[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 50 (Friday, March 13, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14714-14715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-05114]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. IM2020-1; Order No. 5450]


Section 407 Proceeding

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 14715]]

SUMMARY: The Commission is establishing a docket to solicit comments 
for the purpose of developing its views on whether certain proposals 
for the upcoming UPU Congress are consistent with the standards and 
criteria for modern rate regulation established by the Commission under 
applicable sections of the United States Code. This notice informs the 
public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other 
administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due: June 12, 2020.

ADDRESSES: 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. Introduction
II. Initial Commission Action
III. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    The 27th Universal Postal Union (UPU) Congress will take place 
August 10-28, 2020, in C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire. Before the United States 
concludes any treaty, convention, or amendment that establishes a 
Market Dominant rate or classification, the Secretary of State must 
request that the Commission provide views on whether such treaties, 
conventions, or amendments are consistent with the standards and 
criteria for modern rate regulation established by the Commission under 
39 U.S.C. 3622. 39 U.S.C. 407(c). On March 6, 2020, the Department of 
State requested the Commission's views on relevant proposals that will 
be presented at the 27th UPU Congress.\1\
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    \1\ Letter from Nerissa J. Cook, Deputy Assistant Secretary, 
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Organization 
Affairs, March 6, 2020 (State's Request).
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    Pursuant to section 407(c)(1) and 39 CFR part 3017, the Commission 
establishes Docket No. IM2020-1 for the purpose of developing its views 
on whether certain proposals for the upcoming UPU Congress are 
consistent with the standards and criteria for modern rate regulation 
established by the Commission under 39 U.S.C. 3622.

II. Initial Commission Action

    Establishment of docket. Part 3017 of title 39 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations codifies procedures related to the development of 
the Commission's section 407 views.\2\ Pursuant to rule 3017.3(a), the 
Commission establishes this docket to ``solicit comments on the general 
principles that should guide the Commission's development of views on 
relevant proposals, in a general way, and on specific relevant 
proposals[.]'' 39 CFR 3017.3(a).
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    \2\ See Docket No. RM2015-14, Order Adopting Final Rules on 
Procedures Related to Commission Views, December 30, 2015 (Order No. 
2960). See also 81 FR 869 (January 8, 2016). The rules in part 3017 
took effect on February 8, 2016. The Commission recently revised 
these rules to enhance transparency and accountability within the 
Commission view process and improve public accessibility to related 
documents. Docket No. RM2020-3, Order Adopting Final Rules Related 
to Commission Views, February 24, 2020, at 1-2 (Order No. 5439). 
These revised rules go into effect on April 21, 2020. Order No. 5439 
at 5. In addition, the Commission recently issued a final rulemaking 
in a separate proceeding that, among other things, renumbered 
several parts in title 39. Docket No. RM2019-13, Order Reorganizing 
Commission Regulations and Amending Rules of Practice, January 16, 
2020 (Order No. 5407). As a result of Order No. 5407, part 3017 will 
be redesignated as part 3025 and the rules will be renumbered on 
April 20, 2020. Id.; Order No. 5439 at 4-5.
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    Comments. Rule 3017.4(a) provides that the Commission ``shall 
establish a deadline for comments upon establishment of the docket that 
is consistent with timely submission of the Commission's views to the 
Secretary of State.'' 39 CFR 3017.4(a). The 27th Universal Postal Union 
Congress will take place August 10-28, 2020, in C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire. 
The Department of State requests that the Commission submit its views 
by July 10, 2020. State's Request at 1. To ensure timely submission of 
the Commission's views to the Department of State, the Commission 
establishes June 12, 2020, as the deadline for submission of comments 
on the principles that should guide development of its views, as well 
as those on the consistency of proposals subject to subchapter I of 
chapter 36 with the standards and criteria of 39 U.S.C. 3622. Comments 
are to be submitted in the above captioned docket via the Commission's 
website at http://www.prc.gov unless a request for waiver is approved. 
For assistance with filing, contact the Commission's docket section at 
202-789-6846 or [email protected].
    Public Representative. Section 505 of title 39 requires the 
designation of an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to 
represent the interests of the general public in all public 
proceedings. The Commission designates Kenneth E. Richardson as Public 
Representative in this proceeding.
    Availability of documents. Pursuant to rule 3017.3(b), the 
Commission will post relevant proposals and other materials related to 
the development of Commission views in this docket.
    Federal Register publication. Rule 3017.3(c) requires publication 
in the Federal Register of the notice establishing a docket authorized 
under part 3017. 39 CFR 3017.3(c). Pursuant to this rule, the 
Commission directs the Secretary of the Commission to arrange for 
prompt publication of this Order in the Federal Register.

III. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. IM2020-1 for purposes 
related to the development of section 407(c)(1) views and invites 
public comments related to this effort, as described in the body of 
this Order.
    2. Comments are due no later than June 12, 2020.
    3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Kenneth E. Richardson is appointed to 
serve as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to 
represent the interests of the general public in this docket.
    4. The Secretary is directed to post documents in this docket when 
the Commission determines such documents are relevant.
    5. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this Order in the 
Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Erica A. Barker,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-05114 Filed 3-12-20; 8:45 am]
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