101490 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 241 / Monday, December 16, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 

1 Vessel Documentation; Recording of 

Instruments direct final rule, 72 FR 42310, Aug. 2, 

2007; and confirmation of effective date, 72 FR 

58762, Oct. 17, 2007. 

2024 (89 FR 89459 (FRL–8524–02– 

OCSPP)) to address two errors where 

EPA inadvertently omitted important 

text within the amendatory instructions: 

1. The first error appears in 

amendatory instruction 15a, which 

directs the OFR to revise paragraph 

(e)(5) in 40 CFR 745.225, however, since 

the set-out text for paragraph (e)(5) does 

not include the subordinate paragraphs 

to paragraph (e)(5), the instruction 

should direct the OFR to revise the 

introductory text of paragraph (e)(5). 

2. The second error appears in 

amendatory instruction 17b, which 

directs the OFR to revise paragraph 

(e)(8)(v) of 40 CFR 745.227, however, 

since the set-out text for paragraph 

(e)(8)(v) does not include the 

subordinate paragraphs to paragraph 

(e)(8)(v), the instruction should direct 

the OFR to revise the introductory text 

of paragraph (e)(8)(v). 

Correction 

In FR Doc. 2024–25070, appearing on 

page 89416 in the Federal Register of 

November 12, 2024, the following 

correction is made: 

§ 745.225 [Corrected] 

■ 1. On page 89459, in the first 

column, correct instruction 15a to read 

as follows: 

‘‘■ a. Revising paragraphs (b)(1) 

introductory text, (c)(13)(vi), (c)(14)(iii), 

(d)(1)(vi), (d)(3)(xi), (d)(4)(v), (d)(7)(v), 

(e)(5) introductory text, and (f)(2);’’ 

§ 745.227 [Corrected] 

■ 2. On page 89460, in the first 

column, correct instruction 17b to read 

as follows: 

‘‘■ b. Revising paragraphs (c)(2)(i), 

(iv) and (v), (d)(3) and (5), (d)(6)(ii), 

(d)(7), (e)(4)(ii) and (vii), (e)(8) 

introductory text, (e)(8)(i) through (v), 

(vii) and (viii), (e)(9) introductory text, 

(e)(9)(ii) and (iii), and (e)(10)(iv) and 

(v);’’ 

Dated: December 6, 2024. 

Michal Freedhoff, 

Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical 

Safety and Pollution Prevention. 

[FR Doc. 2024–29423 Filed 12–13–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6560–50–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

Coast Guard 

46 CFR Part 67 

[Docket No. USCG–2023–0584] 

RIN 1625–AC93 

Updated Document Submission 

Process for Compliance With 

Electronic Records Mandate 

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is issuing a 

final rule to update regulations that 

reflect the Coast Guard National Vessel 

Documentation Center’s processes and 

capabilities, as well as align regulations 

with statutory reporting timelines. The 

processes noted pertain to electronic file 

submissions, requirements for 

submission of original build evidence, 

and return of existing Certificates of 

Documentation (CODs). In addition, the 

time period related to reporting changes 

to COD information is updated to align 

with statute. 

DATES: This final rule is effective 

January 15, 2025. 

ADDRESSES: To view documents 

mentioned in this preamble as being 

available in the docket, go to 

www.regulations.gov, type USCG–2023– 

0584 in the search box, and click 

‘‘Search.’’ Next, in the Document Type 

column, select ‘‘Supporting & Related 

Material.’’ 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For 

information about this document, call or 

email Mr. Ronald (Sam) Teague, Coast 

Guard National Vessel Documentation 

Center; telephone (304) 271–2506, email 

ronald.s.teague@uscg.mil. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents for Preamble 

I. Abbreviations 

II. Basis and Purpose, and Regulatory History 

III. Background and Discussion of Rule 

IV. Regulatory Analyses 

A. Regulatory Planning and Review 

B. Small Entities 

C. Assistance for Small Entities 

D. Collection of Information 

E. Federalism 

F. Administrative Procedure Act 

G. Unfunded Mandates 

H. Taking of Private Property 

I. Civil Justice Reform 

J. Protection of Children 

K. Indian Tribal Governments 

L. Energy Effects 

M. Technical Standards 

N. Environment 

I. Abbreviations 

Builder’s Certificate Builder’s Certification 

and First Transfer of Title (form CG–1261) 

CFR Code of Federal Regulations 

CGAA 2018 Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard 

Authorization Act of 2018 

COD Certificate of Documentation 

CY Calendar year 

DHS Department of Homeland Security 

Fax Facsimile 

FR Federal Register 

FTE Full-time equivalent 

GS General Schedule 

NARA National Archives and Records 

Administration 

NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking 

NVDC U.S. Coast Guard National Vessel 

Documentation Center 

OMB Office of Management and Budget 

OPM Office of Personnel Management 

PDF Portable document format 

§ Section 

U.S.C. United States Code 

YoY Year-over-year 

YTD Year-to-date 

II. Basis and Purpose, and Regulatory 

History 

Section 2103 of Title 46 of the United 

States Code (U.S.C.) gives the Secretary 

of the Department in which the Coast 

Guard is operating broad regulatory 

authority to carry out the provisions of 

46 U.S.C. subtitle II (Vessels and 

Seamen), where vessel documentation 

provisions in 46 U.S.C. chapter 121 are 

located. The Secretary’s authority is 

delegated to the Coast Guard by the 

Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS) Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision 

No. 01.4, paragraph II (92)(a). 

The Coast Guard did not publish a 

notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 

before this rule. As explained in Section 

IV.F Administrative Procedure Act of 

this preamble, the Coast Guard finds 

that this rule is exempt from notice and 

comment as a procedural rule under 5 

U.S.C. 553(b)(A) and for good cause 

under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). 

III. Background and Discussion of Rule 

In 2007, the Coast Guard amended 

vessel documentation regulations to 

eliminate the requirement to provide 

certain original documents to the U.S. 

Coast Guard National Vessel 

Documentation Center (NVDC) for 

recording and eliminated the additional 

fee for filing by facsimile (fax).1

Currently, Coast Guard regulations 

allow the filing of instruments, such as 

Bills of Sale, Deeds of Gifts, Mortgages, 

and Notices of Claim of Lien, to the 

NVDC by paper submission or 

electronically. Regulations on the 


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2https://www.archives.gov/files/records-mgmt/ 

policy/m-19-21-transition-to-federal-records.pdf 

(accessed December 10, 2024). 

3https://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/ 

bulletins/2020/2020-01 (accessed December 10, 

2024). 4Public Law 115–282, 132 Stat. 4192. 

5https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/

DCO%20Documents/NVDC/Change%20in%20

Requirements%20for%20Original%20

Build%20Certificate.pdf?ver=qOU5UxE1- 

bvviJMo75ZCmA%3D%3D (accessed December 10, 

2024). 

electronic means for filing specify two 

technologies: via fax or Portable 

Document Format (PDF) attachment(s) 

to electronic mail. 

This rule removes references to the 

specific electronic filing methodologies 

of PDF and faxing and revises the 

regulations with more general terms to 

capture other electronic filing options. It 

also removes referencing a specific 

technology that is no longer a part of 

NVDC’s current process, because the 

system provided to and used by the 

NVDC does not support fax capabilities. 

Electronic filing is not mandatory. 

With this rule, vessel owners retain the 

ability to file paper records with the 

Coast Guard. Historically, paper records 

that were scanned and uploaded into 

the system were ultimately archived 

with the Federal Records Center, in 

accordance with National Archives and 

Records Administration (NARA) 

requirements. The NVDC still scans and 

uploads paper records, but, NARA, with 

few exceptions, stopped accepting paper 

records as of January 1, 2023. See 

Transition to Electronic Records, OMB 

and NARA Memorandum M–19–21 

(June 28, 2019).2 NARA does recognize 

a possible exception for records of 

intrinsic historic value to its rule on no 

longer accepting paper documents. See 

Federal Records Management: Digitizing 

Permanent Records and Reviewing 

Records Schedules, 88 FR 28410, 

28412–13 (May 4, 2023) and Guidance 

on OMB and NARA Memorandum 

Transition to Electronic Records, NARA 

Bulletin 2020–01 (September 30, 2020).3

However, that exception would not 

apply to the vast majority of NVDC 

records, if any. Therefore, paper records 

currently submitted to the NVDC are 

shelved for up to 2 years awaiting 

destruction by the Coast Guard. 

In response to NARA’s paper 

processing change, the NVDC is 

maximizing electronic filing capabilities 

to reduce the need to digitize physical 

submissions, store the submissions, and 

ultimately destroy them. Additionally, 

more general language in the regulations 

allows the Coast Guard and affected 

vessel owners to take advantage of 

developing technologies as they become 

available for electronic submission of 

instruments. 

Currently, 46 CFR 67.99 requires 

original vessel build evidence. Without 

the ability to send original documents to 

NARA, the NVDC is required to either 

mail the form CG–1261, the original 

Builder’s Certification and First Transfer 

of Title (hereafter ‘‘Builder’s 

Certificate’’), to the vessel owner, or 

shred the document. The NVDC 

currently accepts copies of other 

original documents and ceased 

requiring vessel owners to submit 

original evidence of build as of July 1, 

2022. In line with this practice, the 

Coast Guard is amending 46 CFR 67.99 

to remove the requirement for original 

evidence of build documents. 

In addition, 46 CFR 67.141(a)(4), 

67.167(a), and 67.169(b) currently 

require an outstanding Certificate of 

Documentation (COD) be submitted as 

part of the application procedure for 

COD replacement, exchange, or 

deletion. This rulemaking removes this 

requirement. 

On December 4, 2018, Congress 

enacted the Frank LoBiondo Coast 

Guard Authorization Act of 2018 (CGAA 

2018). Section 512 of the CGAA 2018 

amended 46 U.S.C. 12105(e)(3)(A) 4 to 

require vessel owners to notify the Coast 

Guard no later than 30 days after each 

change in information that the issuance 

of a COD for the vessel is based on if 

it occurs before the expiration of the 

certificate. The Coast Guard previously 

revised 46 CFR 67.319 to reflect this 

statutory change (86 FR 5022, Jan. 19, 

2021). With this final rule, the Coast 

Guard amends 46 CFR 67.113(e) and 

67.321 to also extend, from 10 to 30 

days, the time that a vessel owner has 

to report a change of a managing 

owner’s address to the NVDC. 

This rulemaking will benefit vessel 

owners in the form of greater 

clarification by codifying current policy 

and practice at the NVDC of not 

requiring vessel owners to mail original 

build evidence and instruments. In 

addition, Coast Guard regulations will 

accurately reflect current statutory 

periods for vessel owners to submit 

changes to their address used to apply 

for a COD. The Coast Guard will also 

benefit from greater clarity, as this final 

rule harmonizes the CFR with current 

practices. 

IV. Regulatory Analyses 

We developed this rule after 

considering numerous statutes and 

Executive orders related to rulemaking. 

Below, we summarize our analyses 

based on these statutes or Executive 

orders. 

A. Regulatory Planning and Review 

Executive Orders 12866 (Regulatory 

Planning and Review), as amended by 

Executive Order 14094 (Modernizing 

Regulatory Review), and 13563 

(Improving Regulation and Regulatory 

Review) direct agencies to assess the 

costs and benefits of available regulatory 

alternatives and, if 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 costs and benefits, reducing 

costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting 

flexibility. 

The Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) has not designated this rule a 

significant regulatory action under 

section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, as 

amended by Executive Order 14094. 

Accordingly, OMB has not reviewed 

this regulatory action. A regulatory 

analysis follows. 

Summary of Regulatory Analysis 

As discussed in Section III, 

Background and Discussion of Rule, in 

this preamble, the NVDC no longer 

sends or receives faxes, leaving PDF 

attachment to email as the only 

electronic means of submission. Since 

July 1 of 2022, the Coast Guard ceased 

requiring vessel owners to submit 

original Builder’s Certificates to the 

NVDC, and NVDC began accepting 

copies of the original certificate.5 To 

better implement this change, the Coast 

Guard is maximizing electronic filing 

capabilities, although vessel owners will 

retain the option to submit paper 

records to the Coast Guard. 

Additionally, more general language in 

the regulations allows the Coast Guard 

to take advantage of developing 

technologies as they become available 

for electronic submission of records. 

To provide a comprehensive analysis 

covering both of these programmatic 

changes with implementation of the 

final rule, the Coast Guard utilizes two 

baselines, a pre-program change 

baseline that represents the state of the 

world without the program change in 

2022 and a ‘‘no action’’ baseline that 

represents the state of the world without 

the regulation. According to federal 

guidelines, the economic impact of the 

rule should be accounted for in the 

period in which the changes occur. The 

rulemaking aligns regulations with 

current industry practice, which existed 

prior to the rulemaking. Therefore, the 

economic impact of the rule, which 

normally includes costs, cost-savings, 


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6Estimates for total COD applicants are not used 

in the estimation of cost savings. Total COD 

applications were estimated using a 5-year moving 

average, and similar to methods described below for 

the affected population methodology, we applied a 

growth rate to estimate future years and an annual 

average. 

and benefits, will be attributed to the 

‘‘pre-program change’’ baseline. 

The ‘‘pre-program’’ baseline is used to 

measure the economic impacts of the 

program changes (a timespan that 

includes events beginning in 2022 

through 2033), and the ‘‘no action’’ 

baseline is used to measure the impacts 

of the final rule (a projected 10-year 

period, which includes events 

beginning in 2024 through 2033). 

Tables 1 and 2 present the overall 

impacts for both baselines. 

TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF THE AFFECTED POPULATION, COSTS, COST-SAVINGS, AND BENEFITS

Category Program change impacts 

(‘‘no action’’ baseline) Final rule impacts compared to ‘‘no action’’ baseline 

Applicability ........................... July 1, 2022: the Coast Guard began accepting copies of Builder’s Certificates and other documents through electronic 

means, primarily email with PDF attachments.

Original Evidence of Build Documents: Amends 46 CFR 67.99(a) 

and reflects current processes and capabilities at the NVDC, 

eliminating the requirement for vessel owners to submit original 

evidence of build documents and allowing copies. 

Reporting Period: Amends 46 CFR 67.113(e) and 67.321 to extend the time, from 10 days to 30 days, in which a vessel 

owner must notify the NVDC of a change of address, or when 

information submitted for the issuance of a COD changes. 

Electronic Record Submissions: Amends 46 CFR 67.209, 67.218 

and 67.219 to eliminate restrictions on electronic submission 

options. 

Return of CODs: Amends 46 CFR 67.167(a) and 67.171(b), and 

deletes 67.169(b) and 141(a)(4), which requires applicants to 

return original CODs upon application for a replacement or exchange of COD. 

Affected Population .............. Original Evidence of Build Documents: Approximately 20,068 Initial COD applications are expected to be submitted to the 

NVDC annually over the next 10 years. Additionally, this population includes the 18,336 and 17,558 applicants who submitted 

to NVDC in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Electronic Record Submissions: On average, this change applies 

to the entire population of NVDC customers, estimated at 

161,587 6 COD holders over the next 10 years. Additionally, 

this population includes the 213,087 and 174,343 applicants 

who submitted to NVDC in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Return of CODs: On average, this change applies to the population of NVDC customers who submit a COD other than an Initial COD, estimated at 141,519 COD holders over the next 10 

years. Additionally, this population includes the 194,751 and 

156,785 applicants who submitted to NVDC in 2022 and 2023, 

respectively.

Original Build Evidence: Approximately 20,068 Initial COD applications are expected to be submitted to the NVDC annually 

over the next 10 years. 

Reporting Period: On average, this change applies to the entire 

population of NVDC customers, estimated at 161,587 COD 

holders over the next 10 years. 

Electronic Record Submissions: On average, this change applies 

to the entire population of NVDC customers, estimated at 

161,587 COD holders over the next 10 years. 

Return of CODs: On average, this change applies to the population of NVDC customers who submit a COD other than an Initial COD, estimated at 141,519 COD holders over the next 10 

years. 

Costs .................................... Additional costs were not imposed by a program change to accepting electronic versions of a Builder’s Certificate, among 

other documents, since July 1 of 2022.

This final rule does not impose any new costs to industry by 

amending 46 CFR 67.99(a) and harmonizing CFR language 

with current procedures at NVDC, as the NVDC has accepted 

electronic versions of a Builder’s Certificate, among other documents, since July 1 of 2022. The option of submitting an original document to the NVDC by mail is preserved in this final 

rule. 

Cost-savings (in 2023 dollars, 2% discount rate) *.Electronic Records—Industry: Estimated annualized cost-savings 

of approximately $14,914 in 2023 dollars, discounted at 2 percent.

Electronic Records—Government: Estimated annualized cost savings of approximately $208,985 in 2023 dollars, discounted at 2 

percent.

Estimated total annualized cost-savings of approximately 

$223,899 in 2023 dollars, discounted at 2 percent.

This final rule does not impose any new cost savings beyond 

those attributable to the program change. The opportunity for 

cost saving to industry began in July 2022, when vessels owners no longer had to submit original evidence of build documents to the Coast Guard. The cost savings of this new practice were incurred even without a new regulation codifying the 

practice. Therefore, all cost savings in this analysis are assigned to the program change in 2022. 

Additionally, there are no estimated cost savings to industry or 

Government associated with amending 46 CFR 67.113(e) and 

67.321. 

Benefits ................................. Electronic Records—Industry: The electronic submission of evidence of build benefits industry by reducing the burden to the 

public of printing and mailing paper records to the NVDC.

Electronic Records—Government: Government benefits by reducing the need to digitize original physical applications, store the 

submissions, and ultimately shred or send evidence of build 

documents back to vessel owners.

Reporting Period—Industry: There are no qualitative or quantitative benefits. However, industry is given an increase in the 

allotted time provided to vessel owners in which they must notify the NVDC of any changes to the issuance of their COD, 

from 10 to 30 days. 

Reporting Period—Government: There are no qualitative benefits 

to Government from extending the period in which vessel owners must notify the NVDC of any changes to the issuance of 

their COD from 10 to 30 days. 

* Totals may not add due to rounding. 


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TABLE 2—BASELINE MATRIX—CHANGES BETWEEN THE FINAL RULE AND THE CFR BY BASELINE

Subpart Description of change Type of change ‘‘No action’’ 

baseline impact 

‘‘Final rule’’ 

impact 

§ 67.99(a) ........ Revises the text, ‘‘Evidence of the facts of build 

may be either a completed original form CG– 

1261 or other original document. . .’’ to ‘‘Evidence of the facts of build may be a copy of 

either the original, completed form CG–1261 

(Builder’s Certification and First Transfer of 

Title), or other document. . .’’.

Economic (pre-programmatic 

change baseline) 

and Editorial.

The Coast Guard began receiving electronic 

copies of documents in July of 2022. This immediately reduced the cost to vessel owners 

and operators of the previous requirement to 

mail in original documents.

Estimated annualized cost-savings to industry of 

approximately $14,165 in 2023 dollars, discounted at 2%.

No economic impact. 

Estimated annualized cost-savings to Government of approximately $198,501 in 2023 dollars, discounted at 2%.

Total annualized cost-savings of approximately 

$212,666 in 2023 dollars, discounted at 2%.

§ 67.113(e) ...... Update ‘‘within 10 days’’ to ‘‘within 30 days,’’ in 

accordance with 67.319.

Editorial .................. No economic impact ............................................ No economic impact. 

§ 67.141(a)(4) .. Remove ‘‘(4) If the application is for replacement of a mutilated document or exchange of 

documentation, the outstanding Certificate of 

Documentation.’’.

Editorial .................. No economic impact ............................................ No economic impact. 

§ 67.167(a) ...... Remove .’’. . send or deliver the Certificate to 

the National Vessel Documentation Center, 

and . . .’’.

Editorial .................. No economic impact ............................................ No economic impact. 

§ 67.169(b) ...... Remove ‘‘b) When application for replacement 

of a Certificate of Documentation is required 

because the Certificate has been mutilated, 

the existing Certificate must be physically 

given up to the National Vessel Documentation Center.’’.

Editorial .................. No economic impact. ........................................... No economic impact. 

§ 67.171(b) ...... Remove ‘‘or deliver the original Certificate of 

Documentation to the National Vessel Documentation Center together with.’’.

Editorial .................. No economic impact ............................................ No economic impact. 

§ 67.209 ........... Remove reference to 67.218 and 67.219 ........... Editorial .................. No economic impact ............................................ No economic impact. 

§ 67.218 ........... PDF filing—edit to reference ‘‘electronic filing.’’ .. Editorial .................. No economic impact ............................................ No economic impact. 

§ 67.219 ........... 67.219 is eliminated entirely ............................... Editorial .................. No economic impact ............................................ No economic impact. 

§ 67.321 ........... Replaces the word ‘‘shall’’ with ‘‘must,’’ and the 

number ‘‘10’’ with ‘‘30.’’.

Editorial .................. No economic impact ............................................ No economic impact. 

Affected Population/Methodology 

Every application for an Initial COD 

submitted to the NVDC must include 

evidence of build in the form of a 

Builder’s Certificate or other original 

documentation containing the same 

information. Given that a Builder’s 

Certificate, or other original 

documentation containing the same 

information, must be submitted to the 

NVDC with every Initial COD 

application, for our analysis, the 

number of applications for Initial CODs 

submitted to the NVDC is used 

interchangeably with the number of 

Builder’s Certificates submitted to the 

NVDC. 

Table 3 displays the number of Initial 

COD applications submitted to the 

NVDC for Commercial (b), Fishing (c), 

and Recreational Vessels (d), beginning 

in calendar year (CY) 2018, and ending 

in CY 2023. The sum of these categories 

will be considered ‘‘Industry’’ for 

purposes of this rule. The sum of 

columns (b), (c), and (d) yields the total 

Initial COD applications submitted to 

the NVDC per calendar year (e), where 

(e) = (b) + (c) + (d). 

TABLE 3—INITIAL CODS APPLICATIONS (e) SUBMITTED TO THE NVDC FOR COMMERCIAL (b), FISHING (c), AND

RECREATIONAL VESSELS (d) 

Year Commercial Fishing Recreational Initial COD 

applications 

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) = (b) + (c) + (d) 

2018 ............................................................................................... 3,010 444 12,444 15,898 

2019 ............................................................................................... 3,161 450 12,811 16,422 

2020 ............................................................................................... 3,559 439 15,510 19,508 

2021 ............................................................................................... 3,790 466 15,798 20,054 

2022 ............................................................................................... 3,159 456 14,721 18,336 

2023 ............................................................................................... 3,269 471 13,818 17,558 

Methodology—Affected Population 

Our methodology begins with 

establishing an affected population 

growth rate, to help project Initial COD 

applicants for an additional 10 years. 

Table 4 illustrates the year-over-year 

(YoY) change for each vessel category, 

calculated as the percentage change 

within each series, over the most recent 

5 years’ worth of data. 


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TABLE 4—PERCENTAGE CHANGE OF INITIAL COD APPLICATIONS BETWEEN CY 2018 AND CY 2023 

Year Commercial Fishing Recreational Initial COD 

applications 

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) 

2018 ............................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................ ..........................

2019 ............................................................................................................... 5.0 1.4 2.9 3.3 

2020 ............................................................................................................... 12.6 -2.4 21.1 18.8 

2021 ............................................................................................................... 6.5 6.2 1.9 2.8 

2022 ............................................................................................................... ¥16.6 ¥2.1 ¥6.8 ¥8.6 

2023 ............................................................................................................... 3.5 3.3 ¥6.1 ¥4.2 

Average Growth ...................................................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................ * 2.4 

* Average Growth figure is rounded. Therefore, totals may not sum due to rounding. 

As we can see from Table 4, the range 

in growth between CY 2018 and CY 

2023 across all vessel categories 

fluctuated from a –16.6 percent YoY 

decline in Commercial vessels (b) 

during CY 2022, to a 21.1 percent YoY 

growth for Recreational vessels (d) in 

CY 2020. However, each series has 

grown over time on average; 

approximately 2.2 percent for 

Commercial vessels (b), 1.2 percent for 

Fishing vessels (c), and 2.6 percent for 

Recreational vessels (d). The average 

growth rate for all Initial COD 

applications is estimated at 2.4 percent. 

This figure is used to forecast the Initial 

COD applications for years 2024–2033. 

Projecting Initial CODs from 2024 to 

2033, Table 5 shows the average number 

of Initial COD applications for the next 

10 years, derived by applying the 2.4 

percent growth rate measured in Table 

4. We take the average annual estimate 

of Initial COD applications and use that 

number to represent the affected 

population for Initial COD applications 

for each year from 2024–2033 for both 

the pre-program change baseline and the 

‘‘no action’’ baseline. Here, the baselines 

are treated equally, as we don’t 

anticipate the final rule to induce a 

change in applications. 

TABLE 5—INITIAL CODS PROJECTIONS FOR THE NEXT 10-YEARS

Year Commercial Fishing Recreational Initial COD 

applications 

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) = (b) + (c) + (d) 

2024 ............................................................................................... 3,348 482 14,152 17,982 

2025 ............................................................................................... 3,429 494 14,494 18,416 

2026 ............................................................................................... 3,512 506 14,844 18,861 

2027 ............................................................................................... 3,596 518 15,202 19,317 

2028 ............................................................................................... 3,683 531 15,569 19,783 

2029 ............................................................................................... 3,772 544 15,945 20,261 

2030 ............................................................................................... 3,863 557 16,331 20,751 

2031 ............................................................................................... 3,957 570 16,725 21,252 

2032 ............................................................................................... 4,052 584 17,129 21,765 

2033 ............................................................................................... 4,150 598 17,543 22,291 

Average 2024–2033 ............................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................ 20,068 

Methodology—Industry and 

Government Cost Savings 

With a value for the average Initial 

COD applications for future years, we 

can begin estimating cost savings for all 

years, by multiplying the annual 

affected population no longer needing to 

submit a Builder’s Certificate by the 

opportunity cost of either postage to 

industry, and time and wages to assess 

the documents by the Federal 

Government. Table 6 provides a list of 

key inputs used to estimate cost savings 

including the postage rate for assessing 

industry savings and time and wages 

associated with government savings. 

TABLE 6—INPUTS FOR INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT COST-SAVINGS

[2022–2033] 

Inputs HR equivalent 

Government: 

12-minute Process Time ........................................................................................................................................................ 0.2 Hour. 

Hourly Wage .......................................................................................................................................................................... $24.88. 

Load Factor ............................................................................................................................................................................ 1.75. 

GDP Deflator (2023) .............................................................................................................................................................. 1.092. 

Total Wage Rate .................................................................................................................................................................... $47.64. 

Industry: 

Postage Submission Cost ...................................................................................................................................................... $0.68. 

Percent of Submission ........................................................................................................................................................... 100%. 


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7https://www.usps.com/business/prices.htm 

(accessed December 10, 2024). 

8https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/payleave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/24Tables/html/ 

DCB_h.aspx (accessed December 10, 2024). 9Congressional Budget Office, Comparing the 

Compensation of Federal and Private-Sector 

Employees, 2011 to 2015.’’ https://www.cbo.gov/ 

system/files/115th-congress-2017-2018/reports/ 

52637-federalprivatepay.pdf (accessed December 

10, 2024). 

10We divide the Total Compensation for 

employees in the Federal Government with some 

college as presented in Table 4—Federal and 

Private Sector Total Compensation, $56.30, by the 

average Wage for an employee in the Federal 

Government with some college, $32.10 in Table 2— 

Federal and Private-Sector Wages, by Workers’ 

Educational Attainment. Dividing the Federal 

Sector Total Compensation value, $56.30, by the 

Federal Sector Wages for an employee with some 

college, $32.10, yields a load factor of 1.75, $56.30 

÷ $32.10 = 1.75. 

Source: Congressional Budget Office, ‘‘Comparing 

the Compensation of Federal and Private-Sector 

Employees, 2011 to 2015.’’ https://www.cbo.gov/ 

system/files/115th-congress-2017-2018/reports/ 

52637-federalprivatepay.pdf (accessed December 

10, 2024). 

11Net Present Value (NPV) is used to estimate the 

future value of money in terms of the present value. 

Money can be invested at annual returns for future 

income, which means the value of money spent in 

the future may be less than if that money had been 

invested instead. NPV allows us to calculate how 

much the total expenditures are worth discounted 

backwards to the present, so we can estimate the 

true value of the money expended or saved. 

12For future years, the discount formula: Yearly 

Cost-Savings/(1+.02) ∧ Year Number. 

Cost savings to industry is calculated 

as the product of the estimated average 

number of Builder’s Certificates that the 

Coast Guard no longer expects to be 

submitted by mail annually, and the 

price of a standard, stamped, letter-sized 

envelope bought through the United 

States Postal Service (USPS). For years 

2024 through 2033, the estimated 

average affected population is 

approximately 20,068 Initial COD 

applications submitted yearly, assuming 

100 percent electronic submission rate. 

Additionally, according to the USPS, 

the cost of purchasing a standard, 

stamped, letter-sized envelope is 

approximately $0.68.7 To estimate the 

average annualized cost savings per 

form not mailed to the NVDC, we 

multiply the estimated annual affected 

population of Initial CODs by the cost 

of mailing each form. For example, for 

a given future year, we multiply the 

average 20,068 Initial COD applications 

by avoided postage of $0.68, to estimate 

an annual cost savings of $13,646. 

Cost savings to government is 

calculated as the product of the 

estimated average number of Initial COD 

applications that the Coast Guard no 

longer expects to receive in the mail 

annually, and the 12 minutes it takes to 

process mailed-in forms, or 0.2 hours, 

and the total wage rate of a GS–5 

employee at $47.64 per hour (the total 

wage rate is equal to the hourly wage 

multiplied by the load rate). 

To explain more about Government 

savings estimates, in general, once a 

Builder’s Certificate paper copy is 

received by the NVDC, General 

Schedule (GS)-5 personnel must first 

locate and open the mail, put it in the 

mail tray, classify and sort it, and scan 

each Builder’s Certificate into the Coast 

Guard’s database. Once the application 

has been processed, the documents will 

be shelved at NVDC’s file room and 

await destruction. According to our 

subject matter expert at NVDC, this 

process takes approximately 12 minutes 

per batch of paper copies, or 0.2 hours’ 

worth of time for GS–5 employees (12 

÷ 60 = 0.2 hrs.). 

According to the Office of Personnel 

Management (OPM) salary table 

published for CY 2024, which is the 

official publication for Federal 

Government employees’ salaries and 

wages, the average hourly wage-rate in 

the Washington DC metropolitan area 

for a GS–5 employee at the step 5 level 

is approximately $24.88.8

To account for the employee benefits 

to which employees are typically 

entitled, we use the Congressional 

Budget Office (CBO)’s Comparing the 

Compensation of Federal and PrivateSector Employees, 2011 to 2015 9 study 

to derive a load factor. This is a onetime study conducted by the CBO that 

compared the wages and salaries 

between Federal Government and 

private sector employees. 

Multiplying a benefit factor 10 by the 

estimated average hourly wage-rate for 

GS–5 employees, $24.88, yields a 

loaded wage-rate of approximately 

$47.64. As stated earlier, the process of 

receiving, sorting, logging, storing, and 

destroying or returning a Builder’s 

Certificate is estimated at approximately 

0.2 hours’ of labor time for a GS–5 

employee. Multiplying this value by the 

estimated loaded hourly wage-rate, 

$47.64, yields a total of $9.53 of avoided 

cost per form not processed by the 

NVDC ($47.64 × 0.2 hrs. = $9.53). 

The NVDC expects an average annual 

reduction in burden of approximately 

20,068 Builder’s Certificate paper 

copies. The product of this value, and 

the opportunity cost per form, $9.53, 

yields an estimated annual average 

undiscounted cost-savings of 

approximately $191,248. That is, 20,068 

× $9.53 = $191,248. 

Methodology—Time Value Formulation 

Lastly, with respect to time value 

considerations, all savings figures are 

discounted by the number of years into 

the future considered under this 

economic analysis, as well as for years 

2022 and 2023.11 For the 2 previous 

years, we discount using multiplication 

in replacement of division and assign 

period numbers 1 and 0, respectively. 

Present valuation is then calculated by 

multiplying the previous year value by 

one (1) plus the discount rate, 

exponentiating the year-period. For 

years 2024, and all years forward, we 

assign corresponding period number 1, 

2, 3 . . . sequentially, and apply the 

standard present value formula, 

dividing future values by one (1) plus 

the discount rate raised to the 

corresponding year-period. 

Cost-Benefit Analysis From the Program 

Change (2022–2033) 

Costs 

We found no costs associated with or 

imposed by program changes to accept 

electronic versions of a Builder’s 

Certificate, among other documents, 

starting on July 1 of 2022. Applicants 

have been able to submit documents 

electronically, or by mail, and the 

option of submitting an original 

document to the NVDC by mail is 

preserved in this final rule. We assume 

the time it takes to prepare an electronic 

version versus a hard copy to be the 

same. 

Cost Savings—Undiscounted and 

Discounted Savings to Industry 

Using the inputs described in the 

methodology section, in table 7 we 

display the estimated undiscounted and 

discounted cost-savings to industry. The 

discounted figures are calculated as the 

product of the anticipated Initial COD 

applications expected to be submitted to 

the NVDC (from tables 3 and 5), and the 

cost of a standard, stamped envelope, 

determined at $0.68 per submission 

(Table 6). This figure is then discounted 

for a 10-year period.12 Including years 

2022 (initial year of the programmatic 

change) and 2023, the Coast Guard 

estimates total cost savings to industry 

of approximately $147,236 in 2023 

dollars, discounted at 2 percent. 


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13 Discount total for a year is calculated with the 

following formula: (Undiscounted cost savings * 

discount rate) ∧ number of years from present. 

TABLE 7—UNDISCOUNTED AND DISCOUNTED COST-SAVINGS FOR INDUSTRY

Year Initial COD 

applications 

Undiscounted 

cost-savings 

2% Discount 13

2022 ............................................................................................................. 1 18,336 $12,468 $12,718 

2023 ............................................................................................................. 0 17,558 11,939 11,939 

2024 ............................................................................................................. 1 20,068 13,646 13,379 

2025 ............................................................................................................. 2 20,068 13,646 13,116 

2026 ............................................................................................................. 3 20,068 13,646 12,859 

2027 ............................................................................................................. 4 20,068 13,646 12,607 

2028 ............................................................................................................. 5 20,068 13,646 12,360 

2029 ............................................................................................................. 6 20,068 13,646 12,117 

2030 ............................................................................................................. 7 20,068 13,646 11,880 

2031 ............................................................................................................. 8 20,068 13,646 11,647 

2032 ............................................................................................................. 9 20,068 13,646 11,419 

2033 ............................................................................................................. 10 20,068 13,646 11,195 

Total ...................................................................................................... .................... .......................... 160,870 147,236 

Annualized Equivalent Cost ................................................................. .................... .......................... .......................... 14,914 

Undiscounted and Discounted Cost 

Savings to Government 

The Government did incur cost 

savings under changes during the preprogrammatic baseline period by not 

having to process, store, and shred or 

return as many paper Builder’s 

Certificates. In addition to years 2022, 

and 2023, the Coast Guard estimates 

that, from 2024 to 2033, the Government 

will not need to process, store, or 

destroy, on average, approximately 

20,068 Initial COD paper instruments 

annually in the future. 

As shown in table 8, the Coast Guard 

estimates total cost savings to the 

Government of approximately 

$2,063,232 in 2023 dollars, discounted 

at 2 percent. 

TABLE 8—UNDISCOUNTED AND DISCOUNTED COST-SAVINGS FOR GOVERNMENT

Year Initial COD 

applications 

Undiscounted 

cost-savings 

2% Discount 

2022 ............................................................................................................. 1 18,336 $174,723 178,217 

2023 ............................................................................................................. 0 17,558 167,309 167,309 

2024 ............................................................................................................. 1 20,068 191,226 187,477 

2025 ............................................................................................................. 2 20,068 191,226 183,801 

2026 ............................................................................................................. 3 20,068 191,226 180,197 

2027 ............................................................................................................. 4 20,068 191,226 176,664 

2028 ............................................................................................................. 5 20,068 191,226 173,200 

2029 ............................................................................................................. 6 20,068 191,226 169,803 

2030 ............................................................................................................. 7 20,068 191,226 166,474 

2031 ............................................................................................................. 8 20,068 191,226 163,210 

2032 ............................................................................................................. 9 20,068 191,226 160,010 

2033 ............................................................................................................. 10 20,068 191,226 156,872 

Total ...................................................................................................... .................... .......................... 2,254,294 2,063,232 

Annualized Equivalent Cost ................................................................. .................... .......................... .......................... 208,985 

Over a 12-year period, the 

programmatic changes will save the 

Government approximately $2,063,232 

when discounted at 2 percent. 

Total Undiscounted and Discounted 

Cost Savings—Industry and Government 

As presented in table 9, the estimated 

total cost savings for both industry and 

Government is approximately 

$2,210,468, in 2023 dollars, discounted 

at 2 percent. 


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14https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE2022-title5/pdf/USCODE-2022-title5-partI-chap6- 

sec601.pdf (accessed December 10, 2024). 

TABLE 9—TOTAL UNDISCOUNTED AND DISCOUNTED COST-SAVINGS

Year Initial COD 

applications 

Undiscounted 

cost-savings 

2% Discount 

2022 ............................................................................................................. 1 18,336 $187,191 $190,935 

2023 ............................................................................................................. 0 17,558 179,248 179,248 

2024 ............................................................................................................. 1 20,068 204,872 200,855 

2025 ............................................................................................................. 2 20,068 204,872 196,917 

2026 ............................................................................................................. 3 20,068 204,872 193,056 

2027 ............................................................................................................. 4 20,068 204,872 189,271 

2028 ............................................................................................................. 5 20,068 204,872 185,559 

2029 ............................................................................................................. 6 20,068 204,872 181,921 

2030 ............................................................................................................. 7 20,068 204,872 178,354 

2031 ............................................................................................................. 8 20,068 204,872 174,857 

2032 ............................................................................................................. 9 20,068 204,872 171,428 

2033 ............................................................................................................. 10 20,068 204,872 168,067 

Total ...................................................................................................... .................... .......................... 2,415,164 2,210,468 

Annualized Equivalent Cost ................................................................. .................... .......................... .......................... 223,899 

Benefits 

In addition to cost savings above, 

industry applicants likely experience 

additional qualitative benefits of 

increased flexibility and ease with the 

option for electronic submission of 

Initial COD applications. 

Additionally, programmatic changes 

benefit Government by reducing the 

need to digitize original physical 

applications, store the submissions, and 

ultimately shred or send evidence of 

build documents back to vessel owners. 

Cost-Benefit Analysis From the No 

Action Baseline (2024–2033) 

Costs—All Provisions 

This final rule does not impose any 

new costs to industry or the 

Government by amending 46 CFR 

67.99(a), 67.113(e), 67.321, 67.99(a), or 

67.113(e); that is, the allowance for 

evidence of build copies, or for the 

extension from 10 to 30 days of 

notification for changes in ownership or 

address. 

Cost Savings—Electronic Records 

As shown under the previous 

sections, the final rule does not produce 

additional cost savings beyond those 

attributable to the programmatic 

changes which occurred in 2022, when 

the NVDC ceased requiring vessel 

owners to submit original evidence of 

build documents. The opportunity for 

cost saving to industry and Government 

began in 2022, following the NVDC’s 

acceptance of electronic submission of 

documents and copies. Therefore, all 

cost savings in this analysis are assigned 

to the program change of 2022. 

Cost Savings—Reporting Period 

There are no quantifiable cost savings 

to industry or the Government by 

amending 46 CFR 67.113(e) and 67.321, 

which extends the time, from 10 to 30 

days, in which a vessel owner must 

notify the Coast Guard for a change of 

address or when information submitted 

for the issuance of a COD changes. 

Benefits—All Provisions 

This final rule eliminates confusion 

among the regulated public as it 

reconciles language in regulations with 

current procedures at the NVDC, which 

has been accepting electronic versions 

of Builder’s Certificates since July 1 of 

2022. 

Industry benefits from the increased 

period to notify the Coast Guard of any 

changes to their COD by an additional 

20 days. The Coast Guard considers this 

a qualitative benefit because it increases 

the flexibility to the affected population 

by extending the time in which vessel 

owners must notify the Coast Guard of 

any changes to their COD. 

No new qualitative benefits will occur 

to Government by amending § 67.113(e), 

which extends the reporting period by 

which vessel owners must notify the 

NVDC when information submitted for 

the issuance of a COD changes, from 10 

to 30 days. 

Alternatives 

Alternative (1). The Coast Guard takes 

no action. The Coast Guard considered 

not updating 46 CFR part 67. However, 

since July 1 of 2022, NVDC has accepted 

electronic means of submission of build 

evidence. Therefore, taking no action 

implies preserving the mismatch 

between regulations and the NVDC’s 

current procedures. This would cause 

confusion among the regulated public. 

Alternative (2). The Coast Guard 

considered requiring paper submission 

via mail delivery for vessel owners to 

obtain a COD and other documents. 

This alternative would have reverted the 

NVDC to a previous practice of 

receiving and issuing documents 

through mail submission. This 

alternative was rejected because it was 

more expensive and less convenient 

than electronic submission, for both the 

NVDC and vessel owners. The time 

required for mailing submissions and 

documents, in addition to the expense 

of postage and added wages for 

personnel to process the forms, made 

this a less desirable alternative. 

Alternative (3). The Coast Guard 

considered creating a web portal on the 

NVDC website, to allow vessel owners 

to submit documents directly into a 

database. This would save time over 

electronic submission via email. 

However, a web portal must be built by 

C5I, the command organization that 

controls NVDC resources, and they 

currently do not have the means to 

create a web portal for document 

submission. This alternative is, 

therefore, unfeasible. 

B. Small Entities 

The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 

(RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601–612,14 requires 

federal agencies to consider the 

potential impact on small entities when 

they issue a rule after being required to 

first publish a general NPRM. Under 5 

U.S.C. 604(a), a regulatory flexibility 

analysis is not required for this final 

rule because, under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A) 

and (B), we are not required to publish 


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a general NPRM. This final rule is 

exempt from notice and comment 

requirements for the reasons stated in 

Section IV. F. Administrative Procedure 

Act. Therefore, we did not conduct a 

regulatory flexibility analysis for this 

rule. 

C. Assistance for Small Entities 

Under section 213(a) of the Small 

Business Regulatory Enforcement 

Fairness Act of 1996, Public Law 104– 

121, we offer to assist small entities in 

understanding this rule so that they can 

better evaluate its effects on them and 

participate in the rulemaking. The Coast 

Guard will not retaliate against small 

entities that question or complain about 

this rule or any policy or action of the 

Coast Guard. 

Small businesses may send comments 

on the actions of Federal employees 

who enforce, or otherwise determine 

compliance with, Federal regulations to 

the Small Business and Agriculture 

Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman 

and the Regional Small Business 

Regulatory Fairness Boards. The 

Ombudsman evaluates these actions 

annually and rates each agency’s 

responsiveness to small business. If you 

wish to comment on actions by 

employees of the Coast Guard, call 1– 

888–REG–FAIR (1–888–734–3247). 

D. Collection of Information 

This rule calls for no new or revised 

collection of information under the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 

U.S.C. 3501–3520. We estimate the time 

burden to submit paper versus 

electronic copies to be the same. 

E. Federalism 

A rule has implications for federalism 

under Executive Order 13132 

(Federalism) if it has a substantial direct 

effect on 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. We have 

analyzed this rule under Executive 

Order 13132 and have determined that 

it is consistent with the fundamental 

federalism principles and preemption 

requirements described in Executive 

Order 13132. Our analysis follows. 

It is well settled that States may not 

regulate in categories reserved for 

regulation by the Coast Guard. It is also 

well settled that all the categories 

covered in 46 U.S.C. 3306, 3703, 7101, 

and 8101 (design, construction, 

alteration, repair, maintenance, 

operation, equipping, personnel 

qualification, and manning of vessels), 

as well as the reporting of casualties and 

any other category in which Congress 

intended the Coast Guard to be the sole 

source of a vessel’s obligations, are 

within the field foreclosed from 

regulation by the States. See the 

Supreme Court’s decision in United 

States v. Locke and Intertanko v. Locke, 

529 U.S. 89, 120 S.Ct. 1135 (2000). This 

rule implements changes to the federal 

vessel documentation requirements of 

46 U.S.C. chapter 121, over which 

Congress clearly has granted the Coast 

Guard, via delegation from the 

Secretary, exclusive authority. 

Therefore, because the States may not 

regulate within these categories, this 

rule is consistent with the fundamental 

federalism principles and preemption 

requirements described in Executive 

Order 13132. 

While it is well settled that States may 

not regulate in categories in which 

Congress intended the Coast Guard to be 

the sole source of a vessel’s obligations, 

the Coast Guard recognizes the key role 

that State and local governments may 

have in making regulatory 

determinations. 

F. Administrative Procedure Act 

The Coast Guard believes that this 

rule should be exempt from notice and 

comment rulemaking requirements as a 

rule of procedure under 5 U.S.C. 

553(b)(A) and for good cause under 5 

U.S.C. 553(b)(B). 

Rules are procedural if they are 

‘‘primarily directed toward improving 

the efficient and effective operations of 

an agency.’’ Mendoza v. Perez, 754 F.3d 

1002, 1023 (D.C. Cir. 2014) (quoting 

Batterton v. Marshall, 648 F.2d 694, 702 

n.34 (D.C.C. 1980). The purpose of the 

exception is ‘‘to ensure that agencies 

retain latitude in organizing their 

internal operations.’’ Mendoza, 754 F.3d 

at 1023 (quoting Batterton, 648 F.2d at 

707); accord Bowen, 834 F.2d at 1047. 

Moreover, ‘‘the critical feature of a rule 

that satisfies the so-called procedural 

exception is that it covers agency 

actions that do not themselves alter the 

rights or interests of parties, although it 

may alter the manner in which the 

parties present themselves or their 

viewpoints to the agency.’’ James V. 

Hurson Assocs., Inc. v. Glickman, 229 

F.3d 277, 280 (D.C. Cir. 2000) (internal 

quotation marks omitted). 

Here, because the rule modifies the 

procedures and means for the 

submission of files, the rule is primarily 

directed toward improving the efficient 

and effective operations of the 

submission process. See Mendoza, 754 

F.3d at 1023. By expanding the 

electronic means by which parties may 

submit documentation, this rule 

conforms Coast Guard acceptance of 

documentation with the ways in which 

parties typically submit documentation. 

This expansion improves the efficiency 

of the document submission process for 

evidence of build and CODs. The other 

changes made by this rule—enabling 

customers to submit copies of original 

documents during the Initial COD 

application; removing the requirement 

to return paper CODs to the NVDC 

during the COD replacement, exchange, 

or deletion process; and increasing the 

time to report changes in information 

that a COD is based on, from 10 to 30 

days—streamline the file submission 

process and enhance the Coast Guard’s 

ability to comprehensively accept, track, 

store, and adjudicate vessel 

documentation. Additionally, these 

changes are mere housekeeping 

initiatives that codify the NVDC’s 

current policies, procedures, and 

practices to align with OMB’s policy to 

move federal agencies to an electronic 

environment. Finally, the rule in no way 

alters the substantive rights of parties. 

The rule does not affect the substantive 

standards by which the Coast Guard 

makes determinations or otherwise 

impact agency officials’ discretion. The 

rule has no impact on the outcome of 

NVDC determinations to issue or not 

issue a vessel owner a COD. Indeed, the 

updated provisions increase access to 

the COD submission process by 

lessening submission requirements, 

maintaining the option to submit paper 

documentation, and merely codifying 

current practice and policy. In sum, the 

rule is exempt from notice-andcomment as a rule of procedure under 

5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A). 

The Coast Guard also believes the 

good cause exception under 5 U.S.C. 

553(b)(B) to notice-and-comment 

rulemaking applies. Section 553(b)(B) 

provides an exception from the notice 

and comment requirements when an 

agency finds, for good cause, that notice 

and comment are ‘‘impracticable, 

unnecessary, or contrary to the public 

interest.’’ As explained above, the 

changes do not affect the rights or 

interests of regulated parties and indeed 

are less restrictive. Moreover, the rule 

merely updates the procedure for vessel 

owners to present information 

electronically while still maintaining 

paper and existing electronic means of 

submission. The replacement of the 

specific fax submission option with an 

open-ended electronic submission 

allowance is not only inconsequential 

but also conforms the submission 

process to modern modalities of 

document submission actually used by 

the public. Accordingly, because the 

changes made by the rule are 

insignificant in nature and impact, and 


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inconsequential to the public, the Coast 

Guard believes there exists good cause 

to exempt the rule from notice-andcomment rulemaking under 5 U.S.C. 

553(b)(B). 

G. Unfunded Mandates 

The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 1531–1538, requires 

Federal agencies to assess the effects of 

their discretionary regulatory actions. In 

particular, the Act addresses actions 

that may result in the expenditure by a 

State, local, or Tribal government, in the 

aggregate, or by the private sector of 

$100,000,000 (adjusted for inflation) or 

more in any one year. Although this rule 

will not result in such expenditure, we 

do discuss the effects of this rule 

elsewhere in this preamble. 

H. Taking of Private Property 

This rule will not cause a taking of 

private property or otherwise have 

taking implications under Executive 

Order 12630 (Governmental Actions and 

Interference with Constitutionally 

Protected Property Rights). 

I. Civil Justice Reform 

This rule meets applicable standards 

in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive 

Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform) to 

minimize litigation, eliminate 

ambiguity, and reduce burden. 

J. Protection of Children 

We have analyzed this rule under 

Executive Order 13045 (Protection of 

Children from Environmental Health 

Risks and Safety Risks). This rule is not 

an economically significant rule and 

will not create an environmental risk to 

health or risk to safety that might 

disproportionately affect children. 

K. Indian Tribal Governments 

This rule does not have tribal 

implications under Executive Order 

13175 (Consultation and Coordination 

with Indian Tribal Governments), 

because it will not have a substantial 

direct effect on one or more Indian 

Tribes, on the relationship between the 

Federal Government and Indian Tribes, 

or on the distribution of power and 

responsibilities between the Federal 

Government and Indian Tribes. 

L. Energy Effects 

We have analyzed this rule under 

Executive Order 13211 (Actions 

Concerning Regulations That 

Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 

Distribution, or Use). We have 

determined that it is not a ‘‘significant 

energy action’’ under that order because 

it is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ 

under Executive Order 12866 and is not 

likely to have a significant adverse effect 

on the supply, distribution, or use of 

energy. 

M. Technical Standards and 

Incorporation by Reference 

The National Technology Transfer 

and Advancement Act, codified as a 

note to 15 U.S.C. 272, directs agencies 

to use voluntary consensus standards in 

their regulatory activities unless the 

agency provides Congress, through 

OMB, with an explanation of why using 

these standards would be inconsistent 

with applicable law or otherwise 

impractical. Voluntary consensus 

standards are technical standards (e.g., 

specifications of materials, performance, 

design, or operation; test methods; 

sampling procedures; and related 

management systems practices) that are 

developed or adopted by voluntary 

consensus standards bodies. 

This final rule does not use technical 

standards. Therefore, we did not 

consider the use of voluntary consensus 

standards. 

N. Environment 

We have analyzed this rule under 

Department of Homeland Security 

Management Directive 023–01, Rev. 1, 

associated implementing instructions, 

and Environmental Planning 

COMDTINST 5090.1 (series), which 

guide the Coast Guard in complying 

with the National Environmental Policy 

Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321–4370f), and 

have made a determination that this 

action is one of a category of actions that 

do not individually or cumulatively 

have a significant effect on the human 

environment. A Record of 

Environmental Consideration 

supporting this determination is 

available in the docket. For instructions 

on locating the docket, see the 

ADDRESSES section of this preamble. 

This rule is categorically excluded 

under paragraph A3 and L54 of 

Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction 

Manual 023–01–001–01, Rev 1. 

Paragraph A3 pertains to ‘‘promulgation 

of rules of a strictly administrative or 

procedural nature;’’ and those that 

‘‘interpret or amend an existing 

regulation without changing its 

environmental effect.’’ Paragraph L54 

pertains to regulations that are editorial 

or procedural. This rule updates 46 CFR 

part 67 to reflect the NVDC’s current 

processes and capabilities, particularly 

regarding electronic files. The changes 

include removing the requirement for 

‘‘original’’ documents provided for 

evidence of the facts of build. The rule 

eliminates references to specific 

electronic means of submission of 

documents, as NVDC systems can no 

longer accept physical faxes or 

electronic faxes. Finally, the rule 

harmonizes regulations on the length of 

time that a vessel owner has to report 

changes in information that a COD is 

based on, from 10 days to 30 days with 

statutory requirements. 

List of Subjects in 46 CFR Part 67 

Reporting and recordkeeping 

requirements, Vessels. 

For the reasons discussed in the 

preamble, the Coast Guard amends 46 

CFR part 67 as follows: 

PART 67—DOCUMENTATION OF 

VESSELS 

■ 1. The authority citation is revised to 

read as follows: 

Authority: 14 U.S.C. 664; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 

42 U.S.C. 9118; 46 U.S.C. 2103, 2104, 2107, 

12102, 12103, 12104, 12105, 12106, 12113, 

12133, 12139; DHS Delegation 00170.1, 

Revision No. 01.4. 

■ 2. Amend § 67.99 by revising 

paragraph (a) introductory text to read 

as follows: 

§ 67.99 Evidence of build. 

(a) Evidence of the facts of build may 

be a copy of either the original, 

completed form CG–1261 (Builder’s 

Certification and First Transfer of Title), 

or other document containing the same 

information, executed by a person 

having personal knowledge of the facts 

of build because that person: 

* * * * * 

§ 67.113 [Amended] 

■ 3. Amend § 67.113 in paragraph (e) by 

removing the number ‘‘10’’ and adding 

in its place the number ‘‘30’’. 

■ 4. Amend § 67.141 by revising 

paragraph (a) to read as follows: 

§ 67.141 Application procedure; all cases. 

* * * * * 

(a) Submit the following to the 

National Vessel Documentation Center: 

(1) Application for Initial Issue, 

Exchange, or Replacement of Certificate 

of Documentation; or Redocumentation 

(form CG–1258); 

(2) Title evidence, if applicable; and 

(3) Mortgagee consent on form CG– 

4593, if applicable. 

* * * * * 

■ 5. Amend § 67.167 by revising 

paragraph (a) to read as follows: 

§ 67.167 Requirement for exchange of 

Certificate of Documentation. 

(a) When application for exchange of 

the Certificate of Documentation is 

required upon the occurrence of one or 

more of the events described in 

paragraph (b), (c), or (d) of this section, 


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101500 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 241 / Monday, December 16, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 

or the owner of the vessel chooses to 

apply for exchange of the Certificate 

pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section, 

the owner must apply for an exchange 

of the Certificate in accordance with 

subpart K of this part. 

* * * * * 

§ 67.169 [Amended] 

■ 6. Amend § 67.169 by removing and 

reserving paragraph (b). 

■ 7. Amend § 67.171 by revising 

paragraph (b) to read as follows: 

§ 67.171 Deletion; requirement and 

procedure. 

* * * * * 

(b) Where a cause for deletion arises 

for any reason under paragraphs (a)(1) 

through (6) of this section, the owner 

must send to the National Vessel 

Documentation Center a statement 

setting forth the reason(s) deletion is 

required. 

* * * * * 

■ 8. Revise § 67.209 to read as follows: 

§ 67.209 No original instrument 

requirement. 

A copy of the original signed and 

acknowledged instrument must be 

presented. The copy may be delivered to 

the National Vessel Documentation 

Center or transmitted electronically in 

accordance with the procedures in 

§ 67.218 of this part. Signatures may be 

affixed manually or digitally. 

■ 9. Revise § 67.218 to read as follows: 

§ 67.218 Optional electronic filing of 

applications and instruments. 

(a) Any instrument identified as 

eligible for filing and recording under 

§ 67.200 may be submitted using 

electronic filing. The method(s) or 

address(es) to be used for electronic 

filing may be obtained from the National 

Vessel Documentation Center’s website. 

If the instrument submitted for filing 

pertains to a vessel that is not a 

currently documented vessel, a 

completed Application for Initial Issue, 

Exchange, or Replacement Certificate of 

Documentation, or Return to 

Documentation (form CG–1258) (or a 

letter application for deletion from 

documentation) must already be on file 

with the National Vessel Documentation 

Center or must be submitted 

electronically with the instrument being 

filed. 

(b) If the filing of any instrument is 

terminated for any cause under 

§ 67.217(a), the instrument will be 

returned to the submitter. 

§ 67.219 [Removed] 

■ 10. Remove § 67.219. 

■ 11. Revise § 67.321 to read as follows: 

§ 67.321 Requirement to report change of 

address of managing owner. 

Upon the change of address of the 

managing owner of a documented 

vessel, the managing owner must report 

the change of address to the National 

Vessel Documentation Center within 30 

days of its occurrence. 

Dated: December 11, 2024. 

W.R. Arguin, 

Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant 

Commandant for Prevention Policy. 

[FR Doc. 2024–29555 Filed 12–13–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9110–04–P 

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS 

COMMISSION 

47 CFR Part 4 

[PS Docket Nos. 15–80 and 13–75, ET 

Docket No. 04–35; FCC 22–88; PS Docket 

Nos. 23–5 and 15–80, WC Docket No. 18– 

336; FCC 23–57; FR ID 267131] 

Disruptions to Communications; 

Improving 911 Reliability; Ensuring the 

Reliability and Resiliency of the 988 

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; Rules 

Concerning Disruptions to 

Communications; Implementation of 

the National Suicide Hotline 

Improvement Act of 2018 

AGENCY: Federal Communications 

Commission. 

ACTION: Final rule; announcement of 

effective date. 

SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal 

Communications Commission (‘‘FCC’’ 

or ‘‘Commission’’) announces that the 

Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) has approved, for a period of 

three years, the information collection 

associated with the Commission’s 

Second Report and Order in PS Docket 

Nos. 15–80 and 13–75, ET Docket No. 

04–35, FCC 22–88 (2022 Second Report 

and Order), and the Commission’s 

Report and Order in PS Docket Nos. 23– 

5 and 15–80, WC Docket No. 18–336, 

FCC 23–57 (2023 Report and Order). 

This document is consistent with the 

2022 Second Report and Order and 

2023 Report and Order, which stated 

that the Commission would publish a 

document in the Federal Register 

announcing the effective date of the new 

information collection requirements. 

DATES: The amendments to 47 CFR 4.9 

(amendatory instruction 3) published at 

88 FR 9756, February 15, 2023, and the 

amendments to 47 CFR 4.9 (amendatory 

instruction 4) published at 89 FR 2503, 

January 16, 2024, are effective April 15, 

2025. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Tara Shostek, Attorney Advisor, 

Public Safety and Homeland Security 

Bureau, at (202) 418–8130, or by email, 

at tara.shostek@fcc.gov. 

For additional information concerning 

the Paperwork Reduction Act 

information collection requirements, 

contact Nicole Ongele at (202) 418–2991 

or via email: Nicole.Ongele@fcc.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 

document announces that, on November 

5, 2024, OMB approved, until November 

30, 2027, the information collection 

requirements adopted in (i) the 

Commission’s Second Report and Order 

(2022 Second Report and Order) in PS 

Docket Nos. 15–80 and 13–75, ET 

Docket No. 04–35, FCC 22–88, adopted 

on November 17, 2022, and released on 

November 18, 2022, and, (ii) the 

Commission’s Report and Order (2023 

Report and Order) in PS Docket Nos. 

23–5 and 15–80, WC Docket No. 18– 

336, FCC 23–57, adopted on July 20, 

2023, and released on July 21, 2023. 

In the 2022 Second Report and Order, 

the Commission adopted rule 

amendments to 47 CFR 4.9 (by revising 

paragraphs (a)(4) and (c)(2)(iv); adding a 

heading for paragraph (e); and revising 

paragraphs (e)(1)(v), (f)(4), (g)(1)(i), and 

(h)) that required review by OMB 

pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction 

Act (PRA). Those amendments were 

included in the Final Rules section of 

2022 Second Report and Order with an 

amendatory instruction that they be 

delayed indefinitely (because they 

required OMB approval before they 

could be made effective). The 2023 

Report and Order also adopted 

amendments to 47 CFR 4.9 (by revising 

paragraphs (a)(4), (c)(2)(iv), (e)(1)(v), 

(f)(4), and (g)(1)(i) and adding paragraph 

(i)) that required review by OMB 

pursuant to the PRA. Those 

amendments were included in the Final 

Rules section of 2023 Report and Order 

with an amendatory instruction that 

they be delayed indefinitely (because 

they required OMB approval before they 

could be made effective). The 

amendments to § 4.9 adopted in the 

2023 Report and Order are additive to 

and to not conflict with the 

amendments to § 4.9 adopted in the 

2022 Second Report and Order. 

The amendments identified herein 

adopted in the 2022 Second Report and 

Order and 2023 Report and Order were 

submitted for OMB review as a single 

information collection. Because OMB 

has approved this information 

collection, the Commission is setting an 

effective date for the above-cited rule 

revisions of 120 days following 

publication of this document in the 

Federal Register. 


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