81 FR 18695 - Rules of Practice and Procedure

UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 62 (March 31, 2016)

Page Range		18695-18699
FR Document		2016-07264

This notice sets forth proposed amendments to the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. The Commission invites public comment on these proposed amendments.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 62 (Thursday, March 31, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 62 (Thursday, March 31, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18695-18699]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07264]


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UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION


Rules of Practice and Procedure

AGENCY: United States Sentencing Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed amendments to the Sentencing Commission's 
Rules of Practice and Procedure. Request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth proposed amendments to the Commission's 
Rules of Practice and Procedure. The Commission invites public comment 
on these proposed amendments.

DATES: Public comment should be received by the Commission not later 
than June 1, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Public comment should be sent to the Commission by 
electronic mail or regular mail. The email address for public comment 
is [email protected]. The regular mail address for public comment 
is United States Sentencing Commission, One Columbus Circle, NE., Suite 
2-500, Washington, DC 20002-8002, Attention: Public Affairs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Osterrieder, Legislative 
Specialist, (202) 502-4500, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States Sentencing Commission is 
an independent agency in the judicial branch of the United States 
Government. The Commission promulgates sentencing guidelines and policy 
statements for federal courts pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 994(a). The 
Commission also periodically reviews and revises previously promulgated 
guidelines pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 994(o) and submits guideline 
amendments to the Congress not later than the first day of May each 
year pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 994(p).
    Section 995(a)(1) of title 28, United States Code, authorizes the 
Commission to establish general policies and promulgate rules and 
regulations as necessary for the Commission to carry out the purposes 
of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984. The Commission originally adopted 
the Rules of Practice and Procedure in July 1997 and now proposes to 
make amendments to these rules. In accordance with Rule 1.2 of its 
Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Commission hereby invites the 
public to provide comment on the proposed amendments.
    Bracketed text within a proposed amendment indicates a heightened 
interest on the Commission's part in comment and suggestions on whether 
the proposed provision is appropriate.

    Authority:  28 U.S.C. 995(a)(1); USSC Rules of Practice and 
Procedure, Rule 1.2.

Patti B. Saris,
Chair.

1. Rules of Practice and Procedure

    Synopsis of Proposed Amendment: This proposed amendment revises the 
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. The rules were issued in 
1997 ``for the purpose of more fully informing interested persons of 
opportunities and procedures for becoming aware of and participating in 
the public business of the Commission.'' See Rule 1.1 of the 
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. The Commission is 
conducting a review of its rules to determine whether any updates or 
revisions are appropriate, such as to reflect current technologies, 
take into account practices of other rulemaking agencies and 
recommendations of the Administrative Conference of the United States 
(``ACUS''), and better promote the purpose of the rules. The Commission 
is publishing this proposed amendment to inform that review.

A. Actions and Meetings

    This part of the proposed amendment amends Rules 2.2 and 3.3 to 
clarify and enumerate the types of Commission actions that are taken in 
public meetings, the types of actions that may be taken in nonpublic 
meetings or without a meeting, and the types of discussions with 
outside parties that may be held in nonpublic meetings. Cf. ACUS 
Recommendation 2014-2, ``Government in the Sunshine Act'' (adopted June 
5, 2014) at ] 6.
    Rule 2.2 identifies certain types of actions that must be taken in 
a public meeting and a number of other types of actions, described as 
``miscellaneous matters,'' as actions that may be taken without a 
meeting. Many other types of Commission actions are not specifically 
enumerated. The proposed amendment revises Rule 2.2 to clarify and 
enumerate the actions that must be taken in public meetings and the 
actions that may be taken in nonpublic meetings or without a meeting. 
Specifically, votes on final priorities and votes to approve or revise 
the minutes of public meetings must be taken at public meetings, and a 
number of other actions may be taken at nonpublic meetings or without a 
meeting. It also clarifies that the actions authorized to be taken in 
nonpublic meetings or without a meeting are not precluded from being 
taken in public meetings.
    Rule 3.3 identifies the purposes for holding nonpublic meetings: To 
transact certain types of Commission business, to hold discussions with 
Commission staff, and to discuss with outside parties certain types of 
sensitive information. The proposed amendment revises Rule 3.3 to 
clarify and enumerate the purposes for holding nonpublic meetings. As 
revised, Rule 3.3 identifies five purposes for holding nonpublic 
meetings and provides more clarity and specificity about these 
different purposes. To summarize, they include: (1) To take action on 
other matters pursuant to Rule 2.2; (2) to hold discussions with 
Commission staff and ex officio staff; (3) to hold discussions with 
advisory groups, with persons within the judiciary, or with persons in 
the executive or legislative branches; (4) to discuss sensitive 
information with outside parties (with a number of examples); and (5) 
to hold discussions with outside experts, such as in a roundtable or 
symposium, on matters unrelated to the merits of any pending proposed 
amendment.
    For nonpublic meetings covered by purpose (5), it adds that such 
meetings may be held under ``Chatham House Rule'' and may include 
outside observers.
    Finally, it amends Rule 6.2 to delete language requiring the Office 
of Legislative and Public Affairs to maintain certain information about 
nonpublic meetings.

B. Public Meetings and Hearings

    This part of the proposed amendment amends Rules 3.2 and 3.5 to 
provide more information to the public about

[[Page 18696]]

public meetings and hearings. Cf. ACUS Recommendation 2014-2, 
``Government in the Sunshine Act'' (adopted June 5, 2014).
    Rule 3.2 currently provides that notice of a public meeting shall 
be issued at least seven days prior to the date of the meeting and, 
where practicable, shall include an agenda and any documents approved 
for public release. The proposed amendment specifies that any documents 
approved for public release shall be posted to the Web site and made 
available by other means, ``as soon as practicable''--if not before the 
meeting, then at the start of the meeting or in a timely manner 
afterward.
    Rule 3.5 provides for the Commission to ``tape record'' public 
meetings and maintain a written transcription of public hearings. The 
proposed amendment specifies that the Commission may provide a live 
webcast or audiocast of its public meetings and public hearings and 
make the recordings available through the Web site.

C. Decisions on Retroactivity

    This part of the proposed amendment makes substantive and clerical 
changes to the rules on considering retroactivity. First, as a clerical 
change, it moves the provision on retroactivity from the end of Rule 
4.1 to a new Rule 4.1A. Second, it changes the provision on 
retroactivity to state that when the Commission wishes to consider 
whether to make an amendment available for retroactive application, it 
shall publish a request for comment, make a retroactivity impact 
analysis available to the public, hold a public hearing, and then vote 
on whether to make the amendment retroactive at a public meeting at 
least 60 days before the effective date of the amendment.

D. Public Comment and Priorities

    This part of the proposed amendment addresses issues relating to 
public comment on amendments, as well as the Commission's consideration 
of priorities.
    First, Rule 4.3 addresses the public comment process for amendments 
to the Guidelines Manual. The proposed amendment makes two additions to 
Rule 4.3. The first addition provides that the Commission may divide a 
public comment period into an original comment phase and a reply 
comment phase. Cf. ACUS Recommendation 2011-2, ``Rulemaking Comments'' 
(adopted June 16, 2011). The second addition addresses how, if at all, 
the Commission considers public comment that arrives late and reply 
comment on issues not raised during the original comment phase, and 
states that such late or non-responsive comment may not be considered. 
Cf. ACUS Recommendation 2011-2, ``Rulemaking Comments'' (adopted June 
16, 2011).
    Second, Rule 5.1 identifies the Office of Legislative and Public 
Affairs as the repository for the Commission's public comment and 
public hearing testimony. The proposed amendment adds a sentence to 
Rule 5.1 to provide that the public comment and public hearing 
testimony shall be made available to the public ``through the 
Commission's Web site'' and that this shall occur ``as soon as 
practicable after the close of the comment period.'' Cf. ACUS 
Recommendation 2011-2, ``Rulemaking Comments'' (adopted June 16, 2011). 
The proposed amendment also clarifies that, where appropriate, the 
Commission may decline to make available public comment that is 
duplicative and may redact sensitive information from public comment.
    Finally, the proposed amendment makes several additions to Rule 5.2 
to set forth certain matters to be considered by the Commission in 
setting its priorities. It also establishes a new Rule 5.6 to address 
petitions filed by defendants under 28 U.S.C. 994(s). Cf. ACUS 
Recommendation 2014-6, ``Petitions for Rulemaking'' (adopted December 
5, 2014).
    The first addition relates to the Commission's responsibility under 
28 U.S.C. 994(g) to consider the impact on available penal and 
correctional resources. Currently, Rule 4.2 requires the Commission to 
consider prison impact before it promulgates an amendment. The proposal 
would revise Rule 5.2 to include a similar requirement that the 
Commission consider prison impact in setting its priorities. Relatedly, 
the proposal would state that, in setting its priorities, the 
Commission shall also consider, among other factors, the number of 
defendants potentially involved and the magnitude of the potential 
impact.
    The second addition to Rule 5.2 is a set of factors to be 
considered by the Commission in determining which, if any, circuit 
conflicts to resolve. These factors were originally published by the 
Commission in the Federal Register in August 2000, see 65 FR 50034 
(August 16, 2000).
    The final addition to Rule 5.2 would clarify how written 
submissions and section 994(s) petitions relate to the priorities. 
Although the Commission provides a specific period each year for public 
comment on the priorities, suggestions about priorities have been made 
at other times of the year. An outside party may submit a suggestion 
immediately before the comment period on the priorities has opened, or 
long after it has closed, or during a different comment period (such as 
the comment period on a proposed amendment). The proposed amendment 
would provide for these mis-timed submissions to be carried over to the 
next priorities cycle and considered during that priorities cycle.
    Similarly, defendants may submit petitions under section 994(s) at 
any time of the year. The proposed amendment would provide for section 
994(s) petitions to be treated in the same way, i.e., they would be 
carried over to the next priorities cycle and considered during that 
priorities cycle. In addition, the proposed amendment would establish a 
new Rule 5.6 for section 994(s) petitions. The new rule would 
incorporate section 994(s) into the Rules of Practice and Procedure and 
provide that the Commission will give due consideration to the 
petitions when it sets its priorities.

E. Input From Outside Parties; Ex Parte Communications

    This part of the proposed amendment provides guidance on the 
Commission's practices relating to input from outside parties. Cf. ACUS 
Recommendation 2014-4, ```Ex Parte' Communications in Informal 
Rulemaking'' (adopted June 6, 2014); ACUS Recommendation 80-6, 
``Intragovernmental Communications in Informal Rulemaking Proceedings'' 
(adopted December 12, 1980). The Commission's practice of soliciting 
input from outside parties is currently contained in a single sentence 
at the end of Rule 5.4 (which generally relates to the Commission's 
established advisory groups). It states that ``the Commission expects 
to solicit input, from time to time, from outside groups representing 
the federal judiciary, prosecutors, defense attorneys, crime victims, 
and other interested groups.''
    The proposed amendment moves this principle to a new Rule 5.5 and 
revises it to clarify that the Commission, individual Commissioners, 
and Commission staff may consult with such outside groups, and that the 
consultation may involve any matter affecting the Commission's 
business.
    In addition, the proposed amendment provides specific guidance on 
ex parte communications on the merits of a proposed amendment, during 
the pendency of the proposed amendment, from outside parties.

F. Use of Social Media Platforms

    This part of the proposed amendment expands Rule 6.3, which relates 
to the Commission's Web site and the

[[Page 18697]]

information available there. Specifically, the proposed amendment would 
expand Rule 6.3 to also encompass other electronic resources offered by 
the Commission, including social media platforms (such as Twitter) and 
electronic distribution mechanisms (such as email listservs). It would 
add to Rule 6.3 a requirement that the Commission ``use a variety of 
electronic means to distribute public meeting notices and provide other 
information about the Commission,'' such as social media platforms and 
electronic distribution mechanisms. Cf. ACUS Recommendation 2014-2, 
``Government in the Sunshine Act'' (adopted June 5, 2014) at ] 3.

G. Clerical Changes

    Finally, the proposed amendment makes certain clerical changes to 
the Rules. It provides an introductory provision about the Commission, 
updates the name of the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs, 
provides relevant statutory citations, and inserts subdivision 
designations to divide rules into separate parts.

Proposed Amendment

(A) Actions and Meetings

    Rule 2.2 is amended by inserting ``(a)'' before ``Except''; by 
inserting ``(b)'' before ``Promulgation''; by striking ``The decision 
to instruct staff to prepare a retroactivity impact analysis for a 
proposed amendment shall require the affirmative vote of at least three 
members at a public meeting.'' and inserting the following new 
paragraphs:
    ``Approval of a notice of priorities shall require the affirmative 
vote, at a public meeting, of a majority of the members then serving.
    Adoption or revision of the minutes of a public meeting shall 
require the affirmative vote, at a public meeting, of a majority of the 
members then serving.'';
    by striking the paragraph that begins ``Action on miscellaneous 
matters'' and inserting the following as a new subsection:
    ``(c) Action on other matters may be taken (1) at a nonpublic 
meeting; or (2) without a meeting by written or oral communication 
(e.g., by ``notation voting''), and shall be based on the affirmative 
vote of a majority of the members then serving. Such matters include 
the approval of budget requests, administrative and personnel issues, 
decisions on contracts and cooperative agreements, decisions on 
workshops and training programs, decisions on publishing reports and 
making recommendations to Congress, decisions to hold hearings and call 
witnesses, decisions on litigation and administrative proceedings 
involving the Commission, decisions relating to the formation and 
membership of advisory groups, the approval pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 
994(w) of a statement of reasons form, notices of proposed priorities, 
extensions of public comment periods, notices of proposed amendments to 
these rules, approval of technical and clerical amendments to these 
rules, and decisions to hold a nonpublic meeting. The Commission is not 
precluded from acting on such matters at a public meeting.'';
    and by inserting ``(d)'' before ``A motion to reconsider''.
    Rule 3.3 is amended by striking ``The Commission may hold'' and all 
that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following:
    ``The Chair may call nonpublic meetings for purposes of the 
following:
    (1) To take actions on other matters (see Rule 2.2(c)).
    (2) To receive information from, and participate in discussions 
with, Commission staff or any person designated by an ex officio 
Commissioner as support staff for that Commissioner.
    (3) To receive information from, and participate in discussions 
with, (A) members of advisory groups; (B) interested parties within the 
judicial branch (e.g., federal judges; the Criminal Law Committee; the 
Federal Public and Community Defenders); or (C) interested parties 
within the executive or legislative branches.
    (4) Upon a decision by a majority of the members then serving, to 
receive or share information, from or with any other person, that is 
inappropriate for public disclosure (e.g., classified information; 
privileged or confidential information; trade secrets; or information 
the disclosure of which would interfere with law enforcement 
proceedings, deprive a person of a right to a fair trial, constitute an 
unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, compromise a confidential 
source, disclose law enforcement investigative techniques and 
procedures, endanger the life or safety of judicial or law enforcement 
personnel, or be likely to significantly frustrate implementation of a 
proposed agency action).
    (5) Upon a decision by a majority of the members then serving, to 
receive information from, and participate in discussions with, outside 
experts, on matters unrelated to the merits of any pending proposed 
amendment to the guidelines, policy statements, or commentary (e.g., to 
hold a symposium, convene an expert roundtable, or discuss local 
practices with a locality's judges and practitioners). At the 
discretion of the Chair, such a meeting may be held under `Chatham 
House Rule.' Subject to the discretion and control of the Chair, one or 
more persons may be permitted to attend such a meeting as outside 
observers. Where the number of outside observers is limited, the Chair 
may give priority to individuals referred to in subdivision (3).''
    Rule 6.2 is amended in the heading by striking ``Publishing'' and 
inserting ``Legislative'', and in the text by striking ``Publishing'' 
each place the term appears and inserting ``Legislative''; by inserting 
``and'' before ``(5)''; and by striking ``; and (6)'' and all that 
follows through ``parties.'' and inserting a period.

(B) Public Meetings and Hearings

    Rule 3.2 is amended by inserting after the first sentence the 
following: ``See 28 U.S.C. 993(a).''; by inserting after ``approved'' 
the following: ``by the Chair''; by inserting after ``public release.'' 
the following new sentence: ``The notice shall be made available to the 
public on the Commission's Web site.''; and by inserting after that new 
sentence the following new paragraph:
    ``Any related documents approved for public release shall be made 
available to the public as soon as practicable (e.g., if not in advance 
of the meeting, then at the start of the meeting or in a timely manner 
after the meeting), on the Commission's Web site.''.
    Rule 3.5 is amended in the heading by striking ``Written Record of 
Meetings and Hearings'' and inserting ``Live Webcasts and Written 
Records''; in the text by inserting before the first paragraph the 
following new paragraph:
    ``To the extent practicable, and at the discretion and control of 
the Chair, the Commission shall provide a live webcast or audiocast of 
its public meetings and public hearings and shall make available a 
recording of the webcast or audiocast through the Commission's Web 
site.'';
    and by striking ``tape record'' and inserting ``make an audio 
recording of''.

(C) Decisions on Retroactivity

    Rule 4.1 is amended by inserting the following heading before the 
paragraph that begins ``Generally,'' to establish it as a new Rule 
4.1A:
    ``Rule 4.1A--Retroactive Application of Amendments''.
    Rule 4.1A (as so established) is amended by striking ``, it shall 
decide whether to make'' and all that follows through the period at the 
end and inserting the following: ``(see 28 U.S.C.

[[Page 18698]]

994(u); 18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(2)), the Commission shall--
    (1) at the public meeting at which it votes to promulgate the 
amendment, or in a timely manner thereafter, vote to publish a request 
for comment on whether to make the amendment available for retroactive 
application;
    (2) instruct staff to prepare a retroactivity impact analysis of 
the amendment, if practicable, and make such an analysis available in a 
timely manner to Congress and the public;
    (3) hold a public hearing on whether to make the amendment 
available for retroactive application; and
    (4) at a public meeting held at least 60 calendar days before the 
effective date of the amendment, vote on whether to make the amendment 
available for retroactive application.''.

(D) Public Comment and Priorities

    Rule 4.3 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraphs:
    ``Where appropriate, the Commission may divide a comment period 
into an original comment phase and a reply comment phase. For example, 
the Commission may divide a comment period of 60 calendar days into an 
original comment phase of 40 calendar days and a reply comment phase of 
20 calendar days. Comments during a reply phase are limited to issues 
raised in the original comment phase.
    Public comment received after the close of the comment period, and 
reply comment received on issues not raised in the original comment 
phase, may not be considered.''.
    Rule 5.1 is amended by striking ``Publishing'' and inserting 
``Legislative''; in the paragraph that begins ``The Office'' by adding 
at the end of the paragraph the following: ``As soon as practicable 
after the close of the comment period (or the comment phase, as 
applicable), public comment and public hearing testimony shall be made 
available to the public through the Commission's Web site.''; by 
striking ``pursuant to a solicitation'' and inserting ``pursuant to or 
in anticipation of a request for public comment''; and by adding at the 
end the following new paragraph:
    ``Where appropriate, the Commission may decline to make available 
public comment that is duplicative and may redact sensitive information 
from public comment.''.
    Rule 5.2 is amended by inserting ``(a)'' before ``The Commission'' 
in the first paragraph; by striking ``tentative'' both places such term 
appears and inserting ``proposed''; and by adding at the end the 
following new paragraphs:
    ``(b) In setting its priorities, the Commission shall consider the 
impact of the priorities on available penal and correctional resources, 
and on other facilities and services. See 28 U.S.C. 994(g). The 
Commission shall also consider, among other factors, the number of 
defendants potentially involved and the potential impact.
    (c) The Commission's priorities may include resolution of circuit 
conflicts, pursuant to the Commission's continuing authority and 
responsibility, under 28 U.S.C. 991(b)(1)(B) and Braxton v. United 
States, 500 U.S. 344 (1991), to resolve conflicting interpretations of 
the guidelines by the federal courts. The Commission will consider the 
following non-exhaustive list of factors in deciding whether a 
particular guideline circuit conflict warrants resolution by the 
Commission:
    (1) potential defendant impact;
    (2) potential impact on sentencing disparity;
    (3) number of court decisions involved in the conflict and 
variation in holdings; and
    (4) ease of resolution, both as a discrete issue, and in the 
context of other agenda matters scheduled for consideration during the 
available amendment cycle.
    (d) There may be circumstances in which the Commission receives--
before the comment period on the next year's priorities begins--a 
written submission from an outside party or a petition of a defendant 
under section 994(s) of title 28, United States Code (see Rule 5.6), 
that raises an issue more appropriately considered for the next year's 
priorities. In such circumstances, the Commission shall consider that 
issue when it sets the next year's priorities.''.
    Part V is amended by adding at the end the following new Rule 5.6:
    ``Rule 5.6--Petitions Filed By Defendants Under Section 994(s)
    Pursuant to section 994(s) of title 28, United States Code, a 
defendant may file a petition with the Commission requesting a 
modification of the guidelines used in sentencing that defendant. To be 
covered by section 994(s), the petition must be on the basis of changed 
circumstances unrelated to the defendant, including changes in (1) the 
community view of the gravity of the offense; (2) the public concern 
generated by the offense; and (3) the deterrent effect particular 
sentences may have on the commission of the offense by others. See 28 
U.S.C. 994(s).
    The Commission shall give due consideration to petitions covered by 
section 994(s) when it sets its priorities under Rule 5.2.''.

(E) Input From Outside Parties; ``Ex Parte'' Communications

    Rule 5.4 is amended by striking the paragraph that begins ``In 
addition,''.
    Part V is amended by inserting after Rule 5.4 the following new 
Rule 5.5:
    ``Rule 5.5--Outside Consultations and Ex Parte Communications
    (a) From time to time, the Commission, individual Commissioners, 
and Commission staff may consult with outside parties representing 
judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, crime victims, and other 
interested parties. The consultation may involve any matter affecting 
the Commission's business, including matters relating to the 
Commission's priorities.
    (b) However, during the pendency of a proposed amendment:
    (1) The Commission does not intend to solicit ex parte 
communications (i.e., communications outside the public comment 
process) on the merits of the proposed amendment from outside parties, 
except where it can be done in an equitable manner.
    (2) Outside parties should not make unsolicited ex parte 
communications on the merits of the proposed amendment to an individual 
Commissioner or to the Commissioners collectively.
    (3) If any communication covered by subdivision (2) is received by 
an individual Commissioner or the Commissioners collectively, [and the 
communication involves significant information or argument on the 
merits,] the communication shall be treated as public comment and 
disclosed accordingly. If it is an oral communication, a summary of the 
communication shall be treated as public comment and disclosed 
accordingly.
    [(c) Subsection (b) does not apply to communications with--
    (1) an ex officio Commissioner or any person designated by an ex 
officio Commissioner as support staff for that Commissioner;
    (2) Members of Congress, congressional staff, and legislative 
branch agencies;
    (3) the Executive Office of the President; and
    (4) Justices of the Supreme Court, federal judges, and the 
leadership staff of the Judicial Conference of the United States or its 
committees.]''.

(F) Use of Social Media Platforms

    Rule 6.3 is amended in the heading by inserting after ``Internet 
Site'' the following: ``and Other Electronic Resources''; in the text 
by striking ``Web site'' both places such term appears and

[[Page 18699]]

inserting ``Web site''; and by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph:
    ``To the extent practicable, the Commission shall use a variety of 
electronic means to distribute public meeting notices and provide other 
information about the Commission. For example, the Office of 
Legislative and Public Affairs shall, where practicable and 
appropriate, use social media platforms (such as Twitter) and 
electronic distribution mechanisms (such as an email listserv). 
Information about these platforms and mechanisms shall be posted to the 
Commission's Web site.''.

(G) Clerical Changes

    The Rules of Practice and Procedure are amended by inserting before 
Part I the following undesignated section:
    ``About the Commission
    The United States Sentencing Commission is an independent agency in 
the judicial branch of government. Its principal purposes are:
    (1) to establish sentencing policies and practices for the federal 
courts, including guidelines to be consulted regarding the appropriate 
form and severity of punishment for offenders convicted of federal 
crimes;
    (2) to advise and assist Congress and the executive branch in the 
development of effective and efficient crime policy; and
    (3) to collect, analyze, research, and distribute a broad array of 
information on federal crime and sentencing issues, serving as an 
information resource for Congress, the executive branch, the courts, 
criminal justice practitioners, the academic community, and the 
public.''.
    Rule 1.1 is amended by inserting a paragraph break before ``The 
Commission, an agency''; by inserting after ``Federal Advisory 
Committee Act'' the following: ``(5 U.S.C. App.)''; by striking 
``Sunshine Act'' and inserting ``Government in the Sunshine Act (5 
U.S.C. 552b)''; by inserting after ``Freedom of Information Act'' the 
following: ``(5 U.S.C. 552)''; and by inserting a paragraph break 
before ``Accordingly,''.
    Rule 3.1 is amended by inserting after ``meetings.'' the following: 
``See 28 U.S.C. 993(a).''.
    Rule 3.4 is amended by inserting after ``business.'' the following: 
``See 28 U.S.C. 995(a)(21).''.
    Rule 4.2 is amended by inserting after ``public.'' the following: 
``See 28 U.S.C. 994(g).''.
    Rule 5.3 is amended by striking ``Publishing'' and inserting 
``Legislative''.
[FR Doc. 2016-07264 Filed 3-30-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 2210-40-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 62 / Thursday, March 31, 2016 / Notices 18695

MPRA, that application has been Commission also periodically reviews ‘‘Government in the Sunshine Act’’
published on Treasury’s Web site at and revises previously promulgated (adopted June 5, 2014) at ¶ 6.
http://www.treasury.gov/services/Pages/ guidelines pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 994(o) Rule 2.2 identifies certain types of
Plan-Applications.aspx. Treasury is and submits guideline amendments to actions that must be taken in a public
publishing this notice in the Federal the Congress not later than the first day meeting and a number of other types of
Register, in consultation with PBGC and of May each year pursuant to 28 U.S.C. actions, described as ‘‘miscellaneous
the Department of Labor, to solicit 994(p). matters,’’ as actions that may be taken
public comments on all aspects of the Section 995(a)(1) of title 28, United without a meeting. Many other types of
Road Carriers—Local 707 Pension Fund States Code, authorizes the Commission Commission actions are not specifically
application. to establish general policies and enumerated. The proposed amendment
Comments are requested from promulgate rules and regulations as revises Rule 2.2 to clarify and
interested parties, including necessary for the Commission to carry enumerate the actions that must be
contributing employers, employee out the purposes of the Sentencing taken in public meetings and the actions
organizations, and participants and Reform Act of 1984. The Commission that may be taken in nonpublic
beneficiaries of the Road Carriers— originally adopted the Rules of Practice meetings or without a meeting.
Local 707 Pension Fund. Consideration and Procedure in July 1997 and now Specifically, votes on final priorities
will be given to any comments that are proposes to make amendments to these and votes to approve or revise the
timely received by Treasury. rules. In accordance with Rule 1.2 of its minutes of public meetings must be
Dated: March 25, 2016. Rules of Practice and Procedure, the taken at public meetings, and a number
Commission hereby invites the public to of other actions may be taken at
David R. Pearl,
provide comment on the proposed nonpublic meetings or without a
Executive Secretary, Department of the meeting. It also clarifies that the actions
Treasury. amendments.
Bracketed text within a proposed authorized to be taken in nonpublic
[FR Doc. 2016–07269 Filed 3–30–16; 8:45 am]
amendment indicates a heightened meetings or without a meeting are not
BILLING CODE 4810–25–P precluded from being taken in public
interest on the Commission’s part in
comment and suggestions on whether meetings.
the proposed provision is appropriate. Rule 3.3 identifies the purposes for
UNITED STATES SENTENCING holding nonpublic meetings: To transact
COMMISSION Authority: 28 U.S.C. 995(a)(1); USSC
Rules of Practice and Procedure, Rule 1.2.
certain types of Commission business,
to hold discussions with Commission
Rules of Practice and Procedure Patti B. Saris, staff, and to discuss with outside parties
AGENCY: United States Sentencing Chair. certain types of sensitive information.
Commission. The proposed amendment revises Rule
1. Rules of Practice and Procedure
ACTION: Notice of proposed amendments 3.3 to clarify and enumerate the
Synopsis of Proposed Amendment: purposes for holding nonpublic
to the Sentencing Commission’s Rules
This proposed amendment revises the meetings. As revised, Rule 3.3 identifies
of Practice and Procedure. Request for
Commission’s Rules of Practice and five purposes for holding nonpublic
public comment.
Procedure. The rules were issued in meetings and provides more clarity and
SUMMARY: This notice sets forth 1997 ‘‘for the purpose of more fully specificity about these different
proposed amendments to the informing interested persons of purposes. To summarize, they include:
Commission’s Rules of Practice and opportunities and procedures for (1) To take action on other matters
Procedure. The Commission invites becoming aware of and participating in pursuant to Rule 2.2; (2) to hold
public comment on these proposed the public business of the Commission.’’ discussions with Commission staff and
amendments. See Rule 1.1 of the Commission’s Rules ex officio staff; (3) to hold discussions
of Practice and Procedure. The with advisory groups, with persons
DATES: Public comment should be
Commission is conducting a review of within the judiciary, or with persons in
received by the Commission not later
its rules to determine whether any the executive or legislative branches; (4)
than June 1, 2016.
updates or revisions are appropriate, to discuss sensitive information with
ADDRESSES: Public comment should be
such as to reflect current technologies, outside parties (with a number of
sent to the Commission by electronic take into account practices of other
mail or regular mail. The email address examples); and (5) to hold discussions
rulemaking agencies and with outside experts, such as in a
for public comment is Public_ recommendations of the Administrative
Comment@ussc.gov. The regular mail roundtable or symposium, on matters
Conference of the United States unrelated to the merits of any pending
address for public comment is United (‘‘ACUS’’), and better promote the
States Sentencing Commission, One proposed amendment.
purpose of the rules. The Commission is For nonpublic meetings covered by
Columbus Circle, NE., Suite 2–500, publishing this proposed amendment to purpose (5), it adds that such meetings
Washington, DC 20002–8002, Attention: inform that review. may be held under ‘‘Chatham House
Public Affairs.
A. Actions and Meetings Rule’’ and may include outside
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt
observers.
Osterrieder, Legislative Specialist, (202) This part of the proposed amendment Finally, it amends Rule 6.2 to delete
502–4500, pubaffairs@ussc.gov. amends Rules 2.2 and 3.3 to clarify and language requiring the Office of
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The enumerate the types of Commission Legislative and Public Affairs to
United States Sentencing Commission is actions that are taken in public maintain certain information about
an independent agency in the judicial meetings, the types of actions that may nonpublic meetings.
branch of the United States be taken in nonpublic meetings or
Government. The Commission without a meeting, and the types of B. Public Meetings and Hearings
promulgates sentencing guidelines and discussions with outside parties that This part of the proposed amendment
policy statements for federal courts may be held in nonpublic meetings. Cf. amends Rules 3.2 and 3.5 to provide
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 994(a). The ACUS Recommendation 2014–2, more information to the public about

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$Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 62 / Thursday, March 31, 2016 / Notices 18699 inserting ‘‘Web site’’; and by adding at in the judicial branch of government. Its the following: ‘‘(5 U.S.C. App.)’’; by the end the following new paragraph: principal purposes are: striking ‘‘Sunshine Act’’ and inserting ‘‘To the extent practicable, the (1) to establish sentencing policies ‘‘Government in the Sunshine Act (5 Commission shall use a variety of and practices for the federal courts, U.S.C. 552b)’’; by inserting after electronic means to distribute public including guidelines to be consulted ‘‘Freedom of Information Act’’ the meeting notices and provide other regarding the appropriate form and following: ‘‘(5 U.S.C. 552)’’; and by information about the Commission. For severity of punishment for offenders inserting a paragraph break before example, the Office of Legislative and convicted of federal crimes; ‘‘Accordingly,’’. Public Affairs shall, where practicable (2) to advise and assist Congress and Rule 3.1 is amended by inserting after and appropriate, use social media the executive branch in the platforms (such as Twitter) and ‘‘meetings.’’ the following: ‘‘See 28 development of effective and efficient U.S.C. 993(a).’’. electronic distribution mechanisms crime policy; and (such as an email listserv). Information Rule 3.4 is amended by inserting after (3) to collect, analyze, research, and ‘‘business.’’ the following: ‘‘See 28 about these platforms and mechanisms distribute a broad array of information U.S.C. 995(a)(21).’’. shall be posted to the Commission’s on federal crime and sentencing issues, Web site.’’. Rule 4.2 is amended by inserting after serving as an information resource for (G) Clerical Changes Congress, the executive branch, the ‘‘public.’’ the following: ‘‘See 28 U.S.C. courts, criminal justice practitioners, the 994(g).’’. The Rules of Practice and Procedure are amended by inserting before Part I academic community, and the public.’’. Rule 5.3 is amended by striking the following undesignated section: Rule 1.1 is amended by inserting a ‘‘Publishing’’ and inserting ‘‘About the Commission paragraph break before ‘‘The ‘‘Legislative’’. The United States Sentencing Commission, an agency’’; by inserting [FR Doc. 2016–07264 Filed 3–30–16; 8:45 am] Commission is an independent agency after ‘‘Federal Advisory Committee Act’’ BILLING CODE 2210–40–P mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:09 Mar 30, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00136 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\31MRN1.SGM 31MRN1$

Document Created: 2016-03-31 00:55:42
Document Modified: 2016-03-31 00:55:42

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of proposed amendments to the Sentencing Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. Request for public comment.
Dates		Public comment should be received by the Commission not later than June 1, 2016.
Contact		Matt Osterrieder, Legislative Specialist, (202) 502-4500, [email protected]
FR Citation		81 FR 18695