82_FR_29836 82 FR 29711 - Revisions to the Freedom of Information Act Regulation

82 FR 29711 - Revisions to the Freedom of Information Act Regulation

NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 125 (June 30, 2017)

Page Range29711-29713
FR Document2017-13640

The NCUA Board (Board) is finalizing its interim final rule amending its Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regulation. The FOIA Improvement Act of 2016 amended the FOIA and required agencies to review their FOIA regulations and issue certain amendments by December 27, 2016. The amendments included revised procedures for disclosing records under the FOIA, assessing fees, and notifying requestors of options for resolving disputes through the NCUA FOIA Public Liaison and the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) within the National Archives and Records Administration. The interim final rule became effective on December 22, 2016. This rulemaking finalizes the interim rule with minor edits for consistency and clarification.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 125 (Friday, June 30, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 125 (Friday, June 30, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29711-29713]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13640]


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NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION

12 CFR Part 792

RIN 3133-AD44


Revisions to the Freedom of Information Act Regulation

AGENCY: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The NCUA Board (Board) is finalizing its interim final rule 
amending its Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regulation. The FOIA 
Improvement Act of 2016 amended the FOIA and required agencies to 
review their FOIA regulations and issue certain amendments by December 
27, 2016. The amendments included revised procedures for disclosing 
records under the FOIA, assessing fees, and notifying requestors of 
options for resolving disputes through the NCUA FOIA Public Liaison and 
the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) within the 
National Archives and Records Administration. The interim final rule 
became effective on December 22, 2016. This rulemaking finalizes the 
interim rule with minor edits for consistency and clarification.

DATES: Effective June 30, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regina Metz, Senior Staff Attorney, or 
Linda Dent, Associate General Counsel, Administrative Law Section, 
Office of General Counsel, at 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 
22314-3428, or telephone: (703) 518-6540.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On December 22, 2016, NCUA published an interim final rule \1\ to 
revise its FOIA regulation at part 792, subpart A of the agency's 
regulations \2\ in accordance with new requirements under the FOIA 
Improvement Act of 2016.\3\ The interim final rule became effective on 
December 22, 2016. The NCUA accepted public comments, however, until 
January 23, 2017.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 81 FR 93792 (Dec 22, 2016).
    \2\ 12 CFR part 792.
    \3\ Public Law 114-185, 130 Stat. 538.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The interim final rule revised procedures for the disclosure of 
records, including procedures for engaging in dispute resolution 
through the FOIA Public Liaison and the OGIS. The revisions were 
necessary to comply with amendments to the FOIA Improvement Act of 
2016. NCUA is issuing this rulemaking to finalize the interim rule with 
minor wording changes for consistency and clarification.

II. Summary of Public Comments and Final Rule

    NCUA received two comments on the interim final rule. One was from 
a trade organization and one was from an institute. One comment was 
fully supportive of the Act, noting that the interim rule met all the 
technical statutory requirements. The comment, however, also urged the 
NCUA to exceed the requirements and continue to adopt a presumption of 
openness. NCUA's longstanding FOIA practices include a presumption of 
openness which will continue under the final rule.
    In addition, the commenter believes the NCUA should post every FOIA 
response to its Web site. The FOIA and the interim final rule, in 
section 792.03(c), already provide that NCUA must post on its Web site 
records released in response to a FOIA request that are either: Likely 
to be the subject of subsequent requests because of the nature of their 
subject matter; or records that have been requested three or more 
times. NCUA generally exceeds these requirements, posting on its FOIA 
page records requested more than once and considering each record 
requested for possible routine Web site posting. As every record 
requested, however, is not of interest to the general public, NCUA is 
adopting this section in the final rule without change.
    The other commenter requested that NCUA revise its definition of 
``representative of the news media'' in Sec.  792.20 to be consistent 
with the FOIA at 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(A)(ii) and also to consider 
additional technical matters. As a change to this definition and the 
other issue raised were not included in the interim final rule, NCUA 
will address this in an upcoming technical amendment rule. The final 
rule does contain minor changes to wording for consistency and 
clarification.

III. Regulatory Procedures

A. Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
(PRA) of 1995,\4\ the Board has reviewed the final rule and determined 
it does not contain or modify a collection of information subject to 
the PRA. The PRA applies to rulemakings in which an agency by rule 
creates a new paperwork burden on regulated entities or increases an 
existing burden. For purposes of the PRA, a paperwork burden may take 
the form of a reporting or recordkeeping requirement, both referred to 
as information collections. Information collected as part of an 
affidavit, oath, affirmation, certification, receipt, changes of 
address, consent, or acknowledgment, however, is not considered an 
information collection for purposes of the PRA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ 44 U.S.C. 3506; 5 CFR part 1320 Appendix A.1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This category is limited to those disclosures that require persons 
to provide or display only facts necessary to identify themselves. For 
example, they entail no burden other than that necessary to identify 
the respondent, the date, the respondent's address, and the nature of 
the instrument. ``Nature of the instrument'' refers to a respondent's 
request for materials, such as publications or other information from 
an agency. To facilitate such requests for information from an agency, 
an agency may ask requesters to describe the material or information 
sought in detail sufficient to describe the individual desires.
    The final rule implements the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016 by 
amending the agency's FOIA regulations. Because the only paperwork 
burden in this final rule relates to activities that are not considered 
to be information collections, NCUA has determined that this rule is 
exempt from the requirements of the PRA.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires NCUA to prepare an analysis 
to describe any significant economic impact a rule may have on a 
substantial number of small credit unions (those under $100 million in 
assets). This final rule does not impose any requirements on federally 
insured credit unions. Therefore, it will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small credit unions and a 
regulatory flexibility analysis is not required. Because this final 
rule would affect few, if any, small entities, the Board certifies that 
the final rule will

[[Page 29712]]

not have a significant economic impact on small entities.

C. Executive Order 13132

    Executive Order 13132 encourages independent regulatory agencies to 
consider the impact of their actions on state and local interests. In 
adherence to fundamental federalism principles, NCUA, an independent 
regulatory agency as defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5), voluntarily complies 
with the executive order. The final rule would not have substantial 
direct effects on the states, on the connection between the national 
government and the states, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. NCUA has 
determined that this final rule does not constitute a policy that has 
federalism implications for purposes of the executive order.

D. The Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999--
Assessment of Federal Regulations and Policies on Families

    NCUA has determined that this final rule would not affect family 
well-being within the meaning of section 654 of the Treasury and 
General Government Appropriations Act of 1999.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ Public Law 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

E. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 
1996[thinsp](SBREFA) provides generally for congressional review of 
agency rules. A reporting requirement is triggered in instances where 
the Board issues a final rule as defined by Section 551 of the APA. The 
Board submitted the rule to the Office of Management and Budget. It 
determined the rule is not a ``major rule'' within the meaning of the 
relevant sections of SBREFA.

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 792

    Administrative practice and procedure, Credit unions, Freedom of 
Information, Information, Privacy, Records, System of records.

    By the National Credit Union Administration Board on June 22, 
2017.
Gerard Poliquin,
Secretary of the Board.

    For the reasons stated above, the National Credit Union 
Administration adopts the interim rule published December 22, 2016, at 
81 FR 93792, as final with the following changes:

PART 792--REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION 
ACT AND PRIVACY ACT, AND BY SUBPOENA; SECURITY PROCEDURES FOR 
CLASSIFIED INFORMATION

0
1. The authority citation for part 792 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301, 552, 552a, 552b; 12 U.S.C. 1752a(d), 
1766, 1789, 1795f; E.O. 12600, 52 FR 23781, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., 
p.235; E.O. 13526, 75 FR 707, 2009 Comp. p.298.


0
2. In Sec.  792.02, revise the introductory text and paragraph (d) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  792.02   What records does NCUA make available to the public for 
inspection and copying?

    Except for records that are exempt from public disclosure under 
FOIA as amended (5 U.S.C. 552) or are promptly published and copies are 
available for purchase, NCUA routinely makes the following five types 
of records available for you to inspect and copy and in an electronic 
format:
* * * * *
    (d) Copies of all records, regardless of form or format, which have 
been released after March 31, 1997, in response to a FOIA request and 
which, because of the nature of their subject matter, NCUA determines 
have been or are likely to become the subject of subsequent requests; 
or records that have been requested three (3) or more times; and
* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  792.03, revise the introductory text and paragraph (c) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  792.03   How will I know which records to request?

    NCUA maintains current indices providing identifying information 
for the public for any matter referred to in Sec.  792.02, issued, 
adopted, or promulgated after July 4, 1967. The listing of material in 
an index is for the convenience of possible users and does not 
constitute a determination that all of the items listed will be 
disclosed. NCUA has determined that publication of the indices is 
unnecessary and impractical. You may obtain copies of indices by making 
a request to the NCUA, Office of General Counsel, 1775 Duke Street, 
Alexandria, VA 22314-2387, Attn: FOIA Officer or as indicated on the 
NCUA Web site at www.ncua.gov. The indices are available for public 
inspection and copying, provided at their duplication cost, and in an 
electronic format. The indices are:
* * * * *
    (c) Popular FOIA Index: Records released in response to a FOIA 
request, that NCUA determines are likely to be the subject of 
subsequent requests because of the nature of their subject matter, or 
records that have been requested three (3) or more times. The Popular 
FOIA Index is available on the NCUA Web site.

0
4. In Sec.  792.10, revise paragraph (e) to read as follows:


Sec.  792.10   What will NCUA do with my request?

* * * * *
    (e) Upon a determination by the appropriate Information Center to 
comply with your initial request for records, the records will be made 
promptly available to you. NCUA will also advise you of the right to 
seek assistance from the FOIA Public Liaison. If we notify you of a 
denial of your request, we will include the reason for the denial. NCUA 
will also advise you of the right to utilize dispute resolution 
services offered by the FOIA Public Liaison and the Office of 
Government Information Services.
* * * * *

0
5. In Sec.  792.11, revise paragraph (a)(5) to read as follows:


Sec.  792.11   What kinds of records are exempt from public disclosure?

    (a) * * *
    (5) Inter-agency or intra-agency memoranda or letters which would 
not be available by law to a private party in litigation with NCUA. 
This exemption preserves the existing freedom of NCUA officials and 
employees to engage in full and frank written or taped communications 
with each other and with officials and employees of other agencies. It 
includes, but is not limited to, inter-agency and intra-agency reports, 
memoranda, letters, correspondence, work papers, and minutes of 
meetings, as well as staff papers prepared for use within NCUA or in 
concert with other governmental agencies. In applying this exemption, 
the NCUA will not withhold records based on the deliberative process 
privilege if the records were created 25 years or more before the date 
on which the records were requested.
* * * * *

0
6. In Sec.  792.15, revise paragraph (b)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  792.15  How long will it take to process my request?

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) Such alternative time period as mutually agreed by you and the 
Information Office, when NCUA notifies

[[Page 29713]]

you that the request cannot be processed in the specified time limit. 
In such cases, NCUA will make available its FOIA Public Liaison and 
notify you of the right to seek dispute resolution services from the 
Office of Government Information Services.

0
7. In Sec.  792.16, revise paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  792.16   What unusual circumstances can delay NCUA's response?

* * * * *
    (c) If NCUA sends you an extension notice, it will also advise you 
that you can either limit the scope of your request so that it can be 
processed within the statutory time limit or agree to an alternative 
time frame for processing your request. In such cases, NCUA will make 
available its FOIA Public Liaison and notify you of the right to seek 
dispute resolution services from the Office of Government Information 
Services.

0
8. Revise Sec.  792.17 to read as follows:


Sec.  792.17   What can I do if the time limit passes and I still have 
not received a response?

    (a) If NCUA does not comply with the time limits under Sec.  
792.15, or as extended under Sec.  792.16, you do not have to pay 
search fees; requesters qualifying for free search fees will not have 
to pay duplication fees. However, if NCUA has extended the time limits 
under Sec.  792.16 and must review more than 5,000 pages to respond to 
the request, NCUA may charge you search fees (or for requesters 
qualifying for free search fees, duplication fees), if NCUA has 
discussed with you via written mail, electronic mail, or telephone (or 
made not less than 3 good-faith attempts to do so) how you could 
effectively limit the scope of the request.
    (b) You can seek assistance from the FOIA Public Liaison or dispute 
resolution services from the Office of Government Information Services. 
You also can file suit against NCUA because you will be deemed to have 
exhausted your administrative remedies if NCUA fails to comply with the 
time limit provisions of this subpart. If NCUA can show that 
exceptional circumstances exist and that it is exercising due diligence 
in responding to your request, the court may retain jurisdiction and 
allow NCUA to complete its review of the records. You may have to pay 
search or duplication fees if a court has determined that exceptional 
circumstances exist and has extended the time limits for NCUA's 
response by a court order. In determining whether exceptional 
circumstances exist, the court may consider your refusal to modify the 
scope of your request or arrange an alternative time frame for 
processing after being given the opportunity to do so by NCUA, when it 
notifies you of the existence of unusual circumstances as set forth in 
Sec.  792.16.

0
9. In Sec.  792.28, revise the introductory text to read as follows:


Sec.  792.28   What if I am not satisfied with the response I receive?

    If you are not satisfied with NCUA's response to your request, you 
can seek dispute resolution services from the FOIA Public Liaison and 
the Office of Government Information Services, and you can file an 
administrative appeal. Your appeal must be in writing and must be filed 
within 90 days from receipt of the initial determination (in cases of 
denials of the entire request or denials of a fee waiver or reduction), 
or from receipt of any records being made available pursuant to the 
initial determination (in cases of partial denials). In the response to 
your initial request, the Freedom of Information Act Officer or the 
Inspector General (or designee), will notify you that you may appeal 
any adverse determination to the Office of General Counsel. The General 
Counsel, or designee, as set forth in this paragraph, will:
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2017-13640 Filed 6-29-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7535-01-P



                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 125 / Friday, June 30, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                                29711

                                                  By the National Credit Union                           effective on December 22, 2016. The                    III. Regulatory Procedures
                                                Administration Board on June 23, 2017.                   NCUA accepted public comments,
                                                Gerard Poliquin,                                                                                                A. Paperwork Reduction Act
                                                                                                         however, until January 23, 2017.
                                                Secretary of the Board.
                                                                                                            The interim final rule revised                         In accordance with the requirements
                                                ■ For the reasons stated above, the                      procedures for the disclosure of records,              of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
                                                interim final rule amending 12 CFR part                                                                         of 1995,4 the Board has reviewed the
                                                                                                         including procedures for engaging in
                                                747, published at 82 FR 7637 (Jan. 23,                                                                          final rule and determined it does not
                                                                                                         dispute resolution through the FOIA
                                                2017) is adopted as a final rule without                                                                        contain or modify a collection of
                                                                                                         Public Liaison and the OGIS. The                       information subject to the PRA. The
                                                change.
                                                                                                         revisions were necessary to comply with                PRA applies to rulemakings in which an
                                                [FR Doc. 2017–13643 Filed 6–29–17; 8:45 am]              amendments to the FOIA Improvement
                                                BILLING CODE 7535–01–P
                                                                                                                                                                agency by rule creates a new paperwork
                                                                                                         Act of 2016. NCUA is issuing this                      burden on regulated entities or increases
                                                                                                         rulemaking to finalize the interim rule                an existing burden. For purposes of the
                                                NATIONAL CREDIT UNION                                    with minor wording changes for                         PRA, a paperwork burden may take the
                                                ADMINISTRATION                                           consistency and clarification.                         form of a reporting or recordkeeping
                                                                                                         II. Summary of Public Comments and                     requirement, both referred to as
                                                12 CFR Part 792                                          Final Rule                                             information collections. Information
                                                RIN 3133–AD44
                                                                                                                                                                collected as part of an affidavit, oath,
                                                                                                            NCUA received two comments on the                   affirmation, certification, receipt,
                                                Revisions to the Freedom of                              interim final rule. One was from a trade               changes of address, consent, or
                                                Information Act Regulation                               organization and one was from an                       acknowledgment, however, is not
                                                                                                         institute. One comment was fully                       considered an information collection for
                                                AGENCY:  National Credit Union                                                                                  purposes of the PRA.
                                                Administration (NCUA).                                   supportive of the Act, noting that the
                                                                                                         interim rule met all the technical                        This category is limited to those
                                                ACTION: Final rule.                                                                                             disclosures that require persons to
                                                                                                         statutory requirements. The comment,
                                                SUMMARY:   The NCUA Board (Board) is                     however, also urged the NCUA to                        provide or display only facts necessary
                                                finalizing its interim final rule                        exceed the requirements and continue                   to identify themselves. For example,
                                                amending its Freedom of Information                                                                             they entail no burden other than that
                                                                                                         to adopt a presumption of openness.
                                                Act (FOIA) regulation. The FOIA                                                                                 necessary to identify the respondent, the
                                                                                                         NCUA’s longstanding FOIA practices
                                                Improvement Act of 2016 amended the                                                                             date, the respondent’s address, and the
                                                                                                         include a presumption of openness
                                                FOIA and required agencies to review                                                                            nature of the instrument. ‘‘Nature of the
                                                                                                         which will continue under the final                    instrument’’ refers to a respondent’s
                                                their FOIA regulations and issue certain                 rule.
                                                amendments by December 27, 2016. The                                                                            request for materials, such as
                                                amendments included revised                                 In addition, the commenter believes                 publications or other information from
                                                procedures for disclosing records under                  the NCUA should post every FOIA                        an agency. To facilitate such requests for
                                                the FOIA, assessing fees, and notifying                  response to its Web site. The FOIA and                 information from an agency, an agency
                                                requestors of options for resolving                      the interim final rule, in section                     may ask requesters to describe the
                                                disputes through the NCUA FOIA                           792.03(c), already provide that NCUA                   material or information sought in detail
                                                Public Liaison and the Office of                         must post on its Web site records                      sufficient to describe the individual
                                                Government Information Services                          released in response to a FOIA request                 desires.
                                                (OGIS) within the National Archives                      that are either: Likely to be the subject                 The final rule implements the FOIA
                                                and Records Administration. The                          of subsequent requests because of the                  Improvement Act of 2016 by amending
                                                interim final rule became effective on                   nature of their subject matter; or records             the agency’s FOIA regulations. Because
                                                December 22, 2016. This rulemaking                       that have been requested three or more                 the only paperwork burden in this final
                                                finalizes the interim rule with minor                    times. NCUA generally exceeds these                    rule relates to activities that are not
                                                edits for consistency and clarification.                 requirements, posting on its FOIA page                 considered to be information
                                                DATES: Effective June 30, 2017.                          records requested more than once and                   collections, NCUA has determined that
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                         considering each record requested for                  this rule is exempt from the
                                                Regina Metz, Senior Staff Attorney, or                                                                          requirements of the PRA.
                                                                                                         possible routine Web site posting. As
                                                Linda Dent, Associate General Counsel,                   every record requested, however, is not                B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
                                                Administrative Law Section, Office of                    of interest to the general public, NCUA
                                                General Counsel, at 1775 Duke Street,                                                                              The Regulatory Flexibility Act
                                                                                                         is adopting this section in the final rule             requires NCUA to prepare an analysis to
                                                Alexandria, Virginia 22314–3428, or                      without change.
                                                telephone: (703) 518–6540.                                                                                      describe any significant economic
                                                                                                            The other commenter requested that                  impact a rule may have on a substantial
                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                         NCUA revise its definition of                          number of small credit unions (those
                                                I. Background                                            ‘‘representative of the news media’’ in                under $100 million in assets). This final
                                                   On December 22, 2016, NCUA                            § 792.20 to be consistent with the FOIA                rule does not impose any requirements
                                                published an interim final rule 1 to                     at 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(A)(ii) and also to               on federally insured credit unions.
                                                revise its FOIA regulation at part 792,                  consider additional technical matters.                 Therefore, it will not have a significant
                                                subpart A of the agency’s regulations 2                  As a change to this definition and the                 economic impact on a substantial
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES




                                                in accordance with new requirements                      other issue raised were not included in                number of small credit unions and a
                                                under the FOIA Improvement Act of                        the interim final rule, NCUA will                      regulatory flexibility analysis is not
                                                2016.3 The interim final rule became                     address this in an upcoming technical                  required. Because this final rule would
                                                                                                         amendment rule. The final rule does                    affect few, if any, small entities, the
                                                    1 81FR 93792 (Dec 22, 2016).                         contain minor changes to wording for                   Board certifies that the final rule will
                                                    2 12CFR part 792.
                                                    3 Public Law 114–185, 130 Stat. 538.
                                                                                                         consistency and clarification.                          4 44   U.S.C. 3506; 5 CFR part 1320 Appendix A.1.



                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014    17:26 Jun 29, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00013   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\30JNR1.SGM    30JNR1


                                                29712                  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 125 / Friday, June 30, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                not have a significant economic impact                    PART 792—REQUESTS FOR                                    (c) Popular FOIA Index: Records
                                                on small entities.                                        INFORMATION UNDER THE FREEDOM                          released in response to a FOIA request,
                                                                                                          OF INFORMATION ACT AND PRIVACY                         that NCUA determines are likely to be
                                                C. Executive Order 13132                                                                                         the subject of subsequent requests
                                                                                                          ACT, AND BY SUBPOENA; SECURITY
                                                  Executive Order 13132 encourages                        PROCEDURES FOR CLASSIFIED                              because of the nature of their subject
                                                independent regulatory agencies to                        INFORMATION                                            matter, or records that have been
                                                consider the impact of their actions on                                                                          requested three (3) or more times. The
                                                                                                          ■ 1. The authority citation for part 792               Popular FOIA Index is available on the
                                                state and local interests. In adherence to
                                                                                                          continues to read as follows:                          NCUA Web site.
                                                fundamental federalism principles,
                                                                                                            Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301, 552, 552a, 552b;            ■ 4. In § 792.10, revise paragraph (e) to
                                                NCUA, an independent regulatory
                                                agency as defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5),                   12 U.S.C. 1752a(d), 1766, 1789, 1795f; E.O.            read as follows:
                                                                                                          12600, 52 FR 23781, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp.,
                                                voluntarily complies with the executive                   p.235; E.O. 13526, 75 FR 707, 2009 Comp.               § 792.10 What will NCUA do with my
                                                order. The final rule would not have                      p.298.                                                 request?
                                                substantial direct effects on the states,                                                                        *     *     *      *    *
                                                on the connection between the national                    ■ 2. In § 792.02, revise the introductory                (e) Upon a determination by the
                                                government and the states, or on the                      text and paragraph (d) to read as                      appropriate Information Center to
                                                distribution of power and                                 follows:                                               comply with your initial request for
                                                responsibilities among the various                        § 792.02 What records does NCUA make                   records, the records will be made
                                                levels of government. NCUA has                            available to the public for inspection and             promptly available to you. NCUA will
                                                determined that this final rule does not                  copying?                                               also advise you of the right to seek
                                                constitute a policy that has federalism                      Except for records that are exempt                  assistance from the FOIA Public
                                                implications for purposes of the                          from public disclosure under FOIA as                   Liaison. If we notify you of a denial of
                                                executive order.                                          amended (5 U.S.C. 552) or are promptly                 your request, we will include the reason
                                                                                                          published and copies are available for                 for the denial. NCUA will also advise
                                                D. The Treasury and General                                                                                      you of the right to utilize dispute
                                                Government Appropriations Act, 1999—                      purchase, NCUA routinely makes the
                                                                                                          following five types of records available              resolution services offered by the FOIA
                                                Assessment of Federal Regulations and                                                                            Public Liaison and the Office of
                                                                                                          for you to inspect and copy and in an
                                                Policies on Families                                                                                             Government Information Services.
                                                                                                          electronic format:
                                                  NCUA has determined that this final                     *      *    *      *    *                              *     *     *      *    *
                                                rule would not affect family well-being                      (d) Copies of all records, regardless of            ■ 5. In § 792.11, revise paragraph (a)(5)
                                                within the meaning of section 654 of the                  form or format, which have been                        to read as follows:
                                                Treasury and General Government                           released after March 31, 1997, in
                                                                                                                                                                 § 792.11 What kinds of records are exempt
                                                Appropriations Act of 1999.5                              response to a FOIA request and which,                  from public disclosure?
                                                                                                          because of the nature of their subject
                                                E. Small Business Regulatory                              matter, NCUA determines have been or                      (a) * * *
                                                Enforcement Fairness Act                                                                                            (5) Inter-agency or intra-agency
                                                                                                          are likely to become the subject of
                                                                                                                                                                 memoranda or letters which would not
                                                   The Small Business Regulatory                          subsequent requests; or records that
                                                                                                                                                                 be available by law to a private party in
                                                Enforcement Fairness Act of                               have been requested three (3) or more
                                                                                                                                                                 litigation with NCUA. This exemption
                                                1996 (SBREFA) provides generally for                      times; and
                                                                                                                                                                 preserves the existing freedom of NCUA
                                                congressional review of agency rules. A                   *      *    *      *    *                              officials and employees to engage in full
                                                reporting requirement is triggered in                     ■ 3. In § 792.03, revise the introductory              and frank written or taped
                                                instances where the Board issues a final                  text and paragraph (c) to read as follows:             communications with each other and
                                                rule as defined by Section 551 of the                                                                            with officials and employees of other
                                                                                                          § 792.03 How will I know which records to
                                                APA. The Board submitted the rule to                                                                             agencies. It includes, but is not limited
                                                                                                          request?
                                                the Office of Management and Budget.                                                                             to, inter-agency and intra-agency
                                                It determined the rule is not a ‘‘major                      NCUA maintains current indices                      reports, memoranda, letters,
                                                rule’’ within the meaning of the relevant                 providing identifying information for                  correspondence, work papers, and
                                                sections of SBREFA.                                       the public for any matter referred to in               minutes of meetings, as well as staff
                                                                                                          § 792.02, issued, adopted, or                          papers prepared for use within NCUA or
                                                List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 792                       promulgated after July 4, 1967. The                    in concert with other governmental
                                                                                                          listing of material in an index is for the             agencies. In applying this exemption,
                                                  Administrative practice and                             convenience of possible users and does
                                                procedure, Credit unions, Freedom of                                                                             the NCUA will not withhold records
                                                                                                          not constitute a determination that all of             based on the deliberative process
                                                Information, Information, Privacy,                        the items listed will be disclosed. NCUA
                                                Records, System of records.                                                                                      privilege if the records were created 25
                                                                                                          has determined that publication of the                 years or more before the date on which
                                                  By the National Credit Union                            indices is unnecessary and impractical.                the records were requested.
                                                Administration Board on June 22, 2017.                    You may obtain copies of indices by
                                                                                                          making a request to the NCUA, Office of                *      *     *     *    *
                                                Gerard Poliquin,
                                                                                                          General Counsel, 1775 Duke Street,                     ■ 6. In § 792.15, revise paragraph (b)(2)
                                                Secretary of the Board.                                                                                          to read as follows:
                                                                                                          Alexandria, VA 22314–2387, Attn: FOIA
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                                                   For the reasons stated above, the                      Officer or as indicated on the NCUA                    § 792.15 How long will it take to process
                                                National Credit Union Administration                      Web site at www.ncua.gov. The indices                  my request?
                                                adopts the interim rule published                         are available for public inspection and                *     *    *     *     *
                                                December 22, 2016, at 81 FR 93792, as                     copying, provided at their duplication                   (b) * * *
                                                final with the following changes:                         cost, and in an electronic format. The                   (2) Such alternative time period as
                                                                                                          indices are:                                           mutually agreed by you and the
                                                  5 Public   Law 105–277, 112 Stat. 2681.                 *     *     *     *     *                              Information Office, when NCUA notifies


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                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 125 / Friday, June 30, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                              29713

                                                you that the request cannot be processed                modify the scope of your request or                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:          Joel
                                                in the specified time limit. In such                    arrange an alternative time frame for                  L. Singerman, Counsel, or Laura A.
                                                cases, NCUA will make available its                     processing after being given the                       Johnson, Senior Counsel, Office of
                                                FOIA Public Liaison and notify you of                   opportunity to do so by NCUA, when it                  Regulations, at 202–435–7700.
                                                the right to seek dispute resolution                    notifies you of the existence of unusual               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                services from the Office of Government                  circumstances as set forth in § 792.16.
                                                Information Services.                                   ■ 9. In § 792.28, revise the introductory              I. Summary
                                                ■ 7. In § 792.16, revise paragraph (c) to               text to read as follows:                                  On August 4, 2016, the Bureau issued
                                                read as follows:
                                                                                                        § 792.28 What if I am not satisfied with the           the 2016 Mortgage Servicing Final Rule
                                                § 792.16 What unusual circumstances can                 response I receive?                                    clarifying, revising, or amending certain
                                                delay NCUA’s response?                                     If you are not satisfied with NCUA’s                of the Bureau’s mortgage servicing
                                                *      *    *      *    *                               response to your request, you can seek                 rules.1 Each of the changes will take
                                                   (c) If NCUA sends you an extension                   dispute resolution services from the                   effect on either Thursday, October 19,
                                                notice, it will also advise you that you                FOIA Public Liaison and the Office of                  2017, or Thursday, April 19, 2018.2 The
                                                can either limit the scope of your                      Government Information Services, and                   Bureau has heard concerns that these
                                                request so that it can be processed                     you can file an administrative appeal.                 midweek effective dates for the 2016
                                                within the statutory time limit or agree                Your appeal must be in writing and                     Mortgage Servicing Final Rule could
                                                to an alternative time frame for                        must be filed within 90 days from                      create operational challenges for
                                                processing your request. In such cases,                 receipt of the initial determination (in               servicers. The Bureau understands that,
                                                NCUA will make available its FOIA                       cases of denials of the entire request or              for many servicers, the Thursday
                                                Public Liaison and notify you of the                    denials of a fee waiver or reduction), or              effective dates could afford less than a
                                                right to seek dispute resolution services               from receipt of any records being made                 full day—from the close of business
                                                from the Office of Government                           available pursuant to the initial                      overnight on each of the preceding
                                                Information Services.                                   determination (in cases of partial                     Wednesdays—to update and test
                                                ■ 8. Revise § 792.17 to read as follows:                denials). In the response to your initial              systems in order to be compliant with
                                                                                                        request, the Freedom of Information Act                the 2016 amendments. If servicers do
                                                § 792.17 What can I do if the time limit                                                                       not have sufficient time to complete
                                                passes and I still have not received a                  Officer or the Inspector General (or
                                                                                                        designee), will notify you that you may                these tasks, their systems may be more
                                                response?
                                                                                                        appeal any adverse determination to the                likely to produce errors, which could
                                                   (a) If NCUA does not comply with the                                                                        expose servicers and consumers to risk.
                                                time limits under § 792.15, or as                       Office of General Counsel. The General
                                                                                                        Counsel, or designee, as set forth in this             Industry participants have notified the
                                                extended under § 792.16, you do not                                                                            Bureau that implementing the 2016
                                                have to pay search fees; requesters                     paragraph, will:
                                                                                                                                                               Mortgage Servicing Final Rule during
                                                qualifying for free search fees will not                *      *    *      *     *
                                                                                                        [FR Doc. 2017–13640 Filed 6–29–17; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                               the weekend, with early compliance
                                                have to pay duplication fees. However,                                                                         beginning on the Monday before each of
                                                if NCUA has extended the time limits                    BILLING CODE 7535–01–P
                                                                                                                                                               the respective Thursday effective dates,
                                                under § 792.16 and must review more                                                                            would address these concerns.
                                                than 5,000 pages to respond to the
                                                                                                                                                                  The Bureau understands industry’s
                                                request, NCUA may charge you search                     BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL
                                                                                                                                                               concerns and believes that, in the
                                                fees (or for requesters qualifying for free             PROTECTION
                                                                                                                                                               context of the 2016 Mortgage Servicing
                                                search fees, duplication fees), if NCUA
                                                                                                        12 CFR Parts 1024 and 1026                             Final Rule, servicers and consumers are
                                                has discussed with you via written mail,
                                                                                                                                                               likely to benefit if servicers have the
                                                electronic mail, or telephone (or made                  [Docket No. CFPB–2017–0016]                            weekend immediately before each of the
                                                not less than 3 good-faith attempts to do
                                                                                                                                                               effective dates to update and test their
                                                so) how you could effectively limit the                 Policy Guidance on Supervisory and                     systems. The Bureau does not, therefore,
                                                scope of the request.                                   Enforcement Priorities Regarding Early
                                                   (b) You can seek assistance from the                                                                        intend to take supervisory or
                                                                                                        Compliance With the 2016                               enforcement action for violations of
                                                FOIA Public Liaison or dispute                          Amendments to the 2013 Mortgage
                                                resolution services from the Office of                                                                         existing Regulation X or Regulation Z
                                                                                                        Rules Under the Real Estate                            resulting from a servicer’s compliance
                                                Government Information Services. You                    Settlement Procedures Act (Regulation
                                                also can file suit against NCUA because                                                                        with the 2016 Mortgage Servicing Final
                                                                                                        X) and the Truth in Lending Act                        Rule occurring up to three days before
                                                you will be deemed to have exhausted                    (Regulation Z)
                                                your administrative remedies if NCUA                                                                           the applicable effective dates. For these
                                                fails to comply with the time limit                     AGENCY:  Bureau of Consumer Financial                  purposes, ‘‘up to three days before the
                                                provisions of this subpart. If NCUA can                 Protection.                                            applicable effective dates’’ means, for
                                                show that exceptional circumstances                                                                            the amendments that will take effect on
                                                                                                        ACTION: Policy guidance.
                                                exist and that it is exercising due                                                                            Thursday, October 19, 2017, the period
                                                diligence in responding to your request,                SUMMARY:  The Consumer Financial                       of Monday, October 16, through
                                                the court may retain jurisdiction and                   Protection Bureau (Bureau) is issuing                  Wednesday, October 18, 2017; and, for
                                                allow NCUA to complete its review of                    policy guidance on its supervisory and                 the amendments that will take effect on
                                                the records. You may have to pay search                 enforcement priorities regarding early                 Thursday, April 19, 2018, the period of
                                                                                                                                                               Monday, April 16, through Wednesday,
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                                                or duplication fees if a court has                      compliance with the final rule it issued
                                                determined that exceptional                             in August 2016 (2016 Mortgage                          April 18, 2018.
                                                circumstances exist and has extended                    Servicing Final Rule) amending certain
                                                the time limits for NCUA’s response by                  of the Bureau’s mortgage servicing rules.                1 Amendments to the 2013 Mortgage Rules under

                                                                                                                                                               the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act
                                                a court order. In determining whether                   DATES: The Bureau released this Policy                 (Regulation X) and the Truth in Lending Act
                                                exceptional circumstances exist, the                    Guidance on its Web site on June 27,                   (Regulation Z), 81 FR 72160 (Oct. 19, 2016).
                                                court may consider your refusal to                      2017.                                                    2 See id. at 72160, 72349–50.




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Document Created: 2017-06-30 06:01:44
Document Modified: 2017-06-30 06:01:44
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesEffective June 30, 2017.
ContactRegina Metz, Senior Staff Attorney, or Linda Dent, Associate General Counsel, Administrative Law Section, Office of General Counsel, at 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3428, or telephone: (703) 518-6540.
FR Citation82 FR 29711 
RIN Number3133-AD44
CFR AssociatedAdministrative Practice and Procedure; Credit Unions; Freedom of Information; Information; Privacy; Records and System of Records

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