Rule2023-22193
Official Seal Description
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
October 5, 2023
Effective
November 6, 2023
Issuing agencies
National Transportation Safety Board
Abstract
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is amending its regulatory description of the agency's seal. Since the seal's inception, the agency has utilized various versions of the seal. For consistency, the agency is updating the regulation and codifying current agency practice. These updates will provide a revised graphical representation of the seal. Additionally, the NTSB is including non- substantive technical amendments throughout part 803 due to recent internal organizational changes and a typographical error reflected in the agency's mailing address. Since publishing the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), no comments have been received.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 192 (Thursday, October 5, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 192 (Thursday, October 5, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69043-69045]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22193]
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NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD
49 CFR Part 803
[Docket No.: NTSB-2023-0006]
RIN 3147-AA27
Official Seal Description
AGENCY: National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is amending
its regulatory description of the agency's seal. Since the seal's
inception, the agency has utilized various versions of the seal. For
consistency, the agency is updating the regulation and codifying
current agency practice. These updates will provide a revised graphical
representation of the seal. Additionally, the NTSB is including non-
substantive technical amendments throughout part 803 due to recent
internal organizational changes and a typographical error reflected in
the agency's mailing address. Since publishing the notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM), no comments have been received.
DATES: The rule is effective November 6, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William T. (Tom) McMurry, Jr., General
Counsel, (202) 314-6080, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#047671686169656f6d6a63446a7077662a636b72"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9defe8f1f8f0fcf6f4f3faddf3e9eeffb3faf2eb">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
In 1975, the NTSB adopted an official seal as authorized by the
Independent Safety Board Act of 1974 (Act), and codified the seal in
part 803 of its regulations titled ``Official Seal.'' 40 FR 30232 (July
17, 1975). The adoption at that time marked the NTSB's status as an
independent Federal agency. 43 FR 36454 (Aug. 17, 1978). The original
seal design was that of a triskelion, which was later replaced by the
American bald eagle as set forth in the NTSB's final rule. 43 FR 36454.
The NTSB explained that the eagle was ``adopted in the interest of
ready recognition of the Board's status as an independent agency of the
Federal Government charged with the investigation of transportation
accidents.'' Id. The agency continued, ``it is imperative that Board
officials be readily recognized as agents of the U.S. Government . . .
.'' Id.
Over thirty years later, the NTSB published its Plan for
Retrospective Analysis of Existing Rules per two Executive orders that
altogether advised agencies to conduct such an analysis. 77 FR 37865,
37866 (June 25, 2012). After reviewing public comments, the NTSB
subsequently announced its plan to update the agency's regulations,
which included part 803. 78 FR 1193 (Jan. 8, 2013). However, in the
final rule, the NTSB ultimately amended certain sections of part 803,
but did not revise the description of the seal found in Sec. 803.1.
See 81 FR 75729 (Nov. 1, 2016). Thus, the NTSB's current seal has been
in effect for more than 40 years.
On July 6, 2023, the agency issued an NPRM announcing its intent to
amend its regulatory description of the NTSB's seal by updating the
regulation and codifying current agency practice. 88 FR 43070 (July 6,
2023). The NTSB received no comments to date and is issuing this final
rule as a result.
II. Changes to Sec. 803.1
Since the last revision of Sec. 803.1 in August 1978, the NTSB has
utilized various versions of the seal within the agency. For
consistency, the NTSB is codifying what has evolved as standard agency
practice. This change to update Sec. 803.1 focuses on additional
options for background colors and will provide a revised graphical
representation of the seal.
While respecting the current NTSB seal, the agency is slightly
modifying the design to make the seal digitally applicable. For
example, the digital version of the current seal alters in appearance
when applied to the NTSB uniform; specifically, the current font
changes when the seal is affixed to clothing. Thus, the update to the
design optimizes the seal, making it compatible with digital platforms.
Over the years, various versions of the seal have been recognized
within the agency, but have never been codified; that recognition is
now reflected in this final rule. The agency clarifies that when the
full color seal is used in print or digital media, the seal must be in
a white circle. When the full color seal is embroidered on the official
NTSB uniform, the seal's background color must be that of the material
of the uniform.
Also, this final rule updates the regulatory description to reflect
modern times. The NTSB will now use gender-neutral language to refer to
the eagle. Further, the agency will replace the Latin terms ``dexter''
and ``sinister'' with ``right'' and ``left'', respectively.
Additionally, the minor alteration of the NTSB's eagle will be more
[[Page 69044]]
consistent with the Federal Government's official American eagle. The
inscriptions encircling the NTSB's eagle--``E Pluribus Unum'' and
``National Transportation Safety Board''--will be updated from Serif
font to Sans Serif font.
A side-by-side comparison of the NTSB's current and updated
versions of the seals appears below, respectively:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR05OC23.063
III. Technical Amendments
In 2022, the NTSB made organizational changes to its Office of the
Administration, which the agency renamed as the Office of Human Capital
Management and Training (HCT). The head of HCT is the Chief Human
Capital Officer, who now has custody and control of the seal.
Accordingly, due to this reorganization, the NTSB is including non-
substantive technical amendments throughout part 803 to reflect the
change in the agency's office designation. Thus, the agency is revising
all references to the ``Director, Office of Administration'' with
``Chief Human Capital Officer'' in Sec. Sec. 803.3 and 803.5.
Additionally, the agency is correcting a typographical error
reflected in the zip code of the NTSB's mailing address.
IV. Regulatory Analysis
Because the NTSB is an independent agency, this final rule does not
require an assessment of its potential costs and benefits under section
6(a)(3) of Executive Order (E.O.) 12866, Regulatory Planning and
Review, 58 FR 51735 (Sept. 30, 1993). In addition, the NTSB has
considered whether this final rule would have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities, under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612). The NTSB certifies under 5 U.S.C.
605(b) that this final rule would not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities.
The NTSB does not anticipate this final rule will have a
substantial, direct effect on state or local governments or will
preempt state law; as such, this final rule does not have implications
for federalism under E.O. 13132, Federalism, 64 FR 43255 (Aug. 4,
1999).
This final rule complies with all applicable standards in sections
3(a) and 3(b)(2) of E.O. 12988, Civil Justice Reform, 61 FR 4729 (Feb.
5, 1996), to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce
burden. The NTSB has evaluated this final rule under: E.O. 12630,
Government Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected
Property Rights; E.O. 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, 59 FR 7629
(Feb. 16, 1994); E.O. 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks, 62 FR 19885 (Apr. 21, 1997); E.O. 13175,
Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, 65 FR
67249 (Nov. 6, 2000); E.O. 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use, 66 FR 28355
(May 18, 2001); and the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C.
4321-47. Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act, the NTSB has
determined that there is no new requirement for information collection
associated with this final rule. The NTSB has concluded that this final
rule neither violates nor requires further consideration under those
orders, statutes, E.O.s, and acts.
List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 803
Seals and insignia.
Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the preamble, the NTSB
amends 49 CFR part 803 as follows:
PART 803--OFFICIAL SEAL
0
1. The authority citation for part 803 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 1111(j), 1113(f).
0
2. Revise Sec. 803.1 to read as follows:
Sec. 803.1 Description.
The official seal of the National Transportation Safety Board
(NTSB) is described as follows: An American bald eagle with wings
displayed, holding an olive branch in its right talon and a bundle of
13 arrows in its left talon. Above the eagle's head is a white scroll
inscribed ``E Pluribus Unum'' in black. The eagle bears a shield that
resembles the United States flag with vertical stripes of alternating
white and red and a blue top; all are within an encircling inscription,
``National Transportation Safety Board''. The eagle's wings, body, and
upper portion of the legs are shades of brown. The head, neck, and tail
are white. The beak, lower portion of the legs, feet, arrows, olive
branch, and encircling inscription are gold. When the full color seal
is illustrated on print or digital media, the background of the seal
must be white. When the full color seal is embroidered on official NTSB
uniform items, the seal's background must be the color of the material.
When the monochrome seal is used on print or digital media, the seal
can be displayed in black, blue, or in white on contrasting background.
When used on official NTSB uniform items, the monochrome seal can be
illustrated in yellow-gold on navy blue material. The monochrome
version of the NTSB's official seal appears in Figure 1.
[[Page 69045]]
Figure 1 to Sec. 803.1
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR05OC23.064
Sec. 803.3 [Amended]
0
3. Amend Sec. 803.3 by:
0
a. In paragraph (a), removing ``Director, Office of Administration''
and adding in its place ``Chief Human Capital Officer''; and
0
b. In paragraph (b), removing ``Director, Office of Administration''
and adding in its place ``Chief Human Capital Officer''.
Sec. 803.5 [Amended]
0
4. Amend Sec. 803.5, in paragraph (c), by removing ``Director, Office
of Administration'' and ``20594-003'' and adding in their place ``Chief
Human Capital Officer'' and ``20594'', respectively.
William T. McMurry, Jr.,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2023-22193 Filed 10-4-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7533-01-P
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