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



[[Page 22333]]



_______________________________________________________________________


Part LVIII



Federal Maritime Commission



_______________________________________________________________________

Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION (FMC)                                      




_______________________________________________________________________

FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

46 CFR Ch. IV

Unified Regulatory Agenda

AGENCY: Federal Maritime Commission.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

_______________________________________________________________________

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, 1999, to 
March 31, 2000, 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: Bryant L. VanBrakle, 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.

Bryant L. VanBrakle,

Secretary.

                                                Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4281         Licensing, Financial Responsibility Requirements, and General Duties for Ocean           3072-AC06
            Transportation Intermediaries (Docket No. 98-28)......................................
4282         Carrier Automated Tariff Systems (Docket No. 98-29)..................................    3072-AC07
4283         Service Contracts Subject to the Shipping Act of 1984 (Docket No. 98-30).............    3072-AC08
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4284         Coloading Practices and Possible Section 16 Exemption for Coloading (Docket Nos. 93-     3072-AB75
            22 and 94-26).........................................................................
4285         Financial Responsibility Requirements for Nonperformance of Transportation and           3072-AB80
            Inquiry Into Alternative Forms (Docket No. 94-06; Further Notice of Proposed
            Rulemaking)...........................................................................
4286         Port Restrictions and Requirements in the United States/Japan Trade (Docket No. 96-      3072-AB97
            20)...................................................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Completed Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4287         Inquiry Into Automated Tariff Filing Systems as Proposed by the Pending Ocean            3072-AC00
            Shipping Reform Act of 1998 (Docket No. 98-10)........................................
4288         Miscellaneous Amendments to Rules of Practice and Procedure (Docket No. 98-21).......    3072-AC02
4289         Amendments to Regulations Governing Restrictive Foreign Shipping Practices and New       3072-AC03
            Regulations Governing Controlled Carriers (Docket No. 98-25)..........................
4290         Ocean Common Carrier and Marine Terminal Operator Agreements Subject to the Shipping     3072-AC04
            Act of 1984 (Docket No. 98-26)........................................................
4291         Marine Terminal Operator Schedules (Docket No. 98-27)................................    3072-AC05
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 22335]]

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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION (FMC)                      Final Rule Stage




_______________________________________________________________________




4281.  LICENSING, FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, AND 
GENERAL DUTIES FOR OCEAN TRANSPORTATION INTERMEDIARIES (DOCKET NO. 98-
28)

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  5 USC 553; 21 USC 862; 31 USC 9701; 46 USC app 1702; 
46 USC app 1707; 46 USC app 1709 to 1710; 46 USC app 1712; 46 USC app 
1714; 46 USC app 1716; 46 USC app 1718

CFR Citation:  46 CFR 510; 46 CFR 515; 46 CFR 583

Legal Deadline:  Final, Statutory, March 1, 1999.

Abstract: The FMC proposes to add new regulations establishing 
licensing and financial responsibility requirements for ocean 
transportation intermediaries (OTIs) in accordance with the Shipping 
Act of 1984, as modified by the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 and 
the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998. The rule proposes a sliding-
scale bond amount for different categories of OTIs, establishes certain 
requirements for making claims against a surety, specifies what will be 
included in the term ``transportation-related activities'' that are 
covered by a bond, and solicits views on different options for what 
would qualify for OTI operations ``in the United States.'' This latter 
point is relevant since only OTIs in the U.S. must be licensed.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/22/98                    63 FR 70710
NPRM Comment Period End         01/21/99
Final Rule and Interim Final 
Rule                            03/08/99                    64 FR 11156
Comments on Interim Rule Due    03/23/99
Final Action                    04/00/99
Final Action Effective          05/00/99

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Austin L. Schmitt, 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
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AC06
_______________________________________________________________________




4282.  CARRIER AUTOMATED TARIFF SYSTEMS (DOCKET NO. 98-29)

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  5 USC 553; 46 USC app 1701 to 1702; 46 USC app 1707 
to 1709; 46 USC app 1712; 46 USC app 1716; PL 105-258; PL 105-383, sec 
424

CFR Citation:  46 CFR 514; 46 CFR 520

Legal Deadline:  Final, Statutory, March 1, 1999.

Abstract: The FMC proposes to add new regulations establishing the 
requirements for carrier automated tariff systems in accordance with 
the Shipping Act of 1984, as modified by the Ocean Shipping Reform Act 
of 1998 and the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998. The rule sets 
forth the requirements for publishing automated tariff systems that are 
accurate and accessible. At the same time, the FMC is repealing its 
current rules regarding tariffs and service contracts.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/21/98                    63 FR 70368
Correction to Proposed Rule     01/15/99                     64 FR 2615
NPRM Comment Period End         01/20/99
Final Rule and Interim Final 
Rule                            03/08/99                    64 FR 11218
Comments on Interim Final Rule 
Due                             03/23/99
Final Action                    04/00/99
Final Action Effective          05/00/99

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Austin L. Schmitt, 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
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AC07
_______________________________________________________________________




4283.  SERVICE CONTRACTS SUBJECT TO THE SHIPPING ACT OF 1984 
(DOCKET NO. 98-30)

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  46 USC app 1704 to 1705; PL 105-258

CFR Citation:  46 CFR 514; 46 CFR 530

Legal Deadline:  Final, Statutory, March 1, 1999.

Abstract: The FMC proposes to revise its regulations governing service 
contracts between shippers and ocean common carriers to reflect changes 
made to the Shipping Act of 1984 (1984 Act), as modified by the Ocean 
Shipping Reform Act of 1998 and the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 
1998. Specifically, the FMC proposes to revise its regulations 
implementing section 8(c) of the 1984 Act and create a new regulation 
which would govern only service contract filings. The FMC proposes to 
establish new rules for service contract filing and essential terms 
publication, revise its regulations to include the newly permitted 
agreement and multiple shipper-party service contracts, and make other 
conforming changes. The FMC is also proposing an electronic filing 
system for service contracts, which is intended to reduce the filing 
burden on parties and accommodate the efficient processing and review 
of what is predicted to be a large number of filed contracts.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/23/98                    63 FR 71062
NPRM Comment Period End         01/22/99
Interim Final Rule              03/08/99                    64 FR 11186
Comments on Interim Final Rule 
Due                             04/01/99
Final Action                    04/00/99
Final Action Effective          05/00/99

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Austin L. Schmitt, 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
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AC08

[[Page 22336]]

_______________________________________________________________________


FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION (FMC)                     Long-Term Actions




_______________________________________________________________________




4284. COLOADING PRACTICES AND POSSIBLE SECTION 16 EXEMPTION FOR 
COLOADING (DOCKET NOS. 93-22 AND 94-26)

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

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

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                     To Be                       Determined
Final Action Effective           To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas Panebianco
Phone: 202 523-5740
Fax: 202 523-5738
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AB75
_______________________________________________________________________




4285. 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.

CFR Citation:  46 CFR 540.5; 46 CFR 540.9

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

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                     To Be                       Determined
Final Action Effective           To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Austin L. Schmitt
Phone: 202 523-5796
Fax: 202 523-5830
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AB80
_______________________________________________________________________




4286. PORT RESTRICTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES/JAPAN 
TRADE (DOCKET NO. 96-20)

Priority:  Other Significant

CFR Citation:  46 CFR 586

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
Amendment to Final Rule         04/16/97                    62 FR 18532
Final Rule Effectiveness 
Extended to 09/04/97            04/16/97                    62 FR 18533
Status Reports and Comments Due 
07/01/97                        04/16/97                    62 FR 18533
Status Reports and Comments Due 
08/05/97                        04/16/97                    62 FR 18433
Amendment to Final Rule - Denial 
of Petition                     10/20/97                    62 FR 54396
Final Rule Effectiveness 
Suspended 11/13/97              11/19/97                    62 FR 61648
Final Action                     To Be                       Determined
Final Action Effective           To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas Panebianco
Phone: 202 523-5740
Fax: 202 523-5738
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AB97
_______________________________________________________________________


FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION (FMC)                     Completed Actions




_______________________________________________________________________




4287. INQUIRY INTO AUTOMATED TARIFF FILING SYSTEMS AS PROPOSED BY THE 
PENDING OCEAN SHIPPING REFORM ACT OF 1998 (DOCKET NO. 98-10)

Priority:  Other Significant

Legal Authority:  46 USC app 1701 et seq

CFR Citation:  46 CFR 514

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The purposes of the inquiry are to determine an approach that 
will produce private automated tariff publication systems that best 
comport with the directives of S.414, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 
1998, and its legislative history and to determine whether ocean common 
carriers should be required to file service contracts electronically. 
Comments are solicited on the possible requirements for such tariff 
filing systems and on the electronic filing of service contracts and 
publication of essential terms.

[[Page 22337]]

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Notice of Inquiry (Comments Due 
08/10/98)                       07/09/98                    63 FR 37088
Extension of Time (Comments to 
08/25/98)                       08/11/98                    63 FR 42801
End Review - Proposed Rule 
Issued in Docket No. 98-29.     12/21/98                    63 FR 70368

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Austin L. Schmitt, 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
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AC00
_______________________________________________________________________




4288.  MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS TO RULES OF PRACTICE AND 
PROCEDURE (DOCKET NO. 98-21)

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  5 USC 504; 5 USC 551 to 553; 5 USC 556(c); 5 USC 559; 
5 USC 561 to 569; 5 USC 571 to 596; 12 USC 1141j(a); 18 USC 207; 21 USC 
853a; 26 USC 501(c)(3); 28 USC 2112(a); 31 USC 9701; 46 USC app 
1114(b); 46 USC app 1705 to 1711; 46 USC app 1713 to 1716

CFR Citation:  46 CFR 500 to 588

Legal Deadline:  Final, Statutory, March 1, 1999.

Abstract: The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 (OSRA), which made 
numerous changes to the Shipping Act of 1984, was enacted on October 
14, 1998, and becomes effective on May 1, 1999. Among other things, 
OSRA authorizes the FMC to prescribe implementing rules and 
regulations. Accordingly, the FMC must conform all of its rules and 
regulations to this new statute. In addition, other changes are 
proposed to improve various rules and to bring them in line with 
current practices, guidelines, and organization. This particular rule 
makes conforming changes to the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedure and implements a minor, conforming change to the Commission's 
rules which provide interpretations and statements of policy.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/02/98                    63 FR 66512
NPRM Comment Period End         01/04/99
Final Action                    02/17/99                     64 FR 7804
Final Rule Correction           03/01/99                     64 FR 9922
Final Action Effective          05/01/99

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Bryant L. VanBrakle, Secretary, Federal Maritime 
Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW., Washington, DC 20573
Phone: 202 523-5725
Fax: 202 523-0014
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AC02
_______________________________________________________________________




4289.  AMENDMENTS TO REGULATIONS GOVERNING RESTRICTIVE FOREIGN 
SHIPPING PRACTICES AND NEW REGULATIONS GOVERNING CONTROLLED CARRIERS 
(DOCKET NO. 98-25)

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  5 USC 553; 46 USC app 876(a)(2); 46 USC app 876(e) to 
876(l) Merchant Marine Act, 1920; 46 USC app 1710a Foreign Shipping 
Practices Act of 1988

CFR Citation:  46 CFR 550 to 551; 46 CFR 555; 46 CFR 560; 46 CFR 565; 
46 CFR 585 to 588

Legal Deadline:  Final, Statutory, March 1, 1999.

Abstract: The FMC proposes to revise and redesignate its regulations 
which address the restrictive practices of foreign governments and add 
new regulations relating to the actions of common carriers who are 
controlled by foreign governments, in order to incorporate certain 
amendments made by the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998, as well as to 
clarify and reorganize existing regulations.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/04/98                    63 FR 67030
NPRM Comment Period End         01/04/99
Final Action                    02/18/99                     64 FR 8007
Final Rule Correction           03/04/99                    64 FR 10395
Final Action Effective          05/01/99

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

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
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AC03
_______________________________________________________________________




4290.  OCEAN COMMON CARRIER AND MARINE TERMINAL OPERATOR 
AGREEMENTS SUBJECT TO THE SHIPPING ACT OF 1984 (DOCKET NO. 98-26)

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  5 USC 553 Administrative Procedure Act; 46 USC app 
1701 to 1707; 46 USC app 1709 to 1710; 46 USC app 1712; 46 USC app 1714 
to 1717; PL 104-88 Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998

CFR Citation:  46 CFR 535; 46 CFR 572

Legal Deadline:  Final, Statutory, March 1, 1999.

Abstract: The FMC proposes to amend its regulations governing 
agreements among ocean common carriers and marine terminal operators to 
reflect changes made to the Shipping Act of 1984 by the Ocean Shipping 
Reform Act of 1998. The FMC proposes to establish new rules for ocean 
carrier agreements regarding carriers' service contracts with shippers, 
amend the scope of marine terminal agreements subject to the Act, and 
make other conforming changes. The FMC also proposes to delete much of 
its format requirements for filed agreements, clarify the definition of 
``ocean common carrier,'' and make other technical amendments to the 
filing rules for clarity and administrative efficiency.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/15/98                    63 FR 69034
NPRM Comment Period End         01/14/99
Final Action                    03/08/99                    64 FR 11236
Final Action Effective          05/01/99

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

[[Page 22338]]

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Florence A. Carr, 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
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AC04
_______________________________________________________________________




4291.  MARINE TERMINAL OPERATOR SCHEDULES (DOCKET NO. 98-27)

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  46 USC app 1702; 46 USC app 1707; 46 USC app 1709

CFR Citation:  46 CFR 525

Legal Deadline:  Final, Statutory, March 1, 1999.

Abstract: The FMC proposes to add new regulations for marine terminal 
operator (MTO) schedules in accordance with the Shipping Act of 1984, 
as amended by the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 and the Coast Guard 
Authorization Act of 1998. The rule establishes form and manner 
requirements for the electronic publication of MTO schedules. These 
rules must be followed by all MTOs who opt to make their schedules 
public. These regulations will replace current rules applicable to the 
filing of MTO tariffs with the FMC.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/17/98                    63 FR 69603
NPRM Comment Period End         01/19/99
Final Action                    02/25/99                     64 FR 9281
Final Action Effective          05/01/99

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Austin L. Schmitt, 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
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AC05
[FR Doc. 99-4917 Filed 04-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6730-01-F
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