46 U.S.C. § 40304 — Commission action

(a) Notice of Filing. Within 7 days after an agreement is filed, the Commission must (1) send a notice of the filing to the Federal Register for publication, and (2) ask interested people to submit relevant information and documents. (b) Preliminary Review and Rejection. After an initial review, the Commission must reject any agreement that doesn't meet the requirements of sections 40302 and 40303. It must tell the filer in writing why the agreement was rejected. (c) Review and Effective Date. Unless rejected, an agreement (other than an assessment agreement) takes effect (1) on the 45th day after filing, or the 30th day after the Federal Register notice, whichever is later; or (2) if the Commission requested more information under subsection (d) — (A) on the 45th day after the Commission gets all requested information, or (B) if the request wasn't fully met, on the 45th day after the Commission gets whatever was submitted plus an explanation for not fully complying. (d) Request for Additional Information. Before the waiting period in subsection (c)(1) ends, the Commission can ask the filer for any extra information or documents it needs to make its decision. (e) Modification of Review Period. (1) Shortening. At the filer's request, the Commission can shorten the waiting period, but not to less than 14 days after the Federal Register notice. (2) Extension. Only the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia can extend the waiting period under subsection (c)(2), in a lawsuit the Commission brings under section 41307(c). (f) Fixed Terms. The Commission cannot limit how long an agreement stays in effect.