[Federal Register: November 20, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 224)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 70029]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20no02-18]                         

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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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[[Page 70029]]



OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

5 CFR Part 1001

RIN 3206-AJ 69

 
OPM Employee Responsibilities and Conduct

AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: Proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is proposing a plain 
language rewrite of its regulations regarding the standards that govern 
OPM employee responsibilities and conduct as part of a broader review 
of OPM's regulations. The purpose of the revisions is to make the 
regulations more readable.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before January 21, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Send or deliver written comments to Wade Plunkett, Principal 
Deputy Ethics Official, Office of the General Counsel, Office of 
Personnel Management, Room 7532, 1900 E St., NW., Washington, DC 20415, 
FAX: 202-606-0082 or e-mail them to wmplunke@opm.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wade Plunkett, by telephone at 202-
606-1700; by FAX at 202-606-0082; or by e-mail at wmplunke@opm.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OPM is revising part 1001, which deals with 
OPM employee responsibilities and conduct, as part of a larger review 
of OPM regulations for plain language purposes. The purpose of this 
revision to part 1001 is not to make substantive changes, but rather to 
make part 1001 more readable. The proposed regulations have been 
converted to a question-and-answer format and we have made minor 
changes to the wording to enhance clarity.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    I certify that these regulations will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because they 
will affect only Federal employees.

E.O. 12866, Regulatory Review

    This rule has been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget 
in accordance with E.O. 12866.

List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 1001

    Conflicts of Interest.

Office of Personnel Management.
Kay Coles James,
Director.
    Accordingly, OPM proposes to revise part 1001 as follows:

Subchapter C--Regulations Governing Employees of the Office of 
Personnel Management

PART 1001--OPM EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES AND CONDUCT

Sec.
1001.101 In addition to this part, what other rules of conduct apply 
to Office of Personnel Management employees?
1001.102 What are the Privacy Act rules of conduct?

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 552a, 7301.


Sec.  1001.101  In addition to this part, what other rules of conduct 
apply to Office of Personnel Management employees?

    In addition to the regulations contained in this part, employees of 
the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) should refer to:
    (a) The Executive Branch Financial Disclosure, Qualified Trusts, 
and Certificates of Divestiture regulations at 5 CFR part 2634;
    (b) The Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive 
Branch at 5 CFR part 2635;
    (c) The Limitations on Outside Earned Income, Employment and 
Affiliations for Certain Noncareer Employees regulations at 5 CFR part 
2636;
    (d) Regulations Concerning Post Employment Conflict of Interest at 
5 CFR part 2637;
    (e) Post-employment Conflict of Interest Restrictions regulations 
at 5 CFR part 2641;
    (f) The OPM regulations at 5 CFR part 4501, which supplement the 
executive branch-wide standards;
    (g) The Employee Responsibilities and Conduct regulations at 5 CFR 
part 735;
    (h) The restrictions upon use of political referrals in employment 
matters at 5 U.S.C. 3303.


Sec.  1001.102  What are the Privacy Act rules of conduct?

    (a) An employee shall avoid any action that results in the 
appearance of using public office to collect or gain access to personal 
data about individuals beyond that required by or authorized for the 
performance of assigned duties.
    (b) An employee shall not use any personal data about individuals 
for any purpose other than as is required and authorized in the 
performance of assigned duties. An employee shall not disclose any such 
information to other agencies or persons not expressly authorized to 
receive or have access to such information. An employee shall make any 
authorized disclosures in accordance with established regulations and 
procedures.
    (c) Each employee who has access to or is engaged in any way in the 
handling of information subject to the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a, 
shall be familiar with the regulations of this subsection as well as 
the pertinent provisions of the Privacy Act relating to the treatment 
of such information.

[FR Doc. 02-29439 Filed 11-19-02; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6325-48-P