US Sentencing Commission provides notice of proposed 2012 priorities

The US Sentencing Commission has now posted here its notice of proposed priorities and request for public comment "on possible priority policy issues for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2012."  The notice explains that

the Commission has identified the following tentative priorities:

(1) Continuation of its work on statutory mandatory minimum penalties....

(2) Continuation of its work on implementation of the directives in section 1079A of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act....

(3) Continuation of its work with the congressional, executive, and judicial branches of government, and other interested parties, to study the manner in which United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220 (2005), and subsequent Supreme Court decisions have affected federal sentencing practices, the appellate review of those practices, and the role of the federal sentencing guidelines....

(4) Continuation of its multi-year review of 2D1.1...and possible consideration of amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines for drug offenses....

(5) Continuation of its review of child pornography offenses and report to Congress as a result of such review....

(6) Continuation of its multi-year study of the statutory and guideline definitions of “crime of violence”, “aggravated felony”, “violent felony”, and “drug trafficking offense”....

(7) Continuation of its review of departures within the guidelines....

(8) Continuation of its multi-year review of the guidelines and their application to human rights offenses....

(9) Resolution of circuit conflicts....

(10) Consideration of (A) 5K2.19 (Post-Sentencing Rehabilitative Efforts) (Policy Statement) in light of Pepper v. United States, 131 S. Ct. 1229 (March 2, 2011)....

The Commission hereby gives notice that it is seeking comment on these tentative priorities and on any other issues that interested persons believe the Commission should address during the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2012.  To the extent practicable, public comment should include the following: (1) a statement of the issue, including, where appropriate, the scope and manner of study, particular problem areas and possible solutions, and any other matters relevant to a proposed priority; (2) citations to applicable sentencing guidelines, statutes, case law, and constitutional provisions; and (3) a direct and concise statement of why the Commission should make the issue a priority.