Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2003/05/07/03-11361/procedures-for-implementation-of-the-national-construction-safety-team-act
Timestamp: 2017-09-22 16:00:56
Document Index: 534375207

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', 'art 270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270', '§\u2009270']

A Rule by the National Institute of Standards and Technology on 05/07/2003
68 FR 24343
24343-24345 (3 pages)
Docket No: 021224331-3093-03
03-11361
Summary of Public Comments Received by NIST in Response to the January 30, 2003 Interim Final Rule, and NIST's Response to Those Comments
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/03-11361 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/03-11361
The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Technology Administration, United States Department of Commerce, is today issuing a final rule amending regulations found at 15 CFR part 270 implementing the National Construction Safety Team Act (“Act”). An interim final rule with a request for public comments containing general provisions regarding implementation of the Act and establishing procedures for the collection and preservation of evidence obtained and the protection of information created as part of investigations conducted pursuant to the Act was published in the Federal Register on January 30, 2003. This final rule responds to comments received in response to the January 30, 2003 notice. The changes include clarifications and editorial corrections to several sections of the interim final rule.
The National Construction Safety Team Act, Pub. L. 107-231, was enacted to provide for the establishment of investigative teams (“Teams”) to assess building performance and emergency response and evacuation procedures in the wake of any building failure that has resulted in substantial loss of life or that posed significant potential of substantial loss of life. The purpose of investigations by Teams is to improve the safety and structural integrity of buildings in the United States. A Team will (1) Establish the likely technical cause or causes of the building failure; (2) evaluate the technical aspects of evacuation and emergency response procedures; (3) recommend, as necessary, specific improvements to building standards, codes, and practices based on the findings made pursuant to (1) and (2); and recommend any research and other appropriate actions needed to improve the structural safety of buildings, and improve evacuation and emergency response procedures, based on the findings of the investigation. Section 2(c)(1) of the Act requires that the Director develop procedures for certain activities to be carried out under the Act as follows: regarding conflicts of interest related to service on a Team; defining the circumstances under which the Director will establish and deploy a Team; prescribing the appropriate size of Teams; guiding the disclosure of information under section 7 of the Act; guiding the conduct of investigations under the Act; identifying and prescribing appropriate conditions for provision by the Director of additional resources and services Teams may need; to ensure that investigations under the Act do not impede and are coordinated with any search and rescue efforts being undertaken at the site of the building failure; for regular briefings of the public on the status of the investigative proceedings and findings; guiding the Teams in moving and preserving evidence; providing for coordination with Federal, State, and local entities that may sponsor research or investigations of building failures; and regarding other issues.
NIST published an interim final rule with a request for public comments in the Federal Register on January 30, 2003 (68 FR 4693), seeking public comment on general provisions regarding implementation of the Act and on provisions establishing procedures for the collection and preservation of evidence obtained and the protection of information created as part of investigations conducted pursuant to the Act, including guiding the disclosure of information under section 7 of the Act (§§ 270.350, 270.351, and 270.352) and guiding the Teams in moving and preserving evidence (§ 270.330). These general provisions and procedures, comprising Subparts A and D of the rule, are necessary to the conduct of the investigation of the World Trade Center disaster, already underway, and became effective immediately upon publication.
The comment period closed on March 3, 2003.
In the near future, NIST plans to publish in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking and request for comments, establishing the remaining procedures necessary for implementation of the Act.
NIST received two responses to the request for comments. One response was from a private, not-for-profit organization that develops international building codes. The second response was from a local government agency. A detailed analysis of the comments follows.
Comment: One comment encouraged NIST to use a particular code development process. The commenter offered to assist NIST in developing and advancing the necessary code change proposals that will advance the recommendations of the investigation team.
Comment: One comment stated that the proposed rule should consider specifying the criteria for the Team's deployment.
Response: As required by section (c)(1)(B) of the Act, NIST will publish procedures “defining the circumstances under which the Director will establish and deploy a Team” in its notice of proposed rulemaking setting forth the remaining procedures necessary to implement the Act.
Comment: One comment stated that “[c]onsideration should be given to the question of whether a finding or establishing of “the likely technical cause or causes of the building failure” will have evidentiary weight or authority”, and if so, “consideration should also be given to mandatory rights to a hearing or other participation * * *”.
Response: By statute, “[n]o part of any report resulting from such investigation, or from an investigation under the Start Printed Page 24344National Construction Safety Team Act, shall be admitted as evidence or used in any suit or action for damages arising out of any matter mentioned in such report.”
Comment: One comment stated that the proposed regulations may conflict with and override New York City inspection and enforcement procedures. Provisions should be considered that prevent NIST from interfering with such activities.
Response: The Act and its implementing regulations pertain to the investigation into the technical causes of specific building failures and do not affect routine building inspections and enforcement activities by state or local government.
Comment: One comment stated that the requirements in the proposed regulations should include the sharing of information at all levels of City agencies, and not only by “law enforcement” and should include local police, fire, etc.
Response: NIST expects to work closely with state and local governments during NIST investigations of building failures.
Comment: One comment stated that although the proposed regulations permit parties to retain copies of documentary evidence taken by the Team, the proposed regulations do not address how parties may gain subsequent access to the original documentary evidence and/or material samples, which may be needed for the preparation of claims and defenses.
Response: The commenter apparently confuses the requirements for members of the public who are in possession of evidence with the requirements for investigation participants.
Section 270.313(c), which governs requests for documentary evidence from members of the public, specifically requires a request to be in writing and to include, among other items, “(4) A request that each person to whom the request is directed produce and permit inspection and copying of the documents and physical evidence in the possession, custody, or control of that person * * *.” Under this provision, members of the public who submit evidence to an investigation may keep the original and provide the Team a copy.
Section 270.310 governs evidence collected by investigation participants who are not NIST employees. It requires that such investigation participants transfer original evidence to NIST, and retain a copy of the evidence only if necessary to carry out their duties under the investigation. This requirement ensures that all evidence collected during the course of an investigation be held in a central location for recordkeeping and chain of custody purposes.
Comment: One comment stated that credentialing should be determined in collaboration with local law enforcement.
Response: Credentialing must be accomplished in accordance with the laws and regulations governing Federal investigations.
Comment: One comment suggested that NIST address the issue of when an investigation is concluded and the Team's authority dissolves.
Response: NIST plans to include a provision addressing this issue in its planned notice of proposed rulemaking setting forth the remaining procedures necessary to implement the Act.
Comment: One comment pointed out an inconsistency in the use of the terms “evidence” and “information” in § 270.310. The same commenter suggested a revision to § 270.312 to include both “evidence” and “information'.
Response: NIST agrees that the use of both “evidence” and “information” in § 270.310 is confusing. Section 270.310 has been revised to replace the word “information” with the word “evidence.” This revision eliminates the need for the suggested revision to § 270.312.
Comment: One comment identified an incorrect reference in § 270.314. The reference to § 270.312 should instead refer to § 270.313.
Response: NIST has corrected this error.
Comment: One comment suggested that the term “confidential information” be defined in the regulations.
Response: NIST has deleted the sentence in § 270.312 that contains the only reference in the regulation to “confidential information.” The receipt and release of information is addressed elsewhere in the regulation.
Comment: One comment suggested that § 270.313(b) be revised by adding a requirement that requests for responses to written questions include a “statement that the Director has established a Team, and that the Lead Investigator (name) has requested information.”
Response: NIST believes that the language of § 270.313(b)(1) is sufficient to make clear that the request is made under the authority of the Act.
Comment: One comment suggested that § 270.315 be revised by combining two of the factors the Director will consider in determining whether to issue a subpoena. Two of the factors NIST included in the interim final rule are: (1) Whether the testimony, documentary, or physical evidence is required for an investigation being conducted pursuant to the Act; and (2) Whether the evidence is relevant to the purpose of the investigation. The commenter suggested combining these two factors to read: “(1) Whether the testimony, documentary, or physical evidence is relevant to an investigation being conducted pursuant to the Act.”
Response: NIST disagrees with the suggested revision. Whether evidence is relevant to an investigation is an important factor to consider; however, not all relevant evidence is necessarily required for an investigation. NIST will only issue subpoenas for relevant evidence that is required for an investigation.
Comment: One comment suggested that subpoenas either be signed by the General Counsel, in addition to the Director, or that subpoenas contain a statement that the General Counsel has concurred in the issuance of the subpoena. The commenter suggested that § 270.315(c)(5) be revised to reflect change.
Response: Neither of these suggested changes is necessary because the existing regulations require the concurrence of the General Counsel prior to issuance of a subpoena.
Comment: One comment suggested revising § 270.315(d)(2) by adding the words “return receipt requested”, to require that service of a subpoena will be by certified mail, return receipt requested, or delivery to the last known residence or business address of such person or agent.
Response: NIST agrees. Section 270.315(d)(2) has been revised to reflect the change.
Comment: One comment suggested paragraph (a) of § 270.323 repeat the words “request permission to” before “take action necessary, appropriate, and reasonable in light of the nature of the property to be inspected and to carry out the duties of the Team.”
Response: NIST disagrees. The paragraph is clear as it was originally written.
This rule does not contain policies with Federalism implications sufficient to warrant preparation of a Federalism assessment under Executive Order 12612. Start Printed Page 24345
Administrative practice and procedure; Buildings and facilities; Disaster assistance; Evidence; Investigations; National Institute of Standards and Technology; Science and technology; Subpoena
1. The authority citation for part 270 is revised to read as follows:
2. Section 270.310 is amended by revising the introductory text to read as follows:
§ 270.310
§ 270.312
3. Section 270.312 is amended by removing the last sentence.
§ 270.314
4. In § 270.314, the reference to “§ 270.312” is revised to read “§ 270.313”.
5. Section 270.315 is amended by revising paragraph (d)(2) to read as follows:
§ 270.315
[FR Doc. 03-11361 Filed 5-6-03; 8:45 am]