81 FR 33733 - Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 103 (May 27, 2016)

Page Range		33733-33734
FR Document		2016-12602

The Department of Transportation (``Department,'' ``DOT,'' or ``we'') announces its intention to continue the ACACP as a discretionary Federal advisory committee in the event that the authority for the Committee under section 411 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112-95, 126 Stat. 11), as amended, is not extended by Congress through legislation. The current authorization is set to expire on July 15, 2016. The Department is soliciting applications and nominations for new members of the Committee.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 103 (Friday, May 27, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 103 (Friday, May 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33733-33734]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12602]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. DOT-OST-2012-0087]


Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary (OST), Department of Transportation 
(DOT).

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Continue the Advisory Committee for 
Aviation Consumer Protection (``ACACP'' or ``Committee''); Solicitation 
of Applications and Nominations for Membership.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Transportation (``Department,'' ``DOT,'' or 
``we'') announces its intention to continue the ACACP as a 
discretionary Federal advisory committee in the event that the 
authority for the Committee under section 411 of the FAA Modernization 
and Reform Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112-95, 126 Stat. 11), as amended, is 
not extended by Congress through legislation. The current authorization 
is set to expire on July 15, 2016. The Department is soliciting 
applications and nominations for new members of the Committee.

DATES: Nominations for ACACP membership must be received on or before 
June 27, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about the ACACP, 
you may contact Stuart Hindman, Trial Attorney, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, by email at [email protected], or by telephone at 
202-366-9342. You may also contact Vinh Nguyen, at [email protected], 
or by telephone at 202-366-9342.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On May 24, 2012, the Secretary, as mandated by section 411 of the 
FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112-95, 126 Stat. 11 
(2012)) (2012 FAA Act), established the Advisory Committee for Aviation 
Consumer Protection (ACACP). The committee's charter, drafted in 
accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 
5 U.S.C. App. 2, sets forth policies for the operation of the advisory 
committee and is available online at http://www.facadatabase.gov/committee/charters.aspx?cid=2448&aid=47. That charter of the ACACP was 
set to expire on September 30, 2015, but the Airport and Airway 
Extension Act of 2015 (Pub. L. 114-55, 129 Stat. 522) and then the 
Airport and Airways Extension Act of 2016 (Pub. L. 114-141, 130 Stat 
322) extended the duration of the Committee to July 15, 2016.
    Since the ACACP has been established, it has held nine meetings and 
examined a broad range of issues affecting consumers which culminated 
in the Committee submitting two reports to the Secretary for improving 
existing aviation consumer protection programs and for establishing new 
ones, if needed. A third report from the ACACP is currently set to be 
provided to the Secretary before July 15, 2016.
    The Department has implemented a number of the recommendations from 
the ACACP, such as finalizing a rulemaking mandating service animal 
relief areas, with limited exceptions, be located in the sterile area 
of each airport terminal.\1\ The Department has also issued a rule 
requiring the accessibility of airport kiosks and airline Web sites as 
recommended by the ACACP.\2\ Additionally, the Committee recommended 
that the Department work with the airlines to survey how they define 
certain terms frequently used in their contracts of carriage and 
customer service plans. The Department worked with Airlines for America 
to develop such a document, which it then placed on its Web site to 
assist consumers with understanding the terms and conditions of their 
travel. See https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/common-terms-air-travel. Various recommendations of the Committee, such as ensuring 
transparency in air carrier pricing, requiring ticket agents to 
disclose they do not offer for sale all airlines' tickets, and 
expanding the airlines that report quality service data (e.g., on-time 
performance) to the Department, are all being considered by the 
Department through rulemaking.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs 
or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance (U.S. 
Airports), Final Rule, 80 FR 46508 (August 5, 2015).
    \2\ See Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air 
Travel: Accessibility of Web Sites and Automated Kiosks at U.S. 
Airports, Final Rule, 78 FR 67882 (November 12, 2013).
    \3\ See Airline Pricing Transparency and Other Consumer 
Protection Issues, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 79 FR 29970 (May 
23, 2014).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The ACACP has contributed significantly to the Department's 
aviation consumer protection program as it provides a forum for public 
discussion of important consumer issues and helps air and address 
issues that do not have simple answers. As mentioned earlier, the 
statutory termination date for the ACACP was originally established by 
the 2012 FAA Act as September 30, 2015, but was extended by the Airport 
and Airway Extension Act of 2015 (Pub. L. 114-55, 129 Stat. 522), and 
further extended by the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2016 (Pub. 
L. 114-141, 130 Stat 322) to the current termination date of July 15, 
2016. If Congress extends the termination date of the ACACP through 
legislation, the Committee will continue as mandated by Congress. If 
Congress does not extend the ACACP beyond July 15, 2016, the Secretary, 
under the authority of FACA, will continue the ACACP as a discretionary 
advisory committee.
    The Department is currently in the process of updating the ACACP's 
charter to provide for this contingency and is making other minor 
amendments, such as clarifying that the Committee's work should concern 
aviation consumer protection issues that fall within the current 
statutory authority of the Department. Additionally, the Secretary is 
soliciting applications and nominations for membership to the ACACP. 
The membership of the committee shall be composed of a representative 
each of the following:
     Air carriers;
     Airport operators;
     State or local governments with expertise in consumer 
protection matters; and
     Nonprofit public interest groups with expertise in 
consumer protection matter.
    This notice requests nominations and applications for members of 
the ACACP

[[Page 33734]]

to ensure a wide range of candidates and a balanced committee. The 
Secretary of Transportation will appoint four Committee members, who 
will each serve for a term of two years.
    The Department will choose the Committee members based on three 
main criteria: (1) Representativeness (does the applicant represent a 
significant one of the four groups outlined above?); (2) expertise 
(does the applicant bring essential knowledge, expertise and/or 
experience regarding aviation consumer protection and the topic area(s) 
of interest that will enrich the discussion of the available options 
and their respective costs and benefits?); and (3) willingness to 
participate fully (is the applicant able and willing to attend meetings 
and generally contribute constructively to a rigorous policy 
development process?).
    Individuals applying for membership should keep in mind that 
Committee members will be selected based on their ability and 
willingness to effectively represent the interests of all stakeholders 
in their category, as distinct from their parochial or personal 
interests. For example, an individual selected to serve on the 
Committee as a representative of air carriers would represent not only 
his or her own airline, but all air carriers. As such, the individual 
would be expected to consult with other airlines in bringing issues to 
the table and making decisions on proposals before the Committee.
    The Department's Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings 
will provide appropriate funding, logistics, administrative, and 
technical support for the Committee. DOT subject matter experts will 
also provide support to the Committee. At this time, we anticipate that 
the ACACP will meet twice a year at the Department's headquarters in 
Washington, DC. Although we do not have proposed dates for these 
meetings at this time, we anticipate one meeting to be in the spring 
and one meeting to be in the fall each year. Individuals interested in 
serving on the Committee should plan to attend each of these meetings 
in person.
    Process and Deadline for Submitting Nominations: Organizations and/
or persons who believe they meet the criteria listed above are invited 
to apply for membership on the ACACP to represent the interests of 
their stakeholder category. Organizational applicants should indicate 
both the stakeholder category they propose to represent and the 
individual from their organization applying to serve on the Committee; 
describe the responsibilities and qualifications of that person; and 
describe the qualifications of any alternates or professional 
colleagues who will be assisting the principal representative in the 
process.
    Qualified individuals can self-nominate or be nominated by any 
stakeholder or stakeholder organization. To be considered for the 
ACACP, nominators should submit the following information:
    (1) Name, title, and relevant contact information (including phone 
and email address) and the interests such a person shall represent;
    (2) A letter of support from a company, union, trade association, 
or non-profit organization on letterhead containing a brief description 
why the nominee is qualified and should be considered for membership;
    (3) Short biography of nominee including professional and academic 
credentials; and
    (4) An affirmative statement that the nominee meets all Committee 
eligibility requirements.

All individuals who wish to serve on the ACACP should apply for 
membership by supplying the information listed above. Please do not 
send company, trade association, or organization brochures or any other 
information. Materials submitted should total two single-spaced pages 
or less. Should more information be needed, DOT staff will contact the 
nominee, obtain information from the nominee's past affiliations, or 
obtain information from publicly available sources, such as the 
Internet. Nominations may be emailed to [email protected]. Nominations must 
be received by June 27, 2016. Nominations are open to all individuals 
without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, 
disability, marital status, or sexual orientation. Notice to the public 
will be published in the Federal Register at least 15 days prior to 
each plenary meeting of the ACACP and members of the public will be 
invited to attend.

Viewing Documents

    You may view any documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket at http://www.regulations.gov. After entering 
the docket number, click the link to ``Open Docket Folder'' and choose 
the document to review. If you do not have access to the Internet, you 
may view the docket online by visiting the Docket Management Facility 
in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
E.T., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Submitting Nominations

    All nomination materials should be submitted electronically via 
email to [email protected]. Any person needing accessibility accommodations 
with submitting nominations should contact Stuart Hindman, Trial 
Attorney, U.S. Department of Transportation, by email at 
[email protected], or by telephone at 202-366-9342.

    Dated: May 19, 2016.
Anthony R. Foxx,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-12602 Filed 5-26-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 103 / Friday, May 27, 2016 / Notices 33733

SPECIAL PERMITS DATA—Continued
Application No. Docket No. Applicant Regulation(s) affected Nature of the special permits thereof

16474–M ............ ........................ RETRIEV TECH- 172.102(c)(1) Special Provision 130, Part To modify the special permit to authorize
NOLOGIES INC. 172 Subparts C, D, and E, 173.185(c), lithium metal batteries with a lithium
173.185(d). content greater than 5 grams.

[FR Doc. 2016–11981 Filed 5–26–16; 8:45 am] accordance with the Federal Advisory disclose they do not offer for sale all
BILLING CODE M Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 airlines’ tickets, and expanding the
U.S.C. App. 2, sets forth policies for the airlines that report quality service data
operation of the advisory committee and (e.g., on-time performance) to the
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION is available online at http:// Department, are all being considered by
www.facadatabase.gov/committee/ the Department through rulemaking.3
Office of the Secretary charters.aspx?cid=2448&aid=47. That The ACACP has contributed
[Docket No. DOT–OST–2012–0087] charter of the ACACP was set to expire significantly to the Department’s
on September 30, 2015, but the Airport aviation consumer protection program
Advisory Committee for Aviation and Airway Extension Act of 2015 (Pub. as it provides a forum for public
Consumer Protection L. 114–55, 129 Stat. 522) and then the discussion of important consumer
Airport and Airways Extension Act of issues and helps air and address issues
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary (OST), 2016 (Pub. L. 114–141, 130 Stat 322) that do not have simple answers. As
Department of Transportation (DOT). extended the duration of the Committee mentioned earlier, the statutory
ACTION: Notice of Intent to Continue the to July 15, 2016. termination date for the ACACP was
Advisory Committee for Aviation Since the ACACP has been originally established by the 2012 FAA
Consumer Protection (‘‘ACACP’’ or established, it has held nine meetings Act as September 30, 2015, but was
‘‘Committee’’); Solicitation of and examined a broad range of issues extended by the Airport and Airway
Applications and Nominations for affecting consumers which culminated Extension Act of 2015 (Pub. L. 114–55,
Membership. in the Committee submitting two reports 129 Stat. 522), and further extended by
SUMMARY: The Department of to the Secretary for improving existing the Airport and Airway Extension Act of
Transportation (‘‘Department,’’ ‘‘DOT,’’ aviation consumer protection programs 2016 (Pub. L. 114–141, 130 Stat 322) to
or ‘‘we’’) announces its intention to and for establishing new ones, if the current termination date of July 15,
continue the ACACP as a discretionary needed. A third report from the ACACP 2016. If Congress extends the
Federal advisory committee in the event is currently set to be provided to the termination date of the ACACP through
that the authority for the Committee Secretary before July 15, 2016. legislation, the Committee will continue
The Department has implemented a as mandated by Congress. If Congress
under section 411 of the FAA
number of the recommendations from does not extend the ACACP beyond July
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012
the ACACP, such as finalizing a 15, 2016, the Secretary, under the
(Pub. L. 112–95, 126 Stat. 11), as
rulemaking mandating service animal authority of FACA, will continue the
amended, is not extended by Congress
relief areas, with limited exceptions, be ACACP as a discretionary advisory
through legislation. The current
located in the sterile area of each airport committee.
authorization is set to expire on July 15,
terminal.1 The Department has also The Department is currently in the
2016. The Department is soliciting
issued a rule requiring the accessibility process of updating the ACACP’s
applications and nominations for new
of airport kiosks and airline Web sites charter to provide for this contingency
members of the Committee.
as recommended by the ACACP.2 and is making other minor amendments,
DATES: Nominations for ACACP
Additionally, the Committee such as clarifying that the Committee’s
membership must be received on or recommended that the Department work
before June 27, 2016. work should concern aviation consumer
with the airlines to survey how they protection issues that fall within the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If define certain terms frequently used in current statutory authority of the
you have questions about the ACACP, their contracts of carriage and customer Department. Additionally, the Secretary
you may contact Stuart Hindman, Trial service plans. The Department worked is soliciting applications and
Attorney, U.S. Department of with Airlines for America to develop nominations for membership to the
Transportation, by email at such a document, which it then placed ACACP. The membership of the
stuart.hindman@dot.gov, or by on its Web site to assist consumers with committee shall be composed of a
telephone at 202–366–9342. You may understanding the terms and conditions representative each of the following:
also contact Vinh Nguyen, at of their travel. See https:// • Air carriers;
vinh.nguyen@dot.gov, or by telephone at www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/ • Airport operators;
202–366–9342. common-terms-air-travel. Various • State or local governments with
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: recommendations of the Committee, expertise in consumer protection
Background such as ensuring transparency in air matters; and
carrier pricing, requiring ticket agents to • Nonprofit public interest groups
On May 24, 2012, the Secretary, as
sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

with expertise in consumer protection
mandated by section 411 of the FAA 1 See Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability
matter.
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal
This notice requests nominations and
(Pub. L. 112–95, 126 Stat. 11 (2012)) Financial Assistance (U.S. Airports), Final Rule, 80
applications for members of the ACACP
(2012 FAA Act), established the FR 46508 (August 5, 2015).
2 See Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability
Advisory Committee for Aviation in Air Travel: Accessibility of Web Sites and 3 See Airline Pricing Transparency and Other
Consumer Protection (ACACP). The Automated Kiosks at U.S. Airports, Final Rule, 78 Consumer Protection Issues, Notice of Proposed
committee’s charter, drafted in FR 67882 (November 12, 2013). Rulemaking, 79 FR 29970 (May 23, 2014).

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33734 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 103 / Friday, May 27, 2016 / Notices

to ensure a wide range of candidates alternates or professional colleagues Submitting Nominations
and a balanced committee. The who will be assisting the principal All nomination materials should be
Secretary of Transportation will appoint representative in the process. submitted electronically via email to
four Committee members, who will each Qualified individuals can self- ACACP@dot.gov. Any person needing
serve for a term of two years. nominate or be nominated by any accessibility accommodations with
The Department will choose the stakeholder or stakeholder organization. submitting nominations should contact
Committee members based on three To be considered for the ACACP, Stuart Hindman, Trial Attorney, U.S.
main criteria: (1) Representativeness nominators should submit the following Department of Transportation, by email
(does the applicant represent a information: at stuart.hindman@dot.gov, or by
significant one of the four groups
(1) Name, title, and relevant contact telephone at 202–366–9342.
outlined above?); (2) expertise (does the
information (including phone and email Dated: May 19, 2016.
applicant bring essential knowledge,
address) and the interests such a person Anthony R. Foxx,
expertise and/or experience regarding
shall represent;
aviation consumer protection and the Secretary.
topic area(s) of interest that will enrich (2) A letter of support from a
[FR Doc. 2016–12602 Filed 5–26–16; 8:45 am]
the discussion of the available options company, union, trade association, or
BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P
and their respective costs and benefits?); non-profit organization on letterhead
and (3) willingness to participate fully containing a brief description why the
(is the applicant able and willing to nominee is qualified and should be
considered for membership; DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
attend meetings and generally
contribute constructively to a rigorous (3) Short biography of nominee Office of the Comptroller of the
policy development process?). including professional and academic Currency
Individuals applying for membership credentials; and
should keep in mind that Committee (4) An affirmative statement that the Agency Information Collection
members will be selected based on their nominee meets all Committee eligibility Activities: Information Collection
ability and willingness to effectively requirements. Renewal; Submission for OMB Review;
represent the interests of all Disclosure of Financial and Other
stakeholders in their category, as All individuals who wish to serve on
the ACACP should apply for Information by National Banks
distinct from their parochial or personal
interests. For example, an individual membership by supplying the AGENCY: Office of the Comptroller of the
selected to serve on the Committee as a information listed above. Please do not Currency (OCC), Treasury.
representative of air carriers would send company, trade association, or ACTION: Notice and request for comment.
represent not only his or her own organization brochures or any other
information. Materials submitted should SUMMARY: The OCC, as part of its
airline, but all air carriers. As such, the
total two single-spaced pages or less. continuing effort to reduce paperwork
individual would be expected to consult
Should more information be needed, and respondent burden, invites the
with other airlines in bringing issues to
DOT staff will contact the nominee, general public and other Federal
the table and making decisions on
obtain information from the nominee’s agencies to take this opportunity to
proposals before the Committee.
The Department’s Office of Aviation past affiliations, or obtain information comment on a continuing information
Enforcement and Proceedings will from publicly available sources, such as collection, as required by the Paperwork
provide appropriate funding, logistics, the Internet. Nominations may be Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).
administrative, and technical support emailed to ACACP@dot.gov. In accordance with the requirements
for the Committee. DOT subject matter Nominations must be received by June of the PRA, the OCC may not conduct
experts will also provide support to the 27, 2016. Nominations are open to all or sponsor, and the respondent is not
Committee. At this time, we anticipate individuals without regard to race, required to respond to, an information
that the ACACP will meet twice a year color, religion, sex, national origin, age, collection unless it displays a currently
at the Department’s headquarters in disability, marital status, or sexual valid Office of Management and Budget
Washington, DC. Although we do not orientation. Notice to the public will be (OMB) control number.
have proposed dates for these meetings published in the Federal Register at The OCC is soliciting comment
at this time, we anticipate one meeting least 15 days prior to each plenary concerning renewal of its information
to be in the spring and one meeting to meeting of the ACACP and members of collection titled, ‘‘Disclosure of
be in the fall each year. Individuals the public will be invited to attend. Financial and Other Information by
interested in serving on the Committee National Banks.’’ The OCC also is giving
Viewing Documents notice that it has sent the collection to
should plan to attend each of these
meetings in person. You may view any documents OMB for review.
Process and Deadline for Submitting mentioned in this preamble as being DATES: Comments must be submitted on
Nominations: Organizations and/or available in the docket at http:// or before June 27, 2016.
persons who believe they meet the www.regulations.gov. After entering the ADDRESSES: Because paper mail in the
criteria listed above are invited to apply docket number, click the link to ‘‘Open Washington, DC area and at the OCC is
for membership on the ACACP to Docket Folder’’ and choose the subject to delay, commenters are
represent the interests of their document to review. If you do not have encouraged to submit comments by
stakeholder category. Organizational access to the Internet, you may view the email, if possible. Comments may be
sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

applicants should indicate both the docket online by visiting the Docket sent to: Legislative and Regulatory
stakeholder category they propose to Management Facility in Room W12–140 Activities Division, Office of the
represent and the individual from their on the ground floor of the DOT West Comptroller of the Currency, Attention:
organization applying to serve on the Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 1557–0182, 400 7th Street SW., Suite
Committee; describe the responsibilities Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. 3E–218, Mail Stop 9W–11, Washington,
and qualifications of that person; and and 5 p.m., E.T., Monday through DC 20219. In addition, comments may
describe the qualifications of any Friday, except Federal holidays. be sent by fax to (571) 465–4326 or by

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Document Created: 2018-02-07 15:09:51
Document Modified: 2018-02-07 15:09:51

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 Intent to Continue the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection (``ACACP'' or ``Committee''); Solicitation of Applications and Nominations for Membership.
Dates		Nominations for ACACP membership must be received on or before June 27, 2016.
Contact		If you have questions about the ACACP, you may contact Stuart Hindman, Trial Attorney, U.S. Department of Transportation, by email at [email protected], or by telephone at 202-366-9342. You may also contact Vinh Nguyen, at [email protected], or by telephone at 202-366-9342.
FR Citation		81 FR 33733

81 FR 33733 - Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONOffice of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 103 (May 27, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary