[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 81 (Friday, April 26, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24749-24750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09932]


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OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Proposed Collection; Comment Request for a Modified OGE Form 
201 Ethics in Government Act Access Form

AGENCY: Office of Government Ethics (OGE).

ACTION: Notice of request for agency and public comments.

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SUMMARY: After this first round notice and public comment period, OGE 
plans to submit a proposed modified OGE Form 201 Ethics in Government 
Act access form to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review 
and approval of a three-year extension under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). The OGE Form 201 is used by persons 
requesting access to executive branch public financial disclosure 
reports and other covered records.

DATES: Written comments by the public and the agencies on this proposed 
extension are invited and must be received by June 25, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted to OGE, by any of the following 
methods:
    Email: [email protected]. (Include reference to ``OGE Form 201 
Paperwork Comment'' in the subject line of the message.)
    FAX: 202-482-9237, Attn: Paul D. Ledvina.
    Mail, Hand Delivery/Courier: U.S. Office of Government Ethics, 
Suite 500, 1201 New York Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20005-3917, 
Attention: Paul D. Ledvina, Agency Clearance Officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ledvina at the U.S. Office of 
Government Ethics; telephone: 202-482-9247; TTY: 800-877-8339; FAX: 
202-482-9237; Email: [email protected]. An electronic copy of the 
OGE Form 201 version used to manually submit access requests to OGE or 
other executive branch agencies by mail or FAX is available in the 
Forms Library section of OGE's Web site at http://www.oge.gov. A paper 
copy may also be obtained, without charge, by contacting Mr. Ledvina. 
An automated version of the OGE Form 201, also available on OGE's Web 
site, enables the requester to fill out, submit and receive immediate 
access to financial reports and certain related records for individuals 
who have been nominated by the President to executive branch positions 
requiring Senate confirmation, and individuals who have declared their 
candidacy for the Office of the President of the United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Request to Inspect or Receive Copies of Executive Branch 
Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Reports or Other Covered Records.
    Agency Form Number: OGE Form 201.
    OMB Control Number: 3209-0002.
    Type of Information Collection: Extension with modifications of a 
currently approved collection.
    Type of Review Request: Regular.
    Respondents: Individuals requesting access to executive branch 
public financial disclosure reports and other covered records.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 870.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 145 hours.
    Abstract: The OGE Form 201 collects information from, and provides 
certain information to, persons who seek access to OGE Form 278/SF 278 
Public Financial Disclosure Reports, including OGE Form 278-T Periodic 
Transaction Reports, and other covered records. The form reflects the 
requirements of the Ethics in Government Act, subsequent amendments 
pursuant to the STOCK Act and OGE's implementing regulations that must 
be met by a person before access can be granted. These requirements 
relate to information collected about the identity of the requester, as 
well as any other person on whose behalf a record is sought, and 
notification of prohibited uses of executive branch public disclosure 
financial reports. See sections 105(b) and (c) and 402(b)(1) of the 
Ethics in Government Act, 5 U.S.C. appendix Sec. Sec.  105(b) and (c) 
and 402(b)(1), and 5 CFR 2634.603 (c) and (f) of OGE's executive 
branchwide regulations. Executive branch departments and agencies are 
encouraged to utilize the OGE Form 201 for individuals seeking access 
to public financial disclosure reports and other covered documents. OGE 
permits departments and agencies to use or develop their own forms as 
long as the forms collect and provide all of the required information. 
OGE is proposing several modifications to both the non-automated and 
automated versions of the OGE Form 201. OGE proposes to modify the 
title of the form and add a warning to requestors that intentional 
falsification of the information required by the form may result in 
prosecution under 18 U.S.C. Sec.  1001. OGE is proposing that this

[[Page 24750]]

renewal request to OMB also cover the fully automated version of the 
OGE Form 201, available only through the OGE Web site at www.oge.gov. 
Initially launched in March 2012, this automated version of the access 
form enables a requestor to obtain immediately upon Web site submission 
of the completed form, those financial disclosure reports of 
individuals who have been nominated by the President to executive 
branch positions requiring Senate confirmation. In addition, OGE 
reviews the public financial disclosure report of individuals who have 
declared their candidacy for the Office of the President of the United 
States. Those certified reports may also be requested by submitting a 
completed automated OGE Form 201.
    Request for Comments: OGE is publishing this first round notice of 
its intent to request paperwork clearance for a proposed modified OGE 
Form 201 Ethics Act Access Form. Agency and public comment is invited 
specifically on the need for and practical utility of this information 
collection, the accuracy of OGE's burden estimate, the enhancement of 
quality, utility and clarity of the information collected, and the 
minimization of burden (including the use of information technology). 
Comments received in response to this notice will be summarized for, 
and may be included with, the OGE request for extension of OMB 
paperwork approval. The comments will also become a matter of public 
record.

    Approved: April 22, 2013.
Walter M. Shaub, Jr.,
Director, U.S. Office of Government Ethics.
[FR Doc. 2013-09932 Filed 4-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6345-03-P