[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 34 (Friday, February 20, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9189-9190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03315]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 34 / Friday, February 20, 2015 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 9189]]



FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY

5 CFR Part 2429


Unfair Labor Practice Proceedings and Miscellaneous and General 
Requirements

AGENCY: Federal Labor Relations Authority.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) is engaged in an 
initiative to make electronic filing or ``eFiling'' available to 
parties in all cases before the FLRA. Making eFiling available is 
another way in which the FLRA is using technology to improve the 
customer-service experience. These eFiling enhancements are expected to 
increase efficiency by reducing procedural filing errors and processing 
delays.

DATES: Effective March 23, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Written comments about this final rule can be emailed to 
[email protected] or sent to the Case Intake and Publication 
Office, Federal Labor Relations Authority, 1400 K Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20424. All written comments will be available for public 
inspection during normal business hours at the Case Intake and 
Publication Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gina Grippando, Counsel for Regulatory 
and Public Affairs, Federal Labor Relations Authority, Washington, DC 
20424, (202) 218-7776.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the first stage of its eFiling 
initiative, the FLRA enabled parties to use eFiling to file requests 
for Federal Service Impasses Panel assistance in the resolution of 
negotiation impasses. See 77 FR 5987 (Feb. 7, 2012). The second stage 
of the FLRA's eFiling initiative provided parties with an option to use 
eFiling to electronically file 11 types of documents in cases filed 
with the FLRA's three-member adjudicatory body, the Authority. Parties 
may now file such documents. See 77 FR 26430 (May 4, 2012). The third 
stage of the FLRA's eFiling initiative provided parties with the option 
to use eFiling to electronically file certain documents involved in 
representation and unfair labor practice proceedings. See 77 FR 37751 
(June 25, 2012).
    The fourth stage of the FLRA's eFiling initiative is the subject of 
this Final Rule. In this stage, parties will be able to use the FLRA's 
eFiling system to file certain documents involved in unfair labor 
practice proceedings before the FLRA's Office of Administrative Law 
Judges. This rule modifies the FLRA's existing regulations to allow 
eFiling of those documents. As the FLRA's eFiling procedures develop, 
the revisions set forth in this action may be evaluated and revised 
further.

Sectional Analysis

    Sectional analysis of the amendments and revisions to part 2429, 
Miscellaneous and General Requirements, are as follows:

Part 2429--Miscellaneous and General Requirements

Section 2429.24(d)

    This section is amended to reflect the addition of eFiling as an 
authorized means of filing documents with the Office of Administrative 
Law Judges pursuant to paragraph (f)(15) of this section and corrects 
the person with whom such documents must be filed by replacing 
appropriate administrative law judge with Chief Administrative Law 
Judge.

Section 2429.24(f)(15)

    This section is added to reflect that documents filed with the 
Office of Administrative Law Judges are now documents that can be filed 
using eFiling as an alternative to the filing methods discussed in 
paragraph (e) of this section.
    As described above, this amendment updates the regulations to 
merely expand the Federal Labor Relations Authority's current 
electronic filing system. This rule pertains to agency organization, 
procedure, or practice, and it is exempt from prior notice and public 
comment pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A).

Executive Order 12866

    The FLRA is an independent regulatory agency, and as such, is not 
subject to the requirements of E.O. 12866.

Executive Order 13132

    The FLRA is an independent regulatory agency, and as such, is not 
subject to the requirements of E.O. 13132.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

    Pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 
U.S.C. 605(b), the Chairman of the FLRA has determined that this rule, 
as amended, will not have a significant impact on a substantial number 
of small entities, because this rule applies only to federal agencies, 
federal employees, and labor organizations representing those 
employees.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    This rule change 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, no 
actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

    This action 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.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    The amended regulations contain no additional information 
collection or record-keeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

[[Page 9190]]

List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 2429

    Administrative practice and procedure, Government employees, Labor 
management relations.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, the FLRA amends 5 CFR part 
2429, as follows:

PART 2429--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 2429 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 7134; Sec.  2429.18 also issued under 28 
U.S.C. 2112(a).

0
2. Section 2429.24 is amended by revising paragraph (d) and adding 
paragraph (f)(15) to read as follows:


Sec.  2429.24  Place and method of filing; acknowledgement.

* * * * *
    (d) Unless electronically filed pursuant to paragraph (f)(15) of 
this section, a document filed with the Office of Administrative Law 
Judges pursuant to this subchapter shall be submitted to the address 
for the Chief Administrative Law Judge, as set forth in the appendix.
    (f) * * *
    (15) Documents submitted to the Office of Administrative Law Judges 
under 5 CFR part 2423, including answers to complaints, motions, 
briefs, pre-hearing disclosures, stipulations, and any other documents 
as permitted by the eFiling system for the Office of Administrative Law 
Judges.
* * * * *

    Dated: February 12, 2015.
Carol Waller Pope,
Chairman.
[FR Doc. 2015-03315 Filed 2-19-15; 8:45 am]
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