Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2005/02/15/05-2918/agency-reorganization-and-delegations-of-authority
Timestamp: 2018-04-25 13:07:51
Document Index: 305264039

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 501', 'arts 501', 'art 501', 'art 501', '§\u20092903', '§\u2009501', '§\u2009501', '§\u2009502', '§\u2009501', '§\u2009565', '§\u20093721', '§\u2009540', '§\u2009540', 'art 535', 'art 503', 'art 502', '§\u2009502', '§\u2009502', 'art 515']

A Rule by the Federal Maritime Commission on 02/15/2005
Effective February 15, 2005.
7659-7669 (11 pages)
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/05-2918 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/05-2918
The Federal Maritime Commission (“FMC” or “Commission”) amends its regulations relating to agency organization to reflect the reorganization of the agency that took effect August 23, 2004, and to delegate authority to certain FMC bureaus in order to improve the FMC's ability to carry out its statutory responsibilities over the ocean shipping industry in a more effective and efficient manner.
The FMC is amending part 501 of Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations to reflect the reorganization of the agency that took effect on August 23, 2004. The FMC was reorganized in order to improve its ability to carry out its statutory responsibilities over the ocean shipping industry in a more effective and efficient manner.
Because the changes made in this proceeding address internal agency operating procedure and organization, and are routine and ministerial in nature within the meaning of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553, this rule is published as final.
This Rule also makes nomenclature changes in certain CFR units to reflect a change in a relevant Commission bureau name since these CFR units were last revised.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Federal Maritime Commission amends 46 CFR Parts 501, 502 and 515 as follows.
1. Part 501 is revised to read as follows:
Delegation to the Director, Office of Operations. Start Printed Page 7660
Delegation to and redelegation by the Director, Office of Administration.
Appendix A to Part 501—Organization Chart
(a) Statutory functions. The Commission regulates common carriers by water and other persons involved in the oceanborne foreign commerce of the United States under provisions of the Shipping Act of 1984, as amended by the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 (46 U.S.C. app. sections 1701-1720); section 19 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. app. section 876); the Foreign Shipping Practices Act of 1988 (46 U.S.C. app. section 1710a); sections 2 and 3, Public Law 89-777, Financial Responsibility for Death or Injury to Passengers and for Non-Performance of Voyages (46 U.S.C. app. sections 817d and 817e); and other applicable statutes.
(c) Terms and vacancies. The term of each member of the Commission is five years and begins when the term of the predecessor of that member ends (i.e., on June 30 of each successive year), except that, when the term of office of a member ends, the member may continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualified. A vacancy in the office of any Commissioner shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, except that any person chosen to fill a vacancy shall be appointed only for the unexpired term of the Commissioner whom he or she succeeds. Each Commissioner shall be removable by the President for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.
(c) Office of the Secretary. (FOIA and Privacy Act Officer, Federal Register Liaison.)
(1) Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services.
(d) Office of the General Counsel. (Ethics Official; Chair, Permanent Task Force on International Affairs; Legislative Counsel.)
(h) Office of Operations.
(1) Bureau of Certification and Licensing.
(i) Office of Passenger Vessels & Information Processing.
(2) Bureau of Trade Analysis.
(ii) Office of Economics & Competition Analysis.
(iii) Office of Service Contracts & Tariffs.
(3) Bureau of Enforcement.
(4) Area Representatives.
(i) Office of Administration. (Chief Acquisition Officer, Audit Followup and Management Controls Official, Chief Information Officer, Chief Financial Officer.)
(1) Office of Budget and Financial Management.
(2) Office of Human Resources.
(3) Office of Information Technology. (Senior IT Officer, Forms Control Officer, Network Security Officer, Records Management Officer.)
(a) Chairman. The Office of the Secretary, the Office of the General Counsel, the Office of Administrative Law Judges, the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, the Office of the Inspector General, the Office of Operations, the Office of Administration, and officials performing the functions of Information Security Officer and Designated Agency Ethics Official, report to the Chairman of the Commission.
(b) Office of Operations. The Bureau of Certification and Licensing, Bureau of Enforcement, Bureau of Trade Analysis, and Area Representatives report to the Office of Operations.
(c) Office of Administration. The Office of Budget and Financial Management, Office of Human Resources, Office of Information Technology, and Office of Management Services report to the Office of Administration. The Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and the Office of the Inspector General receive administrative assistance from the Director of Administration. All other units of the Commission receive administrative guidance from the Director of Administration.
(d) Office of the Secretary. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Start Printed Page 7661Resolution Services reports to the Office of the Secretary.
(a) Chairman. As the chief executive and administrative officer of the Commission, the Chairman presides at meetings of the Commission, administers the policies of the Commission to its responsible officials, and ensures the efficient discharge of their responsibilities. The Chairman provides management direction to the Offices of Equal Employment Opportunity, Inspector General, Secretary, General Counsel, Administrative Law Judges, Operations, and Administration with respect to all matters concerning overall Commission workflow, resource allocation (both staff and budgetary), work priorities and similar managerial matters; and establishes, as necessary, various committees and boards to address overall operations of the agency. The Chairman serves as appeals officer under the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, and the Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act of 1998. The Chairman appoints the heads of major administrative units after consultation with the other Commissioners. In addition, the Chairman, as “head of the agency,” has certain responsibilities under Federal laws and directives not specifically related to shipping. For example, the special offices or officers within the Commission, listed under paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4) of this section, are appointed or designated by the Chairman, are under his or her direct supervision and report directly to the Chairman:
(2) Through the Secretary and, in the absence or preoccupation of the Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary, administers oaths pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 2903(b).
(3) Manages the Commission's library and related services. Start Printed Page 7662
(4) Through the Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services, has responsibility for developing and implementing the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, responds to consumer inquiries and complaints, and coordinates the Commission's efforts to resolve disputes within the shipping industry. The Director of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services is designated as the agency Dispute Resolution Specialist pursuant to section 3 of the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act of 1996, Public Law 104-320.
(1) Reviews for legal sufficiency all staff memoranda and recommendations that are presented for Commission action and staff actions acted upon pursuant to delegated authority under §§ 501.27(e) and 501.27(g).
(10) Serves as the Chair of the Permanent Task Force on International Affairs or designates a person to serve as the Chair.
(f) Office of Operations. (1) The Director of Operations:
(i) As senior staff official, is responsible to the Chairman for the management and coordination of the Commission's Bureaus of Certification and Licensing; Trade Analysis; Enforcement; and the Commission's Area Representatives, as more fully described below, and thereby implements the regulatory policies of the Commission and directives of the Chairman;
(ii) The Office initiates recommendations, collaborating with other elements of the Commission as warranted, for long-range plans, new or revised policies and standards, and rules and regulations, with respect to its program activities.
(2) Through the Office of Passenger Vessels and Information Processing, has responsibility for reviewing applications for certificates of financial responsibility with respect to passenger vessels, managing all activities with respect to evidence of financial responsibility for OTIs and passenger vessel owner/operators, and for developing and maintaining all Bureau databases and records of OTI applicants and licensees.
(h) Under the direction and management of the Bureau Director, the Bureau of Trade Analysis, through its Office of Agreements; Office of Economics and Competition Analysis; and Office of Service Contracts and Tariffs, reviews agreements and monitors the concerted activities of common carriers by water, reviews and analyzes service contracts, monitors rates of government controlled carriers, reviews carrier published tariff systems under the accessibility and accuracy standards of the Shipping Act of 1984, responds to inquiries or issues that arise concerning service contracts or tariffs, and is responsible for competition oversight and market analysis.
(2) Initiates, processes and negotiates the informal compromise of civil penalties under § 501.28 and § 502.604 of this chapter, and represents the Commission in proceedings and circumstances as designated;
(3) Acts as staff counsel to the Director of Operations and other bureaus and offices;
(2) Providing liaison between the Commission and the shipping industry and interested public; conveying pertinent information regarding regulatory activities and problems; and recommending courses of action and solutions to problems as they relate to the shipping public, the affected industry, and the Commission; Start Printed Page 7663
(k) Office of Administration. (1) The Director of Administration:
(i) Provides administrative guidance to all units of the Commission, except the Offices of Equal Employment Opportunity and the Inspector General, which are provided administrative assistance;
(ii) Is the agency's Chief Acquisition Officer under the Services Acquisition Reform Act of 2003, Public Law 108-136, 117 Stat. 1663 and Commission Order No. 112;
(iii) Is the Audit Follow-up and Management (Internal) Controls Official for the Commission under Commission Orders 103 and 106;
(iv) Is the agency's Chief Financial Officer;
(v) Serves as the agency's lead executive for strategic planning, implementation and compliance with the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, Public Law 103-62, 107 Stat. 285;
(2) The Deputy Director of Administration is the Commission's Chief Information Officer.
(3) The Office of Administration ensures the periodic review and updating of Commission orders. Under the direction and management of the Director of Administration, the Office of Administration is responsible for the management and coordination of the Offices of: Budget and Financial Management, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Management Services. The Office of Administration provides administrative support to the program operations of the Commission. The Director of Administration interprets governmental policies and programs and administers these in a manner consistent with Federal guidelines, including those involving financial management, human resources, information technology, and procurement. The Office initiates recommendations, collaborating with other elements of the Commission as warranted, for long-range plans, new or revised policies and standards, and rules and regulations, with respect to its activities. The Director of Administration is responsible for directing and administering the Commission's training and development function. The Director of Administration also acts as the Commission's representative to the Small Agency Council. Other programs are carried out by its Offices, as follows:
(i) Office of Budget and Financial Management, under the direction and management of the Office Director, administers the Commission's financial management program, including fiscal accounting activities, fee and forfeiture collections, and payments, and ensures that Commission obligations and expenditures of appropriated funds are proper; develops annual budget justifications for submission to the Congress and the Office of Management and Budget; develops and administers internal controls systems that provide accountability for agency funds; administers the Commission's travel and cash management programs, ensures accountability for official passports; and assists in the development of proper levels of user fees.
(ii) The Office of Human Resources, under the direction and management of the Office Director, plans and administers a complete personnel management program including: Recruitment and placement; position classification and pay administration; occupational safety and health; employee counseling services; employee relations; workforce discipline; performance appraisal; incentive awards; retirement; and personnel security.
(iii) Office of Information Technology, under the direction and management of the Office Director, administers the Commission's information technology (“IT”) program under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as amended, as well as other applicable laws that prescribe responsibility for operating the IT program. The Office provides administrative support with respect to information technology to the program operations of the Commission. The Office interprets governmental policies and programs for information technology and administers these policies and programs in a manner consistent with federal guidelines. The Office initiates recommendations, collaborating with other elements of the Commission as warranted, for long range plans, new or revised policies and standards, and rules and regulations with respect to its program activities. The Office's functions include: conducting IT management studies and surveys; managing data telecommunications; developing and managing databases and applications; coordinating records management activities; administering IT contracts; and developing Paperwork Reduction Act clearances for submission to the Office of Management and Budget. The Office is also responsible for managing the computer security and the records and forms programs. The Director of the Office serves as Senior IT Officer, Forms Control Officer, Computer Security Officer, and Records Management Officer.
(iv) Office of Management Services, under the direction and management of the Office Director, directs and administers a variety of management support service functions of the Commission. The Director of the Office is the Commission's principal Contracting Officer under Commission Order No. 112. Programs include voice telecommunications; acquisition of all goods and services used by the Commission; building security and emergency preparedness; real and personal property management; printing and copying; mail services; graphic design; equipment maintenance; and transportation. The Office Director is the agency's liaison with the Small Agency Council's Procurement and Administrative Services Committees and with the General Services Administration (“GSA”) and the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) on building security Committee.
(1) The Executive Resources Board (“ERB”) is composed of all Senior Executive Service members. The Chairman shall designate an ERB chair Start Printed Page 7664on a rotational basis beginning October 1 of each year. The Board meets on an ad hoc basis to discuss, develop and submit recommendations to the Chairman on matters related to the merit staffing process for career appointments in the Senior Executive Service, including the executive qualifications of candidates for career appointment. The Board also plans and manages the Commission's executive development programs. Serving the Board in a non-voting advisory capacity are the Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, the Training Officer, and the Director, Office of Human Resources, who also serves as the Board's secretary. [Commission Order No. 95.]
(a) Authority and delegation. Section 105 of Reorganization Plan No. 7 of 1961, August 12, 1961, authorizes the Commission to delegate, by published order or rule, any of its functions to a division of the Commission, an individual Commissioner, an administrative law judge, or an employee or employee board, including functions with respect to hearing, determining, ordering, certifying, reporting or otherwise acting as to any work, business or matter. In subpart A of this part, the Commission has delegated general functions, and in this subpart C it is delegating miscellaneous, specific authorities set forth in §§ 501.23, et seq., to the delegatees designated therein, subject to the limitations prescribed in subsequent subsections of this section.
The authority listed in this section is delegated to the General Counsel: authority to classify carriers within the meaning of section 3(8) of the Shipping Act of 1984, except where a carrier submits a rebuttal statement pursuant to § 565.3(b) of this chapter.
The authorities listed in this section are delegated to the Secretary and, in the absence or preoccupation of the Secretary, to the Assistant Secretary. Start Printed Page 7665
(e) Authority to prescribe a time limit for the submission of written comments with reference to agreements filed pursuant to section 5 of the Shipping Act of 1984.
(h) Authority, in the absence or preoccupation of the Director of Administration, to sign travel orders, nondocketed recommendations to the Commission, and other routine documents for the Director of Administration, consistent with the programs, policies, and precedents established by the Commission or the Director of Administration.
Delegation to the Director, Office of Operations.
The authorities listed in this section are delegated to the Director of Operations.
(a) Authority to adjudicate, with the concurrence of the General Counsel, and authorize payment of, employee claims for not more than $1,000.00, arising under the Military and Civilian Personnel Property Act of 1964, 31 U.S.C. § 3721.
(8) The authorities contained in paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(4) of this section are redelegated to the Director, Office of Transportation Intermediaries, in the Bureau of Consumer Complaints and Licensing.
(c) Authority to approve amendments to escrow agreements filed under § 540.5(b) of this Chapter when such amendments are for the purpose of changing names of principals, changing the vessels covered by the escrow agreement, changing the escrow agent, and changing the amount of funds held in escrow, provided that the changes in amount of funds result in an amount of coverage that complies with the requirements in the introductory text of § 540.5 of this Chapter.
(a) Authority to determine that no action should be taken to prevent an agreement or modification to an agreement from becoming effective under section 6(c)(1), and to shorten the review period under section 6(e), of the Shipping Act of 1984, when the Start Printed Page 7666agreement or modification involves solely a restatement, clarification or change in an agreement which adds no new substantive authority beyond that already contained in an effective agreement. This category of agreement or modification includes, for example, the following: a restatement filed to conform an agreement to the format and organization requirements of Part 535 of this chapter; a clarification to reflect a change in the name of a country or port or a change in the name of a party to the agreement; a correction of typographical or grammatical errors in the text of an agreement; a change in the title of persons or committees designated in an agreement; or a transfer of functions from one person or committee to another.
(j) Authority to request controlled carriers to file justifications for existing or proposed rates, charges, classifications, rules or regulations, and to review responses to such requests for the purpose of recommending to the Commission that a rate, charge, classification, rule or regulation be found unlawful and, therefore, requires Commission action under section 9(d) of the Shipping Act of 1984.
(l)(1) Authority to approve for good cause or disapprove special permission applications submitted by common carriers, or conferences of such carriers, subject to the provisions of section 8 of the Shipping Act of 1984, for relief from statutory and/or Commission tariff requirements.
Except where specifically redelegated in this section, the authorities listed in this section are delegated to the Director of Administration.
(a) Authority to determine that an exigency of the public business is of such importance that annual leave may not be used by employees to avoid forfeiture before annual leave may be restored under 5 U.S.C. 6304.
(b)(1) Authority to approve, certify, or otherwise authorize those actions dealing with appropriations of funds made available to the Commission including allotments, fiscal matters, and contracts relating to the operation of the Commission within the laws, rules, and regulations set forth by the Federal Government.
(2) The authority under paragraph (b) of this section is redelegated to the Director, Office of Budget and Financial Management.
(c)(1) Authority to classify all positions GS-1 through GS-15 and wage grade positions.
(2) The authority under paragraph (c) of this section is redelegated to the Director, Office of Human Resources.
(a) General. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1)(A), there is hereby stated and published for the guidance of the public the established places at which, the officers from whom, and the methods whereby, the public may secure information, make submittals or requests, or obtain decisions, principally by contacting by telephone, Start Printed Page 7667in writing, or in person, either the Secretary of the Commission at the Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Washington, DC 20573, or the Area Representatives listed in paragraph (d) of this section. See also Part 503 of this chapter.
(i) Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services;
(6) Office of Operations;
(i) Bureau of Certification and Licensing;
(ii) Bureau of Trade Analysis;
(iii) Bureau of Enforcement;
(iv) Area Representatives will provide information and decisions to the public within their geographic areas, or will expedite the obtaining of information and decisions from headquarters. The addresses of these Area Representatives are as follows. Further information on Area Representatives, including Internet e-mail addresses, can be obtained on the Commission's home page at “http://www.fmc.gov.”
New Orleans Area Representative, U.S. Customs House, 423 Canal Street, Room 309B, New Orleans, LA 70130.
New York Area Representative, Building No. 75, Room 205B, JFK International Airport, Jamaica, NY 11430.
Seattle Area Representative, c/o U.S. Customs, 7 South Nevada Street, Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98134.
(7) Office of Administration;
(i) Office of Budget and Financial Management;
(iii) Office of Information Technology; and
(iv) Office of Management Services.
End Part Start Part Start Printed Page 7669
2. The authority citation for Part 502 continues to read as follows:
Authority 5 U.S.C. 504, 551, 552, 556(c), 559, 561-569, 571-596; 5 U.S.C. 571-584; 12 U.S.C. 1141j(a); 18 U.S.C. 207; 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3); 28 U.S.C. 2112(a); 31 U.S.C. 9701; 46 U.S.C. app. 817d, 817e, 1114(b), 1705, 1707-1711, 1713-1716; E.O. 11222 of May 8, 1965, 30 FR 6469, 3 CFR, 1964-1965 Comp. P. 306; 21 U.S.C. 853a; Pub. L. 105-258, 112 Stat. 1902.
3. Amend § 502.271(f)(1), by removing the words “Bureau of Consumer Complaints and Licensing” and adding, in their place, the words “Bureau of Certification and Licensing.”
4. Amend § 502.401, by removing the words “Bureau of Consumer Complaints and Licensing” and adding, in their place, the words “Bureau of Certification and Licensing.”
6. In 46 CFR Part 515 remove the words “Bureau of Consumer Complaints and Licensing” and add, in their place, the words “Bureau of Certification and Licensing” in the following places:
a. Section 515.5(a);
b. Section 515.12(a);
c. Section 515.18(a);
d. Section 515.22(e);
e. Section 515.25(a);
f. Section 515.34;
g. Appendix A to Subpart C;
Appendix B to Subpart C
h. Appendix B to Subpart C; and
Appendix D to Subpart C
i. Appendix D to Subpart C.
[FR Doc. 05-2918 Filed 2-14-05; 8:45 am]