This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

66189

Vol. 65, No. 214

Friday, November 3, 2000

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and

Stockyards Administration

7 CFR Part 868

[Docket No. FGIS–2000–002a]

RIN 0580–AA74

Fees for Commodity and Rice

Inspection Services

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and

Stockyards Administration, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY: The Grain Inspection, Packers

and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA)

is proposing an approximate 3.7 percent

increase in fees for all hourly rates and

certain unit rates for inspection services

performed under the Agricultural

Marketing Act (AMA) of 1946 in the

commodity and rice inspection

programs. These increases are needed to

cover increased operational costs

resulting from the mandated January

2001 Federal pay increase.

DATES: Written comments must be

submitted on or before January 2, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are

invited to submit written comments

concerning this proposal. Written

comments must be submitted to Sharon

Vassiliades, GIPSA, USDA, 1400

Independence Avenue, SW, Room 1647-

S, Washington, DC 20250–3604, or

faxed to (202) 690–2755. Comments may

also be sent by E-mail to:

comments@gipsadc.usda.gov. Please

state that your comments refer to Docket

No. FGIS–2000–002a. Comments will be

available for public inspection in the

above office during regular business

hours (7 CFR 1.27 (b)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

David Orr, Director, Field Management

Division, at his E-mail address:

Dorr@gipsadc.usda.gov, or telephone

him at (202) 720–0228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Executive Order 12866 the

Regulatory Flexibility Act, and the

Paperwork Reduction Act

This rule has been determined to be

nonsignificant for the purpose of

Executive Order 12866 and, therefore,

has not been reviewed by the Office of

Management and Budget.

Also, pursuant to the requirements set

forth in the Regulatory Flexibility Act,

James R. Baker, Administrator, GIPSA,

has determined that this rule will not

have a significant economic impact on

a substantial number of small entities as

defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act

(5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).

GIPSA regularly reviews its user-fee

programs to determine if the fees are

adequate and continues to seek cost

saving opportunities and implement

appropriate changes to reduce costs.

Such actions can provide alternatives to

fee increases. Employee salaries and

benefits are major program costs that

account for approximately 84 percent of

GIPSA’s total operating budget. A

January 2001 general and locality salary

increase that averages 3.7 percent for all

GIPSA employees will increase program

costs in both the commodity and the

rice inspection programs.

1. Commodity Inspection Program

The commodity inspection program

consists of two different programs, i.e.,

graded commodities and processed

commodities. Fees for these programs

are in Tables 1 and 2 of 7 CFR 868.90.

These programs serve two different

markets: The graded commodity market

is made up of producers and processors

of edible beans, peas, and lentils. The

processed commodity market consists of

processors and shippers of products

such as wheat flour, soybean meal,

vegetable oil, and corn meal. USDA’s

Farm Service Agency (FSA)

implemented program changes during

FY 2000 that eliminated requirements

for end-item and vessel loading

observation inspections for processed

commodities. Program changes,

including personnel adjustments, have

been implemented to begin offsetting

operating costs due to the loss of the

FSA program inspections. Additional

cost-cutting measures will continue in

FY 2001. Even with these cost-saving

measures, the commodity inspection

program will continue to lose funds. In

FY 1999, operating costs in the

commodity inspection program were

$5,951,852 with revenue of $7,190,879

that resulted in a positive margin of

$1,239,027 and a positive reserve

balance of $1,764,140. As of August 31,

2000, FY 2000 operating costs were

$4,835,881 with revenue of $5,065,643

that resulted in a positive margin of

$229,762 and a positive reserve of

$2,066,752. However, in the last two

months, since all FSA program changes

have been implemented, we have

received $579,274 in revenue and

$745,125 in costs that have resulted in

a $165,851 negative margin. The salary

adjustment will increase GIPSA’s costs

in the commodity inspection program

by approximately $95,000. The current

positive margin and reserve balance will

not continue due to the loss of

processed commodity inspection and

the remaining programs in the

commodity inspection program cannot

absorb the 3.7 percent salary increase

even with the planned cost-cutting

measures.

The proposed fee increase for our

graded commodities program applies

primarily to GIPSA customers that

produce, process, and market graded

commodities for the domestic and

international markets. There are

approximately 156 such customers

located primarily in the States of North

Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, Kansas,

Colorado, Montana, Texas, Michigan,

Nebraska, Minnesota, Washington,

Idaho, and California. Many of these

customers meet the criteria for small

entities established by the Small

Business Administration criteria for

small businesses. Even though the fees

are being increased, the increase will

not be excessive (3.7 percent) and

should not significantly affect those

entities. Those entities are under no

obligation to use our service and,

therefore, any decision on their part to

discontinue the use of our service

should not prevent them from marketing

their products.

2. Rice Inspection Program

The existing fee schedule for GIPSA’s

rice inspection program will not

generate sufficient revenues to cover

program costs while maintaining an

adequate reserve balance. Fees for this

program are in Tables 1 and 2 of 7 CFR

868.91. In FY 1999, GIPSA’s operating

costs in its Rice Inspection Program

were $4,105,564 with revenue of

$4,412,131 that resulted in a positive

66190 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 214 / Friday, November 3, 2000 / Proposed Rules

margin of $306,567 and a negative

reserve balance of $508,628. As of

August 31, 2000, operating costs in the

rice program were $3,694,050 with

revenue of $4,421,869 that resulted in a

positive margin of $727,819 and a

positive reserve of $315,391. The

current positive reserve balance is well

below the desired 3-month reserve of

approximately $1 million.

We have reviewed the financial

position of our rice inspection program

based on the increased salary and

benefit costs, along with the projected

FY 2001 workload. Even though the

financial status of the rice inspection

program has improved, we have

concluded that we cannot absorb the

increased costs caused by the 3.7

percent salary increase with the small

positive reserve balance. This proposed

fee increase will collect an estimated

$155,500 in additional revenues in the

rice program based on the projected FY

2001 work volume of 3.9 million metric

tons.

This proposed fee increase applies

primarily to GIPSA customers that

produce, process, and market rice for

the domestic and international markets.

There are approximately 550 such

customers located primarily in the

States of Arkansas, Louisiana, and

Texas. Many of these customers meet

the criteria for small entities established

by the Small Business Administration

criteria for small businesses. Even

though the fees are being increased, the

increase will not be excessive (3.7

percent) and should not significantly

affect those entities. Those entities are

under no obligation to use our service

and, therefore, any decision on their

part to discontinue the use of our

service should not prevent them from

marketing their products.

There will be no additional reporting

or record keeping requirements imposed

by this action. In compliance with the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44

U.S.C. 35), the information collection

and record keeping requirements in Part

868 have been previously approved by

the Office of Management and Budget

under control number 0580–0013.

GIPSA has not identified any other

Federal rules which may duplicate,

overlap, or conflict with this rule.

B. Executive Order 12988

This proposed rule has been reviewed

under Executive Order 12988, Civil

Justice Reform. This action is not

intended to have a retroactive effect.

This action will not preempt any State

or local laws, regulations, or policies

unless they present irreconcilable

conflict with this rule. There are no

administrative procedures that must be

exhausted prior to any judicial

challenge to the provisions of this rule.

C. Proposed Action

Under the provisions of the

Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7

U.S.C. 1621, et seq.), commodity and

rice inspection services are provided

upon request and GIPSA must collect a

fee from the customer to cover the cost

of providing such services. Section 203

(h) of the AMA (7 U.S.C. 1622 (h))

provides for the establishment and

collection of fees that are reasonable

and, as nearly as practicable, cover the

costs of the services rendered. These

fees cover the GIPSA administrative and

supervisory costs for the performance of

official services, including personnel

compensation and benefits, travel, rent,

communications, utilities, contractual

services, supplies, and equipment.

The commodity inspection fees were

last amended on December 18, 1996,

and became effective February 18, 1997

(61 FR 66533). The rice inspection fees

were last amended on March 30, 2000,

and became effective May 1, 2000 (65

FR 16787). These fees were to cover, as

nearly as practicable, the level of

operating costs as projected for FY 1997

and FY 2000, respectively. GIPSA

continually monitors its cost, revenue,

and operating reserve levels to ensure

that there are sufficient resources for

operations. During FY 1998, GIPSA

implemented cost-saving measures in

the rice program in an effort to provide

more cost-effective services. The

purpose of these measures was to

reduce operating costs in order to

reduce the negative retained earnings in

this program. The cost containment

measures included employee buyouts

and better cross utilization of personnel

between programs.

GIPSA regularly reviews its user-feefinanced programs to determine if the

fees are adequate and continues to seek

out cost-saving opportunities and

implement appropriate changes to

reduce costs. Such actions can provide

alternatives to fee increases.

1. Commodity Inspection Program

The commodity inspection program

consists of two different programs,

graded and processed commodities.

Fees for these programs can be found in

7 CFR 868.90 (a), Tables 1 and 2. These

programs serve two different markets

with different applicants. The graded

commodity market is made up of

producers and processors of edible

beans, peas, and lentils. The processed

commodity market consists of

processors and shippers of products

such as wheat flour, soybean meal,

vegetable oil, and corn meal. USDA’s

Farm Service Agency (FSA)

implemented program changes during

FY 2000 that has resulted in a 96

percent reduction in processed

commodity inspections. The processed

commodity inspection program

represents approximately 86 percent of

all revenue and 62 percent of the cost.

Initial program changes, including

personnel adjustments, have been

implemented to begin offsetting the lost

revenue and reduce operating costs.

Additional cost-cutting measures will

continue in FY 2001. Even with these

cost-saving measures, the commodity

inspection program will continue to lose

funds. In FY 1999, operating costs in the

commodity inspection program were

$5,951,852 with revenue of $7,190,879

that resulted in a positive margin of

$1,239,027 and a positive reserve

balance of $1,764,140. As of August 31,

2000, FY 2000 operating costs were

$4,835,881 with revenue of $5,065,643

that resulted in a positive margin of

$229,762 and a positive reserve of

$2,066,752. However, $579,274 in

revenue and $745,125 in costs for the

preceding two months since all FSA

program changes have been

implemented, has resulted in a $165,851

negative margin. The salary adjustment

will increase GIPSA’s costs in the

commodity inspection program by

approximately $95,000. The current

positive margin and reserve balance will

not continue due to the loss of

processed commodity inspection and

the remaining programs in the

commodity inspection program cannot

absorb the 3.7 percent salary increase

even with the planned cost-cutting

measures.

The costs associated with salaries and

benefits are recovered by the hourly

rates for personnel performing direct

service. Other associated costs,

including non-salary related overhead,

are collected through other fees

contained in the fee schedule and are at

levels that do not require any change.

GIPSA is proposing a 3.7 percent

increase to the hourly rates and certain

unit rates in 7 CFR 868.90, (a) Table 1–

Hourly Rates (Fees for Inspection of

Commodities Other Than Rice).

Currently, the regular workday hourly

rate is $33.00, while Saturday, Sunday,

and Holidays are $42.50. The other

current unit rates are:

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 214 / Friday, November 3, 2000 / Proposed Rules 66191

Miscellaneous Processed Commodities: (1) Additional Tests (cost per test, assessed in addition to the hourly rate):

(i) Aflatoxin Test (Thin Layer Chromatography) ....................................................................................................................... $51.40

(ii) Falling Number ...................................................................................................................................................................... 12.00

(iii) Aflatoxin Test Kit .................................................................................................................................................................. 7.50

Graded Commodities (Beans, Peas, Lentils, Hops, and Pulses):

(1) Additional Tests—Unit Rates (Beans, Peas, Lentils):

(i) Field run (per lot or sample) .................................................................................................................................................. 22.70

(ii) Other than field run (per lot or sample) ............................................................................................................................... 13.50

(iii) Factor analysis (per factor) ................................................................................................................................................... 5.50

(2) Additional Tests—Unit Rates (Hops):

(i) Lot or sample (per lot or sample) ........................................................................................................................................... 29.00

(3) Additional Tests—Unit Rates (Nongraded Nonprocessed Commodities):

(i) Factor analysis (per factor) ..................................................................................................................................................... 5.50

(4) Stowage Examination (service—on-request)

(i) Ship (per stowage space) ........................................................................................................................................................ 50.00

(minimum $250 per ship)

(ii) Subsequent ship examination (same as original)

(minimum $150 per ship)

(iii) Barge (per examination) (minimum $250 per ship) ........................................................................................................... 40.00

(iv) All other carriers (per examination) ..................................................................................................................................... 15.00

2. Rice Inspection Program

The existing fee schedule for GIPSA’s

rice inspection program will not

generate sufficient revenues to cover

program costs while maintaining an

adequate reserve balance. Fees for this

program are in 7 CFR 868.91, Tables 1

and 2. In FY 1999, GIPSA’s operating

costs in the rice program were

$4,105,564 with revenue of $4,412,131

that resulted in a positive margin of

$306,567 and a negative reserve balance

of $508,628. As of August 31, 2000,

operating costs in the rice program were

$3,694,050 with revenue of $4,421,869

that resulted in a positive margin of

$727,819 and a positive reserve of

$315,391. The current positive reserve

balance is well below the desired 3-

month reserve of approximately $1

million.

We have reviewed the financial

position of our rice inspection program

based on the increased salary and

benefit costs, along with the projected

FY 2001 workload. Even though the

financial status of our rice inspection

program has improved, we have

concluded that with the small positive

reserve balance we cannot absorb the

increased costs caused by the 3.7

percent salary increase. This proposed

fee increase will collect an estimated

$155,500 in additional revenues in the

rice program based on the projected FY

2001 work volume of 3.9 million metric

tons.

In 7 CFR 868.91, Table 1—Hourly

Rates/Unit Rate Per CWT and Table 2—

Unit Rates, currently the regular

workday contract and noncontract fees

are $42.80 and $52.40, respectively,

while the nonregular workday contract

and noncontract fees are $59.60 and

$72.40, respectively. The unit rate per

hundredweight for export port services

is currently $0.052 per hundredweight.

The rice current unit rates are:

Service Rough rice Brown rice for

Processing Milled rice

Inspection for quality (per lot, sublot, or sample inspection) ...................................................... $34.50 $29.80 $21.20

Factor analysis for any single factor (per factor):

(a) Milling yield (per sample) ................................................................................................ 26.75 26.75 ........................

(b) All other factors (per factor) ............................................................................................ 12.70 12.70 12.70

Total oil and free fatty acid .......................................................................................................... ........................ 42.00 42.00

Interpretive line samples:

(a) Milling degree (per set) ................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 89.20

(b) Parboiled light (per sample) ............................................................................................ ........................ ........................ 22.35

Extra copies of certificates (per copy) ......................................................................................... 3.00 3.00 3.00

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 868

Administrative practice and

procedure, Agricultural commodities.

For reasons set out in the preamble,

7 CFR part 868 is proposed to be

amended as follows:

PART 868—GENERAL REGULATIONS

AND STANDARDS FOR CERTAIN

AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES

1. The authority citation for part 868

continues to read as follows:

Authority: Secs. 202–208, 60 Stat. 1087 as

amended (7 U.S.C. 1621, et seq.)

2. In § 868.90 paragraph (a) is revised

to read as follows:

§ 868.90 Fees for certain Federal

inspection services.

(a) The fees shown in Table 1 apply

to Federal Commodity Inspection

Services specified below.

TABLE 1.—HOURLY RATES 1 3

[Fees for inspection of commodities other than rice]

Hourly Rates (per service representative):

Monday to Friday—$34.20

Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays—$44.40

Miscellaneous Processed Commodities: 2

(1) Additional Tests (cost per test, assessed in addition to the hourly rate):.

(i) Aflatoxin Test (Thin Layer Chromatography) ........................................................................................................................... $51.40

(ii) Falling Number ......................................................................................................................................................................... 12.50

66192 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 214 / Friday, November 3, 2000 / Proposed Rules

TABLE 1.—HOURLY RATES 1 3—Continued

[Fees for inspection of commodities other than rice]

(iii) Aflatoxin Test Kit ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7.50

Graded Commodities (Beans, Peas, Lentils, Hops, and Pulses):

(1) Additional Tests—Unit Rates (Beans, Peas, Lentils):

(i) Field run (per lot or sample) ..................................................................................................................................................... 23.00

(ii) Other than field run (per lot or sample) ................................................................................................................................... 13.75

(iii) Factor analysis (per factor) ..................................................................................................................................................... 5.65

(2) Additional Tests—Unit Rates (Hops):

(i) Lot or sample (per lot or sample) ............................................................................................................................................. 29.30

(3) Additional Tests—Unit Rates (Nongraded Nonprocessed Commodities):

(i) Factor analysis (per factor) ....................................................................................................................................................... 5.65

(3) Stowage Examination (service-on-request) 4.

(i) Ship (per stowage space) (minimum $252.50 per ship) .......................................................................................................... 50.50

(ii) Subsequent ship examinations (same as original) .................................................................................................................. (5)

(iii) Barge (per examination) .......................................................................................................................................................... 40.50

(iv) All other carriers (per examination) ........................................................................................................................................ 15.50

1Fees for original commodity inspection and appeal inspection services include, but are not limited to, sampling, grading, weighing, stowage

examinations, pre-inspection conferences, sanitation inspections, and other services requested by the applicant and that are performed within 25

miles of the field office. Travel and related expenses (commercial transportation costs, mileage, and per diem) will be assessed in addition to the

hourly rate for service beyond the 25-mile limit. Refer to § 868.92. Explanation of service fees and additional fees, for all other service fees except travel and per diem. 2When performed at a location other than the Commodity Testing Laboratory.

3Faxed and extra copies of certificates will be charged at $1.50 per copy.

4 If performed outside of normal business hours, 11⁄2 times the applicable unit fee will be charged. 5 Minimum $151.50 per ship.

* * * * *

3. Section 868.91 is revised to read as follows:

§ 868.91 Fees for certain Federal rice inspection services.

The fees shown in Tables 1 and 2 apply to Federal rice inspection services.

TABLE 1.—HOURLY RATES/UNIT RATE PER CWT

[Fees for Federal Rice Inspection Services]

Service 1 Regular workday

(Monday–Saturday)

Nonregular workday

(Sunday–Holiday)

Contract (per hour per Service representative) ............................................................... $44.80 $61.80

Noncontract (per hour per Service representative) ......................................................... 54.30 75.00

Export Port Services (per hundredweight) 2 .................................................................... .054 .054

1Original and appeal inspection services include: Sampling, grading, weighing, and other services requested by the applicant when performed

at the applicant’s facility. 2Services performed at export port locations on lots at rest.

TABLE 2.—UNIT RATES

Service 1, 3 Rough rice Brown rice for

processing Milled rice

Inspection for quality (per lot, sublot, or sample inspection) ...................................................... $34.80 $30.00 $21.50

Factor analysis for any single factor (per factor):

(a) Milling yield (per sample) ................................................................................................ 27.00 27.00 ........................

(b) All other factors (per factor) ............................................................................................ 12.90 12.90 12.90

Total oil and free fatty acid .......................................................................................................... ........................ 42.60 42.60

Interpretive line samples: 2

(a) Milling degree (per set) ................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 91.00

(b) Parboiled light (per sample) ............................................................................................ ........................ ........................ 22.60

Extra copies of certificates (per copy) ......................................................................................... 3.00 3.00 3.00

1Fees apply to determinations (original or appeals) for kind, class, grade, factor analysis, equal to type, milling yield, or any other quality designation as defined in the U.S. Standards for Rice or applicable instructions, whether performed singly or in combination at other than at the applicant’s facility. 2 Interpretive line samples may be purchased from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, GIPSA, FGIS, Technical Services Division, 10383 North

Executive Hills Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64153–1394. Interpretive line samples also are available for examination at selected FGIS field

offices. A list of field offices may be obtained from the Director, Field Management Division, USDA, GIPSA, FGIS, 1400 Independence Avenue,

SW, STOP 3630, Washington, DC 20250–3630. The interpretive line samples illustrate the lower limit for milling degrees only and the color limit

for the factor ‘‘Parboiled Light’’ rice. 3Fees for other services not referenced in table 2 will be based on the noncontract hourly rate listed in § 868.90, table 1.

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 214 / Friday, November 3, 2000 / Proposed Rules 66193

Dated: October 30, 2000.

David Orr,

Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection,

Packers and Stockyards Administration.

[FR Doc. 00–28145 Filed 11–2–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–EN–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Office of the Comptroller of the

Currency

12 CFR Part 3

[Docket No. 00–24]

RIN 1557—AB14

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

12 CFR Parts 208 and 225

[Regulations H and Y; Docket No. R–1084]

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE

CORPORATION

12 CFR Part 325

RIN 3064–AC44

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Office of Thrift Supervision

12 CFR Part 567

[Docket No. 2000–90]

RIN 1550–AB11

Simplified Capital Framework for NonComplex Institutions

AGENCIES: Office of the Comptroller of

the Currency, Treasury; Board of

Governors of the Federal Reserve

System; Federal Deposit Insurance

Corporation; and Office of Thrift

Supervision, Treasury.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed

rulemaking.

SUMMARY: The Office of the Comptroller

of the Currency (OCC), the Board of

Governors of the Federal Reserve

System (Board), the Federal Deposit

Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the

Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS)

(collectively, the Agencies) are

considering developing a simplified

regulatory capital framework applicable

to non-complex banks and thrifts (noncomplex institutions). The Agencies

believe that the size, structure,

complexity, and risk profile of many

banking and thrift institutions (banking

organizations or institutions) may

warrant the application of a simplified

capital framework that could relieve

regulatory burden associated with the

existing capital rules.

The Agencies are considering the

advantages and disadvantages

associated with developing a regulatory

capital framework specifically for noncomplex institutions. The main

objective of this advance notice of

proposed rulemaking is to obtain

preliminary views from the industry

and the public regarding such a

framework. The information gathered as

a result of this advance notice of

proposed rulemaking will assist the

Agencies in determining whether to

propose a simplified capital framework

and, if so, how the framework should be

structured and implemented.

In considering the development of a

less burdensome regulatory framework,

the Agencies would not lower capital

standards or encourage a reduction in

existing capital levels. Rather, a

simplified, less burdensome framework

may result in higher minimum

regulatory capital requirements for

certain institutions than required under

current capital standards. Many noncomplex institutions currently maintain

levels of capital in excess of the

regulatory minimum requirements, and

the Agencies would therefore expect

that most banking organizations subject

to a simplified framework would not

have to increase capital levels.

This advance notice of proposed

rulemaking sets forth broad options for

a simplified framework. The options

advanced for comment include adopting

a simplified risk-based framework (and

maintaining the leverage ratio

requirement) or adopting a leveragebased approach. The leverage-based

approach may include either a

traditional leverage framework or one

that is modified to address off-balance

sheet risks.

DATES: Comments must be received by

no later than February 1, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be

directed to:

OCC: Comments may be submitted to

Docket No. 00–24, Communications

Division, Third Floor, Office of the

Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E

Street, SW., Washington, DC 20219.

Comments will be available for

inspection and photocopying at that

address. In addition, comments may

be sent by facsimile transmission to

(202) 874–5274, or by electronic mail

to regs.comments@occ.treas.gov. You

can make an appointment to inspect

the comments by calling (202) 874–

5043.

Board: Comments, which should refer to

Docket No. R–1084, may be mailed to

Ms. Jennifer J. Johnson, Secretary, the

Board of Governors of the Federal

Reserve System, 20th and C Streets,

NW., Washington, DC 20551, or

mailed electronically to

regs.comments@federalreserve.gov.

Comments addressed to Ms. Johnson

may be delivered to the Board’s

mailroom between 8:45 a.m. and 5:15

p.m., and to the security control room

outside of those hours. Both the

mailroom and the security control

room are accessible from the

courtyard entrance on 20th Street

between Constitution Avenue and C

Street, NW.. Comments may be

inspected in Room MP–500 between 9

a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays pursuant to

§ 261.12, except as provided in

§ 261.14 of the Board’s Rules

Regarding Availability of Information,

12 CFR 261.12 and 261.14.

FDIC: Send written comments to Robert

E. Feldman, Executive Secretary,

Attention: Comments/OES, Federal

Deposit Insurance Corporation, 550

17th Street, NW, Washington, DC

20429. Comments may be handdelivered to the guard station at the

rear of the 550 17th Street Building

(located on F Street), on business days

between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. (facsimile

number (202) 898–3838; Internet

address: comments@fdic.gov).

Comments may be inspected and

photocopied in the FDIC Public

Information Center, Room 100, 801

17th Street, NW, Washington, DC

20429, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

on business days.

OTS: Send comments to Manager,

Dissemination Branch, Information

Management & Services Division,

Office of Thrift Supervision, 1700 G

Street, NW, Washington, DC 20552,

Attention Docket No. 2000–90. Hand

deliver comments to Public Reference

Room, 1700 G Street, NW, lower level,

from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on business

days. Send facsimile transmissions to

FAX number (202) 906–7755 or (202)

906–6956 (if the comment is over 25

pages). Send e-mails to

public.info@ots.treas.gov and include

your name and telephone number.

Interested persons may inspect

comments at 1700 G Street, NW, from

10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and

Thursdays, or obtain comments or an

index of comments by facsimile by

telephoning the Public Reference

Room at (202) 906–5900 from 9 a.m.

until 5 p.m. on business days.

Comments and the related index will

also be posted on the OTS Internet

Site at ‘‘www.ots.treas.gov.’’

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

OCC: Amrit Sekhon, Risk Specialist,

Capital Policy Division, (202) 874–

5211; or Ron Shimabukuro, Senior

Attorney, Legislative and Regulatory