[Federal Register: May 20, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 97)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 27700-27701] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr20my98-21] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 20 46 CFR Part 5 [USCG-1998-3472] RIN 2115-AF59 Rules of Practice, Procedure, and Evidence for Administrative Proceedings of the Coast Guard AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT. ACTION: Reopening of comment period on notice of proposed rulemaking. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is reopening the period for public comment on its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), Rules of Practice, Procedures, and Evidence for Administrative Proceedings of the Coast Guard. Because of several requests for extension, the Coast Guard is reopening the period for 30 days. DATES: Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before June 19, 1998. ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to the Docket Management Facility [USCG-1998-3472], U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001, or deliver them to room PL-401, located on the Plaza Level of the Nassif Building at the same address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329. The Docket Management Facility maintains the public docket for this rulemaking. Comments, and documents as indicated in this preamble, will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or copying at room PL-401, located on the Plaza Level of the Nassif Building at the above address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also electronically access the public docket for this rulemaking on the Internet at http:// dms.dot.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the public docket, contact Carol Kelley, Coast Guard Dockets Team Leader, or Paulette Twine, Chief, Documentary Services Division, U.S. Department of Transportation, telephone 202-366-9329; for information concerning the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) provisions, contact George J. Jordan, Attorney-Advisor, Office of the Chief Administrative Law Judge, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. His telephone number is 202- 267-0006. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Request for Comments The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), published on April 6, 1998 (63 FR 16731), encouraged interested persons to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written data, views, or arguments by May 6, 1998. This request does the same, except that it asks them by June 19, 1998. Persons submitting comments should include their names and addresses, identifying this rulemaking (USCG-1998-3472) and the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit one copy of all comments and attachments in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 1 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing to the DOT Docket Management Facility at the address under ADDRESSES. If you want acknowledgment of receipt of your comment, enclose a stamped, self- addressed postcard or envelope. The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the comment period. It may change this proposed rule in view of the comments. The Coast Guard plans no public meeting. Persons may request a public meeting by writing to the Docket Management Facility at the address under ADDRESSES. The request must identify this docket (USCG- 1998-3472) and should include the reasons why a public meeting would be helpful to this rulemaking. If an opportunity for oral presentations will help the rulemaking procedures, the Coast Guard will hold a public meeting at a time and place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register. Background and Purpose The Coast Guard seeks to improve its adjudication process. This improvement would also affect certain actions involving merchant mariners. First, the proposed rule would consolidate all Coast Guard adjudicative procedures to include the following: the suspension and revocation (S&R) of merchant mariners' licenses, certificates of registry, and documents and the procedures involving class II civil penalties. Second, the proposed rule would eliminate unnecessary procedures from S&R proceedings. The Coast Guard expects the proposed rule to facilitate the efficient use of administrative resources relating to Coast Guard adjudication. It would save time, effort, and money for all parties [[Page 27701]] who are or may become involved in Coast Guard actions. Signed: 14 May 1998. Robert S. Horowitz, Chief Counsel (Acting). [FR Doc. 98-13400 Filed 5-19-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-15-M