[Federal Register: October 5, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 192)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 53970-53971] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr05oc99-41] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 interim rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is reopening the period for public comment on its interim rule, Rules of Practice, Procedure, and Evidence for Administrative Proceedings of the Coast Guard. Because of several requests for extension, the Coast Guard is reopening the period for 180 days. DATES: Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before April 3, 2000. ADDRESSES: Please submit your comments and related material by any one of the following methods (but by only one, to avoid multiple listings in the public docket): (1) By mail to the Docket Management Facility, [USCG-1998-3472], U.S. Department of Transportation, room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. (2) By delivery to room PL-401 on the Plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 [[Page 53971]] Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202- 366-9329. (3) By fax to the Docket Management Facility at 202-493-2251. (4) Electronically through the Web Site for the Docket Management System at http://dms.dot.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on the substance of the rulemaking, call George J. Jordan, Attorney-Adviser, Office of the Chief Administrative Law Judge, telephone 202-267-0006. For questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Ms. Dorothy Walker, Chief of Dockets, Department of Transportation, telephone 202- 366-9329. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Request for Comments The interim rule, published on May 24, 1999 [64 FR 28054], encouraged interested persons to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written data, views, or arguments by July 23, 1999. This request does the same, except that it invites their submitting them by April 3, 2000. Persons submitting comments should include their names and addresses, identify this docket [USCG-1998-3472] and the specific section of the interim rule to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit one copy of each comment and attachment in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 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 interim rule in view of them. The Coast Guard plans no public meeting. Persons may request one 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 an opportunity for oral presentations would be helpful to this rulemaking. If such an opportunity would help the rulemaking, 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 adjudicative process. Improvement will also affect certain actions involving merchant mariners. First, the interim rule consolidates 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 interim rule eliminates unnecessary procedures from S&R proceedings. The Coast Guard expects the interim rule to facilitate the efficient use of administrative resources relating to adjudication by the Coast Guard. It will save time, effort, and money for all parties who are or may become involved in actions of the Coast Guard. Dated: September 27, 1999. Robert S. Horowitz, Acting Chief Counsel. [FR Doc. 99-25865 Filed 10-4-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-15-P