[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 221 (Friday, November 16, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64558-64563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-22494]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

36 CFR Parts 1250, 1251, and 1256

[NARA-07-0006]
RIN 3095-AB32


Testimony by NARA Employees Relating to Agency Information and 
Production of Records in Legal Proceedings

AGENCY: National Archives and Records Administration.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is 
proposing to revise its regulations relating to demands for records or 
testimony in legal proceedings. The rule is intended to facilitate 
access to records in NARA's custody, centralize agency decisionmaking 
in response to demands for records or testimony, minimize the 
disruption of official duties in complying with demands, maintain 
agency control over the release of agency information, and protect the 
interests of the United States. The proposed rule affects parties to 
lawsuits and their counsel.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 15, 2008.

ADDRESSES: NARA invites interested persons to submit comments on this 
proposed rule. Comments may be submitted by any of the following 
methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: Submit comments by facsimile transmission to 301-837-
0319.
     Mail: Send comments to Regulations Comments Desk (NPOL), 
Room 4100, Policy and Planning Staff, National Archives and Records 
Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver comments to 8601 Adelphi 
Road, College Park, MD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura McCarthy at (301) 837-3023 or 
via fax number 301-837-0319.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NARA regularly receives subpoenas and other

[[Page 64559]]

demands for information, including requests for documents and for NARA 
employees to provide testimony in legal proceedings in which the United 
States may or may not be a party. This rule contains NARA's policy and 
procedures in response to demands for testimony or records in legal 
proceedings. In addition, this rule consolidates existing regulations 
and applies to demands in legal proceedings where the United States is 
a party and to demands in legal proceedings where the United States is 
not a party.
    Many agencies have issued regulations concerning agency responses 
to demands where the United States is not a party. The courts recognize 
the authority of Federal agencies to limit compliance with demands in 
such circumstances; see for example, United States ex rel. Touhy v. 
Ragen, 340 U.S. 462 (1951). NARA's proposed rule applies whether or not 
the United States is a party to the legal proceeding. NARA believes 
that this is appropriate because our receipt of a demand in a legal 
proceeding whether or not the United States is a party to the 
proceeding raises many of the same concerns. Consolidating our existing 
regulations also assists third parties in easily locating NARA's policy 
and procedures concerning demands in legal proceedings.
    NARA has in its possession the following type of records:
     Permanently-valuable Federal records, Presidential 
records, donated and deposited historical materials in the National 
Archives of the United States;
     Records belonging to Federal agencies other than NARA that 
are in NARA's temporary physical custody;
     Records of defunct agencies that have no successor in 
function; and
     NARA's own operational records.
    NARA's responsibility to manage, preserve, arrange, describe, or 
provide access to those records places the agency in a unique position 
in the Federal government regarding demands for records and testimony.
    Requests for records that are not classified as demands are treated 
as requests for records under one of the following authorities: the 
Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552); the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 
552a); the Federal Records Act and its implementing regulations (44 
U.S.C. chs. 21, 29, 31, 33; 36 CFR parts 1250-1256); the Presidential 
Records Act and its implementing regulations (44 U.S.C. ch. 22; 36 CFR 
part 1270); or the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation 
Act and its implementing regulations (44 U.S.C. 2111 note; 36 CFR part 
1275). This rule does not restrict access to records under those 
authorities.
    This rule applies certain restrictions to testimony by NARA 
employees in legal proceedings. These restrictions apply whether or not 
the United States is a party to the proceeding. Authorization for 
employees to provide such testimony is based upon the following:
     The applicability of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure;
     A determination by NARA's General Counsel that NARA has a 
significant interest in the legal proceeding and that the outcome may 
affect the implementation of present policies (NARA's Inspector General 
makes the determination as to whether an employee of NARA's Office of 
the Inspector General may provide such testimony); or
     Other circumstances or conditions make it necessary to 
provide the testimony in the public interest.
    These restrictions are necessary to minimize the disruption of 
NARA's official business, and to protect the agency's human and 
financial resources. NARA employees are not authorized to testify about 
the content of records in NARA's physical custody when the legal title 
of such records belongs to another Federal agency. However, NARA can 
provide a copy of such records and certify that the copy is a true and 
accurate copy of the records in NARA's physical or legal custody. Such 
copies have the same legal status as the original record, and when 
produced under seal, must be judicially noted by all Federal, state, 
and local courts. See 44 U.S.C. 2116.
    This rule does not apply in instances where an employee is 
requested to appear in adjudicative, legislative, or administrative 
proceedings that are unrelated to information concerning Federal 
activities or the employee's duties at NARA. Also, this rule does not 
apply to subpoenas or requests for information submitted by either 
House of Congress or by a Congressional committee or subcommittee with 
jurisdiction over the matter that the testimony or information is 
requested.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This proposed rule contains information collection activities that 
are subject to review and approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995.
    The reporting burden for this collection is estimated to be 
approximately 1.5 hours per response for providing to NARA the 
information specified in proposed Sec.  1251.10, including the time for 
gathering and maintaining the data needed and completing and reviewing 
the collection of information. A requestor who produces a demand to a 
NARA employee to produce documents or testimony would be required to 
submit the demand in writing to an appropriate party as specified in 
Sec.  1251.6; a demand issued by, or under color of a state or local 
court must be signed by a judge. The information would be collected on 
a one-time basis, at least 45 days before the date the records or 
testimony is required. Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
NARA's functions, including whether the information would have 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of NARA's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 
(d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques of 
other forms of information technology.
    This rule is not a significant regulatory action for the purposes 
of Executive Order 12866 and has not been reviewed by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB). As required by the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, it is hereby certified that this proposed rule will not have a 
significant impact on small entities because NARA receives fewer than 
25 demands per year for testimony from individuals and small entities.

List of Subjects

36 CFR Part 1250

    Confidential business information, Freedom of information.

36 CFR Part 1251

    Administrative practice and procedure.

36 CFR Part 1256

    Archives and records, Copyright, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.
    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, NARA proposes to amend 
Subchapter C of 36 CFR Ch. XII as follows:

PART 1250--PUBLIC AVAILABILITY AND USE OF FEDERAL RECORDS

    1. The authority citation for part 1250 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 2104(a), 2204; 5 U.S.C. 552; E.O. 12600, 52 
FR 23781, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 235.

[[Page 64560]]

Sec.  1250.84  [Removed]

    2. Remove Sec.  1250.84.
    3. Add a new Part 1251 to read as follows:

PART 1251--TESTIMONY BY NARA EMPLOYEES RELATING TO AGENCY 
INFORMATION AND PRODUCTION OF RECORDS IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Sec.
1251.1 What is the purpose of this part?
1251.2 To what demands does this part apply?
1251.3 What definitions apply to this part?
1251.4 May employees provide records or give testimony in response 
to a demand without authorization?
1251.6 How does the General Counsel determine whether to comply with 
a demand for records or testimony?
1251.8 Who is authorized to accept service of a subpoena demanding 
the production of records or testimony?
1251.10 What are the filing requirements for a demand for documents 
or testimony?
1251.12 How does NARA process your demand?
1251.14 Who makes the final determination on compliance with demands 
for records or testimony?
1251.16 Are there any restrictions that apply to testimony?
1251.18 Are there any restrictions that apply to the production of 
records?
1251.20 Are there any fees associated with producing records or 
providing testimony?
1251.22 Are there penalties for providing records or testimony in 
violation of this part?

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 2104; 44 U.S.C. 2108; 44 U.S.C. 2109; 44 
U.S.C. 2111 note; 44 U.S.C. 2112; 44 U.S.C. 2116; 44 U.S.C. ch. 22; 
44 U.S.C. 3102.


Sec.  1251.1  What is the purpose of this part?

    (a) This part provides the policies and procedures to follow when 
submitting a demand to an employee of the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA) to produce records or provide testimony relating 
to agency information in connection with a legal proceeding. You must 
comply with these requirements when you request the release or 
disclosure of records or agency information.
    (b) The National Archives and Records Administration intends these 
provisions to:
    (1) Promote economy and efficiency in its programs and operations;
    (2) Minimize NARA's role in controversial issues not related to its 
mission;
    (3) Maintain NARA's impartiality among private litigants when NARA 
is not a named party; and
    (4) Protect sensitive, confidential information and the 
deliberative processes of NARA.
    (c) In providing for these requirements, NARA does not waive the 
sovereign immunity of the United States.
    (d) This part provides guidance for the internal operations of 
NARA. It does not create any right or benefit, substantive or 
procedural, that a party may rely upon in any legal proceeding against 
the United States.


Sec.  1251.2  To what demands does this part apply?

    This part applies to demands to NARA employees for factual or 
expert testimony relating to agency information, or for production of 
records, in legal proceedings whether or not NARA is a named party. 
However, it does not apply to:
    (a) Demands upon or requests for a NARA employee to testify as to 
facts or events that are unrelated to his or her official duties or 
that are unrelated to the functions of NARA;
    (b) Demands upon or requests for a former NARA employee to testify 
as to matters in which the former employee was not directly or 
materially involved while at NARA;
    (c) Requests for the release of, or access to, records under the 
Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, as amended; the Privacy Act, 
5 U.S.C. 552a; the Federal Records Act, 44 U.S.C. chs. 21, 29, 31, 33; 
the Presidential Records Act, 44 U.S.C. ch. 22; or the Presidential 
Recordings and Materials Preservation Act, 44 U.S.C. 2111 note;
    (d) Demands for records or testimony in matters before the Equal 
Employment Opportunity Commission or the Merit Systems Protection 
Board; and
    (e) Congressional demands and requests for testimony or records.


Sec.  1251.3  What definitions apply to this part?

    The following definitions apply to this part:
    Demand means a subpoena, or an order or other command of a court or 
other competent authority, for the production, disclosure, or release 
of records in a legal proceeding, or for the appearance and testimony 
of a NARA employee in a legal proceeding.
    General Counsel means the General Counsel of NARA or a person to 
whom the General Counsel has delegated authority under this part. 
General Counsel also means the Inspector General of NARA (or a person 
to whom the Inspector General has delegated authority under this part) 
when a demand is made for records of NARA's Office of the Inspector 
General, or for the testimony of an employee of NARA's Office of the 
Inspector General.
    Legal proceeding means any matter before a court of law, 
administrative board or tribunal, commission, administrative law judge, 
hearing officer, or other body that conducts a legal or administrative 
proceeding. Legal proceeding includes all phases of litigation.
    NARA means the National Archives and Records Administration.
    NARA employee or employee means:
    (1) Any current or former officer or employee of NARA, except that 
this definition does not include former NARA employees who are retained 
or hired as expert witnesses or who agree to testify about general 
matters, matters available to the public, or matters with which they 
had no specific involvement or responsibility during their employment 
with NARA;
    (2) Any other individual hired through contractual agreement by or 
on behalf of NARA or who has performed or is performing services under 
such an agreement for NARA; and
    (3) Any individual who served or is serving in any consulting or 
advisory capacity to NARA, whether formal or informal.
    Records or agency information means:
    (1) All documents and materials which are NARA agency records under 
the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, as amended;
    (2) Presidential records as defined in 44 U.S.C. 2201; historical 
materials as defined in 44 U.S.C. 2101; records as defined in 44 U.S.C. 
2107 and 44 U.S.C. 3301.
    (3) All other documents and materials contained in NARA files; and
    (4) All other information or materials acquired by a NARA employee 
in the performance of his or her official duties or because of his or 
her official status.
    Testimony means any written or oral statements, including 
depositions, answers to interrogatories, affidavits, declarations, 
interviews, and statements made by an individual in connection with a 
legal proceeding.


Sec.  1251.4  May employees provide records or give testimony in 
response to a demand without authorization?

    No, except as otherwise permitted by this part, no employee may 
produce records and information or provide any testimony relating to 
agency information in response to a demand without the prior, written 
approval of the General Counsel.


Sec.  1251.6  How does the General Counsel determine whether to comply 
with a demand for records or testimony?

    The General Counsel may consider the following factors in 
determining

[[Page 64561]]

whether or not to grant an employee permission to testify on matters 
relating to agency information, or produce records in response to a 
demand:
    (a) NARA's compliance with the demand is required by federal law, 
regulation or rule, or is otherwise permitted by this part;
    (b) The purposes of this part are met;
    (c) Allowing such testimony or production of records would be 
necessary to prevent a miscarriage of justice;
    (d) NARA has an interest in the decision that may be rendered in 
the legal proceeding;
    (e) Allowing such testimony or production of records would assist 
or hinder NARA in performing its statutory duties;
    (f) Allowing such testimony or production of records would involve 
a substantial use of NARA resources;
    (g) Responding to the demand would interfere with the ability of 
NARA employees to do their work;
    (h) Allowing such testimony or production of records would be in 
the best interest of NARA or the United States;
    (i) The records or testimony can be obtained from the publicly 
available records of NARA or from other sources;
    (j) The demand is unduly burdensome or otherwise inappropriate 
under the applicable rules of discovery or the rules of procedure 
governing the case or matter in which the demand arose;
    (k) Disclosure would violate a statute, Executive Order or 
regulation;
    (l) Disclosure would reveal confidential, sensitive, or privileged 
information, trade secrets or similar, confidential commercial or 
financial information, otherwise protected information, or information 
which would otherwise be inappropriate for release;
    (m) Disclosure would impede or interfere with an ongoing law 
enforcement investigation or proceeding, or compromise constitutional 
rights;
    (n) Disclosure would result in NARA appearing to favor one litigant 
over another;
    (o) Disclosure relates to documents that were produced by another 
agency;
    (p) A substantial Government interest is implicated;
    (q) The demand is within the authority of the party making it; and
    (r) The demand is sufficiently specific to be answered.


Sec.  1251.8  Who is authorized to accept service of a subpoena 
demanding the production of records or testimony?

    (a) Demands for testimony, except those involving an employee of 
NARA's Office of the Inspector General, must be addressed to, and 
served on, the General Counsel, National Archives and Records 
Administration, Suite 3110, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-
6001. Demands for the testimony of an employee of NARA's Office of the 
Inspector General must be addressed to, and served on, the Inspector 
General, National Archives and Records Administration, Suite 1300, 8601 
Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.
    (b) Demands for the production of NARA operational records, except 
those of the Office of the Inspector General, must be addressed to, and 
served on, the General Counsel. Demands for records of the Inspector 
General must be addressed to, and served on, the Inspector General. 
Please note that in accordance with section (b)(11) of the Privacy Act, 
5 U.S.C. Sec.  552a, demands for operational records kept in a Privacy 
Act system of records require the signature of a court of competent 
jurisdiction. See Doe v. Digenova, 779 F.2d 74 (D.C. Cir. 1985); Stiles 
v. Atlanta Gas Light Company, 453 F. Supp. 798 (N.D. Ga. 1978). This 
generally means that the demand must be signed by a judge or some other 
competent entity, not an attorney or court clerk.
    (c) Demands for the production of records stored in a Federal 
Records Center (FRC) must be addressed to, and served on, the director 
of the FRC where the records are stored. NARA honors the demand to the 
extent required by law, if the agency having legal title to the records 
has not imposed any restrictions. If the agency has imposed 
restrictions, NARA notifies the authority issuing the demand that NARA 
abides by the agency-imposed restrictions and refers the authority to 
the agency for further action. See Sec.  1251.8(b) for demands for NARA 
operational records kept in a Privacy Act system of records.
    (d) Demands for the production of materials designated as Federal 
archival records, Presidential records or donated historical materials 
administered by NARA must be addressed to, and served on, the 
appropriate Assistant Archivist, Director of Archival Operations, or 
Presidential Library Director. An information copy of the demand must 
be sent to the General Counsel.
    (e) For matters where the United States is a party, the Department 
of Justice should contact the General Counsel instead of submitting a 
demand for records or testimony.
    (f) Contact information for each NARA facility may be found at 36 
CFR part 1253.


Sec.  1251.10  What are the filing requirements for a demand for 
documents or testimony?

    You must comply with the following requirements, as appropriate, 
whenever you issue a demand to a NARA employee for records, agency 
information or testimony:
    (a) Your demand must be in writing and must be served on the 
appropriate party as identified in Sec.  1251.6. A demand issued by, or 
under color of, a state or local court must be signed by a judge.
    (b) Your written demand (other than a demand pursuant to rule 45 of 
the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, in which case you must comply 
with the requirements of that rule) must contain the following 
information:
    (1) The caption of the legal proceeding, docket number, and name 
and address of the court or other authority involved;
    (2) A copy of the complaint or equivalent document setting forth 
the assertions in the case and any other pleading or document necessary 
to show relevance;
    (3) A list of categories of records sought, a detailed description 
of how the information sought is relevant to the issues in the legal 
proceeding, and a specific description of the substance of the 
testimony or records sought;
    (4) A statement as to how the need for the information outweighs 
the need to maintain any confidentiality of the information and 
outweighs the burden on NARA to produce the records or provide 
testimony;
    (5) A statement indicating that the information sought is not 
available from another source, from other persons or entities, or from 
the testimony of someone other than a NARA employee, such as a retained 
expert;
    (6) If testimony is requested, the intended use of the testimony, a 
general summary of the desired testimony, and a showing that no 
document could be provided and used instead of testimony;
    (7) A description of all previous decisions, orders, or pending 
motions in the case that bear upon the relevance of the requested 
records or testimony;
    (8) The name, address, and telephone number of counsel to each 
party in the case; and
    (9) An estimate of the amount of time that the requester and other 
parties may require with each NARA employee for time spent by the 
employee to prepare for testimony, in travel, and for attendance in the 
legal proceeding.
    (c) The National Archives and Records Administration reserves the 
right to require additional information to comply with your demand.

[[Page 64562]]

    (d) Your demand should be submitted at least 45 days before the 
date that records or testimony is required. Demands submitted in less 
than 45 days before records or testimony is required must be 
accompanied by a written explanation stating the reasons for the late 
request and the reasons for expedited processing.
    (e) Failure to cooperate in good faith to enable the General 
Counsel to make an informed decision may serve as the basis for a 
determination not to comply with your demand.
    (f) The information collection contained in this section has been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act as by OMB under the control number 3095-0038 with a 
current expiration date of May 31, 2008.


Sec.  1251.12  How does NARA process your demand?

    (a) After service of a demand for production of records or for 
testimony, an appropriate NARA official reviews the demand and, in 
accordance with the provisions of this subpart, determines whether, or 
under what conditions, to produce records or authorize the employee to 
testify on matters relating to agency information.
    (b) The National Archives and Records Administration processes 
demands in the order in which we receive them. Absent exigent or 
unusual circumstances, NARA responds within 45 days from the date of 
receipt. The time for response depends upon the scope of the demand.
    (c) The General Counsel may grant a waiver of any procedure 
described by this subpart where a waiver is considered necessary to 
promote a significant interest of NARA or the United States or for 
other good cause.


Sec.  1251.14  Who makes the final determination on compliance with 
demands for records or testimony?

    The General Counsel makes the final determination on demands to 
employees for testimony. The appropriate NARA official, as described in 
Sec.  1251.8, makes the final determination on demands for the 
production of records. The NARA official notifies the requester and the 
court or other authority of the final determination and any conditions 
that may be imposed on the release of records or information, or on the 
testimony of a NARA employee. If the NARA official deems it appropriate 
not to comply with the demand, the official communicates the reasons 
for the noncompliance as appropriate.


Sec.  1251.16  Are there any restrictions that apply to testimony?

    (a) The General Counsel may impose conditions or restrictions on 
the testimony of NARA employees including, for example, limiting the 
areas of testimony or requiring the requester and other parties to the 
legal proceeding to agree that the transcript of the testimony will be 
kept under seal or will only be used or made available in the 
particular legal proceeding for which testimony was requested. The 
General Counsel may also require a copy of the transcript of testimony 
at the requester's expense.
    (b) NARA may offer the employee's written declaration instead of 
testimony.
    (c) If authorized to testify pursuant to this part, an employee may 
testify as to facts within his or her personal knowledge, but, unless 
specifically authorized to do so by the General Counsel, the employee 
must not:
    (1) Disclose confidential or privileged information; or
    (2) For a current NARA employee, testify as an expert or opinion 
witness with regard to any matter arising out of the employee's 
official duties or the functions of NARA unless testimony is being 
given on behalf of the United States.


Sec.  1251.18  Are there any restrictions that apply to the production 
of records?

    (a) The General Counsel may impose conditions or restrictions on 
the release of records and agency information, including the 
requirement that parties to the proceeding obtain a protective order or 
execute a confidentiality agreement to limit access and any further 
disclosure. The terms of the protective order or of a confidentiality 
agreement must be acceptable to the General Counsel. In cases where 
protective orders or confidentiality agreements have already been 
executed, NARA may condition the release of records and agency 
information on an amendment to the existing protective order or 
confidentiality agreement.
    (b) If the General Counsel so determines, original NARA records may 
be presented for examination in response to a demand, but they are not 
to be presented as evidence or otherwise used in a manner by which they 
could lose their identity as official NARA records, nor are they to be 
marked or altered. Instead of the original records, NARA provides 
certified copies for evidentiary purposes (see 28 U.S.C. 1733; 44 
U.S.C. 2116). Such copies must be given judicial notice and must be 
admitted into evidence equally with the originals from which they were 
made (see 44 U.S.C. 2116).


Sec.  1251.20  Are there any fees associated with producing records or 
providing testimony?

    (a) Generally. The General Counsel may condition the production of 
records or appearance for testimony upon advance payment of a 
reasonable estimate of the costs to NARA.
    (b) Fees for records. Fees for producing records include fees for 
searching, reviewing, and duplicating records, costs of attorney time 
spent in reviewing the demand or request, and expenses generated by 
materials and equipment used to search for, produce, and copy the 
responsive information. Costs for employee time are calculated on the 
basis of the hourly pay of the employee (including all pay, allowance, 
and benefits). Fees for duplication are the same as those charged by 
NARA in part 1258 of this title.
    (c) Witness fees. Fees for attendance by a witness include fees, 
expenses, and allowances prescribed by the court's rules. If no such 
fees are prescribed, witness fees are determined based upon the rule of 
the Federal district court closest to the location where the witness 
appears. Such fees include cost of time spent by the witness to prepare 
for testimony, in travel, and for attendance in the legal proceeding.
    (d) Payment of fees. You must submit pay for fees by submitting to 
the General Counsel a check or money order for the appropriate amount 
made payable to the following:
    (1) witness fees for current NARA employees are made payable to the 
Treasury of the United States;
    (2) applicable fees paid to former NARA employees providing 
testimony must be paid directly in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 1821 or 
other applicable statutes; and
    (3) fees for the production of records, including records 
certification fees, are made payable to the National Archives Trust 
Fund (NATF).
    (e) Certification (authentication) of copies of records. The 
National Archives and Records Administration may certify that records 
are true copies in order to facilitate their use as evidence. Request 
certified copies from NARA at least 45 days before the date they are 
needed. We charge a certification fee for each document certified.
    (f) Waiver or reduction of fees. The General Counsel, in his or her 
sole discretion, may, upon a showing of reasonable cause, waive or 
reduce any fees in connection with the testimony, production, or 
certification of records.
    (g) De minimis fees. Fees are not assessed if the total charge is 
$10.00 or

[[Page 64563]]

less, or as otherwise stated in NARA policy.


Sec.  1251.22  Are there any penalties for providing records or 
testimony in violation of this part?

    (a) An employee who discloses official records or information or 
gives testimony relating to official information, except as expressly 
authorized by NARA or as ordered by a Federal court after NARA has had 
the opportunity to be heard, may face the penalties provided in 18 
U.S.C. 641 and other applicable laws. Additionally, former NARA 
employees are subject to the restrictions and penalties of 18 U.S.C. 
207 and 216.
    (b) A current NARA employee who testifies or produces official 
records and information in violation of this part is subject to 
disciplinary action.

PART 1256--PUBLIC AVAILABILITY AND USE OF FEDERAL RECORDS

    4. The authority citation for part 1256 continues to read as 
follows:

     Authority: 44 U.S.C. 2101-2118; 22 U.S.C. 1461(b); 5 U.S.C. 
552; E.O. 12958 (60 FR 19825, 3 CFR, 1995 Comp., p. 333; E.O. 13292, 
68 FR 15315, 3 CFR, 2003 Comp., p. 196; E.O. 13233, 66 FR 56023, 3 
CFR, 2001 Comp., p. 815.


Sec.  1256.4  [Removed]

    5. Remove Sec.  1256.4.

    Dated: November 9, 2007.
Allen Weinstein,
Archivist of the United States.
 [FR Doc. E7-22494 Filed 11-15-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7515-01-P