[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 120 (Friday, June 21, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42308-42309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-15684]


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SENTENCING COMMISSION


Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts

AGENCY: United States Sentencing Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed priorities. 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 Rule 5.2 of its Rules of 
Practice and Procedure, the Commission is seeking comment on possible 
priority issues for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2003.

DATE: Public comment should be received on or before August 2, 2002.

ADDRESS: Send comments to: United States Sentencing Commission, One 
Columbus Circle, NE, Suite 2-500,

[[Page 42309]]

South Lobby, Washington, DC 20002-8002, Attention: Public Affairs--
Priorities Comment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Courlander, Public Affairs 
Officer, Telephone: (202) 502-4590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States Sentencing Commission is 
an independent agency in the judicial branch of the United States 
Government. The Commission promulgates sentencing guidelines and policy 
statements for Federal sentencing courts pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 994(a). 
The Commission also periodically reviews and revises previously 
promulgated guidelines pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 994(o) and submits 
guideline amendments to the Congress not later than the first day of 
May each year pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 994(p).
    For the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2003, and possibly continuing 
into the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2004, the Commission has 
identified the following tentative priorities: (1) Continuation of its 
work on the 15 Year Study, which is composed of a number of projects 
geared toward analyzing the guidelines in light of the goals of 
sentencing reform described in the Sentencing Reform Act and the 
statutory purposes of sentencing set forth in 18 U.S.C. 3553(a)(2); (2) 
continuation of its policy work and possible guideline amendments 
relating to the USA PATRIOT ACT, Public Law 107-56, nuclear, 
biological, and chemical weapons offenses, and other terrorism 
offenses; (3) continuation of its research, policy work, and possible 
guideline amendments relating to Chapter Four (Criminal History and 
Criminal Livelihood), which may include (A) assessment of the 
calculation of criminal history points for first time offenders and 
offenders who are in the highest criminal history categories; (B) 
assessment of the criminal history rules for minor offenses, juvenile 
offenses, and expunged convictions; (C) assessment of the criminal 
history rules for related cases; and (D) consideration of other 
application issues relating to simplifying the operation of Chapter 
Four; (4) consideration of guideline amendment proposals to implement 
the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, Public Law 107-155, which 
may include addressing a number of application issues related to the 
public corruption guidelines in Chapter Two, Part C (Offenses Involving 
Public Officials); (5) implementation of other crime legislation 
enacted during the second session of the 107th Congress warranting a 
Commission response; (6) Sec. 3E1.1 (Acceptance of Responsibility), 
which may include an assessment of downward adjustments given for 
timely entry of a guilty plea prior to trial preparation, provision of 
information regarding the defendant's role in the offense, and the 
criteria for demonstrating acceptance of responsibility; (7) 
consideration, through the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2004, of 
amendment proposals pertaining to compassionate release programs; and 
(8) other miscellaneous and limited issues pertaining to the operation 
of the sentencing guidelines, including (A) offenses involving 
trafficking in oxycontin; (B) offenses involving the unlawful sale or 
transportation of drug paraphernalia; (C) Sec. 5G1.3 (Imposition of a 
Sentence on a Defendant Subject to an Undischarged Term of 
Imprisonment); and (D) policies for voluntary disclosure of offense 
conduct by defendants (Sec. 5K2.16 (Voluntary Disclosure of Offense) 
and related guidelines).
    The Commission hereby gives notice that it is seeking comment on 
these tentative priorities and on any other issues that interested 
persons believe the Commission should address during the amendment 
cycle ending May 1, 2003, including short- and long-term research 
issues. To the extent practicable, comments submitted on such issues 
should include the following: (1) A statement of the issue, including 
scope and manner of study, particular problem areas and possible 
solutions, and any other matters relevant to a 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. Sec. 994(a), (o); USSC Rules of Practice 
and Procedure 5.2.

Diana E. Murphy,
Chair.
[FR Doc. 02-15684 Filed 6-20-02; 8:45 am]
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