[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 77 (Tuesday, April 22, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19771-19773]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9937]


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COURT SERVICES AND OFFENDER SUPERVISION AGENCY FOR THE DISTRICT OF 
COLUMBIA

28 CFR Part 804

[CSOSA-0008-P]
RIN 3225-AA06


Acceptance of Gifts

AGENCY: Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District 
of Columbia.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the 
District of Columbia (CSOSA) proposes to adopt regulations on the 
acceptance or use of gifts by itself and by the District of Columbia 
Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), an independent entity within CSOSA. In 
accordance with specific statutory authority, CSOSA and PSA may accept 
and use gifts in the form of in-kind contributions of space and 
hospitality for the purpose of supporting offender and defendant 
programs and of equipment and vocational training services to educate 
and train offenders and defendants. These regulations delegate 
authority to the Director of PSA with respect to gifts supporting 
defendant programs and vocational training services, establish 
procedures for the public to follow when offering a gift, establish 
criteria for accepting and using gifts, and establish procedures for 
audit and public inspection of records pertaining to the acceptance and 
use of gifts. These regulations are intended to enhance CSOSA's ability 
to provide appropriate treatment and support services that can assist 
defendants and offenders in reintegrating into the community.

DATES: Comments due by June 23, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Office of the General Counsel, CSOSA, Room 1253, 633 Indiana 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy Nanovic, Records Manager 
(telephone: (202) 220-5359; e-mail: [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CSOSA proposes to adopt regulations (28 CFR 
part 804) on the acceptance of use of gifts by itself and by PSA, an 
independent entity within CSOSA.

[[Page 19772]]

    Generally speaking, federal agencies are prohibited from accepting 
or soliciting gifts, donations, contributions, and similar items from 
the public. CSOSA's Director, however, has been granted specific 
authority by Congress to accept and use gifts in the form of in-kind 
contributions of space and hospitality to support offender and 
defendant programs and to enable the Agency to provide vocational 
training services to educate and train offenders and defendants 
(District of Columbia Appropriations Act of 2002, Public Law 107-96, 
115 Stat. 923, 931).
    These implementing regulations delegate authority to the Director 
of PSA with respect to gifts supporting defendant programs and 
vocational training services. The regulations also establish procedures 
for the public to follow when offering a gift, criteria for accepting 
and using gifts, and procedures for audit and public inspection of 
records pertaining to the acceptance and use of gifts. In establishing 
such procedures, CSOSA seeks to ensure that Agency employees may 
process requests for donations and remain in compliance with the 
general federal prohibition on solicitation of gifts.

Matters of Regulatory Procedure

Administrative Procedure Act

    Interested persons may participate in this proposed rulemaking by 
submitting data, views, or arguments in writing or by e-mailing the 
agency at the addresses given above in the ADDRESSES and FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT captions. Comments received during the comment 
period will be considered before final action is taken. Comments 
received after the expiration of the comment period will be considered 
to the extent practicable. All comments received remain on file for 
public inspection at the above address. The proposed rule may be 
changed in light of the comments received. We will not be holding oral 
hearings on this proceeding.

Executive Order 12866

    This interim rule has been determined to be significant under 
Executive Order 12866 and has been reviewed by the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB).

Executive Order 13132

    This rule will not have substantial direct effects on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels 
of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132, the 
Director of CSOSA has determined that this rule does not have 
sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a 
Federalism Assessment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Director of CSOSA, in accordance with the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), has reviewed this rule and by 
approving it certifies that this rule will not have a significant 
economic impact upon a substantial number of small entities. This rule 
pertains to agency management, and its economic impact is limited to 
the agency's appropriated funds.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    This rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local and 
tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of 
$100,000,000 or more in any one year, and it will not significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, the Director of CSOSA has 
determined that no actions are necessary under the provisions of the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

    This rule is not a major rule as defined by section 804 of the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This rule 
will not result in an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or 
more; a major increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse 
effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, 
innovation, or on the ability of United States-based companies to 
compete with foreign-based companies in domestic and export markets.

Plain Language Instructions

    We want to make CSOSA's documents easy to read and understand. If 
you have suggestions on how to improve the clarity of these 
regulations, write, e-mail, or call Roy Nanovic at the address or 
telephone number given above in the ADDRESSES and FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT captions.

List of Subjects in 28 CFR Part 804

    Authority delegations (Government agencies); Government Property; 
Probation and Parole.

Paul A. Quander, Jr.,
Director.

    Accordingly, we propose to amend chapter VIII, Title 28 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations by adding a new part 804 as set forth below.

PART 804--ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS

Sec.
804.1 Purpose.
804.2 Delegation of authority.
804.3 Restrictions.
804.4 Submission and approval.
804.5 Audit and public inspection.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; Public Law 107-96, 115 Stat. 923, 931.


Sec.  804.1  Purpose.

    By statute, the Director of the Court Services and Offender 
Supervision Agency (CSOSA or Agency) is authorized to accept and use 
gifts in the form of in-kind contributions of space and hospitality to 
support offender and defendant programs, and of equipment and 
vocational training services to educate and train offenders and 
defendants. The purpose of this part is to:
    (a) Inform the public of the procedures to follow when offering a 
gift;
    (b) Establish criteria for accepting and using gifts;
    (c) Establish procedures for audit and public inspection of records 
pertaining to the acceptance and use of gifts; and
    (d) Delegate gift acceptance authority to the Director of the 
Pretrial Services Agency (PSA or Agency).


Sec.  804.2  Delegation of authority.

    The Director of CSOSA hereby delegates to the Director of PSA the 
authority to accept and use gifts in the form of in-kind contributions 
of space and hospitality to support defendant programs, and of 
equipment and vocational training services to educate and train 
defendants in accordance with the requirements of this part. This 
delegation of authority may not be further delegated.


Sec.  804.3  Restrictions.

    (a) The Agency is not authorized to accept gifts of money, stock, 
bonds, personal or real property, or devises or bequests of such items, 
except as provided in this part.
    (b) Agency employees may not solicit any type of gift to the 
Agency.


Sec.  804.4  Submission and approval.

    (a) Offender programs and equipment and vocational training 
services. (1) Any person or organization wishing to donate as a gift 
in-kind contributions of space or hospitality to support offender 
programs, or equipment or vocational training services to educate and 
train offenders may submit the following information in writing to the 
Agency's

[[Page 19773]]

Ethics Officer in the Office of the General Counsel:
    (i) The name of the person or organization offering the gift;
    (ii) A description of the gift;
    (iii) The estimated value of the gift;
    (iv) Any restrictions on the gift placed by the donor; and
    (v) A signed statement that the gift is unsolicited.
    (2) The Director, after consultation with the Agency's Ethics 
Officer, shall determine whether to accept or reject the gift.
    (3) CSOSA staff shall advise the person offering the gift of the 
Agency's determination, including, if applicable, the reason for 
rejection. Reasons for rejecting a gift include findings that:
    (i) There is a conflict of interest in accepting the gift;
    (ii) Acceptance of the gift is otherwise unlawful or would create 
the appearance of impropriety;
    (iii) Acceptance of the gift would obligate the Agency to an 
unbudgeted expenditure of funds; or
    (iv) Operation of the program, equipment, or vocational training 
services would not be practicable.
    (b) Defendant programs and equipment and vocational training 
services. (1) Any person or organization wishing to donate as a gift 
in-kind contributions of space or hospitality to support defendant 
programs, or equipment or vocational training services to educate and 
train defendants may submit the following information in writing to the 
Agency's Ethics Officer in the Office of the General Counsel:
    (i) The name of the person or organization offering the gift;
    (ii) A description of the gift;
    (iii) The estimated value of the gift;
    (iv) Any restrictions on the gift placed by the donor; and
    (v) A signed statement that the gift is unsolicited.
    (2) The General Counsel shall forward the request to PSA's Director 
with a recommendation whether to accept or reject the gift.
    (3) PSA staff shall advise the person offering the gift of the 
Agency's determination, including the reason for rejection. Reasons for 
rejecting a gift include findings that:
    (i) There is a conflict of interest in accepting the gift;
    (ii) Acceptance of the gift is otherwise unlawful or would create 
the appearance of impropriety;
    (iii) Acceptance of the gift would obligate the Agency to an 
unbudgeted expenditure of funds; or
    (iv) Operation of the program, equipment, or vocational training 
services would not be practicable.


Sec.  804.5  Audit and public inspection.

    (a) Records regarding the acceptance and use of gifts shall be made 
available for Federal Government audit.
    (b) Public inspection of records regarding the acceptance and use 
of gifts shall be afforded through Freedom of Information Act requests 
(see 28 CFR part 802).

[FR Doc. 03-9937 Filed 4-21-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3129-01-P