97-31716. Rules of NCUA Board Procedure; Promulgation of NCUA Rules and Regulations; Public Observation of NCUA Board Meetings  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 234 (Friday, December 5, 1997)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 64266-64267]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-31716]
    
    
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    NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION
    
    12 CFR Part 791
    
    
    Rules of NCUA Board Procedure; Promulgation of NCUA Rules and 
    Regulations; Public Observation of NCUA Board Meetings
    
    AGENCY: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: The NCUA Board amends its rules to revise and clarify Board 
    procedures relating to procedural rulings, notation voting, Board 
    meetings, and the agenda. This amendment more clearly defines the 
    procedures that are to be followed when a Board member appeals a 
    procedural
    
    [[Page 64267]]
    
    ruling and when matters are submitted to the Board for notation vote. 
    Further, this amendment sets forth the authority of Board members to 
    call a special meeting and place items on a regular meeting agenda.
    
    DATES: Effective on December 5, 1997.
    
    ADDRESSES: National Credit Union Administration, 1775 Duke Street, 
    Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3428.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert M. Fenner, General Counsel, 
    Office of the General Counsel, at the above address or telephone (703) 
    518-6540. E-mail questions may be sent to ogcmail@ncua.gov.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Part 791 of NCUA Rules and Regulations (12 
    CFR part 791) governs the manner in which the Board conducts NCUA 
    business; appeal of a procedural ruling, the use of notation votes, the 
    recording of Board actions, and the scheduling and subject matter of 
    Board meetings. At this time, Sec. 791.4 is amended to provide that any 
    Board member may appeal a procedural ruling, and that the Board 
    member's appeal must be considered immediately by the Board.
        In addition, Sec. 791.4 is amended to provide that, for every 
    matter submitted for a notation vote, a written memorandum and voting 
    sheet is to be circulated to the office of each Board member 
    simultaneously. Thus, the office of each Board member receives notice 
    of matters for notation voting at the same time. Further, the rule is 
    amended to specify that, if a Board member vetoes the use of notation 
    voting for a particular matter, the matter must be placed on the agenda 
    of the next regularly scheduled Board meeting that is to be held at 
    least 10 days after the date of the veto.
        Section 791.5 is amended to specify that a special meeting shall be 
    called by the Chairman on the Chairman's own initiative or within 
    fourteen days of a request from two Board members. The request must be 
    made by submitting an NCUA B-1 form and Board Action Memorandum stating 
    the specific action being recommended to the Board.
        Section 791.6 is amended to establish that, although the Chairman 
    determines the order of and the items to be placed on the agenda, any 
    Board member may have an item placed on the agenda of the next 
    regularly scheduled Board meeting. The request must be submitted at 
    least ten days in advance of the next regularly scheduled meeting and 
    accompanied by an NCUA B-1 form and a Board Action Memorandum that 
    states the specific action being recommended to the Board.
    
    Immediate Effective Date
    
        Because these amendments concern the rules of NCUA Board procedure, 
    prior notice and comment are not required by 5 U.S.C. 553. These 
    amendments are effective upon publication in the Federal Register.
    
    Regulatory Procedures
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        NCUA certifies that part 791 will not have a significant impact on 
    a substantial number of small credit unions. Accordingly, a regulatory 
    flexibility analysis is not required. The rule affects internal NCUA 
    Board operations only. Thus, it will not result in any additional 
    burden for regulated institutions. The purpose of the rule is to 
    enhance the operations of the NCUA Board.
    
    Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        The amendments to the rule do not contain any collection of 
    information requirements pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
    1995 and regulations of the Office of Management and Budget.
    
    Executive Order 12612
    
        Part 791 only applies to NCUA and the NCUA Board. Accordingly, NCUA 
    has determined that the rule will not have a substantial impact on the 
    states or state interests. Further, the rule will not preempt 
    provisions of state law or regulations.
    
    List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 791
    
        Administrative practice and procedure, Sunshine Act.
    
        By the National Credit Union Administration Board on November 
    24, 1997.
    Becky Baker,
    Secretary to the Board.
    
        Accordingly, NCUA amends 12 CFR part 791 as follows:
    
    PART 791--RULES OF NCUA BOARD PROCEDURE; PROMULGATION OF NCUA RULES 
    AND REGULATIONS; PUBLIC OBSERVATION OF NCUA BOARD MEETINGS
    
        1. The authority citation for part 791 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1766, 1789 and 5 U.S.C. 552b.
    
        2. Section 791.4 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(2), (b) 
    introductory text and (b)(3) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 791.4  Methods of acting.
    
        (a) * * *
        (2) Presiding officer. The Chairman is the presiding officer, and 
    in the Chairman's absence, the designated Vice Chairman shall preside. 
    The presiding officer shall make procedural rulings. Any Board member 
    may appeal a ruling made by the presiding officer. The appeal of a 
    procedural ruling by the presiding officer shall be immediately 
    considered by the Board, and a majority decision by the Board shall 
    decide the procedural ruling.
        (b) Notation voting. Notation voting is the circulation of written 
    memoranda and voting sheets to the office of each Board member 
    simultaneously and the tabulation of responses.
    * * * * *
        (3) Veto of notation voting. In view of public policy for openness 
    reflected in the Sunshine Act, each Board member is authorized to veto 
    the use of notation voting for the consideration of any particular 
    matter, and thus require that the matter be placed on the agenda of the 
    next regularly scheduled Board meeting that is held at least ten days 
    after the date of the veto.
    * * * * *
        3. Section 791.5 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(2) to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 791.5  Scheduling of board meetings.
    
        (a) * * *
        (2) Special meetings. The Chairman shall call special meetings 
    either on the Chairman's own initiative or within fourteen days of a 
    request from two Board members that is accompanied by an NCUA B-1 form 
    and a Board Action Memorandum that states the specific action being 
    recommended to the Board.
    * * * * *
        4. Section 791.6 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 791.6  Subject matter of a meeting.
    
        (a) Agenda. The Chairman is responsible for the final order of each 
    meeting agenda. Items shall be placed on the agenda by determination of 
    the Chairman or, at the request of any Board Member, an item will be 
    placed on the agenda of the next regularly scheduled meeting provided 
    that the request is submitted at least ten days in advance of the next 
    regularly scheduled meeting and is accompanied by an NCUA B-1 form and 
    a Board Action Memorandum that states the specific action being 
    recommended to the Board.
    * * * * *
    [FR Doc. 97-31716 Filed 12-4-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 7535-01-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
12/5/1997
Published:
12/05/1997
Department:
National Credit Union Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
97-31716
Dates:
Effective on December 5, 1997.
Pages:
64266-64267 (2 pages)
PDF File:
97-31716.pdf
CFR: (3)
12 CFR 791.4
12 CFR 791.5
12 CFR 791.6