[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 97 (Tuesday, May 19, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 29945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-10769]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

[Docket No. 20-07]


Waiver of Certain Filing Requirements Due to Covid19; Order

Served: May 12, 2020.
    Because of challenges associated with COVID-19, the Commission is 
temporarily waiving certain requirements in 46 CFR part 502 related to 
paper filing of documents, ink signatures, and service by mail of 
complaints. The expeditious conduct of business requires such temporary 
waivers, which will prevent undue hardship and manifest injustice and 
facilitate efficient filing and processing of complaints and other 
documents while protecting the integrity of Commission proceedings. See 
46 CFR 502.10.
    Consequently, under 46 CFR 502.10, it is ordered that, until 
discontinued by subsequent order:
     The Commission waives 46 CFR 502.2(e) to the extent it 
requires parties to file paper documents or copies of the original, 
signed document. Filing the original, signed document via email is 
sufficient.
     The Commission waives 46 CFR 502.2(f)(1), (2). Filing via 
email of the documents subject to these rules is sufficient.
     The Commission waives 46 CFR 502.2(f)(3) to the extent it 
requires parties to file paper documents or copies of the original, 
signed document. The Commission also waives Sec.  502.2(f)(3)'s 
certification requirement.
     The Commission waives 46 CFR 502.2(j) to the extent it 
requires filing of an original signed in ink. The Commission retains 
the requirement that a signed original be provided, but the Commission 
will accept a scanned signature or electronic signature (i.e., an 
electronic sound, symbol, or process, attached to or logically 
associated with a document and executed or adopted by a person with the 
intent to sign the document).
     The Commission waives 46 CFR 502.5(a)(2)(i) to the extent 
it prohibits filing a confidential version of a document with the 
Office of the Secretary by email. Filing via email with the Office of 
the Secretary is sufficient.
     The Commission waives 46 CFR 502.113(b) to the extent it 
requires the Secretary to serve the complaint using first class mail or 
express mail service. The Secretary must serve the complaint but may do 
so via email or first class mail or express mail.
    It is finally ordered, that notice of this Order be published in 
the Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Rachel Dickon,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-10769 Filed 5-18-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6730-02-P