[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 5 (Monday, January 8, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 552-553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-161]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Fiscal Service
31 CFR Part 256
RIN 1510-AA52
Payments Under Judgments And Private Relief Acts
AGENCY: Financial Management Service, Fiscal Service, Treasury.
[[Page 553]]
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to revise the regulations which govern
the procedures for payments under Judgments and Private Relief Acts. It
specifically addresses the procedures for applying for payments, and
clarifies the payment process. These revisions are intended to provide
greater clarity and understanding by replacing obsolete references and
unnecessary requirements with current references and requirements.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before February 7, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be addressed to Charles F. Schwan III,
Director, Funds Management Division, Financial Management Service, Room
620D, 3700 East-West Highway, Hyattsville, MD 20782 or by FAX to the
attention of Charles Schwan on (202) 874-8372.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles F. Schwan III, (202) 874-8380,
Director, Funds Management Division; or Bernice Mays, (202) 874-8652,
Accountant, Credit Accounting Branch.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The proposed revision will update the procedure for making claims.
This will benefit claimants by reducing the requirements that must be
followed in order to receive payment on judgments against the United
States. This regulation currently sets a threshold for judgment claims
greater than $100,000 and judgment claims equal to or less than
$100,000. The change would eliminate the $100,000 threshold distinction
for processing a claim.
Rulemaking Analysis
It has been determined that this regulation is not a significant
regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, a
regulatory assessment is not required. It is hereby certified that this
revision will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. Accordingly, a regulatory flexibility
analysis is not required. This change will clarify the regulation.
List of Subjects in 31 CFR Part 256
Claims, Administrative practices and procedures.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 31 CFR part 256 is
proposed to be revised to read as follows:
PART 256--PAYMENTS UNDER JUDGMENTS AND PRIVATE RELIEF ACTS
Sec.
256.1 Judgments against the United States.
256.2 Payment of sums appropriated in private relief acts.
Authority: 28 U.S.C. 2414; 31 U.S.C. 1304.
Sec. 256.1 Judgments against the United States.
(a) Persons securing money judgments against the United States in
the U.S. Court of Federal Claims are required to file original
transcripts of such judgments with the Comptroller General of the U.S.
General Accounting Office (GAO) in order to secure payment. In
addition, the U.S. Department of Justice submits a voucher for payment
with supporting documents to the GAO on behalf of the claimants. The
GAO certifies payment on a Certificate of Settlement to the U.S.
Treasury Department, Financial Management Service (FMS).
(b) For persons securing money judgments against the United States
in the U.S. district courts, the same procedures as described in
paragraph (a) of this section apply, except that all of the necessary
paperwork is forwarded directly to the GAO by the U.S. Department of
Justice. Neither a filing nor a request for payment is required from
the claimant securing a judgment. The GAO verifies that the voucher is
proper for payment from the Judgment fund and transmits a certified
award to FMS.
(c) Payment is made to the claimant in accordance with the
instructions as stated in the certified award.
Sec. 256.2 Payment of sums appropriated in private relief acts.
Persons entitled to payment of sums appropriated in private relief
acts should make application for payment to the Credit Accounting
Branch, Financial Management Service, Treasury Department, Hyattsville,
MD 20782. Upon receipt of an application, bearing the signature and
mailing address of the beneficiary, the Credit Accounting Branch will
initiate the necessary review of the applicable private law and will
effect payment in accordance with the private law.
Dated: November 22, 1995.
Russell D. Morris,
Commissioner.
[FR Doc. 96-161 Filed 1-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-35-U