Meetings To Implement Pandemic Response Voluntary Agreement Under Section 708 of the Defense Production Act, 51174-51175 [2021-19748]

Download as PDF 51174 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 175 / Tuesday, September 14, 2021 / Notices Federal Emergency Management Agency [Docket ID: FEMA–2021–0022; OMB No. 1660–0062] Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; State/Local/Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plans Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security. ACTION: 60-Day notice of revision and request for comments. AGENCY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public to take this opportunity to comment on a revision of a currently approved information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning the nature of the information collection, the categories of respondents, the estimated burden (i.e., the time, efforts and resources used by respondents to respond) and cost, and actual data collection instruments FEMA will use regarding the state, local, and tribal hazard mitigation plan creation process. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 15, 2021. ADDRESSES: Submit comments at www.regulations.gov under Docket ID FEMA–2021–0022. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. All submissions received must include the agency name and Docket ID, and will be posted, without change, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov, and will include any personal information you provide. Therefore, submitting this information makes it public. You may wish to read the Privacy and Security Notice that is available via a link on the homepage of www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Smith, Planning & Safety Branch Chief, Planning, Safety, and Building Science Division, Risk Management Directorate, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, FEMA; Kathleen.Smith2@fema.dhs.gov and (202) 646–4372. You may contact the Information Management Division for copies of the proposed collection of information at email address: FEMAInformation-Collections-Management@ fema.dhs.gov. tkelley on DSK125TN23PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:55 Sep 13, 2021 Jkt 253001 Section 322 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act), 42 U.S.C. 5165, as amended by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000), Public Law 106– 390, provides the framework for linking pre-and post-disaster mitigation planning and initiatives with public and private interests to ensure an integrated, comprehensive approach to disaster loss reduction. Title 44 CFR part 201 provides the mitigation planning requirements for State, local, Tribal, or Territorial governments to identify the natural hazards that impact them, to identify actions and activities to reduce any losses from hazards, and to establish a coordinated process to implement the plan, taking advantage of a wide range of resources. (c) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Collection of Information Title: State/Local/Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plans. Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved information collection. OMB Number: 1660–0062. FEMA Forms: FEMA Form not applicable. Abstract: In order to be eligible for certain types of Federal emergency management non-emergency assistance, state, local, Tribal or Territorial governments are required to have a current FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan that meets the criteria established in 44 CFR part 201. Affected Public: State, local, Tribal or Territorial government. Estimated Number of Respondents: 224. Estimated Number of Responses: 1,131. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 175,928. Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost: $10,291,788. Estimated Respondents’ Operation and Maintenance Costs: $30,760,976. Estimated Respondents’ Capital and Start-Up Costs: $10,497,648. Estimated Total Annual Cost to the Federal Government: $1,936,738. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Comments Comments may be submitted as indicated in the ADDRESSES caption above. Comments are solicited to (a) evaluate whether the proposed data collection is necessary for the proper performance of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Millicent L. Brown, Acting Records Management Branch Chief, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, Mission Support, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security. [FR Doc. 2021–19750 Filed 9–13–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–12–P Federal Emergency Management Agency [Docket ID FEMA–2020–0016] Meetings To Implement Pandemic Response Voluntary Agreement Under Section 708 of the Defense Production Act Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security. ACTION: Announcement of meetings. AGENCY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) held two meetings to implement the Voluntary Agreement for the Manufacture and Distribution of Critical Healthcare Resources Necessary to Respond to a Pandemic. SUMMARY: The first meeting took place on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, from 1 to 3 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). The second meeting took place on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, from 1 to 3 p.m. ET. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Glenn, Office of Business, Industry, Infrastructure Integration, via email at OB3I@fema.dhs.gov or via phone at (202) 212–1666. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of these meetings is provided as required by section 708(h)(8) of the Defense Production Act (DPA), 50 U.S.C. 4558(h)(8), and consistent with 44 CFR part 332. The DPA authorizes the making of ‘‘voluntary agreements and plans of action’’ with representatives of industry, business, and other interests to help provide for the national defense.1 The DATES: 1 50 E:\FR\FM\14SEN1.SGM U.S.C. 4558(c)(1). 14SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 175 / Tuesday, September 14, 2021 / Notices President’s authority to facilitate voluntary agreements with respect to responding to the spread of COVID–19 within the United States was delegated to the Secretary of Homeland Security in Executive Order 13911.2 The Secretary of Homeland Security further delegated this authority to the FEMA Administrator.3 On August 17, 2020, after the appropriate consultations with the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, FEMA completed and published in the Federal Register a ‘‘Voluntary Agreement, Manufacture and Distribution of Critical Healthcare Resources Necessary to Respond to a Pandemic’’ (Voluntary Agreement).4 Unless terminated earlier, the Voluntary Agreement is effective until August 17, 2025, and may be extended subject to additional approval by the Attorney General after consultation with the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission. The Agreement may be used to prepare for or respond to any pandemic, including COVID–19, during that time. On December 7, 2020, the first plan of action under the Voluntary Agreement—the Plan of Action to Establish a National Strategy for the Manufacture, Allocation, and Distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Respond to COVID– 19 (PPE Plan of Action)—was finalized.5 The PPE Plan of Action established several sub-committees under the Voluntary Agreement, focusing on different aspects of the PPE Plan of Action. On May 24, 2021, four additional plans of action under the Voluntary Agreement—the Plan of Action to Establish a National Strategy for the Manufacture, Allocation, and Distribution of Diagnostic Test Kits and other Testing Components to respond to COVID–19, the Plan of Action to Establish a National Strategy for the Manufacture, Allocation, and Distribution of Drug Products, Drug Substances, and Associated Medical Devices to respond to COVID–19, the Plan of Action to Establish a National 2 85 FR 18403 (Apr. 1, 2020). Delegation 09052, Rev. 00.1 (Apr. 1, 2020); DHS Delegation Number 09052 Rev. 00 (Jan. 3, 2017). 4 85 FR 50035 (Aug. 17, 2020). The Attorney General, in consultation with the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, made the required finding that the purpose of the voluntary agreement may not reasonably be achieved through an agreement having less anticompetitive effects or without any voluntary agreement and published the finding in the Federal Register on the same day. 85 FR 50049 (Aug. 17, 2020). 5 See 85 FR 78869 (Dec. 7, 2020). See also 85 FR 79020 (Dec. 8, 2020). tkelley on DSK125TN23PROD with NOTICES 3 DHS VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:55 Sep 13, 2021 Jkt 253001 Strategy for the Manufacture, Allocation, and Distribution of Medical Devices to respond to COVID–19, and the Plan of Action to Establish a National Strategy for the Manufacture, Allocation, and Distribution of Medical Gases to respond to COVID–19—were finalized.6 These plans of action established several sub-committees under the Voluntary Agreement, focusing on different aspects of each plan of action. The meetings are chaired by the FEMA Administrator or her delegate and attended by the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission or their delegates. In implementing the Voluntary Agreement, FEMA adheres to all procedural requirements of 50 U.S.C. 4558 and 44 CFR part 332. Meeting Objectives: The objectives of the meetings are as follows: 1. Gather committee Participants and Attendees to ask targeted questions for situational awareness related to the active Plans of Action (PPE, Drug Products and Drug Substances, Diagnostic Test Kits, Medical Devices, and Medical Gases). 2. Establish priorities for COVID–19 response under the Voluntary Agreement. 3. Identify tasks that should be completed under the appropriate SubCommittee. 4. Identify information gaps and areas that merit sharing (both from FEMA to the private sector and vice versa). Meetings Closed to the Public: By default, the DPA requires meetings held to implement a voluntary agreement or plan of action be open to the public.7 However, attendance may be limited if the Sponsor 8 of the voluntary agreement finds that the matter to be discussed at a meeting falls within the purview of matters described in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c), such as trade secrets and commercial or financial information. The Sponsor of the Voluntary Agreement, the FEMA Administrator, found that these meetings to implement the Voluntary Agreement involve matters which fall within the purview of matters described in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c) and the meetings are therefore closed to the public. Specifically, these meetings to implement the Voluntary Agreement may require participants to disclose trade secrets or commercial or financial 6 See 86 FR 27894 (May 24, 2021). See also 86 FR 28851 (May 28, 2021). 7 See 50 U.S.C. 4558(h)(7). 8 ‘‘[T]he individual designated by the President in subsection (c)(2) [of section 708 of the DPA] to administer the voluntary agreement, or plan of action.’’ 50 U.S.C. 4558(h)(7). PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 51175 information that is privileged or confidential. Disclosure of such information allows for meetings to be closed pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4). In addition, the success of the Voluntary Agreement depends wholly on the willing and enthusiastic participation of private sector participants. Failure to close these meetings could have a strong chilling effect on private sector participation and cause a substantial risk that sensitive information will be prematurely released to the public, leading to participants withdrawing their support from the Voluntary Agreement. This would significantly frustrate the implementation of the Voluntary Agreement. Frustration of an agency’s objective due to premature disclosure of information allows for the closure of a meeting pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(9)(B). Deanne Criswell, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency. [FR Doc. 2021–19748 Filed 9–13–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9111–19–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Federal Emergency Management Agency [Docket ID FEMA–2021–0002; Internal Agency Docket No. FEMA–B–2163] Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations Federal Emergency Management Agency, Homeland Security (DHS). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Comments are requested on proposed flood hazard determinations, which may include additions or modifications of any Base Flood Elevation (BFE), base flood depth, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundary or zone designation, or regulatory floodway on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports for the communities listed in the table below. The purpose of this notice is to seek general information and comment regarding the preliminary FIRM, and where applicable, the FIS report that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided to the affected communities. The FIRM and FIS report are the basis of the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of having in effect SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\14SEN1.SGM 14SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 14, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51174-51175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19748]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Docket ID FEMA-2020-0016]


Meetings To Implement Pandemic Response Voluntary Agreement Under 
Section 708 of the Defense Production Act

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland 
Security.

ACTION: Announcement of meetings.

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

SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) held two 
meetings to implement the Voluntary Agreement for the Manufacture and 
Distribution of Critical Healthcare Resources Necessary to Respond to a 
Pandemic.

DATES: The first meeting took place on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, from 
1 to 3 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). The second meeting took place on 
Wednesday, September 8, 2021, from 1 to 3 p.m. ET.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Glenn, Office of Business, 
Industry, Infrastructure Integration, via email at [email protected] or 
via phone at (202) 212-1666.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of these meetings is provided as 
required by section 708(h)(8) of the Defense Production Act (DPA), 50 
U.S.C. 4558(h)(8), and consistent with 44 CFR part 332.
    The DPA authorizes the making of ``voluntary agreements and plans 
of action'' with representatives of industry, business, and other 
interests to help provide for the national defense.\1\ The

[[Page 51175]]

President's authority to facilitate voluntary agreements with respect 
to responding to the spread of COVID-19 within the United States was 
delegated to the Secretary of Homeland Security in Executive Order 
13911.\2\ The Secretary of Homeland Security further delegated this 
authority to the FEMA Administrator.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 50 U.S.C. 4558(c)(1).
    \2\ 85 FR 18403 (Apr. 1, 2020).
    \3\ DHS Delegation 09052, Rev. 00.1 (Apr. 1, 2020); DHS 
Delegation Number 09052 Rev. 00 (Jan. 3, 2017).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On August 17, 2020, after the appropriate consultations with the 
Attorney General and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, FEMA 
completed and published in the Federal Register a ``Voluntary 
Agreement, Manufacture and Distribution of Critical Healthcare 
Resources Necessary to Respond to a Pandemic'' (Voluntary 
Agreement).\4\ Unless terminated earlier, the Voluntary Agreement is 
effective until August 17, 2025, and may be extended subject to 
additional approval by the Attorney General after consultation with the 
Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission. The Agreement may be used to 
prepare for or respond to any pandemic, including COVID-19, during that 
time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ 85 FR 50035 (Aug. 17, 2020). The Attorney General, in 
consultation with the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, made 
the required finding that the purpose of the voluntary agreement may 
not reasonably be achieved through an agreement having less 
anticompetitive effects or without any voluntary agreement and 
published the finding in the Federal Register on the same day. 85 FR 
50049 (Aug. 17, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On December 7, 2020, the first plan of action under the Voluntary 
Agreement--the Plan of Action to Establish a National Strategy for the 
Manufacture, Allocation, and Distribution of Personal Protective 
Equipment (PPE) to Respond to COVID-19 (PPE Plan of Action)--was 
finalized.\5\ The PPE Plan of Action established several sub-committees 
under the Voluntary Agreement, focusing on different aspects of the PPE 
Plan of Action.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See 85 FR 78869 (Dec. 7, 2020). See also 85 FR 79020 (Dec. 
8, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On May 24, 2021, four additional plans of action under the 
Voluntary Agreement--the Plan of Action to Establish a National 
Strategy for the Manufacture, Allocation, and Distribution of 
Diagnostic Test Kits and other Testing Components to respond to COVID-
19, the Plan of Action to Establish a National Strategy for the 
Manufacture, Allocation, and Distribution of Drug Products, Drug 
Substances, and Associated Medical Devices to respond to COVID-19, the 
Plan of Action to Establish a National Strategy for the Manufacture, 
Allocation, and Distribution of Medical Devices to respond to COVID-19, 
and the Plan of Action to Establish a National Strategy for the 
Manufacture, Allocation, and Distribution of Medical Gases to respond 
to COVID-19--were finalized.\6\ These plans of action established 
several sub-committees under the Voluntary Agreement, focusing on 
different aspects of each plan of action.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ See 86 FR 27894 (May 24, 2021). See also 86 FR 28851 (May 
28, 2021).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The meetings are chaired by the FEMA Administrator or her delegate 
and attended by the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Federal 
Trade Commission or their delegates. In implementing the Voluntary 
Agreement, FEMA adheres to all procedural requirements of 50 U.S.C. 
4558 and 44 CFR part 332.
    Meeting Objectives: The objectives of the meetings are as follows:
    1. Gather committee Participants and Attendees to ask targeted 
questions for situational awareness related to the active Plans of 
Action (PPE, Drug Products and Drug Substances, Diagnostic Test Kits, 
Medical Devices, and Medical Gases).
    2. Establish priorities for COVID-19 response under the Voluntary 
Agreement.
    3. Identify tasks that should be completed under the appropriate 
Sub-Committee.
    4. Identify information gaps and areas that merit sharing (both 
from FEMA to the private sector and vice versa).
    Meetings Closed to the Public: By default, the DPA requires 
meetings held to implement a voluntary agreement or plan of action be 
open to the public.\7\ However, attendance may be limited if the 
Sponsor \8\ of the voluntary agreement finds that the matter to be 
discussed at a meeting falls within the purview of matters described in 
5 U.S.C. 552b(c), such as trade secrets and commercial or financial 
information. The Sponsor of the Voluntary Agreement, the FEMA 
Administrator, found that these meetings to implement the Voluntary 
Agreement involve matters which fall within the purview of matters 
described in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c) and the meetings are therefore closed to 
the public.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See 50 U.S.C. 4558(h)(7).
    \8\ ``[T]he individual designated by the President in subsection 
(c)(2) [of section 708 of the DPA] to administer the voluntary 
agreement, or plan of action.'' 50 U.S.C. 4558(h)(7).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Specifically, these meetings to implement the Voluntary Agreement 
may require participants to disclose trade secrets or commercial or 
financial information that is privileged or confidential. Disclosure of 
such information allows for meetings to be closed pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
552b(c)(4). In addition, the success of the Voluntary Agreement depends 
wholly on the willing and enthusiastic participation of private sector 
participants. Failure to close these meetings could have a strong 
chilling effect on private sector participation and cause a substantial 
risk that sensitive information will be prematurely released to the 
public, leading to participants withdrawing their support from the 
Voluntary Agreement.
    This would significantly frustrate the implementation of the 
Voluntary Agreement. Frustration of an agency's objective due to 
premature disclosure of information allows for the closure of a meeting 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(9)(B).

Deanne Criswell,
Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 2021-19748 Filed 9-13-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-19-P

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