[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 183 (Thursday, September 19, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 49237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23973]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 183 / Thursday, September 19, 1996 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 49237]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary

7 CFR Part 2


Revision of Delegations of Authority

AGENCY: Department of Agriculture.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document revises the delegations of authority from the 
Secretary of Agriculture and general officers of the Department to 
delegate to the General Counsel the authority to pay tort claims that 
arise outside the United States, as authorized by section 920 of Public 
Law 104-27.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 19, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert L. Siegler, Deputy Assistant 
General Counsel, Research and Operations Division, Office of the 
General Counsel, Department of Agriculture, Room 2321-S, Washington, 
D.C. 20250, telephone 202-720-6035.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 920 of the Federal Agriculture 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (FAIR Act), Pub. L. No. 104-127 (7 
U.S.C. 2262a), authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to pay a tort 
claim if the claim arises outside the United States in connection with 
activities of individuals performing service for the Secretary. This 
document delegates the authority of the Secretary to the General 
Counsel to make determinations of tort claims that arise outside the 
United States in accordance with section 920 of the FAIR Act.
    This rule relates to internal agency management. Therefore, 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, notice of proposed rule making and 
opportunity for comment are not required. Further, since this rule 
relates to internal agency management, it is exempt from the provisions 
of Executive Order Nos. 12291 and 12778. In addition, this action is 
not a rule as defined by Pub. L. No. 96-354, the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, and thus is exempt from the provisions of that Act. Accordingly, 
as authorized by section 808 of the Small Business Regulatory 
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-121, this rule may be 
made effective upon publication in the Federal Register.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 2

    Authority delegations (Government agencies).

PART 2--DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY BY THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE 
AND GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT

    Accordingly, Part 2, Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations is 
amended as follows:

    1. The authority citation for Part 2 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Sec. 212(a), Pub. L. 103-353, 108 Stat. 3210, 7 
U.S.C. 6912(a)(1); 5 U.S.C. 301; Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953, 
3 CFR, 1949-1953 Comp., p. 1024.

Subpart D--Delegations of Authority to Other General Officers and 
Agency Heads

    2. Section 2.31 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 2.31   General Counsel.

* * * * *
    (a) Consider, ascertain, adjust, determine, compromise, and settle 
claims pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act, as amended (28 U.S.C. 
2671-2680), and the regulations of the Attorney General contained in 28 
CFR part 14; and consider, ascertain, adjust, determine, compromise, 
and settle claims pursuant to section 920 of the Federal Agriculture 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, Public Law 104-127 (7 U.S.C. 
2262a).

    Dated: September 10, 1996.
Dan Glickman,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 96-23973 Filed 9-18-96; 8:45 am]
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