[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 203 (Thursday, October 21, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56717-56718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27441]
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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
16 CFR Part 453
Funeral Rule Public Workshop Conference
AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.
ACTION: Announcement of date of Public Workshop Conference.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'' or ``Commission'') will
hold a Public Workshop Conference in connection with the periodic
regulatory review of the Commission's Trade Regulation Rule on Funeral
Industry Practices, 16 CFR Part 453 (the ``Funeral Rule'' or the
``Rule''), and the comments received in response to the Commission's
call for comments on that review.
DATES: The Public Workshop Conference will be held on November 18, 1999
at the FTC's Washington, DC headquarters. The Conference will run from
9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Myra Howard, (202) 326-2047, Division
of Marketing Practices, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal
Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580, or e-mail funeralrule@ftc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission adopted the Funeral Rule on
September 24, 1982, and it became fully effective on April 30, 1984.\1\
Subsequently, the Funeral Rule was amended as a result of a regulatory
review and amendment proceeding begun in 1987; the amended Funeral Rule
was published on January 11, 1994, and took effect July 19, 1994.\2\ On
May 5, 1999, the Commission again published a request for comment on
the Rule, 64 FR 24250 (``FR Notice''), as part of its continuing
program of periodic review of all of its trade regulation rules (``Rule
Review'') to determine their current effectiveness and impact. The FR
Notice sought comment on the standard regulatory review questions, such
as what are the costs and benefits of the Rule, whether there is a
continuing need for the Rule, what changes in the Rule would increase
the Rule's benefits to consumers and how these changes would affect
compliance costs, and what changes in the marketplace and new
technologies may affect the Rule.
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\1\ 48 FR 45537.
\2\ 59 FR 1592.
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The FR Notice also sought comment on several distinct issues: (1)
Whether the Commission should amend the Rule by revising its definition
of ``funeral provider;'' (2) Whether the Commission's casket handling
fee prohibition has been effective and how it had affected consumers
and funeral providers; (3) Whether the Commission should retain the
provision that allows one, and only one, non-declinable fee to cover
the basic services of the funeral director and staff; and (4) Whether
the Commission should add, delete, or revise any of the required
disclosures on the General Price List.
The initial deadline for written comments was July 12, 1999, but
based on a number of requests from commenters, the deadline was
extended until August 11, 1999. 64 FR 35965 (July 2, 1999). In its May
5, 1999 FR Notice regarding the regulatory review of the Funeral Rule,
the Commission also stated that FTC staff would conduct a Public
Workshop Conference to discuss the written comments received in
response to the solicitation of comments pursuant to the Rule Review.
The initial deadline to submit a request to participate in the public
workshop was July 12, 1999, but was also extended until August 11,
1999.
The Public Workshop Conference, which will be held on November 18,
1999, will afford Commission staff and interested parties an
opportunity to discuss openly issues raised during the Rule Review,
and, in particular, to examine publicly any areas of significant
controversy or divergent opinions that are raised in the written
comments. Commission staff will consider the views and suggestions made
during the Conference, in conjunction with the written comments, in
formulating its final recommendation to the Commission concerning the
Funeral Rule.
The Commission staff will select a limited number of parties to
represent the significant interests affected by the Funeral Rule. These
parties will participate in an open discussion of the issues. It is
contemplated that the selected parties might ask and answer questions
based on their respective comments.
In addition, the Conference will be open to the general public.
Members of the general public who attend the Conference may have an
opportunity to make a brief oral statement presenting their views on
issues raised in the rule review process. Oral statements of views by
members of the general public will be limited to a few minutes. The
time allotted for these statements will be determined on the basis of
the time available and the number of persons who wish to make
statements. The discussion will be transcribed and placed on the public
record. Written submissions of views, or any other written or visual
materials, will not be accepted during the Conference.
To the extent possible, Commission staff will select parties to
represent the following affected interests: Funeral homes; cemeteries;
monument builders; third party sellers of funeral goods; trade
organizations; consumer organizations; consumers economists and
academicians; Federal, State and local law enforcement and regulatory
authorities; and any other interests that Commission staff may identify
and deem appropriate for representation.
Parties representing the above-referenced interests will be
selected on the basis of the following criteria:
1. The party submitted a comment during the comment period ending
on August 11, 1999.
2. The party notified Commission staff in writing or by E-mail of
its interest and, if required, authorization to represent an affected
interest, on or before August 11, 1999.
3. The party's participation would promote a balance of interests
being represented at the Conference.
4. The party's participation would promote the consideration and
discussion of a variety of issues raised during the Rule Review
process.
5. The party has experience or expertise in activities affected by
the Funeral Rule.
6. The party adequately reflects the views of the affected
interest(s).
7. The number of parties selected will not be so large as to
inhibit effective discussion among them.
The Conference will be facilitated by a Commission staff member. It
will be held on November 18, 1999, at the Federal Trade Commission's
headquarters, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20580. Prior to
the
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Conference, parties selected to represent an affected interest will be
provided with copies of the comments submitted by all Conference
participants. The Commission strongly encourages all interested
individuals to participate in the Public Workshop Conference, as the
transcripts from the Conferences will be an important part of the
public record in this proceeding. Individuals wishing to make oral
statements at the end of the day need not submit a request to
participate, and the Commission will make every effort to provide time
for all members of the general public to make statements regarding any
of the rulemaking issues.
By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-27441 Filed 10-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M
