34064 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 121 / Monday, June 28, 2021 / Notices

Type of request: Extension without not payable or is reduced for any month determine possible reductions in change of a currently approved in which the beneficiary works for a annuities because of earnings. collection. railroad or earns more than the Changes proposed: The RRB proposes Affected public: Individuals or prescribed amounts. The collection no changes to Form G–19L. Households. obtains earnings information needed by The burden estimate for the ICR is as Abstract: Under Section 2(e)(3) of the the Railroad Retirement Board to Railroad Retirement Act, an annuity is follows:

Annual Time Burden Form No. responses (minutes) (hours)

G–19L ...... 300 15 75

Additional Information or Comments: conduct of scientific research and the organization) is requested to submit Copies of the forms and supporting collection of data; preventing the only one response. OSTP welcomes any documents can be obtained from suppression or distortion of findings, responses to inform and guide the work Kennisha Tucker at (312) 469–2591 or data, information, conclusions, or of the Scientific Integrity Fast-Track [email protected]. Comments technical results; supporting scientists Action Committee (SI–FTAC). Please regarding the information collection and researchers of all genders, races, feel free to respond to one or as many should be addressed to Brian Foster, ethnicities, and backgrounds; and prompts as you choose. Submission Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North advancing the equitable delivery of the must not exceed 7 pages in 12-point or Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60611– Federal Government’s programs. To larger font, with a page number 1275 or [email protected]. support this assessment, OSTP seeks provided on each page. Responses Written comments and information about: (1) The effectiveness should include the name of the recommendations for the proposed of Federal scientific integrity policies person(s) or organization(s) filing the information collection should be sent and needed areas of improvement; (2) comment, as well as the respondent within 30 days of publication of this good practices Federal agencies could type (e.g., academic, advocacy, notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ adopt to improve scientific integrity, professional society, community-based PRAMain. Find this particular including in the communication of organization, industry, member of the information collection by selecting scientific information, addressing public, government, other). ‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open emerging technologies and evolving Respondent’s role in the organization for Public Comments’’ or by using the scientific practices, supporting may also be provided (e.g., researcher, search function. professional development of Federal administrator, student, program scientists, and promoting transparency Brian Foster, manager, journalist) on a voluntary in the implementation of agency Clearance Officer. basis. Comments containing references, scientific integrity policies; and (3) studies, research, and other empirical [FR Doc. 2021–13666 Filed 6–25–21; 8:45 am] other topics or concerns that Federal data that are not widely published BILLING CODE 7905–01–P scientific integrity policies should should include copies or electronic address. Please note the purpose of this links of the referenced materials. No RFI is not to receive reports on alleged business proprietary information, EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE offenses that are in violation of Federal copyrighted information, or personally PRESIDENT scientific integrity policies. If you have identifiable information should be witnessed or experienced any harmful submitted in response to this RFI. Please Request for Information To Improve acts that may undermine scientific Federal Scientific Integrity Policies be aware that comments submitted in integrity and you would like to report response to this RFI may be posted on AGENCY: White House Office of Science these allegations, please contact the OSTP’s website or otherwise released and Technology Policy. Scientific Integrity Officer or Office of publicly. ACTION: Notice of request for the Inspector General at the relevant In accordance with FAR 15.202(3), information. Federal agency. responses to this notice are not offers DATES: Interested persons and and cannot be accepted by the Federal SUMMARY: The White House Office of organizations are invited to submit Government to form a binding contract. Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) comments on or before 5:00 p.m. ET on Additionally, those submitting seeks information to help improve the July 28, 2021. responses are solely responsible for all effectiveness of Federal scientific ADDRESSES: Interested individuals and expenses associated with response integrity policies to enhance public trust organizations should submit comments preparation. in science. The January 27, 2021 electronically to ScientificIntegrityRFI@ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Presidential Memorandum on Restoring ostp.eop.gov and include ‘‘SI–FTAC For Trust in Government Through Scientific RFI’’ in the subject line of the email. additional information, please direct Integrity and Evidence-Based Due to time constraints, mailed paper questions to Ryan Donohue at Policymaking (Memorandum) directs submissions will not be accepted, and [email protected]. OSTP to convene an interagency task electronic submissions received after SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: force under the National Science and the deadline cannot be ensured to be Background: On January 27, 2021, Technology Council to review the incorporated or taken into President Biden issued a Presidential effectiveness of policies developed since consideration. Memorandum on Restoring Trust in the issuance of the Presidential Government Through Scientific Memorandum on scientific integrity Instructions Integrity and Evidence-Based issued on March 9, 2009 in preventing Response to this RFI is voluntary. Policymaking (2021 Memorandum). The improper political interference in the Each responding entity (individual or Memorandum asserts the

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:39 Jun 25, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM 28JNN1 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 121 / Monday, June 28, 2021 / Notices 34065

Administration’s goal to develop sound scientific integrity in government: (1) Presidential Memorandum of March 9, policy to make evidence-based Ensure a culture of scientific integrity 2009 on scientific integrity. Specifically, decisions guided by the best available by shielding scientific data and analyses the 2021 Presidential Memorandum science and data, recognizing that from inappropriate political interference charges the task force to: (1) Consider scientific and technological information, and preventing political officials from whether existing Federal scientific data, and evidence are central to the suppressing or altering scientific or integrity policies prevent improper development and iterative improvement technological findings; (2) Strengthen political interference in the conduct of of sound policies and to the delivery of the actual and perceived credibility of scientific research and the collection of equitable programs across every area of government research through: Hiring scientific or technological data; prevent government. It emphasizes that political decisions based on candidates’ the suppression or distortion of interference in the work of Federal knowledge, credentials, experience, and scientific or technological findings, scientists and other scientists who integrity; ensuring data and research data, information, conclusions, or support the work of the Federal used to support policy decisions technical results; support scientists and government and in the communication undergoes independent peer review; researchers of all genders, races, of scientific facts undermines the setting clear standards for governing ethnicities, and backgrounds; and welfare of the Nation, contributes to conflicts-of-interest; and adopting advance the equitable delivery of the systemic inequities and injustices, and whistleblower protections; (3) Facilitate Federal Government’s programs; (2) violates the trust that the public places the free flow of scientific and analyze instances in which existing in government to best serve its technological information, consistent scientific integrity policies have not collective interests. The 2021 with privacy and classification been followed or enforced; and (3) Memorandum reaffirms and builds on standards; and (4) Establish principles identify effective practices for the Presidential Memorandum of March for conveying scientific and implementing scientific integrity 9, 2009 (Scientific Integrity) and the technological information to the public, policies in specific areas of particular Director of the Office of Science and including underlying assumptions and interest, including improving the Technology Policy’s Memorandum of uncertainties. The 2010 OSTP communication of scientific December 17, 2010 (Scientific Integrity), Memorandum also establishes guidance information, addressing emerging which together specify elements that for public communication about technologies and evolving scientific scientific integrity policies of Federal scientific and technological matters that practices, supporting professional Departments and Agencies are to maximizes openness and transparency development of Federal scientists, and address. with the media; use of Federal Advisory effective reporting practices that The 2009 Presidential Memorandum Committees tasked with providing promote transparency in the articulates 6 principles to guide scientific advice; and professional implementation of agency scientific recommendations for Presidential development of government scientists integrity policies and in the handling of Action to guarantee scientific integrity and engineers. It directs Agencies to any allegations of misconduct. throughout the executive branch: (1) report back to OSTP on actions taken to This request for information aims to Selection and retention of candidates for develop and implement policies support the task force’s work by science and technology positions in the specified in the memorandum. providing input from stakeholders on executive branch should be based on the By December 2016, 24 Federal issues specified in the 2021 Presidential candidate’s knowledge, credentials, departments and agencies had Memorandum and related topics. The experience, and integrity; (2) Agencies developed and published policies to information collected in response to this should have appropriate rules and support scientific integrity. These RFI will inform the task force (SI– procedures to ensure the integrity of the agencies and departments included all FTAC), OSTP, and OMB as they work scientific process within the agency; (3) major U.S. science agencies (i.e., those with Federal agencies and other Scientific and technical information that conduct or fund scientific research), stakeholders to review the effectiveness used in agency decisions should be as well as departments and agencies that of agency scientific integrity policies subject to established scientific issue regulations or use scientific and practices. processes, including peer review; (4) findings in agency decision-making. Information Requested: Respondents Agencies should make available to the Most of the scientific integrity policies may provide information for one or as public the scientific or technological addressed all four components of the many topics below as they choose. Input findings or conclusions considered or 2010 OSTP Memorandum, and some is welcome from stakeholders, including relied upon in policy decisions (to the addressed additional topics not members of the public, representing all extent release is not restricted); (5) specified in the memorandum, such as backgrounds and perspectives. Through Agencies should have in place the importance of scientific integrity to this RFI, the SI–FTAC seeks information procedures to identify and address the department’s or agency’s mission. on the current state of scientific instances in which the scientific process The report also noted considerable integrity processes and practices and the or the integrity of scientific and variation across departments and effect of these on trust in Federal technological information may be agencies in scientific integrity policies science, including on the following compromised; and (6) Agencies should and practices, reflecting differences in topics: adopt procedures, including their missions, fields of science and 1. The effectiveness of Federal whistleblower protections, needed to technology supported, and scientific integrity policies in promoting ensure the integrity of scientific and organizational structures. trust in Federal science: technological information and processes The 2021 Presidential Memorandum Information about the strengths and used for decision-making or otherwise calls for the establishment of an weaknesses of Federal scientific prepared. interagency task force (established as integrity policies, including where The 2010 OSTP Memorandum the SI–FTAC) of the National Science additional efforts are needed to meet the provides further guidance to executive and Technology Council (NSTC) to broad ambition to establish trust in departments and agencies for conduct a thorough review of the Federal science by protecting against: implementing scientific integrity effectiveness of agency integrity policies Political or other improper interference policies. It identifies 4 foundations of developed since the issuance of the in the conduct of scientific research, the

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:39 Jun 25, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00099 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM 28JNN1 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES 34066 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 121 / Monday, June 28, 2021 / Notices

collection of scientific or technological delivery of the Federal Government’s ACTION: Notice. data, and the utilization of science in programs; and Ensuring the decision-making; suppression or independence, autonomy, and Notice of an application for an order distortion of scientific or technological effectiveness of scientific integrity under section 6(c) of the Investment findings, data, information, conclusions, officials and chief science officers. Company Act of 1940 (the ‘‘Act’’) for an or technical results; disproportionate 4. Effective practices Federal agencies exemption from sections 23(a), 23(b) harm to Federal scientists and could adopt to improve training of and 63 of the Act, an pursuant sections researchers from groups that are scientific staff about scientific integrity 57(a)(4) and 57(i) of the Act and rule historically underrepresented in and the transparency into their 17d–1 under the Act permitting certain science, technology, and related fields; scientific integrity practices: joint transactions otherwise prohibited or equitable delivery of the Federal Consider practices related but not by section 57(a)(4) of the Act, and Government’s programs. Of interest is limited to: Educating and informing pursuant section 23(c)(3) of the Act for information about how perceived employees, contractors, and grantees in an exemption from section 23(c) of the shortfalls in scientific integrity affect scientific and technical positions, as Act. public trust in science and about well as those who manage, SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION: Capital mechanisms Federal agencies could use communicate, or make decisions based Southwest Corporation (‘‘Company’’ or to detect or deter potential violations of on science and technology, of their ‘‘Applicant’’), requests an order scientific integrity policies before they rights and responsibilities related to (‘‘Order’’) to permit it to (i) issue occur. [Please note: We do not seek agency scientific integrity policies; restricted shares of its common stock reports on alleged offenses that are in reporting practices that promote (‘‘Restricted Stock’’) under the terms of violation of Federal scientific integrity transparency in the implementation of its 2021 Employee Restricted Stock policies; we ask that you not provide agency scientific integrity policies and Award Plan (the ‘‘2021 Plan’’) as part of names of individuals who have been or in the handling of any allegations of the compensation package for certain of may be accused of engaging in or misconduct; communicating to the its employees in the 2021 Plan, and (ii) subjected to such practices, personally public about alleged lapses in scientific withhold shares of the Company’s identifiable or sensitive information, or integrity, substantiated violations of common stock or purchase shares of the specific allegations that should be scientific integrity policies, and Company’s common stock from the handled through other appropriate remedial actions taken; and minimizing participants to satisfy tax withholding channels, such as law enforcement, conflicts of interest in Federal science obligations relating to the vesting of Scientific Integrity Officers, or an Office and research misconduct. Restricted Stock pursuant to the 2021 of Inspector General]. 5. Other important aspects of Plan. 2. Effective policies and practices scientific integrity and effective APPLICANT: Capital Southwest Federal agencies could adopt to approaches to improving trust in Corporation improve the communication of scientific Federal science: FILING DATES: The application was filed and technological information: Consider other elements that should on March 29, 2021, and amended on Consider practices related but not be included and addressed in the May 17, 2021 and on June 14, 2021. limited to: Engagement of Federal scientific integrity policies of Federal HEARING OR NOTIFICATION OF HEARING: An scientists and contractors working on agencies, beyond those specified in the order granting the requested relief will scientific matters with news media and 2009 Presidential Memorandum, 2010 be issued unless the Commission orders on social media; protection of scientific OSTP Memorandum, and 2021 a hearing. Interested persons may independence during clearance and Presidential Memorandum. Consider request a hearing by emailing the review processes; avoidance of political also effective practices, in addition to Commission’s Secretary at Secretarys- or other improper interference in those specified above, that Federal [email protected] and serving applicants research or data collection; agencies could put in place to improve with a copy of the request by email. differentiation in official government scientific integrity and public trust in Hearing requests should be received by communications of references to Federal science, including for the Commission by 5:30 p.m. on July 16, scientific publications and peer- proactively promoting rigorous, reviewed research versus science-based 2021, and should be accompanied by objective scientific research and proof of service on the applicants, in the or science-informed policy statements streamlining implementation within and determinations. form of an affidavit, or, for lawyers, a and across Federal departments and certificate of service. Pursuant to rule 3. Effective policies and practices agencies. Federal agencies could adopt to address 0–5 under the Act, hearing requests scientific issues and the scientific Dated: June 22, 2021. should state the nature of the writer’s workforce: Stacy Murphy, interest, any facts bearing upon the Consider practices related but not Operations Manager. desirability of a hearing on the matter, limited to: Handling scientific [FR Doc. 2021–13640 Filed 6–25–21; 8:45 am] the reason for the request, and the issues disagreements about research methods BILLING CODE 3270–F1–P contested. Persons who wish to be and conclusions; addressing gaps in notified of a hearing may request current scientific integrity policies notification by emailing the related to emerging technologies, such SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE Commission’s Secretary at Secretarys- as artificial intelligence and machine- COMMISSION [email protected]. learning, and evolving scientific ADDRESSES: The Commission: practices, such as citizen science and [Investment Company Act Release No. [email protected]. Applicants: community-engaged research; 34309; 812–15212] [email protected]; [email protected]. supporting the professional Capital Southwest Corporation development of Federal scientists; FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: supporting scientists and researchers of June 22, 2021. Asen Parachkevov, Senior Counsel, at all genders, races, ethnicities, and AGENCY: Securities and Exchange (202) 551–6908 or Lisa Reid Ragen, backgrounds and advance the equitable Commission. Branch Chief, at (202) 551–6825

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:39 Jun 25, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00100 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM 28JNN1 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES