[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 27, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 29051]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13947]


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UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION


Sentencing Guidelines for the United States Courts

AGENCY: United States Sentencing Commission.

ACTION: Notice of preliminary priority areas for Commission study. 
Request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: As part of its statutory authority and responsibility to 
analyze sentencing issues, including operation of the federal 
sentencing guidelines, and in accordance with Rules 3.5 and 5.2 of its 
Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Commission has preliminarily 
identified certain priorities as the principal focus of its policy 
development work in the coming year. The Commission invites comment on 
these tentatively identified priority areas and on any other sentencing 
issues that it should address during the coming year. The Commission 
has tentatively scheduled a hearing to receive public comment on these 
matters.

DATES: A hearing to receive public comment on future policy development 
priorities has been set for June 17, 1998, in the Commission's offices. 
Public comment and written testimony for the public hearing should be 
received on or before June 11, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: United States Sentencing Commission, One 
Columbus Circle, NE, Suite 2-500 South, Washington, DC 20002-8002, 
Attention: Public Information-Priorities Comment. For Further 
Information Contact: Michael Courlander, Public Affairs Officer, at 
(202) 273-7731.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Policy development priorities preliminarily 
identified by the Commission for continuing work during the 1998-1999 
amendment cycle are:
    1. Revisions of the fraud, theft, and tax guidelines (including the 
monetary tables used in these guidelines and other guidelines that 
reference those tables, consolidation of the theft, fraud, and property 
destruction guidelines, and the definition of ``loss'' in the theft and 
fraud guidelines).
    2. Review and assessment of the criminal history guidelines.
    3. Review and assessment of the guidelines and sentences imposed 
for homicide offenses.
    In addition, the Commission expects to address recent legislative 
enactments, such as: (1) the Wireless Telephone Protection Act, 
relating to cloning cellular telephones; (2) the No Electronic Theft 
Act; (3) and any other legislation affecting sentencing policy that may 
be enacted in the remainder of this congressional session.
    Obviously, the subject matter, scope, and duration of the 
Commission's policy development work during the coming year will be 
influenced considerably by the appointment of new commissioners and the 
timing of those appointments. Thus, at this time, the Commission has 
tentatively identified only a few areas in which its work is ongoing.
    The Commission invites comment on whether and how it should further 
investigate these tentative priorities. Additionally, the Commission 
invites comment on any other sentencing issues that persons believe 
should be addressed in the coming year, including research issues that 
the Commission should address. To the extent practicable, comments 
submitted on additional issues should include the following: (1) a 
statement of the issue, including the scope and manner of study, 
particular problem areas and possible solutions, and any other matters 
relevant to an identified or proposed priority; (2) citations to 
applicable sentencing guidelines, statutes, case law, and 
constitutional provisions; and (3) a direct and concise statement of 
why the Commission should make the issue a priority.

    Authority: 28 U.S.C. 994(a), (o).
Richard P. Conaboy,
Chairman.
[FR Doc. 98-13947 Filed 5-26-98; 8:45 am]
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