[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 220 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68963-68965]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-28728]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

32 CFR Part 283

RIN 0790-AG90


Waiver of Debts Resulting From Erroneous Payments of Pay and 
Allowances

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 
considering applications for the waiver of debts resulting from 
erroneous payments of pay and allowances (including travel and 
transportation allowances) to or on behalf of members of the Uniformed 
Services and civilian Department of Defense (DoD) employees. 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 and Federal employees and provides 
procedures by which their claims against the United States will be 
adjudicated.

Public Law 96-511, ``Paperwork Reduction 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.

[[Page 68964]]

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 283

    Administrative practice and procedure, Armed forces, Wages.

    Accordingly, 32 CFR part 283 is proposed to be added to subchapter 
M to read as follows:

PART 283--WAIVER OF DEBTS RESULTING FROM ERRONEOUS PAYMENTS OF PAY 
AND ALLOWANCES

Sec.
283.1 Purpose.
283.2 Applicability.
283.3 Definitions.
283.4 Policy.
283.5 Responsibilities and functions.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5584; 10 U.S.C. 2774; 32 U.S.C. 716.


Sec.  283.1  Purpose.

    This part establishes policy and assigns responsibilities for 
considering applications for the waiver of debts resulting from 
erroneous payments of pay and allowances (including travel and 
transportation allowances) to or on behalf of members of the Uniformed 
Services and civilian Department of Defense (DoD) employees under 10 
U.S.C. 2774, 32 U.S.C. 716, and 5 U.S.C. 5584.


Sec.  283.2  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 
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 (PHS) and 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 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.  283.3  Definitions.

    (a) Debt. An amount an individual owes the government as the result 
of erroneous payments of pay and allowances (including travel and 
transportation allowances) to or on behalf of members of the Uniformed 
Services or civilian DoD employees.
    (b) Erroneous Payment. A payment that is not in strict conformity 
with applicable laws or regulations.
    (c) 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.
    (d) Waiver Application. A request that the United States relinquish 
its claim against an individual for a debt resulting from erroneous 
payments of pay or allowances (including travel and transportation 
allowances) under 10 U.S.C. 2774, 32 U.S.C. 716, or 5 U.S.C. 5584.


Sec.  283.4  Policy.

    It is Department of Defense policy that:
    (a) The officials designated in this Directive exercise waiver 
authority that, by statute or delegation, is vested in the Department 
of Defense.
    (b) Waiver applications shall be processed in accordance with all 
pertinent statutes and regulations, and after consideration of other 
relevant authorities.


Sec.  283.5  Responsibilities and functions.

    (a) The Head of a Non-DoD Component, concerning debts resulting 
from the Component's activity:
    (1) Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2774, has the authority to deny or grant 
all or part of a waiver application, if the aggregate amount of the 
debt is $1,500 or less.
    (2) If the aggregate amount of the debt is more than $1,500, may:
    (i) Deny a waiver application in its entirety, or
    (ii) Refer a waiver application for consideration with a 
recommendation that all or part of the application be granted, in 
accordance with procedures promulgated under paragraph (e)(3) of this 
section.
    (b) The Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), concerning debts 
(except those described in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section) 
resulting from DoD Component activity:
    (1) Pursuant to enclosure 2 of DoD Directive 5118.3 \1\, has the 
authority to deny or grant all or part of a waiver application, if the 
aggregate amount of the debt is $1,500 or less.
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    \1\ Availability at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives.
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    (2) If the aggregate amount of the debt is more than $1,500, may:
    (i) Deny a waiver application in its entirety, or
    (ii) Refer a waiver application for consideration with a 
recommendation that all or part of the application be granted, in 
accordance with procedures promulgated under paragraph (e)(3) of this 
section.
    (c) The Director, Department of Defense Dependents Schools, 
concerning debts of civilian employees resulting from that Component's 
activity:
    (1) Pursuant to enclosure 2 of DoD Directive 1342.6 \2\, has the 
authority to deny or grant all or part of a waiver application, if the 
aggregate amount of the debt is $1,500 or less.
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    \2\ See footnote to Sec.  283.5(b)(1).
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    (2) If the aggregate amount of the debt is more than $1,500, may:
    (i) Deny a waiver application in its entirety, or
    (ii) Refer a waiver application for consideration with a 
recommendation that all or part of the application be granted, in 
accordance with procedures promulgated under paragraph (e)(3) of this 
section.
    (d) The Director, National Security Agency, concerning debts 
resulting from that Component's activity:
    (1) May deny or grant all or part of a waiver application, if the 
aggregate amount of the debt is $1,500 or less.
    (2) If the aggregate amount of the debt is more than $1,500, may:
    (i) Deny a waiver application in its entirety, or
    (ii) Refer a waiver application for consideration with a 
recommendation that all or part of the application be granted, in 
accordance with procedures promulgated under paragraph (e)(3) of this 
section.
    (e) The General Counsel of the Department of Defense:
    (1) May deny or grant all or part of a waiver application, if the 
aggregate amount of a debt is more than $1,500.
    (2) May decide appeals in accordance with procedures promulgated 
under paragraph (e)(3) of this section.
    (3) Shall develop overall waiver policies; and promulgate 
procedures for considering waiver applications, including an initial 
determination process and a process to appeal an initial determination.
    (f) The Head of a DoD Component shall:
    (1) Consistent with procedures promulgated under paragraph (e)(3) 
of this section, establish procedures within

[[Page 68965]]

the Component for the submission of waiver applications relating to 
debts resulting from the component's activity, which shall be referred 
to the appropriate official for consideration as set forth in 
paragraphs (b), (c), (d), or (e) of this section.
    (2) Ensure compliance with this part and policies and procedures 
promulgated under paragraph (e)(3) of this section.

    Dated: November 4, 2002.
Patricia L. Toppings,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 02-28728 Filed 11-13-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-08-M