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Subpart C-Delegation and
Redelegation of Authorities

§ 501.21 Delegation of authorities.

(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.

(b) Deputies. Where bureau or office deputies are officially appointed, they are hereby delegated all necessary authority to act in the absence or incapacity of the director or chief.

(c) Redelegation. Subject to the limitations in this section, the delegatees may redelegate their authorities to subordinate personnel under their supervision and direction; but only if this subpart is amended to reflect such redelegation and notice thereof is published in the FEDERAL REGISTER. Under any redelegated authority, the redelegator assumes full responsibility for actions taken by subordinate redelegatees.

(d) Exercise of authority; policy and procedure. The delegatees and

redelegatees shall exercise the authorities delegated or redelegated in a manner consistent with applicable laws and the established policies of the Commission, and shall consult with the General Counsel where appropriate.

(e) Exercise of delegated authority by delegator. Under any authority delegated or redelegated, the delegator (Commission), or the redelegator, respectively, shall retain full rights to exercise the authority in the first instance.

(f) Review of delegatee's action. The delegator (Commission) or redelegator of authority shall retain a discretionary right to review an action taken under delegated authority by a subordinate delegatee, either upon the filing of a written petition of a party to, or an intervenor in, such action; or upon the delegator's or redelegator's own initiative.

(1) Petitions for review of actions taken under delegated authority shall be filed within ten (10) calendar days of the action taken:

(i) If the action for which review is sought is taken by a delegatee, the petition shall be addressed to the Commission pursuant to §502.69 of this chapter.

(ii) If the action for which review is sought is taken by a redelegatee, the petition shall be addressed to the redelegator whose decision can be further reviewed by the Commission under paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this section, unless the Commission decides to review the matter directly, such as, for example, in the incapacity of the redelegator.

(2) The vote of a majority of the Commission less one member thereof shall be sufficient to bring any delegated action before the Commission for review under this paragraph.

(g) Action-when final. Should the right to exercise discretionary review be declined or should no such review be sought under paragraph (f) of this section, then the action taken under delegated authority shall, for all purposes, including appeal or review thereof, be deemed to be the action of the Commission.

(h) Conflicts. Where the procedures set forth in this section conflict with law or any regulation of this chapter,

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the conflict shall be resolved in favor of the law or other regulation.

§ 501.22 [Reserved]

§ 501.23 Delegation to the General Counsel.

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.

§ 501.24 Delegation to the Secretary.

The authorities listed in this section are delegated to the Secretary and, in the absence or preoccupation of the Secretary, to the Assistant Secretary.

(a) Authority to approve applications for permission to practice before the Commission and to issue admission certificates to approved applicants.

(b) Authority to extend the time to file exceptions or replies to exceptions, and the time for Commission review, relative to initial decisions of administrative law judges and decisions of Special Dockets Officers.

(c) Authority to extend the time to file appeals or replies to appeals, and the time for Commission review, relative to dismissals of proceedings, in whole or in part, issued by administrative law judges.

(d) Authority to establish and extend or reduce the time:

(1) To file documents either in docketed proceedings or relative to petitions filed under Part 502 of this chapter, which are pending before the Commission itself; and

(2) To issue initial and final decisions under § 502.61 of this chapter.

(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.

(f) Authority, in appropriate cases, to publish in the FEDERAL REGISTER notices of intent to prepare an environmental assessment and notices of finding of no significant impact.

(g) Authority to prescribe a time limit less than ten days from date published in the FEDERAL REGISTER for filing comments on notices of intent to

prepare an environmental assessment and notice of finding of no significant impact and authority to prepare environmental assessments of no significant impact.

(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. § 501.25 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.

(b) Authority to approve administrative leave for Area Representatives.

§ 501.26 Delegation to and redelegation by the Director, Bureau of Certification and Licensing.

Except where specifically redelgated in this section, the authorities listed in this section are delegated to the Director, Bureau of Certification and Licensing.

(a) Authority to:

(1) Approve or disapprove applications for OTI licenses; issue or reissue or transfer such licenses; and approve extensions of time in which to furnish the name(s) and ocean transportation intermediary experience of the managing partner(s) or officer(s) who will replace the qualifying partner or officer upon whose qualifications the original licensing was approved;

(2) Issue a letter stating that the Commission intends to deny an OTI application, unless within 20 days applicant requests a hearing to show that denial of the application is unwarranted; deny applications where an applicant has received such a letter and has not requested a hearing within the

notice period; and rescind, or grant extensions of, the time specified in such letters;

(3) Revoke the license of an OTI upon the request of the licensee;

(4) Upon receipt of notice of cancellation of any instrument evidencing financial responsibility, notify the licensee in writing that its license will automatically be suspended or revoked, effective on the cancellation date of such instrument, unless new or reinstated evidence of financial responsibility is submitted and approved prior to such date, and subsequently order such suspension or revocation for failure to maintain proof of financial responsibility;

(5) Revoke the ocean transportation intermediary license of a non-vesseloperating common carrier not in the United States for failure to designate and maintain a person in the United States as legal agent for the receipt of judicial and administrative process;

(6) Approve changes in an existing licensee's organization; and

(7) Return any application which on its face fails to meet the requirements of the Commission's regulations, accompanied by an explanation of the reasons for rejection.

(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 Certification and Licensing.

(b) Authority to:

(1) Approve applications for Certificates (Performance) and Certificates (Casualty) for passenger vessels, evidenced by a surety bond, guaranty or insurance policy, or combination thereof; and issue, reissue, or amend such Certificates;

(2) Issue a written notice to an applicant stating intent to deny an application for a Certificate (Performance) and/or (Casualty), indicating the reason therefor, and advising applicant of the time for requesting a hearing as provided for under §540.26(c) of this chapter; deny any application where the applicant has not submitted a timely request for a hearing; and rescind such notices and grant extensions of the time within which a request for hearing may be filed;

(3) Issue a written notice to a certificant stating that the Commission intends to revoke, suspend, or modify a Certificate (Performance) and/or (Casualty), indicating the reason therefor, and advising of the time for requesting a hearing as provided for under § 540.26(c) of this chapter; revoke, suspend or modify a Certificate (Performance) and/or (Casualty) where the certificant has not submitted a timely request for hearing; and rescind such notices and grant extensions of time within which a request for hearing may be filed;

(4) Revoke a Certificate (Performance) and/or (Casualty) which has expired, and/or upon request of, or acquiescence by, the certificant; and

(5) Notify a certificant when a Certificate (Performance) and/or (Casualty) has become null and void in accordance with §§ 540.8(a) and 540.26(a) of this chapter.

(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.

[70 FR 7659, Feb. 15, 2005, as amended at 70 FR 44866, Aug. 4, 2005]

§ 501.27 Delegation to and_redelegation by the Director, Bureau of Trade Analysis.

Except where specifically redelegated in this section, the authorities listed in this section are delegated to the Director, Bureau of Trade Analysis.

(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 agreement 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.

(b) Authority to grant or deny applications filed under §535.406 of this chapter for waiver of the form, organization and content requirements of §§ 535.401, 535.402, 535.403, 535.404 and 535.405 of this chapter.

(c) Authority to grant or deny applications filed under $535.505 of this chapter for waiver of the information form requirements of §§ 535.503 and 535.504 of this chapter.

(d) Authority to grant or deny applications filed under $535.709 of this chapter for waiver of the reporting and record retention requirements of §§ 535.701, 535.702, 535.703, 535.704, 535.705, 535.706, 535.707 and 535.708 of this chapter.

(e) Authority to determine that no action should be taken to prevent an agreement or modification of an agreement from becoming effective under section 6(c)(1) of the Shipping Act of 1984 for all unopposed agreements and modifications to agreements which will not result in a significant reduction in competition. Agreements which are deemed to have the potential to result in a significant reduction in competition and which, therefore, are not covered by this delegation include but are not limited to:

(1) New agreements authorizing the parties to collectively discuss or fix rates (including terminal rates).

(2) New agreements authorizing the parties to pool cargoes or revenues.

(3) New agreements authorizing the parties to establish a joint service or consortium.

(4) New equal access agreements.

(f) Authority to grant or deny shortened review pursuant to § 535.605 of this chapter for agreements for which au

thority is delegated in paragraph (e) of this section.

(g) Subject to review by the General Counsel, authority to deny, but not approve, requests filed pursuant to § 535.605 of this chapter for a shortened review period for agreements for which authority is not delegated under paragraph (e) of this section.

(h) Authority to issue notices of termination of agreements which are otherwise effective under the Shipping Act of 1984, after publication of notice of intent to terminate in the FEDERAL REGISTER, when such terminations are: (1) Requested by the parties to the agreement;

(2) Deemed to have occurred when it is determined that the parties are no longer engaged in activity under the agreement and official inquiries and correspondence cannot be delivered to the parties; or

(3) Deemed to have occurred by notification of the withdrawal of the next to last party to an agreement without notification of the addition of another party prior to the effective date of the next to last party's withdrawal.

(i) Authority to determine whether agreements for the use or operation of terminal property or facilities, or the furnishing of terminal services, are within the purview of section 5 of the Shipping Act of 1984.

(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.

(k) Authority to recommend to the Commission the initiation of formal proceedings or other actions with respect to suspected violations of the shipping statutes and rules and regulations of the Commission.

(1)(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.

(2) The authority under this paragraph is redelegated to the Director, Office of Service Contracts and Tariffs, in the Bureau of Trade Analysis.

(m)(1) Authority to approve or disapprove special permission applications submitted by a controlled carrier subject to the provisions of section 9 of the Shipping Act of 1984 for relief from statutory and/or Commission tariff requirements.

(2) The authority under this paragraph is redelegated to the Director, Office of Service Contracts and Tariffs, in the Bureau of Trade Analysis.

(n) Authority contained in Part 530 of this chapter to approve, but not deny, requests for permission to correct clerical or administrative errors in the essential terms of filed service contracts.

§ 501.28 Delegation to the Director, Bureau of Enforcement.

The authorities listed in this section are delegated to the Director, Bureau of Enforcement.

(a) Authority to compromise civil penalty claims has been delegated to the Director, Bureau of Enforcement, by § 502.604(g) of this chapter. This delegation shall include the authority to compromise issues relating to the retention, suspension or revocation of ocean transportation intermediary li

censes.

(b) [Reserved]

§ 501.29 Delegation to and redelegation by the Director, Office of Administration.

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.

Subpart D-Public Requests for Information

§ 501.41 Public requests for information and decisions.

(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, in 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.

(b) The Secretary will provide inforImation and decisions, and will accept and respond to requests, relating to the program activities of the Office of the Secretary and of the Commission generally. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, any document, report, or other submission required to be filed with the Commission by statute or the Commission's rules and regulations relating to the functions of the Commission or of the Office of the Secretary shall be filed with or submitted to the Secretary.

(c) The Directors of the following bureaus and offices will provide information and decisions, and will accept and respond to requests, relating to the specific functions or program activities of their respective bureaus and offices as set forth in this chapter; but only if the dissemination of such information or decisions is not prohibited by statute or the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure:

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