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Amended Service Obligation Reporting Requirements for U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and State Maritime Academy Graduates
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[Federal Register: March 2, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 41)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 9758-9759]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02mr04-9]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration
46 CFR Part 310
[Docket Number MARAD-2004-17185]
RIN 2133-AB57
Amended Service Obligation Reporting Requirements for U.S.
Merchant Marine Academy and State Maritime Academy Graduates
AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.
ACTION: Interim final rule with request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In this interim final rule, the U.S. Maritime Administration
(MARAD, we, us, or our) will change the service obligation reporting
requirements for United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA)
graduates and State maritime academy graduates who receive Student
Incentive Payments (SIP). Prior to this regulation, each graduate was
required to submit an employment report form thirteen (13) months
following his or her graduation and each succeeding twelve (12) months
for a total of five (5) consecutive years.
The amended obligation will require each graduate to file a report
on March 31 following graduation and six (6) consecutive years
thereafter. Each graduate will file a total of seven (7) reports in
order to give information on all six (6) years of service obligation.
This new reporting date will create a standard reporting period for all
graduates and will coincide with the U.S. Naval Reserve/Merchant Marine
Reserve (USNR/MMR) service reporting date. This rulemaking will also
provide for the electronic submission of reports as the primary means
for submission to MARAD.
DATES: This interim final rule is effective March 2, 2004. However,
MARAD will consider comments received not later than April 1, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to the docket number that appears on
the top of this document. Written comments may be submitted to the
Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20590. Comments may also be submitted by electronic
means via the Internet at http://dmses.dot.gov/submit. 
Note that all comments received will be posted without change including
any personal information provided in the comment. All comments received
will be available for examination at the above address between 10 a.m.
and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. An
electronic version of this document is available on the World Wide Web at
http://dms.dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Brenda Reed-Perry, Office of
Policy and Plans, Maritime Administration, MAR-410, Room 7123, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590; telephone: (202) 366-0845;
FAX: (202) 366-7403 and e-mail: maritime.graduate@marad.dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USMMA and State maritime academies
require a midshipman/cadet who is a U.S. citizen and who enters the
USMMA or a State maritime academy in the SIP program after April 1,
1982, to sign a service obligation contract which obligates the
midshipman/cadet to certain post-graduate employment. Prior to this
interim final rule, a USMMA or State maritime academy SIP graduate was
required to submit his or her service obligation report thirteen (13)
months following his or her graduation and each succeeding twelve (12)
months for a total of five (5) consecutive years for USMMA graduates
and for a total of three (3) years for State maritime academy SIP
graduates.
However, MARAD is now establishing the same service obligation
reporting date that the USNR/MMR requires. This interim final rule will
require each graduate to file a report on March 31 following graduation
and six (6) consecutive years thereafter. Each graduate will file a
total of seven (7) reports in order to give information on all six (6)
years of service obligation. This new reporting date not only will
coincide with the USNR/MMR's service reporting date but also will
create a standard reporting period for all graduates. This rulemaking
will also provide for the electronic submission of reports as the
primary means for submission. Graduates must submit annually the
Maritime Administration Service Obligation Compliance Report and
Merchant Marine Reserve, U.S. Naval Reserve (USNR), Annual Report (Form
MA-930). Graduates may submit their Service Obligation Reports
electronically via the Maritime Service Compliance System at
https://mscs.marad.dot.gov.
Regulatory Analyses and Notices
Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures.
This interim final rule is not considered a significant regulatory
action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12886 and, therefore, was
not reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget. This interim final
rule is not likely to result in an annual effect on the economy of $100
million or more. This interim 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. The economic impact, if any, should be
minimal; therefore, further regulatory evaluation is not necessary.
Additionally, this interim final rule is intended only to allow timely
as well as fair and efficient use of electronic submission technologies
for the information collection identified in this interim final rule.
Administrative Procedure Act
The Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) provides an
exception to the
[[Page 9759]]
notice and comment procedures when they are unnecessary or contrary to
the public interest. MARAD finds that under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) good
cause exists for not providing notice and comment since this interim
final rule only changes the service obligation reporting date of
graduates to March 31 following graduation and thereafter for six (6)
consecutive years for a total of seven (7) reports. The USNR/MMR also
requires a March 31 reporting date for its service obligation reports.
Additionally, we find good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) to make this
interim final rule effective upon publication because this rule is
noncontroversial and allows timely and efficient reporting criteria. An
immediate effective date of this final rule will provide USMMA and
State maritime academy SIP graduates with equal reporting dates
irrespective of graduation date. However, MARAD will accept comments as
indicated in the Comments section above.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
MARAD certifies that this interim final rule will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
This interim final rule only changes the service obligation reporting
date for graduates to March 31 following graduation and for six (6)
consecutive years thereafter. Only individuals and not businesses are
affected by this interim final rule.
Federalism
We have analyzed this interim final rule in accordance with the
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 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 is
not necessary.
Executive Order 13175
MARAD does not believe that this interim final rule will
significantly or uniquely affect the communities of Indian tribal
governments when analyzed under the principles and criteria contained
in Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian
Tribal Governments). Therefore, the funding and consultation
requirements of this Executive Order do not apply.
Environmental Impact Statement
We have analyzed this interim 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 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
interim final rule is not required. This interim final rule involves
administrative and procedural regulations that have no environmental
impact.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
This interim 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 interim final rule is the least burdensome alternative
that achieves the objective of the rule.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This interim final rule contains information collection
requirements covered by the Office of Management and Budget approval
number 2133-0509.
List of Subjects in 46 CFR Part 310
Grant programs-education, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
Schools, Seamen.
Accordingly, for the reasons discussed in the preamble, 46 CFR part
310, is amended as follows:
PART 310--[AMENDED]
? 1. The authority citation for part 310 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 46 App. U.S.C. 1295; 49 CFR 1.66.
? 2. In Sec. 310.58, paragraph (d) is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 310.58 Service obligation for students enrolled after April 2,
1982.
* * * * *
(d) Reporting requirements. (1) Each graduate must submit a service
obligation report form on March 31 following graduation and six (6)
consecutive years thereafter. Each graduate will file a total of seven
(7) reports in order to give information on all six (6) years of
service obligation. Graduates are encouraged to submit the service
obligation report to MARAD using the web-based Internet system at
https://mscs.marad.dot.gov. You may also continue to mail
the service obligation report to: Compliance Specialist, Maritime
Administration, Office of Policy and Plans, Room 7123, 400 7th St., SW.,
Washington, DC 20590.
(i) Example 1: Midshipman/cadet graduates on June 30, 2004. His
first reporting date is March 31, 2005 and thereafter on March 31 for
six (6) consecutive years for a total of seven (7) reports.
(ii) Example 2: Midshipman/cadet has a deferred graduation to
November 30, 2004. His first reporting date is March 31, 2005 and
thereafter for six (6) consecutive years for a total of seven (7)
reports.
(iii) Example 3: Midshipman/cadet graduated in June 2002 and has
already begun his service obligation reporting. His reports are now due
on March 31 of each reporting year.
(2) The Maritime Administration will provide reporting forms upon
request. However, non-receipt of such form will not exempt a graduate
from submitting service obligation information as required by this
paragraph. Graduates are encouraged to submit their service obligation
reports electronically at https://mscs.marad.dot.gov.
The reporting form has been approved by the Office of Management and
Budget (2133-0509).
* * * * *
Dated: February 26, 2004.
By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 04-4553 Filed 3-1-04; 8:45 am]
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