[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]


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Part LVI





Federal Maritime Commission





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

[[Page 73958]]



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 Executive Order 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, 2003, to September 30, 2004, 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, Federal Maritime 
Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW., Washington, DC 20573, (202) 
523-5725; e-mail: [email protected].

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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4214        Content of Ocean Common Carrier and Marine Terminal Operator Agreements Subject to      3072--AC11
            the Shipping Act of 1984 (Docket No. 99--13)........................................
4215        Impact of Government Paperwork Elimination Act and Electronic Signatures in Global      3072--AC17
            and National Commerce Act (Docket No. 01--08).......................................
4216        Common Carrier Status Under the Shipping Act of 1984................................    3072--AC21
4217        Revisions to Commission's Regulations Regarding the Filing of Agreement Minutes.....    3072--AC23
4218        Revisions to the Information Form and Monitoring Report Regulations for Carrier         3072--AC24
            Agreements..........................................................................
4219        Transshipment Agreements............................................................    3072--AC26
4220        Update of Existing Filing and Service Fees..........................................    3072--AC27
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                  Federal Maritime Commission--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4221        Passenger Vessel Financial Responsibility (Docket No. 02--15).......................    3072--AC22
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                 Federal Maritime Commission--Long--Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4222        Coloading Practices and Possible Section 16 Exemption for Coloading (Docket Nos. 93--   3072--AB75
            22 and 94--26)......................................................................
4223        Port Restrictions and Requirements in the United States/Japan Trade (Docket No. 96--    3072--AB97
            20).................................................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 73959]]


                                 Federal Maritime Commission--Completed Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4224        Amendment to Service Contract Regulations (Docket No. 03--03).......................    3072--AC25
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_______________________________________________________________________


Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)                   Proposed Rule Stage






_______________________________________________________________________




4214. 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 issued an 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 rule 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                            11/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         01/00/04

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Carol J. Neustadt, Acting 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-AC11
_______________________________________________________________________




4215. IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT PAPERWORK ELIMINATION ACT AND ELECTRONIC 
SIGNATURES IN GLOBAL AND NATIONAL COMMERCE ACT (DOCKET NO. 01--08)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: PL 105--277, Government Paperwork Elimination Act; PL 
106--229, Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act; 5 
USC 553; 46 USC app 1716

CFR Citation: 46 CFR 500 et seq

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, October 21, 2003, Final.

Abstract: The Federal Maritime Commission issued an inquiry to solicit 
information and comments concerning the impact of the Government 
Paperwork Elimination Act and the Electronic Signatures in Global and 
National Commerce Act on all sectors of the U.S. ocean shipping 
industry. These comments are assisting the Commission as it analyzes 
the use and acceptance of documents in electronic form, as well as 
other means of engaging in electronic transactions. The Commission, via 
a rulemaking, plans to provide individuals or entities with the option 
to submit information or transact business with the Commission 
electronically, where practicable, and to maintain records 
electronically when practicable.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Notice of Inquiry               07/18/01                    66 FR 37468
Comment Period Extended to 09/
17/2001                         08/17/01                    66 FR 43261
Comments Due                    08/17/01
NPRM                            01/00/04
NPRM Comment Period End         03/00/04

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Derek O. Scarbrough, Chief Information Officer, Federal 
Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20573
Phone: 202 523--5800
Fax: 202 523--5827
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AC17
_______________________________________________________________________




4216. COMMON CARRIER STATUS UNDER THE SHIPPING ACT OF 1984

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 5 USC 553; 46 USC app 1701 et seq; PL 105--258

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

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Federal Maritime Commission is proposing to amend its 
rules to address the criteria that it will use to establish ocean 
common carrier status under the Shipping Act of 1984.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Florence A. Carr, 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]

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

[[Page 73960]]

Fax: 202 523--5785
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AC21
_______________________________________________________________________




4217. REVISIONS TO COMMISSION'S REGULATIONS REGARDING THE FILING OF 
AGREEMENT MINUTES

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 1718; . . .

CFR Citation: 46 CFR 535

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The FMC is considering amending its regulations governing the 
filing of minutes and related documents by carrier agreements. The 
minutes reporting regulations require that certain types of agreements 
on file with the FMC submit a report of each meeting held, describing 
all matters discussed or considered within the scope of the agreement. 
The FMC is considering changing the rules to clarify the level of 
detail adequate to describe matters discussed or considered at 
agreement meetings, and update, refine, and simplify the regulations.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         01/00/04

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Florence A. Carr, 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-AC23
_______________________________________________________________________




4218. REVISIONS TO THE INFORMATION FORM AND MONITORING REPORT 
REGULATIONS FOR CARRIER AGREEMENTS

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 1718; . . .

CFR Citation: 46 CFR 535

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The FMC is considering amending its regulations governing the 
requirements for Information Forms and Monitoring Reports submitted by 
parties to carrier agreements filed with the Commission. The revisions 
being considered would seek to ensure that the Commission receives the 
most relevant and reliable data from agreement carriers so that the 
competitive impact of these agreements can be assessed as accurately as 
possible. The modifications would update, refine, and simplify the 
regulations to require data essential to the Agency's agreement review 
process and monitoring program.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         01/00/04

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Florence A. Carr, 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-AC24
_______________________________________________________________________




4219. [bull] TRANSSHIPMENT AGREEMENTS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is 
undetermined.

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 1718

CFR Citation: 46 CFR 535

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The FMC is considering amending its regulations on 
transshipment agreements to clarify circumstances under which 
agreements would not qualify as transshipment agreements, but rather 
would be vessel--sharing agreements subject to filing with the 
Commission.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         01/00/04

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Florence A. Carr, 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]

Carol J. Neustadt, Acting 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-AC26
_______________________________________________________________________




4220. [bull] UPDATE OF EXISTING FILING AND SERVICE FEES

Priority: Info./Admin./Other. Major status under 5 USC 801 is 
undetermined.

Legal Authority: 5 USC 553; 31 USC 9701; 46 USC app 1716

CFR Citation: 46 CFR 502; 46 CFR 503; 46 CFR 510; 46 CFR 514; 46 CFR 
540; 46 CFR 572; 46 CFR 585; 46 CFR 587; 46 CFR 588

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The FMC proposes to revise its existing fees for: Filing 
petitions, complaints, special docket applications, freight forwarder 
applications, vessel performance and casualty certification 
applications, agreements, and various public information services. The 
proposal will update existing fees to reflect current costs to the 
Commission.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            01/00/04
NPRM Comment Period End         03/00/04

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: JoAnn Baca, Special Assistant to the Executive 
Director, Federal Maritime Commission, 800

[[Page 73961]]

North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20573
Phone: 202 523--5800
Fax: 202 523--5827
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AC27
_______________________________________________________________________


Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)                      Final Rule Stage






_______________________________________________________________________




4221. PASSENGER VESSEL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (DOCKET NO. 02--15)

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 5 USC 552 to 553; 46 USC app 817d to 817e; 46 USC 
1716; 31 USC 9701; PL 89--777

CFR Citation: 46 CFR 540

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The FMC proposes to amend its rules regarding the 
establishment of passenger vessel financial responsibility under 
sections 2 (Casualty) and 3 (Performance) of Public Law 89--777. The 
amendments would: Eliminate the current ceiling on required Performance 
coverage; adjust the amount of coverage required by providing for 
consideration of the obligations of credit card issuers; provide for 
the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including the 
Commission's ADR program, in resolving passenger Performance claims; 
revise the application form; and make a number of technical adjustments 
to the Performance and Casualty rules.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            10/31/02                    67 FR 66352
NPRM Comment Period End         01/08/03
NPRM Comment Period Extended    12/27/02                    67 FR 79029
NPRM Comment Period End         04/08/03
NPRM Comment Period Extended    04/08/03                    68 FR 17003
Notice of Public Hearing To Be 
Held 06/11/2003                 05/06/03                    68 FR 23947
Requests To Participate in 
Public Hearing Due              05/28/03
NPRM Comment Period End         05/30/03
Final Action                    02/00/04
Final Action Effective          04/00/04

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Sandra L. Kusumoto, Director, Bureau of Consumer 
Complaints & Licensing, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol 
Street NW, Washington, DC 20573
Phone: 202 523--5787
Fax: 202 523--5830
Email: [email protected]

Ronald D. Murphy, Commission Dispute Resolution Specialist, Federal 
Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20573
Phone: 202 523--5787
Fax: 202 275--0536
Email: [email protected]

Carol J. Neustadt, Acting 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-AC22
_______________________________________________________________________


Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)                     Long-Term Actions






_______________________________________________________________________




4222. 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                     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

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Carol J. Neustadt
Phone: 202 523--5740
Fax: 202 523--5738
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AB75
_______________________________________________________________________




4223. 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
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

[[Page 73962]]

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
Report Due 11/07/2001 and Every 
180 Days Thereafter             08/15/01
Requirement for Reporting 
Revised                         08/15/01                    66 FR 42859


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Carol J. Neustadt
Phone: 202 523--5740
Fax: 202 523--5738
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AB97
_______________________________________________________________________


Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)                     Completed Actions






_______________________________________________________________________




4224. AMENDMENT TO SERVICE CONTRACT REGULATIONS (DOCKET NO. 03--03)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 46 CFR 530

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            04/02/03                    68 FR 15978
Final Action                    07/22/03                    68 FR 43326
Final Action Effective          09/08/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Florence A. Carr
Phone: 202 523--5796
Fax: 202 523--4372
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 3072-AC25
[FR Doc. 03-24026 Filed 12-19-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6730-01-S
