The Commission proposes revisions to its rules related to the Commission's process for developing views submitted to the Secretary of State on certain international mail matters...
The Commission proposes revisions to its rules related to the Commission's process for developing views submitted to the Secretary of State on certain international mail matters. The Commission invites public comment on the propose rules.
DATES:
Comments are due:
January 22, 2020.
ADDRESSES:
For additional information, Order No. 5353 can be accessed electronically through the Commission's website at
www.prc.gov.
Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing Online system at
www.prc.gov.
Those who cannot submit comments electronically should contact the person identified in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section by telephone for advice on filing alternatives.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 202-789-6820.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Relevant Statutory Requirements
II. Background
III. Basis and Purpose of Proposed Rules
IV. Proposed Rules
I. Relevant Statutory Requirements
Section 407(c)(1) of title 39 of the United States Code requires that the Secretary of State, before concluding a treaty, convention, or amendment establishing a market dominant rate or classification, request the Commission's views on the consistency of such rate or classification with the modern rate-setting criteria of 39 U.S.C. 3622. Commission views entail the review and analysis of numerous proposals from the UPU or its member countries, which are typically posted on the UPU website pursuant to a series of deadlines that
( printed page 70467)
begin about 6 months before a Congress convenes.
II. Background
In Docket No. RM2015-14, the Commission adopted rules formalizing its procedures related to Commission views submitted pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 407(c)(1).[1]
The adopted rules reflected the Commission's commitment to both transparency and improved public accessibility by establishing dockets that informed the public about the availably of relevant proposals, Commission views, and other related documents, and by allowing all documents to be incorporated into one comprehensive record.
III. Basis and Purpose of Proposed Rules
In the years since the procedures related Commission views were established, the Commission has participated in both traditional UPU Congresses as well as two extraordinary Congresses. In light of that experience, the Commission is proposing minor improvements to enhance transparency and accountability within the Commission views process as well as to improve the accessibility of relevant proposals, Commission views, and related documents. The proposed rules make clarifying changes that are intended to better reflect the Commission's procedures related to the posting of relevant proposals and Commission views.
(a)
Commission views
refers to the opinion the Commission provides to the Secretary of State pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 407(c)(1) on the consistency of a relevant proposal with modern rate regulation.
(b)
Modern rate regulation
refers to the standards and criteria the Commission has established pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3622.
(c)
Relevant proposal
means a proposed change to a treaty, convention, or amendment that establishes a market dominant rate or classification.
(a) On or about 150 days before a Universal Postal Union Congress convenes or such advance time as the Commission determines for any other 39 U.S.C. 407(c)(1) matter, the Commission shall establish a docket in order to solicit public comments as part of the development of Commission views.
(b) The Commission shall post relevant proposals in the applicable docket established pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section and may also include other materials related to the development of Commission views, such as other documents or related actions.
(c) Public comments should focus on the specific relevant proposals posted by the Commission and the general principles that should guide the development of Commission views as well as any other materials posted in the applicable docket pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section.
(d) The Commission shall arrange for publication in the
Federal Register
of the notice establishing each docket authorized under this part.
(a) The Commission shall establish a deadline for comments upon establishment of the docket that is consistent with timely submission of Commission views to the Secretary of State. The Commission may establish other deadlines for comments as appropriate.
(b) The Commission may suspend or forego solicitation of comments if it determines that such solicitation is not consistent with timely submission of Commission views to the Secretary of State.
(a) The Commission will review timely filed comments responding to a Commission solicitation pursuant to § 3017.3(a) prior to submitting its views to the Secretary of State.
(b) After Commission views are developed, the Commission shall post Commission views in the applicable docket established pursuant to § 3017.3(a) and submit Commission views to the Secretary of State pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 407(c)(1).
By the Commission.
Ruth Ann Abrams,
Acting Secretary.
Footnotes
1.
See generally,
Docket No. RM2015-14, Order Adopting Final Rules on Procedures Related to Commission Views, December 20, 2015 (Order No. 2960).
Use this for formal legal and research references to the published document.
84 FR 70466
Web Citation
Suggested Web Citation
Use this when citing the archival web version of the document.
“Procedures Related to Commission Views,” thefederalregister.org (December 23, 2019), https://thefederalregister.org/documents/2019-27604/procedures-related-to-commission-views.
39 CFR Part 3017
www.prc.gov
39 U.S.C. 3622