## 35995 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 122 / Wednesday, June 25, 2014 / Notices

(e) The possibility that, even if an agency discourages ex parte communications during specified stages of the rulemaking process, such communications may nonetheless

occur.

(f) The potential need to give agency personnel guidance about whether or to what extent to provide information to persons not employed by the agency during a face-to-face meeting.

Communications Before an NPRM Is Issued

4. Agencies should not impose restrictions on ex parte communications before an NPRM is issued.

5. Agencies may, however, disclose, in accordance with ¶ 8 of this recommendation, the occurrence or content of ex parte communications received before an NPRM is issued, as follows:

(a) In the preamble of the later-issued NPRM or other rulemaking document; or

(b) In the appropriate rulemaking docket once it is opened.

Communications After an NPRM Has Been Issued

6. If an agency cannot accommodate all requests for in-person meetings after an NPRM has been issued, it should consider holding a public meeting (which may be informal) in lieu of or in addition to individual, private meetings.

7. After an NPRM has been issued, agencies should disclose to the public:

(a) The occurrence of all oral ex parte communications, including the identity of those involved in the discussion and the date and location of the meeting.

(b) The content of all oral ex parte communications through a written summary filed in the appropriate rulemaking docket. Agencies may either:

(i) Direct their own personnel to prepare and submit the necessary summary; or

(ii) Request or require private persons to prepare and submit the necessary summary of meetings in which they have participated, although it remains the agency’s responsibility to ensure adequate disclosure.

(c) All written submissions, in the appropriate rulemaking docket.

Additional Considerations after the Comment Period Has Closed

8. Agencies should determine whether, and under what circumstances, ex parte communications made after the close of the comment period should be permitted and, if so, how they should be considered.

9. If an agency receives, through an ex parte communication, any significant new information that its decisionmakers choose to consider or rely upon, it should disclose the information and consider reopening the comment period, to provide the public with an opportunity to respond.

10. When an agency receives a large number of requests for ex parte meetings after the comment period has closed, it should consider using a reply comment period or offering other opportunities for receiving public input on submitted comments. See Admin. Conf. of the United States, Recommendation 2011–2, Rulemaking Comments ¶ 6, 76 Fed. Reg. 48,791 (Aug. 9, 2011) (encouraging the use of reply comment periods and other methods of receiving public input on previously submitted comments).
Quasi-Adjudicatory Rulemakings

11. If an agency conducts ‘‘quasiadjudicatory’’ rulemakings that involve conflicting private claims to a valuable privilege, its ex parte communications policy should clearly and distinctly articulate the principles and procedures applicable in those rulemakings.

12. Agencies should explain whether, how, and why they are prohibiting or restricting ex parte communications in quasi-adjudicatory rulemakings. Agencies may conclude that ex parte communications in this context require a different approach from the one otherwise recommended here.

13. Agencies should explain and provide a rationale for any additional procedures applicable to ex parte communications received in quasi-adjudicatory rulemakings.
Accommodating Digital Technology

14. Agencies should consider how digital technology may aid the management or disclosure of ex parte communications. For example, agencies may be able to use technological tools such as video teleconferencing as a cost effective way to engage with interested persons.

15. Agencies should avoid using language that will inadvertently exclude ex parte communications made via digital or other new technologies from their policies.

16. Agencies should state clearly whether they consider social media communications to be ex parte communications and how they plan to treat such communications. Agencies should ensure consistency between policies governing ex parte communications and the use of social media.

[FR Doc. 2014–14878 Filed 6–24–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6110–01–P**



### UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR **INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT**

**Notice of July 9 Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid Meeting** 

**AGENCY** 

### : United States Agency for International Development.

**ACTION** 

### : Notice of meeting.

**SUMMARY** 

### : Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid (ACVFA).

Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2014. Time: 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Location: Horizon Room, Ronald Reagan Building.
Purpose

The Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid (ACVFA) brings together USAID and private voluntary organizations (PVO) officials, representatives from universities, international nongovernment organizations (NGOs), U.S. businesses, and government, multilateral, and private organizations to foster understanding, communication, and cooperation in the area of foreign aid. Agenda

USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah will make opening remarks, followed by panel discussions among ACVFA members and USAID leadership on the Global Development Lab. The full meeting agenda will be forthcoming on the ACVFA Web site at http:// www.usaid.gov/who-we-are/ organization/advisory-committee.

Stakeholders

The meeting is free and open to the public. Persons wishing to attend should register online at http://ow.ly/ wlC6G.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**

### : Jayne Thomisee, 202–712–5506.

Dated: June 18, 2014. Jayne Thomisee, Executive Director & Policy Advisor, U.S. Agency for International Development.
[FR Doc. 2014–14836 Filed 6–24–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE P**



### DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

**Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request** 

June 19, 2014.



### The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques and other forms of information technology.

Comments regarding this information collection received by July 25, 2014 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and