[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 32 (Thursday, February 15, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11701-11703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-02912]



 ========================================================================
 Rules and Regulations
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
 having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
 to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
 under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 32 / Thursday, February 15, 2024 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 11701]]



FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY

5 CFR Parts 2417, 2429, 2471, and Appendix A to 5 CFR Chapter XIV


Changes in Filing Addresses and Procedures

AGENCY: Federal Labor Relations Authority, General Counsel of the 
Federal Labor Relations Authority, and Federal Service Impasses Panel.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), including the 
Office of the General Counsel (OGC), and the Federal Service Impasses 
Panel (FSIP), are amending their regulations to update their addresses 
and telephone numbers, and to eliminate the requirement that parties 
file four copies of original documents that they file with: the FLRA's 
three-member, decisional component (the Authority); the OGC; and the 
FLRA's Administrative Law Judges, Regional Directors, and Hearing 
Officers.

DATES: This final rule is effective on March 1, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erica Balkum, Chief, Office of Case 
Intake and Publication at [email protected] or at: (771) 444-5805.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Due primarily to budgetary constraints, the 
FLRA is consolidating its office space at 1400 K Street NW, Washington, 
DC, so that all of the offices currently on the second floor of that 
address will now be located on the third floor of that address, along 
with the other FLRA offices that are already located on the third 
floor. The FLRA is updating its rules to reflect that consolidation and 
new telephone numbers. The FLRA is also updating telephone numbers and 
addresses for regional offices that changed since the last update to 
the regulation, and making one minor change to clarify that ``Panama,'' 
rather than ``Panama/limited jurisdiction,'' is excluded from the 
Washington Regional Office's geographic jurisdiction.
    In addition, as part of its continued move towards fully electronic 
case files, and to alleviate parties' filing burdens, the FLRA is 
amending 5 CFR 2429.25(a) to eliminate the requirement that parties 
file four copies of original documents that they file with: the 
Authority; the OGC; and the FLRA's Administrative Law Judges, Regional 
Directors, and Hearing Officers. Because 5 CFR 2429.25(b)(1) provides 
an exception to the four-copies requirement for documents filed by 
facsimile, the amendment to Sec.  2429.25(a) renders Sec.  
2429.25(b)(1) unnecessary. Therefore, the FLRA is also amending Sec.  
2429.25(b) to remove current subsection (b)(1), and to redesignate 
subsections (b)(2) through (b)(4) as subsections (b)(1) through (b)(3). 
The FLRA also is making a minor punctuation change to Sec.  2429.25(a).
    As this rule pertains to agency organization, practice, or 
procedure, it is exempt from prior notice and public comment under 5 
U.S.C. 553(b)(A). For the same reason, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the 
FLRA and FSIP find that good cause exists for not providing a more 
delayed effective date.

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 final 
rule will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of 
small entities, because this final rule applies only to Federal 
agencies, Federal employees, and labor organizations representing those 
employees.

Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Review

    The FLRA is an independent regulatory agency and thus is not 
subject to the requirements of E.O. 12866 (58 FR 51735, Sept. 30, 
1993).

Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    The FLRA is an independent regulatory agency and thus is not 
subject to the requirements of E.O. 13132 (64 FR 43255, Aug. 4, 1999).

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    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 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 final 
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.

List of Subjects in 5 CFR Parts 2417, 2429, 2471 and Appendix A to 
Chapter XIV

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

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the FLRA amends 5 CFR 
chapter XIV as follows:

PART 2417--TESTIMONY BY EMPLOYEES RELATING TO OFFICIAL INFORMATION 
AND PRODUCTION OF OFFICIAL RECORDS IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

0
1. The authority citation for part 2417 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 7105; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 44 U.S.C. 3101-3107.


0
2. Amend Sec.  2417.204 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  2417.204  Where to submit a request or demand.

    (a) Requests or demands for official records, information, or 
testimony under this part must be served on the Office of the Solicitor 
at the following address: Office of the Solicitor, Federal Labor 
Relations Authority, 1400 K Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20424-

[[Page 11702]]

0001; telephone: (771) 444-5775; fax: (202) 343-1007; or email: 
[email protected]. The request or demand must be sent by mail, fax, or 
email and clearly marked ``Part 2417 Request for Testimony or Official 
Records in Legal Proceedings.''
* * * * *

PART 2429--MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

0
3. 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
4. Amend Sec.  2429.24 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  2429.24  Place and method of filing; acknowledgement.

    (a) Except for documents that are filed electronically through use 
of the eFiling system on the FLRA's website at www.flra.gov, anyone who 
files a document with the Authority (as distinguished from the General 
Counsel, a Regional Director, or an Administrative Law Judge) must file 
that document with the Chief, Case Intake and Publication, Federal 
Labor Relations Authority, Docket Room, Suite 300, 1400 K Street NW, 
Washington, DC 20424-0001 (telephone: (771) 444-5805). To file 
documents by personal delivery, you must schedule an appointment at 
least one business day in advance by calling the telephone number in 
the previous sentence. Personal delivery is accepted by appointment 
Monday through Friday (except federal holidays). If you file documents 
electronically through use of the FLRA's eFiling system, then you may 
file those documents on any calendar day--including Saturdays, Sundays, 
and federal legal holidays--and the Authority will consider those 
documents filed on a particular day if you file them no later than 
11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on that day. Note, however, that although you 
may eFile documents on Saturdays, Sundays, and federal legal holidays, 
you are not required to do so. Also note that you may not file 
documents with the Authority by electronic mail (``email'').
* * * * *

0
5. Amend Sec.  2429.25 by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (a),
0
b. Removing paragraph (b)(1), and
0
c. Redesignating paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(4) as paragraphs (b)(1) 
through (b)(3).
    The revision reads as follows:


Sec.  2429.25  Number of copies and paper size.

    (a) General rule. Except as discussed in paragraph (b) of this 
section, and unless you use an FLRA-prescribed form, any document that 
you file with the Authority, General Counsel, Administrative Law Judge, 
Regional Director, or Hearing Officer, including any attachments, must 
be on 8\1/2\ by 11-inch size paper, using normal margins and font 
sizes. You must file one original document, but you may substitute for 
the original document a clean copy of that document, so long as the 
copy is capable of being used as an original for purposes such as 
further reproduction.
* * * * *

PART 2471--PROCEDURES OF THE PANEL

0
6. The authority citation for part 2471 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 7119, 7134.


0
7. Revise Sec.  2471.2 to read as follows:


Sec.  2471.2  Request form.

    A form is available for parties to use in filing either a request 
for consideration of an impasse or an approval of a binding arbitration 
procedure. Copies are available on the FLRA's website at www.flra.gov, 
or from the Office of the Executive Director, Federal Service Impasses 
Panel, Suite 300, 1400 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20424-0001. 
Telephone (771) 444-5762. Use of the form is not required, provided 
that the request includes all of the information set forth in Sec.  
2471.3.

0
8. Revise Sec.  2471.4 to read as follows:


Sec.  2471.4  Where to file.

    Requests to the Panel provided for in this part must either be 
filed electronically through use of the eFiling system on the FLRA's 
website at www.flra.gov, or be addressed to the Executive Director, 
Federal Service Impasses Panel, Suite 300, 1400 K Street NW, 
Washington, DC 20424-0001. All inquiries or correspondence on the 
status of impasses or other related matters must be submitted by 
regular mail to the street address above, by using the telephone number 
(771) 444-5762, or by using the facsimile number (202) 482-6674.

Appendix A to 5 CFR Chapter XIV--Current Addresses and Geographic 
Jurisdiction

0
9. The authority citation for Appendix A to 5 CFR Chapter XIV continues 
to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 7134.


0
10. Revise Appendix A to 5 CFR Chapter XIV to read as follows:

Appendix A to 5 CFR Chapter XIV--Current Addresses and Geographic 
Jurisdictions

    (a) The Office address, telephone number, and fax number of the 
Authority are: Suite 300, 1400 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20424-
0001; telephone: (771) 444-5801; fax: (202) 482-6657.
    (b) The Office address, telephone number, and fax number of the 
General Counsel are: 1400 K Street NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 
20424; telephone: (771) 444-5790; fax: (202) 482-6608.
    (c) The Office address, telephone number, and fax number of the 
Chief Administrative Law Judge are: Suite 300, 1400 K Street NW, 
Washington, DC 20424; telephone: (771) 444-5715; fax: (202) 482-
6629.
    (d) The Office addresses, telephone and fax numbers of the 
Regional Offices of the Authority are as follows:
    (1) Washington, DC Regional Office--1400 K Street NW, 3rd Floor, 
Washington, DC 20424-0001; telephone: (771) 444-5780; fax: (202) 
482-6724.
    (2) Atlanta Regional Office--229 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 900, 
Atlanta, Georgia 30303; telephone: (470) 681-7630; fax: (678) 498-
2697.
    (3) Chicago Regional Office--224 S Michigan Avenue, Suite 445, 
Chicago, Illinois 60604-2505; telephone: (872) 627-0020; fax: (312) 
281-6500.
    (4) Denver Regional Office--1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 446, 
Denver, Colorado 80204-3581; telephone: (303) 225-0340; fax: (303) 
844-2774.
    (5) San Francisco Regional Office--1301 Clay Street, Suite 
1180N, Oakland, California 94612-5242; telephone: (510) 982-5440; 
fax: (415) 872-1445.
    (e) The Office address, telephone number, and fax number of the 
Federal Service Impasses Panel are: Suite 300, 1400 K Street NW, 
Washington, DC 20424; telephone: (771) 444-5762; fax: (202) 482-
6674.
    (f) The geographic jurisdictions of the Regional Directors of 
the Federal Labor Relations Authority are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             State or other locality                  Regional office
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama.........................................  Atlanta.
Alaska..........................................  San Francisco.
Arizona.........................................  Denver.
Arkansas........................................  Atlanta.
California......................................  San Francisco.

[[Page 11703]]

 
Colorado........................................  Denver.
Connecticut.....................................  Washington, DC.
Delaware........................................  Washington, DC.
District of Columbia............................  Washington, DC.
Florida.........................................  Atlanta.
Georgia.........................................  Atlanta.
Hawaii and all land and water areas west of the   San Francisco.
 continents of North and South America (except
 coastal islands) to long. 90 degrees East.
Idaho...........................................  San Francisco.
Illinois........................................  Chicago.
Indiana.........................................  Chicago.
Iowa............................................  Chicago.
Kansas..........................................  Denver.
Kentucky........................................  Chicago.
Louisiana.......................................  Atlanta.
Maine...........................................  Washington, DC.
Maryland........................................  Washington, DC.
Massachusetts...................................  Washington, DC.
Michigan........................................  Chicago.
Minnesota.......................................  Chicago.
Mississippi.....................................  Atlanta.
Missouri........................................  Chicago.
Montana.........................................  Denver.
Nebraska........................................  Denver.
Nevada..........................................  San Francisco.
New Hampshire...................................  Washington, DC.
New Jersey......................................  Washington, DC.
New Mexico......................................  Denver.
New York........................................  Washington, DC.
North Carolina..................................  Atlanta.
North Dakota....................................  Chicago.
Ohio............................................  Chicago.
Oklahoma........................................  Denver.
Oregon..........................................  San Francisco.
Pennsylvania....................................  Washington, DC.
Puerto Rico and coastal islands.................  Chicago.
Rhode Island....................................  Washington, DC.
South Carolina..................................  Atlanta.
South Dakota....................................  Chicago.
Tennessee.......................................  Chicago.
Texas...........................................  Denver.
Utah............................................  Denver.
Vermont.........................................  Washington, DC.
Virginia........................................  Washington, DC.
Washington......................................  San Francisco.
West Virginia...................................  Washington, DC.
Wisconsin.......................................  Chicago.
Wyoming.........................................  Denver.
Virgin Islands..................................  Atlanta.
Panama/limited FLRA jurisdiction................  Atlanta.
All land and water areas east of the continents   Washington, DC.
 of North and South America to long. 90 degrees
 East, except the Virgin Islands, Panama, Puerto
 Rico and coastal islands.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Approved: February 8, 2024.
Thomas Tso,
Solicitor and Federal Register Liaison, Federal Labor Relations 
Authority.
[FR Doc. 2024-02912 Filed 2-14-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7627-01-P