[Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions]
[Federal Maritime Commission Semiannual Regulatory Agenda
]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]



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Part LIV



Federal Maritime Commission



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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION (FMC)                                      


  



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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

46 CFR Ch. IV

Unified Regulatory Agenda

AGENCY: Federal Maritime Commission.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 4(b) of E.O. 12866 and the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Commission anticipates 
having under consideration, during the period from April 1, 1997, to 
March 30, 1998, actions in the areas listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information concerning 
Commission rulemaking proceedings or the status of any matter listed 
below, contact: Joseph C. Polking, Secretary, 800 North Capitol Street 
NW., Washington, DC 20573, (202) 523-5725.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 602 of the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act (5 U.S.C. 602) requires the publication of an agenda of items for 
which regulatory agencies may propose or promulgate a rule which is 
likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities. Section 4(b) of Executive Order 12866 also requires 
agencies to publish a regulatory agenda. The agendas include 
information on regulatory activities being conducted or reviewed during 
the succeeding 12 months by the Commission.

    The following is the Commission's unified regulatory agenda. 
The agenda does not necessarily include all petitions for 
rulemakings which are under staff review.

    In addition, the Commission maintains a compilation of the 
status of pending rulemaking proceedings and a listing of rules 
that have become final since the publication of the most recent 
regulatory agenda. This will be made available to the public, 
including the press and interested persons.

Joseph C. Polking,

Secretary.

                                                Final Rule Stage                                                
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                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4146        Coloading Practices and Possible Section 16 Exemption for Coloading (Docket Nos. 93-22              
            and 94-26)............................................................................    3072-AB75 
4147        Financial Responsibility Requirements for Nonperformance of Transportation and Inquiry              
            Into Alternative Forms (Docket No. 94-06; Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking)......    3072-AB80 
4148        Port Restrictions and Requirements in the United States/Japan Trade (Docket No. 96-20)    3072-AB97 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Completed Actions                                               
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                                                                                                     Regulation 
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier 
  Number                                                                                               Number   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4149        Availability of the Annual Financial and Operating Statements Filed by Domestic                     
            Offshore Carriers (Docket No. 95-15)..................................................    3072-AB89 
4150        Noncontiguous Domestic Trade Tariffs (Docket No. 96-04)...............................    3072-AB93 
4151        Information Form and Post-Effective Reporting Requirements for Agreements Among Ocean               
            Common Carriers Subject to the Shipping Act of 1984 (Docket No. 94-31)................    3072-AB95 
4152        Inflation Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalties (Docket No. 96-17)...................    3072-AB96 
4153        Regulations Affecting Maritime Carriers and Related Activities in Domestic Commerce                 
            (Docket No. 96-23)....................................................................    3072-AB98 
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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION (FMC)                      Final Rule Stage


  



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4146. COLOADING PRACTICES AND POSSIBLE SECTION 16 EXEMPTION FOR 
COLOADING (DOCKET NOS. 93-22 AND 94-26)

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  5 USC 552 and 553; 46 USC app 1707; 46 USC app 1716; 
PL 102-582, 106 Stat 4910

CFR Citation:  46 CFR 514.15; 46 CFR 580.5; 46 CFR 581.1; 46 CFR 581.3

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: Action redefines ``coloading'' to limit the term to the 
combining of cargo under an agreement between non-vessel-operating 
common carriers (NVOCCs) and makes other changes involving coloading, 
including prohibiting coloaded cargo from being carried under a service 
contract. This action has been held in abeyance pending a Notice of 
Inquiry which is exploring whether current coloading practices are 
consistent with statutory requirements, and if not, whether an 
exemption should be initiated.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/24/93                    58 FR 62077
NPRM Comment Period End         03/11/94                     59 FR 5974
Notice of Inquiry (Docket No. 
94-26)                          11/09/94                    59 FR 55826
Comment Period End for NOI 
(Docket No. 94-26)              12/27/94
NOI Comment Period Extended to 
01/23/95                        12/28/94                    59 FR 66880
Final Action                    09/00/97
Final Action Effective          10/00/97

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Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas Panebianco, General Counsel, Federal Maritime 
Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW., Washington, DC 20573
Phone: 202 523-5740
Fax: 202 523-5738

RIN: 3072-AB75
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4147. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR NONPERFORMANCE OF 
TRANSPORTATION AND INQUIRY INTO ALTERNATIVE FORMS (DOCKET NO. 94-06; 
FURTHER NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING)

Priority:  Other Significant

Reinventing Government: This rulemaking is part of the Reinventing 
Government effort. It will revise text in the CFR to reduce burden or 
duplication, or streamline requirements.

Legal Authority:  5 USC 552 to 553; 46 USC app 817d to 817e; 46 USC app 
841a; 46 USC app 1716

CFR Citation:  46 CFR 540.5; 46 CFR 540.9

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This further proposed rule would amend financial 
responsibility requirements regarding nonperformance by passenger 
vessel operators by eliminating the $15 million unearned passenger 
revenue ceiling. It would be replaced by sliding scale coverage 
requirements keyed to operators' financial rating, length of operations 
in U.S. trades, and satisfactory explanation of any claims of 
nonperformance. For self-insurers, the rule proposes to reestablish a 
working capital requirement and require third-party coverage for 25 
percent of unearned passenger revenue. The action also proposes to 
require applications for Certificates (Performance) to be filed at 
least 90 days prior to advertising, arranging, or providing 
transportation. Suggestions for alternative approaches also are 
solicited.

Timetable:
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Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            03/31/94                    59 FR 15149
NPRM Comment Period End         05/02/94
Comment Period Extended to      06/10/94                    59 FR 23182
Comment Period Extended to      06/24/94                    59 FR 30567
Notice of Inquiry (Docket No. 
94-21)                          10/14/94                    59 FR 52133
Clarification of Notice of 
Inquiry                         11/02/94                    59 FR 54878
Comment Period End for Notice of 
Inquiry                         11/28/94                    59 FR 52133
Further NPRM (Docket No. 94-06) 06/26/96                    61 FR 33059
Discontinuance of Proceeding for 
Docket No. 94-21                07/03/96                    61 FR 39940
Further NPRM Comment Period End 08/26/96                    61 FR 33059
Comment Period Extended to      09/25/96                    61 FR 43209
Comment Period Extended to      10/15/96                    61 FR 50265
Final Action                    07/00/97
Final Action Effective          11/00/97

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Bryant L. VanBrakle, Director, Bureau of Tariffs, 
Certification and Licensing, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North 
Capitol Street NW., Washington, DC 20573
Phone: 202 523-5796
Fax: 202 523-5830

RIN: 3072-AB80
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4148.  PORT RESTRICTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES/
JAPAN TRADE (DOCKET NO. 96-20)

Priority:  Other Significant

Legal Authority:  46 USC app 876(1)(b); 46 USC app 876(5) to 876(12); 
46 CFR 585; Reorganization Plan 7 of 1961, 26 FR 7315

CFR Citation:  46 CFR 586

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action proposes to impose fees on liner vessels operated 
by Japanese carriers calling at U.S. ports, in response to apparent 
unfavorable conditions in the foreign oceanborne trade between the U.S. 
and Japan. The effect of the rule will be to adjust or meet unfavorable 
conditions caused by Japanese port restrictions and requirements by 
imposing countervailing burdens on Japanese carriers.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/13/96                    61 FR 58160
Comment Period Extended to 01/
20/97                           12/27/96                    61 FR 68200
NPRM Comment Period End         01/13/97
Final Rule                      03/04/97                     62 FR 9696
Final Rule Effective            04/14/97
Final Action                    00/00/00

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas Panebianco, General Counsel, Federal Maritime 
Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW., Washington, DC 20573
Phone: 202 523-5740
Fax: 202 523-5738

RIN: 3072-AB97

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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION (FMC)                     Completed Actions


  



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4149. AVAILABILITY OF THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL AND OPERATING STATEMENTS 
FILED BY DOMESTIC OFFSHORE CARRIERS (DOCKET NO. 95-15)

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  5 USC 553; 46 USC app 817; 46 USC app 841(a); 46 USC 
app 844; 46 USC app 845

CFR Citation:  46 CFR 552

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: Action would amend regulations governing financial reporting 
requirements applicable to vessel-operating common carriers by water in 
the domestic offshore trades to allow access to the annual statements 
of financial and operating data filed with the Commission by domestic 
offshore carriers.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            10/16/95                    60 FR 53572
NPRM Comment Period End         11/15/95
Withdrawn                       10/25/96                    61 FR 55263

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Anne M. McAloon, Bureau of Economic and Agreement 
Analysis, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20573
Phone: 202 523-5790
Fax: 202 523-3782

RIN: 3072-AB89
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4150. NONCONTIGUOUS DOMESTIC TRADE TARIFFS (DOCKET NO. 96-04)

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  49 USC 13701 to 13702

CFR Citation:  46 CFR 514

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The FMC and the Surface Transportation Board jointly seek 
comments on how best to implement the provisions of the ICC Termination 
Act of 1995 involving tariff filing and rate reasonableness in the 
noncontiguous domestic trade, during a transition period that will end 
September 30, 1996.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Request for Comments            02/14/96                     61 FR 5835
Comment Period End              03/11/96
Replies to Comments Due         03/25/96
End Review                      10/07/96                    61 FR 52494

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas Panebianco, General Counsel, Federal Maritime 
Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW., Washington, DC 20573
Phone: 202 523-5740
Fax: 202 523-5738

RIN: 3072-AB93
_______________________________________________________________________




4151.  INFORMATION FORM AND POST-EFFECTIVE REPORTING 
REQUIREMENTS FOR AGREEMENTS AMONG OCEAN COMMON CARRIERS SUBJECT TO THE 
SHIPPING ACT OF 1984 (DOCKET NO. 94-31)

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  5 USC 553; 46 USC app 1701 to 1707; 46 USC app 1709 
to 1710; 46 USC app 1712; 46 USC app 1714 to 1717

CFR Citation:  46 CFR 572

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action amends the final rule in this proceeding so that 
the list of effective agreements that must be included in the 
Information Form for a new filed agreement is limited to those 
agreements which authorize specified activities that are of significant 
regulatory concern. The purpose of this amendment is to lessen the 
reporting burden on ocean carriers, while ensuring that the Commission 
obtains information relevant to its regulatory responsibility. See RINs 
3072-AB85 and 3072-AB92. On January 3, 1997, (62 FR 328), the FMC 
lifted the stay of monitoring report requirements contained in its 
agreement regulations. The filing of quarterly monitoring reports will 
begin with the report covering the first quarter of calendar year 1997.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action - Amendments to 
Final Rule                      12/09/96                    61 FR 64822
Final Action Effective          12/09/96

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Austin L. Schmitt, Director, Bureau of Economics and 
Agreement Analysis, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol 
Street NW., Washington, DC 20573
Phone: 202 523-5787
Fax: 202 523-4372

RIN: 3072-AB95
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4152.  INFLATION ADJUSTMENT OF CIVIL MONETARY PENALTIES (DOCKET 
NO. 96-17)

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  28 USC 2461; PL 104-134

CFR Citation:  46 CFR 506

Legal Deadline:  Final, Statutory, October 23, 1996.

Abstract: This final rule implements the Federal Civil Penalties 
Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 as amended by the Debt Collection 
Improvement Act of 1996. The rule adjusts the amount of each statutory 
civil penalty subject to FMC jurisdiction in accordance with the 
requirements of the latter Act.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    10/08/96                    61 FR 52704
Final Action Effective          11/07/96

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Vern W. Hill, Director, Bureau of Enforcement, Federal 
Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW., Washington, DC 20573
Phone: 202 523-5783
Fax: 202 523-5785

RIN: 3072-AB96
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4153.  REGULATIONS AFFECTING MARITIME CARRIERS AND RELATED 
ACTIVITIES IN DOMESTIC COMMERCE (DOCKET NO. 96-23)

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  5 USC 504; 5 USC 551 to 557; 5 USC 561 to 596; 5 USC 
701 to 706; 31 USC 3721; 31 USC 9701; 41 USC 414; 41 USC 418; 44 USC 
501 to 520; 44 USC 3501 to 3520; 46 USC app 801 to 848; 46 USC app 876; 
46 USC app 1111; 46 USC app 1701 to 1722; Reorganization Plan 7 of 
1961, 26 FR 7315

CFR Citation:  46 CFR 501; 46 CFR 502; 46 CFR 504; 46 CFR 514; 46 CFR 
552; 46 CFR 560

Legal Deadline: None

[[Page 22671]]

Abstract: This action removes the FMC's rules governing the financial 
reporting and agreement activity of, and rate proceedings involving, 
vessel-operating common carriers by water in the domestic offshore 
trades. Jurisdiction over the port-to-port operations of those carriers 
has been transferred to the Surface Transportation Board. The FMC also 
is amending various other parts of its regulations to delete references 
to the removed parts.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    12/18/96                    61 FR 66616
Final Action Effective          12/18/96

Small Entities Affected: None

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Austin L. Schmitt, Director, Bureau of Economics and 
Agreement Analysis, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol 
Street NW., Washington, DC 20573
Phone: 202 523-5787
Fax: 202 523-4372

RIN: 3072-AB98
[FR Doc. 97-5810 Filed 04-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6730-01-F