[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 43 (Friday, March 4, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11432-11434]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04817]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Bureau of Engraving and Printing

31 CFR Part 605


Conduct on Bureau of Engraving and Printing Property

AGENCY: Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Treasury.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and 
Printing (BEP or Bureau) is amending its regulations in order to remove 
certain obsolete language, clarify the rules of conduct on the 
property, and increase the maximum penalty amount permitted for 
violations to $5,000 in accordance with the United States Code.

DATES: This regulation is effective April 4, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Hoggan, Attorney-Advisor, Office 
of the Chief Counsel, Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving 
and Printing, by phone at (202) 874-2500.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The mission of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is to develop 
and produce United States currency notes, trusted worldwide. BEP prints 
billions of dollars in currency--referred to as Federal Reserve notes--
each year for delivery to the Federal Reserve System. Due to the 
sensitive nature of currency production operations, the Bureau is 
generally closed to the public. Limited areas of the Bureau, however, 
are accessible for public tours during certain authorized dates and 
times. Any individual entering, exiting, or on the Bureau's property is 
subject to the rules of conduct as prescribed within the regulations, 
and violations may result in criminal prosecution. The BEP has a high 
degree of security due to producing United States currency notes, and 
individuals entering, exiting, and on the property are placed on notice 
that they are subject to search and inspection of their person, 
personal items and property while entering, exiting, and on the 
property.
    This final rule updates the Bureau's 1994 (59 FR 41978) regulations 
that concern conduct on BEP property. The final rule removes certain 
obsolete language, clarifies the rules of conduct on the property, and 
increases the maximum penalty amount permitted for violations to $5,000 
in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 3571. The final rule also omits the term 
Special as used in the previous regulations when referring to the BEP 
Police. The term Special was unnecessary and could lead to potential 
confusion. This change has no effect on the legal authority and 
jurisdiction of the BEP Police. The rights and responsibilities of the 
BEP Police remain unchanged.
    The notice of proposed rulemaking was published on December 10, 
2015, and provided a 60-day comment period, which ended on February 8, 
2016. No comments were received. Based on the rationale set forth in 
the Supplementary Information to the notice of proposed rulemaking and 
in this final rule, the BEP is adopting the proposed rule as a final 
rule with the slight modifications of adding the words ``search or'' 
before the word ``inspection'' in paragraphs (b)(6), (b)(7), and (b)(8) 
to ensure clarity and consistency between related provisions.

II. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    In accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C 601 et 
seq.), the Bureau certifies that this final rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
because this final rule primarily affects individuals accessing BEP 
property and is not likely to affect any small businesses.

III. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    The Bureau certifies that no actions were deemed necessary under 
the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. Furthermore, this final 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 will not significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments.

IV. Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)

    This final rule is not a significant regulatory action as defined 
in Executive Order 12866. Executive Order 13563 calls for public 
participation and an open exchange of ideas in the regulatory process 
and seeks regulations that are accessible, consistent, written in plain 
language, and easy to understand. The Bureau has developed this final 
rule in a manner consistent with these principles.

List of Subjects in 31 CFR Part 605

    Federal buildings and facilities.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Bureau of Engraving and 
Printing amends 31 CFR part 605 to read as follows:

PART 605--REGULATIONS GOVERNING CONDUCT IN BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND 
PRINTING BUILDINGS AND ON THE GROUNDS OF WASHINGTON, DC AND FORT 
WORTH, TEXAS

0
1. The authority citation for part 605 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; Delegation, Administrator, General 
Services, dated December 3, 1992; Treasury Delegation, Assistant 
Secretary (Management), dated February 4, 1993.

0
2. Revise Sec.  605.1 to read as follows:


Sec.  605.1  Conduct on Bureau of Engraving and Printing property.

    (a) Applicability. These regulations apply to the buildings and 
grounds of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) located in 
Washington, DC, at 14th and C Streets SW., and in Fort Worth, Texas, at 
9000 Blue Mound Road, and to all persons entering on such property. 
Unless otherwise stated, BEP buildings and grounds are referred

[[Page 11433]]

to in these regulations as the ``property.''
    (b) Limited access. (1) The property is a high-security facility 
and shall, in general, be closed to the public. Except as specified in 
this paragraph (b), access is limited to BEP employees and those 
persons having official business with BEP. Failure to comply with any 
regulations of this part may result in denial of access or removal from 
the property.
    (2) Public tours of limited areas of the property are available 
during such times as the Director may prescribe.
    (3) Limited areas of the property may be open to persons authorized 
by the Director or the Director's designee.
    (4) All persons entering and exiting the property may be required 
to present suitable identification and may be required to sign entry 
logs or registers.
    (5) All persons entering and exiting the property may be subject to 
screening devices and shall submit to screening upon request by BEP 
Police or authorized officials.
    (6) All persons entering and exiting the property may be subject to 
search or inspection of their person, handbags, briefcases, and other 
handheld articles by BEP Police or authorized officials. All persons on 
the property may be subject to additional search or inspection by BEP 
Police or authorized officials upon entry, exit, and request.
    (7) All motor vehicles entering, exiting, or located on the 
property are subject to search or inspection of the exterior and 
interior compartments by BEP Police or authorized officials at any 
time.
    (8) All lockers, cabinets, closets, desks or similar storage areas 
on the property are subject to search or inspection by BEP Police or 
authorized officials.
    (9) All computers, data storage devices, and data files owned or 
controlled by BEP are subject to search or inspection at any time.
    (10) Any entrance onto the property without official permission is 
prohibited.
    (c) Video monitoring. All persons entering, exiting, and on the 
property will be monitored by video. Most internal areas of the 
property, especially production areas, are continuously monitored by 
video. Any video image may be recorded.
    (d) Preservation of property. It shall be unlawful for any person, 
without proper authority, to willfully destroy, damage, deface, or 
remove property.
    (e) Compliance with instructions and signs. All persons on the 
property shall comply with the instructions of BEP Police, authorized 
officials, and posted signs or notices.
    (f) Nuisances. The use of loud, abusive, or profane language, 
loitering, unauthorized assembly, the creation of any hazard to persons 
or property, improper disposal of rubbish, spitting, prurient prying, 
the commission of any obscene or indecent act, or any other disorderly 
conduct on the property is prohibited. The throwing of any articles of 
any kind in, upon, or from the property and climbing upon any 
unauthorized portion of the property is prohibited.
    (g) Gambling. (1) Participation in games for money or other 
property, the operation of gambling devices, the conduct of a lottery 
or pool, the selling or purchasing of numbers, tickets, or any other 
gambling on the property is prohibited.
    (2) Possession on the property of any numbers slip or ticket, 
record, notation, receipt or other writing of a type ordinarily used in 
any illegal form of gambling, unless explained to the satisfaction of 
the Director or the Director's designee, shall be evidence of 
participation in an illegal form of gambling on the property.
    (h) Intoxicating substances, illegal narcotics, and other 
controlled substances. The possession, use, consumption, or being under 
the influence of intoxicating substances, illegal narcotics, and other 
controlled substances (see 21 CFR part 1308) while entering and on the 
property is prohibited. BEP Police may direct a person to complete a 
field sobriety test or breathalyzer test upon reasonable suspicion of 
intoxication or influence. The Director may authorize the possession, 
use, and consumption of alcoholic beverages on BEP property for 
infrequent, special occasions. Such authorization must be in writing.
    (i) Soliciting, vending, debt collection, and distribution of 
handbills. Fundraising for any cause other than the Combined Federal 
Campaign or other cause authorized by the Office of Personnel 
Management, the commercial soliciting and vending of all kinds, the 
display or distribution of commercial advertising, or the collecting of 
private debts other than as provided by law, in or on the property is 
prohibited. This rule does not apply to BEP concessions or notices 
posted by authorized employees on the bulletin boards. Distribution of 
material such as pamphlets, handbills, and flyers is prohibited without 
prior approval from the Director or the Director's designee.
    (j) Photographs and recordings. The taking of photographs on the 
property is prohibited without permission of the Director or the 
Director's designee. The taking of voice or video recordings on the 
property is prohibited without the permission of the Director or the 
Director's designee. Note: The property includes the Tour and Visitor 
Center and the limited areas accessible for public tour.
    (k) Animals. Animals, except service animals, shall not be brought 
on the property for other than official purposes.
    (l) Vehicular and pedestrian traffic. (1) Drivers of all vehicles 
on the property shall drive in a careful and safe manner at all times 
and shall comply with the signals and directions of BEP Police and all 
posted traffic signs. Drivers are subject to all applicable motor 
vehicle laws and regulations of the surrounding jurisdiction.
    (2) The blocking of entrances, driveways, walks, loading platforms, 
fire hydrants, or standpipes on the property is prohibited.
    (3) Parking on the property is not allowed without a permit or 
authority. Parking without a permit or authority, not in accordance 
with a permit or authority, or contrary to the direction of BEP Police, 
authorized officials, and posted signs or notices is prohibited.
    (m) Weapons and explosives. No person on the property shall carry 
firearms, explosives, or other dangerous or deadly weapons as defined 
by Title 18 United States Code, either openly or concealed, except for 
official purposes.
    (n) Smoking. Smoking on the property is not permitted except in 
designated smoking areas.
    (o) Penalties and other law. (1) Violations of this part shall be 
punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 or the maximum extent 
allowable under the United States Code, whichever is greater, or 
imprisonment of not more than 30 days, or both in accordance with 40 
United States Code, Section 1315.
    (2) Violations of 18 United States Code, Section 930 (dangerous 
weapon clause) shall be punishable by a fine of $100,000 or 
imprisonment for not more than a year, or both, unless there is intent 
to commit a crime with the weapon, in which case the punishment shall 
be a fine of $250,000 or imprisonment for not more than five years, or 
both.
    (3) Nothing contained in this part shall be construed to abrogate 
any other Federal, District of Columbia, or Texas law or regulations, 
or any Tarrant County ordinance applicable to the property.


[[Page 11434]]


    Dated: February 24, 2016.
Leonard R. Olijar,
Director.
[FR Doc. 2016-04817 Filed 3-3-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4840-01-P