Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2017/09/14/2017-19111.html
Timestamp: 2019-11-15 00:59:05
Document Index: 128292721

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 30', 'art 30', 'art 30', 'art 30', 'art 52', 'art 30', 'art 30', 'art 30']

Bureau of Indian Education Standards, Assessments, and Accountability System Negotiated Rulemaking Committee Establishment; Nominations, 43199-43202 [2017-19111] :: Department Of The Interior :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of The Interior Bureau of Indian Education Standards, Assessments, and Accountability System Negotiated Rulemaking Committee Establishment; Nominations, 43199-43202 [2017-19111]
Bureau of Indian Education Standards, Assessments, and Accountability System Negotiated Rulemaking Committee Establishment; Nominations, 43199-43202 [2017-19111]
Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 177 / Thursday, September 14, 2017 / Proposed Rules Defining the high-mount combination as an automobile transporter would trigger the use of the same length allowances that currently apply to a traditional automobile transporter. In doing so, Federal laws would govern the operation of this vehicle on certain roadways, and no State would be able to impose an overall length limitation of less than 65 feet or a front overhang limitation of less than 3 feet or a rear overhang limitation of less than 4 feet for this vehicle combination. asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS Purpose of the Request The FHWA is requesting comments from affected stakeholders and the public regarding interpreting the statutory and regulatory language to include a high-mount, truck-tractorsemitrailer combination as an automobile transporter and treating the combination as specialized equipment. Comments are requested on the following questions related to defining a high-mount, truck-tractor-semitrailer combination as an automobile transporter: • How will the inclusion of a highmount, truck-tractor-semitrailer combination in the definition of automobile transporter impact the flow of Interstate commerce? • Are there safety issues with a highmount, truck-tractor-semitrailer combination as an automobile transporter as it relates to the operation of this vehicle configuration on the National Network? • What are implementation implications (e.g. roadside enforcement and changes to State laws) if Federal versus State laws would govern the operation of this vehicle configuration on the National Network? • What State laws are currently in place regarding a highmount, trucktractor-semitrailer combination? Please provide legal citations, if applicable. • Are there States that allow the highmount, truck-tractor-semitrailer combination to operate under the same length provisions as a traditional automobile transporter? • Is there any other information relating to safety, vehicle productivity, or infrastructure preservation relevant to these questions? Authority: 49 U.S.C. 31111 and Section 411 of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 (Pub. L. 97–424) Issued on: September 7, 2017. Brandye L. Hendrickson, Acting Administrator . [FR Doc. 2017–19516 Filed 9–13–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:07 Sep 13, 2017 Jkt 241001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Indian Affairs 25 CFR Part 30 [178A2100DD/AAKC001030/ A0A501010.999900 253G] Bureau of Indian Education Standards, Assessments, and Accountability System Negotiated Rulemaking Committee Establishment; Nominations Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior. ACTION: Request for nominations and notice of intent to establish committee. AGENCY: The U.S. Department of the Interior is announcing its intent to establish the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Standards, Assessments, and Accountability System Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (Committee) to advise the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) through the BIE on a proposed rule to revise the Adequate Yearly Progress regulation and invite Tribes whose students attend BIE-funded schools operated by either the BIE or by the Tribe through a contract or grant who would be affected by the final rule to nominate a representative for membership on the Committee. The BIE also invites nominations for Committee members who will adequately represent the interests that are likely to be significantly affected by the proposed rule such as: Students enrolled, or parents of students enrolled at the 174 BIE-funded schools, school teachers and administrators, Tribes, and Indian communities served by these schools. The BIE also solicits comments on the proposal to establish the Committee. DATES: Comments regarding the intent to establish this Committee and nominations for Committee members must be submitted no later than October 16, 2017. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Ms. Juanita Mendoza, Bureau of Indian Education, by any of the following methods: • (Preferred method) Email to: BIEcomments@bia.gov; • Mail, hand-carry or use an overnight courier service to Ms. Juanita Mendoza, Bureau of Indian Education, 1849 C Street NW., Mail Stop 4657, Washington, DC 20240. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Juanita Mendoza, Bureau of Indian Education; telephone: (202) 208–3559. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 43199 I. Background In 2005, BIA promulgated regulations at 25 CFR part 30 that require BIE to use the accountability system of the State in which a BIE-funded school is located. There are BIE-funded schools in 23 different States; and each State has its own accountability system. As a result, each State system produced student achievement data that cannot be directly compared with data from other States. This created problems for the BIE in identifying under-performing schools and in directing resources effectively. On November 9, 2015, BIE published a notice of intent requesting nominations for a negotiated rulemaking committee to recommend revisions to the existing regulations for BIE’s accountability system (80 FR 69161). In that notice of intent, the BIE solicited nominations from Tribes whose students attend BIE-funded schools operated either by the BIE or by the Tribe through a contract or grant, to nominate Tribal representatives to serve on the Committee and Tribal alternates to serve when the representative is unavailable. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Pub. L. 114–95, then became law, requiring an update to the subject, scope, and issues that the Committee would address. On April 14, 2016 (81 FR 22039), BIE announced its intent to expand the scope of the Committee and reopened the comment and nomination period, requesting comments and nominations by May 31, 2016. The request for nominations was extended on August 17, 2016 (81 FR 54768). On January 18, 2017 a notice of proposed membership, request for nomination and a request for comments was published (82 FR 5473). Taking into consideration the interests of the new Administration in participating in this process, the Department has decided that a new negotiated rulemaking process, as required by the ESEA, should begin. Under ESEA Section 8204(c)(2), as amended, Tribes have the authority to waive, in part or in whole, the definitions of standards, assessments, and accountability system established by the Secretary in accordance with this rulemaking. The BIE encourages Tribal self-determination in Native education; and where a Tribal governing body or school board determines it to be appropriate, encourages the development of alternative standards, assessments, or accountability systems. The Committee would be charged, consistent with ESEA Section 8204, with developing proposed regulations for implementation of the Secretary’s E:\FR\FM\14SEP1.SGM 14SEP1 43200 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 177 / Thursday, September 14, 2017 / Proposed Rules asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS responsibility to define standards, assessments, and an accountability system. These definitions will be implemented in the 2018–2019 school year. The final regulations will describe how to execute the Secretary’s responsibility to define the standards, assessments, and an accountability system consistent with ESEA Section 1111, for schools funded by the BIE on a national, regional, or Tribal basis, as appropriate, taking into account the unique circumstances and needs of such schools and the students served by such schools. Additionally, the Committee will be asked to provide recommendations that encourage the exercise of the authority of Tribes to adopt their own standards, assessments, and an accountability system and also to provide recommendations on how BIE could best provide technical assistance under ESEA Section 8204(c)(3). II. Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) The ESSA reauthorizes and amends the ESEA. ESSA Section 8007 amends ESEA Section 8204, and directs the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, if so requested, to use a negotiated rulemaking process to develop regulations for implementation of the Secretary of the Interior’s obligation to define the standards, assessments, and an accountability system that will be utilized at BIE-funded schools. The regulations, along with any necessary revisions to part 30 generally, will replace the existing 25 CFR part 30 and will define the standards, assessments, and an accountability system consistent with ESEA, for BIE-funded schools on a national, regional, or Tribal basis. The regulations will be developed in a manner that considers the unique circumstances and needs of such schools and the students served by such schools. These definitions will be implemented in the 2018–2019 school year. ESEA Section 8204 also provides that if a Tribal governing body or school board of a BIE-funded school determines the requirements established by the Secretary of the Interior are inappropriate, they may waive, in part or in whole, such requirements. Where such requirements are waived, the Tribal governing body or school board shall, within 60 days, submit to the Secretary of the Interior a proposal for alternative standards, assessments, and an accountability system, if applicable, consistent with ESEA Section 1111. The proposal must take into account the unique circumstances and needs of the school or schools and the students served. The proposal will be approved VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:07 Sep 13, 2017 Jkt 241001 by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Education, unless the Secretary of Education determines that the standards, assessments, and accountability system do not meet the requirements of ESEA Section 1111. Additionally, a Tribal governing body or school board of a BIE-funded school seeking a waiver may request, and the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Education will provide, technical assistance. III. Statutory Authority This document is published in accordance with the Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1996 (NRA) (5 U.S.C. 561 et seq.); the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2); and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) IV. The Committee and Its Process In negotiated rulemaking, recommended provisions of a proposed rule are developed by a committee composed of at least one representative of the Federal Government and representatives of the interests that will be significantly affected by the rule. Decisions are made by consensus, which means unanimous concurrence among the interests represented on the Committee, unless the Committee agrees to define ‘‘consensus’’ to mean a general but not unanimous concurrence, or agrees upon another specified definition. 5 U.S.C. 562(2)(A) and (B). As part of the negotiated rulemaking process, the BIE has identified interests potentially affected by the rulemaking under consideration, including students enrolled at 174 BIE-funded schools, parents of such students, school administrators, Tribes, and the Indian communities served by these schools. By this notice of intent, the BIE is soliciting: (1) Comments on its proposal to form a negotiated rulemaking committee; and (2) nominations for Committee members who will adequately represent the interests that are likely to be significantly affected by the proposed rule. Following the receipt of nominations and comments, BIE will publish a second notice in the Federal Register with a list of persons to represent the interests that are likely to be significantly affected by the rule and the person or persons proposed to represent the BIE. Persons who will be significantly affected by the proposed rule and who believe that their interests will not be adequately represented by any person specified in that second Federal Register notice will be given an opportunity to apply or nominate PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 another person for membership on the Committee to represent such interests with respect to the proposed rule. Following the second Federal Register notice and responses to it, BIE expects to establish the Committee. After the Committee reaches consensus on the recommended provisions of the proposed rule, as discussed in more detail below, the BIE will publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register. Under 5 U.S.C. 563, the head of the agency is required to determine that the use of the negotiated rulemaking procedure is in the public interest. In making such a determination, the agency head must consider certain factors. Taking these factors into account, the Secretary, through the authority delegated to the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs, has determined that a negotiated rulemaking is in the public interest because: 1. A rule is needed. The ESEA directs the Secretary to conduct a negotiated rulemaking pursuant to the NRA. 2. A limited number of identifiable interests will be significantly affected by the rule. The 174 BIE-funded schools, students enrolled at these schools, school teachers and administrators, Tribes, and Indian communities served by these schools will be significantly affected by this review and the recommendations made by this Committee. 3. There is a reasonable likelihood that the Committee can be convened with a balanced representation of persons who can adequately represent the interests discussed in item 2, above, and who are willing to negotiate in good faith to attempt to reach a consensus on provisions of a proposed rule. 4. There is a reasonable likelihood that the Committee will reach consensus on a proposed rule within a fixed period of time. 5. The use of negotiated rulemaking will not delay the development of a proposed rule because time limits will be placed on the negotiation. We anticipate that these negotiations will expedite a proposed rule and ultimately the acceptance of a final rule. 6. The BIE is making a commitment to ensure that the Committee has sufficient resources to complete its work in a timely fashion. 7. The BIE, to the maximum extent possible and consistent with the legal obligations of the Agency, will use the consensus report of the Committee as the basis for a proposed rule for public notice and comment. V. Negotiated Rulemaking Procedures In compliance with FACA and NRA, the BIE will use the following E:\FR\FM\14SEP1.SGM 14SEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 177 / Thursday, September 14, 2017 / Proposed Rules procedures and guidelines for this negotiated rulemaking. The BIE may modify them in response to comments received on this notice of intent or during the negotiation process. asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS A. Committee Formation The Committee will be formed and operated in full compliance with the requirements of FACA and NRA, and specifically under the guidelines of its charter. B. Membership Responsibility The Committee is expected to meet approximately 3–5 times and will last 2–3 days each. The initial meeting will be in person; some later meetings may be held by teleconference and/or web conference. The Committee’s work is expected to occur over the course of 6– 12 months. However, the Committee may continue its work for up to two years. Because of the scope and complexity of the tasks at hand, Committee members must be able to invest considerable time and effort in the negotiated rulemaking process. Committee members must be able to attend all Committee meetings, work on Committee work groups, consult with their constituencies between Committee meetings, and negotiate in good faith toward a consensus on issues before the Committee. Because of the complexity of the issues under consideration, as well as the need for continuity, the Secretary reserves the right to replace any member who is unable to participate in the Committee’s meetings. Responsibility for expenses under 5 U.S.C. 568(c) is as follows: Members of a negotiated rulemaking committee shall be responsible for their own expenses of participation in such committee, except that an Agency may, in accordance with Section 7(d) of the FACA, pay for a member’s reasonable travel and per diem expenses, expenses to obtain technical assistance, and a reasonable rate of compensation, if— 1. Such member certifies a lack of adequate financial resources to participate in the Committee; and 2. The agency determines that such member’s participation in the Committee is necessary to assure an adequate representation of the member’s interest. The BIE commits to pay the reasonable travel and per diem expenses of Committee members, if appropriate, under the NRA and Federal travel regulations. C. Composition of Committee The Secretary is seeking nominations for representatives to serve on the VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:07 Sep 13, 2017 Jkt 241001 Committee who can represent the interests of students enrolled at the 174 BIE-funded schools, parents of such students, school administrators, Tribes, and the Indian communities served by these schools, and who have a demonstrated ability to communicate well with groups about the interests they will represent. The Committee membership will consist of approximately 15, but not more than 25 members in accordance with the NRA. Non-Federal Committee membership must: • Include only representatives of the interests described above; • Comply with the FACA. 41 CFR 102–3.30 requires the membership of a FACA committee to be fairly balanced in its member in terms of the points of view represented and the functions to be performed. In making membership decisions, the Secretary shall consider whether the interest represented by a nominee will be affected significantly by the final products of the Committee, which may include report(s) and/or proposed regulations; whether that interest is already adequately represented by nominees; and whether the potential addition would adequately represent that interest. Federally registered lobbyists are ineligible to serve on all FACA and nonFACA boards, committees, or councils in an individual capacity. The term ‘‘individual capacity’’ refers to individuals who are appointed to exercise their own individual best judgment on behalf of the government, such as when they are designated Special Government Employees, rather than being appointed to represent a particular interest. D. Administrative and Technical Support The BIE will provide sufficient administrative and technical resources for the Committee to complete its work in a timely fashion. The BIE, with the help of the facilitator, will prepare and provide a final report of any issues on which the Committee reaches consensus. E. Training and Organization At the first meeting of the Committee, a neutral facilitator will provide training on negotiated rulemaking, interest-based negotiations, and consensus-building. In addition, at the first meeting, Committee members will make organizational decisions concerning protocols, scheduling, and facilitation of the Committee. PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 43201 F. Interests Identified Under Section 562 of the NRA, ‘‘interest’’ means, with respect to an issue or matter, multiple parties which have a similar point of view or which are likely to be affected in a similar manner.’ The BIE has identified the interests to be significantly affected by this new rule to include students enrolled at 174 BIE-funded schools, parents of such students, school administrators, Tribes, and the Indian communities served by these schools. The BIE is accepting comments identifying other interests that may be significantly affected by the final products of the Committee, which may include report(s) and/or proposed regulations, until the date listed in the DATES section of this notice of intent. VI. Nominations The BIE solicits nominations from representatives of the interests identified above and an alternate to serve when the representative is unavailable. Each nomination is expected to include a nomination for a primary representative and an alternate who can fulfill the obligations of membership should the primary representative be unable to attend. The Committee membership should reflect a diversity of interests, and nominees should only be of representatives and alternates who will: • Have knowledge of school standards, assessments and accountability systems; • Have relevant experience as past or present superintendents, principals, teachers, or school board members; • Be able to coordinate, to the extent possible, with other interests who may not be represented on the Committee; • Be able to represent one or more of the specified interests with the authority to embody the views of that interest, communicate with interested constituents, and have a clear means to reach agreement on behalf of the interest(s); • Be able to negotiate effectively on behalf of the interest(s) represented; • Be able to commit the time and effort required to attend and prepare for meetings; and • Be able to collaborate among diverse parties in a consensus-seeking process. The BIE will consider nominations for representatives only if they are nominated through the process identified in this Notice of Intent. The BIE will not consider any nominations that we receive in any other manner. If you submitted a nomination in response E:\FR\FM\14SEP1.SGM 14SEP1 43202 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 177 / Thursday, September 14, 2017 / Proposed Rules asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS to previous notices (80 FR 69161; 81 FR 22039; 81 FR 54768; 82 FR 5473) you must submit a new nomination package. Previous applications will not be considered. The BIE will not consider nominations for Federal representatives. Only the Secretary may nominate Federal employees to the Committee. Nominations must include the following information about each nominee: (1) A current letter from the entity representing one of the interest(s) identified supporting the nomination of the individual to serve as a representative for the Committee; (2) A resume reflecting the nominee’s qualifications and experience in Indian education; resume to include the nominee’s name, Tribal affiliation (if applicable), job title, major job duties, employer, business address, business telephone and fax numbers (and business email address, if applicable); (3) The interest(s) to be represented by the nominee (see section V, part F) and whether the nominee will represent other interest(s) related to this rulemaking; and (4) A brief description of how the nominee will represent the views of the identified interest(s), communicate with constituents, and have a clear means to reach agreement on behalf of the interest(s) they are representing. (5) A statement on whether the nominee is only representing one interest or whether the expectation is that the nominee represents a specific group of interests. To be considered, nominations must be received by the close of business on the date listed in the DATES section, at the location indicated in the ADDRESSES section. Public Availability of Comments: Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. VII. Certification For the above reasons, I hereby certify that the Bureau of Indian Education Standards, Assessments, and VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:07 Sep 13, 2017 Jkt 241001 Accountability System Negotiated Rulemaking Committee is in the public interest. Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6301; 5 U.S.C. 561; 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2. Dated: September 1, 2017. Michael S. Black, Acting Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs. [FR Doc. 2017–19111 Filed 9–13–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4337–15–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA–R09–OAR–2017–0130; FRL–9967–68– Region 9] Revisions to California State Implementation Plan; Bay Area Air Quality Management District; Emission Reduction Credit Banking Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing action on a revision to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD or District) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). We are proposing a conditional approval of one rule. This revision consists of updates to provisions governing the issuance and banking of Emission Reduction Credits for use in the review and permitting of major sources and major modifications under part D of title I of the Clean Air Act (CAA). We are taking comments on this proposal and plan to follow with a final action. DATES: Any comments must arrive by October 16, 2017. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R09– OAR–2017–0130 at https:// www.regulations.gov, or via email to R9AirPermits@epa.gov. For comments submitted at Regulations.gov, follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be removed or edited from Regulations.gov. For either manner of submission, the EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, please contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. For the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https://www2.epa.gov/dockets/ commenting-epa-dockets. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Yannayon, EPA Region 9, (415) 972–3534, yannayon.laura@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, the terms ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to EPA. Table of Contents I. The State’s Submittal A. What rule did the State submit? B. What is the existing BAAQMD rule governing banking of Emission Reduction Credits in the California SIP? C. What is the purpose of this proposed rule? II. EPA’s Evaluation A. How is EPA evaluating the rule? B. Does the rule meet the evaluation criteria? III. Proposed Action and Public Comment IV. Incorporation by Reference V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews I. The State’s Submittal A. What rule did the State submit? On April 22, 2013, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) submitted an amended rule, BAAQMD Regulation 2, Rule 4 (Rule 2–4), for approval as a revision to the BAAQMD portion of the California SIP under the CAA. Regulation 2 contains the District’s air quality permitting programs. Rule 2–4 contains requirements applicable to the banking of Emission Reduction Credits (ERCs) for use in the District’s air quality permitting programs. Table 1 lists the rule addressed by this proposal with the dates that it was adopted by BAAQMD and submitted to the EPA by CARB, which is the governor’s designee for California SIP submittals. E:\FR\FM\14SEP1.SGM 14SEP1
[Pages 43199-43202]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19111]
ACTION: Request for nominations and notice of intent to establish
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of the Interior is announcing its intent
to establish the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Standards,
(Committee) to advise the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) through
the BIE on a proposed rule to revise the Adequate Yearly Progress
regulation and invite Tribes whose students attend BIE-funded schools
operated by either the BIE or by the Tribe through a contract or grant
who would be affected by the final rule to nominate a representative
for membership on the Committee. The BIE also invites nominations for
Committee members who will adequately represent the interests that are
likely to be significantly affected by the proposed rule such as:
Students enrolled, or parents of students enrolled at the 174 BIE-
funded schools, school teachers and administrators, Tribes, and Indian
communities served by these schools. The BIE also solicits comments on
the proposal to establish the Committee.
DATES: Comments regarding the intent to establish this Committee and
nominations for Committee members must be submitted no later than
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Ms. Juanita Mendoza, Bureau of
Indian Education, by any of the following methods:
Ms. Juanita Mendoza, Bureau of Indian Education, 1849 C Street NW.,
Mail Stop 4657, Washington, DC 20240.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Juanita Mendoza, Bureau of Indian
Education; telephone: (202) 208-3559.
In 2005, BIA promulgated regulations at 25 CFR part 30 that require
BIE to use the accountability system of the State in which a BIE-funded
school is located. There are BIE-funded schools in 23 different States;
and each State has its own accountability system. As a result, each
State system produced student achievement data that cannot be directly
compared with data from other States. This created problems for the BIE
in identifying under-performing schools and in directing resources
On November 9, 2015, BIE published a notice of intent requesting
nominations for a negotiated rulemaking committee to recommend
revisions to the existing regulations for BIE's accountability system
(80 FR 69161). In that notice of intent, the BIE solicited nominations
from Tribes whose students attend BIE-funded schools operated either by
the BIE or by the Tribe through a contract or grant, to nominate Tribal
representatives to serve on the Committee and Tribal alternates to
serve when the representative is unavailable.
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Pub. L. 114-95, then became
law, requiring an update to the subject, scope, and issues that the
Committee would address. On April 14, 2016 (81 FR 22039), BIE announced
its intent to expand the scope of the Committee and reopened the
comment and nomination period, requesting comments and nominations by
May 31, 2016. The request for nominations was extended on August 17,
2016 (81 FR 54768). On January 18, 2017 a notice of proposed
membership, request for nomination and a request for comments was
published (82 FR 5473).
Taking into consideration the interests of the new Administration
in participating in this process, the Department has decided that a new
negotiated rulemaking process, as required by the ESEA, should begin.
Under ESEA Section 8204(c)(2), as amended, Tribes have the
authority to waive, in part or in whole, the definitions of standards,
assessments, and accountability system established by the Secretary in
accordance with this rulemaking. The BIE encourages Tribal self-
determination in Native education; and where a Tribal governing body or
school board determines it to be appropriate, encourages the
development of alternative standards, assessments, or accountability
The Committee would be charged, consistent with ESEA Section 8204,
with developing proposed regulations for implementation of the
[[Page 43200]]
responsibility to define standards, assessments, and an accountability
system. These definitions will be implemented in the 2018-2019 school
year. The final regulations will describe how to execute the
Secretary's responsibility to define the standards, assessments, and an
accountability system consistent with ESEA Section 1111, for schools
funded by the BIE on a national, regional, or Tribal basis, as
such schools and the students served by such schools. Additionally, the
Committee will be asked to provide recommendations that encourage the
exercise of the authority of Tribes to adopt their own standards,
assessments, and an accountability system and also to provide
recommendations on how BIE could best provide technical assistance
under ESEA Section 8204(c)(3).
The ESSA reauthorizes and amends the ESEA. ESSA Section 8007 amends
ESEA Section 8204, and directs the Secretary of the Interior, in
of the Secretary of the Interior's obligation to define the standards,
assessments, and an accountability system that will be utilized at BIE-
funded schools. The regulations, along with any necessary revisions to
part 30 generally, will replace the existing 25 CFR part 30 and will
define the standards, assessments, and an accountability system
consistent with ESEA, for BIE-funded schools on a national, regional,
or Tribal basis. The regulations will be developed in a manner that
considers the unique circumstances and needs of such schools and the
students served by such schools. These definitions will be implemented
in the 2018-2019 school year.
school board of a BIE-funded school determines the requirements
shall, within 60 days, submit to the Secretary of the Interior a
must take into account the unique circumstances and needs of the school
or schools and the students served. The proposal will be approved by
the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Education, unless
the Secretary of Education determines that the standards, assessments,
and accountability system do not meet the requirements of ESEA Section
1111. Additionally, a Tribal governing body or school board of a BIE-
funded school seeking a waiver may request, and the Secretary of the
Interior and the Secretary of Education will provide, technical
This document is published in accordance with the Negotiated
Rulemaking Act of 1996 (NRA) (5 U.S.C. 561 et seq.); the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2); and the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.)
In negotiated rulemaking, recommended provisions of a proposed rule
are developed by a committee composed of at least one representative of
the Federal Government and representatives of the interests that will
be significantly affected by the rule. Decisions are made by consensus,
which means unanimous concurrence among the interests represented on
the Committee, unless the Committee agrees to define ``consensus'' to
mean a general but not unanimous concurrence, or agrees upon another
specified definition. 5 U.S.C. 562(2)(A) and (B).
As part of the negotiated rulemaking process, the BIE has
identified interests potentially affected by the rulemaking under
consideration, including students enrolled at 174 BIE-funded schools,
parents of such students, school administrators, Tribes, and the Indian
communities served by these schools. By this notice of intent, the BIE
is soliciting: (1) Comments on its proposal to form a negotiated
rulemaking committee; and (2) nominations for Committee members who
will adequately represent the interests that are likely to be
significantly affected by the proposed rule.
Following the receipt of nominations and comments, BIE will publish
a second notice in the Federal Register with a list of persons to
the rule and the person or persons proposed to represent the BIE.
Persons who will be significantly affected by the proposed rule and who
believe that their interests will not be adequately represented by any
person specified in that second Federal Register notice will be given
an opportunity to apply or nominate another person for membership on
the Committee to represent such interests with respect to the proposed
Following the second Federal Register notice and responses to it,
BIE expects to establish the Committee. After the Committee reaches
consensus on the recommended provisions of the proposed rule, as
discussed in more detail below, the BIE will publish a proposed rule in
Under 5 U.S.C. 563, the head of the agency is required to determine
that the use of the negotiated rulemaking procedure is in the public
In making such a determination, the agency head must consider
certain factors. Taking these factors into account, the Secretary,
through the authority delegated to the Assistant Secretary--Indian
Affairs, has determined that a negotiated rulemaking is in the public
1. A rule is needed. The ESEA directs the Secretary to conduct a
negotiated rulemaking pursuant to the NRA.
2. A limited number of identifiable interests will be significantly
affected by the rule. The 174 BIE-funded schools, students enrolled at
these schools, school teachers and administrators, Tribes, and Indian
communities served by these schools will be significantly affected by
this review and the recommendations made by this Committee.
3. There is a reasonable likelihood that the Committee can be
convened with a balanced representation of persons who can adequately
represent the interests discussed in item 2, above, and who are willing
to negotiate in good faith to attempt to reach a consensus on
provisions of a proposed rule.
4. There is a reasonable likelihood that the Committee will reach
consensus on a proposed rule within a fixed period of time.
5. The use of negotiated rulemaking will not delay the development
of a proposed rule because time limits will be placed on the
negotiation. We anticipate that these negotiations will expedite a
proposed rule and ultimately the acceptance of a final rule.
6. The BIE is making a commitment to ensure that the Committee has
sufficient resources to complete its work in a timely fashion.
7. The BIE, to the maximum extent possible and consistent with the
legal obligations of the Agency, will use the consensus report of the
Committee as the basis for a proposed rule for public notice and
In compliance with FACA and NRA, the BIE will use the following
procedures and guidelines for this negotiated rulemaking. The BIE may
modify them in response to comments received on this notice of intent
or during the negotiation process.
The Committee will be formed and operated in full compliance with
the requirements of FACA and NRA, and specifically under the guidelines
The Committee is expected to meet approximately 3-5 times and will
last 2-3 days each. The initial meeting will be in person; some later
meetings may be held by teleconference and/or web conference. The
Committee's work is expected to occur over the course of 6-12 months.
However, the Committee may continue its work for up to two years.
Because of the scope and complexity of the tasks at hand, Committee
members must be able to invest considerable time and effort in the
negotiated rulemaking process. Committee members must be able to attend
all Committee meetings, work on Committee work groups, consult with
their constituencies between Committee meetings, and negotiate in good
faith toward a consensus on issues before the Committee. Because of the
complexity of the issues under consideration, as well as the need for
continuity, the Secretary reserves the right to replace any member who
is unable to participate in the Committee's meetings.
Members of a negotiated rulemaking committee shall be responsible
for their own expenses of participation in such committee, except that
an Agency may, in accordance with Section 7(d) of the FACA, pay for a
member's reasonable travel and per diem expenses, expenses to obtain
technical assistance, and a reasonable rate of compensation, if--
1. Such member certifies a lack of adequate financial resources to
participate in the Committee; and
2. The agency determines that such member's participation in the
Committee is necessary to assure an adequate representation of the
member's interest.
The BIE commits to pay the reasonable travel and per diem expenses
of Committee members, if appropriate, under the NRA and Federal travel
The Secretary is seeking nominations for representatives to serve
on the Committee who can represent the interests of students enrolled
at the 174 BIE-funded schools, parents of such students, school
administrators, Tribes, and the Indian communities served by these
schools, and who have a demonstrated ability to communicate well with
groups about the interests they will represent. The Committee
membership will consist of approximately 15, but not more than 25
members in accordance with the NRA.
Include only representatives of the interests described
41 CFR 102-3.30 requires the membership of a FACA committee to be
fairly balanced in its member in terms of the points of view
represented and the functions to be performed. In making membership
decisions, the Secretary shall consider whether the interest
represented by a nominee will be affected significantly by the final
products of the Committee, which may include report(s) and/or proposed
regulations; whether that interest is already adequately represented by
nominees; and whether the potential addition would adequately represent
Federally registered lobbyists are ineligible to serve on all FACA
and non-FACA boards, committees, or councils in an individual capacity.
The term ``individual capacity'' refers to individuals who are
appointed to exercise their own individual best judgment on behalf of
the government, such as when they are designated Special Government
Employees, rather than being appointed to represent a particular
The BIE will provide sufficient administrative and technical
resources for the Committee to complete its work in a timely fashion.
The BIE, with the help of the facilitator, will prepare and provide a
final report of any issues on which the Committee reaches consensus.
At the first meeting of the Committee, a neutral facilitator will
provide training on negotiated rulemaking, interest-based negotiations,
and consensus-building. In addition, at the first meeting, Committee
members will make organizational decisions concerning protocols,
scheduling, and facilitation of the Committee.
Under Section 562 of the NRA, ``interest'' means, with respect to
an issue or matter, multiple parties which have a similar point of view
or which are likely to be affected in a similar manner.' The BIE has
identified the interests to be significantly affected by this new rule
to include students enrolled at 174 BIE-funded schools, parents of such
students, school administrators, Tribes, and the Indian communities
served by these schools. The BIE is accepting comments identifying
other interests that may be significantly affected by the final
regulations, until the date listed in the DATES section of this notice
The BIE solicits nominations from representatives of the interests
identified above and an alternate to serve when the representative is
Each nomination is expected to include a nomination for a primary
representative and an alternate who can fulfill the obligations of
membership should the primary representative be unable to attend. The
Committee membership should reflect a diversity of interests, and
nominees should only be of representatives and alternates who will:
Have knowledge of school standards, assessments and
Have relevant experience as past or present
Be able to coordinate, to the extent possible, with other
Be able to represent one or more of the specified
interests with the authority to embody the views of that interest,
communicate with interested constituents, and have a clear means to
reach agreement on behalf of the interest(s);
Be able to negotiate effectively on behalf of the
Be able to commit the time and effort required to attend
Be able to collaborate among diverse parties in a
The BIE will consider nominations for representatives only if they
are nominated through the process identified in this Notice of Intent.
The BIE will not consider any nominations that we receive in any other
manner. If you submitted a nomination in response
to previous notices (80 FR 69161; 81 FR 22039; 81 FR 54768; 82 FR 5473)
you must submit a new nomination package. Previous applications will
not be considered. The BIE will not consider nominations for Federal
representatives. Only the Secretary may nominate Federal employees to
(3) The interest(s) to be represented by the nominee (see section
V, part F) and whether the nominee will represent other interest(s)
related to this rulemaking; and
For the above reasons, I hereby certify that the Bureau of Indian
Education Standards, Assessments, and Accountability System Negotiated
Rulemaking Committee is in the public interest.