[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 113 (Monday, June 12, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36880-36881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-14781]


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UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION


Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts

AGENCY: United States Sentencing Commission.

ACTION: Notice of preliminary policy priorities for amendment cycle 
ending May 1, 2001. Request for comment.

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SUMMARY: As part of its statutory authority and responsibility to 
analyze sentencing issues, including operation of the federal 
sentencing guidelines, and in accordance with Rule 5.2 of its Rules of 
Practice and Procedure, the Commission has preliminarily identified and 
hereby proposes certain priorities as the focus of its policy 
development work, including possible amendments to guidelines, policy 
statements, and commentary, for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2001. 
The Commission invites comment on these proposed priority areas and on 
any other sentencing issues that it should address in the coming year.

DATES: Public comment should be received by the Commission not later 
than July 7, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comment to: United States Sentencing Commission, One 
Columbus Circle, NE, Suite 2-500, South Lobby, Washington, DC 20002-
8002. Attn: Public Affairs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Courlander, Public Affairs 
Officer, Telephone: (202) 502-4590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States Sentencing Commission, an 
independent commission in the judicial branch of the United States 
Government, is empowered by 28 U.S.C. 994(a) to promulgate sentencing 
guidelines and policy statements for federal courts. Section 994 also 
directs the Commission to review and revise periodically promulgated 
guidelines

[[Page 36881]]

and authorizes it to submit guideline amendments to the Congress not 
later than the first day of May each year. See 18 U.S.C. 994(o), (p).
    The Commission hereby gives notice that, during the amendment cycle 
ending May 1, 2001, it may consider possible amendments to guidelines, 
policy statements, and commentary, relating to the following: (1) 
Certain economic crimes, particularly fraud, theft, and tax offenses; 
(2) money laundering; (3) counterfeiting of bearer obligations of the 
United States; (4) further response to the Protection of Children from 
Sexual Predators Act of 1998; (5) firearms; (6) nuclear, chemical, and 
biological weapons, and related national security issues; (7) the 
payment to, or receipt by, federal employees of unauthorized 
compensation, and related offenses; (8) offenses implicating the 
privacy interests of taxpayers; (9) the resolution of a number of 
conflicts among the circuit courts on sentencing guideline issues; (10) 
the implementation of any crime legislation enacted during the second 
session of the 106th Congress requiring a Commission response; and (11) 
any minor technical or conforming amendments necessary for proper 
operation of the sentencing guideline system.
    In addition to inviting comment on any of the preliminary priority 
issues proposed in this notice, the Commission welcomes comment on any 
other issue that interested persons believe the Commission should 
address during the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2001, including short-
and long-term research issues. To the extent practicable, comments 
submitted on additional issues should include the following: (1) A 
statement of the issue, including the scope and manner of study, 
particular problem areas and possible solutions, and any other matters 
relevant to a proposed priority; (2) citations to applicable sentencing 
guidelines, statutes, case law, and constitutional provisions; and (3) 
a direct and concise statement of why the Commission should make the 
issue a priority.

    Authority: 28 U.S.C. Sec. 994(a), (o), (p); USSC Rules of 
Practice and Procedure 5.2.

Diana E. Murphy,
Chair.
[FR Doc. 00-14781 Filed 6-9-00; 8:45 am]
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