[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 212 (Monday, November 3, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 62213]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-27518]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 212 / Monday, November 3, 2003 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 62213]]



OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS

5 CFR Part 2600

RIN 3209-AA21


Office of Government Ethics Organization and Functions 
Regulation; Clarifying Amendment

AGENCY: Office of Government Ethics (OGE).

ACTION: Final rule; amendment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Office of Government Ethics recently published in the 
Federal Register its final rule updated organization and functions 
regulation. This amendment clarifies one section of that updated 
regulation regarding the principal deputy role of OGE's General 
Counsel.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 3, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Horton, Attorney Advisor, 
Office of Government Ethics; telephone: 202-482-9300; TDD 
(Telecommunications Device for the Deaf and Speech Impaired): 202-482-
9293; FAX: 202-482-9237.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 2600.103(c)(2) of OGE's recently 
updated organization and functions regulation as published at 68 FR 
41681-41683 (July 15, 2003) provides that the OGE General Counsel 
serves as the principal deputy of the Director of OGE. This amendment 
to that section clarifies that OGE's General Counsel so serves, except 
as the OGE Director expressly provides by written delegation.

Matters of Regulatory Procedure

Administrative Procedure Act

    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b) and (d), as Director of the Office of 
Government Ethics, I find good cause exists for waiving the general 
notice of proposed rulemaking, opportunity for public comment, and 30-
day delay in effectiveness as to this clarifying amendment to OGE's 
organization and functions regulation as recently revised. The notice, 
comment, and delayed effective date are being waived because this 
amendment concerns matters of agency organization, practice and 
procedure.

Executive Order 12866

    In promulgating this clarifying amendment, OGE has adhered to the 
regulatory philosophy and the applicable principles of regulation set 
forth in section 1 of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and 
Review. This amendment has not been reviewed by the Office of 
Management and Budget under that Executive Order, since it is not 
deemed ``significant'' thereunder.

Executive Order 12988

    As Director of the Office of Government Ethics, I have reviewed 
this final regulatory amendment in light of section 3 of Executive 
Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, and certify that it meets the 
applicable standards provided therein.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    As Director of the Office of Government Ethics, I certify under the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) that this amendatory 
rulemaking will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35) does not apply 
because this amendatory rulemaking does not contain information 
collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of 
Management and Budget.

Congressional Review Act

    The Office of Government Ethics has determined that this amendatory 
rulemaking is a nonmajor rule under the Congressional Review Act (5 
U.S.C. chapter 8) and will submit a report thereon to the U.S. Senate, 
House of Representatives, and General Accounting Office in accordance 
with that law at the same time this rulemaking document is sent to the 
Office of the Federal Register for publication in the Federal Register.

List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 2600

    Conflict of interests, Government employees, Organization and 
functions (Government agencies).

    Approved: October 28, 2003.
Amy L. Comstock,
Director, Office of Government Ethics.

0
Accordingly, for the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Office of 
Government Ethics is amending 5 CFR part 2600 as follows:

PART 2600--ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT 
ETHICS

0
1. The authority citation for part 2600 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. App. (Ethics in Government Act of 1978); 
E.O. 12674, 54 FR 15159, 3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 215, as modified by 
E.O. 12731, 55 FR 42547, 3 CFR, 1990 Comp., p. 306.


0
2. Section 2600.103 is amended by revising paragraph (c)(2) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  2600.103  Office of Government Ethics organization and functions.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) The General Counsel is the principal deputy of the Director of 
OGE, except as the Director expressly provides by written delegation.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 03-27518 Filed 10-31-03; 8:45 am]
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