Appeal Procedures for Determinations Concerning Compliance With Service Obligations, Deferments, and Waivers

AGENCY:

Maritime Administration, Transportation.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is publishing this final rule regarding revisions to the procedures for reviewing: determinations that a student or graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) or a State maritime academy that receives student incentive payments has breached the service obligation; denials of requests for deferment of the service obligation; and denials of requests for waivers of the service obligation contract. The previous regulations called for review by a panel composed of a representative of MARAD and representatives from the Department of the Navy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the United States Coast Guard. These revisions provide for an appeal to the Maritime Administrator, the head of the agency, rather than review by the panel. The intended effect of this regulation is to streamline the process of reaching a final agency decision and allow for timely action on requests for review.

DATES:

The effective date of this final rule is July 27, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jay Gordon of the Office of Chief Counsel at (202) 366-5191. You may send mail to Jay Gordon, Maritime Administration, Office of Chief Counsel, Room 7228, MAR-226, 400 7th St., SW., Washington, DC, 20590-0001, or you may send e-mail to jay.gordon@marad.dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Since 1980, each individual U.S. citizen who enters the USMMA and each student at a State maritime academy who receives Federal student incentive payments is required pursuant to statute (46 U.S.C. app. 1295b(e) and 1295c(g)) to sign an agreement committing: (A) To complete the course of instruction at the relevant academy, unless the individual is separated by such institution; (B) to fulfill the requirements for a license as an officer in the merchant marine of the United States on or before the date of graduation from the USMMA or, if a student incentive payment recipient, to take the examination for a license as an officer in the merchant marine of the United States on or before the date of graduation and to fulfill the requirements for such a license not later than 3 months after the date of graduation from a State maritime academy; (C) to maintain a license as an officer in the merchant marine of the United States for at least 6 years following the date of graduation from the relevant academy; (D) to apply for an appointment as, to accept if tendered an appointment as, and to serve as a commissioned officer in the United States Naval Reserve (including the Merchant Marine Reserve, United States Naval Reserve), the United States Coast Guard Reserve, or any other Reserve unit of an armed force of the United States, for at least 6 years following the date of graduation from the relevant academy; (E) to serve the foreign and domestic commerce and the national defense of the United States for at least 5 years following the date of graduation from the USMMA or for at least 3 years following the date of graduation from a State maritime academy; and (F) to report to the Maritime Administrator on the compliance by the individual. If the official designated by the Maritime Administrator determines that the individual has breached the service obligation contract, denies a request for a deferment of the service obligation, or denies a request for a waiver of the service obligation contract, the individual may seek review of that determination(s).

Previously, review of said determination(s) was to be made by a panel composed of a representative of MARAD and representatives from the Department of the Navy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the United States Coast Guard. There was no standing panel and, when requested in writing by the individual, the panel was to be convened on an ad hoc basis. These revisions would remove the panel as the reviewing authority and provide for direct appeal to the Maritime Administrator, the head of MARAD. These revisions are designed to streamline the process of reaching a final agency decision and allow for timely review of the decisions of the designated official. It also recognizes that the fundamental concerns involved in breach determinations and waiver and deferment decisions are central to the statutory purposes of the authority and responsibility of MARAD to operate the USMMA and administer the program for incentive payments to students at State maritime academies. These programmatic concerns do not necessarily involve areas of concern to organizations, such as NOAA and the United States Coast Guard, currently designated to sit on the panel.

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)

We published an NPRM on April 10, 2000 (65 FR 18957) providing the public with notice and an opportunity to comment on the proposed changes to the review and appeals process. We received no comments and are promulgating these final rules as proposed.

Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866, and it has been determined that this is not a significant regulatory action. This final rule is not likely to result in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more.

This final rule is also not significant under the Regulatory Policies and Procedures of the Department of Transportation (44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979). The costs and benefits associated with this rulemaking are considered to be so minimal that no further analysis is necessary. Because the economic impact, if any, should be minimal, further regulatory evaluation is not necessary. These amendments are intended only to simplify and clarify the procedural requirements for appeals of determinations concerning breaches of service obligations, deferments, and waivers.

Federalism

We analyzed this final rule in accordance with the principles and criteria contained in E.O. 13132 (“Federalism”) and have determined that it does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. These regulations have no substantial effects on the States, or on the current Federal-State relationship, or on the current distribution of power and responsibilities among the various local officials. Therefore, consultation with State and local officials was not necessary.

Executive Order 13084

The Maritime Administration does not believe that this final rule will significantly or uniquely affect the communities of Indian tribal governments when analyzed under the principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 13084 (“Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments”). Therefore, the funding and consultation requirements of this Executive Order would not apply. No comments were received from affected persons, including Indian tribal governments, as to its potential impact.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Maritime Administration certifies that this final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This final rule only sets forth new procedural rules for students and graduates of the USMMA or State maritime academies to appeal determinations regarding breaches of service obligations, deferments, and waivers.

Environmental Impact Statement

We have analyzed this final rule for purposes of compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and have concluded that under the categorical exclusions provision in section 4.05 of Maritime Administrative Order (“MAO”) 600-1, “Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts,” 50 FR 11606 (March 22, 1985), the preparation of an Environmental Assessment, and an Environmental Impact Statement, or a Finding of No Significant Impact for this final rule is not required. This final rule involves administrative and procedural regulations that have no environmental impact.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

This final rule does not impose an unfunded mandate under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. It does not result in costs of $100 million or more, in the aggregate, to any of the following: State, local, or Native American tribal governments, or the private sector. This final rule is the least burdensome alternative that achieves the objective of the rule.

Paperwork Reduction Act

This final rule contains information collection requirements covered by OMB approval number 2133-0150, under 5 CFR part 1320, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Regulation Identifier Number (RIN)

The Department of Transportation assigns a regulation identifier number (RIN) to each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations. The Regulatory Information Service Center publishes the Unified Agenda in April and October of each year. The RIN number is contained in the heading of this document to cross-reference this action with the Unified Agenda.

List of Subjects in 46 CFR Part 310

• Grant programs—education
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
• Schools
• Seamen

Accordingly, MARAD hereby amends 46 CFR part 310 as follows:

PART 310—MERCHANT MARINE TRAINING

1. The authority citation for part 310 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 46 App. U.S.C. 1295; 49 CFR 1.66.

2. Section 310.7 is amended by revising paragraph (b)(10) heading, paragraph (b)(10)(ii), paragraph (b)(10)(iii) and adding a new paragraph (b)(10)(iv) to read as follows:

3. Section 310.58 is amended by revising paragraph (h) heading, paragraphs (h)(2), (h)(3), and (h)(4) to read as follows: