Functional Statements > Office of the General Counsel

V. Primary Delegations of Authority

The Secretary has delegated the following authorities to the General Counsel:

• Authority to promulgate non-substantive corrections to regulations and other Federal Register documents.
• Authority to serve as Garnishment Agent.
• Authority to be exercised by the Designated Agency Ethics Official to coordinate and manage the Department's ethics program as set forth in 5 C.F.R. Sec. 738.203.
• Authority to perform the functions as Department Claims Officer under the following statutes:
  1. The Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. Secs. 2671 et seq:
  2. The Military Personnel and Civilian Employees' Claims Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 204 et seq, 31 U.S.C. Secs 3701, 3721;
  3. 5 U.S.C. Sec. 5584, authorizing a waiver of claims arising out of erroneous payment of pay to employees of the Department.
• Authority to sign Federal Register notices other than the policy statements and interpretations.

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