### 35935 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 122 / Wednesday, June 25, 2014 / Rules and Regulations

scheduling and conduct of your hearing. You will also be told if your appearance or that of any other party or witness is scheduled to be made in person, by video teleconferencing, or by telephone. If we have scheduled you to appear at the hearing by video teleconferencing, the notice of hearing will tell you that the scheduled place for the hearing is a video teleconferencing site and explain what it means to appear at your hearing by video teleconferencing.

* * * * *

[FR Doc. 2014–14793 Filed 6–24–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4191–02–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF STATE**

**22 CFR Part 9**

**[Public Notice 8776]**

**RIN 1400–AC75**

**National Security Information Regulations** 

**AGENCY :**  Department of State.

**ACTION :**  Final rule.

**SUMMARY :**  The Department of State revises its regulations governing the classification of national security
information that is under the control of the Department in order to reflect the provisions of a new executive order on national security information, E.O. 13526 and its implementing directive in Information Security Oversight Office regulations. This revision also reflects consequent changes in the Department’s procedures since the last revision of the Department’s regulations on this subject in 2004. These changes include some changes in the classification categories, in the rules governing the sharing of other-agency classified information, and in granting access to classified
information to certain former government personnel. This regulation does not apply to information classified as Restricted Data (RD) or Formerly Restricted Data (FRD). Requirements for classifying and declassifying RD and FRD can be found in Department of Energy regulations on Nuclear Classification and Declassification, or in a Department of State regulation or internal order implementing those regulations.

**DATES :**  This final rule is effective on June 25, 2014.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Alice Kottmyer, Attorney-Adviser, Department of State (L/M), 2201 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20520, or at kottmyeram@state.gov

. **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  The executive order governing classification of national security information, E.O. 12958, has been superseded by E.O. 13526, effective December 29, 2009. In Section 1.4, the new order makes some minor changes in classification categories, such as eliminating reference to transnational terrorism and adding a qualifier to the term ‘‘weapons of mass destruction.’’ That section also requires that the damage to national security be
identifiable and describable. These changes are reflected in Section 9.4 of
the rule.

While the basis for classification and
the classification levels in E.O. 13526 are basically the same as those in predecessor orders, the new executive order contains several provisions not present in its immediate predecessors, such as the training of classifiers, particularly derivative classifiers (not covered in this rule); and, in Section 4.1(i)(1), the sharing with another agency, with certain U.S. entities, or with foreign governments of classified information that was originated by another agency after the effective date of the executive order (covered in Section 9.12 of the rule). Section 4.4 of the new executive order changes a limitation in
E.O. 12958 on access to classified information by former government personnel but adds a limitation that the positions that they held be senior government positions. These changes
are included in Section 9.13 of this rule. This section is among several from 22 CFR Part 171 pertaining to
declassification that have been
transferred to Part 9 and revised.

Regulatory Analysis

Administrative Procedure Act. The Department of State is publishing this rulemaking as a final rule. 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) provides that a ‘‘general notice of proposed rulemaking’’ need not be published in the Federal Register ‘‘when the agency for good cause finds (and incorporates the finding and a brief
statement of reasons therefor in the rules issued) that notice and public procedure thereon are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.’’ The Department of State finds good cause to issue this rule without advance notice and public comment
because it has determined such procedures are unnecessary. As we note above, this rulemaking incorporates into existing Department regulations the provisions of Executive Order 13526.
The Executive Order is a directive that must be implemented throughout the executive branch without significant modification; otherwise, there could be significant confusion among the public, when different agencies adopt different classification standards. Because of this, the Department determined that soliciting public comment was

unnecessary.

In addition, this rulemaking involves matters of internal Department management and organization; specifically, the internal procedures for the classification and handling of classified national security information; therefore, the Department has determined that this rulemaking is exempt from notice-and-comment requirements under 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2). Finally, the Department has determined
that this final rule should be effective immediately pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). The Department finds ‘‘good cause’’ in the need to immediately align the Department’s national security regulations with those of the White House and other agencies, thus eliminating the confusion that might be caused by conflicting regulations in
such a sensitive area.

Regulatory Flexibility Act. Since the Department is not required to publish a general notice of proposed rulemaking for this rulemaking, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required.

Unfunded Mandates Act of 1995. This rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any year and it will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

Information Quality Act. The Department intends to disseminate information under this rulemaking in compliance with the Information Quality Act, Public Law 106–554, and the Department of State Information Quality Guidelines, dated October 1, 2002, located at http://www.state.gov/
misc/13864.htm

.

Congressional Review Act. This rule is not a major rule as defined by the Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 804.
This rule will not result in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; a major increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based companies to compete with foreign based companies in domestic and import markets. The rule is being submitted to both Houses of Congress and the Comptroller General. Since it is not a major rule, the proposed effective date is the date of publication.

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563. Executive Order 12866 directs agencies
to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if


### 35936 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 122 / Wednesday, June 25, 2014 / Rules and Regulations

regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. This rule has been designated a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ although not economically significant, under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, the rule has been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget. This rule imposes no additional costs on the public or on the Department of State, and provides the benefit of providing additional clarity for the public and Department personnel with respect to Executive
Order 13526 and its effect on Department regulations, thus eliminating the confusion that might be caused by conflicting regulations in
such a sensitive area.

Executive Order 12988—Civil Justice Reform. The Department has reviewed this regulation in light of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988 to eliminate ambiguity, minimize litigation, establish clear legal standards, and reduce burden.

Executive Order 13563—Periodic Review of Existing Significant Regulations. The Department has considered this rule in light of Executive Order 13563, dated January 18, 2011, and affirms that this regulation is consistent with the guidance therein.

Executive Orders 12372 and 13132—
Federalism. This regulation will not
have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in
accordance with section 6 of Executive Order 13132, it is determined that this
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to require consultations or warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities do not apply to this regulation.

Executive Order 13175—Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal

Governments. The Department has determined that this rulemaking will not have tribal implications, will not impose substantial direct compliance costs on Indian tribal governments, and will not pre-empt tribal law. Accordingly, the requirements of Executive Order 13175 do not apply to this rulemaking.

National Environmental Policy Act. The Department has analyzed this regulation for the purpose of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321–4347) and has determined that it will not have any effect on the quality of the environment.

Paperwork Reduction Act. This rule does not impose or revise any reporting or record-keeping requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 9

Administrative practice and procedure, Classified information.

■ For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Department of State revises 22 CFR part 9 to read as follows:

**PART 9—SECURITY INFORMATION**
**REGULATIONS**

Sec.

9.1 Basis. 9.2 Objective. 9.3 Senior agency official. 9.4 Original classification. 9.5 Original classification authority.
9.6 Derivative classification. 9.7 Identification and marking. 9.8 Classification challenges. 9.9 Declassification and downgrading. 9.10 Mandatory declassification review. 9.11 Systematic declassification review. 9.12 Sharing other-agency classified
information. 9.13 Access to classified information by
historical researchers and certain former government personnel. 9.14 Pre-publication review of writings by former Department personnel.
9.15 Assistance to the Historian’s Office. 9.16 Safeguarding.

Authority: E.O. 13526 (75 FR 707, January 5, 2010); Information Security Oversight Office Directive 32 CFR Part 2001 (75 FR 37254, June 28, 2010).

**§ 9.1 Basis.**

The regulations in this part, taken together with 32 CFR part 2001 and Volume 5 of the Department’s Foreign Affairs Manual, provide the basis for the security classification program of the U.S. Department of State (‘‘the Department’’) implementing Executive
Order 13526 on Classified National Security Information (‘‘the Executive Order’’ or ‘‘the Order’’).

**§ 9.2 Objective.**

The objective of the Department’s classification program is to ensure that national security information is protected from unauthorized disclosure, but that it remains classified only to the extent and for such a period as is

necessary. **§ 9.3 Senior agency official.** The Executive Order requires that each agency that originates or handles classified information designate a Senior Agency Official to direct and administer its information security program. The Department’s senior agency official is the Under Secretary of State for Management. The Senior Agency Official is assisted in carrying out the provisions of the Executive Order and the Department’s information security program by the Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security, the Assistant Secretary for Administration, and the Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Global Information Services.

**§ 9.4 Original classification.**

(a) Definition. Original classification
is the initial determination that certain information requires protection against
unauthorized disclosure in the interest of national security (i.e., national defense or foreign relations of the United States), together with a designation of the level of classification.

(b) Classification levels. (1) Top Secret shall be applied to information the
unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security that the original classification authority is able to identify or describe.

(2) Secret shall be applied to
information the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause serious damage to the national security that the original classification authority is able to identify or describe.

(3) Confidential shall be applied to
information the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause damage to the national security that the original classification authority is able to identify or describe.

(c) Classification requirements and
considerations. (1) Information may not
be considered for classification unless
its unauthorized disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause identifiable or describable damage to the national security in accordance with section 1.2 of the Executive Order, and it pertains to one or more of the following:

(i) Military plans, weapons systems, or operations;

(ii) Foreign government information; (iii) Intelligence activities (including covert action), intelligence sources or methods, or cryptology;

(iv) Foreign relations or foreign activities of the United States, including confidential sources;

(v) Scientific, technological, or economic matters relating to the national security;


### 35937 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 122 / Wednesday, June 25, 2014 / Rules and Regulations

(vi) United States Government programs for safeguarding nuclear materials or facilities;

(vii) Vulnerabilities or capabilities of systems, installations, infrastructures, projects, plans, or protection services relating to the national security; or

(viii) The development, production, or use of weapons of mass destruction.

(2) In classifying information, the public’s interest in access to government information must be balanced against the need to protect national security
information.

(3) The unauthorized disclosure of foreign government information is presumed to cause damage to national security.

(d) Classification limitations and prohibitions. (1) In no case shall
information be classified in order to conceal violations of law, inefficiency, or administrative error, or to prevent embarrassment to a person, organization, or agency, to restrain competition, or to prevent or delay the
release of information that does not require protection in the interest of the national security.

(2) A reference to classified documents that does not directly or indirectly disclose classified information may not be classified or
used as a basis for classification.

(3) Only information owned by, produced by or for, or under the control of the U.S. Government may be originally classified.

(e) Duration of classification. (1)
Information shall be classified for as long as is required by national security considerations, subject to the limitations
set forth in section 1.5 of the Executive Order. When it can be determined, a specific date or event for declassification in less than 10 years shall be set by the original classification authority at the time the information is originally classified. If a specific date or
event for declassification cannot be determined, information shall be marked for declassification 10 years from the date of the original decision, unless the original classification authority determines that the sensitivity of the information requires that it be marked for declassification for up to 25 years from the date of the original decision except for:

(i) Information that would reveal the identity of a confidential human source or a human intelligence source, or key design concepts of weapons of mass destruction, in which case the duration of classification shall be up to 75 years and shall be designated with the markings ‘‘50X1–HUM’’ and ‘‘50X2– WMD,’’ respectively; and (ii) Specific information incorporated into the classification guide under section 2.2(e) of the Executive Order relating to exemptions from automatic
declassification.

(2) An original classification authority may extend the duration of classification up to 25 years from the date of origin of the document, change the level of classification, or reclassify specific information only when the standards and procedures for classifying
information under the Executive Order

are met.

(3) No information may remain classified indefinitely. Information
marked for an indefinite duration of classification under predecessor orders, such as ‘‘Originating Agency’s Determination Required’’ (OADR) or
classified information that contains incomplete declassification instructions or lacks declassification instructions,
shall be declassified in accordance with
Part 3 of the Order.

**§ 9.5 Original classification authority.**

(a) Authority for original classification of information as Top Secret may be exercised by the Secretary and those officials delegated this authority in writing by the Secretary. Such authority has been delegated to the Deputy Secretaries, the Under Secretaries, the Counselor, Assistant Secretaries and equivalents; Chiefs of Mission and U.S. representatives to international organizations; and certain other officers within the Department and at posts
abroad.

(b) Authority for original
classification of information as Secret or Confidential may be exercised only by the Secretary, the Senior Agency Official, and those officials delegated this authority in writing by the Secretary or the Senior Agency Official. Such authority has been delegated to Deputy Assistant Secretaries, Principal Officers at consulates general and consulates abroad, and certain other officers within the Department and at posts abroad. In the absence of the
Secret or Confidential classification authority, the person designated to act for that official may exercise that authority.

**§ 9.6 Derivative classification.**

(a) Definition. Derivative classification is: the incorporating, paraphrasing, restating, or generating in new form information that is already classified and the marking of the new material
consistent with the classification of the source material, or the marking of the
information in accordance with an authorized classification guide. Duplication or reproduction of existing classified information is not derivative classification. Persons who apply classification markings derived from source material or as directed by a classification guide need not possess original classification authority.

(b) Responsibility. Information classified derivatively from other
classified information shall be classified
and marked in accordance with
instructions from an authorized
classifier or in accordance with an authorized classification guide and shall comply with the standards set forth in
sections 2.1–2.2 of the Executive Order
and 32 CFR 2001.22. The duration of
classification of a document classified by a derivative classifier using a classification guide shall not exceed 25 years except for:

(1) Information that would reveal the identity of a confidential human source or a human intelligence source (50X1– HUM) or key design concepts of weapons of mass destruction (50X2– WMD), and

(2) Specific information incorporated into the classification guide under section 2.2(e) of the Executive Order relating to exemptions from automatic
declassification.

(c) Department of State Classification
Guide. The Department of State Classification Guide (DSCG) is the primary authority for the classification of information in documents created by Department of State personnel. The
Guide is classified ‘‘Confidential’’ and is found on the Department of State’s
classified Web site.

**§ 9.7 Identification and marking.**

(a) Classified information shall be marked pursuant to the standards set
forth in section 1.6 of the Executive Order, 32 CFR part 2001, subpart C, and internal Department guidance in 5 Foreign Affairs Manual.

(b) Foreign government information shall retain its original classification markings or be marked and classified at a U.S. classification level that provides a degree of protection at least equivalent to that required by the entity that furnished the information. Foreign government information retaining its original classification markings need not be assigned a U.S. classification marking provided the responsible agency determines that the foreign government markings are adequate to meet the purposes served by U.S. classification markings.

(c) Information assigned a level of classification under predecessor
executive orders shall be considered as
classified at that level of classification despite the omission of other required markings.


### 35938 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 122 / Wednesday, June 25, 2014 / Rules and Regulations

(d) Prior to public release, all
declassified records shall be appropriately marked to reflect their
declassification.

**§ 9.8 Classification challenges.**

(a) Challenges. Authorized holders of information pertaining to the Department of State who believe that its classification status is improper are expected and encouraged to challenge
the classification status of the information. Such persons making challenges to the classification status of information shall not be subject to retribution for such action. Informal, usually oral, challenges are encouraged. Formal challenges to classification actions shall be in writing to an original classification authority (OCA) with jurisdiction over the information and a copy of the challenge shall be sent to the Office of Information Programs and Services (IPS) of the Department of State, SA–2, 515 22nd St. NW., Washington, DC 20522–8100. The Department (either the OCA or IPS) shall provide an initial response in writing within 60 calendar days.

(b) Appeal procedures and time
limits. A negative response may be appealed to the Department’s Appeals Review Panel (ARP) and should be sent to: Chairman, Appeals Review Panel, c/o Director, Office of Information Programs and Services/Appeals Officer, at the IPS address given above. The appeal shall include a copy of the original challenge, the response, and any additional information the appellant believes would assist the ARP in reaching its decision. The ARP shall respond within 90 calendar days of receipt of the appeal. A negative decision by the ARP may be appealed to the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP) referenced in
section 5.3 of Executive Order 13526. If the Department fails to respond to a formal challenge within 120 calendar days or if the ARP fails to respond to an appeal within 90 calendar days, the challenge may be sent directly to the

ISCAP.

(c) Pre-publication review materials. The provisions for classification challenges do not apply to materialrequired to be submitted for prepublication review, or other administrative action, pursuant to a non-disclosure agreement.

**§ 9.9 Declassification and downgrading.**

(a) Declassification processes.
Declassification of classified information may occur:

(1) After review of material in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, mandatory declassification review request, discovery request, subpoena, classification challenge, or other
information access or declassification request;

(2) After review as part of the Department’s systematic declassification review program;

(3) As a result of the elapse of the time or the occurrence of the event specified at the time of classification;

(4) By operation of the automatic declassification provisions of section 3.3 of the Executive Order with respect to material more than 25 years old.

(b) Downgrading. When material classified at the Top Secret level is
reviewed for declassification and it is
determined that classification continues to be warranted, a determination shall be made whether downgrading to a
lower level of classification is appropriate. If downgrading is determined to be warranted, the
classification level of the material shall be changed to the appropriate lower
level.

(c) Authority to downgrade and declassify. (1) Classified information may be downgraded or declassified by:

(i) The official who originally
classified the information if that official is still serving in the same position and has original classification authority;

(ii) A successor in that capacity if that individual has original classification authority;

(iii) A supervisory official of either if the supervisory official has original classification authority;

(iv) Other Department officials specifically delegated declassification authority in writing by the Secretary or the Senior Agency Official; or

(v) The Director of the Information Security Oversight Office pursuant to Sec. 3.1(a) of E.O. 13526.

(2) The Department shall maintain a record of Department officials specifically designated as declassification and downgrading
authorities.

(d) Declassification in the public

interest. Although information that
continues to meet the classification
criteria of the Executive Order or a predecessor order normally requires continued protection, in some exceptional cases the need to protect information may be outweighed by the public interest in disclosure of the information. When such a question arises, it shall be referred to the Secretary or the Senior Agency Official for decision on whether, as an exercise of discretion, the information should be
declassified and disclosed. This provision does not amplify or modify the substantive criteria or procedures for classification or create any substantive or procedural right subject to judicial

review.

(e) Public disclosure of declassified information. Declassification of information is not, by itself, authorization for its public disclosure. Previously classified information that is declassified may be exempt from public disclosure under the FOIA, the Privacy Act, or various statutory confidentiality provisions. There also may be treaties or other international agreements that would preclude public disclosure of
declassified information.

**§ 9.10 Mandatory declassification review**

(a) Scope. All information classified under E.O. 13526 or predecessor orders shall be subject to mandatory declassification review upon request by a member of the public or a U.S. government employee or agency with the following exceptions:

(1) Information originated by the
incumbent President or the incumbent Vice President; the incumbent
President’s White House staff or the incumbent Vice President’s staff; committees, commissions, or boards appointed by the incumbent President;
other entities within the Executive Office of the President that solely advise and assist the incumbent President;

(2) Information that is the subject of pending litigation; and

(3) Information that has been
reviewed for declassification within the past two years which need not be reviewed again, but the requester shall be given appeal rights.

(b) Requests. Requests for mandatory
declassification review should be
addressed to the Office of Information Programs and Services, U.S. Department of State, SA–2, 515 22nd St. NW., Washington, DC 20522–8100.

(c) Description of information. In order to be processed, a request for mandatory declassification review must
describe the document or the material containing the information sought with sufficient specificity to enable the Department to locate the document or
material with a reasonable amount of effort. Whenever a request does not sufficiently describe the material, the Department shall notify the requester
that no further action will be taken unless additional description of the information sought is provided.

(d) Refusal to confirm or deny existence of information. The Department may refuse to confirm or deny the existence or nonexistence of requested information whenever the fact
of existence or nonexistence is itself
classified.


### 35939 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 122 / Wednesday, June 25, 2014 / Rules and Regulations

(e) Processing. In responding to mandatory declassification review requests, the Department shall make a review determination as promptly as possible, but in no case more than one year from the date of receipt of the request, and notify the requester accordingly. When the requested
information cannot be declassified in its entirety, the Department shall release all meaningful portions that can be declassified and that are not exempt from disclosure on other grounds.

(f) Other agency information. When the Department receives a request for information in its possession that was originally classified by another agency, it shall refer the request and the pertinent information to the other agency unless that agency has agreed that the Department may review such
information for declassification on behalf of that agency. In any case, the Department is responsible for responding to the requester with regard to any responsive information, including other-agency information, unless a prior arrangement has been made with the originating agency.

(g) Foreign government information. In the case of a request for material containing foreign government information, the Department shall determine whether the information may be declassified and may, if appropriate, consult with the relevant foreign government on that issue. If the Department is not the agency that initially received the foreign government information, it may consult with the original receiving agency.

(h) Documents or material containing RD or Transclassified Foreign Nuclear Information (TFNI). Documents or material containing RD or TFNI will be
submitted to DOE for review. Documents containing FRD will be
submitted to DOE or DoD for review.

(i) Appeals. Any denial of a mandatory declassification review request may be appealed to the ARP. A denial by the ARP of a mandatory declassification review appeal may be further appealed to the ISCAP. A failure of the Department to make a determination on a mandatory declassification review request within one year from the date of its receipt or to respond to an appeal of a denial by the ARP within 180 calendar days of its receipt may be appealed directly to the

ISCAP.

**§ 9.11 Systematic declassification review.**

The Director of the Office of Information Programs and Services shall be responsible for conducting a program for systematic declassification review of historically valuable records that: were exempted from the automatic declassification provisions of section 3.3 of the Executive Order; or will soon become subject to the automatic declassification provisions of section 3.3
of the Order. The Director shall prioritize such review in accordance with priorities established by the
National Declassification Center.

**§ 9.12 Sharing other-agency classified**

**information.**

The long-standing third-agency rule has required prior originating agency approval before a receiving agency
could further disseminate classified information. Under the Executive Order, unless the originating agency indicates on the material that prior approval is required and provided that the criteria for access under section 4.1(a) of the Order are met, a receiving agency may
further disseminate classified
information in documents created subsequent to the effective date of the Order to another agency or U.S. entity
without consultation with the originating agency. ‘‘U.S. entity’’ includes cleared state, local, tribal, and private sector entities. Similarly, under certain circumstances, receiving agencies may pass such classified information to foreign governments.

**§ 9.13 Access to classified information by**

**historical researchers and certain former government personnel.** 

(a) The restriction in E.O. 13526 and predecessor orders on limiting access to
classified information to individuals
who have a need-to-know the information may be waived, under the conditions set forth below, for persons who: are engaged in historical research projects; have served as President or Vice President; have occupied senior policy-making positions in the Department of State or other U.S. government agencies to which they were appointed or designated by the
President or the Vice President. It does not include former Foreign Service Officers as a class or persons who merely received assignment commissions as Foreign Service Officers, Foreign Service Reserve Officers, Foreign Service Staff Officers, and employees.

(b) Requests by such persons must be submitted in writing to the Office of Information Programs and Services at
the address set forth above and must include a general description of the records sought, the time period covered by the records that are the subject of the request, and an explanation why access is sought. Requests for access by such requesters may be granted if: (1) The Secretary or the Senior Agency Official determines in writing
that access is consistent with the interests of national security;

(2) The requester agrees in writing to safeguard the information from unauthorized disclosure or compromise;

(3) The requester submits a statement in writing authorizing the Department to review any notes and manuscripts created as a result of access;

(4) The requester submits a statement in writing that any information obtained
from review of the records will not be disseminated without the express written permission of the Department;

(c) If a requester uses a research assistant, the requester and the research
assistant must both submit a statement in writing acknowledging that the same access conditions set forth in paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(4) of this section apply
to the research assistant. Such a research assistant must be working for the applicant and not gathering information for publication on his or her
own behalf.

(d) Access granted under this section
shall be limited to items the official originated, reviewed, signed, or received while serving as a Presidential or Vice Presidential appointee or designee or as
President or Vice President.

(e) Such requesters may seek
declassification and release of material to which they have been granted access under this section through either the FOIA or the mandatory declassification review provisions of E.O. 13526. Such requests shall be processed in the order received, along with other FOIA and mandatory declassification review requests, and shall be subject to the fees applicable to FOIA requests.

**§ 9.14 Pre-publication review of writings by former Department personnel.** 

The Department provides prepublication review of writings on foreign relations topics by former Department personnel, including contractors and detailees, who had security clearances to try to ensure that former personnel do not violate their agreements on non-disclosure of classified national security information in such writings. Manuscripts (including articles, speeches, books, etc.) should be sent to the Director, Office of Information Programs and Services, 515 22nd St. NW., Washington, DC 20522–8100. Questions about pre-publication clearance may be

sent to Classification@state.gov.

**§ 9.15 Assistance to the Historian’s Office.**

All elements of the Department shall
assist the Historian’s Office in its preparation of the Foreign Relations of


### 35940 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 122 / Wednesday, June 25, 2014 / Rules and Regulations

1 HUD’s 2014 Appropriations Act is Title II of Division L of Public Law 113–76, 128 Stat. 5, approved January 17, 2014. See Public Law 113–76

at 128 Stat. 604.

2 The five general provisions are sections 210, 212, 220, 238, and 242. This notice addresses sections 212, 220, 238, and 242. Section 210, which pertains to flat rents is addressed separately PIH Notice 2014–12, available at http://portal.hud.gov/ hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=14-12pihn.pdf

. the United States (FRUS) series such as by providing prompt access to and, when possible, declassification of information deemed appropriate for
inclusion in the FRUS.

**§ 9.16 Safeguarding.**

Specific controls on the use, processing, storage, reproduction, and
transmittal of classified information within the Department to provide protection for such information and to prevent access by unauthorized persons
are contained in Volume 12 of the Department’s Foreign Affairs Manual.

Dated: May 29, 2014.
Margaret P. Grafeld, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of

State.

[FR Doc. 2014–14879 Filed 6–24–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4710–24–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND**
**URBAN DEVELOPMENT**

**24 CFR Parts 5, 943, and 982**

**[Docket No. FR–5778–N–01]**

**HUD Implementation of Fiscal Year 2014 Appropriations Provisions on**  **Public Housing Agency Consortia, Biennial Inspections, Extremely Low**  **Income Definition, and Utility**

**Allowances**

**AGENCY :**  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing—Federal Housing
Commissioner and Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, HUD.

**ACTION :**  Notice of statutory changes.

**SUMMARY :**  Section 243 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2014 (2014 Appropriations Act) authorizes HUD to implement certain statutory changes to the United States Housing Act of 1937 made by the 2014 Appropriations Act through notice followed by notice and comment rulemaking. This notice establishes the terms and conditions by which HUD will implement changes to the statutory definition of a ‘‘public housing agency’’ (PHA), the frequency of housing inspections, the statutory definition of ‘‘extremely low-income,’’ and utility allowances for tenant-paid
utilities.

**DATES :**  Effective Date: July 1, 2014.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  For Public Housing and Voucher program questions, contact Michael Dennis, Director of the Office of Housing Voucher Programs, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 4228, Washington, DC 20410; telephone number 202–402– 4059 (this is not a toll-free number). For questions regarding the multifamily programs, contact Claire Brolin, 451 7th Street SW., Suite 6138, Washington, DC 20410 at 202–402–6634 (this is not a toll-free number). Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access either of these numbers through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay

Service at 800–877–8339.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 
I. Background

The general provisions of the 2014 Appropriations Act 1 include five statutory changes to the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et

seq. ) (1937 Act) that are designed to reduce administrative burdens on PHAs, enable PHAs to better target assistance to families in need of such assistance,
and reduce Federal costs. 2 Expediting the implementation of these provisions through notice will help PHAs to benefit from the changes in the law sooner than if implementation was accomplished solely through public rulemaking. The only statutory change that is applicable to multifamily project-based section 8 programs is the added definition of ‘‘extremely low-income’’ in section 238. For all other statutory changes, the changes provided in this notice apply only to the public housing and section 8 voucher programs.

Section 212 of the 2014 Appropriations Act amends the
definition of a PHA to include a
consortium of such entities.

Section 220 allows PHAs to comply with the requirement to inspect assisted dwelling units during the term of a housing assistance payment (HAP) contract by conducting biennial housing quality inspections instead of annual inspections. PHAs are also able to utilize alternative inspection methods to demonstrate that housing meets the housing quality requirements under the voucher program.

Section 238 creates a statutory definition of ‘‘extremely low-incomefamilies,’’ which is defined as very lowincome families whose incomes do not exceed the higher of the Federal poverty level or 30 percent of Area Median

Income.

Section 242 establishes a cap on the utility allowance for families leasing oversized units. The cap is set at an amount based on family size rather than the size of the unit leased, with the ability to set a higher amount to provide
a reasonable accommodation to the family of a person with disabilities, harmonizing the utility allowance standard with the payment standard requirement.

In order to allow PHAs to receive, as quickly as possible, the benefit of the reduced burden that these provisions are designed to achieve, the 2014 Appropriations Act authorizes HUD to implement the changes through notice, provided that HUD follows with notice and comment rulemaking within six
months of the issuance of the notice.

II. Implementation Requirements

A. PHA Consortia

Section 212 of the 2014 Appropriations Act amends the definition of ‘‘public housing agency’’ at subparagraph (A) of section 3(b)(6) of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(6)(A)) to include in its general definition ‘‘a
consortium of such entities or bodies as approved by the Secretary.’’ PHAs may follow 24 CFR part 943 to form, participate in, and utilize consortia. PHAs may request a waiver of any current provision related to consortium organization, elements of the agreement, the relationship between HUD and the consortium, and the responsibilities of
the consortium.

The Secretary will not approve any
consortium of PHAs for administration of multifamily project-based section 8 program contracts.

B. Biennial Inspections

Section 220 of the 2014 Appropriations Act allows PHAs to comply with the requirement to inspect assisted dwelling units during the term of a HAP contract by inspecting such units not less than biennially instead of annually and to rely upon alternative inspection methods to meet this requirement. However, a PHA may not use the alternative inspection method in lieu of the initial unit or any interim inspection. PHAs are still required to conduct an initial inspection, prior to entering into a HAP contract, and interim inspections, if a family or government official notifies the PHA of a unit’s failure to comply with housing quality standards, in accordance with the housing quality standards (HQS) of the HCV program.

1. In General

In order to bring relief to PHAs and owners as expeditiously as possible, HUD is implementing certain elements