Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/09/23/2015-23608/organization-and-functions-of-the-board-and-delegations-of-authority
Timestamp: 2019-11-17 09:56:18
Document Index: 657177820

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 800', '§\u2009800', '§\u2009800', '§\u2009800', '§\u2009800', '§\u2009800', '§\u2009800', '§\u2009800', '§\u2009800', '§\u2009800', '§\u2009800', 'art 831', '§\u2009800', '§\u2009800', 'art 800', 'art 800', 'art 800']

A Rule by the National Transportation Safety Board on 09/23/2015
The revisions and additions published in this Final Rule will become effective October 23, 2015.
57307-57311 (5 pages)
II. Comment Received and Response Thereto
A. Section 800.33, “Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.”
B. Section 800.37, “Contents of Written Comments.”
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2015-23608 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2015-23608
A copy of the Final Rule, published in the Federal Register (FR), is available for inspection and copying in the NTSB's public reading room, located at 490 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, DC 20594-2003. Alternatively, a copy of the NPRM is available on the government-wide Web site on regulations at http://www.regulations.gov (Docket ID Number NTSB-GC-2012-0002).
The NTSB issued this NPRM in accordance with its June 25, 2012 document indicating the agency's intent to undertake a review of all NTSB regulations to ensure they are updated. 77 FR 37865. The NTSB initiated this review in accordance with Executive Order 13579, “Regulation and Independent Regulatory Agencies” (76 FR 41587, July 14, 2011). The purpose of Executive Order 13579 is to ensure all agencies adhere to the key principles found in Executive Order 13563, “Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review” (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011), which include promoting public participation in rulemaking, improving integration and innovation, promoting flexibility and freedom of choice, and ensuring scientific integrity during the rulemaking process in order to create a regulatory system that protects public health, welfare, safety, and the environment while promoting economic growth, innovation, competitiveness, and job creation. The NTSB explained in its June 25, 2012 document that it is committed to ensuring its regulations remain updated and comply with these principles. The NTSB published an additional document in the Federal Register on January 8, 2013, describing the NTSB's plan for updating all regulations. 78 FR 1193. Consistent with Executive Order 13563 and in accordance with these two documents published in the Federal Register, the NTSB seeks to ensure the public is aware of its rulemaking procedures.
On June 18, 2015, the NTSB published an NPRM inviting public comments concerning the NTSB's Start Printed Page 57308addition of a new subpart within 49 CFR part 800, to outline procedures for the adoption of rules, as well as the rulemaking process in general. 80 FR 34874. As the NTSB stated in its NPRM, many of the new sections we proposed are self-explanatory.
The NTSB divided its discussion of the proposed additions into five segments, the first of which described general rulemaking provisions (§§ 800.30-800.34), which included proposed rules describing the applicability of proposed new subpart C (Procedures for Adoption of Rules), the NTSB's public reading room (§ 800.31), the act of initiating the rulemaking process (§ 800.32), as well as notices of proposed rulemaking and the contents thereof (§§ 800.33 and 800.34).
The NTSB also categorized three proposed rules into a segment it described as “public participation” (§§ 800.35-800.38). These proposed rules addressed participation of interested persons in the NTSB rulemaking process, which include submitting comments; petitions for extension of time to comment; the contents of written comments; and the NTSB's process for considering the comments it receives in response to a publication requesting comments.
The NTSB described proposed §§ 800.39-800.41 within a segment titled “proceedings and documents.” These proposed sections described procedures for additional rulemaking proceedings, hearings, and the agency's process for adopting final rules.
Finally, the NTSB organized its preamble description of the remaining sections into segments titled “petitions for rulemaking” (§§ 800.42-800.43), which described the procedure for submitting a petition for rulemaking, as well as the agency's processing of such petitions; and “Direct and Interim Final Rules” (§§ 800.44-800.45), which proposed to implement procedures for promulgating rules that are immediately effective in certain circumstances.
As the NTSB stated in its NPRM, the agency reviewed other agencies' rules describing rulemaking procedures, and utilized such rules as a model for the proposed new subpart.
The NTSB received one comment in response to the June 18, 2015 NPRM, from the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA). The comment contained two suggestions, which the NTSB has considered carefully. First, ALPA recommends the NTSB utilize the direct final rulemaking (DFR) procedure for all its rulemaking projects. Second, ALPA suggests the NTSB alter its proposed language in § 800.37 (“Contents of written comments”), in which we proposed, among other requirements, that comments be limited to 15 pages in length. ALPA recommends we amend the page limit to be 15 pages unless the NPRM itself exceeds 15 pages, in which case we should increase the page limit to equal the number of pages of the NPRM.
The NTSB appreciates ALPA's feedback concerning the option of utilizing the DFR procedure for NTSB rulemakings. The comment was succinct, in that it did not provide examples of situations in which the organization believes the NTSB might use the DFR procedure in lieu of publishing an NPRM and inviting comments from the public. The comment states, “While ALPA understands that the Administrative Procedures Act does allow for this procedure, ALPA believes that it would be in the NTSB, stakeholders, and public interest to issue such rulemaking in accordance with the direct final rulemaking procedures.” The NTSB assumes that ALPA desires the agency engage in more expeditious rulemaking procedures, thereby saving time and agency resources.
However, the NTSB declines to remove § 800.33, because DFR procedures are only available under the Administrative Procedure Act in limited circumstances. In particular, agencies only use DFR procedures when they do not anticipate a proposed rule or change will be controversial or will generate public interest.
While the NTSB does not promulgate rules that are considered “major” under Executive Order 12866, “Regulatory Planning and Review,” the agency nevertheless issues regulations about which transportation entities and members of the public maintain an interest and intend to offer comments. For example, in response to the NTSB's recent NPRM proposing the reorganization of and several changes to its rules on investigation procedures (49 CFR part 831), the agency received over three dozen substantive comments from a variety of stakeholders. See 79 FR 47064 (Aug. 12, 2014); www.regulations.gov Docket NTSB-GC-2012-0002. These proposed changes did not meet the criteria to be considered a “major rule” or a rule that would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities; nevertheless, the NPRM generated interest from a wide array of interested persons, organizations, and agencies. The NTSB could not consider promulgating such rulemaking changes in any manner other than publishing an NPRM and carefully considering all comments the agency received in response to it. Overall, while the NTSB appreciates ALPA's idea concerning exclusive utilization of the DFR process, the agency nevertheless finalizes its proposed new subpart, including § 800.33 (“Notice of proposed rulemaking”), in this Final Rule.
The NTSB also appreciates ALPA's suggestion concerning the increase of the page limit applicable to comments from the public. While the NTSB believes a limit of 15 pages is sufficient for almost all rulemaking responses, the agency also acknowledges the public may find the page limit to be insufficient. Nevertheless, the NTSB finalizes the text of § 800.37, because the text includes language indicating the NTSB may choose to waive the page limit in certain circumstances. The agency will seriously consider such a waiver when it proposes regulatory changes in an NPRM that is particularly lengthy or complex.
This Final Rule is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. Therefore, Executive Order 12866 does not require a Regulatory Assessment. As such, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has not reviewed this proposed rule under Executive Order 12866. In addition, section 2(a) of Executive Order 13579 states:
Independent regulatory agencies “should consider how best to promote retrospective analysis of rules that may be outmoded, ineffective, insufficient, or excessively burdensome, and to modify, streamline, expand, or repeal them in accordance with what has been learned.
76 FR at 41587. Consistent with Executive Order 13579, the NTSB's amendments to 49 CFR part 800 reflect its judgment that this part should be updated and streamlined.
This rule does not require an analysis under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1501-Start Printed Page 573091571, or the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347.
The NTSB has also analyzed these amendments in accordance with the principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 13132, “Federalism.” Any rulemaking proposal resulting from this notice would not propose any regulations that would: (1) Have a substantial direct effect on the states, the relationship between the national government and the states, or the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government; (2) impose substantial direct compliance costs on state and local governments; or (3) preempt state law. Therefore, the consultation and funding requirements of Executive Order 13132 do not apply.
Regarding other Executive Orders and statutory provisions, this final rule also complies with all 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. In addition, the NTSB has evaluated this rule under: Executive Order 12630, “Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights”; Executive Order 13045, “Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks”; Executive Order 13175, “Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments”; Executive Order 13211, “Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use”; and the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act, 15 U.S.C. 272 note. The NTSB has concluded this rule does not contravene any of the requirements set forth in these Executive Orders or statutes, nor does this rule prompt further consideration with regard to such requirements.
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the NTSB amends 49 CFR part 800 as follows:
2. Revise the heading for part 800 to read as set forth above.
All written comments shall be in English. Unless otherwise specified in a notice requesting comments, comments may not exceed 15 pages in length, but necessary attachments may be appended Start Printed Page 57310to the submission without regard to the 15-page limit. Any commenter shall submit as a part of his or her written comments all material he or she considers relevant to any statement of fact made in the comment. Commenters should avoid incorporation by reference. However, if incorporation by reference is necessary, the incorporated material shall be identified with respect to document and page. The NTSB may reject comments if they are frivolous, abusive, or repetitious. The NTSB may also reject comments filed electronically if the commenter does not adhere to the electronic filing instructions at the Federal Docket Management System Web site.
Final rules are prepared by representatives of the office concerned and the Office of the General Counsel. The rule is then submitted to the Board for its consideration. If the Board adopts the rule, it is published in the Federal Register unless all persons subject to it are named and are personally served with a copy of it.
(a) An interim rule may be issued when it is in the public interest to promulgate an effective rule while keeping the rulemaking open for further refinement. For example, an interim rule may be issued in instances when normal procedures for notice and comment prior to issuing an effective rule are not required, minor changes to the final rule may be necessary after the interim rule has been in place for some time, or the interim rule only implements portions of a proposed rule, while other portions of the proposed rule are still under development.Start Printed Page 57311
[FR Doc. 2015-23608 Filed 9-22-15; 8:45 am]