[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 50 (Friday, March 13, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14714-14715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-05114]
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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. IM2020-1; Order No. 5450]
Section 407 Proceeding
AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Commission is establishing a docket to solicit comments
for the purpose of developing its views on whether certain proposals
for the upcoming UPU Congress are consistent with the standards and
criteria for modern rate regulation established by the Commission under
applicable sections of the United States Code. This notice informs the
public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other
administrative steps.
DATES: Comments are due: June 12, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing
Online system at http://www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit comments
electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section by telephone for advice on filing
alternatives.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at
202-789-6820.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Initial Commission Action
III. Ordering Paragraphs
I. Introduction
The 27th Universal Postal Union (UPU) Congress will take place
August 10-28, 2020, in C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire. Before the United States
concludes any treaty, convention, or amendment that establishes a
Market Dominant rate or classification, the Secretary of State must
request that the Commission provide views on whether such treaties,
conventions, or amendments are consistent with the standards and
criteria for modern rate regulation established by the Commission under
39 U.S.C. 3622. 39 U.S.C. 407(c). On March 6, 2020, the Department of
State requested the Commission's views on relevant proposals that will
be presented at the 27th UPU Congress.\1\
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\1\ Letter from Nerissa J. Cook, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Organization
Affairs, March 6, 2020 (State's Request).
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Pursuant to section 407(c)(1) and 39 CFR part 3017, the Commission
establishes Docket No. IM2020-1 for the purpose of developing its views
on whether certain proposals for the upcoming UPU Congress are
consistent with the standards and criteria for modern rate regulation
established by the Commission under 39 U.S.C. 3622.
II. Initial Commission Action
Establishment of docket. Part 3017 of title 39 of the Code of
Federal Regulations codifies procedures related to the development of
the Commission's section 407 views.\2\ Pursuant to rule 3017.3(a), the
Commission establishes this docket to ``solicit comments on the general
principles that should guide the Commission's development of views on
relevant proposals, in a general way, and on specific relevant
proposals[.]'' 39 CFR 3017.3(a).
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\2\ See Docket No. RM2015-14, Order Adopting Final Rules on
Procedures Related to Commission Views, December 30, 2015 (Order No.
2960). See also 81 FR 869 (January 8, 2016). The rules in part 3017
took effect on February 8, 2016. The Commission recently revised
these rules to enhance transparency and accountability within the
Commission view process and improve public accessibility to related
documents. Docket No. RM2020-3, Order Adopting Final Rules Related
to Commission Views, February 24, 2020, at 1-2 (Order No. 5439).
These revised rules go into effect on April 21, 2020. Order No. 5439
at 5. In addition, the Commission recently issued a final rulemaking
in a separate proceeding that, among other things, renumbered
several parts in title 39. Docket No. RM2019-13, Order Reorganizing
Commission Regulations and Amending Rules of Practice, January 16,
2020 (Order No. 5407). As a result of Order No. 5407, part 3017 will
be redesignated as part 3025 and the rules will be renumbered on
April 20, 2020. Id.; Order No. 5439 at 4-5.
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Comments. Rule 3017.4(a) provides that the Commission ``shall
establish a deadline for comments upon establishment of the docket that
is consistent with timely submission of the Commission's views to the
Secretary of State.'' 39 CFR 3017.4(a). The 27th Universal Postal Union
Congress will take place August 10-28, 2020, in C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire.
The Department of State requests that the Commission submit its views
by July 10, 2020. State's Request at 1. To ensure timely submission of
the Commission's views to the Department of State, the Commission
establishes June 12, 2020, as the deadline for submission of comments
on the principles that should guide development of its views, as well
as those on the consistency of proposals subject to subchapter I of
chapter 36 with the standards and criteria of 39 U.S.C. 3622. Comments
are to be submitted in the above captioned docket via the Commission's
website at http://www.prc.gov unless a request for waiver is approved.
For assistance with filing, contact the Commission's docket section at
202-789-6846 or [email protected].
Public Representative. Section 505 of title 39 requires the
designation of an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to
represent the interests of the general public in all public
proceedings. The Commission designates Kenneth E. Richardson as Public
Representative in this proceeding.
Availability of documents. Pursuant to rule 3017.3(b), the
Commission will post relevant proposals and other materials related to
the development of Commission views in this docket.
Federal Register publication. Rule 3017.3(c) requires publication
in the Federal Register of the notice establishing a docket authorized
under part 3017. 39 CFR 3017.3(c). Pursuant to this rule, the
Commission directs the Secretary of the Commission to arrange for
prompt publication of this Order in the Federal Register.
III. Ordering Paragraphs
It is ordered:
1. The Commission establishes Docket No. IM2020-1 for purposes
related to the development of section 407(c)(1) views and invites
public comments related to this effort, as described in the body of
this Order.
2. Comments are due no later than June 12, 2020.
3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Kenneth E. Richardson is appointed to
serve as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to
represent the interests of the general public in this docket.
4. The Secretary is directed to post documents in this docket when
the Commission determines such documents are relevant.
5. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this Order in the
Federal Register.
By the Commission.
Erica A. Barker,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-05114 Filed 3-12-20; 8:45 am]
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