processed in the specified time limit. Sec. 792.16 What unusual circumstances can delay NCUA's response? (a) In unusual circumstances, the time limits for responding to your request (or your appeal) may be extended by NCUA. If NCUA extends the time it will provide you with written notice, setting forth the reasons for such extension and the date on which a determination is expected to be dispatched. Our notice will not specify a date that would result in an extension for more than 10 working days, except as set forth in paragraph (c) of this section. The unusual circumstances that can delay NCUA's response to your request are: (1) The need to search for, and collect the requested records from field facilities or other establishments that are separate from the office processing the request; (2) The need to search for, collect, and appropriately examine a voluminous amount of separate and distinct records which are demanded in a single request; or (3) The need for consultation, which will be conducted with all practicable speed, with another agency having substantial interest in the determination of the request or among two or more components of NCUA having a substantial interest in the subject matter. (b) If you, or you and a group of others acting in concert, submit multiple requests that NCUA believes actually constitute a single request, which would otherwise satisfy the unusual circumstances criteria specified in this section, and the requests involve related matters, then NCUA may aggregate those requests and the provisions of Sec. 792.15(b) will apply. (c) If NCUA sends you an extension notice, it will also advise you that you can either limit the scope of your request so that it can be processed within the statutory time limit or agree to an alternative time frame for processing your request. Sec. 792.17 What can I do if the time limit passes and I still have not received a response? You can file suit against NCUA because you will be deemed to have exhausted your administrative remedies if NCUA fails to comply with the time limit provisions of this subpart. If NCUA can show that exceptional circumstances exist and that it is exercising due diligence in responding to your request, the court may retain jurisdiction and allow NCUA to complete its review of the records. In determining whether exceptional circumstances exist, the court may consider your refusal to modify the scope of your request or arrange an alternative time frame for processing after being given the opportunity to do so by NCUA, when it notifies you of the existence of unusual circumstances as set forth in Sec. 792.16. Expedited Processing Sec. 792.18 What if my request is urgent and I cannot wait for the records? You may request expedited processing of your request if you can show a compelling need for the records. In cases where your request for expedited processing is granted or if NCUA has determined to expedite the response, it will be processed as soon as practicable. (a) To demonstrate a compelling need for expedited processing, you must provide a certified statement. The statement, certified by you to be true and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief, must demonstrate that: (1) The failure to obtain the records on an expedited basis could reasonably be expected to pose an imminent threat to the life or physical safety of an individual; or (2) The requester is a representative of the news media, as defined in Sec. 792.20, and there is urgency to inform the public concerning actual or alleged NCUA activity. (b) In response to a request for expedited processing, the Information Center will notify you of the determination within ten days of receipt of the request. If the Information Center denies your request for expedited processing, you may file an appeal pursuant to the procedures set forth in Sec. 792.28, and NCUA will expeditiously respond to the appeal. (c) The Information Center will normally process requests in the order they are received in the separate processing tracks. However, in NCUA's discretion, a particular request may be processed out of turn. Fees Sec. 792.19 How does NCUA calculate the fees for processing my request? We will charge you our allowable direct costs, unless they are less than the cost of billing you. Direct costs means those expenditures that NCUA actually incurs in searching for, duplicating and reviewing documents to respond to a FOIA request. Search means all time spent looking for material that is responsive to a request, including page- by-page or line-by-line identification of material within documents. Searches may be done manually or by computer. Search does not include modification of an existing program or system that would significantly interfere with the operation of an automated information system. Review means examining documents to determine whether any portion should be withheld and preparing documents for disclosure. Fees are subject to change as costs increase. The current rate schedule is available on our web site at http://www.ncua.gov. We may contract with the private sector to locate, reproduce or disseminate records. NCUA will not contract out responsibilities that FOIA requires it to discharge, such as determining the applicability of an exemption, or determining whether to waive or reduce fees. The following labor and duplication rate calculations apply: [[Page 14342]] (a) NCUA will charge fees at the following rates for manual searches for and review of records: (1) If search/review is done by clerical staff, the hourly rate for CU-5, plus 16% of that rate to cover benefits; (2) If search/review is done by professional staff, the hourly rate for CU-13, plus 16% of that rate to cover benefits. (b) NCUA will charge fees at the hourly rate for CU-13, plus 16% of that rate to cover benefits, plus the hourly cost of operating the computer for computer searches for records. (c) NCUA will charge the following duplication fees: (1) The per-page fee for paper copy reproduction of a document is $.05; (2) The fee for documents generated by computer is the hourly fee for the computer operator, plus the cost of materials (computer paper, tapes, labels, etc.); (3) If any other method of duplication is used, NCUA will charge the actual direct cost of duplication. Sec. 792.20 What are the charges for each fee category? The fee category definitions are: (a) Commercial use request means a request from or on behalf of one who seeks information for a use or purpose that furthers the commercial, trade, or profit interests of the requester or the person on whose behalf the request is made. (b) Educational institution means a preschool, an elementary or secondary school, an institution of undergraduate higher education, an institution of graduate higher education, an institution of professional education, and an institution of vocational education operating a program or programs of scholarly research. (c) Noncommercial scientific institution means an institution that is not operated for a ``commercial'' purpose as that term is used in paragraph (a) of this section and is operated solely for the purpose of conducting scientific research, the results of which are not intended to promote any particular product or industry. (d) Representative of the news media means any person actively gathering news for an entity that is organized and operated to publish or broadcast news to the public. Included within the meaning of public is the credit union community. The term news means information that is about current events or that would be of current interest to the public. You may consult the following chart to find the fees applicable to your request: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If your fee category is You'll receive And you'll be charged ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commercial use..................... 0 hours free search....... search time 0 hours free review....... review time 0 free pages.............. duplication Educational institution, Unlimited free search duplication noncommercial scientific hours. institution, newsmedia. Unlimited free review hours. 100 free pages............ All others......................... 2 hours free search....... search time Unlimited free review hours. 100 free pages............ duplication ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sec. 792.21 Will NCUA provide a fee estimate? NCUA will notify you of the estimated amount if fees are likely to exceed $25, unless you have indicated in advance a willingness to pay fees as high as those anticipated. You will then have the opportunity to confer with NCUA personnel to reformulate the request to meet your needs at a lower cost. Sec. 792.22 What will NCUA charge for other services? Complying with requests for special services is entirely at the discretion of NCUA. NCUA will recover the full costs of providing such services to the extent it elects to provide them. Sec. 792.23 Can I avoid charges by sending multiple, small requests? You may not file multiple requests, each seeking portions of a document or similar documents, solely to avoid payment of fees. If this is done, NCUA may aggregate any such requests and charge you accordingly. Sec. 792.24 Can NCUA charge me interest if I fail to pay my bill? NCUA can assess interest charges on an unpaid bill starting on the 31st day following the date of the bill. If you fail to pay your bill within 30 days, interest will be at the rate prescribed in 31 U.S.C. 3717, and will accrue from the date of the billing. Sec. 792.25 Will NCUA charge me if the records are not found or are determined to be exempt? NCUA may assess fees for time spent searching and reviewing, even if it fails to locate the records or if records located are determined to be exempt from disclosure. Sec. 792.26 Will I be asked to pay fees in advance? NCUA will require you to give an assurance of payment or an advance payment only when: (a) NCUA estimates or determines that allowable charges that you may be required to pay are likely to exceed $250. NCUA will notify you of the likely cost and obtain satisfactory assurance of full payment where you have a history of prompt payment of FOIA fees, or require an advance payment of an amount up to the full estimated charges in the case where you have no history of payment; or (b) You have previously failed to pay a fee charged in a timely fashion. NCUA may require you to pay the full amount owed, plus any applicable interest, or demonstrate that you have, in fact, paid the fee, and to make an advance payment of the full amount of the estimated fee before we begin to process a new request or a pending request from you. (c) If you are required to make an advance payment of fees, then the administrative time limits prescribed in Sec. 792.16 will begin only after NCUA has received the fee payments described. Fee Waiver or Reduction Sec. 792.27 Can fees be reduced or waived? You may request that NCUA waive or reduce fees if disclosure of the information you request is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government, and is not primarily in your commercial interest. (a) NCUA will make a determination of whether the public interest requirement above is met based on the following factors: (1) Whether the subject of the requested records concerns the operations or activities of the government; [[Page 14343]] (2) Whether the disclosure is likely to contribute to an understanding of government operations or activities; (3) Whether disclosure of the requested information will contribute to public understanding; and (4) Whether the disclosure is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of government operations or activities, (b) If the public interest requirement is met, NCUA will make a determination on the commercial interest requirement based upon the following factors: (1) Whether you have a commercial interest that would be furthered by the requested disclosure; and if so (2) Whether the magnitude of your commercial interest is sufficiently large in comparison with the public interest in disclosure, that disclosure is primarily in your commercial interest. (c) If the required public interest exists and your commercial interest is not primary in comparison, NCUA will waive or reduce fees. (d) If you are not satisfied with our determination on your fee waiver or reduction request, you may submit an appeal to the General Counsel in accordance with Sec. 792.28. Appeals Sec. 792.28 What if I am not satisfied with the response I receive? If you are not satisfied with NCUA's response to your request, you can file an administrative appeal. Your appeal must be in writing and must be filed within 30 days from receipt of the initial determination (in cases of denials of an entire request, or denial of a request for fee waiver or reduction), or from receipt of any records being made available pursuant to the initial determination (in cases of partial denials.) In its response to your initial request, the Freedom of Information Act Officer, Inspector General, President of the Asset Management and Assistance Center, or responsible Regional Director, (or designee,) will notify you that you may appeal any adverse determination to the Office of General Counsel. The General Counsel, or designee, as set forth in this paragraph, will: (a) Make a determination with respect to any appeal within 20 days (excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after the receipt of such appeal. If, on appeal, the denial of the request for records is, in whole or in part, upheld, the Office of General Counsel will notify you of the provisions for judicial review of that determination under FOIA. Where you do not address your request or appeal to the proper official, the time limitations stated above will be computed from the receipt of the request or appeal by the proper official. (b) The General Counsel is the official responsible for determining all appeals from initial determinations. In case of this person's absence, the appropriate officer acting in the General Counsel's stead will make the appellate determination, unless such officer was responsible for the initial determination, in which case the Vice- Chairman of the NCUA Board will make the appellate determination. (c) All appeals should be addressed to the General Counsel in the Central Office and should be clearly identified as such on the envelope and in the letter of appeal by using the indicator ``FOIA-APPEAL.'' Failure to address an appeal properly may delay commencement of the time limitation stated in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, to take account of the time reasonably required to forward the appeal to the Office of General Counsel. Sec. 792.29 If I send NCUA confidential commercial information, can it be disclosed under FOIA? (a) If you submit confidential commercial information to NCUA, it may be disclosed in response to a FOIA request in accordance with this section. (b) For purposes of this section: (1) Confidential commercial information means commercial or financial information provided to NCUA by a submitter that arguably is protected from disclosure under Sec. 792.11(a)(4) because disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause substantial competitive harm. (2) Submitter means any person or entity who provides business information, directly or indirectly, to NCUA. (c) Submitters of business information must use good faith efforts to designate, by appropriate markings, either at the time of submission or at a reasonable time thereafter, those portions of their submissions deemed to be protected from disclosure under Sec. 792.11(a)(4). Such a designation shall expire ten years after the date of submission. (d) We will provide a submitter with written notice of a FOIA request or administrative appeal encompassing designated business information when: (1) The information has been designated in good faith by the submitter as confidential commercial information deemed protected from disclosure under Sec. 792.11(a)(4); or (2) NCUA has reason to believe that the information may be protected from disclosure under Sec. 792.11(a)(4). (e) A copy of the notice to the submitter will also be provided to the FOIA requester. (f) Through the notice described in paragraph (d) of this section, NCUA will afford the submitter a reasonable period of time within which to provide a detailed written statement of any objection to disclosure. The statement must describe why the information is confidential commercial information and why it should not be disclosed. (g) Whenever we decide that we must disclose confidential commercial information over the objection of the submitter, we will send both the submitter and the FOIA requester, within a reasonable number of days prior to the specified disclosure date, a written notice which will include: (1) A statement of the reasons for which the submitter's disclosure objection was not sustained; and (2) A description of the information to be disclosed; and (3) A specified disclosure date. (h) If a requester brings suit to compel disclosure of confidential commercial information, we will promptly notify the submitter. (i) The notice requirements of paragraph (d) of this section do not apply if: (1) We determine that the information should not be disclosed; (2) The information has been lawfully published or has been officially made available to the public; (3) Disclosure of the information is required by law; or (4) The designation made by the submitter in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section appears obviously frivolous; except that in such case, NCUA will provide the submitter with written notice of any final administrative decision to disclose the information within a reasonable number of days prior to the specified disclosure date. Release of Exempt Information Sec. 792.30 Is there a prohibition against disclosure of exempt records? Except those authorized officials listed in Sec. 792.14, or as provided in Secs. 792.31-792.32, and subpart C of this part, no officer, employee, or agent of NCUA or of any federally-insured credit union shall disclose or permit the disclosure of any exempt records of NCUA to any person other than those NCUA or credit union officers, employees, or agents properly entitled to such information for the performance of their official duties. [[Page 14344]] Sec. 792.31 Can exempt records be disclosed to credit unions, financial institutions and state or federal agencies? The NCUA Board, in its sole discretion, or any person designated by it in writing, may make available to certain governmental agencies and insured financial institutions copies of reports of examination and other documents, papers or information for their use, when necessary, in the performance of their official duties or functions. All reports, documents and papers made available pursuant to this paragraph shall remain the property of NCUA. No person, agency or employee shall disclose the reports or exempt records without NCUA's express written authorization. Sec. 792.32 Can exempt records be disclosed to investigatory agencies? The NCUA Board, or any person designated by it in writing, in its discretion and in appropriate circumstances, may disclose to proper federal or state authorities copies of exempt records pertaining to irregularities discovered in credit unions which may constitute either unsafe or unsound practices or violations of federal or state, civil or criminal law. [FR Doc. 98-7726 Filed 3-24-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7535-01-U