81_FR_33433 81 FR 33331 - 2016 Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States

81 FR 33331 - 2016 Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States

Executive Office of the President

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 102 (May 26, 2016)

Page Range33331-33358
FR Document2016-12579

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 102 (Thursday, May 26, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 102 (Thursday, May 26, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 33331-33358]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12579]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 102 / Thursday, May 26, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 33331]]

                Executive Order 13730 of May 20, 2016

                
2016 Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, 
                United States

                By the authority vested in me as President by the 
                Constitution and the laws of the United States of 
                America, including chapter 47 of title 10, United 
                States Code (Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 
                U.S.C. 801-946), and in order to prescribe amendments 
                to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 
                prescribed by Executive Order 12473 of April 13, 1984, 
                as amended, it is hereby ordered as follows:

                Section 1. Part II, Part III, and Part IV of the Manual 
                for Courts-Martial, United States, are amended as 
                described in the Annex attached and made a part of this 
                order.

                Sec. 2. These amendments shall take effect as of the 
                date of this order, subject to the following:

                    (a) Nothing in these amendments shall be construed 
                to make punishable any act done or omitted prior to the 
                effective date of this order that was not punishable 
                when done or omitted.
                    (b) Nothing in these amendments shall be construed 
                to invalidate any nonjudicial punishment proceedings, 
                restraint, investigation, referral of charges, trial in 
                which arraignment occurred, or other action begun prior 
                to the effective date of this order, and any such 
                nonjudicial punishment, restraint, investigation, 
                referral of charges, trial, or other action may proceed 
                in the same manner and with the same effect as if these 
                amendments had not been prescribed.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

                THE WHITE HOUSE,

                    May 20, 2016.

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[FR Doc. 2016-12579
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                                                                                                                                                                                   33331

                                                   Federal Register                                   Presidential Documents
                                                   Vol. 81, No. 102

                                                   Thursday, May 26, 2016



                                                   Title 3—                                           Executive Order 13730 of May 20, 2016

                                                   The President                                      2016 Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United
                                                                                                      States


                                                                                                      By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the
                                                                                                      laws of the United States of America, including chapter 47 of title 10,
                                                                                                      United States Code (Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. 801–946),
                                                                                                      and in order to prescribe amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial,
                                                                                                      United States, prescribed by Executive Order 12473 of April 13, 1984, as
                                                                                                      amended, it is hereby ordered as follows:
                                                                                                      Section 1. Part II, Part III, and Part IV of the Manual for Courts-Martial,
                                                                                                      United States, are amended as described in the Annex attached and made
                                                                                                      a part of this order.
                                                                                                      Sec. 2. These amendments shall take effect as of the date of this order,
                                                                                                      subject to the following:
                                                                                                        (a) Nothing in these amendments shall be construed to make punishable
                                                                                                      any act done or omitted prior to the effective date of this order that was
                                                                                                      not punishable when done or omitted.
                                                                                                        (b) Nothing in these amendments shall be construed to invalidate any
                                                                                                      nonjudicial punishment proceedings, restraint, investigation, referral of
                                                                                                      charges, trial in which arraignment occurred, or other action begun prior
                                                                                                      to the effective date of this order, and any such nonjudicial punishment,
                                                                                                      restraint, investigation, referral of charges, trial, or other action may proceed
                                                                                                      in the same manner and with the same effect as if these amendments
                                                                                                      had not been prescribed.
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                                                                                                                              ANNEX

                                                                    Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows:

                                                                    (a) The title ofR.C.M. 104(b)(l) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                      "(1) Evaluation of member, defense counsel, or special victims' counsel."

                                                                    (b) R.C.M. 104(b)(l)(B) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                      "(B) Give a less favorable rating or evaluation of any defense counsel or special victims'

                                                                    counsel because of the zeal with which such counsel represented any client. As used in this

                                                                    rule, "special victims' counsel" are judge advocates who, in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 1044e,

                                                                    are designated as Special Victims' Counsel."

                                                                    (c) R.C.M. 305(h)(2)(B)(iii)(a) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                      "(a) The prisoner will not appear at trial, pretrial hearing, preliminary hearing, or

                                                                    investigation, or"

                                                                    (d) R.C.M. 305(i)(2)(A)(iv) is amended to read as follows::

                                                                      "(iv) Victim's right to be reasonably heard. A victim of an alleged offense committed by the

                                                                    prisoner has the right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of the 7-day review; the right to

                                                                    confer with the representative of the command and counsel for the government, if any; and the

                                                                    right to be reasonably heard during the review. However, the hearing may not be unduly delayed

                                                                    for this purpose. The right to be heard under this rule includes the right to be heard through

                                                                    counsel and the right to be reasonably protected from the prisoner during the 7-day review. The

                                                                    victim of an alleged offense shall be notified of these rights in accordance with regulations of the

                                                                    Secretary concerned."

                                                                    (e) A new R.C.M. 306(e) is inserted immediately after R.C.M. 306(d) and reads as follows:

                                                                      "(e) Sex-related offenses.
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                                                                             (1) For purposes of this subsection, a "sex-related offense" means any allegation of a

                                                                    violation of Article 120, 120a, 120b, 120c, or 125, or any attempt thereof under Article 80,

                                                                    UCMJ.

                                                                            (2) Under such regulations as the Secretary concerned may prescribe, for alleged sex-

                                                                    related offenses committed in the United States, the victim of the sex-related offense shall be

                                                                    provided an opportunity to express views as to whether the offense should be prosecuted by

                                                                    court-martial or in a civilian court with jurisdiction over the offense. The commander, and if

                                                                    charges are preferred, the convening authority, shall consider such views as to the victim's

                                                                    preference for jurisdiction, if available, prior to making an initial disposition decision. For

                                                                    purposes of this rule, "victim" is defined as an individual who has suffered direct physical,

                                                                    emotional, or pecuniary harm as a result of the commission of an alleged sex-related offense as

                                                                    defined in subparagraph (1) of this rule.

                                                                             (3) Under such regulations as the Secretary concerned may prescribe, if the victim of an

                                                                    alleged sex-related offense expresses a preference for prosecution of the offense in a civilian

                                                                    court, the commander, and if charges are preferred, the convening authority, shall ensure that the

                                                                    civilian authority with jurisdiction over the offense is notified of the victim's preference for

                                                                    civilian prosecution. If the commander, and if charges are preferred, the convening authority

                                                                    learns of any decision by the civilian authority to prosecute or not prosecute the offense in

                                                                    civilian court, the convening authority shall ensure the victim is notified."

                                                                    (f) R.C.M. 403(b)(5) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                      "(5) Unless otherwise prescribed by the Secretary concerned, direct a preliminary hearing

                                                                    under R. C.M. 405, and, if appropriate, forward the report of preliminary hearing with the charges

                                                                    to a superior commander for disposition."




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                                                                    (g) R.C.M. 405(i)(2)(A) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                      "(2) Notice to and presence of the victim(s).

                                                                           (A) The victim(s) of an offense under the UCMJ has the right to reasonable, accurate, and

                                                                    timely notice of a preliminary hearing relating to the alleged offense, the right to be reasonably

                                                                    protected from the accused, and the reasonable right to confer with counsel for the government

                                                                    during the preliminary hearing. For the purposes of this rule, a "victim" is a person who is

                                                                    alleged to have suffered a direct physical, emotional, or pecuniary harm as a result of the matters

                                                                    set forth in a charge or specification under consideration and is named in one of the

                                                                    specifications under consideration."

                                                                    (h) R.C.M. 407(a)(5) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                       "(5) Unless otherwise prescribed by the Secretary concerned, direct a preliminary hearing

                                                                    under R.C.M. 405, after which additional action under this rule may be taken;"

                                                                    (i) R.C.M. 502(d)(4)(B) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                      "(B) An investigating or preliminary hearing officer;"

                                                                    G) RCM 502(e)(2)(C) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                       "(C) An investigating or preliminary hearing officer;"

                                                                    (k) R.C.M. 506(b)(2) is amended by replacing "investigation" with "preliminary hearing."

                                                                    (1) R.C.M 601(d)(2)(A) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                       "(A) There has been substantial compliance with the preliminary hearing requirements of

                                                                    R.C.M. 405; and"

                                                                    (m) R.C.M. 705(c)(2)(A) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                      "(A) A promise to enter into a stipulation offact concerning offenses to which a plea of guilty

                                                                    or a confessional stipulation will be entered;"




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                                                             (n) R.C.M. 705(d)(3) is amended to read as follows::

                                                                "(3) Acceptance.

                                                                      (A) In general. The convening authority may either accept or reject an offer of the

                                                             accused to enter into a pretrial agreement or may propose by counteroffer any terms or

                                                             conditions not prohibited by law or public policy. The decision whether to accept or reject an

                                                             offer is within the sole discretion of the convening authority. When the convening authority has

                                                             accepted a pretrial agreement, the agreement shall be signed by the convening authority or by a

                                                             person, such as the staff judge advocate or trial counsel, who has been authorized by the

                                                             convening authority to sign.

                                                                      (B) Victim consultation. Whenever practicable, prior to the convening authority accepting

                                                             a pretrial agreement the victim shall be provided an opportunity to express views concerning the

                                                             pretrial agreement terms and conditions in accordance with regulations prescribed by the

                                                             Secretary concerned. The convening authority shall consider any such views provided prior to

                                                             accepting a pretrial agreement. For purposes of this rule, a "victim" is an individual who is

                                                             alleged to have suffered direct physical, emotional, or pecuniary harm as a result of the matters

                                                             set forth in a charge or specification under consideration and is named in one of the

                                                             specifications under consideration."

                                                             (o) R.C.M. 806(b)(2) is renumbered as R.C.M. 806(b)(3).

                                                             (p) A new R.C.M. 806(b)(2) is inserted immediately after R.C.M. 806(b)(l) and reads as follows:

                                                                "(2) Right of victim to notice. A victim of an alleged offense committed by the accused has

                                                             the right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of court-martial proceedings relating to the

                                                             offense."

                                                             (q) R.C.M. 806(b)(3) is renumbered as R.C.M. 806(b)(4).




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                                                                    (r) R.C.M. 806(b)(4) is renumbered as R.C.M. 806(b)(5).

                                                                    (s) A new R.C.M. 806(b)(6) is inserted immediately after R.C.M. 806(b)(5) and reads as follows:

                                                                      "( 6) Right of victim to be reasonably protected from the accused. A victim of an alleged

                                                                    offense committed by the accused has the right to be reasonably protected from the accused."

                                                                    (t) R.C.M. 902(b)(2) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                      "(2) Where the military judge has acted as counsel, preliminary hearing officer, investigating

                                                                    officer, legal officer, staff judge advocate, or convening authority as to any offense charged or in

                                                                    the same case generally."

                                                                    (u) R.C.M. 905(b)(l) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                      "(1) Defenses or objections based on defects (other than jurisdictional defects) in the preferral,

                                                                    forwarding, or referral of charges, or in the preliminary hearing;"

                                                                    (v) R.C.M. 907(b)(l) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                      "(1) Nonwaivable grounds. A charge or specification shall be dismissed at any stage of the

                                                                    proceedings if the court-martial lacks jurisdiction to try the accused for the offense."

                                                                    (w) R.C.M. 907(b)(l)(A)-(B) is deleted.

                                                                    (x) A new R.C.M. 907(b)(2)(E) is inserted immediately after R.C.M. 907(b)(2)(D)(iv) and reads

                                                                    as follows:

                                                                      "(E) The specification fails to state an offense."

                                                                    (y) R.C.M. 912(a)(l)(K) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                      "(K) Whether the member has acted as accuser, counsel, preliminary hearing officer,

                                                                    investigating officer, convening authority, or legal officer or staff judge advocate for the

                                                                    convening authority in the case, or has forwarded the charges with a recommendation as to

                                                                    disposition."




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                                                               (z) R.C.M. 912(f)(1)(F) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                    "(F) Has been an investigating or preliminary hearing officer as to any offense charged;"

                                                               (aa) R.C.M. 1002 is amended to read as follows:

                                                                    "(a) Generally. Subject to limitations in this Manual, the sentence to be adjudged is a

                                                               matter within the discretion of the court-martial; except when a mandatory minimum sentence

                                                               is prescribed by the code, a court-martial may adjudge any punishment authorized in this

                                                               Manual, including the maximum punishment or any lesser punishment, or may adjudge a

                                                               sentence of no punishment.

                                                                    (b) Unitary Sentencing. Sentencing by a court-martial is unitary. The court-martial will

                                                               adjudge a single sentence for all the offenses of which the accused was found guilty. A court-

                                                               martial may not impose separate sentences for each finding of guilty, but may impose only a

                                                               single, unitary sentence covering all of the guilty fmdings in their entirety."

                                                               (bb) R.C.M. 11 03(b )(2)(B)(i) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                    "(i) The sentence adjudged includes confmement for twelve months or more or any punishment

                                                               that may not be adjudged by a special court-martial; or"

                                                               (cc) The Note currently located immediately following the title ofR.C.M. 1107 and prior to

                                                               R.C.M. 1107(a) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                    "[Note: Subsections (b)-(f) ofR.C.M. 1107 apply to offenses committed on or after 24 June

                                                               20 14; however, if at least one offense resulting in a finding of guilty in a case occurred prior to

                                                               24 June 2014, or includes a date range where the earliest date in the range for that offense is

                                                               before 24 June 2014, then the prior version ofR.C.M. 1107 applies to all offenses in the case,

                                                               except that mandatory minimum sentences under Article 56(b) and applicable rules under

                                                               R.C.M. 1107(d)(1)(D)-(E) still apply.]"




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                                                              (dd) R.C.M. 1107(b)(5) is amended to delete the sentence, "Nothing in this subsection shall

                                                              prohibit the convening authority from disapproving the findings of guilty and sentence."

                                                              (ee) R.C.M. 1107(c) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                    "(c) Action on findings. Action on the findings is not required. However, the convening

                                                              authority may take action subject to the following limitations:

                                                                         (1) Where a court-martial includes a finding of guilty for an offense listed in subparagraph

                                                               (c)( 1)(A) of this rule, the convening authority may not take the actions listed in subparagraph

                                                               (c)(l)(B) of this rule:

                                                                                    (A) Offenses

                                                                                              (i) Article 120(a) or (b), Article 120b, or Article 125;

                                                                                              (ii) Offenses for which the maximum sentence of confinement that may

                                                               be adjudged exceeds two years without regard to the jurisdictional limits of the court; or

                                                                                               (iii) Offenses where the adjudged sentence for the case includes

                                                               dismissal, dishonorable discharge, bad-conduct discharge, or confinement for more than six

                                                               months.

                                                                                    (B) Prohibited actions

                                                                                               (i) Dismiss a charge or specification by setting aside a finding of guilty

                                                               thereto; or

                                                                                               (ii) Change a finding of guilty to a charge or specification to a fmding

                                                               of guilty to an offense that is a lesser included offense of the offense stated in the charge or

                                                               specification.

                                                                         (2) The convening authority may direct a rehearing in accordance with subsection (e) of this

                                                               rule.




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                                                                        (3) For offenses other than those listed in subparagraph (c)(l)(A) ofthis rule:

                                                                                  (A) The convening authority may change a finding of guilty to a charge or

                                                             specification to a finding of guilty to an offense that is a lesser included offense of the offense

                                                             stated in the charge or specification; or

                                                                                  (B) Set aside any finding of guilty and:

                                                                                             (i) Dismiss the specification and, if appropriate, the charge; or

                                                                                             (ii) Direct a rehearing in accordance with subsection (e) of this rule.

                                                                        (4) If the convening authority acts to dismiss or change any charge or specification for

                                                              an offense, the convening authority shall provide, at the same time, a written explanation of the

                                                             reasons for such action. The written explanation shall be made a part of the record of trial and

                                                              action thereon."

                                                              (ff) R.C.M. 1107(d) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                    "(d) Action on the sentence.

                                                                        (1) The convening authority shall take action on the sentence subject to the following:

                                                                                   (A) The convening authority may disapprove, commute, or suspend, in whole or

                                                              in part, any portion of an adjudged sentence not explicitly prohibited by this rule, to include

                                                              reduction in pay grade, forfeitures of pay and allowances, fines, reprimands, restrictions, and

                                                              hard labor without confmement.

                                                                                   (B) Except as provided in subparagraph (d)(l)(C) of this rule, the convening

                                                              authority may not disapprove, commute, or suspend, in whole or in part, that portion of an

                                                              adjudged sentence that includes:

                                                                                              (i) confinement for more than six months; or

                                                                                              (ii) dismissal, dishonorable discharge, or bad-conduct discharge.




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                                                                               (C) Exceptions.

                                                                                          (i) Trial counsel recommendation. Upon the recommendation of the trial

                                                            counsel, in recognition of the substantial assistance by the accused in the investigation or

                                                            prosecution of another person who has committed an offense, the convening authority or

                                                            another person authorized to act under this rule shall have the authority to disapprove,

                                                            commute, or suspend the adjudged sentence, in whole or in part, even with respect to an offense

                                                            for which a mandatory minimum sentence exists.

                                                                                          (ii) Pretrial agreement. If a pretrial agreement has been entered into by

                                                            the convening authority and the accused, as authorized by R.C.M. 705, the convening authority

                                                            or another person authorized to act under this rule shall have the authority to approve,

                                                            disapprove, commute, or suspend a sentence, in whole or in part, pursuant to the terms of the

                                                            pretrial agreement. However, if a mandatory minimum sentence of a dishonorable discharge

                                                            applies to an offense for which an accused has been convicted, the convening authority or

                                                            another person authorized to act under this rule may commute the dishonorable discharge to a

                                                            bad-conduct discharge pursuant to the terms of the pretrial agreement.

                                                                               (D) If the convening authority acts to disapprove, commute, or suspend, in whole

                                                            or in part, the sentence of the court-martial for an offense listed in subparagraph (c)(l)(A) of this

                                                            rule, the convening authority shall provide, at the same time, a written explanation of the

                                                            reasons for such action. The written explanation shall be made a part of the record of trial and

                                                            action thereon."

                                                            (gg) R.C.M. 1107(e) is amended to read as follows:

                                                               "(e) Ordering rehearing or other trial.




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                                                                            ( 1) Rehearings not permitted. A rehearing may not be ordered by the convening authority

                                                                    where the adjudged sentence for the case includes a sentence of dismissal, dishonorable

                                                                    discharge, or bad-conduct discharge or confinement for more than six months.

                                                                            (2) Rehearings permitted.

                                                                                         (A) In general. Subject to paragraph (e)(l) and subparagraphs (e)(2)(B)

                                                                    through (e)(2)(E) of this rule, the convening authority may in the convening authority's

                                                                    discretion order a rehearing. A rehearing may be ordered as to some or all offenses of which

                                                                    findings of guilty were entered and the sentence, or as to the sentence only.

                                                                                         (B) When the convening authority may order a rehearing. The convening

                                                                    authority may order a rehearing:

                                                                                                 (i) When taking action on the court-martial under this rule. Prior to

                                                                    ordering a rehearing on a finding, the convening authority must disapprove the applicable finding

                                                                    and the sentence and state the reasons for disapproval of said fmding. Prior to ordering a

                                                                    rehearing on the sentence, the convening authority must disapprove the sentence.

                                                                                                 (ii) When authorized to do so by superior competent authority. If the

                                                                    convening authority finds a rehearing as to any offenses impracticable, the convening authority

                                                                    may dismiss those specifications and, when appropriate, charges.

                                                                                                 (iii) Sentence reassessment. If a superior competent authority has

                                                                    approved some of the findings of guilty and has authorized a rehearing as to other offenses

                                                                    and the sentence, the convening authority may, unless otherwise directed, reassess the sentence

                                                                    based on the approved findings of guilty and dismiss the remaining charges. Reassessment is

                                                                    appropriate only where the convening authority determines that the accused's sentence would




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                                                                    have been at least of a certain magnitude had the prejudicial error not been committed and the

                                                                    reassessed sentence is appropriate in relation to the affirmed findings of guilty."

                                                                                      (C) Limitations.

                                                                                                  (i) Sentence approved. A rehearing shall not be ordered if, in the same

                                                                    action, a sentence is approved.

                                                                                                  (ii) Lack of sufficient evidence. A rehearing may not be ordered as to

                                                                    findings of guilty when there is a lack of sufficient evidence in the record to support the

                                                                    findings of guilty of the offense charged or of any lesser included offense. A rehearing may

                                                                    be ordered, however, if the proof of guilt consisted of inadmissible evidence for which there is

                                                                    available an admissible substitute. A rehearing may be ordered as to any lesser offense included

                                                                    in an offense of which the accused was found guilty, provided there is sufficient evidence in

                                                                    the record to support the lesser included offense.

                                                                                                  (iii) Rehearing on sentence only. A rehearing on sentence only shall not

                                                                    be referred to a different kind of court-martial from that which made the original findings. If

                                                                    the convening authority determines a rehearing on sentence is impracticable, the convening

                                                                    authority may approve a sentence of no punishment without conducting a rehearing.

                                                                                          (D) Additional charges. Additional charges may be referred for trial together

                                                                    with charges as to which a rehearing has been directed.

                                                                                          (E) Lesser included offenses. If at a previous trial the accused was convicted of

                                                                    a lesser included offense, a rehearing may be ordered only as to that included offense or as to a

                                                                    lesser included offense of the included offense that resulted in a finding of guilty at the previous

                                                                    trial. If, however, a rehearing is ordered improperly on the original offense charged and the




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                                                                    accused is convicted of that offense at the rehearing, the finding as to the lesser included offense

                                                                    of which the accused was convicted at the original trial may nevertheless be approved.

                                                                           (3) "Other" trial. The convening or higher authority may order an "other" trial if the

                                                                    original proceedings were invalid because of lack of jurisdiction or failure of a specification to

                                                                    state an offense. The authority ordering an "other" trial shall state in the action the basis for

                                                                    declaring the proceedings invalid."

                                                                    (hh) The Note currently located immediately following the title ofR.C.M. 11 08(b) and prior to

                                                                    the first line, "The convening authority may ... ", is amended to read as follows:

                                                                      "[Note: R.C.M. 1108(b) applies to offenses committed on or after 24 June 2014; however, if

                                                                    at least one offense in a case occurred prior to 24 June 2014, then the prior version of R.C.M.

                                                                    1108(b) applies to all offenses in the case.]"

                                                                    (ii) R.C.M. 1109(a) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                      "(a) In general. Suspension of execution of the sentence of a court-martial may be vacated for

                                                                    violation of any condition of the suspension as provided in this rule."

                                                                    Gj) R.C.M. 1109(c)(4)(A) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                      "(A) Rights of probationer. Before the preliminary hearing, the probationer shall be

                                                                    notified in writing of:"

                                                                    (kk) R.C.M. 1109(c)(4)(C) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                      "(C) Decision. The hearing officer shall determine whether there is probable cause to believe

                                                                    that the probationer violated the conditions of the probationer's suspension. If the hearing

                                                                    officer determines that probable cause is lacking, the hearing officer shall issue a written order

                                                                    directing that the probationer be released from confinement. If the hearing officer determines

                                                                    that there is probable cause to believe that the probationer violated a condition of suspension, the




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                                                                    hearing officer shall set forth this determination in a written memorandum that details therein

                                                                    the evidence relied upon and reasons for making the decision. The hearing officer shall forward

                                                                    the original memorandum or release order to the probationer's commander and forward a copy

                                                                    to the probationer and the officer in charge of the confinement facility."

                                                                    (ll) A new sentence is added to the end of R.C.M. 11 09(d)(l )(A) and reads as follows:

                                                                      "The purpose of the hearing is for the hearing officer to determine whether there is probable

                                                                    cause to believe that the probationer violated a condition of the probationer's suspension."

                                                                    (mm) R.C.M. 1109(d)(l)(C) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                      "(C) Hearing. The procedure for the vacation hearing shall follow that prescribed in

                                                                    subsection (h) of this rule."

                                                                    (nn) A new sentence is added to the end ofR.C.M. 1109(d)(l)(D) and reads as follows:

                                                                      "This record shall include the recommendation, the evidence relied upon, and reasons for

                                                                    making the decision."

                                                                    (oo) R.C.M. 1109(d)(2)(A) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                      "(A) In general. The officer exercising general court-martialjurisdiction over the probationer

                                                                    shall review the record produced by and the recommendation of the officer exercising special

                                                                    court-martial jurisdiction over the probationer, decide whether there is probable cause to believe

                                                                    that the probationer violated a condition of the probationer's suspension, and, if so, decide

                                                                    whether to vacate the suspended sentence. If the officer exercising general court-martial

                                                                    jurisdiction decides to vacate the suspended sentence, that officer shall prepare a written

                                                                    statement of the evidence relied on and the reasons for vacating the suspended sentence."

                                                                    (pp) A new sentence is added to the end ofR.C.M. 1109(e)(l) and reads as follows:




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                                                                    "The purpose of the hearing is for the hearing officer to determine whether there is probable

                                                               cause to believe that the probationer violated the conditions of the probationer's suspension."

                                                               (qq) R.C.M. 1109(e)(3) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                    "(3) Hearing. The procedure for the vacation hearing shall follow that prescribed in

                                                               subsection (h) of this rule."

                                                               (rr) A new sentence is added to the end ofR.C.M. 1109(e)(5) and reads as follows:

                                                                    "This record shall include the recommendation, the evidence relied upon, and reasons for

                                                               making the decision."

                                                               (ss) R.C.M. 1109(e)(6) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                    "(6) Decision. The special court-martial convening authority shall review the record

                                                               produced by and the recommendation of the person who conducted the vacation proceeding,

                                                               decide whether there is probable cause to believe that the probationer violated a condition of the

                                                               probationer's suspension, and, if so, decide whether to vacate the suspended sentence. If the

                                                               officer exercising jurisdiction decides to vacate the suspended sentence, that officer shall

                                                               prepare a written statement of the evidence relied on and the reasons for vacating the suspended

                                                               sentence.'?

                                                               (tt) A new sentence is added to the end ofR.C.M. 1109(g)(l) and reads as follows:

                                                                    "The purpose of the hearing is for the hearing officer to determine whether there is probable

                                                               cause to believe that the probationer violated the conditions of the probationer's suspension."

                                                               (uu) R.C.M. 11 09(g)(3) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                    "(3) Hearing. The procedure for the vacation hearing shall follow that prescribed in

                                                               subsection (h) of this rule."

                                                               (vv) A new sentence is added to the end ofR.C.M. 1109(g)(5) and reads as follows:




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                                                                "This record shall include the recommendation, the evidence relied upon, and reasons for

                                                             making the decision."

                                                             (ww) R.C.M. 1109(g)(6) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                "(6) Decision. A commander with authority to vacate the suspension shall review the record

                                                             produced by and the recommendation of the person who conducted the vacation proceeding,

                                                             decide whether there is probable cause to believe that the probationer violated a condition of the

                                                             probationer's suspension, and, if so, decide whether to vacate the suspended sentence. If the

                                                             officer exercising jurisdiction decides to vacate the suspended sentence, that officer shall prepare

                                                             a written statement of the evidence relied on and the reasons for vacating the suspended

                                                             sentence."

                                                             (xx) A new R.C.M. 11 09(h) is inserted immediately after R.C.M. 11 09(g)(7) and reads as

                                                             follows:

                                                                "(h) Hearing procedure.

                                                                      (1) Generally. The hearing shall begin with the hearing officer informing the

                                                             probationer of the probationer's rights. The government will then present evidence. Upon the

                                                             conclusion of the government's presentation of evidence, the probationer may present

                                                             evidence. The probationer shall have full opportunity to present any matters in defense,

                                                             extenuation, or mitigation. Both the government and probationer shall be afforded an

                                                             opportunity to cross-examine adverse witnesses. The hearing officer may also question

                                                             witnesses called by the parties.

                                                                      (2) Rules of evidence. The Military Rules of Evidence-other than Mil. R. Evid. 301,

                                                             302, 303, 305,412, and Section V-shall not apply. Nor shall Mil. R. Evid. 412(b)(l)(C) apply.

                                                             In applying these rules to a vacation hearing, the term "military judge," as used in these rules,




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                                                                    shall mean the hearing officer, who shall assume the military judge's authority to exclude

                                                                    evidence from the hearing, and who shall, in discharging this duty, follow the procedures set

                                                                    forth in these rules. However, the hearing officer is not authorized to order production of

                                                                    communications covered by Mil. R. Evid. 513 or 514.

                                                                            (3) Production of witnesses and other evidence. The procedure for the production of

                                                                    witnesses and other evidence shall follow that prescribed in R.C.M. 405(g), except that R.C.M.

                                                                    405(g)(3)(B) shall not apply. The hearing officer shall only consider testimony and other

                                                                    evidence that is relevant to the limited purpose of the hearing.

                                                                            (4) Presentation of testimony. Witness testimony may be provided in person, by video

                                                                    teleconference, by telephone, or by similar means of remote testimony. All testimony shall be

                                                                    taken under oath, except that the probationer may make an unsworn statement.

                                                                            (5) Other evidence. If relevant to the limited purpose of the hearing, and not

                                                                    cumulative, a hearing officer may consider other evidence, in addition to or in lieu of witness

                                                                    testimony, including statements, tangible evidence, or reproductions thereof, offered by either

                                                                    side, that the hearing officer determines is reliable. This other evidence need not be sworn.

                                                                            (6) Presence of probationer. The taking of evidence shall not be prevented and the

                                                                    probationer shall be considered to have waived the right to be present whenever the

                                                                    probationer:

                                                                                          (A) After being notified of the time and place of the proceeding is voluntarily

                                                                    absent; or

                                                                                          (B) After being warned by the hearing officer that disruptive conduct will cause

                                                                    removal from the proceeding, persists in conduct that is such as to justify exclusion from the

                                                                    proceeding.




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                                                                             (7) Objections. Any objection alleging failure to comply with these rules shall be

                                                                    made to the convening authority via the hearing officer. The hearing officer shall include a

                                                                    record of all objections in the written recommendations to the convening authority.

                                                                             (8) Access by spectators. Vacation hearings are public proceedings and should remain

                                                                    open to the public whenever possible. The convening authority who directed the hearing or

                                                                    the hearing officer may restrict or foreclose access by spectators to all or part of the

                                                                    proceedings if an overriding interest exists that outweighs the value of an open hearing.

                                                                    Examples of overriding interests may include: preventing psychological harm or trauma to a

                                                                    child witness or an alleged victim of a sexual crime, protecting the safety or privacy of a

                                                                    witness or alleged victim, protecting classified material, and receiving evidence where a

                                                                    witness is incapable of testifying in an open setting. Any closure must be narrowly tailored to

                                                                    achieve the overriding interest that justified the closure. Convening authorities or hearing

                                                                    officers must conclude that no lesser methods short of closing the hearing can be used to

                                                                    protect the overriding interest in the case. Convening authorities or hearing officers must

                                                                    conduct a case-by-case, witness-by-witness, circumstance-by-circumstance analysis of whether

                                                                    closure is necessary. If a convening authority or hearing officer believes closing the hearing is

                                                                    necessary, the convening authority or hearing officer must make specific fmdings of fact in

                                                                    writing that support the closure. The written findings of fact must be included in the record.

                                                                             (9) Victim's rights. Any victim of the underlying offense for which the probationer

                                                                    received the suspended sentence, or any victim of the alleged offense that is the subject of the

                                                                    vacation hearing, has the right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of the vacation hearing.

                                                                    For purposes of this rule, the term "victim" is defined as an individual who has suffered direct

                                                                    physical, emotional, or pecuniary harm as a result of the commission of an offense."




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                                                                    (yy) A new R.C.M. 1203(g) is inserted immediately after R.C.M. 1203(f) and reads as follows:

                                                                       "(g) Article 6b(e) petition for writ of mandamus. The Judge Advocates General shall establish

                                                                    the means by which the petitions for writs of mandamus described in Article 6b(e) are forwarded

                                                                    to the Courts of Criminal Appeals in accordance with their rule-making functions of Article

                                                                    66(f)."




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                                                                    Sec. 6.:_ Part III of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows:

                                                                    (a) Mil. R. Evid. 304(c) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                       "(c) Corroboration of a Confession or Admission.

                                                                             (1) An admission or a confession of the accused may be considered as evidence against

                                                                    the accused on the question of guilt or innocence only if independent evidence, either direct or

                                                                    circumstantial, has been admitted into evidence that would tend to establish the trustworthiness

                                                                    of the admission or confession.

                                                                             (2) Other uncorroborated confessions or admissions of the accused that would themselves

                                                                    require corroboration may not be used to supply this independent evidence. If the independent

                                                                    evidence raises an inference of the truth of the admission or confession, then it may be

                                                                    considered as evidence against the accused. Not every element or fact contained in the

                                                                    confession or admission must be independently proven for the confession or admission to be

                                                                    admitted into evidence in its entirety.

                                                                             (3) Corroboration is not required for a statement made by the accused before the court by

                                                                    which the accused is being tried, for statements made prior to or contemporaneously with the act,

                                                                    or for statements offered under a rule of evidence other than that pertaining to the admissibility

                                                                    of admissions or confessions.

                                                                             (4) Quantum of Evidence Needed. The independent evidence necessary to establish

                                                                    corroboration need not be sufficient of itself to establish beyond a reasonable doubt the truth of

                                                                    facts stated in the admission or confession. The independent evidence need raise only an

                                                                    inference of the truth of the admission or confession. The amount and type of evidence

                                                                    introduced as corroboration is a factor to be considered by the trier of fact in determining the

                                                                    weight, if any, to be given to the admission or confession.




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        (5) Procedure. The military judge alone is to determine when adequate evidence of

corroboration has been received. Corroborating evidence must be introduced before the

admission or confession is introduced unless the military judge allows submission of such

evidence subject to later corroboration."

(b) Mil. R. Evid. 311(a) is amended to read as follows:

   "(a) General rule. Evidence obtained as a result of an unlawful search or seizure made by a

person acting in a governmental capacity is inadmissible against the accused if:

        (1) the accused makes a timely motion to suppress or an objection to the evidence under

this rule;

        (2) the accused had a reasonable expectation of privacy in the person, place, or property

searched; the accused had é legitimate interest in the property or evidence seized when

challenging a seizure; or the accused would otherwise have grounds to object to the search or

seizure under the Constitution of the United States as applied to members of the Armed Forces;

and

       (3) exclusion of the evidence resuh:s in appreciable deterrence of future unlawful searches

or seizures and the benefits of such deterrence outweigh the costs to the justice system."

(c) A new Mil. R. Evid. 311(c)(4) is inserted immediately after Mil. R. Evid. 311(c)(3)(C) and

reads as follows:

  "(4) Reliance on Statute. Evidence that was obtained as a result of an unlawful search or

seizure may be used when the official seeking the evidence acts in objectively reasonable

reliance on a statute later held violative of the Fourth Amendment."

(d) Mil. R. Evid. 311(d)(5)(A) is amended to read as follows:




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                                                                       "(A) In general. When the defense makes an appropriate motion or objection under

                                                                    subdivision (d), the prosecution has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence

                                                                    that the evidence was not obtained as a result of an unlawful search or seizure, that the evidence

                                                                    would have been obtained even if the unlawful search or seizure had not been made, that the

                                                                    evidence was obtained by officials who reasonably and with good faith relied on the issuance of

                                                                    an authorization to search, seize, or apprehend or a search warrant or an arrest warrant; that the

                                                                    evidence was obtained by officials in objectively reasonable reliance on a statute later held

                                                                    violative of the Fourth Amendment; or that the deterrence of future unlawful searches or seizures

                                                                    is not appreciable or such deterrence does not outweigh the costs to the justice system of

                                                                    excluding the evidence."

                                                                    (e) Mil. R. Evid. 414(d)(2)(A) is amended to read as follows:

                                                                      "(A) any conduct prohibited by Article 120 and committed with a child, or prohibited by

                                                                    Article 120b."

                                                                    (f) Mil. R. Evid. 504 is amended to read as follows:

                                                                      "Rule 504. Marital privilege

                                                                      (a) Spousal Incapacity. A person has a privilege to refuse to testify against his or her

                                                                    spouse. There is no privilege under subdivision (a) when, at the time of the testimony, the

                                                                    parties are divorced, or the marriage has been annulled.

                                                                      (b) Confidential Communication Made During the Marriage.

                                                                           (1) General Rule. A person has a privilege during and after the marital relationship to

                                                                    refuse to disclose, and to prevent another from disclosing, any confidential communication

                                                                    made to the spouse of the person while they were married and not separated as provided

                                                                    by law.




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                                                                             (2) Who May Claim the Privilege. The privilege may be claimed by the spouse who

                                                                    made the communication or by the other spouse on his or her behalf. The authority ofthe latter

                                                                    spouse to do so is presumed in the absence of evidence of a waiver. The privilege will not

                                                                    prevent disclosure of the communication at the request of the spouse to whom the

                                                                    communication was made if that spouse is an accused regardless of whether the spouse who

                                                                    made the communication objects to its disclosure.

                                                                       (c) Exceptions.

                                                                            ( 1) To Confidential Communications Only. Where both parties have been substantial

                                                                    participants in illegal activity, those communications between the spouses during the marriage

                                                                    regarding the illegal activity in which they have jointly participated are not marital

                                                                    communications for purposes of the privilege in subdivision (b) and are not entitled to protection

                                                                    under the privilege in subdivision (b).

                                                                            (2) To Spousal Incapacity and Confidential Communications. There is no privilege

                                                                    under subdivisions (a) or (b):

                                                                                         (A) In proceedings in which one spouse is charged with a crime against the

                                                                    person or property of the other spouse or a child of either, or with a crime against the

                                                                    person or property of a third person committed in the course of committing a crime against

                                                                    the other spouse;

                                                                                         (B) When the marital relationship was entered into with no intention of the

                                                                    parties to live together as spouses, but only for the purpose of using the purported marital

                                                                    relationship as a sham, and with respect to the privilege in subdivision (a), the relationship

                                                                    remains a sham at the time the testimony or statement of one of the parties is to be introduced




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                                                                    against the other; or with respect to the privilege in subdivision (b), the relationship was a

                                                                    sham at the time of the communication; or

                                                                                         (C) In proceedings in which a spouse is charged, in accordance with Article

                                                                    133 or 134, with importing the other spouse as an alien for prostitution or other immoral

                                                                    purpose in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1328; with transporting the other spouse in interstate

                                                                    commerce for prostitution, immoral purposes, or another offense in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§

                                                                    2421-2424; or with violation of such other similar statutes under which such privilege may not

                                                                    be claimed in the trial of criminal cases in the United States district courts.

                                                                       (d) Definitions. As used in this rule:

                                                                             (1) "A child of either" means a biological child, adopted child, or ward of one of the

                                                                    spouses and includes a child who is under the permanent or temporary physical custody of one

                                                                    of the spouses, regardless of the existence of a legal parent-child relationship. For purposes of

                                                                    this rule only, a child is:

                                                                                         (A) an individual under the age of 18; or

                                                                                         (B) an individual with a mental handicap who functions under the age of 18.

                                                                             (2) "Temporary physical custody" means a parent has entrusted his or her child with

                                                                    another. There is no minimum amount of time necessary to establish temporary physical

                                                                    custody, nor is a written agreement required. Rather, the focus is on the parent's agreement with

                                                                    another for assuming parental responsibility for the child. For example, temporary physical

                                                                    custody may include instances where a parent entrusts another with the care of his or her child

                                                                    for recurring care or during absences due to temporary duty or deployments.




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       (3) As used in this rule, a communication is "confidential" if made privately by any

person to the spouse of the person and is not intended to be disclosed to third persons other

than those reasonably necessary for transmission of the communication."

(g) Mil. RK. Evid. 505(e)(2) is amended by replacing "investigating officer" with "preliminary

hearing officer."

(h) Mil. R. Evid. 801(d)(1)(B) is amended to read as follows:

  "(B) is consistent with the declarant‘s testimony and is offered:

       (1) to rebut an express or implied charge that the declarant recently fabricated it or acted

from a recent improper influence or motive in so testifying; or

       (11) to rehabilitate the declarant‘s credibility as a witness when attacked on another

ground; or"

(1) The first sentence of Mil. R. Evid. 803(6)(E) is amended to read as follows:

  "(E) the opponent does not show that the source of information or the method or circumstance

of preparation indicate a lack of trustworthiness."

(j) Mil. R. Evid. 803(7)(C) is amended to read as follows

  "(C) the opponent does not show that the possible source of the information or other

circumstances indicate a lack of trustworthiness."

(k) The first sentencé of Mil. R. EVi‘d. 803(8)(B) is amended to read as follows:

  "(B) the opponent does not show that the source of information or other circumstances

indicate a lack of trustworthiness."

(1) Mil. R. Evid. 803(10)(B) is amended to read as follows:

  "(B) a counsel for the government who intends to offer a certification provides written notice

of that intent at least 14 days before trial, and the accused does not object in writing within 7




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                                                                    days of receiving the notice- unless the military judge sets a different time for the notice or the

                                                                    objection."

                                                                    (m) Mil. R. Evid. 804(b)(l)(B) is amended by replacing "pretrial investigation" with

                                                                    "preliminary hearing."

                                                                    (n) Mil. R. Evid. 1101(d)(2) is amended by replacing "pretrial investigations" with "preliminary

                                                                    hearings."




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  Federal Register/Vol. 81, No. 102 /Thursday, May 26, 2016 /Presidential Documents                     33357



Sec. 3. Part IV of the Manual for Courts—Martial, United States, is amended as follows:

(a) Paragraph 4, Article 80 — Attempts, subparagraph e. is amended to read as follows:

   "e. Maximum punishment. Any person subject to the code who is found guilty of an attempt

under Article 80 to commit any offense punishable by the code shall be subject to the same

maximum punishment authorized for the commission of the offense attempted, except that in no

case shall the death penalty be adjudged, and in no case, other than attempted murder, shall

confinement exceeding 20 years be adjudged. Except in the cases of attempts of Article 120(a)

or (b), rape or sexual assault of a child under Article 120b(a) or (b), and forcible sodomy under

Article 125, mandatory minimum punishment provisions shall not apply." _

(b) Paragraph 57, Article 131 — Perjury, subparagraph c.(1) is amended by replacing "an

investigation" with "a preliminary hearing."

(c) Paragraph 57, Article 131 — Perjury, subparagraph c.(3) is amended by replacing

"investigation" with "preliminary hearing."

(d) Paragraph 96, Article 134 — Obstructing justice, subparagraph f is amended to read as

follows:

  "{. Sample specification.

In that ______ (personal jurisdiction data), did, (at/oh board—location) (subject—matter

jurisdiction data, if required), on or about _____ 20_ , wrongfully (endeavor to) (impede (a trial

by court—martial) (an investigation) (a preliminary hearing) (______)) [influence the actions of

______, (a trial counsel of the court—martial) (a defense counsel of the court—martial) (an officer

responsible for making a recommendation concerning disposition of charges) (______)]

[(influence) (alter) the testimony of ______ as a witness before a (court—martial) (an investigating

officer) (a preliminary hearing) (       )] in the case of by [(promising) (offering) (giving) to the




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                                                                      said _ _, (the sum of$ _ ) L _ , of a value of about $ _ ) ] [communicating to the

                                                                      said _ _ a threat to __j .._[_ _,],(if) (unless) he/she, the said _ _ , would [recommend

                                                                      dismissal of the charges against said __j [(wrongfully refuse to testify) (testify falsely

                                                                      concerning_) L _ )] [(at such trial) (before such investigating officer) (before such

                                                                      preliminary hearing officer)] [ _ ]."

                                                                      (e) Paragraph 108, Testify: wrongful refusal, subparagraph fis amended by replacing "officer

                                                                      conducting an investigation under Article 32, Uniform Code of Military Justice" with "officer

                                                                      conducting a preliminary hearing under Article 32, Uniform Code of Military Justice."

                                                                      (f) Paragraph 110, Article 134- Threat, communicating, subparagraph cis amended to read as

                                                                      follows:

                                                                         "c. Explanation. For purposes of this paragraph, to establish that the communication was

                                                                     wrongful it is necessary that the accused transmitted the communication for the purpose of

                                                                     issuing a threat, with the knowledge that the communication would be viewed as a threat, or

                                                                      acted recklessly with regard to whether the communication would be viewed as a threat.

                                                                     However, it is not necessary to establish that the accused actually intended to do the injury

                                                                     threatened. Nor is the offense committed by the mere statement of intent to commit an unlawful

                                                                     act not involving injury to another. See also paragraph 109, Threat or hoax designed or intended

                                                                     to cause panic or public fear."




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                                                   [FR Doc. 2016–12579

                                                   Filed 5–25–16; 8:45 am]
                                                   Billing code 5000–04–C
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Document Created: 2016-05-26 01:13:12
Document Modified: 2016-05-26 01:13:12
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionPresidential Documents
FR Citation81 FR 33331 

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