Passenger Vessel Financial Responsibility, 65020-65025 [2020-21957]

Agencies

• Federal Maritime Commission

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 199 (Wednesday, October 14, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65020-65025]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-21957]


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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

46 CFR Part 540

[Docket No. 20-15]
RIN 3072-AC82


Passenger Vessel Financial Responsibility

AGENCY: Federal Maritime Commission.

ACTION: Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM).

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SUMMARY: The Federal Maritime Commission (Commission) is issuing this 
ANPRM to seek comment on potential regulatory changes to its passenger 
vessel operator financial responsibility requirements. These changes 
were recommended in an Interim Report issued by the Fact Finding 
Officer in Commission Fact Finding 30: COVID-19 Impact on Cruise 
Industry.

DATES: Submit comments on or before November 13, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. 20-15, by 
the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. For comments, include in the 
subject line: ``Docket No. 20-15, Comments on PVO Financial 
Responsibility Rulemaking.'' Comments should be attached to the email 
as a Microsoft Word or text-searchable PDF document.
    Instructions: For detailed instructions on submitting comments, 
including requesting confidential treatment of comments, and additional 
information on the rulemaking process, see the Public Participation 
heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. Note 
that all comments received will be posted without change to the 
Commission's website, unless the commenter has requested confidential 
treatment.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to the Commission's Electronic Reading Room at: 
https://www2.fmc.gov/readingroom/proceeding/20-15/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel E. Dickon, Secretary; Phone: 
(202) 523-5725; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Executive Summary
II. Background
    A. PVO Program
    B. Fact Finding 30
III. Proposed Changes and Request for Comments
    A. Defining Nonperformance of Transportation
    B. Process for Obtaining Refunds From PVO Instruments After 
Nonperformance of Transportation
    1. General
    2. Deadline for Submitting Refund Requests
    3. Deadline for Refund Payment
    4. Form and Amount of Refund Payment
    5. Publishing Information on How To Obtain Refunds
    C. Passenger Cancellations
IV. Public Participation
V. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

I. Executive Summary

    Before a passenger vessel operator (PVO) may arrange, offer, 
advertise, or provide transportation on a vessel, the PVO must file 
with the Commission evidence of responsibility to indemnify passengers 
in the event of nonperformance of transportation.\1\ Satisfactory 
evidence includes a copy of a bond, insurance, guaranty, or escrow 
agreement meeting the Commission's requirements in 46 CFR part 540. The 
Commission reviews the PVO's submission and if it meets the 
Commission's requirements, it will issue the PVO a Certificate of 
Financial Responsibility for Indemnification of Passengers for 
Nonperformance of Transportation (Certificate (Performance)).\2\
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    \1\ 46 U.S.C. 44102; 46 CFR part 540, subpart A.
    \2\ 46 CFR 540.7.
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    Following the arrival of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the 
United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 
issued a ``No Sail Order and Suspension of Further Embarkation,'' (CDC 
No Sail Order) causing PVOs to cease all operations and raising 
questions regarding passengers' ability to obtain refunds of monies 
paid for transportation disrupted by COVID-19. In response, the 
Commission initiated Fact Finding 30: COVID-19 Impact on Cruise 
Industry, on April 30, 2020.
    The Fact Finding Officer issued an Interim Report on PVO Refund 
Policies

[[Page 65021]]

on July 27, 2020, concluding that clearer guidance is needed in 
determining whether a passenger is entitled to obtain a refund if a PVO 
cancels a voyage, makes a significant schedule change, or significantly 
delays a voyage.\3\ The Fact-Finding Officer proposed, among other 
things, that the Commission provide a clear interpretation of 
nonperformance of transportation and modify the appropriate provisions 
of the Commission's PVO regulations to make clear how passengers may 
obtain refunds under the PVOs' financial responsibility instruments 
filed with the Commission. The Commission voted on August 10, 2020, to 
initiate a rulemaking to implement the recommended changes.
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    \3\ See Fact Finding Investigation No. 30: COVID-19 Impact on 
Cruise Industry, Interim Report: Refund Policy, at 11-13 (July 27, 
2020) (Fact Finding 30 Interim Report or Interim Report).
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    The Commission is requesting comment on these recommended changes 
and their effects on PVOs and passengers. In addition to general 
comments, the Commission is requesting focused comment on the issues 
identified below in section III for each of the recommended changes.

II. Background

A. PVO Program

    On November 6, 1966, Congress enacted Public Law 89-777. Section 2 
of the statute (codified at 46 U.S.C. 44103) requires owners and 
charterers of vessels having berth or stateroom accommodations for 50 
or more passengers, and embarking passengers at United States ports, to 
establish financial responsibility to meet any liability incurred for 
death or injury to passengers or other persons on voyages to or from 
United States ports. Section 3 of the statute (codified at 46 U.S.C. 
44102) requires persons arranging, offering, advertising, or providing 
passage on such vessels to establish financial responsibility for 
indemnification of passengers for nonperformance of transportation. The 
Commission published implementing regulations at 46 CFR part 540 in 
1967.\4\
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    \4\ 32 FR 3986 (Mar. 11, 1967) (establishing regulations 
governing nonperformance coverage); 32 FR 7282 (May 16, 1967) 
(establishing regulations governing casualty coverage).
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    Under this program, the Commission issues two types of certificates 
to PVOs of vessels that: (1) Have berths for 50 or more passengers; and 
(2) embark passengers from U.S. ports. The first type of Certificate 
(Performance) is issued by the Commission when a PVO provides the 
Commission with acceptable coverage to satisfy liability incurred for 
nonperformance of transportation up to the amount of unearned passenger 
revenue (UPR) held by the PVO or the monetary cap set in the 
Commission's regulation. Such coverage may be in the form of insurance, 
a guaranty, a surety bond, or escrow agreement (collectively referred 
to as financial responsibility instruments).\5\ The coverage is used to 
reimburse passengers when the PVO fails to perform cruises as 
contracted and has taken no further actions to refund passengers.\6\ 
The second type of Certificate (Casualty) is issued by the Commission 
when a PVO provides the Commission with acceptable coverage to satisfy 
any liability incurred for death or injury during a voyage, as provided 
in the regulations and statute.
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    \5\ The Commission's regulations also permit smaller PVOs to 
request to substitute alternative forms of financial protection as 
evidence of financial responsibility. See 46 CFR 540.9(l).
    \6\ In practice, passengers generally receive refunds for 
canceled cruises from the PVOs directly or, if the passenger paid by 
credit card, from the credit card issuer. Refund payments under the 
PVO financial responsibility instruments are rare and usually only 
occur if the PVO ceases operations or declares bankruptcy.
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    There have been few changes to the regulations in part 540 since 
its inception. Changes have included several increases to the monetary 
cap for required performance coverage under section 44102, the 
elimination of the self-insurance option for PVOs, some limitations on 
the types of entities acceptable as guarantors, and the elimination of 
certain sliding-scale provisions as to the amount of coverage required. 
Most recently, the Commission increased the cap on required performance 
coverage in two annual steps, from $15 million to $22 million in 2014, 
and then from $22 million to $30 million in 2015.\7\ Since 2015, the 
cap has been adjusted for inflation every two years based upon the U.S. 
Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index. The current cap is 
$32 million.\8\
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    \7\ 46 CFR 540.9(j); Final Rule: Passenger Financial 
Responsibility Requirements for Nonperformance of Transportation, 78 
FR 13268 (Feb. 27, 2013).
    \8\ Notice: Financial Responsibility for Indemnification of 
Passengers for Nonperformance of Transportation-Cap Adjustment, 84 
FR 17410 (June 24, 2019).
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B. Fact Finding 30

    In response to COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) issued a ``No Sail Order and Suspension of Further 
Embarkation'' (CDC No Sail Order) on March 14, 2020, causing PVOs to 
cease all operations. Due to the unpredictable nature of the disease, 
the CDC has extended the term of the order through September 30, 
2020.\9\ Consequently, questions arose concerning future cruises and 
passengers' ability to obtain refunds of monies paid for transportation 
disrupted by COVID-19.
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    \9\ CDC Newsroom, https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/s0716-cruise-ship-no-sail-order.html.
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    The Commission initiated Fact Finding 30 on April 30, 2020, to 
investigate COVID-19's impact and identify commercial solutions to 
COVID-19-related issues that interfere with the operation of the cruise 
industry. The Commission's Fact Finding Officer has been meeting with 
PVOs, marine terminal operators, and other stakeholders to understand 
COVID-19's effects on the cruise industry.
    On July 27, the Fact Finding Officer issued an Interim Report 
recommending certain regulatory changes to the Commission's regulations 
with respect to PVOs. The Fact Finding Officer concluded that clearer 
guidance is needed in determining whether a passenger is entitled to 
obtain refunds if a PVO cancels a voyage, makes a significant schedule 
change, or significantly delays a voyage.
    The Fact Finding Officer stated that a clear and consistent policy 
toward ticket refunds would eliminate any uncertainty on the part of 
passengers and would provide clear terms upon which the industry may 
plan for future operations. The Fact Finding Officer proposed, among 
other things, that the Commission provide a clear interpretation of 
nonperformance of transportation and modify the appropriate provisions 
of the Commission's PVO regulations in part 540 to make clear how 
passengers may obtain refunds under the PVOs' financial instruments 
filed with the Commission. These recommendations were as follows:

    Therefore, it is proposed that the Commission: (1) Interpret 
``nonperformance of transportation'' to include cancelling a sailing 
or delaying passenger boarding by twenty-four (24) hours or more; 
and (2) modify the appropriate provisions of the Commission's PVO 
regulations to make clear how passengers may obtain refunds under 
the PVOs' financial instruments:
    1. When a sailing is cancelled or consumer boarding is delayed 
by twenty-four (24) hours or more for any reason other than due to a 
government order or declaration in paragraph 2 below, full refunds 
must be paid within sixty (60) days following a passenger refund 
request.
    2. When a sailing is cancelled or consumer boarding is delayed 
by twenty-four (24) hours or more due to a governmental order or 
declaration, full refunds must be paid within one hundred eighty 
(180) days following a passenger refund request. This includes all

[[Page 65022]]

consumers who, at their own discretion, cancelled their booking 
within sixty (60) days prior to said governmental action and 
commensurate cancelled or delayed sailing.
    3. If, following a declaration of a public health emergency, any 
consumer cancels a cruise booking of a sailing that may be affected 
by such emergency after the PVO's refund deadline, but the sailing 
is not cancelled, the PVO will provide a credit for a future cruise 
equal to the consumer's amount of deposit. In all other cases in 
which a consumer cancels and embarkation and sailing occur within 
the prescribed timeline, the cruise line's rules for cancellation 
will apply.
    4. A PVO may set a reasonable deadline for a consumer entitled 
to a refund to request the refund which shall not be less than 6 
months after the scheduled voyage.
    5. Refunds should include all fees paid to carrier by consumer 
to include all ancillary fees remitted to the carrier by the 
consumer.
    6. Refunds to be given in same fashion as monies were originally 
remitted to the carrier. The PVO will be deemed to have made a 
refund payment if the deposited revenue as to a passenger requesting 
a refund is remitted by the PVO in the same manner as the 
passenger's original payment, by: (1) Mailing a check payable in 
immediately available funds to the passenger at an address furnished 
by the passenger, (2) issuing an electronic funds transfer, 
including wire transfer, automated clearinghouse (ACH) or other 
electronic means, in immediately available funds, or (3) posting of 
a credit to the credit card processor for the benefit of the credit 
card account used by passenger to make payments to the applicant. 
The refund will be deemed timely notwithstanding that passenger may 
not immediately have access to the transferred funds in its account 
or any credit card account due to rules and processes of any third-
party services provider.
    7. Nothing in this rule shall be interpreted to preclude the 
consumer and the PVO from entering into an alternative form of 
compensation in full satisfaction of a required refund, such as a 
future cruise credit.\10\
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    \10\ Fact Finding 30 Interim Report at 11-12.

    The Fact Finding Officer also recommended the Commission mandate 
that: (1) PVOs provide on their websites clear instructions on how 
passengers may obtain refunds; and (2) PVOs submit current web 
addresses showing their refund instructions to the Commission for 
publication on the Commission's website.\11\
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    \11\ Id. at 12.
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III. Proposed Changes and Request for Comments

A. Defining Nonperformance of Transportation

    As discussed above, 46 U.S.C. 44102 requires that PVOs file with 
the Commission evidence of financial responsibility to indemnify 
passenger for nonperformance of transportation. The Commission's 
regulations in 46 CFR part 540 do not expressly define what constitutes 
nonperformance of transportation, but the substantive provisions and 
required financial responsibility instrument terms indicate that it 
means the PVO's failure to provide transportation or other 
accommodations and services subject to part 540, subpart A,\12\ in 
accordance with the terms of the ticket contract between the PVO and 
passenger.\13\
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    \12\ The scope of the transportation, accommodations, and 
services covered is described in the definition of ``unearned 
passenger revenue'' in Sec.  540.2 and includes water transportation 
and all other accommodations, services, and facilities relating 
thereto, but excludes air transportation, hotel accommodations, or 
tour excursions. 46 CFR 540.2(i).
    \13\ See 46 CFR 540.1(a) (stating that PVOs must file evidence 
of financial responsibility or a bond or other security for 
obligations under the terms of ticket contracts to indemnify 
passengers for nonperformance of transportation to which they would 
be entitled; Form FMC-132A to Subpart A of Part 540 (stating that: 
(1) The purpose of the bond is to insure financial responsibility 
and the supplying transportation and other services subject to 
subpart A of part 540, in accordance with the ticket contract 
between the PVO and the passenger; and (2) the scope of the surety's 
liability is for refunds due under ticket contracts made by the PVO 
for the supplying of transportation and other services).
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    As noted in the Fact Finding 30 Interim Report, what constitutes 
nonperformance of transportation under the current regulations depends 
on the specific terms of each PVO's ticket contract and may vary from 
PVO to PVO or from contract to contract.\14\ Accordingly, the Interim 
Report recommended interpreting nonperformance of transportation under 
46 U.S.C. 44102 to include: (1) Canceling a voyage; and (2) delaying 
passenger boarding by 24 hours or more. Similar to the U.S. Department 
of Transportation's policy (cited in the Interim Report) addressing 
when airline passengers are entitled to refunds from air carriers, a 
delay would only constitute nonperformance if the passenger chooses not 
to embark on the delayed voyage.
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    \14\ Fact Finding 30 Interim Report at 11.
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    The Commission is seeking comment on adopting this definition of 
nonperformance of transportation. The Commission anticipates that 
implementing this change would involve amending the regulations in part 
540, subpart A, to include the definition and revising the language of 
the forms for financial responsibility instruments (surety bonds, 
guaranties, and escrow agreements) to reflect coverage in situations 
under the definition.\15\ To that end, the Commission has developed the 
following draft definition:
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    \15\ These forms include Form FMC-132A, Passenger Vessel Surety 
Bond (Performance); Form FMC-133A, Guaranty in Respect of Liability 
for Nonperformance, Section 3 of the Act; Appendix A, Example of 
Escrow Agreement for Use Under 46 CFR 540.5(b)). There is no 
required or optional form for insurance, which must meet the 
requirement in Sec.  540.5(a).

    Nonperformance of transportation means: (1) Canceling a voyage; 
or (2) delaying the boarding of passengers by more than twenty-four 
(24) hours if the passenger elects not to embark on the substitute 
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or delayed voyage.

    The Commission predicts that this interpretation may change the 
situations in which passengers could make claims for refunds against 
the PVO's financial responsibility instrument. In addition to a request 
for comments on the draft definition provided above, the Commission 
requests comments on:
     Necessary changes to the Commission's regulations, 
including the financial responsibility instrument forms, to implement 
the revised definition of nonperformance of transportation;
     Whether this change will increase or decrease claims for 
refunds against PVO financial responsibility instruments (i.e., bond, 
insurance, guaranty, or escrow agreement), and if so, the magnitude of 
the increase or decrease (including number of claims and total dollar 
amounts paid to passengers);
     Whether this change will increase or decrease the cost to 
PVOs of obtaining compliant financial responsibility instruments (e.g., 
higher or lower premiums or collateral requirements), and if so, the 
magnitude of the increase or decrease (i.e., dollar amount);
     Other effects of this change the Commission should 
consider.

B. Process for Obtaining Refunds From PVO Instruments for 
Nonperformance of Transportation

1. General
    Although the Commission regulations require certain coverage and 
terms to be included in financial responsibility instruments, the 
regulations do not include uniform procedures regarding how and when 
passengers may make claims for refunds against the various financial 
responsibility instruments. The Fact Finding 30 Interim Report 
recommended that the Commission revise its regulations to make clear 
how passengers may obtain refunds under these instruments and include 
specific provisions related to such claims and the timing of refund 
payments.\16\
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    \16\ Fact Finding 30 Interim Report at 11-12.
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    Neither part 540 nor the financial responsibility instrument forms 
provide

[[Page 65023]]

specific instructions on how or when passengers may obtain refunds 
under a PVO's financial responsibility instrument. For example, the 
Guaranty Form (Form FMC-133A) provides that Guarantor will make refund 
payments to passengers when: (1) The PVO and passenger enter into 
settlement agreement, approved by the Guarantor; or (2) the passenger 
obtains a final judgment against the PVO and the PVO does not make 
payment within 21 days. Similarly, the suggested language for Escrow 
Agreements in Appendix A states that an Escrow Agent will make refund 
payments to passengers when either: (1) The PVO provides written 
instructions to the Escrow Agent to make such payment; or (2) the 
passenger obtains a final judgment against the PVO, the PVO does not 
make payment within 21 days, and the Escrow Agent receives a certified 
copy of the court order.
    The Fact Finding 30 Interim Report recommended the following 
general procedure: (1) The passenger makes a request for a refund from 
a PVO financial responsibility instrument when nonperformance has 
occurred; and (2) the refund payment is made within a certain period, 
depending on certain conditions.\17\ Under this procedure, the 
passenger would not need a final court judgment in order to obtain a 
refund. The Commission anticipates that implementing these changes 
would involve amending the regulations in part 540, subpart A and the 
language of the financial responsibility instruments forms to reflect 
the new procedure. The Commission requests comment on the following 
issues related to this procedure that would need to be resolved in any 
proposed revisions to the Commission's regulations:
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    \17\ Fact Finding 30 Interim Report at 11-12.
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     To whom passengers should submit requests for refunds 
under the revised procedures.
     Should passengers submit refund claims to the financial 
responsibility instrument providers directly (e.g., surety company, 
insurer, guarantor, or escrow agent)? Alternatively, should passengers 
submit refund claims to the PVO, and the PVO in turn authorizes payment 
from the financial responsibility instrument (similar to the current 
procedure for escrow agreements)?
     Information passengers will need to provide to obtain a 
refund.
     Should the Commission specify the information necessary 
for passengers to submit to obtain refunds from a PVO financial 
responsibility instrument, or should those decisions be left to the 
individual PVOs and their financial responsibility providers?
     If the Commission should specify the necessary information 
from passengers, what information should be required beyond evidence of 
payment to the PVO, ticket contract, and evidence of cancellation or 
delayed boarding?
     Necessary changes to the Commission's regulations, 
including the financial responsibility instrument forms, to implement 
the revised process for obtaining refunds.
    The Commission is also requesting comments on the effects of the 
recommended changes described in this section (section III.B) 
(individually and as a whole), including:
     Whether these changes will increase or decrease claims for 
refunds against PVO financial responsibility instruments, and if so, 
the magnitude of the increase or decrease (including number of claims 
and total dollar amounts paid to passengers).
     Whether these changes will increase or decrease the cost 
to PVOs of obtaining compliant financial responsibility instruments 
(e.g., higher or lower premiums or collateral requirements), and if so, 
the source and magnitude of the increase or decrease (i.e., dollar 
amount).
     Other effects of these changes the Commission should 
consider.
2. Deadline for Submitting Refund Requests
    Commission regulations do not currently prescribe how long 
passengers have after a scheduled voyage to seek a refund from a PVO 
financial responsibility instrument. The Fact Finding 30 Interim Report 
recommended that the Commission specify that a PVO may set a reasonable 
deadline for passenger refund requests but the deadline may not be less 
than six months after the scheduled voyage.\18\ The Commission has 
developed the following draft provision to reflect this recommendation:
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    \18\ Fact Finding 30 Interim Report at 12.

    A passenger must submit a request for refund no later than 180 
days \19\ after nonperformance occurs, unless the ticket contract or 
other passenger vessel operator policy allows a longer period of 
time for such requests.
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    \19\ For clarity and ease of calculation, the Commission 
contemplates using a deadline of 180 days rather than six months.

    The Commission could include this provision in part 540 and require 
that the financial responsibility instrument specify the time period 
for passengers to file refund requests. The Commission requests comment 
on prescribing a minimum timeframe for refund requests, the amount of 
time recommended in the Fact Finding 30 Interim Report (six months) and 
the draft language provided above. As discussed above in section 
III.B.1, the Commission also requests comment on the effects of this 
change.
3. Deadline for Refund Payment
    Commission regulations do not currently specify a time period 
within which passengers must receive a refund under a PVO financial 
responsibility instrument. The Fact Finding 30 Interim Report 
recommended that the Commission specify two different timeframes for 
payment depending on whether nonperformance was due to ``a governmental 
order or declaration'': (1) When nonperformance is due to a 
governmental order or declaration, full refund payments must be made 
within 180 days after the passenger requests a refund; and (2) in all 
other cases, full refund payments must be made within 60 days after the 
passenger requests a refund.\20\ The Interim Report also recommended 
that a refund payment be deemed timely notwithstanding that the 
passenger may not immediately have access to the funds due to the rules 
and processes of any third party services provider.\21\
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    \20\ Fact Finding Interim Report at 11.
    \21\ Id. at 12.
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    The Commission requests comment on prescribing a deadline for 
payment of refunds from financial responsibility instruments as a 
general matter, establishing two different timeframes for payment 
depending on whether nonperformance is due to a governmental order or 
declaration, and the deadlines recommended in the Interim Report (180 
days when there is a governmental order or declaration; 60 days in all 
other cases). The Commission also requests comment on the following:
     The types of governmental orders or declarations that 
would trigger the longer 180-day period for providing refunds.
     Should these include only U.S. federal, state, and local 
orders or declarations, or should foreign government orders and 
declarations also trigger the longer refund payment period?
     What types of governmental orders and declarations should 
qualify, i.e., should this be limited to governmental orders and 
declarations that expressly prohibit embarking passengers and suspend 
passenger operations like the CDC No Sail Order? If not, what other

[[Page 65024]]

types of governmental orders and declarations should trigger the longer 
refund payment period?
     The effects of this change as discussed above in section 
III.B.1.
4. Form and Amount of Refund Payment
    Commission regulations provide that the PVO financial 
responsibility instruments must provide coverage for ``unearned 
passenger revenue,'' which is defined as passenger revenue received for 
water transportation and all other accommodations, services, and 
facilities relating thereto not yet performed; this includes port fees 
and taxes paid, but excludes such items as airfare, hotel 
accommodations, and tour excursions.\22\ The regulations do not specify 
in what form refund payments must be made under PVO financial 
responsibility instruments.
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    \22\ 46 CFR 540.2(i).
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    The Fact Finding 30 Interim Report recommended the Commission 
specify: (1) That refund payments must include all fees, including 
ancillary fees, paid to the PVO by the passenger; and (2) refund 
payments must be made in the same manner as the passenger's original 
payment, e.g., check, electronic funds transfer, or credit card 
chargeback.\23\
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    \23\ Fact Finding 30 Interim Report at 11-12.
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    Regarding the first recommendation, the Commission is requesting 
comment on whether to expand the definition of unearned passenger 
revenue and the scope of the ancillary fees to be included in any 
revised definition. The Fact Finding 30 Interim Report discusses the 
following types of ancillary charges paid by passengers to PVOs prior 
to sailing: Gratuities, shore excursions, pre-cruise onboard purchases, 
port fees, and taxes. Of these, the current definition of unearned 
passenger revenue expressly includes port fees and taxes and excludes 
excursions. The Interim Report does not discuss refunds for airfare or 
hotel accommodation.
    To facilitate comment, the Commission has developed the following 
draft definition:

    Unearned passenger revenue means that passenger revenue received 
for water transportation and all other related accommodations, 
services, and facilities relating thereto not yet performed; this 
includes port fees, taxes, and all ancillary fees remitted to the 
passenger vessel operator by the passenger.

    The Commission requests comment on expanding the definition of 
unearned passenger revenue, including:
     What types of ancillary fees should be included as 
unearned passenger revenue subject to refund, and what types of fees 
should be excluded.
     For example, should the Commission include the types of 
fees mentioned in the Fact Finding 30 Interim Report (e.g., shore 
excursions, dining packages, other onboard packages, and gratuities)?
     Are there any types of fees that should be included?
     Should the definition continue to exclude airfare and 
hotel accommodations?
     The effects of this change as discussed above in section 
III.B.1.
    The Commission is also requesting comment on the recommendation to 
specify that refund payments must be made in the same manner as the 
passenger's original payment. Specifically, the Commission requests 
comment on the following:
     Whether it is feasible for payment from a PVO financial 
responsibility instrument to be made in the same manner as the 
passenger's original payment.
     Necessary changes to the Commission's regulations, 
including the financial responsibility instrument forms, to implement 
this recommendation.
     The effects of this change as discussed above in section 
III.B.1.
5. Publishing Information on How To Obtain Refunds
    The Fact Finding 30 Interim Report recommended the Commission 
mandate that: (1) PVOs provide on their websites clear instructions on 
how passengers may obtain refunds; and (2) PVOs submit current website 
addresses for their refund instructions to the Commission for 
publication on the Commission's website.\24\ The Commission envisions 
that this recommendation could be implemented by: (1) Revising the Form 
FMC-131, Application for Certificate of Financial Responsibility, to 
require PVOs to provide the uniform resource locator (URL) for their 
refund instructions; and (2) amending Sec.  540.4 to require PVOs to 
amend their application if the URL changes. The Commission requests 
comment on this potential change, including:
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    \24\ Id. at 12.
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     Whether the Commission should prescribe any specific 
content or format requirements for published PVO refund instructions.
     The nature of any additional regulatory burden associated 
with publishing refund policies on a PVO's website or providing the URL 
for those instructions to the Commission, as well as the estimated cost 
to PVOs.

C. Passenger Cancellations

    In addition to recommendations related to passenger refunds in the 
event of nonperformance of transportation, the Fact Finding 30 Interim 
Report also proposed that the Commission amend its regulations to 
ensure PVO financial responsibility in the event passengers cancel 
their booking with a PVO prior to or following certain governmental 
orders or declarations. Specifically, the Fact Finding 30 Interim 
Report recommended that: (1) A passenger be entitled to a refund if 
they cancel their booking no more than 60 days prior to a governmental 
order or declaration that results in the PVO canceling the voyage or 
delaying boarding of passengers by more than 24 hours; and (2) a 
passenger be entitled to a future cruise credit if they cancel their 
booking following the declaration of a public health emergency and the 
voyage occurs as scheduled.
    The Commission requests comment on the recommendation regarding 
passenger refunds when the passenger cancels their booking and the 
voyage is subsequently canceled as a result of a governmental orders or 
declarations, including comment on the following:
     The types of governmental orders or declarations that 
would make a passenger eligible for a refund when they cancel their 
booking.
     Should these include only U.S. federal, state, and local 
orders or declarations, or should foreign government orders and 
declarations also trigger the longer refund payment period?
     What types of governmental orders and declarations 
qualify, i.e., should this be limited to governmental orders and 
declarations that expressly prohibit embarking passengers and suspend 
passenger operations like the CDC No Sail Order? If not, what other 
types of governmental orders and declarations should qualify?
     Information passengers will need to provide to obtain a 
refund.
     Should the Commission specify the information necessary 
for passengers to submit to obtain refunds from a PVO financial 
responsibility instrument, or should those decisions be left to the 
individual PVOs and their financial responsibility providers?
     If the Commission should specify the necessary information 
from passengers, what information should be required? Such required 
information could include evidence of payment to the PVO, ticket 
contract, evidence showing cancellation of the booking,

[[Page 65025]]

evidence of a governmental order or declaration, and evidence of 
cancellation or delayed boarding of the voyage.
    The Commission also requests comment on the recommendation 
regarding the provision of future cruise credit when the passenger 
cancels their booking following declaration of a public health 
emergency but the voyage occurs as scheduled, including comment on the 
following:
     Whether it is feasible for a passenger to obtain future 
cruise credit under a PVO financial responsibility instrument.
     The type of public health emergency declaration that would 
make a passenger eligible for a future cruise credit when they cancel 
their booking.
     Whether requests for future cruise credit should be 
subject to the same requirements as those recommended for refunds with 
respect to the deadline for requesting credit, the deadline for 
providing credit, and the amount of the credit.
    The Commission also requests comment on the following related to 
both recommendations:
     Necessary changes to the Commission's regulations, 
including the financial responsibility instrument forms, to implement 
these changes.
     Whether these changes will increase or decrease claims for 
refunds against PVO financial responsibility instruments, and if so, 
the magnitude of the increase or decrease (including number of claims 
and total dollar amounts paid to passengers).
     Whether these changes will increase or decrease the cost 
to PVOs of obtaining compliant financial responsibility instruments 
(e.g., higher or lower premiums or collateral requirements), and if so, 
the magnitude of the increase or decrease (i.e., dollar amount).
     Other effects of these changes the Commission should 
consider.

IV. Public Participation

How do I prepare and submit comments?

    Your comments must be written and in English. To ensure that your 
comments are correctly filed in the docket, please include the docket 
number of this document in your comments.
    You may submit your comments via email to the email address listed 
above under ADDRESSES. Please include the docket number associated with 
this notice and the subject matter in the subject line of the email. 
Comments should be attached to the email as a Microsoft Word or text-
searchable PDF document.

How do I submit confidential business information?

    The Commission will provide confidential treatment for identified 
confidential information to the extent allowed by law. If your comments 
contain confidential information, you must submit the following by 
email to the address listed above under ADDRESSES:
     A transmittal letter requesting confidential treatment 
that identifies the specific information in the comments for which 
protection is sought and demonstrates that the information is a trade 
secret or other confidential research, development, or commercial 
information.
     A confidential copy of your comments, consisting of the 
complete filing with a cover page marked ``Confidential-Restricted,'' 
and the confidential material clearly marked on each page.
     A public version of your comments with the confidential 
information excluded. The public version must state ``Public Version--
confidential materials excluded'' on the cover page and on each 
affected page, and must clearly indicate any information withheld.

Will the Commission consider late comments?

    The Commission will consider all comments received before the close 
of business on the comment closing date indicated above under DATES. To 
the extent possible, we will also consider comments received after that 
date.

How can I read comments submitted by other people?

    You may read the comments received by the Commission at the 
Commission's Electronic Reading Room at the address listed above under 
ADDRESSES.

V. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (codified as amended at 5 
U.S.C. 601-612), no analysis is required for an ANPRM. However, PVOs 
are encouraged to comment on any aspects of the potential rulemaking 
that may apply to them and the potential impact.

National Environmental Policy Act

    The Commission's regulations categorically exclude certain 
rulemakings from any requirement to prepare an environmental assessment 
or an environmental impact statement because they do not increase or 
decrease air, water or noise pollution or the use of fossil fuels, 
recyclables, or energy. 46 CFR 504.4. The ANPRM discusses potential 
amendments to Commission's program for certifying the financial 
responsibility of PVOs. This rulemaking thus falls within the 
categorical exclusion for certification of financial responsibility of 
passenger vessels under Part 540. Sec.  504.4(2). Therefore, no 
environmental assessment or environmental impact statement is required.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521) (PRA) 
requires an agency to seek and receive approval from the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) before collecting information from the 
public. 44 U.S.C. 3507. The agency must submit collections of 
information in proposed rules to OMB in conjunction with the 
publication of the notice of proposed rulemaking. 5 CFR 1320.11. Any 
information collection requirements and associated burdens will be 
discussed in detail if a proposed rule is issued.

Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)

    The Commission will ensure that any proposed or final rule issued 
in this proceeding meets the applicable standards in E.O. 12988 titled, 
``Civil Justice Reform,'' to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, 
and reduce burden.

Regulation Identifier Number

    The Commission assigns a regulation identifier number (RIN) to each 
regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory 
and Deregulatory Actions (Unified Agenda). The Regulatory Information 
Service Center publishes the Unified Agenda in April and October of 
each year. You may use the RIN contained in the heading at the 
beginning of this document to find this action in the Unified Agenda, 
available at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaMain.

    By the Commission.
Rachel Dickon,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-21957 Filed 10-13-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6730-02-P