Commerce Says ICTS Licensing Won't Be Ready by May, Seeks Input

The Commerce Department wants input by April 28 on how it should structure its internet and communications technology and services preclearance or licensing process. It said it won't have an ICTS licensing regime in place by May 19, as predicted by the previous administration. “While the Department understands that business decisions must often be made within tight timeframes, the Department may not be able to determine whether a particular ICTS transaction qualifies for a license or pre-clearance without detailed information and analysis," said Monday's Federal Register. "Considering this tension, should the Department issue decisions on a shorter timeframe if that could result in fewer licenses or pre-clearances being granted, or would the inconvenience of a longer timeframe for review be outweighed by the potential for a greater number of licenses or pre-clearances being issued?” DOC didn't comment Wednesday on when it might have ICTS rules ready.