[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 232 (Monday, December 2, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63749-63754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30619]


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LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

45 CFR Part 1610


Use of Non-LSC Funds

AGENCY: Legal Services Corporation.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule revises the Legal Services Corporation's 
(``Corporation'' or ``LSC'') interim rule concerning the use of non-LSC 
funds by LSC recipients. The revisions to this rule are intended to 
implement provisions first appearing in the Corporation's Fiscal Year 
(``FY'') 1996 appropriations act that are currently incorporated by 
reference in the Corporation's FY 1997 appropriations act. With a few 
exceptions, many of the new statutory conditions effectively restrict a 
recipient's non-LSC funds to the same degree they restrict a 
recipient's LSC funds. This rule also clarifies the extent to which 
conditions on a recipient's non-LSC funds apply when a recipient 
transfers its funds to another person or entity. Technical revisions 
are also made to the rule.

DATES: This final rule is effective on January 1, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Victor Fortuno, General Counsel, (202) 
336-8910.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 19, 1996, the Operations and 
Regulations Committee (``Committee'') of the LSC Board of Directors 
(``Board'') requested the LSC staff to prepare an interim rule to 
implement section 504 in the Corporation's FY 1996 appropriations act, 
Pub. L. 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321 (1996), which applied most conditions 
contained therein to any person or entity receiving LSC funds, 
effectively restricting virtually all of a recipient's funds to the 
same degree that it restricts LSC funds. The Committee held hearings on 
staff proposals on July 8 and 19, and the Board adopted an interim rule 
on July 20 for publication in the Federal Register. Although the 
interim rule was effective upon publication, see 61 FR 41960 (August 
13, 1996), the Corporation also solicited comments on the rule for 
review and consideration by the Committee and Board.
    The Corporation received 8 comments on the rule. The Committee held 
public hearings on the rule on September 29, 1996, and made several 
recommendations for revisions to the Board. The Board adopted this 
final rule on September 30, 1996.
    The Corporation's FY 1997 appropriations act became effective on 
October 1, 1996, see Pub. L. 104-208, 110 Stat. 3009. It incorporated 
by reference the Sec. 504 conditions on LSC grants and other sections 
of the FY 1996 appropriations act implemented by this rule. 
Accordingly, the preamble and text of this rule continue to refer to 
the appropriate section number of the FY 1996 appropriations act.
    As did the interim rule, this final rule generally serves two 
purposes. First, it incorporates the new statutory conditions which 
apply to both a recipient's LSC and non-LSC funds. Past appropriations 
acts applied restrictions contained in those acts only to the funds 
appropriated thereunder. In contrast, the new statutory provisions 
prohibit LSC from funding any recipient that engages in certain 
specified activities or that fails to act in a manner consistent with 
new statutory requirements. Second, this rule retains several technical 
revisions made in the interim rule which corrected provisions in the 
prior rule that had never been revised to be consistent with 
longstanding amendments to the LSC Act. Finally, in

[[Page 63750]]

response to public comment, this rule revises provisions in the interim 
rule dealing with transfers of a recipient's funds.
    A section-by-section discussion of this final rule is provided 
below.

Section 1610.1  Purpose

    The purpose of this rule is to implement statutory conditions on a 
recipient's use of non-LSC funds. These conditions are found in the LSC 
Act (``Act''), 42 U.S.C. Sec. 2996 et seq., and Pub. L. 104-134, 110 
Stat. 1321 (1996), as incorporated by Pub. L. 104-208, 110 Stat. 3009 
(1996).

Section 1610.2  Definitions

    The interim rule revised the definition of ``purposes prohibited by 
the LSC Act'' in several ways. It deleted reference to a prohibition on 
the representation of juveniles, because the prohibition is no longer 
in the LSC Act. It also deleted reference to those restrictions on 
activities in the LSC Act that are now included in the broader 
restriction in the Corporation's appropriations act. Numbering changes 
were also made to correspond to the numbering changes that were made by 
the 1977 amendments to the LSC Act. These changes have been retained in 
the final rule.
    The interim rule also deleted reference to fee-generating cases 
from the definition of a ``purpose prohibited by the LSC Act.'' The 
deletion had a very narrow impact on recipients, in that they could 
take fee-generating cases with private funds without following the 
procedures set out in 45 CFR part 1609. However, LSC staff recommended 
and the Board agreed that the reference to fee-generating cases should 
be included in the final rule.
    The deletion of the provision relating to fee-generating cases was 
based on an analysis that the provision in the Act merely imposes 
procedural requirements and does not prohibit the taking of fee-
generating cases. On reflection, however, the Board concluded that the 
fee-generating provision is a prohibition.
    One comment stated that the definition of ``purpose prohibited by 
the LSC Act'' is deficient, because the word ``purpose'' is not 
adequately defined in either the LSC Act or part 1610. The LSC Act and 
part 1610, however, do not attempt to define the word ``purpose;'' 
rather, the rule interprets the clause in the LSC Act that includes the 
word--``purpose prohibited by the LSC Act''-- by specifically listing 
every activity the Corporation has determined to be a prohibited 
purpose under the Act. The prohibited purposes listed in this 
definition have been in the definition since 1978, and the listing has 
been and still is very specific, in that it cites to sections of the 
LSC Act containing the prohibited purposes as well as to the 
regulations implementing those sections. In addition, the use of 
``purpose'' is well understood in Federal Appropriations Law, and is 
rooted in 31 U.S.C. Sec. 1301(a), which requires the use of Federal 
funds for the purposes for which they are appropriated. See Principles 
of Federal Appropriations Law, Chapter 4, ``Availability of 
Appropriations: Purpose'' at 4-1 (1991). No changes were made in 
response to this comment.
    ``Activity prohibited by or inconsistent with Section 504'' lists 
the prohibitions and requirements in section 504 (a) of the 
Corporation's FY 1996 appropriations act that have been included by 
reference in the Corporation's FY 1997 appropriations act. These 
prohibitions and requirements apply to a recipient's activities, 
regardless of the source of funding. The definition also makes 
reference to subsections 504(b) and 504(e), which provide exceptions to 
those conditions on specific activities supported by non-LSC funds.
    A few comments suggested that the Corporation should distinguish 
between those conditions on funds in the definition of ``activity 
prohibited by or inconsistent with Section 504'' that are prohibitions, 
such as restrictions on class actions and certain lobbying activities, 
and those that are operational requirements, such as those on 
priorities and timekeeping. The main concern of the comments relates to 
application of the rule to transfers of recipients' funds. The Board 
agreed that the concerns raised by the comments should be addressed, 
but did not make any changes to the definition. Rather, it made changes 
reflected in Sec. 1610.7, which deals with the application of the 
conditions in this definition to transfers of recipient funds.
    The definitions for ``IOLTA funds,'' ``non-LSC funds,'' ``private 
funds,'' ``public funds,'' and ``tribal funds'' are the same as in the 
interim rule. ``IOLTA funds'' is defined as funds derived from programs 
established by State court rules or legislation that collect and 
distribute interest earned on lawyers' client trust accounts. ``Non-LSC 
funds'' are funds derived from a source other than the Corporation and 
would include both public and private funds. ``Private funds'' are 
defined as funds derived from an individual or entity other than a 
governmental source or LSC. ``Public funds'' is similar to the 
definition of ``public funds'' in part 1600, but also clarifies that, 
for the purposes of this part, IOLTA funds will be treated in the same 
manner as public funds. ``Tribal funds'' are defined as funds received 
by a recipient from an Indian tribe or from a private nonprofit 
foundation or organization that are given for the benefit of Indians or 
Indian tribes.
    The definitions of ``private attorney,'' ``law firm,'' and ``State 
or local entity of attorneys'' have been deleted as no longer 
necessary, due to changes made by the Board to Sec. 1610.6 of the 
interim rule, as discussed below.
    A new definition of ``transfer'' has been added that was not 
included in the interim rule. The definition is necessary to clarify 
the application of this part to a transfer of recipient funds, as 
discussed below under Sec. 1610.7. A ``transfer'' is defined as a 
transfer of a recipient's funds for the purpose of conducting 
programmatic activities that are normally conducted by the recipient, 
such as the representation of eligible clients, or that provide direct 
support to the recipient's legal assistance activities. A transfer is 
not intended to include a non-programmatic fee-for-service arrangement 
or a payment for goods or services.

Section 1610.3  Prohibition

    The prohibition section in the interim rule included the new 
statutory restrictions on various activities in Section 504. No 
comments were received suggesting changes to this section, and the only 
changes made in the final rule are technical.

Section 1610.4  Authorized Use of Other Funds

    This section clarifies that the restrictions in section 504 apply 
to activities supported by all funds except tribal funds, while those 
restrictions in the LSC Act which are not covered by section 504 apply 
only to LSC and private funds.
    Section 1610.4(a): Paragraph (a) sets out an exception included in 
both the LSC Act and Section 504 for tribal funds. The exception 
exempts tribal funds from the general prohibition on the use of non-LSC 
funds, as long as the tribal funds are used for the purposes for which 
they were provided.
    Section 1610.4(b). Section 1610.4(b) implements the exception in 
the LSC Act for public funds which permits recipients to use public 
funds in accordance with the purposes for which the funds were 
provided. However, because the Corporation's FY 1996 appropriations act 
contains no exception for public funds for most of its restrictions on 
activities, language is included providing that public funds

[[Page 63751]]

may not be used for any activity prohibited by or inconsistent with 
Section 504. In accordance with current LSC policy, the section also 
provides that for purposes of applying this regulation, IOLTA funds are 
to be treated the same as public funds.
    Section 1610.4(c). Paragraph (c) states the exception that allows 
recipients to use private funds if they use them for the purposes for 
which they were provided, and if they do not use their private funds 
for any activity prohibited by the LSC Act or prohibited by or 
inconsistent with Sec. 504.
    Section 1610.4(d). Section 1610.4(d) reflects Sec. 504(d)(2)(B) of 
the Corporation's FY 1996 appropriations act, which provides that a 
recipient may use non-LSC funds to provide legal assistance to 
financially ineligible persons, provided that the funds are used for 
the specific purpose for which they were received and are not used in a 
manner that violates the LSC Act or Sec. 504.

Section 1610.5  Notification

    This section incorporates the requirement of Sec. 504(d)(1) of the 
appropriations act that recipients may not accept funds from non-LSC 
sources unless they provide written notice to the funders that their 
funds may not be used in any manner inconsistent with the LSC Act or 
Sec. 504. The requirement applies only to cash contributions; 
recipients are not required to notify persons or organizations who make 
non-cash donations or volunteer their time or services to the 
recipient.
    In an effort to relieve recipients of some of the administrative 
burden that might be imposed by the notice requirement, the interim 
regulation contained a de minimis exception. The exception relieves 
recipients of the notice requirement for contributions of less than 
$250. One comment questioned whether the rule intends that LSC 
recipients follow the same reporting requirements and guidelines used 
by the IRS in reporting donations of $250 or more. The comment also 
asked when and how often notification is required and commented that it 
is impracticable to include the notice in a one or two page community-
wide solicitation letter.
    Section 1610.5 is not intended to implement the IRS instructions 
and guidelines concerning contributions to charities; therefore, it 
does not incorporate the IRS reporting or other procedural 
requirements. Rather, it simply recognizes that, because recipients 
must provide acknowledgements for donations for $250 or more for IRS 
purposes, it does not constitute any significant additional burden to 
incorporate the required notification into the acknowledgement. No 
change has been made in response to this comment.
    Section 504(d)(1) and the interim rule required notification before 
the recipient ``accepts'' the funds. The Corporation has advised 
recipients in Program Letter 96-3 that notice should be given during 
the course of soliciting funds or applying for a grant or contract. For 
unsolicited donations, the program letter states that notice should be 
given in the recipient's letter acknowledging the contribution. For 
contracts and grants already awarded for which notice has not been 
given, recipients are advised in the program letter to notify the 
funding source before the next payment is accepted. No change has been 
made in response to this comment.
    Finally, the notification requirement relates to funds received by 
recipients as grants, contracts or charitable donations from funders 
other than the Corporation, which are intended to fund the non-profit 
work of the recipient. It does not include funds received from sources 
such as court payment to attorneys for their work under court 
appointments; nor does it include payments to the recipient for rent, 
bank interest, or sale of goods, such as manuals.
    The Board determined that the substance of this section, including 
the under-$250 de minimis exception, should be retained. Nonetheless, 
the Board made two changes to this section in the final rule. First, in 
response to a comment from a recipient that receives tribal funds, 
paragraph (a) is revised to clarify that notification is required only 
when the funds are in fact restricted. Thus, when a recipient receives 
tribal funds to which the restrictions do not apply, no notice is 
required to the source of the funds. This language clarifies that 
notice is not required for those restrictions on non-LSC funds that are 
found exclusively in the LSC Act. Second, for clarity, a technical 
change was made to paragraph (b) by adding ``receipt of `` before 
contributions.

Section 1610.6  Applicability

    This section in the interim rule addressed two distinct situations. 
Paragraph (a) addressed the applicability of this part to a recipient's 
use of non-LSC funds for court appointments and for certain criminal 
representation as permitted under section 1010(c) of the LSC Act. The 
rest of the section dealt with transfers of a recipient's funds.
    For clarity, the final rule treats these issues in two separate 
sections: the subject matter of paragraph (a) becomes the whole of 
Sec. 1610.6, and a new Sec. 1610.7 (corresponding to Secs. 1610.6(b) 
and (c) of the interim rule) is created to address the transfer of 
funds provisions.
    Comments on paragraph (a) of the interim rule expressed concern and 
confusion about the scope of the paragraph. Most of the confusion 
focused on the paragraph's attempt to implement a provision in section 
1010(c) of the LSC Act. Section 1010(c) generally requires that if a 
recipient's LSC funds are subject to a prohibition under the LSC Act, a 
recipient's private funds are also subject to the same prohibition. An 
exception to this requirement, however, was included in the Act for 
``private attorneys, private law firms, or other State or local 
entities of attorneys, or * * * legal aid societies having separate 
public defender programs.'' This exception was intended to provide 
relief for these individuals and entities with limited or special 
grants or contracts made by the Corporation, such as demonstration 
grants. See Conf. Rep. No. 845 93rd Cong., 2d Sess. 30-31 (1974); Cong. 
Rec. H5132-33 ( June 21, 1973); H3952-53 (May 16, 1974); S12629 (July 
16, 1974); S12923, 12925, 12935, 12954 (July 18, 1974). The exception 
was also intended to allow the Corporation to fund the civil legal 
assistance activities of programs, such as legal aid societies, with 
separate public defender programs.
    The new statutory conditions in the Corporation's FY 1996 
appropriations act, as incorporated by the Corporation's FY 1997 
appropriations act, modify this exception because the Corporation is 
prohibited from giving grants to any person or entity that does not 
comply with the conditions set out in section 504. Accordingly, the 
Board decided to revise paragraph (a) in the final rule to limit the 
exception to a recipient's public defender programs and projects which 
provide legal representation in criminal proceedings and actions 
challenging criminal convictions, and to explicitly permit such 
representation on behalf of aliens and prisoners. There is no conflict 
with the restrictions in section 504 on representation of aliens and 
prisoners because these restrictions apply only to civil 
representation. Except for the narrow category of separately funded 
public defender programs or projects protected by section 1010(c), LSC 
recipients are prohibited from engaging in or using resources for any 
criminal representation.
    The interim rule's exception for criminal or related cases accepted 
by a recipient or subrecipient pursuant to a

[[Page 63752]]

court appointment has been retained as paragraph (b) in the final rule.

Section 1610.7  Transfers of Recipient Funds

    A new Sec. 1610.7 has been added to this rule to address the 
applicability of the statutory conditions listed in Sec. 1610.2 (a) and 
(b) when a recipient transfers its LSC or non-LSC funds to another 
individual or entity (hereinafter, both ``individual'' and ``entity'' 
are referred to as ``entity''). This section replaces Sec. 1610.6 (b) 
and (c) of the interim rule. The statutory conditions on a recipient's 
funds in the LSC Act and the Corporation's current appropriations act 
do not address the effect of these provisions on a transfer of a 
recipient's funds to another entity. However, as a matter of policy, 
the Corporation has historically applied such provisions to transfers 
of a recipient's funds. See, for example, 45 CFR parts 1627 and 1632 
and Program Letter dated December 11, 1995. This policy reflects the 
intent of the Corporation that transfers of funds not become a means to 
circumvent statutory conditions on a recipient's LSC and non-LSC funds.
    The interim rule continued this policy. Comments made it clear, 
however, that more specific guidance was necessary. Other comments 
described situations where Congressional intent would not be served by 
strict application of this policy. Accordingly, certain substantive 
changes have been made by the Board in this final rule, as described 
below.
    Section 1610.7(a) (Transfers of LSC funds): Paragraph (a) provides 
that, for transfers of LSC funds, the conditions in Sec. 1610.2 (a) and 
(b) of this part, except as modified by paragraphs (c) and (d) of this 
section, will apply to both the LSC funds and the non-LSC funds of the 
entity receiving those funds. This requirement is based on the 
Corporation's interpretation of legislative intent that the statutory 
conditions on LSC funds attach to a recipient's non-LSC funds and that, 
in most situations, this should also be the case when LSC funds are 
transferred by a recipient. Otherwise, recipients would be able to 
avoid legislative intent by simply transferring their LSC funds to 
other persons or entities.
    Section 1610.7(b) (Transfers of non-LSC funds): This paragraph 
provides that, for a transfer of non-LSC funds, the conditions in 
Sec. 1610.2 (a) and (b) of this part, except as modified by paragraphs 
(c) and (d) of this section, will apply to the funds transferred but 
not to the other funds of the entity receiving the funds. When a 
recipient transfers its non-LSC funds to an entity that has no LSC 
funds, the conditions remain attached to the transferred funds; but 
because they are not LSC funds, the other funds of the entity are not 
affected. The Corporation requires that the transferred non-LSC funds 
be subject to the conditions, because otherwise recipients would be 
able to avoid the conditions on their non-LSC funds by simply 
transferring the funds.
    Section 1610.7(c): Modifications to the requirements in paragraphs 
(a) and (b) of this section are set out in this paragraph which 
provides that the Sec. 1610.2(b) requirements regarding priorities and 
timekeeping be modified for entities that receive transfers of 
recipients' funds. The provisions on priorities and timekeeping are 
administrative requirements more appropriately applicable to a 
recipient's own use of its funds. The intent is to assure greater 
accountability for the recipient's use of its funds. The administrative 
burden of extending these requirements to all funds of an entity to 
which a recipient's funds are transferred would be significant.
    Accordingly, the final rule applies the administrative requirements 
on priorities and timekeeping only to the funds transferred and only to 
the extent to ensure accountability for those funds. Thus, paragraph 
(c) requires that entities receiving a transfer of recipient funds must 
either use the funds consistent with the recipient's priorities or 
establish their own priorities for the use of those funds. In regard to 
timekeeping, the language tracks the statutory requirement so that such 
entities are required to maintain records of time spent on each case or 
matter undertaken with the funds transferred. However, they are not 
required to keep time in accordance with the Corporation's timekeeping 
regulation, 45 CFR part 1635.
    Section 1610.7(d) (Transfers for PAI activities): Paragraph (d) 
responds to comments from the American Bar Association and others that 
pointed out that many of the individual attorneys, private firms, and 
bar associations that provide representation or establish projects or 
programs for referral of cases pursuant to a recipient's private 
attorney involvement program (``PAI'') would not be able to continue 
their involvement in PAI if involvement meant the application of all of 
the conditions listed in this part to their other funds.
    The Board determined that a strict application of the Corporation's 
policy to PAI activities would significantly undermine PAI efforts. 
Accordingly, this paragraph provides an exception for the other funds 
of bar associations, private attorneys and other entities when the sole 
purpose of the transfer is to fund involvement in PAI activities. Such 
activities would include establishing judicare panels or referral 
services. This paragraph does not authorize any involvement in any 
restricted activities with the funds transferred. It is clear in this 
paragraph and under part 1614 that no activities inconsistent with the 
conditions on the use of LSC funds may be attributed to a recipient's 
PAI requirement under part 1614.

Section 1610.8  Accounting

    This section has been renumbered from the interim rule but has not 
been otherwise revised. This section sets out the general accounting 
requirement for recipients for their non-LSC funds. Currently, 
recipients are directed by the accounting guidance issued by the 
Corporation.

List of subjects in 45 CFR Part 1610

    Grant programs--law, Legal services.

    For reasons set forth in the preamble, LSC revises 45 CFR part 1610 
to read as follows:

PART 1610--USE OF NON-LSC FUNDS

Sec.
1610.1  Purpose.
1610.2  Definitions.
1610.3  Prohibition.
1610.4  Authorized use of other funds.
1610.5  Notification.
1610.6  Applicability.
1610.7  Transfers of recipient funds.
1610.8  Accounting.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2996i; 110 Stat. 3009 (1996); 110 Stat. 
1321 (1996).


Sec. 1610.1  Purpose.

    This part is designed to implement statutory restrictions on the 
use of non-LSC funds by LSC recipients.


Sec. 1610.2  Definitions.

    (a) Purpose prohibited by the LSC Act means any activity prohibited 
by the following sections of the LSC Act and those provisions of the 
Corporation's regulations that implement such sections of the Act:
    (1) Sections 1006(d)(3), 1006(d)(4), 1007(a)(6), and 1007(b)(4) of 
the LSC Act and 45 CFR part 1608 of the LSC Regulations (Political 
activities);
    (2) Section 1007(a)(10) of the LSC Act (Activities inconsistent 
with professional responsibilities);
    (3) Section 1007(b)(1) of the LSC Act and 45 CFR part 1609 of the 
LSC regulations (Fee-generating cases);
    (4) Section 1007(b)(2) of the LSC Act and 45 CFR part 1613 of the 
LSC Regulations (Criminal proceedings);

[[Page 63753]]

    (5) Section 1007(b)(3) of the LSC Act and 45 CFR part 1615 of the 
LSC Regulations (Actions challenging criminal convictions);
    (6) Section 1007(b)(7) of the LSC Act and 45 CFR part 1612 of the 
LSC Regulations (Organizing activities);
    (7) Section 1007(b)(8) of the LSC Act (Abortions);
    (8) Section 1007(b)(9) of the LSC Act (School desegregation); and
    (9) Section 1007(b)(10) of the LSC Act (Violations of Military 
Selective Service Act or military desertion).
    (b) Activity prohibited by or inconsistent with Section 504 means 
any activity prohibited by, or inconsistent with the requirements of, 
the following sections of 110 Stat. 1321 (1996) and those provisions of 
the Corporation's regulations that implement those sections:
    (1) Section 504(a)(1) and 45 CFR part 1632 of the LSC Regulations 
(Redistricting);
    (2) Sections 504(a) (2) through (6), as modified by Sections 504 
(b) and (e), and 45 CFR part 1612 of the LSC Regulations (Legislative 
and administrative advocacy);
    (3) Section 504(a)(7) and 45 CFR part 1617 of the LSC Regulations 
(Class actions);
    (4) Section 504(a)(8) and 45 CFR part 1636 of the LSC Regulations 
(Statement of facts and client identification);
    (5) Section 504(a)(9) and 45 CFR part 1620 of the LSC Regulations 
(Priorities);
    (6) Section 504(a)(10) and 45 CFR part 1635 of the LSC Regulations 
(Timekeeping);
    (7) Section 504(a)(11) and 45 CFR part 1626 of the LSC Regulations 
(Aliens);
    (8) Section 504(a)(12) and 45 CFR part 1612 of the LSC Regulations 
(Public policy training);
    (9) Section 504(a)(13) and 45 CFR part 1642 of the LSC Regulations 
(Attorneys' fees);
    (10) Section 504(a)(14) (Abortion litigation);
    (11) Section 504(a)(15) and 45 CFR part 1637 of the LSC Regulations 
(Prisoner litigation);
    (12) Section 504(a)(16), as modified by Section 504(e), and 45 CFR 
part 1639 of the LSC Regulations (Welfare reform);
    (13) Section 504(a)(17) and 45 CFR part 1633 of the LSC Regulations 
(Drug-related evictions); and
    (14) Section 504(a)(18) and 45 CFR part 1638 of the LSC Regulations 
(In-person solicitation).
    (c) IOLTA funds means funds derived from programs established by 
State court rules or legislation that collect and distribute interest 
on lawyers' trust accounts.
    (d) Non-LSC funds means funds derived from a source other than the 
Corporation.
    (e) Private funds means funds derived from an individual or entity 
other than a governmental source or LSC.
    (f) Public funds means non-LSC funds derived from a Federal, State, 
or local government or instrumentality of a government. For purposes of 
this part, IOLTA funds shall be treated in the same manner as public 
funds.
    (g) Transfer means a transfer of a recipient's funds for the 
purpose of conducting programmatic activities that are normally 
conducted by the recipient, such as the representation of eligible 
clients, or that provide direct support to the recipient's legal 
assistance activities.
    (h) Tribal funds means funds received from an Indian tribe or from 
a private nonprofit foundation or organization for the benefit of 
Indians or Indian tribes.


Sec. 1610.3  Prohibition.

    A recipient may not use non-LSC funds for any purpose prohibited by 
the LSC Act or for any activity prohibited by or inconsistent with 
section 504, unless such use is authorized by Secs. 1610.4, 1610.6 or 
1610.7 of this part.


Sec. 1610.4  Authorized use of other funds.

    (a) A recipient may receive tribal funds and expend them in 
accordance with the specific purposes for which the tribal funds were 
provided.
    (b) A recipient may receive public or IOLTA funds and use them in 
accordance with the specific purposes for which they were provided, if 
the funds are not used for any activity prohibited by or inconsistent 
with section 504.
    (c) A recipient may receive private funds and use them in 
accordance with the purposes for which they were provided, provided 
that the funds are not used for any activity prohibited by the LSC Act 
or prohibited or inconsistent with section 504.
    (d) A recipient may use non-LSC funds to provide legal assistance 
to an individual who is not financially eligible for services under 
part 1611 of this chapter, provided that the funds are used for the 
specific purposes for which those funds were provided and are not used 
for any activity prohibited by the LSC Act or prohibited by or 
inconsistent with section 504.


Sec. 1610.5  Notification.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no 
recipient may accept funds from any source other than the Corporation, 
unless the recipient provides to the source of the funds written 
notification of the prohibitions and conditions which apply to the 
funds.
    (b) A recipient is not required to provide such notification for 
receipt of contributions of less than $250.


Sec. 1610.6  Applicability.

    Notwithstanding Sec. 1610.7(a), the prohibitions referred to in 
Secs. 1610.2(a)(4) (Criminal proceedings), (a)(5) (Actions challenging 
criminal convictions), (b)(7) (Aliens) or (b)(11) (Prisoner litigation) 
of this part will not apply to:
    (a) A recipient's or subrecipient's separately funded public 
defender program or project; or
    (b) Criminal or related cases accepted by a recipient or 
subrecipient pursuant to a court appointment.


Sec. 1610.7  Transfers of recipient funds.

    (a) For a transfer of LSC funds, the prohibitions and requirements 
referred to in this part, except as modified by paragraphs (c) and (d) 
of this section, will apply both to the funds transferred and to the 
non-LSC funds of the person or entity.
    (b) For a transfer of non-LSC funds, the prohibitions and 
requirements referred to in this part, except as modified by paragraphs 
(c) and (d) of this section, will apply to the funds transferred, but 
will not apply to the other non-LSC funds of the person or entity.
    (c)(1) In regard to the requirement in Sec. 1610.2(b)(5) on 
priorities, persons or entities receiving a transfer of LSC or non-LSC 
funds shall either:
    (i) Use the funds transferred consistent with the recipient's 
priorities; or
    (ii) Establish their own priorities for the use of the funds 
transferred consistent with 45 CFR part 1620;
    (2) In regard to the requirement in Sec. 1610.2(b)(6) on 
timekeeping, persons or entities receiving a transfer of LSC or non-LSC 
funds are required to maintain records of time spent on each case or 
matter undertaken with the funds transferred.
    (d) For a transfer of LSC or non-LSC funds to bar associations, pro 
bono programs, private attorneys or law firms, or other entities for 
the sole purpose of funding private attorney involvement activities 
(PAI) pursuant to 45 CFR part 1614, the prohibitions or requirements of 
this part shall apply only to the funds transferred.


Sec. 1610.8  Accounting.

    Funds received by a recipient from a source other than the 
Corporation shall be accounted for as separate and distinct

[[Page 63754]]

receipts and disbursements in a manner directed by the Corporation.

    Dated: November 26, 1996.
Victor M. Fortuno,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 96-30619 Filed 11-29-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7050-01-P