[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 74 (Monday, April 17, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20504-20505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9448]


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OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL


Proposed Information Collection Activities; Request for Comment

AGENCY: Office of Special Counsel.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), in accordance with 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35) and 
implementing regulations at 5 CFR Part 1320, plans to request approval 
from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for use of two 
previously approved information collections: (1) Form OSC-11, Complaint 
of Possible Prohibited Personnel Practice or Other Prohibited Activity; 
and (2) Form OSC-12, Disclosure of Information. The forms to be 
submitted to OMB contain some modifications to the existing forms, 
including the addition of information about OSC jurisdiction. These 
collections of information are described in OSC regulations at 5 CFR 
1800.1 and 1800.2. The current OMB approval for these collections of 
information expires on August 31, 2000.
    Current and former Federal employees, employee representatives, 
other Federal agencies, and the general public are invited to comment 
on these information collections. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether 
the proposed collections of information are necessary for the proper 
performance of OSC's functions, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of OSC's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collections of information; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
respondents, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES: Comments should be received on or before June 16, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Kathryn Stackhouse, Attorney, Planning and Advice Division, 
U.S. Office of Special Counsel, 1730 M Street, NW, Suite 300, 
Washington, DC 20036-4505.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathryn Stackhouse, Attorney, Planning 
and Advice Division, at the address shown above; by telephone at (202) 
653-8971; or by facsimile at (202) 653-5151. The collections of 
information to be submitted to OMB will be available for review on 
OSC's Web site (at www.osc.gov) as of the date of this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comment is requested on the following two 
collections of information:
    1. Title of Collection: Complaint of Possible Prohibited Personnel 
or Other Prohibited Activity (Agency Form Number: OSC-11; OMB Control 
Number 3255-0002).
    Type of Information Collection: Approval of a previously approved 
collection of information that expires on August 31, 2000. The proposed 
information collection format includes changes as follows: (1) Style, 
format, and other minor revisions that do not appear to impose 
significant new burdens, such as requests for fax numbers, e-mail 
addresses, and details of certain allegations in a different format; 
(2) addition of explanatory information about OSC jurisdiction, 
elements required to prove some claims, and certain procedural rights; 
and (3) description of new and revised Privacy Act routine uses 
published after the prior OMB approval.
    Affected public: Current and former Federal employees, applicants 
for Federal employment, and their representatives.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 1802.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 1.25 hours. This estimated 
burden has changed from the previous estimate of one hour, due 
primarily to the addition of the explanatory information described 
above, under ``Type of Information Collection.''
    Estimated Annual Burden: 2252.5 hours.
    Abstract: This optional complaint form, or the format provided in 5 
CFR 1800.1, is for use by current and former Federal employees and 
applicants for Federal employment to submit allegations of possible 
prohibited personnel practices or other prohibited activity for 
investigation and possible prosecution by OSC. In addition to a hard 
copy format, the form will be posted on OSC's Web site so that 
complainants can fill in the form online, and then print the completed 
form for signature and transmittal to OSC by mail or fax.

    2. Title of Collection: Disclosure of Information (Agency Form 
Number: OSC-12; OMB Control Number 3255-0002).
    Type of Information Collection: Approval of a previously approved 
collection of information that expires on August 31, 2000. The proposed 
information collection format includes changes as follows: (1) Style, 
format, and other minor revisions that do not appear to impose 
significant new burdens, such as requests for fax numbers, e-mail 
addresses, name of any legal or other representative, and 
classification of the type of disclosure; (2) addition of certification 
language before the signature of the submitter; (3) addition of 
explanatory information about OSC jurisdiction, processing criteria, 
and procedures; and (4) description of new and revised Privacy Act 
routine uses published after the prior OMB approval.
    Affected public: Current and former Federal employees, applicants 
for Federal employment, and their representatives.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 388.

[[Page 20505]]

    Frequency: On occasion.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 1 hour.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 388 hours.
    Abstract: This optional whistleblower disclosure form, and the 
format provided in 5 CFR 1800.2, are for use by current and former 
Federal employees and applicants for Federal employment to disclose 
(for OSC review and possible referral to the agency involved) a 
violation of any law, rule, or regulation, gross mismanagement, a gross 
waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific 
danger to public health or safety. In addition to a hard copy format, 
the form will be posted on OSC's Web site so that complainants can fill 
in the form online, and then print the completed form for signature and 
transmittal to OSC by mail or fax.

Erin M. McDonnell,
Associate Special Counsel for Planning and Advice.
[FR Doc. 00-9448 Filed 4-14-00; 8:45 am]
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