REGIONAL MEETINGS; NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING; ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.

SEC. 497. REGIONAL MEETINGS; NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING; ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Part G of title IV of the Act is further amended by adding at the end the following new sections: “SEC. 492. REGIONAL MEETINGS AND NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING. “(a) Meetings.— “(1) In general.— The Secretary shall convene regional meetings to obtain public involvement in the development of proposed regulations for parts B, G, and H of this title. Such meetings shall include individuals and representatives of the groups involved in student financial assistance programs under this title, such as students, legal assistance organizations that represent students, institutions of higher education, guaranty agencies, lenders, secondary markets, loan servicers, guaranty agency servicers, and collection agencies. “(2) Issues.— During such meetings, the Secretary shall provide for a comprehensive discussion and exchange of information concerning the implementation of parts B, G, and H, as amended by the Higher Education Amendments of 1992. The Secretary shall take into account the information received at such meetings in the development of proposed regulations and shall publish a summary or such information in the Federal Register together with such proposed regulations. “(b) Draft Regulations.— After holding regional meetings and before publishing proposed regulations in the Federal Register, the Secretary shall prepare draft regulations implementing parts B, G, and H of this title as amended by the Higher Education Amendments of 1992 and shall submit such regulations to a negotiated rulemaking process. The Secretary shall follow the guidance provided in sections 305.82–4 and 305.85–5 of chapter 1, Code of Federal Regulations, and any successor recommendation, regulation, or law. Participants in the negotiations process shall be chosen by the Secretary from individuals nominated by groups participating in the regional meetings described in subsection (a)(l), and shall 106 STAT. 634include both representatives of such groups from Washington, D.C., and industry participants. To the extent possible, the Secretary shall select individuals reflecting the diversity in the industry, representing both large and small participants, as well as individuals serving local areas and national markets. The negotiation process shall be conducted in a timely manner in order that the final regulations may be issued by the Secretary within the 240day period described in section 431(g) of the General Education Provisions Act. “(c) Applicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.— The Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to activities carried out under this section. “(d) Authorization of Appropriations.— There are authorized to be appropriated in any fiscal year or made available from funds appropriated to carry out this part in any fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section, except that if no funds are appropriated pursuant to this subsection, the Secretary shall make funds available to carry out this section from amounts appropriated for the operations and expenses of the Department of Education. “SEC. 493. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. “There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 1993 and for each succeeding fiscal year thereafter for administrative expenses necessary for carrying out this title, including expenses for staff personnel, program reviews, and compliance activities.”.