[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 122 (Friday, June 23, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39218-39219]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-15862]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority

    This statement amends part S of the Statement of the Organization, 
Functions and Delegations of Authority which covers the Social Security 
Administration (SSA). Chapter S9 covers the Office of the General 
Counsel (OGC). Notice is given that the current divisions are being 
elevated to office-level components. There also will be minor 
organizational and functional changes within OGC. The changes are as 
follows:
    Section S9.00  The Office of the General Counsel--(Mission):
    Amend to read as follows:
    The General Counsel, as special advisor to the Commissioner on 
legal matters, is responsible for providing all legal services and 
advice to the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and all subordinate 
organizational components (except OIG) of SSA in connection with the 
operation and administration of SSA.
    Section S9.10  The Office of the General Counsel--(Organization)
    Retitle:
C. The Immediate Office of the General Counsel (S9A)
    1. The Deputy General Counsel (Regional Operations) (S9A-1) to The 
Deputy General Counsel (S9A-1).
    Delete:
    2. The Inspector General Staff (S9A-2).
    Add:
    2. The Executive Operations Staff (S9A-3).
    Retitle:
D. The Division of General Law (S9B) to The Office of General Law 
(S9B).
E. The Division of Litigation (S9C) to The Office of Program Litigation 
(S9C).
F. The Division of Policy and Legislation (S9E) to The Office of 
Program Law (S9E).
    Section S9.20  The Office of the General Counsel--(Functions):
    Retitle:
C. The Immediate Office of the General Counsel (S9A)
    1. The Deputy General Counsel (Regional Operations) (S9A-1) to The 
Deputy General Counsel (S9A-1).
    Amend as follows:
    C. The Immediate Office of the General Counsel (S9A) includes the 
Deputy General Counsel (S9A-1) and the Executive Operations Staff (S9A-
3).
    1. The Deputy General Counsel (S9A-1) assists the General Counsel 
and the Principal Deputy General Counsel in carrying out their 
responsibilities and performs other duties as the General Counsel may 
prescribe. In the event of the absence or disability of both the 
General Counsel and the Principal Deputy General Counsel, the Deputy 
General Counsel acts for the General Counsel unless the Commissioner 
directs otherwise.
    Delete in its entirety:
    2. The Inspector General Staff (S9A-2).
    Add:
    2. The Executive Operations Staff (S9A-3) provides internal 
organizational planning, management analysis and review, staff support 
and assistance to the General Counsel, Principal Deputy General 
Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, OGC Executive Staff, OGC Executive 
Officer and other OGC managers. Plans, develops and coordinates OGC's 
financial, personnel and administrative management activities and 
programs for OGC headquarters and regional offices. Plans, directs and 
provides day-to-day operational support services on all areas of 
administrative, budget, space and facilities, communications, and 
systems management. Identifies, coordinates and implements OGC's 
training program. Formulates, justifies, and presents annual and multi 
year budget submissions. Controls the collection, recording and 
reporting of all financial, personnel, and administrative data in 
connection with budget and staffing formulation and executive 
functions.
    Retitle and amend as follows:
D. The Division of General Law (S9B) to The Office of General Law 
(S9B).
    1. Provides legal services on business management activities and 
administrative operations throughout SSA, including procurement, 
contracting, patents, copyrights, budget, appropriations, personnel, 
adverse employment actions, employment discrimination, compensation, 
travel, personnel and tort claims by and against SSA, electronic 
service delivery, labor-management relations and Touhy requests.
    2. Provides legal services and advice regarding SSA's civil 
defense, civil rights and security programs as well as for SSA's 
administration of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts and 
Computer Matching Agreements. Provides liaison with the Department of 
Justice on administering the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts. 
Liaisons with the Comptroller General.
    4. Assists SSA components with the development and implementation 
of ethics training, provides liaison with the White House Office of 
Counsel and the Office of Government Ethics on ethics matters.
E. The Division of Litigation (S9C) to The Office of Program Litigation 
(S9C).
    1. Furnishes legal support and litigation related advice in both 
administrative and court litigation in connection with the operations 
and administration by SSA of the various programs administered by SSA 
under the Social Security Act and of other programs which do not fall 
within the jurisdiction of the Office of General Law.
F. The Division of Policy and Legislation (S9E) to The Office of 
Program Law (S9E).
    1. Furnishes nonlitigation legal services and advice in connection 
with the operations and administration of the various programs 
administered by SSA under the Social Security Act and of other programs 
and areas which do not fall within the jurisdiction of the Office of 
General Law.
    3. Drafts or reviews proposed testimony of SSA officials before

[[Page 39219]]

Congress relating to any area within the jurisdiction of the Office of 
Program Law.
    4. Drafts or reviews all SSA regulatory materials and legal 
instruments relating to areas within the jurisdiction of the Office of 
Program Law.
    Amend as follows:
G. The Offices of Regional Chief Counsels (S9G-F1--S9G-FX).
    2. Provide litigation support and legal services and advice to the 
SSA Regional Commissioners in the various areas set out above regarding 
OGC offices.

    Dated: May 22, 2000.
Kenneth S. Apfel,
Commissioner of Social Security.
[FR Doc. 00-15862 Filed 6-22-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P