[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 23 (Friday, February 2, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 3800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-1258]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

22 CFR Part 9b

[Public Notice 2273]


Bureau of Public Affairs; Press Building Passes

AGENCY: Bureau of Public Affairs, State.

ACTION: Direct final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This rule eliminates the requirement for annual submission of 
a letter from press pass holders attesting that they continue to cover 
the Department of State on a regular and substantial basis to maintain 
their press passes. Instead, press building passes will automatically 
lose their validity if not used in a 12-month period without further 
notification to the pass holder. This rule also changes the period of 
validity for press building passes and allows issuance of press passes 
pending positive completion of international background investigation. 
The changes will reduce the administrative burden on press pass 
holders, as well as on the Department.

DATES: Effective Date: April 2, 1996. The rule will become final on 
April 2, 1996 unless this agency publishes a document withdrawing the 
rule based on receipt of adverse comments which are due on or before 
March 4, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments to: 
Director, Office of Press Relations, Department of State, Washington, 
DC 20520.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Julie M. Reside, Office of Press Relations (202) 647-2492.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The implementation of this rule as a direct 
final rule is based upon the ``good cause'' exception found at 5 U.S.C. 
553(d)(3). Promulgation notice and comment is ``unnecessary'' because 
the rule is noncontroversial and not likely to engender public comment. 
This rule is not expected to have a significant impact on small 
business entities. This final rule does not impose information 
collection requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980. The 
rule has been reviewed as required under Executive Order 12778 and 
certified to be in compliance therewith. The rule is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866, but has been reviewed internally by the 
Department to ensure consistency with the objectives thereof.

List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 9b

    Administrative practice and procedure, Federal buildings and 
facilities, News media, Security measures.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Department of State 
amends 22 CFR part 9b as follows:

PART 9b--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 22 CFR part 9b continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2658.

    2. Section 9b.8 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 9b.8  Term and renewal of Department of State press building 
passes.

    (a) Department of State press building passes for U.S. citizens are 
issued with three years' validity. Subject to positive completion of an 
international background check, passes for non-U.S. citizens are issued 
with one year's validity and may be renewed for three years. 
Notwithstanding its initial validity, any press building pass that has 
not been used for a twelve-month period, as recorded by the Bureau of 
Diplomatic Security's turnstyle entry devices, will become invalid at 
the end of that twelve-month period.
    (b) For any valid passes issued before October 1, 1995, 
notification shall be sent by the Department of State to the holder of 
the pass that the pass has become invalid by reason of lack of use for 
12-month period. However, failure of the holder for any reason to 
receive such a notification shall not affect the invalidity of the 
pass. Anyone whose pass has become invalid may apply for a new pass in 
accordance with Secs. 9b.2 through 9b.5.
Richard M. Moose,
Under Secretary of State for Management.
[FR Doc. 96-1258 Filed 2-1-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-11-M