United States Sentencing Commission – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In view of existing vacancies in the membership of the Victims Advisory Group, the United States Sentencing Commission hereby invites any individual who has knowledge, expertise, and/or experience in the area of federal crime victimization to apply to be appointed to the membership of the advisory group. Applications should be received by the Commission not later than July 2, 2014. Applications may be sent to the Commission as indicated in the addresses section below.

Pursuant to section 994(a), (o), and (p) of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission is considering promulgating certain amendments to the sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary. This notice sets forth the proposed amendments and, for each proposed amendment, a synopsis of the issues addressed by that amendment. This notice also sets forth a number of issues for comment, some of which are set forth together with the proposed amendments; some of which are set forth independent of any proposed amendment; and one of which (regarding retroactive application of proposed amendments) is set forth in the Supplementary Information portion of this notice. The proposed amendments and issues for comment in this notice are as follows: (1) a proposed amendment to Sec. 1B1.10 (Reduction in Term of Imprisonment as a Result of Amended Guideline Range (Policy Statement)) to respond to two circuit conflicts involving the effect of a mandatory minimum sentence on the guideline range in resentencing proceedings under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 3582(c)(2); (2) a proposed amendment to respond to the new and expanded criminal offenses and increased statutory penalties provided by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, Public Law 113-B4 (March 7, 2013), including (A) options to amend Sec. Sec. 2A2.2 (Aggravated Assault), 2A2.3 (Minor Assault), and 2A6.2 (Stalking or Domestic Violence) to address statutory changes to 18 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 113, 2261, 2261A, and 2262, and (B) options to amend Appendix A (Statutory Index) to address certain offenses established or affected by that Act, including 18 U.S.C. Sec. 113, 1153, 1597, and 2423; 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1375a; and 47 U.S.C. Sec. 223, and related issues for comment; (3) a proposed amendment to the guidelines applicable to drug offenses, including (A) a detailed request for comment on whether any changes should be made to the Drug Quantity Table in Sec. 2D1.1 (Unlawful Manufacturing, Importing, Exporting, or Trafficking (Including Possession with Intent to Commit These Offenses); Attempt or Conspiracy) across drug types; (B) a proposed amendment that illustrates one possible set of changes to the Drug Quantity Table in Sec. 2D1.1, together with conforming changes to the chemical quantity tables in Sec. 2D1.11 (Unlawfully Distributing, Importing, Exporting or Possessing a Listed Chemical; Attempt or Conspiracy); and (C) an issue for comment on whether the guidelines adequately address the environmental and other harms of drug production operations (including, in particular, the cultivation of marihuana) on public lands or while trespassing on private property; (4) a proposed amendment to Sec. 2K2.1 (Unlawful Receipt, Possession, or Transportation of Firearms or Ammunition; Prohibited Transactions Involving Firearms or Ammunition) to clarify how principles of relevant conduct apply in cases in which the defendant is convicted of a firearms offense (e.g., being a felon in possession of a firearm) in two situations: first, when the defendant unlawfully possessed one firearm on one occasion and a different firearm on another occasion (but was not necessarily convicted of the second offense); and second, when the defendant unlawfully possessed a firearm and also used a firearm in connection with another offense, such as robbery or attempted murder (but was not necessarily convicted of the other offense), and related issues for comment; (5) a proposed amendment to Sec. 2L1.1 (Smuggling, Transporting, or Harboring an Unlawful Alien) to address cases in which aliens are transported through dangerous terrain, e.g., along the southern border of the United States, and related issues for comment; (6) a proposed amendment to address differences among the circuits in the calculation of the guideline range of supervised release under Sec. 5D1.2 (Term of Supervised Release) in two situations: first, when there is a statutory minimum term of supervised release; and second, when the instant offense of conviction is failure to register as a sex offender under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2250, and related issues for comment; and (7) a proposed amendment to Sec. 5G1.3 (Imposition of a Sentence on a Defendant Subject to an Undischarged Term of Imprisonment) to address certain types of cases in which the defendant is subject to an undischarged term of imprisonment, including (A) a proposed change requiring the court to account for an undischarged term of imprisonment that is relevant conduct to the instant federal offense of conviction but does not result in a Chapter Two or Chapter Three increase; (B) a proposed change allowing the court to account for an undischarged state term of imprisonment that is anticipated but not yet imposed; and (C) a proposed change allowing the court to adjust the sentence if the defendant is a deportable alien who is likely to be deported after imprisonment and is serving an undischarged term of imprisonment that resulted from an unrelated offense, and related issues for comment.

In May 2013, the Commission published a notice of possible policy priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2014. See 78 FR 32533 (May 30, 2013). After reviewing public comment received pursuant to the notice of proposed priorities, the Commission has identified its policy priorities for the upcoming amendment cycle and hereby gives notice of these policy priorities.

As part of its statutory authority and responsibility to analyze sentencing issues, including operation of the federal sentencing guidelines, and in accordance with Rule 5.2 of its Rules of Practice and Procedure, the United States Sentencing Commission is seeking comment on possible priority policy issues for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2014.

Pursuant to section 994(a), (o), and (p) of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission is considering promulgating certain amendments to the sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary. This notice sets forth the proposed amendments and, for each proposed amendment, a synopsis of the issues addressed by that amendment. This notice also sets forth a number of issues for comment, some of which are set forth together with the proposed amendments; some of which are set forth independent of any proposed amendment; and one of which (regarding retroactive application of proposed amendments) is set forth in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION portion of this notice. The proposed amendments and issues for comment in this notice are as follows: (1) A proposed amendment to Sec. 2B1.1 (Theft, Property Destruction, and Fraud) regarding offenses involving pre-retail medical products to implement the directive in the SAFE DOSES Act, Public Law 112-186 (October 5, 2012), and a related issue for comment; (2) an issue for comment on the directive in section 3 of the Foreign and Economic Espionage Penalty Enhancement Act of 2012, Public Law 112 , relating to offenses involving stolen trade secrets or economic espionage; (3) proposed changes to the guidelines applicable to offenses involving counterfeit or adulterated drugs or counterfeit military parts, including (A) a proposed amendment on offenses involving counterfeit military goods and services, including options to amend Sec. 2B5.3 (Criminal Infringement of Copyright or Trademark) or Appendix A (Statutory Index) with respect to such offenses to address the statutory changes to 18 U.S.C. 2320 made by section 818 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, Public Law 112-81 (December 31, 2011); (B) a proposed amendment on offenses involving counterfeit drugs, including options to amend Sec. 2B5.3 or Appendix A with respect to such offenses to address the statutory changes to 18 U.S.C. 2320, and to implement the directive to the Commission, in section 717 of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, Public Law 112-144 (July 9, 2012); and (C) a proposed amendment on offenses involving adulterated drugs, including options to amend Sec. 2N2.1 (Violations of Statutes and Regulations Dealing With Any Food, Drug, Biological Product, Device, Cosmetic, Agricultural Product, or Consumer Product) or Appendix A with respect to such offenses to address the statutory changes to 21 U.S.C. 333 in section 716 of such Act; and related issues for comment; (4) a proposed amendment to Sec. 2T1.1 (Tax Evasion; Willful Failure to File Return, Supply Information, or Pay Tax; Fraudulent or False Returns, Statements, or Other Documents) to respond to a circuit conflict over whether a sentencing court, in calculating the tax loss in a tax case, may subtract the unclaimed deductions that the defendant legitimately could have claimed if he or she had filed an accurate tax return, and related issues for comment; (5) a proposed amendment and issues for comment in response to two circuit conflicts relating to the circumstances under which the defendant is eligible for a third level of reduction under subsection (b) of Sec. 3E1.1 (Acceptance of Responsibility), including (A) a proposed amendment to Sec. 3E1.1 to respond to a circuit conflict over whether the court has discretion to deny the third level of reduction when the government has filed the motion described in subsection (b), which would recognize that the court does have such discretion; and (B) an issue for comment on a circuit conflict over whether the government has discretion to withhold making a motion under subsection (b) when there is no evidence that the government was required to prepare for trial; (6) a proposed amendment to Sec. 5G1.3 (Imposition of a Sentence on a Defendant Subject to an Undischarged Term of Imprisonment) to respond to Setser v. United States, U.S. (March 28, 2012), which held that a federal court in imposing sentence generally has discretion to order that the sentence run consecutive to (or concurrently with) an anticipated, but not yet imposed, term of imprisonment; and (7) a proposed amendment and related issue for comment in response to miscellaneous issues arising from legislation recently enacted and to address technical and stylistic issues in the guidelines, including (A) proposed changes to Appendix A (Statutory Index) to address certain criminal provisions in the Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, Public Law 112-95 (February 14, 2012); the Child Protection Act of 2012, Public Law 112-206 (December 7, 2012); the Federal Restricted Buildings and Grounds Improvement Act of 2011, Public Law 112-98 (March 8, 2012); and the Ultralight Aircraft Smuggling Prevention Act of 2012, Public Law 112-93 (February 10, 2012); (B) a proposed change to Appendix A (Statutory Index) to address offenses under 18 U.S.C. 554; (C) proposed changes to guidelines in Chapter Two, Part J (Offenses Involving the Administration of Justice) to address an application issue involving the interaction of those guidelines with adjustments in Chapter Three, Part C (Obstruction and Related Adjustments); and (D) technical and stylistic changes.

In May 2012, the Commission published a notice of possible policy priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2013. See 77 FR 31069 (May 24, 2012). After reviewing public comment received pursuant to the notice of proposed priorities, the Commission has identified its policy priorities for the upcoming amendment cycle and hereby gives notice of these policy priorities.

In view of existing vacancies in the membership of the Victims Advisory Group, as well as anticipated vacancies in the membership of the advisory group because the terms of certain members are expiring as of December 2012, the Commission hereby invites any individual who has knowledge, expertise, and/or experience in the area of federal crime victimization to apply to be appointed to the membership of the advisory group. Applications should be received by the Commission not later than July 23, 2012. Applications may be sent to the address listed below.

Pursuant to section 994(a), (o), and (p) of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission is considering promulgating certain amendments to the sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary. This notice sets forth the proposed amendments and, for each proposed amendment, a synopsis of the issues addressed by that amendment. This notice also sets forth a number of issues for comment, some of which are set forth together with the proposed amendments; some of which are set forth independent of any proposed amendment; and one of which (regarding retroactive application of proposed amendments) is set forth in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION portion of this notice. The proposed amendments and issues for comment in this notice are as follows: (1) A proposed amendment on fraud and related offenses, including (A) An issue for comment in response to the issue of harm to the public and financial markets, as raised by each of two directives to the Commission in section 1079A of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Public Law 111-203; (B) a proposed change to Sec. 2B1.4 (Insider Trading) to implement the directive in section 1079A(a)(1) of that Act, and related issues for comment on insider trading, securities fraud, and similar offenses; (C) proposed changes to Sec. 2B1.1 (Theft, Property Destruction, and Fraud) regarding mortgage fraud offenses to implement the directive in section 1079A(a)(2) of that Act, and a related issue for comment on mortgage fraud and financial institution fraud; and (D) issues for comment on the impact of the loss table in Sec. 2B1.1(b)(1) and the victims table in Sec. 2B1.1(b)(2) in cases involving relatively large loss amounts; (2) a proposed amendment on offenses involving controlled substances and chemical precursors, including (A) an issue for comment on offenses involving N-Benzylpiperazine (BZP); and (B) a proposed change to Sec. 2D1.11 (Unlawfully Distributing, Importing, Exporting or Possessing a Listed Chemical; Attempt or Conspiracy) that would create a guidelines ``safety valve'' provision for offenses involving chemical precursors that would be analogous to the provision in Sec. 2D1.1 (Unlawful Manufacturing, Importing, Exporting, or Trafficking (Including Possession with Intent to Commit These Offenses); Attempt or Conspiracy); (3) a proposed amendment on human rights offenses, including (A) a proposed guideline applicable to human rights offenses; (B) proposed changes to Sec. 2L2.1 (Trafficking in a Document Relating to Naturalization, Citizenship, or Legal Resident Status, or a United States Passport; False Statement in Respect to the Citizenship or Immigration Status of Another; Fraudulent Marriage to Assist Alien to Evade Immigration Law) and Sec. 2L2.2 (Fraudulently Acquiring Documents Relating to Naturalization, Citizenship, or Legal Resident Status for Own Use; False Personation or Fraudulent Marriage by Alien to Evade Immigration Law; Fraudulently Acquiring or Improperly Using a United States Passport) to address cases in which the offense of conviction is for immigration or naturalization fraud but the defendant had committed a serious human rights offense; and (C) related issues for comment on human rights offenses; (4) a proposed amendment to Sec. 2L1.2 (Unlawfully Entering or Remaining in the United States) to respond to a circuit conflict over application of the term ``sentence imposed'' in that guideline when the defendant's original ``sentence imposed'' was lengthened after the defendant was deported; (5) a proposed amendment presenting options for specifying the types of documents that may be considered in determining whether a particular prior conviction fits within a particular category of crimes for purposes of specific guideline provisions, and related issues for comment; (6) a proposed amendment to Sec. 4A1.2 (Definitions and Instructions for Computing Criminal History) to respond to an application issue regarding when a defendant's prior sentence for driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence (and similar offenses by whatever name they are known) is counted toward the defendant's criminal history score; (7) a proposed amendment to Sec. 4B1.2 (Definitions of Terms Used in Section 4B1.1) to respond to differences among the circuits on when, if at all, burglary of a non- dwelling qualifies as a crime of violence for purposes of the guidelines, and related issues for comment; (8) a proposed amendment to Sec. 5G1.2 (Sentencing on Multiple Counts of Conviction) to respond to an application issue regarding the applicable guideline range in a case in which the defendant is sentenced on multiple counts of conviction, at least one of which involves a mandatory minimum sentence that is greater than the minimum of the otherwise applicable guideline range; (9) a proposed amendment to Sec. 5K2.19 (Post-Sentencing Rehabilitative Efforts) to respond to Pepper v. United States, 131 S.Ct. 1229 (2011), which held, among other things, that a defendant's post-sentencing rehabilitative efforts may be considered when the defendant is resentenced after appeal; and (10) a proposed amendment in response to miscellaneous issues arising from legislation recently enacted, including (A) proposed changes to Sec. 2P1.2 (Providing or Possessing Contraband in Prison) to respond to the Cell Phone Contraband Act of 2010, Public Law 111-225, and (B) proposed changes to Appendix A (Statutory Index) to address certain criminal provisions in the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009, Public Law 111-154, the Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act of 2010, Public Law 111-211, the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act of 2010, Public Law 111-294, and certain other statutes, and a related issue for comment.

On April 28, 2011, the Commission submitted to the Congress amendments to the sentencing guidelines and official commentary, which become effective on November 1, 2011, unless Congress acts to the contrary. Such amendments and the reasons for amendment subsequently were published in the Federal Register. 76 FR 24960 (May 3, 2011). The Commission has made technical and conforming amendments, set forth in this notice, to commentary provisions related to those amendments.

The Sentencing Commission hereby gives notice of an amendment to a policy statement and commentary made pursuant to its authority under 28 U.S.C. 994(a) and (u). The Commission promulgated an amendment to Policy Statement 1B1.10 (Reduction in Term of Imprisonment as a Result of Amended Guideline Range) clarifying when, and to what extent, a sentencing reduction is considered consistent with the policy statement and therefore authorized under 18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(2). The amendment amends 1B1.10 (Reduction in Term of Imprisonment as a Result of Amended Guideline Range) (Policy Statement) in four ways. First, it expands the listing in 1B1.10(c) to include Amendment 750 (Parts A and C only) as an amendment that may be applied retroactively. Second, it amends 1B1.10 to change the limitations that apply in cases in which the term of imprisonment was less than the minimum of the applicable guideline range at the time of sentencing. Third, it amends the commentary to 1B1.10 to address an application issue about what constitutes the ``applicable guideline range'' for purposes of 1B1.10. Fourth, it adds an application note to 1B1.10 to specify that the court shall use the version of 1B1.10 that is in effect on the date on which the court reduces the defendant's term of imprisonment as provided by 18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(2).

The United States Sentencing Commission hereby gives notice of the following actions: (1) Pursuant to its authority under 28 U.S.C. 994(p), the Commission has promulgated amendments to the sentencing guidelines, policy statements, commentary, and statutory index. This notice sets forth the amendments and the reason for each amendment. (2) Amendment 2, pertaining to drug offenses, has the effect of lowering guideline ranges. The Commission requests comment regarding whether that amendment should be included in subsection (c) of Sec. 1B1.10 (Reduction in Term of Imprisonment as a Result of Amended Guideline Range (Policy Statement)) as an amendment that may be applied retroactively to previously sentenced defendants. This notice sets forth the request for comment.

Pursuant to section 8 of the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, Public Law 111-220, the Commission hereby gives notice of a temporary, emergency amendment to the sentencing guidelines and commentary. This notice sets forth the temporary, emergency amendment and the reason for amendment. The specific amendment in this notice is as follows: An amendment regarding offenses involving crack cocaine (particularly offenses covered by Sec. Sec. 2D1.1 (Unlawful Manufacturing, Importing, Exporting, or Trafficking (Including Possession with Intent to Commit These Offenses); Attempt or Conspiracy) and 2D2.1 (Unlawful Possession; Attempt or Conspiracy)) and to account for certain aggravating and mitigating circumstances in drug trafficking cases (particularly cases under Sec. 2D1.1) to implement section 8 of the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, Public Law 111-220.

Because the terms of certain voting members of the Practitioners Advisory Group are expiring as of October 2010, the United States Sentencing Commission hereby invites any individual who is eligible to be appointed to succeed such a voting member to apply. The voting memberships covered by this notice are two circuit memberships (for the Second Circuit and District of Columbia Circuit) and one at-large voting membership. Applications should be received by the Commission not later than November 8, 2010. Applications may be sent to Michael Courlander at the address listed below.

Pursuant to section 994(a), (o), and (p) of title 28, United States Code, and section 8 of the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, Public Law 111-220, the Commission is considering promulgating a temporary, emergency amendment to the sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary to decrease penalties for offenses involving cocaine base (``crack'' cocaine) and to account for certain aggravating and mitigating circumstances in drug trafficking cases. This notice sets forth the proposed amendment and, for each part of the proposed amendment, a synopsis of the issues addressed by that part. This notice also provides multiple issues for comment, some of which are contained within the proposed amendment. The specific proposed amendment (and issues for comment) in this notice is as follows: A proposed temporary, emergency amendment and issues for comment regarding offenses involving crack cocaine (particularly offenses covered by Sec. Sec. 2D1.1 (Unlawful Manufacturing, Importing, Exporting, or Trafficking (Including Possession with Intent to Commit These Offenses); (Attempt or Conspiracy) and 2D2.1 (Unlawful Possession; Attempt or Conspiracy)) and to account for certain aggravating and mitigating circumstances in drug trafficking cases (particularly cases under Sec. 2D1.1) to implement section 8 of the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, Public Law 111-220.

On April 29, 2010, the Commission submitted to the Congress amendments to the sentencing guidelines and official commentary, which become effective on November 1, 2010, unless Congress acts to the contrary. Such amendments and the reasons for amendment subsequently were published in the Federal Register. 75 FR 27388 (May 14, 2010). One of the amendments, specifically Amendment 5 pertaining to the use of recency as a factor in the calculation of the criminal history score, has the effect of lowering guideline ranges. The Commission requests comment regarding whether that amendment should be included in subsection (c) of Sec. 1B1.10 (Reduction in Term of Imprisonment as a Result of Amended Guideline Range (Policy Statement)) as an amendment that may be applied retroactively to previously sentenced defendants.

Pursuant to section 994(a), (o), and (p) of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission is considering promulgating certain amendments to the sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary. This notice sets forth the proposed amendments and, for each proposed amendment, a synopsis of the issues

On May 1, 2009, the Commission submitted to Congress amendments to the Federal sentencing guidelines and published these amendments in the Federal Register on May 8, 2009. See 74 FR 21750. The Commission has made technical and conforming amendments, set forth in this notice, to commentary provisions related to those amendments.

As part of its statutory authority and responsibility to analyze sentencing issues, including operation of the Federal sentencing guidelines, and in accordance with Rule 5.2 of its Rules of Practice and Procedure, the United States Sentencing Commission is seeking comment on possible priority policy issues for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2010.

The Victims Advisory Group of the United States Sentencing Commission is a standing advisory group of the United States Sentencing Commission pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 995 and Rule 5.4 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. Under the charter for the Victims Advisory Group, the purpose of the advisory group is (1) to assist the Commission in carrying out its statutory responsibilities under 28 U.S.C. 994(o); (2) to provide to the Commission its views on the Commission's activities and work, including proposed priorities and amendments, as they relate to victims of crime; (3) to disseminate information regarding sentencing issues to organizations represented by the Victims Advisory Group and to other victims of crime and victims advocacy groups, as appropriate; and (4) to perform any other functions related to victims of crime as the Commission requests. Under the charter, the advisory group consists of not more than nine members, each of whom may serve not more than two consecutive three-year terms. Each member is appointed by the Commission. In view of vacancies in the membership of the advisory group, the Commission hereby invites any individual who has knowledge, expertise, and/or experience in the area of federal crime victimization to apply to be appointed to the membership of the Victims Advisory Group. Applications should be received by the Commission not later than August 10, 2009. Applications

Pursuant to section 994(a), (o), and (p) of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission is considering promulgating certain amendments to the sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary. This notice sets forth the proposed amendments and, for each proposed amendment, a synopsis of the issues addressed by that amendment. This notice also sets forth a number of issues for comment, some of which are set forth together with the proposed amendments; some of which are set forth independent of any proposed amendment; and one of which (regarding retroactive application of proposed amendments) is set forth in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION portion of this notice. The proposed amendments and issues for comment in this notice are as follows: (1) A proposed amendment in response to the Identity Theft Restitution and Enforcement Act of 2008, title II of Public Law 110- 326, including proposed changes to Sec. 2B1.1 (Larceny, Embezzlement, and Other Forms of Theft; Offenses Involving Stolen Property; Property Damage or Destruction; Fraud and Deceit; Forgery; Offenses Involving Altered or Counterfeit Instruments Other than Counterfeit Bearer Obligations of the United States), Sec. 2H3.1 (Interception of Communications; Eavesdropping; Disclosure of Certain Private or Protected Information), and Sec. 3B1.3 (Abuse of Position of Trust or Use of Special Skill), and issues for comment regarding the guidelines' treatment of offenses involving fraud, identity theft, computers, and communications; (2) a proposed amendment in response to the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008, Public Law 110-465, including proposed changes to Sec. 2D1.1 (Unlawful Manufacturing, Importing, Exporting, or Trafficking (Including Possession with Intent to Commit These Offenses); Attempt or Conspiracy) and Sec. 2D3.1 (Regulatory Offenses Involving Registration Numbers; Unlawful Advertising Relating to Schedule I Substances; Attempt or Conspiracy), and issues for comment regarding the guidelines' treatment of Schedule III, IV, and V controlled substance offenses; (3) a proposed amendment in response to the Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act of 2008, Public Law 110-407, including a proposed change to Sec. 2D1.1 (Unlawful Manufacturing, Importing, Exporting, or Trafficking (Including Possession with Intent to Commit These Offenses); Attempt or Conspiracy) and a proposed new guideline for offenses involving operating a submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel without nationality, and issues for comment regarding the guidelines' treatment of such offenses; (4) an issue for comment in response to the Court Security Improvement Act of 2007, Public Law 110-177, regarding the guidelines' treatment of homicide, assault, and threat offenses; (5) an issue for comment in response to the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, Public Law 110-457, regarding the guidelines' treatment of alien harboring and human trafficking offenses; (6) a proposed amendment in response to miscellaneous issues arising from legislation recently enacted and other miscellaneous guideline application issues, including proposed changes to the guidelines' treatment of offenses involving contempt, consumer product safety, interest rate limitations, domestic violence, child soldiers, veterans' grave markers, child pornography, firearms, threats, and copyright infringement and the guidelines' treatment of probation and supervised release, and related issues for comment; (7) a proposed amendment to Sec. 2A3.2 (Criminal Sexual Abuse of a Minor Under the Age of Sixteen Years (Statutory Rape) or Attempt to Commit Such Acts) and Sec. 2G1.3 (Promoting a Commercial Sex Act or Prohibited Sexual Conduct with a Minor; Transportation of Minors to Engage in a Commercial Sex Act or Prohibited Sexual Conduct; Travel to Engage in Commercial Sex Act or Prohibited Sexual Conduct with a Minor; Sex Trafficking of Children; Use of Interstate Facilities to Transport Information about a Minor) in response to a circuit conflict regarding application of the undue influence enhancement in those guidelines, and a related issue for comment; (8) a proposed amendment to Sec. 3C1.3 (Commission of Offense While on Release) in response to an application issue regarding that guideline; (9) a proposed amendment in response to a circuit conflict regarding the guidelines' treatment of counterfeiting offenses involving ``bleached notes'', including a proposed change to Sec. 2B5.1 (Offenses Involving Counterfeit Bearer Obligations of the United States); and (10) a proposed amendment in response to certain technical issues that have arisen in the guidelines.

In August 2008, the Commission published a notice of possible policy priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2009. See 72 FR 46341 (August 8, 2008). After reviewing public comment received pursuant to the notice of proposed priorities, the Commission has identified its policy priorities for the upcoming amendment cycle and hereby gives notice of these policy priorities.

As part of its statutory authority and responsibility to analyze sentencing issues, including operation of the federal sentencing guidelines, and in accordance with Rule 5.2 of its Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Commission is seeking comment on possible priority policy issues for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2009.

The Sentencing Commission hereby gives notice of amendments to the commentary to Sec. 2D1.1 (Unlawful Manufacturing, Importing, Exporting, or Trafficking (Including Possession with Intent to Commit These Offenses); Attempt or Conspiracy) and to policy statement Sec. 1B1.10 (Reduction in Term of Imprisonment as a Result of Amended Guideline Range (Policy Statement)) made pursuant to its authority under 28 U.S.C. 994(a), (o), and (u).

Pursuant to section 994(a), (o), and (p) of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission is considering promulgating certain amendments to the sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary. This notice sets forth the proposed amendments and, for each proposed amendment, a synopsis of the issues addressed by that amendment. This notice also provides multiple issues for comment, some of which are contained within proposed amendments. The specific proposed amendments and issues for comment in this notice are as follows: (1) Proposed amendment to Sec. 2B1.1 (Larceny, Embezzlement, and Other Forms of Theft; Offenses Involving Stolen Property; Property Damage or Destruction; Fraud and Deceit; Forgery; Offenses Involving Altered or Counterfeit Instruments Other than Counterfeit Bearer Obligations of the United States) and Appendix A repromulgating a temporary, emergency amendment implementing section 5 of the Emergency and Disaster Assistance Fraud Penalty Enhancement Act of 2007, Public Law 110-179, and related issues for comment; (2) a proposed amendment to Sec. 2C1.1 (Offering, Giving, Soliciting, or Receiving a Bribe; Extortion Under Color of Official Right; Fraud Involving the Deprivation of the Intangible Right to Honest Services of Public Officials; Conspiracy to Defraud by Interference with Governmental Functions) and Appendix A implementing the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007, Public Law 110-81; (3) a proposed amendment to Sec. Sec. 2D1.1 (Unlawful Manufacturing, Importing, Exporting, or Trafficking (Including Possession with Intent to Commit These Offenses); Attempt or Conspiracy), 2D1.2 (Drug Offenses Occurring Near Protected Locations or Involving Underage or Pregnant Individuals; Attempt or Conspiracy), 2N2.1 (Violations of Statutes and Regulations Dealing With Any Food, Drug, Biological Product, Device, Cosmetic, or Agricultural Product), and Appendix A regarding offenses involving human growth hormone (hGH) and offenses involving violations of certain food and drug safety laws, and related issues for comment; (4) a proposed amendment to Sec. 2E3.1 (Gambling Offenses) and Appendix A implementing the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007, Public Law 110-22; (5) a proposed amendment making various technical amendments to the guidelines; (6) a proposed amendment to Sec. 4A1.2 (Definitions and Instructions for Computing Criminal History); (7) a proposed amendment to Sec. 2L1.2 (Unlawfully Entering or Remaining in the United States) and a related issue for comment; and (8) issues for comment regarding a directive and two new offenses created by the Court Security Improvement Act of 2007, Public Law 110- 177.

The Sentencing Commission hereby gives notice of amendments to a policy statement and commentary made pursuant to its authority under 28 U.S.C. 994(a) and (u). The Commission promulgated an amendment to Policy Statement Sec. 1B1.10 (Reduction in Term of Imprisonment as a Result of Amended Guideline Range) clarifying when, and to what extent, a sentencing reduction is considered consistent with the policy statement and therefore authorized under 18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(2). The Commission also has reviewed amendments submitted to Congress on May 1, 2007, that may result in a lower guideline range and has designated Amendment 706, as amended by Amendment 711, for inclusion in Policy Statement Sec. 1B1.10 as an amendment that may be applied retroactively.