[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 55 (Friday, March 20, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 16083]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-05855]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Statement of 
Financial Interests, Regional Fishery Management Councils

    The Department of Commerce will submit the following information 
collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), on or after the date of publication of 
this notice. The public is invited to submit comments on this request.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the 
publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by 
selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for Public Comments'' 
or by using the search function and entering either the title of the 
collection or the OMB Control Number 0694-0192.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of this submission may be 
obtained from Adrienne Thomas, PRA Officer, NOAA, 151 Patton Avenue, 
Room 159, Asheville, NC 28801 or viewing the entire information 
collection request at www.reginfo.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Department, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (2) if the information will be processed and 
used in a timely manner; (3) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of 
the burden and cost of the collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (4) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (5) 
ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
    Title: Statement of Financial Interests, Regional Fishery 
Management Councils.
    OMB Control Number: 0648-0192.
    Form Number(s): NOAA 88-195.
    Type of Request: Regular (revision and extension of a currently 
approved information collection).
    Number of Respondents: 330.
    Average Hours per Response: 45 minutes.
    Burden Hours: 248 hours.
    Needs and Uses: This request is for revision and extension of a 
current information collection. 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 any 
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. 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. The form has been revised to increase clarity for the 
respondents; NOAA Fisheries is making 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. No new information is being requested.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Frequency: Annually or updated as needed.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Section 302(j) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

    Dated: March 17, 2020.
Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2020-05855 Filed 3-19-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P