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Department of Justice Seal

U.S. Department of Justice

   Washington, D.C. 20530

December 21, 1999

MEMORANDUM FOR HEADS OF DEPARTMENT COMPONENTS

FROM:        Stephen R. Colgate
             Assistant Attorney General
               for Administration

SUBJECT:     Waiving the Biweekly Maximum Earnings Limitation
             for Employees Performing Y2K Conversion Work

Under my delegated authority to make determinations under 5 CFR 550.106, I have determined that efforts to ensure that the Department’s computer systems are Y2K compatible, as well as efforts to monitor the Y2K conversion and to ensure a smooth transition process, constitute an emergency posing a direct threat to property within the meaning of the regulations governing the maximum earnings limitation.

Accordingly, effective immediately, non-law enforcement employees determined to be performing work in connection with this effort who would otherwise be subject to a biweekly limit on basic pay plus certain types of premium pay equal to the rate of basic pay for GS-15, step 10, will instead be subject to a GS-15, step 10, annual limit, and will continue to be subject only to an annual limit as long as they continue to perform such work.

Please note that the law does not provide an annual limit for law enforcement officers, who will continue to be subject to a biweekly limit equal to the lesser of--      

1.     150 percent of the biweekly rate of basic pay for GS-15, step 1 (including locality pay, special pay adjustments for law enforcement officers, and special salary rates, as applicable), or      

2.     the biweekly rate of pay for level V of the Executive Schedule.

If members of your staff have any questions, they may call John Cahill of the JMD Personnel Staff on (202) 616-3712.

cc: Melinda Morgan, HRSAG
Page created December 21, 1999
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