[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 175 (Monday, September 10, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46976-46977]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22595]


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LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

45 CFR Part 1611


Solicitation for Expressions of Interest in Participation in 
Negotiated Rulemaking Working Group

AGENCY: Legal Services Corporation.

ACTION: Request for expressions of interest in participation in 
Negotiated Rulemaking Working Group.

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SUMMARY: LSC is conducting a Negotiated Rulemaking to consider 
revisions to its eligibility regulations at 45 CFR Part 1611. LSC 
hereby solicits expressions of interest in appointment to the Working 
Group from the regulated community, its clients, advocates, the 
organized bar and other interested parties.

DATES: Expressions of interest must be received by September 25, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mattie C. Condray, Senior Assistant 
General Counsel, Legal Services Corporation, 750 First Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20002-4250; (202) 336-8817; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 45 CFR part 1611 sets forth the requirements 
relating to determination and documentation of client eligibility. The 
current version of 1611 was adopted in 1983. There have been two 
proposed revisions to 1611 published since then, one in 1989 and 
another in 1995, but neither rulemaking was completed. Many outstanding 
issues prompting the 1995 proposed rulemaking remain extant and there 
are other issues, particularly related to documentation requirements, 
which are appropriate for discussion. In addition, there is a FY1998 
statutory change which should be incorporated into the regulation.
    In light of the above, the LSC Board of Directors identified 45 CFR 
part 1611, Eligibility, as an appropriate subject for

[[Page 46977]]

rulemaking on January 27, 2001. On June 30, 2001, the LSC President and 
the Chair of the Operations and Regulations Committee made a 
determination to proceed with the institution of a Negotiated 
Rulemaking to consider amendments to Part 1611. In accordance with the 
LSC Rulemaking Protocol, LSC is now formally soliciting suggestions for 
appointment to the Working Group from the regulated community, its 
clients, advocates, the organized bar and other interested parties.

The Negotiated Rulemaking Working Group

    LSC anticipates that the Working Group will be a group of 15-20 
persons comprised of LSC representatives and affected and/or interested 
parties (i.e., individual recipients, clients, national organizations, 
local and national bar associations, etc.). LSC anticipates that the 
Working Group will include LSC representatives from the Office of Legal 
Affairs, the Office of Program Performance, and the Office of 
Compliance and Enforcement, along with a liaison from the Office of 
Inspector General. LSC is seeking external members representing 
national legal services advocacy organizations; individual recipients 
(preferably reflecting large/small and/or urban/rural diversity); 
clients; national and local organized bar associations; and other 
interested stakeholders. While there are no specific ``criteria'' for 
membership, it is expected that members will have the support of their 
organizations in participating in the effort and be knowledgeable about 
the issues.
    Once appointed, the Working Group will meet under the direction of 
a trained facilitator with the aim of developing a consensus-based 
proposed rule. LSC expects that the Working Group will meet in 2-3 day, 
face-to-face sessions over the coming several months.

Solicitation of Expressions of Interest in Appointment to the 
Working Group

    LSC hereby solicits expressions of interest in appointment to the 
Working Group from the regulated community, its clients, advocates, the 
organized bar and other interested parties. Expressions of interest 
must be submitted no later than 15 days from the date of publication of 
this notice. Expressions of interest must be submitted in writing (by 
regular mail, fax or email) to LSC's Mattie Condray at the addresses 
listed in this notice.
    Once LSC has received expressions of interest, the President, 
working in consultation with the Operations and Regulations Committee, 
acting through its Chair, will make appointments of individuals and 
organizations to the Working Group. Groups or organizations asked to 
participate in the Working Group will be responsible for selecting and 
designating their own representatives.

Victor M. Fortuno,
General Counsel and Vice President for Legal Affairs.
[FR Doc. 01-22595 Filed 9-7-01; 8:45 am]
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