[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 51 (Monday, March 17, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 12531]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6572]



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Rules and Regulations
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Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 51 / Monday, March 17, 1997 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[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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