[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 75 (Friday, April 18, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19168-19170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9585]


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NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

36 CFR Part 1280

RIN 3095-AB17


NARA Facilities; Public Use

AGENCY: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: NARA is proposing to modify its regulations for using NARA 
facilities. Our existing regulations specify conduct rules on NARA 
property, which is defined as property under the control of the 
Archivist. We are proposing to add threats as a prohibited behavior 
because of the risk to persons and property potentially posed by 
threats, and because of the increased number of email and telephone 
threats received in NARA facilities. We are also proposing to specify 
the types of corrective action NARA imposes for prohibited behavior. 
This proposed rule specifies the formal procedures that we follow when 
banning individuals from our facilities and adds appeal procedures for 
individuals who want to request a reconsideration of the determination. 
Last, we are proposing to apply these changes to NARA property and to 
NARA-occupied space in facilities that are under the control of other 
agencies.

DATES: Comments are due by June 17, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be sent to Regulation Comments Desk (NPOL), 
Room 4100, Policy and Communications Staff, National Archives and 
Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001. 
They may be faxed to 301-837-2902. Electronic comments may be submitted 
through Regulations.gov. You may also comment via e-mail to 
[email protected]. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for details.

[[Page 19169]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Richardson at telephone number 
(301) 837-2902.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NARA's existing regulations specify conduct 
rules on NARA property. NARA property is defined to mean property under 
the control of the Archivist of the United States (the National 
Archives Building, the National Archives Building at College Park, and 
the Presidential libraries). We are proposing to add threats as a 
prohibited behavior because of the risk to persons and property 
potentially posed by threats, and because of the increased number of e-
mail and telephone threats received in NARA facilities.
    This proposed rule also specifies the types of corrective action 
that NARA imposes for prohibited behavior. These include any or all of 
the following:
    [sbull] Removal from the premises (removal for up to seven calendar 
days) and possible law enforcement notification;
    [sbull] Long-term banning (in up to one-year increments that 
includes automatic revocation of research privileges);
    [sbull] Arrest for trespass; and
    [sbull] Any additional corrective action as prescribed by law.
    This proposed rule also contains the formal procedures that we 
follow when banning individuals from our facilities and appeal 
procedures for those individuals who want to request a reconsideration 
of the decision.
    In addition to property under the control of the Archivist of the 
United States, NARA also occupies facilities under the control of other 
agencies (the regional records services facilities, the Washington 
National Records Center in Suitland, MD, the National Personnel Records 
Center in St. Louis, Missouri, and the Office of the Federal Register 
in Washington, DC). In our existing regulations, individuals on 
property occupied by NARA but controlled by other agencies must follow 
the conduct rules in the General Services Administration's (GSA) 
regulations (41 CFR part 102-74, subpart C). Though this remains 
unchanged, we are proposing to make threats a prohibited behavior at 
NARA-occupied facilities. We also propose to add removal and banning 
from the NARA-occupied space in those facilities under the control of 
other agencies as types of corrective action that NARA imposes for 
threatening behavior.
    Please submit e-mail comments within the body of your e-mail 
message or attach comments avoiding the use of any form of encryption. 
Please also include ``Attn: 3095-AB17'' and your name and return 
address in your Internet message. If you do not receive a confirmation 
that we have received your e-mail message, contact the Regulation 
Comment Desk at (301) 837-2902.
    This proposed rule is a significant regulatory action for the 
purposes of Executive Order 12866 and has been reviewed by the Office 
of Management and Budget. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, I certify that this rule will not have a significant impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. This regulation does not have any 
federalism implications.

List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 1280

    Federal buildings and facilities.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, NARA proposes to amend 
part 1280 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, chapter XII, as 
follows:

PART 1280--PUBLIC USE OF NARA FACILITIES

    1. The authority citation for part 1280 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 2102 notes, 2104(a), 2112(a)(1)(A)(iii), 
2903.

    2. Amend Sec.  1280.1 by revising paragraphs (b) and (c) and adding 
paragraph (d) as follows:


Sec.  1280.1  What is the purpose of this part?

* * * * *
    (b) When you are using other NARA facilities, the General Services 
Administration (GSA) regulations, Conduct on Federal Property, at 41 
CFR part 102-74, subpart C, apply to you. These facilities are the NARA 
regional records services facilities, the Washington National Records 
Center in Suitland, MD, the National Personnel Records Center in St. 
Louis, MO, and the Office of the Federal Register in Washington, DC. 
The rules in Sec. Sec.  1280.32(l), 1280.34(a)(1) and (a)(2), and 
1280.36 also apply to you. The rules in subpart B of this part also 
apply to you if you wish to film, take photographs, or make videotapes. 
The rules in subpart F of this part also apply to you if you wish to 
use the NARA-assigned conference rooms in those facilities.
    (c) If you are using records in a NARA research room in a NARA 
facility, you must also follow the rules in 36 CFR part 1254. If you 
violate a rule or regulation in 36 CFR part 1254, you are subject to 
the types of corrective action set forth in that part, including 
revocation of research privileges.
    (d) If you violate a rule or regulation in this part you are 
subject to, among other types of corrective action, removal and banning 
from the facility.
    3. Amend Sec.  1280.32 by adding paragraph (l) to read as follows:


Sec.  1280.32  What other behavior is not permitted?

* * * * *
    (l) Threatening directly (e.g., in-person communications or 
physical gestures) or indirectly (e.g., via regular mail, electronic 
mail, or phone) any NARA employee, visitor, volunteer, contractor, 
other building occupants, or property.
    4. Add Sec.  1280.34 and Sec.  1280.36 to subpart A to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1280.34  What are the types of corrective action NARA imposes for 
prohibited behavior?

    (a) Individuals who violate the provisions of this part are subject 
to:
    (1) Removal from the premises (removal for up to seven calendar 
days) and possible law enforcement notification;
    (2) Banning from property owned or operated by NARA;
    (3) Arrest for trespass; and
    (4) Any additional types of corrective action prescribed by law.
    (b) The regional administrator of the facility (or the director if 
so designated) has the authority to have the individual immediately 
removed and denied further access to the premises for up to seven 
calendar days. During this removal period, the Assistant Archivist for 
Administrative Services renders a decision on whether the individual 
should be banned from specific or all NARA facilities permanently or 
temporarily (in up to one-year increments). Long-term banning under 
this part includes automatic revocation of research privileges, 
notwithstanding the time periods set forth in 36 CFR 1254.20. Research 
privileges remain revoked until the ban is lifted, at which time an 
application for new privileges may be submitted.
    (c) Upon written notification by the Assistant Archivist for 
Administrative Services, individuals may be banned from all NARA 
facilities. All NARA facilities will be notified of the banning of 
individuals.


Sec.  1280.36  May I file an appeal if I am banned from NARA 
facilities?

    Yes, within 30 calendar days of receiving such notification, an 
individual may appeal the decision in writing. In the request, the 
individual must state the reasons for the appeal and mail it to the 
Deputy Archivist of the United States for reconsideration (address: 
National Archives and Records Administration (ND), 8601 Adelphi

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Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001). The Deputy Archivist has 30 
calendar days from receipt of an appeal to make a decision to rescind, 
modify, or uphold the ban. If the ban is upheld, further requests by 
the affected individual will not be acted upon if received prior to the 
expiration of a period of one year from the date of the last request 
for reconsideration. After one year has passed, a further request for 
reconsideration will be considered, and the Deputy Archivist will 
decide, within 30 calendar days of receiving the request, whether the 
ban remains in place or is rescinded. Notice of the decision will be 
provided in writing to the affected individual.
    5. Revise Sec.  1280.100 to read as follows:


Sec.  1280.100  What are the rules of conduct at NARA regional records 
services facilities?

    While at any NARA regional records services facility, you are 
subject to all of the following:
    (a) The GSA regulations, Conduct on Federal Property (41 CFR part 
102-74, subpart C);
    (b) The rules in subparts B and F of this part;
    (c) Section 1280.1(b) through (d);
    (d) Section 1280.32(l);
    (e) Section 1280.34 (a)(1) and (a)(2); and
    (f) Section 1280.36.

    Dated: April 10, 2003.
John W. Carlin,
Archivist of the United States.
[FR Doc. 03-9585 Filed 4-17-03; 8:45 am]
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