[Federal Register: March 17, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 51)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 12531]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17mr97-1]

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Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
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[[Page 12531]]

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS

5 CFR Part 2635

RIN 3209-AA04


Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive
Branch; Exception for Gifts From a Political Organization

AGENCY: Office of Government Ethics (OGE).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Government Ethics is adopting as final without
change an interim rule revising the Standards of Ethical Conduct for
Employees of the Executive Branch to conform with the Hatch Act Reform
Amendments of 1993.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 17, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stuart D. Rick, Associate General
Counsel, Office of Government Ethics, Suite 500, 1201 New York Avenue,
NW., Washington, DC 20005-3917; telephone: 202-208-8000; TDD: 202-208-
8025; FAX: 202-208-8037.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 27, 1996, at 61 FR 50689-50691,
the Office of Government Ethics published an interim rule amending
various sections of the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of
the Executive Branch, 5 CFR part 2635, to conform with the Hatch Act
Reform Amendments of 1993, Public Law 103-94, as amended by section 315
of the 1997 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, Public Law 104-197.
Comments were invited from the public, to be received by OGE on or
before November 26, 1996. No comments were received, and OGE has
determined that no changes are needed to the interim rule amendments in
adopting them as final.

Executive Order 12866

    In promulgating these final rule amendments, the Office of
Government Ethics has adhered to the regulatory philosophy and the
applicable principles of regulation set forth in section 1 of Executive
Order 12866, Regulatory Review and Planning. These amendments have also
been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget under that
Executive order.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    As Director of the Office of Government Ethics, I certify under the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) that this final
amendatory rule will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities because it primarily affects
Federal executive branch employees.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35) does not apply
because these amendments do not contain information collection
requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and
Budget.

List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 2635

    Conflict of interests, Executive branch standards of conduct,
Government employees, Political activities (Government employees).

    Accordingly, for the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Office
of Government Ethics is adopting the interim rule amending 5 CFR part
2635 which was published at 61 FR 50689-50691 on September 27, 1996, as
a final rule without change.

    Dated: December 18, 1996.
Stephen D. Potts,
Director, Office of Government Ethics.
[FR Doc. 97-6572 Filed 3-14-97; 8:45 am]
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