The Executive Secretary has the following responsibilities and authority:
(a) Represent the Board in administrative, regulatory, operational, and public affairs matters;
(b) Serve as director of the Commerce Department's Foreign-Trade Zones staff;
(c) Execute and implement orders of the Board;
(d) Arrange meetings and direct circulation of action documents for the Board;
(e) Arrange with other sections of the Department of Commerce and other governmental agencies for studies and comments on zone issues and proposals;
(f) Maintain custody of the seal, records, files and correspondence of the Board, with disposition subject to the regulations of the Department of Commerce;
(g) Issue notices on zone matters for publication in the Federal Register;
(h) Direct processing of applications and reviews, including designation of examiners and scheduling of hearings, under various sections of this part;
(i) Make determinations on questions pertaining to grantees' applications for subzones as provided in Sec. 400.12(d);
(j) Make recommendations in cases involving questions as to whether zone activity should be prohibited or restricted for public interest reasons, including proceedings and reviews under Sec. 400.5;
(k) Determine questions of scope under Sec. 400.14(d);
(l) Determine whether additional information is needed for evaluation of applications and other requests for decisions under this part, as provided for in various sections of this part, including Sec. Sec. 400.21-400.25;
(m) Issue instructions, guidelines, forms and related documents specifying time, place, manner and formats for applications and notifications in various sections of this part, including Sec. Sec. 400.21(b) and 400.43(f);
(n) Determine whether proposed modifications are major modifications or minor modifications under Sec. 400.24(a)(2);
(o) Determine whether applications meet pre-docketing requirements under Sec. 400.31(b);
(p) Terminate reviews of applications under certain circumstances pursuant to Sec. 400.36(g);
(q) Authorize minor modifications to zones under Sec. 400.38, commencement of production activity under Sec. 400.37(d) and subzone designation under Sec. 400.36(f);
(r) Review notifications for production authority under Sec. 400.37;
(s) Direct monitoring and reviews of zone operations and activity under Sec. 400.49;
(t) Review rate schedules and determine their sufficiency under Sec. 400.44(c);
(u) Assess potential issues and make recommendations pertaining to uniform treatment under Sec. 400.43 and review and decide complaint cases under Sec. 400.45;
(v) Make certain determinations and authorizations pertaining to retail trade under Sec. 400.47;
(w) Authorize under certain circumstances the entry of ``zone-restricted merchandise'' into the customs territory under Sec. 400.48;
(x) Determine the format and deadlines for the annual reports of zone grantees to the Board and direct preparation of an annual report from the Board to Congress under Sec. 400.51(c);
(y) Make recommendations and certain determinations regarding violations and fines, and undertake certain procedures related to the suspension of activated status, as provided in Sec. 400.62; and
(z) Designate an acting Executive Secretary.