[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 220 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68956-68957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-28726]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

32 CFR Part 281

RIN 0790-AG47


Settling Personnel and General Claims and Processing Advance 
Decision Requests

AGENCY: Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals, Office of the General 
Counsel of the Department of Defense.

ACTION:  Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule proposes policy and assigns responsibilities for 
settling personnel and general claims and for processing requests for 
an advance decision. The Legislative Branch Appropriations Act of 1996 
transferred to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) the Comptroller General's Authority to settle claims. The OMB 
Director subsequently delegated some of these authorities to the 
Department of Defense. Later, the General Accounting Office Act of 1996 
codified many of these delegations to the Secretary of Defense and 
others and transferred to the OMB Director the authority of the 
Comptroller General to waive uniformed service member and employee 
debts arising out of the erroneous payment of pay or allowances 
exceeding $1,500. The OMB Director subsequently delegated the authority 
to waive such debts of uniformed service members and DoD employees to 
the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary of Defense further delegated 
his claims settlement and waiver authorities to the General Counsel. 
This rule implements the reassignment of the Comptroller General's 
former duties within the Department of Defense with little impact on 
the public.

DATES: Consideration will be given to all comments received on or 
before January 13, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals, 
ATTN: Claims Division, P.O. Box 3656, Arlington, VA 22203-1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Hipple, 703-696-8510.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review''

    The Director of the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals has 
determined that this rule is not a significant rule because it does not 
(1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or 
adversely affect in a material way the economy; a sector of the 
economy; productivity; competition; jobs; the environment; public 
health or safety; or State, local, or tribal governments or 
communities; (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere 
with an action taken or planned by another Agency; (3) Materially alter 
the budgetary impact on entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan 
programs, or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) 
Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the 
President's priorities, or the principles set forth in this Executive 
order.

Public Law 96-354, ``Regulatory Flexibility Act''

    The Director of the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals has 
certified that this rule does not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities because this rule affects 
members of the Uniformed Services, Federal employees and transportation 
carriers and provides procedures by which their claims against the 
United States will be adjudicated. The same minimal requirements for 
submitting a claim are applicable to members and transportation 
carriers.

Public Law 96-511, ``Paperwork Reducation Act''

    The Director of the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals has 
certified that this rule does not impose information collection 
requirements.

Section 202, Public Law 104-4, ``Unfunded Mandates Reform Act''

    The Director of the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals has 
certified that this rule does not involve a Federal Mandate that may 
result in the expenditure by State, local and tribal governments, in 
the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more and 
that such rulemaking will not significantly or uniquely affect small 
governments.

Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism''

    The Director of the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals has 
certified that this rule does not have federalism implications. This 
rule does not have substantial direct affects on the States, on the 
relationship between the National Government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 281

    Administrative practice and procedure, Armed Forces, Claims.

    Accordingly, 32 CFR part 281 is proposed to be added to subchapter 
M to read as follows:

PART 281--SETTLING PERSONNEL AND GENERAL CLAIMS AND PROCESSING 
ADVANCE DECISION REQUESTS

Sec.
281.1 Purpose.
281.2 Applicability.
281.3 Definitions.
281.4 Policy.
281.5 Responsibilities and functions.

Appendix A to Part 281--Claims Description.

    Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2575, 2771, 4712, 9712; 24 U.S.C. 420; 31 
U.S.C. 3529, 3702; 32 U.S.C. 714; 37 U.S.C. 554.


Sec.  281.1  Purpose.

    This part implements policy and assigns responsibilities for 
settling personnel and general claims (under 31 U.S.C. 3702, 10 U.S.C. 
2575, 10 U.S.C. 2771, 24 U.S.C. 420, 10 U.S.C. 4712, 10 U.S.C. 9712, 37 
U.S.C. 554, and 32 U.S.C. 714) and for processing requests for an 
advance decision under 31 U.S.C. 3529.

[[Page 68957]]

Sec.  281.2  Applicability.

    This part applies to:
    (a) The Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military 
Departments, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant 
Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of 
Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other 
organizational entities within the Department of Defense (hereafter 
referred to collectively as ``the DoD Components'').
    (b) The Coast Guard, when it is not operating as a Service in the 
Navy, and the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service and the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to the extent of the 
authority provided by law or delegated by the Director, Office of 
Management and Budget (hereafter referred to collectively as ``the non-
DoD Components'').


Sec.  281.3  Definitions.

    (a) Armed Forces. The Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine 
Corps, and the Coast Guard.
    (b) Claim. A demand for money or property under one of the 
following statutes: 31 U.S.C. 3702, 10 U.S.C. 2575, 10 U.S.C. 2771, 24 
U.S.C. 420, 10 U.S.C. 4712, 10 U.S.C. 9712, 37 U.S.C. 554, or 32 U.S.C. 
714.
    (c) Secretary concerned. The Secretary of the Army, with respect to 
matters concerning the Army. The Secretary of the Navy, with respect to 
matters concerning the Navy, the Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard when 
it is operating as a Service in the Navy. The Secretary of the Air 
Force, with respect to matters concerning the Air Force. The Secretary 
of Transportation, with respect to matters concerning the Coast Guard 
when it is not operating as a Service in the Navy. The Secretary of 
Commerce, with respect to matters concerning the NOAA. The Secretary of 
Health and Human Services, with respect to matters concerning the PHS.
    (d) Settlement. A claim and the amount due that is administratively 
determined to be valid.
    (e) Uniformed Services. The Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the 
Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, and the Commissioned Corps of the PHS 
and the NOAA.


Sec.  281.4.  Policy.

    It is DoD policy that:
    (a) The claim settlement and advance decision authorities that, by 
statute or delegation, are vested in the Department of Defense or the 
Secretary of Defense shall be exercised by the officials designated in 
this part. Appendix A to this part describes the claims included under 
these functional authorities.
    (b) Claims shall be settled and advance decisions shall be rendered 
in accordance with pertinent statutes and regulations, and after 
consideration of other relevant authorities.


Sec.  281.5  Responsibilities and functions.

    (a) The General Counsel of the Department of Defense shall:
    (1) Settle claims that the Secretary of Defense is authorized to 
settle under 31 U.S.C. 3702 (including claims under 10 U.S.C. 2575, 10 
U.S.C. 2771, 24 U.S.C. 420, 10 U.S.C. 4712, 10 U.S.C. 9712, 37 U.S.C. 
554, and 32 U.S.C. 714).
    (2) Consider, and grant or deny, a request by the Secretary 
concerned under 31 U.S.C. 3702 to waive the time limit for submitting 
certain claims.
    (3) Render advance decisions under 31 U.S.C. 3529 that the 
Secretary of Defense is authorized to render, and oversee the 
submission of requests for an advance decision arising from the 
activity of a DoD Component that are addressed to officials outside the 
Department of Defense.
    (4) Develop overall claim settlement and advance decision policies; 
and promulgate procedures for settling claims, processing requests for 
an advance decision (including overseeing the submission of requests 
for an advance decision arising from the activity of a DoD Component 
that are addressed to officials outside the Department of Defense), and 
rendering advance decisions. Procedures for settling claims shall 
include an initial determination process and a process to appeal an 
initial determination.
    (b) The Heads of the DoD Components shall:
    (1) Establish procedures within the Component for processing claims 
and for submitting requests for an advance decision arising from the 
Component's activity in accordance with this part and procedures 
promulgated under paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
    (2) Pay claims under 10 U.S.C. 2771 and 32 U.S.C. 714, if 
applicable.
    (3) Ensure compliance with this part and policies and procedures 
promulgated under paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
    (c) The Heads of the Non-DoD Components, with respect to claims 
arising from that Component's activity under 31 U.S.C. 3702, 10 U.S.C. 
2575, 10 U.S.C. 2771, or 37 U.S.C. 554, shall:
    (1) Establish procedures within the Component for processing claims 
and for submitting requests for an advance decision in accordance with 
this part and procedures promulgated under paragraph (a)(4) of this 
section.
    (2) Pay claims under 10 U.S.C. 2771, if applicable.

Appendix A to Part 281--Claims Description

    The Secretary of Defense is authorized to perform the claim 
settlement and advance decision functions for claims under the 
following statutes:
    (a) 31 U.S.C. 3702, concerning claims in general when there is 
no other settlement authority specifically provided for by law.\1\
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    \1\ This includes claims involving Uniformed Services members' 
pay, allowances, travel, transportation, payment for unused accrued 
leave, retired pay, and survivor benefits, and claims for refunds by 
carriers for amounts collected from them for loss or damage to 
property they transported at Government expense; also included are 
other claims arising from the activity of a DoD Component. However, 
the Director of the Office of Personnel Management performs these 
functions for claims involving civilian employees' compensation and 
leave; and the Administrator of General Services performs these 
functions for claims involving civilian employees' travel, 
transportation, and relocation expenses.
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    (b) 10 U.S.C. 2575, concerning the disposition of unclaimed 
personal property on a military installation.
    (c) 10 U.S.C. 2771, concerning the final settlement of accounts 
of deceased members of the armed forces (but not the National 
Guard).\2\
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    \2\ Claims under this statute are actually settled under the 
authority in 31 U.S.C. 3702, because there is no specific settlement 
authority in the statute.
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    (d) 24 U.S.C. 420, 10 U.S.C. 4712, and 10 U.S.C. 9712 concerning 
the disposition of the effects of deceased residents of the Armed 
Forces Retirement Home.
    (e) 37 U.S.C. 554, concerning the sale of personal property of 
members of the Uniformed Services who are in a missing status.
    (f) 32 U.S.C. 714, concerning the final settlement of accounts 
of deceased members of the National Guard.\3\
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    \3\ Claims under this statute are actually settled under the 
authority in 31 U.S.C. 3702, because there is no specific settlement 
authority in the statute.

    Dated: November 4, 2002.
Patricia L. Toppings,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.

[FR Doc. 02-28726 Filed 11-13-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-08-M