[The Regulatory Plan and 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 74925]]

Part LVI





Federal Maritime Commission





_______________________________________________________________________



Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

[[Page 74926]]



FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION (FMC)                                      


  



_______________________________________________________________________

FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

46 CFR Ch. IV

Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda

AGENCY:  Federal Maritime Commission.

ACTION:  Regulatory plan and 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 October 1, 2000, to 
September 30, 2001, 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 that 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.

     The Commission currently has no actions under consideration 
that constitute ``significant regulatory actions'' under the 
definition in Executive Order 12866. This edition of the Unified 
Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions includes The 
Regulatory Plan, which appears in part II of this issue of the 
Federal Register. The Federal Maritime Commission's Statement of 
Regulatory Priorities is included in part II.

 Bryant L. VanBrakle,

Secretary.

                                Federal Maritime Commission--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4652         The Content of Ocean Common Carrier and Marine Terminal Operator Agreements Subject     3072-AC11
            to the Shipping Act of 1984 (Docket No. 99-13)......................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                  Federal Maritime Commission--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4653         Petition No. P1-00--Petition of the Port of Houston Authority for the Institution       3072-AC16
            of a Rulemaking Proceeding..........................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                 Federal Maritime Commission--Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4654         Coloading Practices and Possible Section 16 Exemption for Coloading (Docket Nos. 93-    3072-AB75
            22 and 94-26).......................................................................
4655         Financial Responsibility Requirements for Nonperformance of Transportation and          3072-AB80
            Inquiry Into Alternative Forms (Docket No. 94-06; Further Notice of Proposed
            Rulemaking).........................................................................
4656         Port Restrictions and Requirements in the United States/Japan Trade (Docket No. 96-     3072-AB97
            20).................................................................................
4657         Docket No. 00-07--Public Access Charges to Carrier Automated Tariffs and Tariff         3072-AC14
            Systems Under the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998.................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                 Federal Maritime Commission--Completed Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4658         Ocean Common Carriers Subject to the Shipping Act of 1984 (Docket No. 99-10).......     3072-AC09
4659         Docket No. 00-06--Interpretations and Statements of Policy Regarding Ocean              3072-AC13
            Transportation Intermediaries.......................................................
4660         Docket No. 00-09--Inflation Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalties.................     3072-AC15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 74927]]

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Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)                   Proposed Rule Stage


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4652. THE CONTENT OF OCEAN COMMON CARRIER AND MARINE TERMINAL OPERATOR 
AGREEMENTS SUBJECT TO THE SHIPPING ACT OF 1984 (DOCKET NO. 99-13)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 46 USC app 1701 et seq; PL 105-258

CFR Citation: 46 CFR 535

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The FMC is issuing this inquiry to solicit comments 
concerning the appropriate content of agreements filed with the 
Commission pursuant to the Shipping Act of 1984, as amended by the 
Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998. The comments received will assist 
the Commission in preparing a proposal to update or refine the existing 
content standards.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Notice of Inquiry               08/03/99                    64 FR 42057
Inquiry Comment Period End      10/04/99
NPRM                            10/00/00
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Austin L. Schmitt, Director, Bureau of Trade Analysis, 
Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, 
DC 20573
Phone: 202 523-5796
Fax: 202 523-4372
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AC11
_______________________________________________________________________


Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)                      Final Rule Stage


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4653.  PETITION NO. P1-00--PETITION OF THE PORT OF HOUSTON 
AUTHORITY FOR THE INSTITUTION OF A RULEMAKING PROCEEDING

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 5 USC 553; 46 USC app 1709(d)(1); 46 USC app 1716

CFR Citation: 46 CFR 525.2

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: Petitioner Port of Houston Authority requests the FMC to 
institute a rulemaking proceeding for the purpose of promulgating a 
rule addressing the lawfulness of unilateral provisions which provide 
for the collection of attorneys' fees in contracts or tariffs of marine 
terminal operators under the provisions of the Shipping Act of 1984, as 
amended. Specifically, Petitioner seeks a rule which confirms that it 
is not illegal under the Shipping Act for marine terminal operators to 
contract with their customers, by tariff or otherwise, to permit the 
collection of attorneys' fees and litigation costs in the event the 
marine terminal operator is required to sue in court to collect fees 
for services that have been rendered.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Notice of Filing of Petition    01/13/00                     65 FR 2177
Comment Period End              02/07/00
Final Action-Petition Denied    12/00/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

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-AC16
_______________________________________________________________________


Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)                     Long-Term Actions


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4654. COLOADING PRACTICES AND POSSIBLE SECTION 16 EXEMPTION FOR 
COLOADING (DOCKET NOS. 93-22 AND 94-26)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 46 CFR 520.11

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/24/93                    58 FR 62077
NPRM Comment Period End         03/11/94
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

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
_______________________________________________________________________




4655. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR NONPERFORMANCE OF 
TRANSPORTATION AND INQUIRY INTO ALTERNATIVE FORMS (DOCKET NO. 94-06; 
FURTHER NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING)

Priority: Other Significant

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

[[Page 74928]]

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

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Sandra L. Kusumoto
Phone: 202 523-5787
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AB80
_______________________________________________________________________




4656. PORT RESTRICTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES/JAPAN 
TRADE (DOCKET NO. 96-20)

Priority: Other Significant

CFR Citation: 46 CFR 551

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 - Report Due 08/26/
1999 and Every 180 Days 
Thereafter                      03/04/97                     62 FR 9696
Final Rule Effective            04/14/97
Status Reports and Comments Due 
08/05/97                        04/16/97                    62 FR 18433
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
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 Rule Removed              06/07/99                    64 FR 30245
Final Rule Removed Effective    06/07/99


Next Action Undetermined

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
_______________________________________________________________________




4657.  DOCKET NO. 00-07--PUBLIC ACCESS CHARGES TO CARRIER 
AUTOMATED TARIFFS AND TARIFF SYSTEMS UNDER THE OCEAN SHIPPING REFORM ACT 
OF 1998

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: PL 105-258; 46 USC app 1707(a)(2)

CFR Citation: 46 CFR 520

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The FMC is concerned that certain tariff access charges and 
minimum monthly subscription requirements may limit the public's 
ability to access the automated tariffs and tariff systems of common 
carriers, contrary to the requirements of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act 
of 1998. Therefore, it is seeking public comments to address the 
reasonableness of tariff access charges.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           05/16/00                    65 FR 31130
ANPRM Comment Period End        06/15/00
Circular Letter Issued          10/06/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Austin L. Schmitt, Director, Bureau of Trade Analysis, 
Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, 
DC 20573
Phone: 202 523-5796
Fax: 202 523-4372
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AC14
_______________________________________________________________________


Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)                     Completed Actions


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4658. OCEAN COMMON CARRIERS SUBJECT TO THE SHIPPING ACT OF 1984 (DOCKET 
NO. 99-10)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 5 USC 553; 21 USC 862; 31 USC 9701; 46 USC app 1701 to 
1710; 46 USC app 1712; PL 105-258; PL 105-383; 46 USC app 1714 to 1718

CFR Citation: 46 CFR 515; 46 CFR 520; 46 CFR 530; 46 CFR 535

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The FMC proposes to amend its regulations implementing the 
Shipping Act of 1984 to clarify the definition of ``ocean common 
carrier'' to reflect the Commission's current interpretation of the 
term. As a result, only ocean common carriers that operate vessels in 
at least one U.S. trade will be subject to these rules.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            06/25/99                    64 FR 34183
NPRM Comment Period End         08/24/99
Final Action                    05/08/00                    65 FR 26506
Final Action Effective          08/07/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

[[Page 74929]]

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-AC09
_______________________________________________________________________




4659.  DOCKET NO. 00-06--INTERPRETATIONS AND STATEMENTS OF 
POLICY REGARDING OCEAN TRANSPORTATION INTERMEDIARIES

Priority: Info./Admin./Other

Legal Authority: 5 USC 553; 31 USC 9701; 46 USC app 1702; 46 USC app 
1706 to 1707; 46 USC app 1709 to 1710; ...

CFR Citation: 46 CFR 515; 46 CFR 545

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: On March 8, 1999, the FMC published a final rule and interim 
final rule to add new regulations at 46 CFR part 515 to implement 
changes made by the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 relating to ocean 
transportation intermediaries (OTIs). Section 515.23(b) sets forth the 
claim settlement procedure for claimants seeking to pursue a claim 
against an OTI. This Interpretive Rule seeks to clarify the 
Commission's intention with respect to this procedure, as there have 
been reported misunderstandings in the industry as to the 
responsibilities inherent in this requirement.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interpretive Rule               05/24/00                    65 FR 33479
Interpretive Rule Effective     06/23/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

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-AC13
_______________________________________________________________________




4660.  DOCKET NO. 00-09--INFLATION ADJUSTMENT OF CIVIL MONETARY 
PENALTIES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 5 USC 553(b)(B); 28 USC 2461; PL 101-410; PL 104-134

CFR Citation: 46 CFR 506.4

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 
(1990 Act), as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 
(1996 Act), requires the inflation adjustment of Civil Monetary 
Penalties (CMP) to ensure that they continue to maintain their 
deterrent value. The 1996 Act requires that, not later than 180 days 
after its enactment and at least once every 4 years thereafter, the 
head of each agency shall, by regulation published in the Federal 
Register, adjust each CMP within its jurisdiction by the inflation 
adjustment described in the 1990 Act. This final rule meets those 
requirements.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    08/15/00                    65 FR 49741
Final Action Effective          08/15/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

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
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AC15
[FR Doc. 00-23106 Filed 11-29-00]
BILLING CODE 6730-01-S