SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Improvement of regulations is a continuous focus for the Department of Transportation (DOT) and MARAD. For that reason, DOT/MARAD regularly and ( printed page 18469) deliberately review their rules in accordance with DOT's 1979 Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034), Executive Order (E.O.) 12866, E.O. 13563, and section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. That process is summarized in Appendix D of DOT's semi-annual regulatory agenda ( e.g.,81 FR 94784). In E.O. 13771 and E.O. 13777, President Trump directed agencies to further scrutinize their regulations. Comments received will inform the review described in this notice and supplement MARAD's periodic regulatory review and its activities under E.O. 13771 and E.O. 13777. This request for comments is narrowly focused on improving and modernizing MARAD's program administration.

Accordingly, MARAD has identified its regulations at 46 CFR part 355 governing requirements for evidencing United States citizenship for consideration consistent with the President's direction. This notice seeks to solicit comments to ensure that MARAD's programs remain effective, modern, and the least burdensome to the public. As part of our review, MARAD is issuing this notice to engage the public and the broad spectrum of stakeholders that may be affected. Information received will be used to evaluate the issues and determine whether to propose a change in how corporations evidence their citizenship.

Citizenship eligibility criteria and documentation requirements may affect stakeholders who participate, directly or indirectly, in MARAD programs and activities, including ship managers and agents of MARAD-owned ships (herein collectively referred to as “Vessel Operators”) which may be used by the Department of Defense (DOD) in support of certain DOD-controlled activities. For example, Vessel Operators are required by regulation to be at least majority owned and controlled by United States citizens at each tier of ownership.

Scope of Comments

MARAD is interested in learning how it could reduce or remove regulatory burdens on the public. Accordingly, commenters may want to focus on the following: (1) Recognition of modern business forms in addition to corporations ( e.g., limited liability companies and limited partnerships) and modern securities ownership practices ( e.g., street name securities); (2) aligning with current best business practices; (3) reducing the cost of compliance; and (4) revising the corporate citizenship affidavit.

Content of Comments

We are interested in information on how any changes to 46 CFR part 355 could impact small businesses, either positively or negatively. In describing a burden placed on your organization by our regulations or potential changes to the regulations, direct experience and quantifiable data are more useful than anecdotal descriptions. If the commenter believes that there is a less burdensome alternative, the commenter should describe that alternative in verifiable detail.

Under this notice, MARAD is not soliciting petitions for rulemaking.

Public Participation

How do I submit comments?

Please submit your comments, including the attachments, following the instructions provided under the above heading entitled ADDRESSES . Be advised that it may take a few hours or even days for your comment to be reflected on the docket. In addition, your comments must be written in English. We encourage you to provide concise comments and you may attach additional documents as necessary. There is no limit on the length of the attachments.

Please note that even after the comment period has closed, MARAD will continue to file relevant information in the Docket as it becomes available.

Where do I go to read public comments and find supporting information?

Go to the docket online at www.regulations.gov., keyword search MARAD-2019-0069 or visit us in person at the Docket Management Facility (see ADDRESSES for hours of operation). We recommend that you periodically check the Docket for new submissions and supporting material.

Will my comments be made available to the public?

Yes. Be aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying information, will be made publicly available.

May I submit comments confidentially?

If you wish to submit comments under a claim of confidentiality, you should submit three copies of your complete submission, including the information you claim to be confidential business information, to the Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, Office of Legislation and Regulations, MAR-225, W24-220, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Include a cover letter setting forth with specificity the basis for any such claim and, if possible, a summary of your submission that can be made available to the public.

Privacy Act

In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice, DOT/ALL-14 FDMS, accessible through www.dot.gov/​privacy. To facilitate comment tracking and response, we encourage commenters to provide their name, or the name of their organization; however, submission of names is completely optional. Whether or not commenters identify themselves, all timely comments will be fully considered. If you wish to provide comments containing proprietary or confidential information, please contact the agency for alternate submission instructions.

(Authority: 49 CFR Sections 1.92 and 1.93)

84 FR 18468