[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 246 (Monday, December 23, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 70466-70467]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27604]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

39 CFR Part 3017

[Docket No. RM2020-3; Order No. 5353]


Procedures Related to Commission Views

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Commission proposes revisions to its rules related to the 
Commission's process for developing views submitted to the Secretary of 
State on certain international mail matters. The Commission invites 
public comment on the propose rules.

DATES: Comments are due: January 22, 2020.

ADDRESSES: For additional information, Order No. 5353 can be accessed 
electronically through the Commission's website at https://www.prc.gov. 
Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing Online 
system at http://www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit comments 
electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section by telephone for advice on filing 
alternatives.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 
202-789-6820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Relevant Statutory Requirements
II. Background
III. Basis and Purpose of Proposed Rules
IV. Proposed Rules

I. Relevant Statutory Requirements

    Section 407(c)(1) of title 39 of the United States Code requires 
that the Secretary of State, before concluding a treaty, convention, or 
amendment establishing a market dominant rate or classification, 
request the Commission's views on the consistency of such rate or 
classification with the modern rate-setting criteria of 39 U.S.C. 3622. 
Commission views entail the review and analysis of numerous proposals 
from the UPU or its member countries, which are typically posted on the 
UPU website pursuant to a series of deadlines that

[[Page 70467]]

begin about 6 months before a Congress convenes.

II. Background

    In Docket No. RM2015-14, the Commission adopted rules formalizing 
its procedures related to Commission views submitted pursuant to 39 
U.S.C. 407(c)(1).\1\ The adopted rules reflected the Commission's 
commitment to both transparency and improved public accessibility by 
establishing dockets that informed the public about the availably of 
relevant proposals, Commission views, and other related documents, and 
by allowing all documents to be incorporated into one comprehensive 
record.
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    \1\ See generally, Docket No. RM2015-14, Order Adopting Final 
Rules on Procedures Related to Commission Views, December 20, 2015 
(Order No. 2960).
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III. Basis and Purpose of Proposed Rules

    In the years since the procedures related Commission views were 
established, the Commission has participated in both traditional UPU 
Congresses as well as two extraordinary Congresses. In light of that 
experience, the Commission is proposing minor improvements to enhance 
transparency and accountability within the Commission views process as 
well as to improve the accessibility of relevant proposals, Commission 
views, and related documents. The proposed rules make clarifying 
changes that are intended to better reflect the Commission's procedures 
related to the posting of relevant proposals and Commission views.

IV. Proposed Rules

List of Subjects for 39 CFR Part 3017

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service, Treaties.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Commission proposes to 
amend chapter III of title 39 of the Code of Federal Regulations as 
follows:

0
1. Revise part 3017 to read as follows:

PART 3017--PROCEDURES RELATED TO COMMISSION VIEWS

Sec.
3017.1 Definitions in this part.
3017.2 Purpose.
3017.3 Establishment and scope of docket.
3017.4 Comment deadline(s).
3017.5 Issuance of Commission views.

    Authority:  39 U.S.C. 407; 503.


Sec.  3017.1   Definitions in this part.

    (a) Commission views refers to the opinion the Commission provides 
to the Secretary of State pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 407(c)(1) on the 
consistency of a relevant proposal with modern rate regulation.
    (b) Modern rate regulation refers to the standards and criteria the 
Commission has established pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3622.
    (c) Relevant proposal means a proposed change to a treaty, 
convention, or amendment that establishes a market dominant rate or 
classification.


Sec.  3017.2   Purpose.

    The rules in this part are intended to facilitate public 
participation in, and promote the transparency of, the development of 
Commission views.


Sec.  3017.3   Establishment and scope of docket.

    (a) On or about 150 days before a Universal Postal Union Congress 
convenes or such advance time as the Commission determines for any 
other 39 U.S.C. 407(c)(1) matter, the Commission shall establish a 
docket in order to solicit public comments as part of the development 
of Commission views.
    (b) The Commission shall post relevant proposals in the applicable 
docket established pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section and may 
also include other materials related to the development of Commission 
views, such as other documents or related actions.
    (c) Public comments should focus on the specific relevant proposals 
posted by the Commission and the general principles that should guide 
the development of Commission views as well as any other materials 
posted in the applicable docket pursuant to paragraph (b) of this 
section.
    (d) The Commission shall arrange for publication in the Federal 
Register of the notice establishing each docket authorized under this 
part.


Sec.  3017.4   Comment deadline(s).

    (a) The Commission shall establish a deadline for comments upon 
establishment of the docket that is consistent with timely submission 
of Commission views to the Secretary of State. The Commission may 
establish other deadlines for comments as appropriate.
    (b) The Commission may suspend or forego solicitation of comments 
if it determines that such solicitation is not consistent with timely 
submission of Commission views to the Secretary of State.


Sec.  3017.5   Commission views.

    (a) The Commission will review timely filed comments responding to 
a Commission solicitation pursuant to Sec.  3017.3(a) prior to 
submitting its views to the Secretary of State.
    (b) After Commission views are developed, the Commission shall post 
Commission views in the applicable docket established pursuant to Sec.  
3017.3(a) and submit Commission views to the Secretary of State 
pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 407(c)(1).

    By the Commission.
Ruth Ann Abrams,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-27604 Filed 12-20-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P