Action
Final rule.
Summary
The Department is finalizing, with certain exceptions, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) (62 FR 5094, Feb. 3, 1997) to revise 14 CFR part 302 in order to eliminate unnecessary verbiage and obsolete provisions and to make technical changes to make the rules current. The final rule also includes certain changes implementing the electronic filing component of the Department's Docket Management System (DMS). All reserved subparts are being removed, and the remaining subparts are being reorganized and renumbered to make their arrangement more logical and to emphasize procedures applicable to the much more commonly used written (as opposed to oral) proceedings. The rulemaking also adds procedures for slot exemptions at high-density airports. The NPRM proposed a number of changes in the time periods for filing responsive documents in licensing cases, which we are adopting. A number of commenters proposed further changes to the filing periods. Based on these comments, we have decided to re-evaluate all of the prescribed time periods in part 302 and will issue a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking on this matter. In addition, as noted in the preamble to the NPRM, we are also amending those rules in 14 CFR Chapter II containing now incorrect references to specific sections in part 302. Finally, one provision in part 302 is being relocated to part 300, Rules of Conduct in DOT Proceedings Under This Chapter.