[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 245 (Friday, December 20, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70152-70153]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27472]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Statement of 
Financial Interests, Regional Fishery Management Councils

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written or on-line comments must be 
submitted on or before February 18, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Adrienne Thomas, PRA Officer, 
NOAA, 151 Patton Avenue, Room 159, Asheville, NC 28801 (or via the 
internet at [email protected]). All comments received are part of the 
public record. Comments will generally be posted without change. All 
Personally Identifiable Information (for example, name and address) 
voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do 
not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or 
protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Diane Daly, (301) 427-8573 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(Magnuson Stevens Act) authorizes the establishment of Regional Fishery 
Management Councils to exercise sound judgment in the stewardship of 
fishery resources through the preparation, monitoring, and revision of 
such fishery management plans under circumstances (a) which will enable 
the States, the fishing industry, consumers, environmental 
organizations, and other interested persons to participate in the 
development of such plans, and (b) which take into account the social 
and economic needs of fishermen and dependent communities.
    Section 302(j) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that Council 
members appointed by the Secretary, Scientific and Statistical 
Committee (SSC) members appointed by a Council under Section 302(g)(1), 
or individuals nominated by the Governor of a State for possible 
appointment as a Council member, disclose their financial interest in 
any Council fishery. These interests include harvesting, processing, 
lobbying, advocacy, or marketing activity that is being, or will be, 
undertaken within any fishery over which the Council concerned has 
jurisdiction, or with respect to an individual or organization with a 
financial interest in such activity. The authority to require this 
information and reporting and filing requirements has not changed. NOAA 
Fisheries is in the process of conducting minor revisions to the form 
by adding clearer instructions and clarifying some of the questions 
asked to ensure the questions are consistent with the regulatory 
requirements. Revisions will also include a specific check box to 
indicate that a Council nominee, and not a member, is completing the 
form.
    The Secretary is required to submit an annual report to Congress on 
action taken by the Secretary and the Councils to implement the 
disclosure of financial interest and recusal requirements, including 
identification of any conflict of interest problems with respect to the 
Councils and SSCs and recommendations for addressing any such problems.
    The Act further provides that a member shall not vote on a Council 
decision that would have a significant and predictable effect on a 
financial interest if there is a close causal link between the Council 
decision and an expected and substantially disproportionate benefit to 
the financial interest of the affected individual relative to the 
financial interest of other participants in the same gear type or 
sector of the fishery. However, an affected individual who is declared 
ineligible to vote on a Council action may participate in Council 
deliberations relating to the decision after notifying the Council of 
his/her recusal and identifying the financial interest that would be 
affected.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents submit paper forms. The forms and related instructions 
are available to the public on the internet and can be completed online 
and printed. Seated Council members appointed by the Secretary, 
including the Tribal Government appointee and SSC members, must file a 
financial interest form within 45 days of taking office and must 
provide updates of their statements at any time any such financial 
interest is acquired, or substantially changed.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0192.
    Form Number: NOAA Form 88-195.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (request for extension of a 
current information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.

[[Page 70153]]

    Estimated Number of Respondents: 330.
    Estimated Time per Response: 45 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 247.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $353.10 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2019-27472 Filed 12-19-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P