---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 503.84"
title: "46"
number: "503.84"
heading: "Nonpublic Collaborative Discussions."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/503.84"
---

# §503.84. Nonpublic Collaborative Discussions.

- (a) **General.** Notwithstanding [§ 503.72](/cfr/46/503.72.md), a majority of the Commissioners may hold a meeting that is not open to public observation to discuss official agency business if:
  - (1) No formal or informal vote or other official agency action is taken at the meeting;
  - (2) Each individual present at the meeting is a Commissioner or an employee of the Commission;
  - (3) At least one (1) Commissioner from each political party is present at the meeting, if there are sitting Commissioners from more than one party; and
  - (4) **The General Counsel of the Commission is present at the meeting.**
- (b) **Disclosure of nonpublic collaborative discussions.** Except as provided under [paragraph (c)](#c) of this section, not later than two (2) business days after the conclusion of a meeting under [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section, the Commission shall make available to the public, in a place easily accessible to the public:
  - (1) A list of the individuals present at the meeting; and
  - (2) A summary of the matters discussed at the meeting, except for any matters the Commission properly determines may be withheld from the public under [§ 503.73](/cfr/46/503.73.md).
- (c) **Exception.** If the Commission properly determines matters may be withheld from the public under [§ 503.73](/cfr/46/503.73.md), the Commission shall provide a summary with as much general information as possible on those matters withheld from the public.
- (d) **Ongoing proceedings.** If a meeting under [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section directly relates to an ongoing proceeding before the Commission, the Commission shall make the disclosure under [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section on the date of the final Commission decision.

## Notes

### Amendments

[85 FR 9682, Feb. 20, 2020]

### Source

Source: 49 FR 44401, Nov. 6, 1984, unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 79 FR 24351, Apr. 30, 2014

### Authority

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 331, 552, 552a, 552b, 553; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 46 U.S.C. 303; E.O. 13526 of January 5, 2010 75 FR 707, 3 CFR, 2010 Comp., p. 298, sections 5.1(a) and (b).

### Source

Source: 49 FR 44401, Nov. 6, 1984, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[85 FR 9682, Feb. 20, 2020]