Source: https://www.ussc.gov/policymaking/federal-register-notices/federal-register-notice-final-2004-priorities
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 19:27:33+00:00

Document:
SUMMARY: In June 2004, the Commission published a notice of possible policy priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2005. See 69 FR 36148 (June 28, 2004). After reviewing public comment received pursuant to the notice of proposed priorities, the Commission has identified its policy priorities for the upcoming amendment cycle and hereby gives notice of these policy priorities.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States Sentencing Commission, an independent commission in the judicial branch of the United States Government, is authorized by 28 U.S.C. § 994(a) to promulgate sentencing guidelines and policy statements for federal courts. Section 994 also directs the Commission periodically to review and revise promulgated guidelines and authorizes it to submit guideline amendments to Congress not later than the first day of May each year. See 28 U.S.C. § 994(o), (p).
As part of its statutory authority and responsibility to analyze sentencing issues, including operation of the federal sentencing guidelines, the Commission has identified its policy priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2005, and possibly continuing into the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2006. While the Commission intends to address these priority issues, it recognizes that other factors, most notably the resolution of United States v. Booker, ___ F.3d ___, 2004, WL 1535858 (7th Cir. 2004), cert. granted, ___ S.Ct. ___, 2004 WL 1713654 (Aug. 2, 2004) (No. 04-104) and United States v. Fanfan, 2004 WL 1723114 (D. Me. June 28, 2004), cert. granted, ___ S.Ct. ___, 2004 WL 1713655 (Aug. 2, 2004) (No. 04-105), both of which currently are pending before the United States Supreme Court, as well as the enactment of any legislation requiring Commission action, may affect the Commission’s ability to complete work on any or all of the identified policy priorities by the statutory deadline of May 1, 2005.
(11) other miscellaneous and limited issues pertaining to the operation of the sentencing guidelines, including (A) resolution of a number of circuit conflicts, including the circuit conflict regarding the definition of "felony", as incorporated into §2K2.6 (Possessing, Purchasing, or Owning Body Armor by Violent Felons) effective November 1, 2004; (B) continuation of policy work regarding offenses involving gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), a precursor for gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), sentenced under §2D1.11 (Unlawfully Distributing, Importing, Exporting or Possessing a Listed Chemical; Attempt or Conspiracy); (C) simulated controlled substances; (D) structural issues regarding the Sentencing Table in Chapter Five, Part A, particularly "cliff-like" effects occurring between levels 42 and 43, and a possible adjustment to the offense level computation when the offense level exceeds level 43; (E) commentary regarding the appropriate starting point for departures under §5K1.1 (Substantial Assistance), particularly in cases in which the government has moved for relief from imposition of an otherwise applicable mandatory minimum term of imprisonment; (F) commentary to §3C1.1 (Obstructing or Impeding the Administration of Justice) regarding encryption; and (G) counterespionage offenses under 18 U.S.C. § 951.
(12) amendments to the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure regarding retroactivity, public access to Commission materials, and access to nonpublic Commission meetings.

References: § 994
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