Strengthened language for Article IV (Transparency)

[Pete Farmer <pfarmer@strategies-u.com>]

In my view, the language in the NSI draft regarding "transparency" or
"sunshine/due process" is superior to that in the current IANA draft.

Quite frankly, Article IV's "Transparency" section seems unnecessarily
watery to this observer.

I propose that IANA replace its language in Article IV with that of
Article 6 in the NSI draft.

The proposed substitute language is provided below.

Pete
______________________________________________________________________
Peter J. Farmer                    mailto:pfarmer@strategies-u.com
Strategies Unlimited               Voice: +1 650 941 3438
201 San Antonio Circle, Suite 205  Fax:   +1 650 941 5120
Mountain View, CA 94040            WWW:   http://www.strategies-u.com


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Proposed new language (stolen from the NSI draft):

ARTICLE 4. DUE PROCESS AND SUNSHINE PROVISIONS

4.1 Due Process

4.1.1 Policy making and actions of the Board and staff

All significant policies, practices, and arrangements adopted by the
Board shall ensue through proceedings and attendant processes that
provide for full openness, accountability and review. 

(a) Such proceedings can be initiated by any member, Council, or the
Board itself. On substantive standards implementation matters within the
subject matter purview of a Council, the Board will ordinarily rely on
the Council to develop draft provisions and make recommendations.

(b) Prior to adoption of any provisions, the Board will:

1. provide notice to potentially affected parties, including public
electronic publication, explaining what provisions are being considered
for adoption;

2. provide a reasonable opportunity for affected parties to comment on
the adoption of the proposed provisions, and to see the comments of
others

3. after a reasonable comment period, take action on the proposed
provisions, establishing and effective date, and publish the adopted
provisions together with meaningful responses to the comments and
reasons of the action taken sufficient for review on appeal

(c) Individual Board members, staff, and contractors performing
administrative functions shall disclose all business interests, and
amend that disclosure as their circumstances change. They are required
to recuse themselves in any discretionary matters before them in which
they have a significant business interest. 

(d) The Board will assemble and maintain, to the extent feasible, an
authoritative historical record of Internet assigned number actions,
policies, practices, and rationale.

4.1.2 Hearings and Appeals

a) Any affected party can appeal any Board or staff action. These may
take the form of a written appeal or hearing, although hearings are an
optional decision of the Board. A timely written decision and finding in
the appeal will be provided by the Board.

4.2 Sunshine Provisions

All meetings of the Board and Councils shall be open to the public,
except for agenda items dealing with sensitive personnel matters or the
review of competitive bids in response to a corporate request for
proposals - for which advance notice and explanation shall be given.