[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 40 (Tuesday, February 29, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10846-10847]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-4755]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority

    This statement amends Part TB of the Statement of the Organization, 
Functions and Delegations of Authority which covers the Social Security 
Administration (SSA). It realigns work within the Office of the Deputy 
Commissioner, Legislation and Congressional Affairs (ODCLCA). The 
Disability Insurance Program Staff (TBB), the Supplemental Security 
Income (SSI) Program Staff (TBE), the Old Age and Survivors Insurance 
(OASI) Benefits Staff (TBG), and the Program Administration and 
Financing Staff (TBH) are all abolished. The functions of these staffs 
are transferred to a new Office of Legislative Development. Also, 
legislative liaison activities in the Immediate Office of the Deputy 
Commissioner are consolidated in a new Office of Legislative Relations. 
In addition, the legislative reference function is transferred from the 
immediate Office of the Deputy Commissioner to the Congressional 
Relations Staff, which is being retitled the Legislative Research and 
Congressional Constituent Relations Staff (TBC). Because this is a 
major realignment, the entire chapter is being reissued.

TB.00  Mission
TB.10  Organization
TB.20  Functions
    Section TB.00  The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Legislation 
and Congressional Affairs--(Mission): The Office of the Deputy 
Commissioner, Legislation and Congressional Affairs develops and 
conducts the legislative program of SSA, serves as the focal point for 
all legislative activity in SSA, analyzes legislative and regulatory 
initiatives and develops specific positions and amendments. The Office 
evaluates the effectiveness of programs administered by SSA in terms of 
legislative needs, and analyzes and develops recommendations on related 
income maintenance, social service and rehabilitation program 
proposals, particularly those which may involve coordination with SSA-
administered programs, and on other methods of providing economic 
security. It provides advisory service to SSA officials on legislation 
of interest to SSA pending in Congress. It also provides legislative 
drafting to officials within the Executive Branch, congressional 
committees, individual Members of Congress and private organizations 
interested in Social Security legislation. It establishes and maintains 
a working relationship with all Members of Congress. It serves as SSA's 
information gathering and dissemination staff on congressional 
activities affecting SSA programs and handles certain claims and 
administrative matters that are particularly urgent or sensitive to 
Members of Congress.
    Section TB.10  The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Legislation 
and Congressional Affairs--(Organization): The Office of the Deputy 
Commissioner, Legislation and Congressional Affairs, under the 
leadership of the Deputy Commissioner for Legislation and Congressional 
Affairs, includes:
    A. The Deputy Commissioner for Legislation and Congressional 
Affairs (TB).
    B. The Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Legislation and 
Congressional Affairs (TB).
    C. The Immediate Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Legislation 
and Congressional Affairs (TBA).
    D. The Office of Legislative Development (TBJ).
    E. The Office of Legislative Relations (TBH).
    F. The Legislative Research and Congressional Constituent Relations 
Staff (TBC).
    Section TB.20  The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Legislation 
and Congressional Affairs--(Functions)
    A. The Deputy Commissioner for Legislation and Congressional 
Affairs (TB) is directly responsible to the Commissioner for carrying 
out DCLCA's mission and providing general supervision to the major 
components of DCLCA.
    B. The Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Legislation and 
Congressional Affairs (TB) assists the Deputy Commissioner in carrying 
out his/her responsibilities and performs other duties as the Deputy 
Commissioner may prescribe.
    C. The Immediate Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Legislation 
and Congressional Affairs (TBA) provides the Deputy Commissioner and 
Assistant Deputy Commissioner with staff assistance on the full range 
of their responsibilities.
    D. The Office of Legislative Development (TBJ) develops and 
evaluates legislative proposals for changes in the Social Security 
program. Reviews regulations dealing with the Social Security program 
including inter-program relationships to assure cross-program 
consistency with policy requirements and decisions. Provides technical 
and advisory services to other agencies within the Executive Branch, 
congressional committees, State officials and private organizations 
having an

[[Page 10847]]

interest in Social Security programs or emerging legislative issues. 
Provides analytical support on broad programmatic issues. Identifies 
and analyzes far-reaching economic, political and societal issues that 
impact/influence the development and modification of Social Security 
program policies and procedures. Recommends methods for coordinating 
the protection afforded under Social Security with that afforded under 
other public and private benefit programs.
    E. The Office of Legislative Relations (TBH). Serves as consultant 
to the Deputy Commissioner, Office of Legislation and Congressional 
Affairs with regard to establishing and maintaining effective 
congressional relationships. Focuses on legislative relationships for 
planning and coordination among Executive Branch offices/Agencies and 
Hill components. Establishes and maintains liaison functions with the 
White House, other Executive Branch Agencies, and with congressional 
committees and Members' offices. Networks with counterparts in other 
agencies to foster a coordinative approach to legislative strategy. 
Directs the activities of the Washington, D.C., DCLCA staff in carrying 
out activities related to liaison with the Congress and coordination 
with other Agencies.
    F. The Legislative Research and Congressional Constituent Relations 
Staff (TBC).
    1. Develops and preserves working relationships with Members of 
Congress, on behalf of the Agency, covering the full range of program 
and administrative constituent matters. Conducts dialogue on a routine 
basis, and participates in negotiations on highly sensitive constituent 
matters with Members.
    2. Tracks legislative bills, highlights items of interest from the 
Congressional Record and other publications for DCLCA and SSA's 
Executive Staff and provides support for other DCLCA and SSA components 
at congressional hearings. Assists individual Members of Congress and 
their staffs and congressional committee staffs by responding to 
requests for information on pending and proposed Social Security 
legislation, related legislative proposals and the legislative history 
of the Social Security program. Reviews legislative proposals for 
consistency with existing program goals, philosophy and program 
requirements.

    Dated: February 2, 2000.
Kenneth S. Apfel,
Commissioner of Social Security.
[FR Doc. 00-4755 Filed 2-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P