2015 Special 301 Review: Identification of Countries Under Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974: Request for Public Comment and Announcement of Public Hearing, 78133-78135 [2014-30312]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 248 / Monday, December 29, 2014 / Notices SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION [Docket No. SSA–2014–0075] Rate for Assessment on Direct Payment of Fees to Representatives in 2015 AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA). ACTION: Notice. We are announcing that the assessment percentage rate under sections 206(d) and 1631(d)(2)(C) of the Social Security Act (Act), 42 U.S.C. 406(d) and 1383(d)(2)(C), is 6.3 percent for 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey C. Blair, Associate General Counsel for Program Law, Office of the General Counsel, Social Security Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235–6401, Phone: (410) 965–3157, email Jeff.Blair@ ssa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A claimant may appoint a qualified individual as a representative to act on his or her behalf in matters before the Social Security Administration. If the individual was represented either by an attorney or by a non-attorney representative who has met certain prerequisites, the Act provides that we may withhold up to 25 percent of the past-due benefits and use that money to pay the representative’s approved fee directly to the representative. When we pay the representative’s fee directly to the representative, we must collect from that fee payment an assessment to recover the costs we incur in determining and paying representatives’ fees. The Act provides that the assessment we collect will be the lesser of two amounts: A specified dollar limit; or the amount determined by multiplying the fee we are paying by the assessment percentage rate. (Sections 206(d), 206(e), and 1631(d)(2) of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 406(d), 406(e), and 1383(d)(2).) The Act initially set the dollar limit at $75 in 2004 and provides that the limit will be adjusted annually based on changes in the cost-of-living. (Sections 206(d)(2)(A) and 1631(d)(2)(C)(ii)(I) of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 406(d)(2)(A) and 1383(d)(2)(C)(ii)(I).) The maximum dollar limit for the assessment currently is $91, as we announced in the Federal Register on October 29, 2014 (79 FR 64455). The Act requires us each year to set the assessment percentage rate at the lesser of 6.3 percent or the percentage rate necessary to achieve full recovery of the costs we incur to determine and pay tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:09 Dec 24, 2014 Jkt 235001 representatives’ fees. (Sections 206(d)(2)(B)(ii) and 1631(d)(2)(C)(ii)(II) of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 406(d)(2)(B)(ii) and 1383(d)(2)(C)(ii)(II).) Based on the best available data, we have determined that the current rate of 6.3 percent will continue for 2015. We will continue to review our costs for these services on a yearly basis. Dated: December 18, 2014. Peter D. Spencer, Deputy Commissioner for Budget, Finance, Quality, and Management. [FR Doc. 2014–30332 Filed 12–24–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4191–02–P OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE 2015 Special 301 Review: Identification of Countries Under Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974: Request for Public Comment and Announcement of Public Hearing Office of the United States Trade Representative. ACTION: Request for written submissions from the public and announcement of public hearing. AGENCY: Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Trade Act) (19 U.S.C. 2242) requires the United States Trade Representative (Trade Representative) to identify countries that deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) or deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons who rely on intellectual property protection. The provisions of Section 182 are commonly referred to as the ‘‘Special 301’’ provisions of the Trade Act. The Trade Act requires the Trade Representative to determine which, if any, of these countries to identify as Priority Foreign Countries. Acts, policies, or practices that are the basis of a country’s identification as a Priority Foreign Country can be subject to the procedures set out in sections 301–305 of the Trade Act. In addition, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has created a ‘‘Priority Watch List’’ and ‘‘Watch List’’ to assist the Administration in pursuing the goals of the Special 301 provisions. Placement of a trading partner on the Priority Watch List or Watch List indicates that particular problems exist in that country with respect to IPR protection, enforcement, or market access for persons that rely on intellectual property protection. Trading partners placed on the Priority Watch List are the focus of increased bilateral attention concerning the problem areas. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00109 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 78133 USTR chairs the Special 301 Subcommittee of the Trade Policy Staff Committee (Subcommittee). The Subcommittee reviews information from many sources, and consults with and makes recommendations to the Trade Representative on issues arising under Special 301. Written submissions from interested persons are a key source of information for the Special 301 review process. In 2015, USTR again will conduct a public hearing as part of the review process as well as offer the opportunity, as described below, for hearing participants to provide additional information relevant to the review. At the conclusion of the process, USTR will publish the results of the review in a ‘‘Special 301’’ Report. USTR is hereby requesting written submissions from the public concerning foreign countries that deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights or deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons who rely on intellectual property protection. USTR requests that interested parties provide the information described below in the ‘‘Public Comments’’ section, and identify whether a particular trading partner should be named as a Priority Foreign Country under Section 182 of the Trade Act or placed on the Priority Watch List or Watch List. Foreign governments that have been identified in previous Special 301 Reports or that are nominated for review in 2015 are considered interested parties, and are invited to respond to this request for public submissions. Interested parties, including foreign governments, wishing to submit information to be considered during the review or testify at the public hearing must adhere to the procedures and deadlines set forth below. Dates/Deadlines: The schedule and deadlines for the 2015 Special 301 review are as follows: Friday, February 6, 2015—Deadline for interested parties, except foreign governments, to submit written comments, notice of intent to testify at the Special 301 Public Hearing, and hearing statements. Friday, February 13, 2015—Deadline for foreign governments to submit written comments, notice of intent to testify at the Special 301 Public Hearing, and, although not mandatory, any prepared hearing statements. Tuesday, February 24, 2015—Public Hearing—The Special 301 Subcommittee will hold a Public Hearing for interested parties, including representatives of foreign governments, at the offices of the International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC. No later than Friday, E:\FR\FM\29DEN1.SGM 29DEN1 78134 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 248 / Monday, December 29, 2014 / Notices February 20, 2015, USTR will confirm the date and location of the hearing and provide the schedule at www.ustr.gov. Friday, February 27, 2015—Deadline for submitting post-hearing written comments. Interested parties may provide written comments after the hearing. To ensure consideration, comments must be received no later than Friday, February 27, 2015. Please submit additional written comments electronically via www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR–2014–0025. On or about April 30, 2015—USTR will publish the 2015 Special 301 Report within 30 days of the publication of the National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report. Procedures/Addresses: All written comments, notices of intent to testify at the public hearing, hearing statements and post-hearing written responses must be in English and submitted electronically via www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR–2014–0025. Please specify ‘‘2015 Special 301 Review’’ in the ‘‘Type Comment’’ field. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan F. Wilson, Director for Intellectual Property and Innovation, Office of the United States Trade Representative, at Special301@ ustr.eop.gov. Information on the Special 301 annual review is also available at www.ustr.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 1. Background USTR requests that interested persons identify through the process outlined in this notice those countries whose acts, policies, or practices deny adequate and effective protection for intellectual property rights or deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons who rely on intellectual property protection. Section 182 further requires the Trade Representative to identify any act, policy, or practice of Canada that affects cultural industries, is adopted or expanded after December 17, 1992, and is actionable under Article 2106 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The public is invited to submit views relevant to this aspect of the review. Section 182 requires the Trade Representative to identify all such acts, policies, or practices within 30 days of the publication of the National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report. In accordance with this statutory requirement, USTR will publish the annual Special 301 Report on or about April 30, 2015. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:09 Dec 24, 2014 Jkt 235001 2. Comments From the Public a. Requirements for Written Comments To facilitate the review, written comments should be as detailed as possible and provide all necessary information for identifying and assessing the effect of the acts, policies, and practices. USTR requests that interested parties provide specific references to laws, regulations, policy statements, executive, presidential or other orders, administrative, court or other determinations that should factor in the review. USTR also requests that, where relevant, submissions mention particular regions, provinces, states, or other subdivisions of a country in which an act, policy, or practice is believed to warrant special attention. Finally, submissions proposing countries for review should include data, loss estimates, and other information regarding the economic impact on the United States, U.S. industry and the U.S. workforce caused by the denial of adequate and effective intellectual property protection. Comments that include quantitative loss claims should be accompanied by the methodology used in calculating such estimated losses. b. Filing Instructions Comments must be in English. All comments should be sent electronically via www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR–2014–0025. To submit comments, locate the docket (folder) by entering the number USTR–2014–0025 in the ‘‘Enter Keyword or ID’’ window at the www.regulations.gov home page and click ‘‘Search.’’ The site will provide a search-results page listing all documents associated with this docket. Locate the reference to this notice by selecting ‘‘Notice’’ under ‘‘Document Type’’ on the left side of the searchresults page, and click on the link entitled ‘‘Comment Now!.’’ USTR requests that comments be provided in an attached document, and that the file be named according to the following protocol, as appropriate: Commenter Name or Organization_2015 Special 301 Review_Comment or Notice of Intent to Testify or Hearing Testimony. Please include the following information in the ‘‘Type Comment’’ field: ‘‘2015 Special 301 Review’’ and whether the submission is a comment, a request to testify at the public hearing, or hearing testimony. Please submit documents prepared in (or compatible with) Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) formats. If the submission was prepared in a compatible format, please indicate the name of the relevant software application in the ‘‘Type PO 00000 Frm 00110 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Comment’’ field. For further information on using the www.regulations.gov Web site, please select ‘‘How to Use Regulations.gov’’ on the bottom of any page. 3. Public Hearing a. Notice of Public Hearing The Special 301 Subcommittee will hold a public hearing on February 24, 2015, at the offices of the International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC, at which interested parties, including representatives of foreign governments, may appear. The hearing will be open to the public. Please consult www.ustr.gov on or after February 20, 2015, to confirm the date and location of the hearing, and to obtain copies of the hearing. USTR also will post the transcript and recording of the hearing on the site as soon after the hearing as possible. b. Submission of Notice of Intent To Testify and Hearing Statements Prepared oral testimony before the Special 301 Subcommittee must be delivered in person, in English, and will be limited to five minutes. Subcommitte member agencies may ask questions following the prepared statement. Interested parties, except foreign governments, wishing to testify at the hearing must submit a ‘‘Notice of Intent to Testify’’ and ‘‘Hearing Statement’’ to www.regulations.gov (following the procedures set forth in ‘‘Filing Instructions’’ above). The filing deadline is Friday, February 7, 2015. The Notice of Intent to Testify must include the name of the witness, name of the organization (if applicable), address, telephone number, fax number, and email address. A Hearing Statement must accompany the Notice of Intent to Testify. There is no requirement regarding the length of the Hearing Statement; however, the content of the testimony must be relevant to the Special 301 Review. All interested foreign governments that wish to testify at the hearing must submit a ‘‘Notice of Intent to Testify’’ to www.regulations.gov (following the procedures set forth in ‘‘Filing Instructions’’ above). The Notice of Intent to Testify must be filed by Friday, February 14, 2015, and include the name of the witness, name of the organization (if applicable), address, telephone number, fax number, and email address. Although not mandatory, government witnesses may submit a Hearing Statement when filing the Notice of Intent to Testify. E:\FR\FM\29DEN1.SGM 29DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 248 / Monday, December 29, 2014 / Notices 4. Business Confidential Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION A person requesting that information contained in a comment submitted by that person be treated as confidential business information must certify that such information is business confidential and would not customarily be released to the public by the submitter. The filenames of both documents should reflect their status— ‘‘BCI’’ for the business confidential version and ‘‘PUBLIC’’ for the public version. In the document, confidential business information must be clearly designated as such, the submission must be marked ‘‘BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL’’ at the top and bottom of the cover page and each succeeding page, and the submission should indicate, via brackets, the specific information that is confidential. Additionally, the submitter should write ‘‘Business Confidential’’ in the ‘‘Type Comment’’ field. Anyone submitting a comment containing business confidential information must also submit, as a separate submission, a nonbusiness confidential version of the submission, indicating where the business confidential information has been redacted. The non-business confidential version will be placed in the docket at www.regulations.gov and be available for public inspection. Federal Aviation Administration tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 5. Inspection of Comments USTR will maintain a publicly accessible docket for the 2015 Special 301 Review. This public file will include all non-business confidential comments, notices of intent to testify, and hearing statements that USTR receives from the public, including foreign governments, in conjunction with the 2015 Special 301 Review. Comments will be placed in the docket upon receipt and be open to public inspection pursuant to 15 CFR 2006.13. Comments containing confidential business information are exempt from public inspection in accordance with 15 CFR 2006.15. However, USTR will require submission of non-business confidential versions of such documents, as described above, and will post non-business confidential versions to the public docket. Comments may be viewed at www.regulations.gov by entering docket number USTR–2014– 0025 in the search field on the home page. Susan F. Wilson, Director for Intellectual Property and Innovation. [FR Doc. 2014–30312 Filed 12–24–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3290–F5–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:09 Dec 24, 2014 Jkt 235001 [Docket No. FAA–2011–1149] Clarification of Policy Regarding Designated Aircraft Dispatcher Examiners Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Policy Revision. AGENCY: This notice announces a revision to policy contained in FAA Order 8900.1, regarding the qualification, authority, and limitations of Designated Aircraft Dispatcher Examiners (DADEs). This policy revision will be published in 8900.1, Volume 3, chapter 13, sections 1 through 4, and Volume 5, Chapter 5, Section 10. This policy provides guidance to FAA employees on the responsibilities, qualifications, and oversight of DADEs under 14 CFR part 183. Under this revision, the FAA is clarifying its policy regarding the qualifications, privileges, and limitations of these designees, in addition to establishing guidelines for DADEs when testing applicants for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate. DATES: This policy will ultimately be published in conjunction with policy related to Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses, which is posted for public comment in docket number, FAA–2014–0820. These two sets of policy are somewhat interrelated. Therefore we will hold publication of this policy revision until the conclusion of the comment period and subsequent adjudication of comments, to the draft Aircraft Dispatcher Certification policy contained in FAA–2014–0820. The comment period for the Aircraft Dispatcher Certification policy will close on February 22, 2015. ADDRESSES: For information on where to obtain copies of rulemaking documents and other information related to this final policy, see ‘‘How To Obtain Additional Information’’ in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at https://www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions for accessing the docket or Docket Operations in Room W12–140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theodora Kessaris,, New Program SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00111 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 78135 Implementation and Technical Support Branch, Air Transportation Division, Flight Standards Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: 202– 267–8166; facsimile: 202–267–5229; email: Theodora.kessaris@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On November 8, 2011, the FAA announced the availability of a proposed revision to policy contained in FAA Order 8900.1, regarding the qualification, authority, and limitations of Designated Aircraft Dispatcher Examiners (DADEs). The public was provided with a total of 90 days in which to provide comment to the proposed revision. The initial comment period, which was 30 days, was extended to 90 days at the public’s request. The FAA has carefully considered the comments submitted by the public and incorporated them into this DADE policy revision as appropriate. This policy revision takes into consideration comments received in this docket during the period between November 8, 2011 and February 8, 2012. A table containing the FAA’s disposition of those comments has also been provided in this docket. The FAA will hold publication of this DADE policy revision in Order 8900.1, until such time as it can be published simultaneously with the policy related to Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses, which is currently available for public in docket number FAA–2014– 0820. Final publication of the DADE policy revision contained in this docket, as well as the Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course policy contained in docket number FAA–2014–0820, will be announced by Notice which will be published on Flight Standards Information Management System Web site at https://fsims.faa.gov. When published, the Notice will also be available at https://www.faa.gov/ regulations_policies/orders_notices. A copy of the final draft of the policy related to DADEs is available for review in the assigned docket for the Order at https://www.regulations.gov. Issued in Washington, DC on December 15, 2014. John Barbagallo, Deputy Director, FAA Flight Standards Service. [FR Doc. 2014–30230 Filed 12–24–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P E:\FR\FM\29DEN1.SGM 29DEN1

Agencies

Office of the United States Trade Representative

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 248 (Monday, December 29, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78133-78135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30312]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


2015 Special 301 Review: Identification of Countries Under 
Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974: Request for Public Comment and 
Announcement of Public Hearing

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Request for written submissions from the public and 
announcement of public hearing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Trade Act) (19 U.S.C. 
2242) requires the United States Trade Representative (Trade 
Representative) to identify countries that deny adequate and effective 
protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) or deny fair and 
equitable market access to U.S. persons who rely on intellectual 
property protection. The provisions of Section 182 are commonly 
referred to as the ``Special 301'' provisions of the Trade Act. The 
Trade Act requires the Trade Representative to determine which, if any, 
of these countries to identify as Priority Foreign Countries. Acts, 
policies, or practices that are the basis of a country's identification 
as a Priority Foreign Country can be subject to the procedures set out 
in sections 301-305 of the Trade Act.
    In addition, the Office of the United States Trade Representative 
(USTR) has created a ``Priority Watch List'' and ``Watch List'' to 
assist the Administration in pursuing the goals of the Special 301 
provisions. Placement of a trading partner on the Priority Watch List 
or Watch List indicates that particular problems exist in that country 
with respect to IPR protection, enforcement, or market access for 
persons that rely on intellectual property protection. Trading partners 
placed on the Priority Watch List are the focus of increased bilateral 
attention concerning the problem areas.
    USTR chairs the Special 301 Subcommittee of the Trade Policy Staff 
Committee (Subcommittee). The Subcommittee reviews information from 
many sources, and consults with and makes recommendations to the Trade 
Representative on issues arising under Special 301. Written submissions 
from interested persons are a key source of information for the Special 
301 review process. In 2015, USTR again will conduct a public hearing 
as part of the review process as well as offer the opportunity, as 
described below, for hearing participants to provide additional 
information relevant to the review. At the conclusion of the process, 
USTR will publish the results of the review in a ``Special 301'' 
Report.
    USTR is hereby requesting written submissions from the public 
concerning foreign countries that deny adequate and effective 
protection of intellectual property rights or deny fair and equitable 
market access to U.S. persons who rely on intellectual property 
protection. USTR requests that interested parties provide the 
information described below in the ``Public Comments'' section, and 
identify whether a particular trading partner should be named as a 
Priority Foreign Country under Section 182 of the Trade Act or placed 
on the Priority Watch List or Watch List. Foreign governments that have 
been identified in previous Special 301 Reports or that are nominated 
for review in 2015 are considered interested parties, and are invited 
to respond to this request for public submissions. Interested parties, 
including foreign governments, wishing to submit information to be 
considered during the review or testify at the public hearing must 
adhere to the procedures and deadlines set forth below.
    Dates/Deadlines: The schedule and deadlines for the 2015 Special 
301 review are as follows:
    Friday, February 6, 2015--Deadline for interested parties, except 
foreign governments, to submit written comments, notice of intent to 
testify at the Special 301 Public Hearing, and hearing statements.
    Friday, February 13, 2015--Deadline for foreign governments to 
submit written comments, notice of intent to testify at the Special 301 
Public Hearing, and, although not mandatory, any prepared hearing 
statements.
    Tuesday, February 24, 2015--Public Hearing--The Special 301 
Subcommittee will hold a Public Hearing for interested parties, 
including representatives of foreign governments, at the offices of the 
International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC. No 
later than Friday,

[[Page 78134]]

February 20, 2015, USTR will confirm the date and location of the 
hearing and provide the schedule at www.ustr.gov.
    Friday, February 27, 2015_Deadline for submitting post-hearing 
written comments. Interested parties may provide written comments after 
the hearing. To ensure consideration, comments must be received no 
later than Friday, February 27, 2015. Please submit additional written 
comments electronically via www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR-
2014-0025.
    On or about April 30, 2015--USTR will publish the 2015 Special 301 
Report within 30 days of the publication of the National Trade Estimate 
(NTE) Report.
    Procedures/Addresses: All written comments, notices of intent to 
testify at the public hearing, hearing statements and post-hearing 
written responses must be in English and submitted electronically via 
www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR-2014-0025. Please specify 
``2015 Special 301 Review'' in the ``Type Comment'' field.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan F. Wilson, Director for 
Intellectual Property and Innovation, Office of the United States Trade 
Representative, at Special301@ustr.eop.gov. Information on the Special 
301 annual review is also available at www.ustr.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

1. Background

    USTR requests that interested persons identify through the process 
outlined in this notice those countries whose acts, policies, or 
practices deny adequate and effective protection for intellectual 
property rights or deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. 
persons who rely on intellectual property protection.
    Section 182 further requires the Trade Representative to identify 
any act, policy, or practice of Canada that affects cultural 
industries, is adopted or expanded after December 17, 1992, and is 
actionable under Article 2106 of the North American Free Trade 
Agreement (NAFTA). The public is invited to submit views relevant to 
this aspect of the review.
    Section 182 requires the Trade Representative to identify all such 
acts, policies, or practices within 30 days of the publication of the 
National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report. In accordance with this statutory 
requirement, USTR will publish the annual Special 301 Report on or 
about April 30, 2015.

2. Comments From the Public

a. Requirements for Written Comments

    To facilitate the review, written comments should be as detailed as 
possible and provide all necessary information for identifying and 
assessing the effect of the acts, policies, and practices. USTR 
requests that interested parties provide specific references to laws, 
regulations, policy statements, executive, presidential or other 
orders, administrative, court or other determinations that should 
factor in the review. USTR also requests that, where relevant, 
submissions mention particular regions, provinces, states, or other 
subdivisions of a country in which an act, policy, or practice is 
believed to warrant special attention. Finally, submissions proposing 
countries for review should include data, loss estimates, and other 
information regarding the economic impact on the United States, U.S. 
industry and the U.S. workforce caused by the denial of adequate and 
effective intellectual property protection. Comments that include 
quantitative loss claims should be accompanied by the methodology used 
in calculating such estimated losses.

b. Filing Instructions

    Comments must be in English. All comments should be sent 
electronically via www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR-2014-0025. 
To submit comments, locate the docket (folder) by entering the number 
USTR-2014-0025 in the ``Enter Keyword or ID'' window at the 
www.regulations.gov home page and click ``Search.'' The site will 
provide a search-results page listing all documents associated with 
this docket. Locate the reference to this notice by selecting 
``Notice'' under ``Document Type'' on the left side of the search-
results page, and click on the link entitled ``Comment Now!.'' USTR 
requests that comments be provided in an attached document, and that 
the file be named according to the following protocol, as appropriate: 
Commenter Name or Organization_2015 Special 301 Review_Comment or 
Notice of Intent to Testify or Hearing Testimony. Please include the 
following information in the ``Type Comment'' field: ``2015 Special 301 
Review'' and whether the submission is a comment, a request to testify 
at the public hearing, or hearing testimony. Please submit documents 
prepared in (or compatible with) Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat 
(.pdf) formats. If the submission was prepared in a compatible format, 
please indicate the name of the relevant software application in the 
``Type Comment'' field. For further information on using the 
www.regulations.gov Web site, please select ``How to Use 
Regulations.gov'' on the bottom of any page.

3. Public Hearing

a. Notice of Public Hearing

    The Special 301 Subcommittee will hold a public hearing on February 
24, 2015, at the offices of the International Trade Commission, 500 E 
Street SW., Washington, DC, at which interested parties, including 
representatives of foreign governments, may appear. The hearing will be 
open to the public. Please consult www.ustr.gov on or after February 
20, 2015, to confirm the date and location of the hearing, and to 
obtain copies of the hearing. USTR also will post the transcript and 
recording of the hearing on the site as soon after the hearing as 
possible.

b. Submission of Notice of Intent To Testify and Hearing Statements

    Prepared oral testimony before the Special 301 Subcommittee must be 
delivered in person, in English, and will be limited to five minutes. 
Subcommitte member agencies may ask questions following the prepared 
statement.
    Interested parties, except foreign governments, wishing to testify 
at the hearing must submit a ``Notice of Intent to Testify'' and 
``Hearing Statement'' to www.regulations.gov (following the procedures 
set forth in ``Filing Instructions'' above). The filing deadline is 
Friday, February 7, 2015. The Notice of Intent to Testify must include 
the name of the witness, name of the organization (if applicable), 
address, telephone number, fax number, and email address. A Hearing 
Statement must accompany the Notice of Intent to Testify. There is no 
requirement regarding the length of the Hearing Statement; however, the 
content of the testimony must be relevant to the Special 301 Review.
    All interested foreign governments that wish to testify at the 
hearing must submit a ``Notice of Intent to Testify'' to 
www.regulations.gov (following the procedures set forth in ``Filing 
Instructions'' above). The Notice of Intent to Testify must be filed by 
Friday, February 14, 2015, and include the name of the witness, name of 
the organization (if applicable), address, telephone number, fax 
number, and email address. Although not mandatory, government witnesses 
may submit a Hearing Statement when filing the Notice of Intent to 
Testify.

[[Page 78135]]

4. Business Confidential Information

    A person requesting that information contained in a comment 
submitted by that person be treated as confidential business 
information must certify that such information is business confidential 
and would not customarily be released to the public by the submitter. 
The filenames of both documents should reflect their status--``BCI'' 
for the business confidential version and ``PUBLIC'' for the public 
version. In the document, confidential business information must be 
clearly designated as such, the submission must be marked ``BUSINESS 
CONFIDENTIAL'' at the top and bottom of the cover page and each 
succeeding page, and the submission should indicate, via brackets, the 
specific information that is confidential. Additionally, the submitter 
should write ``Business Confidential'' in the ``Type Comment'' field. 
Anyone submitting a comment containing business confidential 
information must also submit, as a separate submission, a non-business 
confidential version of the submission, indicating where the business 
confidential information has been redacted. The non-business 
confidential version will be placed in the docket at 
www.regulations.gov and be available for public inspection.

5. Inspection of Comments

    USTR will maintain a publicly accessible docket for the 2015 
Special 301 Review. This public file will include all non-business 
confidential comments, notices of intent to testify, and hearing 
statements that USTR receives from the public, including foreign 
governments, in conjunction with the 2015 Special 301 Review. Comments 
will be placed in the docket upon receipt and be open to public 
inspection pursuant to 15 CFR 2006.13. Comments containing confidential 
business information are exempt from public inspection in accordance 
with 15 CFR 2006.15. However, USTR will require submission of non-
business confidential versions of such documents, as described above, 
and will post non-business confidential versions to the public docket. 
Comments may be viewed at www.regulations.gov by entering docket number 
USTR-2014-0025 in the search field on the home page.

Susan F. Wilson,
Director for Intellectual Property and Innovation.
[FR Doc. 2014-30312 Filed 12-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3290-F5-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.