[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 36 (Thursday, February 22, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13289-13293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-02990]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 36 / Thursday, February 22, 2024 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 13289]]



DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

12 CFR Part 4

[Docket ID OCC-2022-0008]
RIN 1557-AE76


Availability of Information Under the Freedom of Information Act

AGENCY: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is 
proposing to amend its Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regulations. 
The proposal would amend the OCC's FOIA regulations to provide for 
expedited processing of FOIA requests and establish procedures for 
requestors to appeal denials of expedited processing and fee waiver 
requests. The proposal also would remove the competitive harm standard 
for information provided to the government on an involuntary basis and 
make a conforming amendment to the OCC's FOIA regulations to be 
consistent with FOIA.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 22, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Commenters are encouraged to submit comments through the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal. Please use the title ``Availability of 
Information Under the Freedom of Information Act'' to facilitate the 
organization and distribution of the comments. You may submit comments 
by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal--Regulations.gov:
    Go to https://regulations.gov/. Enter ``Docket ID OCC-2022-0008'' 
in the Search Box and click ``Search.'' Public comments can be 
submitted via the ``Comment'' box below the displayed document 
information or by clicking on the document title and then clicking the 
``Comment'' box on the top-left side of the screen. For help with 
submitting effective comments, please click on ``Commenter's 
Checklist.'' For assistance with the Regulations.gov site, please call 
1-866-498-2945 (toll free) Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ET, or email 
[email protected].
     Mail: Chief Counsel's Office, Attention: Comment 
Processing, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 400 7th Street 
SW, Suite 3E-218, Washington, DC 20219.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: 400 7th Street SW, Suite 3E-218, 
Washington, DC 20219.
    Instructions: You must include ``OCC'' as the agency name and 
``Docket ID OCC-2022-0008'' in your comment. In general, the OCC will 
enter all comments received into the docket and publish the comments on 
the Regulations.gov website without change, including any business or 
personal information provided such as name and address information, 
email addresses, or phone numbers. Comments received, including 
attachments and other supporting materials, are part of the public 
record and subject to public disclosure. Do not include any information 
in your comment or supporting materials that you consider confidential 
or inappropriate for public disclosure.
    You may review comments and other related materials that pertain to 
this action by the following method:
     Viewing Comments Electronically--Regulations.gov:
    Go to https://regulations.gov/. Enter ``Docket ID OCC-2022-0008'' 
in the Search Box and click ``Search.'' Click on the ``Dockets'' tab 
and then the document's title. After clicking the document's title, 
click the ``Browse All Comments'' tab. Comments can be viewed and 
filtered by clicking on the ``Sort By'' drop-down on the right side of 
the screen or the ``Refine Comments Results'' options on the left side 
of the screen. Supporting materials can be viewed by clicking on the 
``Browse Documents'' tab. Click on the ``Sort By'' drop-down on the 
right side of the screen or the ``Refine Results'' options on the left 
side of the screen checking the ``Supporting & Related Material'' 
checkbox. For assistance with the Regulations.gov site, please call 1-
866-498-2945 (toll free) Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ET, or email 
[email protected].
    The docket may be viewed after the close of the comment period in 
the same manner as during the comment period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristin Merritt, Assistant Director, 
MaryAnn Nash, Counsel, or Christopher D'Alessio, Counsel, Chief 
Counsel's Office, (202) 649-5490; 400 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 
20219. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, 
please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) \1\ enacted in 1966, revised 
the public disclosure section of the Administrative Procedure Act to 
allow for easier public access to government records. FOIA makes 
government records accessible to members of the public, unless the 
records (or any portion thereof) are protected from disclosure by one 
of FOIA's nine exemptions or by one of its three special law 
enforcement record exclusions.\2\ FOIA outlines a process for members 
of the public to obtain records.\3\ This process also affords 
requesters administrative appeals and remedy in United States district 
courts.\4\
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    \1\ 5 U.S.C. 552.
    \2\ 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(1)-(9) (exemptions); 5 U.S.C. 552(c)(1)-(3) 
(exclusions).
    \3\ 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(3) (agency obligation to search for and 
provide records pursuant to request); 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(A) (fees); 
5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6) (processing requests, including appeals).
    \4\ 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(A)(III)(aa) (administrative appeal); 5 
U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(B)-(C) (district court).
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    FOIA requires Federal agencies to promulgate regulations to 
implement the statute.\5\ The OCC's FOIA regulations create a process 
by which requesters can request and obtain agency records, including 
how to request records, the format requests must take, and the time 
limits for OCC response, appeals, and fees.\6\
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    \5\ E.g., 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(A)(i) (In order to carry out the 
provisions of this section, each agency shall promulgate 
regulations, pursuant to notice and receipt of public comment, 
specifying the schedule of fees applicable to the processing of 
requests under this section and establishing procedures and 
guidelines for determining when such fees should be waived or 
reduced.); 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(E)(i) (Each agency shall promulgate 
regulations, pursuant to notice and receipt of public comment, 
providing for expedited processing of requests for records[.]).
    \6\ 12 CFR 4.15 (request process, including request format, time 
limits for response, and appeals); 12 CFR 4.17 (fees).

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[[Page 13290]]

II. Proposed Changes

    Expedited Processing. FOIA mandates that each Federal agency 
promulgate regulations, pursuant to notice and receipt of public 
comment, providing for expedited processing of requests for records.\7\ 
However, the OCC's current FOIA regulations do not address expedited 
processing requests. Presently, when the OCC grants a request for 
expedited processing, the agency processes the request as soon as 
practicable. Accordingly, the proposal would amend the OCC's FOIA 
regulations to include procedures for expedited processing.
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    \7\ 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(E)(i).
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    FOIA also provides specific requirements for agencies' expedited 
processing regulations. The statute requires that the regulations allow 
for expedited processing when the requester ``demonstrates a compelling 
need'' and ``in other cases determined by the agency.'' \8\ The statute 
defines ``compelling need'' as either: (1) ``that a failure to obtain 
requested records on an expedited basis . . . could reasonably be 
expected to pose an imminent threat to the life or physical safety of 
an individual'' or (2) ``urgency to inform the public concerning actual 
or alleged Federal Government activity'' when ``a request [is] made by 
a person primarily engaged in disseminating information[.]'' \9\ FOIA 
requires that the requester's ``demonstration of compelling need'' be 
made by a statement certifying it is true and correct to the best of 
the requester's knowledge and belief.\10\ The statute also requires an 
agency to provide the requester with notice of the decision on a 
request for expedited processing ``within 10 days after the date of the 
request.'' \11\ Finally, the statute requires that the regulations 
ensure ``expeditious consideration of administrative appeals'' of 
decisions on requests for expedited processing.\12\
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    \8\ 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(E)(i)(I)-(II).
    \9\ 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(E)(v)(I)-(II).
    \10\ 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(E)(vi).
    \11\ 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(E)(ii)(I).
    \12\ 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(E)(ii)(II).
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    The OCC's proposal would address each of the statute's requirements 
for expedited processing regulations in new proposed paragraph 12 CFR 
4.15(c)(5). Under proposed paragraph (c)(5)(i), individuals would be 
able to request expedited processing with their initial request for 
records or at any time thereafter. If the individual requests expedited 
processing on paper, both the envelope and the request itself would 
have to be labeled, ``Expedited Processing Requested.''
    Under proposed paragraph (c)(5)(ii), the OCC would grant requests 
for expedited processing when they involve: (A) circumstances in which 
the lack of expedited processing could reasonably be expected to pose 
an imminent threat to the life or physical safety of an individual; (B) 
an urgency to inform the public about an actual or alleged Federal 
government activity, if made by a person who is primarily engaged in 
disseminating information; \13\ or (C) the loss of substantial due 
process rights. Under proposed paragraph (c)(5)(ii)(B), the ``urgency 
to inform'' standard would require that records requested pertain to a 
matter of current exigency to the public and that delaying a response 
to a request for records would compromise a significant recognized 
interest to and throughout the general public. This proposed provision 
would implement FOIA's requirement that each agency promulgate 
regulations providing for expedited processing when the requester 
demonstrates ``compelling need,'' or ``in other cases determined by the 
agency.'' \14\ The proposed standard for compelling need fulfills the 
requirements in FOIA \15\ and includes language similar to the U.S. 
Department of the Treasury's FOIA regulations.\16\
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    \13\ Under the proposed Sec.  4.15(c)(5)(iii)(B), a requester 
``primarily engaged in disseminating information'' does not include 
individuals who are engaged only incidentally in the dissemination 
of information.
    \14\ See 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(E)(i)(I)-(II).
    \15\ See 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(E)(v)(I)-(II).
    \16\ See 31 CFR 1.4(e)(1)(i)-(ii).
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    Under proposed paragraph (c)(5)(iii), a requester who seeks 
expedited processing would be required to submit a statement, certified 
to be true and correct, demonstrating the compelling need for expedited 
processing, which is consistent with FOIA.\17\ The certified statement 
demonstrating compelling need must address at least one of the 
criterion in paragraph (c)(5)(ii). Further, the proposed rule would 
allow the OCC to waive this certification requirement as a matter of 
administrative discretion. This proposed language is similar to the 
U.S. Department of the Treasury's FOIA regulations.\18\
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    \17\ See 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(E)(vi).
    \18\ See 31 CFR 1.4(e)(3).
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    Under proposed paragraph (c)(5)(iv), the OCC would have 10 calendar 
days after receipt of the request for expedited processing to notify 
the requester of the OCC's decision to grant or deny the request. The 
10-day timetable conforms to the requirement in FOIA.\19\ Further, the 
decision to grant or deny an expedited processing request would be 
based solely on the information contained in the initial letter 
requesting expedited processing. Under the proposal, the OCC would 
process the records ``as soon as practicable'' in conformance with 
FOIA.\20\ The proposed rule also includes a provision for appeals of a 
denial of an expedited processing request. This provision is included 
in the proposal because FOIA requires that agencies' FOIA regulations 
ensure ``expeditious consideration of administrative appeals'' of 
decisions on requests for expedited processing.\21\ Under proposed 
paragraph (c)(5)(v), a requester could appeal the denial of a request 
for expedited processing by following the appeal procedures in 12 CFR 
4.15(d). The procedures in Sec.  4.15(d) require the requester to 
appeal within 90 calendar days because FOIA provides for a timetable of 
``not less than 90 days'' for a requester to appeal an adverse 
determination.\22\ Under proposed paragraph (c)(5)(v), if the requester 
submits an appeal on paper, the envelope and appeal would need to be 
clearly marked ``Appeal for Expedited Processing.'' In addition, the 
proposed rule would amend Sec.  4.15(d), which outlines the OCC's 
administrative appeal procedures, to state that requesters may appeal 
an ``adverse determination,'' a term which appears, but is not defined, 
in FOIA.\23\ The proposal would amend Sec.  4.15(d) to clarify that the 
denial of an expedited processing request constitutes an adverse 
determination and, therefore, requesters can appeal the denial of an 
expedited processing request. The proposal further clarifies that the 
Comptroller or the Comptroller's delegate would decide appeals from 
denials of expedited processing requests.
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    \19\ See 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(E)(ii)(I).
    \20\ See 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(E)(iii).
    \21\ See 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(E)(ii)(II).
    \22\ See 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(A)(i)(III)(aa).
    \23\ See 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(A)(i)(III).
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    Finally, under proposed 12 CFR 4.15(c)(5)(vi), consistent with 
FOIA, the OCC would be required to expeditiously (1) consider the 
appeal and (2) notify the requestor of the determination. This proposed 
standard tracks the language of FOIA, which requires expeditious 
consideration of administrative appeals.\24\
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    \24\ See 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(E)(ii)(II).
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    Question 1. FOIA requires that the OCC's FOIA regulations provide 
for expedited processing ``in other cases determined by the agency.'' 
\25\ In what situations should the OCC grant a request for expedited 
processing?
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    \25\ 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(E)(i)(II).

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[[Page 13291]]

    Question 2. Should the OCC provide a more specific timeline for 
deciding and responding to an appeal regarding expedited processing, 
i.e., a specific number of days, rather than ``expeditiously''?
    Appeal of Fee Waiver Denials. FOIA requires that each agency 
promulgate regulations establishing fees for processing FOIA 
requests.\26\ But, under certain circumstances, the requester must be 
granted a fee waiver.\27\ FOIA does not expressly state whether a 
requester can appeal fee waiver denials, although FOIA allows 
requesters to appeal ``adverse determinations.'' \28\ However, the 
statute does not explicitly define an adverse determination. Further, 
FOIA requires that each agency shall promulgate regulations 
establishing procedures and guidelines for determining when the agency 
should waive or reduce fees.\29\ In addition, FOIA specifies that a 
court shall determine the matter de novo in any action by a requester 
regarding the waiver of fees for FOIA purposes.\30\
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    \26\ 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(A)(i).
    \27\ 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(A)(iii) (Documents shall be furnished 
without any charge).
    \28\ See 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(A)(i)(III)(aa).
    \29\ 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(A)(i).
    \30\ 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(A)(vii).
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    The statutory language discussed above does not expressly grant 
requesters the right to appeal the denial of a fee waiver. However, 
FOIA's statement that courts consider actions regarding fee waivers de 
novo suggests that fee waiver denials are appealable. Additionally, the 
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, U.S. Department of the Treasury 
(Treasury), and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) have promulgated 
regulations that grant an express right to appeal a fee waiver 
denial.\31\ In addition, the DOJ Office of Information Policy's model 
FOIA regulations suggest that agencies should include the right to 
appeal a denial of a fee waiver.\32\ Currently, the OCC's FOIA 
regulations do not address appeals from denial of a fee waiver request. 
Accordingly, consistent with the statute's requirement that courts 
consider actions regarding fee waivers de novo, other agencies' 
regulations, and the DOJ's model FOIA regulations, the OCC proposes to 
amend its regulations to explicitly grant requesters the ability to 
appeal a denial of a fee waiver.
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    \31\ See 12 CFR 309.5(f)(x) (FDIC); 31 CFR 1.4(h)-(i), 1.6(a) 
(Treasury); 28 CFR 16.6(d)-(e), 16.8(a) (DOJ).
    \32\ See Department of Justice, Office of Information Policy, 
Template for Agency FOIA Regulations, Sec.  VI. Responses to 
Requests, https://www.justice.gov/oip/template-agency-foia-regulations#Responses%20to%20Requests (last updated Dec. 2, 2022).
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    This proposed rule would amend 12 CFR 4.17(b), which governs the 
OCC's standards for fee waivers by adding a provision in Sec.  
4.17(b)(4) to explicitly grant requesters the ability to appeal the 
denial of a fee waiver request. Furthermore, the proposed rule would 
amend 12 CFR 4.15(d), which outlines the OCC's administrative appeal 
procedures, to clarify that the denial of a fee waiver constitutes an 
adverse determination and, therefore, requesters can appeal the denial 
of a fee waiver request. The proposal further clarifies that the 
Comptroller or the Comptroller's delegate would decide appeals from 
denials of fee waiver requests.
    Fee Waivers. FOIA requires that each agency promulgate regulations, 
pursuant to notice and comment, stating the agency's fee schedule for 
processing FOIA requests.\33\ FOIA also requires that documents shall 
be furnished without any charge or at a charge below the agency's fee 
schedule when the applicable standard is met.\34\ However, current 12 
CFR 4.17(b)(4) states that the OCC may waive or reduce a fee when it 
determines the standard is met.\35\ For consistency, the OCC is 
proposing an amendment to align its regulations with the statutory 
standard. Under the proposed rule, consistent with FOIA, the OCC 
``must'' grant the requester's request for a fee waiver if the 
requester meets the standard for fee waiver.
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    \33\ 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(A)(i).
    \34\ Under 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(A)(iii), a fee waiver must be 
granted when disclosure of the information is in the public interest 
because it is likely to contribute significantly to public 
understanding of the operations or activities of the government and 
is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.
    \35\ 12 CFR 4.17(b)(4)(i)-(ii).
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    Exemption 4. FOIA Exemption 4, 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4), protects ``trade 
secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a person 
and privileged or confidential[.]'' Historically, the OCC has operated 
in a manner consistent with caselaw in determining whether commercial 
or financial information is ``confidential'' under Exemption 4. In Food 
Marketing Institute v. Argus Leader Media, 139 S. Ct. 2356 (2019) 
(FMI), the Supreme Court overruled the longstanding substantial 
competitive harm standard for information provided to the government on 
an involuntary basis that was first announced in National Parks & 
Conservation Ass'n v. Morton, 498 F.2d 765 (D.C. Cir. 1974). In FMI, 
the Supreme Court held that commercial or financial information 
submitted to the government will be considered ``confidential'' for 
purposes of FOIA Exemption 4 at least where the information is ``both 
customarily and actually treated as private by its owner and provided 
to the government under an assurance of privacy.'' \36\ Accordingly, 
the OCC proposes to remove all references to the competitive harm 
standard in 12 CFR 4.16. Because the definition of confidential 
commercial information in the current OCC regulation was based on the 
competitive harm standard, the proposal would update the definition to 
more closely follow FOIA and would remove references to the competitive 
harm standard throughout Sec.  4.16. Additionally, the proposal would 
remove 12 CFR 4.16(b)(1)(i)(A), which is the requirement for the OCC to 
provide a submitter of information with a prompt notice of receipt of 
the request when the request is for confidential information submitted 
to the OCC, Office of Thrift Supervision, or Federal Home Loan Bank 
Board prior to 1988 and where the records are less than 10 years old. 
It is impossible for those records to be less than 10-years old today, 
thus, Sec.  4.16(b)(1)(i)(A) is irrelevant. Finally, the proposal would 
make corresponding typographical changes for grammatical purposes.
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    \36\ 139 S. Ct. 2356, 2366 (2019).
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    Question 3. Should the OCC define the term ``confidential 
commercial information'' in the regulation?

Effective Date

    The proposed rule would have an effective date of at least 60 
calendar days after publication of the final rule in the Federal 
Register or the first day of a calendar quarter that begins on or after 
the date on which the regulations are published in final form in the 
Federal Register, whichever period is longer. The OCC requests comment 
on the proposed effective date.

Comment Invitation

    The OCC invites comment on all aspects of this proposal.

Regulatory Analysis

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    This notice of proposed rulemaking has been reviewed for compliance 
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.). In accordance with PRA, the OCC may not conduct or sponsor, and 
an organization is not required to respond to, an information 
collection unless the information collection displays a currently valid 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The

[[Page 13292]]

proposed rule contains no information collection requirements under the 
PRA.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    In general, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) \37\ requires an 
agency, in connection with a proposed rule, to prepare an Initial 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis describing the impact of the rule on 
small entities (defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration for 
purposes of the RFA to include commercial banks and savings 
institutions with total assets of $850 million or less and trust 
companies with total assets of $47 million or less). However, under 
section 605(b) of the RFA, this analysis is not required if an agency 
certifies that the rule would not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities and publishes its certification 
and a short explanatory statement in the Federal Register along with 
its rule.
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    \37\ 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.
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    The OCC currently supervises approximately 1,059 institutions 
(commercial banks, trust companies, Federal Savings Associations 
(FSAs), and branches or agencies of foreign banks, collectively banks) 
\38\ of which 661 are small entities.\39\ The OCC expects the costs 
associated with the proposed rule to be de minimis because the OCC is 
the main entity that would be impacted by reviewing and processing FOIA 
requests on an expedited timeframe. Furthermore, because the OCC 
expects the majority of those de minimis costs to be incurred by the 
OCC as it updates its policies and procedures and its FOIA tracking 
system and not by small entities, the OCC certifies that the proposed 
rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities.
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    \38\ Based on data accessed using FINDRS on August 30, 2023.
    \39\ Consistent with the General Principles of Affiliation, 13 
CFR 121.103(a), the OCC counts the assets of affiliated financial 
institutions when determining if it should classify an institution 
as a small entity. The OCC used December 31, 2022, to determine size 
because a ``financial institution's assets are determined by 
averaging the assets reported on its four quarterly financial 
statements for the preceding year.'' See footnote 8 of the U.S. 
Small Business Administration's Table of Standards.
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Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    The OCC analyzed the proposed rule under the factors set forth in 
the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (2 U.S.C. 1532). Under 
this analysis, the OCC considered whether the proposed rule includes a 
Federal mandate that may result in the expenditure by State, local, and 
Tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 
million or more in any one year (adjusted for inflation). Because the 
OCC's overall estimate of the total potential costs associated with 
this proposed rule is de minimis, the OCC concludes that the rule would 
not result in private sector costs that exceed the UMRA threshold for a 
significant rule. Accordingly, the OCC has not prepared the written 
statement described in section 202 of the UMRA.

Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994

    Pursuant to section 302(a) of the Riegle Community Development and 
Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4802(a)), in determining 
the effective date and administrative compliance requirements for new 
regulations that impose additional reporting, disclosure, or other 
requirements on insured depository institutions, the OCC will consider, 
consistent with the principles of safety and soundness and the public 
interest: (1) any administrative burdens that the proposed rule would 
place on depository institutions, including small depository 
institutions and customers of depository institutions and (2) the 
benefits of the proposed rule. The OCC requests comment on any 
administrative burdens that the proposed rule would place on depository 
institutions, including small depository institutions and their 
customers, and the benefits of the proposed rule that the OCC should 
consider in determining the effective date and administrative 
compliance requirements for a final rule.

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 4

    Administrative practice and procedure, Freedom of information, 
Individuals with disabilities, Minority businesses, Organization and 
functions (Government agencies), Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Women.

Authority and Issuance

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, and under the authority 
of 12 U.S.C. 93a, the OCC proposes to amend 12 CFR chapter I as 
follows:

PART 4--ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS, AVAILABILITY AND RELEASE OF 
INFORMATION, CONTRACTING OUTREACH PROGRAM, POST-EMPLOYMENT 
RESTRICTIONS FOR SENIOR EXAMINERS

0
1. The authority citation for part 4 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 301, 552; 12 U.S.C. 1, 93a, 161, 481, 482, 
484(a), 1442, 1462a, 1463, 1464 1817(a), 1818, 1820, 1821, 1831m, 
1831p-1, 1831o, 1833e, 1867, 1951 et seq., 2601 et seq., 2801 et 
seq., 2901 et seq., 3101 et seq., 3401 et seq., 5321, 5412, 5414; 15 
U.S.C. 77uu(b), 78q(c)(3); 18 U.S.C. 641, 1905, 1906; 29 U.S.C. 
1204; 31 U.S.C. 5318(g)(2), 9701; 42 U.S.C. 3601; 44 U.S.C. 3506, 
3510; E.O. 12600 (3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 235).

0
2. Amend Sec.  4.15 by:
0
a. Adding paragraph (c)(5); and
0
b. Revising paragraphs (d)(1) and (2).
    The addition and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  4.15  How to request records.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (5) Requests for expedited processing. (i) An individual may submit 
a request for expedited processing either with the request for records 
or at any time thereafter. The request must be submitted in writing. In 
cases where a request is submitted on paper, both the envelope and the 
request itself must be clearly marked, ``Expedited Processing 
Requested.''
    (ii) The OCC will grant requests for expedited processing when it 
is determined that they involve:
    (A) Circumstances in which the lack of expedited processing could 
reasonably be expected to pose an imminent threat to the life or 
physical safety of an individual;
    (B) An urgency to inform the public about an actual or alleged 
Federal government activity, if made by a person who is primarily 
engaged in disseminating information. The standard of ``urgency to 
inform'' requires that the records requested pertain to a matter of 
current exigency to the public and that delaying a response to a 
request for records would compromise a significant recognized interest 
to and throughout the general public; or
    (C) The loss of substantial due process rights.
    (iii) A requester who seeks expedited processing must submit a 
statement, certified to be true and correct, demonstrating the 
compelling need for expedited processing that meets at least one of the 
criterion in paragraph (c)(5)(ii) of this section. As a matter of 
administrative discretion, the OCC may waive this certification 
requirement.
    (iv) Upon receipt by the OCC, the OCC will consider a request for 
expedited processing and determine whether to grant or deny the request 
for expedited processing. The OCC will notify the requester of the 
determination within 10 calendar days after the date of receipt of the 
request for expedited processing. The OCC will grant or deny

[[Page 13293]]

a request for expedited processing solely on the information contained 
in the initial letter requesting expedited treatment. When the OCC 
grants a request for expedited processing, the OCC will process the 
records as soon as practicable.
    (v) If the OCC denies a request for expedited processing, the 
requester may appeal the denial in accordance with paragraph (d) of 
this section. If the requester submits an appeal on paper, both the 
envelope and the appeal itself must be clearly marked, ``Appeal for 
Expedited Processing.''
    (vi) The OCC will expeditiously consider the appeal and notify the 
requestor of the determination.
* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (1) Procedure. A requester may appeal an adverse determination, 
including denials of requests for records, requests for expedited 
processing under paragraph (c)(5) of this section, and requests for fee 
waivers or reductions under Sec.  4.17(b)(4). All appeals must be 
submitted in writing within 90 calendar days after the date of the 
initial determination. The appeal must include the circumstances and 
arguments supporting disclosure of the requested records. Appeals of 
initial determinations to deny expedited processing must also follow 
the procedure set forth in paragraph (c)(5)(v) of this section.
    (2) Appellate determination. The Comptroller or the Comptroller's 
delegate determines whether to grant an appeal of a denial of:
    (i) A request for OCC records;
    (ii) A request for expedited processing; or
    (iii) A waiver or reduction of fees.
* * * * *
0
3. Amend Sec.  4.16 by:
0
a. Revising and republishing paragraph (a)(1);
0
b. Revising paragraph (b)(1)(i) and (ii); and
0
c. Removing in paragraph (b)(2)(v), the phrase ``, unless the OCC has 
substantial reason to believe that disclosure of the information would 
result in competitive harm''.
    The revisions and republication read as follows:


Sec.  4.16   Predisclosure notice for confidential commercial 
information.

    (a) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following 
definitions apply:
    (1) Confidential commercial information means commercial or 
financial information obtained by the OCC from a submitter that may be 
protected from disclosure under Exemption 4 of FOIA, 5 U.S.C. 
552(b)(4).
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) With respect to confidential commercial information submitted 
to the OCC or to the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, the predecessor of 
the OTS, prior to January 1, 1988, if the information is subject to a 
prior express commitment of confidentiality from the OCC or the Federal 
Home Loan Bank Board, the predecessor of the OTS; and
    (ii) With respect to confidential commercial information submitted 
to the OCC or to the OTS (or the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, its 
predecessor agency) on or after January 1, 1988, if:
    (A) The submitter in good faith designated the information as 
confidential commercial information; or
    (B) The OCC or the OTS (or the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, its 
predecessor agency) designated the class of information to which the 
requested information belongs as confidential commercial information.
* * * * *
0
4. Amend Sec.  4.17 by revising paragraph (b)(4) to read as follows:


Sec.  4.17  FOIA request fees.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (4) Waiving or reducing a fee. (i) The OCC must waive or reduce a 
fee under this section whenever, in its opinion, disclosure of records 
is in the public interest because the disclosure:
    (A) Is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding 
of the operations or activities of the government; and
    (B) Is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.
    (ii) A requester may appeal the OCC's determination not to grant a 
request for a waiver or reduction of fees under this paragraph pursuant 
to the procedure set forth in Sec.  4.15(d) of this section.
* * * * *

Michael J. Hsu,
Acting Comptroller of the Currency.
[FR Doc. 2024-02990 Filed 2-21-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-33-P