[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 197 (Tuesday, October 13, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61471-61472]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25899]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Renewal of the Native American Employment and Training Council
(NAETC) Charter
AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Renewal of the Native American Employment and Training Council
(NAETC) Charter.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the renewal of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), section 166 Indian and Native
American Programs Charter that is necessary and in the public interest.
Accordingly, the U.S. Department of Labor (the Department), Employment
and Training Administration (ETA) has renewed the NAETC Charter for two
years with revisions. The revisions are not intended to change the
purpose or the Council's original intent. The revisions include
language regarding the use of proxies and changes to the membership
balance plan. The Council Charter expired on September 9, 2015.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: Pursuant to WIOA section 166(i)(4)(C), the NAETC
advises the Secretary on the operation and administration of the Native
American programs authorized under section 166 of WIOA. In addition,
the Council advises the Secretary on matters that promote the
employment and training needs of Indian and Native Americans,
[[Page 61472]]
as well as enhance the quality of life in accordance with the Indian
Self-Determination Act and Education Assistance Act. The Council also
provides guidance to the Secretary on how to make DOL discretionary
funding and other special initiatives more accessible to federally
recognized tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian
organizations. The charter is required to be renewed every two years.
The charter expired on September 9, 2015. The NAETC recommendations and
accomplishments have and continue to assist ETA and the Secretary in
making policy decisions that impact Native Americans, Alaska Natives
and Native Hawaiian communities
Summary of Revisions: The charter is being renewed to reference
updates from the Workforce Investment Act to WIOA, and the following
changes: Clarification that the Council's Designated Federal Officer
(DFO) accepts reports on behalf of the Secretary; an increase in
estimated annual operating costs and estimated staff years from a half
of a full-time employee (FTE) to one FTE; a definitive range in the
number of members; a clarification that the Council consult with the
DFO to confirm the Department's approval for the Council to create a
subcommittee or workgroup; and language outlining the use of proxy
voting. All revisions are self-explanatory and/or provide clarification
of existing procedures, with the exception of the proxy voting. The
``Objectives and Scope of Activity'' section includes language that
specifies the Council's purpose, focus, and mission; section 5
clarifies that the DFO will accept reports on behalf of the Secretary;
section 7 increased the estimated annual operating costs for the
Council and increases the estimated staff years from .5 FTE to 1 FTE.
Section 12 added ``Voting'' to the title of this section and includes
language that provides a definitive range in the number of members and
additional language that outlines the use of proxy voting. Changes to
the language reads: ``If a member is unable to attend a meeting, he or
she may notify the DFO in writing and request the DFO's approval to
permit another member of the same tribe, organization, or entity to
vote on behalf of such member on all matters coming before the Council
during that particular meeting. Notice of a proxy's attendance must be
given at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting. A record
of the notification and approval will be kept, and written notice
includes email notification. Proxies will be counted when calculating
whether a quorum is present at the Council meeting.'' This change
provides a process for ensuring a balanced Council in the event a
Council member is unable to attend a meeting. The member will notify
the DFO and request that another member of the same tribe, organization
or entity be permitted to vote in their place; but only on the matters
before the Council during that particular meeting. This will also
ensure that in the event a member is unable to attend a scheduled
Council meeting, a balanced membership is maintained for voting
purposes. This is the first time that the Department has incorporated
the use of proxy/alternate voting on advisory committees, and although
it is intended to address the issue of a balanced membership, it is
alternatively emphasized that it is important that the members who have
been vetted and approved to serve on the Council attend the meetings if
they are available and able to participate in person or via
teleconference. Proxies should only be used on exceptional occasions.
Members are also required to provide notice in writing 48 hours in
advance of the scheduled meeting so that the Agency can ensure a
balance will be maintained and that there are no conflicts of interest
presented by the proxy.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Athena Brown, Designated Federal
Officer, Office of Workforce Investment, Employment and Training
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-4209, 200 Constitution
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 693-3737, (this is
not a toll-free number).
Portia Wu,
Assistant Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2015-25899 Filed 10-9-15; 8:45 am]
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