[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 220 (Thursday, November 16, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 53530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24874]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

[OLP Docket No. 167]


Notice of Request for Certification of Texas Capital Counsel 
Mechanism

AGENCY: Department of Justice.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the State of Texas has 
requested certification of its capital counsel mechanism by the 
Attorney General and that public comments may be submitted to the 
Department of Justice regarding Texas's request.

DATES: Written and electronic comments must be submitted on or before 
January 16, 2018. Comments received by mail will be considered timely 
if they are postmarked on or before that date. The electronic Federal 
Docket Management System (FDMS) will accept comments until Midnight 
Eastern Time at the end of that day.

ADDRESSES: To ensure proper handling of comments, please reference 
``Docket No. OLP 167'' on all electronic and written correspondence. 
The Department encourages that all comments be submitted electronically 
through http://www.regulations.gov using the electronic comment form 
provided on that site. Paper comments that duplicate the electronic 
submission should not be submitted. Individuals who wish to submit 
written comments may send those to the contact listed in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section immediately below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurence Rothenberg, Deputy Assistant 
Attorney General, Office of Legal Policy, U.S. Department of Justice, 
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20530; telephone (202) 532-
4465.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Chapter 154 of title 28, United States Code, 
provides special procedures for federal habeas corpus review of cases 
brought by indigent prisoners in State custody who are subject to 
capital sentences. These special procedures may be available to a State 
only if the Attorney General of the United States has certified that 
the State has established a qualifying mechanism for the appointment, 
compensation, and payment of reasonable litigation expenses of 
competent counsel in State postconviction proceedings for indigent 
capital prisoners. 28 U.S.C. 2261, 2265; 28 CFR part 26.
    This notice advises the public, pursuant to 28 CFR 26.23(b), that 
the State of Texas has requested certification of its capital counsel 
mechanism by the Attorney General. Public comment is solicited 
regarding Texas's request. Texas's request and supporting materials may 
be viewed at https://www.justice.gov/olp/pending-requests-final-decisions.

    Dated: November 13, 2017.
Beth A. Williams,
Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Policy.
[FR Doc. 2017-24874 Filed 11-15-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4410-BB-P