§40304 Commission action

Summary

Within 7 days after someone files an agreement, the Federal Maritime Commission must send a notice to the Federal Register and ask the public and other interested people to send in related information and documents. After a quick review, the Commission must reject any agreement that does not meet the rules in sections 40302 and 40303 and must tell the filer in writing why. If not rejected (and if it is not an assessment agreement), the agreement becomes effective on the later of the 45th day after filing or the 30th day after the Federal Register notice. If the Commission asks for more information, it becomes effective on the 45th day after the Commission receives everything requested, or if the filer does not fully comply, on the 45th day after the Commission gets what was submitted plus a written explanation of why the filer did not comply. Before that waiting time ends, the Commission may ask for extra documents or facts. The filer can ask the Commission to shorten the waiting time, but it cannot be cut to fewer than 14 days after the Federal Register notice. Only the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia can extend the timing tied to additional information, and then only in a civil case the Commission brings under section 41307(c). The Commission may not make an agreement effective only for a fixed term.