27 May 1998
Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aaces002.html

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[Federal Register: May 27, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 101)]
[Notices]
[Page 29051]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27my98-89]

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UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION


Sentencing Guidelines for the United States Courts

AGENCY: United States Sentencing Commission.

ACTION: Notice of preliminary priority areas for Commission study.
Request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: As part of its statutory authority and responsibility to
analyze sentencing issues, including operation of the federal
sentencing guidelines, and in accordance with Rules 3.5 and 5.2 of its
Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Commission has preliminarily
identified certain priorities as the principal focus of its policy
development work in the coming year. The Commission invites comment on
these tentatively identified priority areas and on any other sentencing
issues that it should address during the coming year. The Commission
has tentatively scheduled a hearing to receive public comment on these
matters.

DATES: A hearing to receive public comment on future policy development
priorities has been set for June 17, 1998, in the Commission's offices.
Public comment and written testimony for the public hearing should be
received on or before June 11, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: United States Sentencing Commission, One
Columbus Circle, NE, Suite 2-500 South, Washington, DC 20002-8002,
Attention: Public Information-Priorities Comment. For Further
Information Contact: Michael Courlander, Public Affairs Officer, at
(202) 273-7731.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Policy development priorities preliminarily
identified by the Commission for continuing work during the 1998-1999
amendment cycle are:
    1. Revisions of the fraud, theft, and tax guidelines (including the
monetary tables used in these guidelines and other guidelines that
reference those tables, consolidation of the theft, fraud, and property
destruction guidelines, and the definition of ``loss'' in the theft and
fraud guidelines).
    2. Review and assessment of the criminal history guidelines.
    3. Review and assessment of the guidelines and sentences imposed
for homicide offenses.
    In addition, the Commission expects to address recent legislative
enactments, such as: (1) the Wireless Telephone Protection Act,
relating to cloning cellular telephones; (2) the No Electronic Theft
Act; (3) and any other legislation affecting sentencing policy that may
be enacted in the remainder of this congressional session.
    Obviously, the subject matter, scope, and duration of the
Commission's policy development work during the coming year will be
influenced considerably by the appointment of new commissioners and the
timing of those appointments. Thus, at this time, the Commission has
tentatively identified only a few areas in which its work is ongoing.
    The Commission invites comment on whether and how it should further
investigate these tentative priorities. Additionally, the Commission
invites comment on any other sentencing issues that persons believe
should be addressed in the coming year, including research issues that
the Commission should address. To the extent practicable, comments
submitted on additional issues should include the following: (1) a
statement of the issue, including the scope and manner of study,
particular problem areas and possible solutions, and any other matters
relevant to an identified or proposed priority; (2) citations to
applicable sentencing guidelines, statutes, case law, and
constitutional provisions; and (3) a direct and concise statement of
why the Commission should make the issue a priority.

    Authority: 28 U.S.C. 994(a), (o).
Richard P. Conaboy,
Chairman.
[FR Doc. 98-13947 Filed 5-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 2211-01-P
