Request for Nominations of Experts to Peer-Review Draft Guidance on Conducting Analysis of Federal Regulations, 20912-20913 [2023-07362]

Download as PDF 20912 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 67 / Friday, April 7, 2023 / Notices OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET Request for Nominations of Experts to Peer-Review Draft Guidance on Conducting Analysis of Federal Regulations AGENCY: Office of Management and Budget. ACTION: Notice; request for nominations. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is drafting proposed revisions to its Circular A–4: Regulatory Analysis. This notice requests public nominations of experts to participate in an independent scientific peer review of an updated draft of Circular A–4: Regulatory Analysis. DATES: The 21-day public comment period to provide nominations begins April 7, 2023, and ends April 28, 2023. Nominations must be received on or before April 28, 2023. ADDRESSES: Submit your nominations by emailing them to MBX.OMB.OIRA.A4PeerReview@ omb.eop.gov (subject line: Peer Review Nomination for Updating Circular A–4) no later than April 28, 2023. To receive full consideration, nominations should include all of the information requested below. Please be advised that public comments, including communications on these nominations, are subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, MBX.OMB.OIRA.A4PeerReview@ omb.eop.gov (subject line: Peer Review Nomination for Updating Circular A–4). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: Privacy Act Statement Submission of nominations is voluntary. Solicitation of this information is authorized by 31 U.S.C. 1111. The information furnished will be used to select independent peer reviewers to evaluate proposed updates to Circular A–4. While the information solicited by this notice is intended to be used for internal purposes, in certain circumstances it may be necessary to disclose this information externally, for example to contractors, as necessary to perform their duties for the Federal government; to a congressional office in response to an inquiry from that congressional office made at the request of the individual to whom the record pertains; or to other agencies, courts, and persons as necessary and relevant in the course of litigation, and as necessary and in accordance with VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:11 Apr 06, 2023 Jkt 259001 requirements for law enforcement. A complete list of the routine uses can be found in the system of records notice associated with this collection of information, OMB Public Input System of Records, OMB/INPUT/01. I. Background Since 2003, OMB Circular A–4: Regulatory Analysis 1 has provided guidance to Federal agencies on the development of regulatory analysis as required under Section 6(a)(3) of Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review),2 the Regulatory Right-to-Know Act,3 and a variety of related authorities. OMB is drafting proposed updates to the Circular, available at https:// www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/ uploads/2023/04/DraftCircularA-4.pdf, as well as a preamble that offers further context for prospective public commenters and peer reviewers, https:// www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/ uploads/2023/04/DraftCircularA4Preamble.pdf; public comments on these materials is being solicited via a separate notice and, in addition, the proposed updates will be peer reviewed in accordance with OMB’s Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review (the Bulletin) 4 and the Regulatory Right-to-Know Act. The independent, external scientific peer review will be managed by an OMB contractor. This notice requests public nominations of experts to participate in the independent scientific peer review of the proposed updates to Circular A–4. II. Information About This Peer Review OMB is seeking nominations of individuals with demonstrated and nationally-recognized expertise in economics and various aspects of the disciplines of public policy and administrative law that relate to the application of benefit-cost analysis to regulatory policy. A balanced review panel should include experts who possess the necessary domains of knowledge and a breadth of economic and scientific perspectives to provide 1 OMB, Circular A–4, Regulatory Analysis (Sept. 17, 2003), available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/ wp-content/uploads/legacy_drupal_files/omb/ circulars/A4/a-4.pdf. 2 Exec. Order No. 12866, 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 4, 1993). 3 Public Law 106–554, section 624, 114 Stat. 2763A–161 (codified at 31 U.S.C. 1105 note). 4 OMB, M–05–03, Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review (Dec. 16, 2004), available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/ uploads/legacy_drupal_files/omb/memoranda/ 2005/m05-03.pdf. PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 rigorous peer review.5 Consistent with the Bulletin, all nominations will be evaluated for real or perceived conflicts of interest and independence. To achieve the necessary breadth, OMB seeks nominees with expertise in the following areas: Primary fields: • Applied microeconomics • Macroeconomics • Financial economics • Industrial organization • Public economics • Welfare economics • Risk management and risk assessment, including both policy and scientific expertise • Regulatory process, including administrative law, as it intersects with regulatory and benefit-cost analysis Secondary fields and sub-fields of primary fields: • Behavioral economics • Qualitative methods for policy impact analysis • Applied statistics and econometrics • Environmental and natural resource economics • Agricultural economics • Transportation economics • Labor economics • International trade • Economics of health and medicine To form the list of candidate external reviewers, nominations submitted in response to this notice will be considered along with candidates identified using traditional techniques (e.g., a literature search) to identify additional qualified candidates in the disciplines listed above. After consideration of public nominations, a final multi-disciplinary panel of eight to ten peer reviewers will be selected from the pool. Selection criteria to be used for panel membership include: (a) distinguished and nationally-recognized technical expertise, as well as experience; (b) availability and willingness to serve; and (c) real or perceived conflicts of interest and independence. Process and Deadline for Submitting Nominations: Any person or organization may nominate individuals qualified in the areas described above. Self-nominations are permitted. Submit your nominations by email to MBX.OMB.OIRA.A4PeerReview@ omb.eop.gov (subject line: Peer Review Nomination for Updating Circular A–4). 5 See id. at 24 (emphasizing ‘‘that the term ‘balance’ here refers not to balancing of stakeholder or political interests but rather to a broad and diverse representation of respected perspectives and intellectual traditions within the scientific community’’). E:\FR\FM\07APN1.SGM 07APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 67 / Friday, April 7, 2023 / Notices To receive full consideration, nominations should include all of the following information: contact information for the person making the nomination; the nominee’s contact information and institutional affiliation; the nominee’s disciplinary and specific areas of expertise; and the nominee’s re´sume´ or curriculum vitae or equivalent information about their current position, educational background, expertise, and experience. To assess conflicts of interest and independence for nominees being considered for the peer review, OMB will seek to identify, among other factors, professional affiliation with the Executive Office of the President within the last 3 years; current contracts with the Federal government to conduct regulatory impact analysis or other decision support analyses; and regular business streams to advocate for or critique regulatory impact analyses on behalf of non-federal entities. Richard L. Revesz, Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamie Taber, Office of Economic Policy, Office of Management and Budget, (202) 395–2515, a94@omb.eop.gov. Zachary Liscow, Associate Director for Economic Policy, Office of Management and Budget. [FR Doc. 2023–07179 Filed 4–6–23; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3110–01–P OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET [FR Doc. 2023–07362 Filed 4–6–23; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3110–01–P Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET AGENCY: Office of Management and Budget. ACTION: Notice of a new system of records, OMB/INPUT/01. Public Comment on Guidelines and Discount Rates for Benefit-Cost Analysis of Federal Programs AGENCY: Revisions to OMB Circular No. A–94. OMB is proposing revisions to Circular A–94, which provides guidance on benefit-cost analysis and costeffectiveness analysis of Federal spending. Circular A–94 was last revised in 1992. These proposed revisions reflect scientific and economic advances since that time. Included in the proposed revisions are changes in the discount rate for benefit-cost analysis. This guidance is separate from Circular A–4, which covers benefit-cost analysis of regulations, rather than spending. Members of the public are encouraged to provide comment. DATES: June 6, 2023. ADDRESSES: The revised Circular can be accessed at https:// www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/ uploads/2023/04/CircularA94.pdf. Submit comments by the following method: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:11 Apr 06, 2023 Jkt 259001 Pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 and Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A–130, Appendix I, Federal Agency Responsibilities for Maintaining Records About Individuals, notice is hereby given that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is establishing the following new system of records: ‘‘OMB Public Input System of Records, OMB/INPUT/01’’ (OMB Public Input System). OMB engages in a number of activities, including issuing guidance, policy, and regulatory actions, many of which invite the public and interested stakeholders to provide input to OMB. The OMB Public Input System covers the collection of that public input received through the Federal Docket Management System, Reginfo.gov, email, hardcopy communications, and other authorized means. SUMMARY: Office of Management and Budget. ACTION: ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 instructions for submitting comments. Comments submitted electronically, including attachments to https:// www.regulations.gov, will be posted to the docket unchanged. Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite Information Collection 0348–0065 in all correspondence related to this collection. To confirm receipt of your comment(s), please check regulations.gov, approximately two to three business days after submission to verify posting (except allow 30 days for posting of comments submitted by mail). In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4) and (11), this system of records notice (SORN) is effective April 7, 2023, with the exception of the routine uses, which are subject to a 30day comment period and will be effective May 8, 2023. Please submit any comments on or before May 8, 2023. DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 20913 You may submit comments by: • Email: SORN@omb.eop.gov. Instructions: All submissions must contain the subject heading ‘‘OMB Public Input System of Records.’’ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SORN@omb.eop.gov. You must include ‘‘OMB Public Input System of Records’’ in the subject line. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB engages in a number of activities, including issuing guidance, policy, and regulatory actions, many of which invite the public to provide input to OMB. One way in which OMB makes documents available for public input is through the Federal eRulemaking system, which is managed by the General Services Administration (GSA). The eRulemaking system is a centralized repository for all Federal rulemaking dockets, including notices of proposed rulemaking, interim rules, final rules, other types of rulemaking actions, supporting materials such as scientific or economic analyses, and public comments, as well as for some non-rulemaking dockets, such as notices and guidance or policy documents. It consists of a public facing interface, www.regulations.gov, and a portal visible to OMB called the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS), at www.FDMS.gov. The FDMS is a Federal Government-wide document management system. OMB employees with a need to use the system may selfregister to use FDMS but may only see dockets of OMB. Additionally, OMB uses the website at www.reginfo.gov to post notices of and accept meeting requests regarding regulatory actions currently under review pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 of September 30, 1993 (Regulatory Planning and Review). OMB also reviews information collection requests under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) and, during the 30day review of information collections, the public may comment on materials submitted by the agency as part of their request for a new information collection or an extension or revision to an existing information collection through www.reginfo.gov. E.O. 12866 establishes and governs the process under which OMB reviews agencies’ regulatory actions, including any substantive action that promulgates or is expected to lead to the promulgation of a final rule. Under E.O. 12866, non-governmental parties can request meetings concerning proposed regulatory actions under OMB review to present their views. Meeting requesters may submit to OMB documents to be discussed during the ADDRESSES: E:\FR\FM\07APN1.SGM 07APN1

Agencies

Management and Budget Office

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 67 (Friday, April 7, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20912-20913]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07362]



[[Page 20912]]

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OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET


Request for Nominations of Experts to Peer-Review Draft Guidance 
on Conducting Analysis of Federal Regulations

AGENCY: Office of Management and Budget.

ACTION: Notice; request for nominations.

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

SUMMARY: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is drafting proposed 
revisions to its Circular A-4: Regulatory Analysis. This notice 
requests public nominations of experts to participate in an independent 
scientific peer review of an updated draft of Circular A-4: Regulatory 
Analysis.

DATES: The 21-day public comment period to provide nominations begins 
April 7, 2023, and ends April 28, 2023. Nominations must be received on 
or before April 28, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Submit your nominations by emailing them to 
[email protected] (subject line: Peer Review 
Nomination for Updating Circular A-4) no later than April 28, 2023. To 
receive full consideration, nominations should include all of the 
information requested below. Please be advised that public comments, 
including communications on these nominations, are subject to release 
under the Freedom of Information Act.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
[email protected] (subject line: Peer Review 
Nomination for Updating Circular A-4).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Privacy Act Statement

    Submission of nominations is voluntary. Solicitation of this 
information is authorized by 31 U.S.C. 1111. The information furnished 
will be used to select independent peer reviewers to evaluate proposed 
updates to Circular A-4. While the information solicited by this notice 
is intended to be used for internal purposes, in certain circumstances 
it may be necessary to disclose this information externally, for 
example to contractors, as necessary to perform their duties for the 
Federal government; to a congressional office in response to an inquiry 
from that congressional office made at the request of the individual to 
whom the record pertains; or to other agencies, courts, and persons as 
necessary and relevant in the course of litigation, and as necessary 
and in accordance with requirements for law enforcement. A complete 
list of the routine uses can be found in the system of records notice 
associated with this collection of information, OMB Public Input System 
of Records, OMB/INPUT/01.

I. Background

    Since 2003, OMB Circular A-4: Regulatory Analysis \1\ has provided 
guidance to Federal agencies on the development of regulatory analysis 
as required under Section 6(a)(3) of Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 
(Regulatory Planning and Review),\2\ the Regulatory Right-to-Know 
Act,\3\ and a variety of related authorities. OMB is drafting proposed 
updates to the Circular, available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DraftCircularA-4.pdf, as well as a preamble 
that offers further context for prospective public commenters and peer 
reviewers, https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DraftCircularA-4Preamble.pdf; public comments on these materials is 
being solicited via a separate notice and, in addition, the proposed 
updates will be peer reviewed in accordance with OMB's Final 
Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review (the Bulletin) \4\ and the 
Regulatory Right-to-Know Act. The independent, external scientific peer 
review will be managed by an OMB contractor. This notice requests 
public nominations of experts to participate in the independent 
scientific peer review of the proposed updates to Circular A-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ OMB, Circular A-4, Regulatory Analysis (Sept. 17, 2003), 
available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/legacy_drupal_files/omb/circulars/A4/a-4.pdf.
    \2\ Exec. Order No. 12866, 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 4, 1993).
    \3\ Public Law 106-554, section 624, 114 Stat. 2763A-161 
(codified at 31 U.S.C. 1105 note).
    \4\ OMB, M-05-03, Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer 
Review (Dec. 16, 2004), available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/legacy_drupal_files/omb/memoranda/2005/m05-03.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Information About This Peer Review

    OMB is seeking nominations of individuals with demonstrated and 
nationally-recognized expertise in economics and various aspects of the 
disciplines of public policy and administrative law that relate to the 
application of benefit-cost analysis to regulatory policy. A balanced 
review panel should include experts who possess the necessary domains 
of knowledge and a breadth of economic and scientific perspectives to 
provide rigorous peer review.\5\ Consistent with the Bulletin, all 
nominations will be evaluated for real or perceived conflicts of 
interest and independence.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See id. at 24 (emphasizing ``that the term `balance' here 
refers not to balancing of stakeholder or political interests but 
rather to a broad and diverse representation of respected 
perspectives and intellectual traditions within the scientific 
community'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To achieve the necessary breadth, OMB seeks nominees with expertise 
in the following areas:
    Primary fields:

 Applied microeconomics
 Macroeconomics
 Financial economics
 Industrial organization
 Public economics
 Welfare economics
 Risk management and risk assessment, including both policy and 
scientific expertise
 Regulatory process, including administrative law, as it 
intersects with regulatory and benefit-cost analysis

    Secondary fields and sub-fields of primary fields:

 Behavioral economics
 Qualitative methods for policy impact analysis
 Applied statistics and econometrics
 Environmental and natural resource economics
 Agricultural economics
 Transportation economics
 Labor economics
 International trade
 Economics of health and medicine

    To form the list of candidate external reviewers, nominations 
submitted in response to this notice will be considered along with 
candidates identified using traditional techniques (e.g., a literature 
search) to identify additional qualified candidates in the disciplines 
listed above. After consideration of public nominations, a final multi-
disciplinary panel of eight to ten peer reviewers will be selected from 
the pool. Selection criteria to be used for panel membership include: 
(a) distinguished and nationally-recognized technical expertise, as 
well as experience; (b) availability and willingness to serve; and (c) 
real or perceived conflicts of interest and independence.
    Process and Deadline for Submitting Nominations: Any person or 
organization may nominate individuals qualified in the areas described 
above. Self-nominations are permitted. Submit your nominations by email 
to [email protected] (subject line: Peer Review 
Nomination for Updating Circular A-4).

[[Page 20913]]

To receive full consideration, nominations should include all of the 
following information: contact information for the person making the 
nomination; the nominee's contact information and institutional 
affiliation; the nominee's disciplinary and specific areas of 
expertise; and the nominee's r[eacute]sum[eacute] or curriculum vitae 
or equivalent information about their current position, educational 
background, expertise, and experience. To assess conflicts of interest 
and independence for nominees being considered for the peer review, OMB 
will seek to identify, among other factors, professional affiliation 
with the Executive Office of the President within the last 3 years; 
current contracts with the Federal government to conduct regulatory 
impact analysis or other decision support analyses; and regular 
business streams to advocate for or critique regulatory impact analyses 
on behalf of non-federal entities.

Richard L. Revesz,
Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2023-07362 Filed 4-6-23; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3110-01-P

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