FR 2021-02379

Overview

Title

Notice of Public Meeting of the Montana Advisory Committee

Agencies

ELI5 AI

The U.S. Civil Rights group is having an online meeting to talk about how voting is different for Native American people. People can watch or listen to the meeting on their phones or computers.

Summary AI

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights announced that the Montana Advisory Committee will hold an online meeting on April 15, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (MT) to discuss voting issues affecting Native Americans. This is the second of two meetings on this topic. The public can listen to the meeting via a toll-free phone number and view it online through Webex. Interested individuals may also submit written comments or participate during the public comment period at the end of the meeting. Meeting materials and records will be available online before and after the event.

Abstract

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) that the Montana Advisory Committee (Committee) to the Commission will hold a web hearing from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (MT) on Thursday, April 15, 2021. The purpose of the Montana Advisory Committee meeting is to hear testimony examining voting issues impacting Native Americans. This is the second of two web hearings focused on this topic. Meeting materials and presentations will be available before and after the event at http://bit.ly/MTSAC2021.

Type: Notice
Citation: 86 FR 8340
Document #: 2021-02379
Date:
Volume: 86
Pages: 8340-8340

AnalysisAI

The document is a formal announcement from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights regarding an upcoming online meeting hosted by the Montana Advisory Committee. This meeting, scheduled for April 15, 2021, aims to address voting issues that affect Native Americans. As part of a series consisting of two web hearings, this particular session will provide a platform for the public to listen and participate in discussions about these critical issues.

General Summary

The notice informs the public about the logistics of the meeting, including access information for both audio and visual participation. It specifies that the meeting will take place online through a Webex link, while audio access will be available via a toll-free number. There is a provision for public comments during the meeting, and individuals can also submit written comments post-meeting. Available materials and records will be accessible before and after the event.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Several issues emerge from the document. A primary concern is the lack of transparency regarding online link destinations. The document uses shortened URLs, making it unclear where these links might lead, potentially causing accessibility and security challenges. Another issue is the way potential costs for wireless calls are mentioned. Although the notice states there will be no charges for landline calls, the possibility of incurring wireless charges could be highlighted more prominently to ensure full public awareness.

Additionally, the document lacks detail about the specific voting issues to be discussed. The absence of this information could leave stakeholders uncertain about how the meeting's content may relate to their interests or concerns.

Public Impact

Broadly, the announcement presents an opportunity for public engagement on voting issues that impact Native Americans. It allows for public participation, both by listening in and through direct contributions during the comment period. However, the notice could have better emphasized any financial implications of participation, especially for those accessing the meeting via wireless connections.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For Native American communities, this meeting represents an avenue to voice concerns and influence discussions on voting rights. However, the announcement’s lack of specificity regarding the range of topics might leave some stakeholders unclear about the issues the meeting will address.

Stakeholders such as legal experts, civil rights advocates, and policy makers could find the meeting valuable for gathering insights and contributing to ongoing voter rights advocacy efforts. Still, the absence of explicit details may hinder their ability to prepare meaningful input.

Overall, while the announcement delineates an important forum for addressing voting issues affecting Native Americans, it could benefit from clarity and transparency enhancements to maximize its effectiveness and ensure informed public participation.

Issues

  • • The document does not provide any details about potential costs associated with the web hearing, which may require budget oversight to ensure there is no wasteful spending.

  • • The announcement refers to specific online links (http://bit.ly/MTSAC2021 and http://bit.ly/MTSAC41521) that are shortened URLs, making it unclear which sites they lead to. This could be problematic if the links are not accessible or if they redirect to unintended locations.

  • • The document outlines how members of the public can incur charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, which may not be apparent to all readers. This information could be more prominently featured to ensure public awareness of potential costs.

  • • The language regarding access to records and documents is somewhat complex and could be simplified to ensure clarity for all readers. Sentences could be made more concise to improve understanding.

  • • There is no detailed information about the specific voting issues impacting Native Americans that will be addressed, which might leave the purpose of the meeting too vague for stakeholders.

Statistics

Size

Pages: 1
Words: 658
Sentences: 28
Entities: 56

Language

Nouns: 227
Verbs: 41
Adjectives: 18
Adverbs: 12
Numbers: 46

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.93
Average Sentence Length:
23.50
Token Entropy:
5.08
Readability (ARI):
16.90

Reading Time

about 2 minutes