[The Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions]
[Office of Personnel Management Regulatory Plan]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 231 / Friday, November 29, 1996 / The
                            Regulatory Plan

[[Page 62184]]

OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (OPM)
Statement of Regulatory Priorities
The Office of Personnel Management's (OPM's) regulatory priorities for 
the coming year will continue to focus on human resource management 
reforms that will enable the Federal Government to meet the challenges 
of downsizing, increased use of technology, delayering, 
decentralization, improved labor-management relationships, and other 
changes that are reinventing the Federal workforce.
The progress made by this Administration to date to reinvent Federal 
human resource management systems has been both important and far-
reaching as we strive to build a powerful bridge to the 21st century. 
It is now critical to continued progress toward centrally needed reform 
that there be passage of the Federal Human Resource Management 
Reinvention Act. Many of its provisions will increase the opportunities 
for Federal agencies to use broadbanding, more demonstration projects, 
and performance-based pay plans, such as team incentives and goal 
sharing. All of these tools are needed to lead Federal human resource 
management into the 21st century.
Pending passage of this legislation, OPM is using its regulatory 
authority, whenever possible, to achieve these goals. We will be 
continuing our implementation of the Hatch Act Reform Amendments of 
1993 to address issues relevant to the localities whose federally 
employed residents have been granted a partial exemption from the 
Reform Amendments' prohibitions on candidacy for partisan political 
office and on soliciting, accepting, or receiving political 
contributions.
OPM also expects to produce final regulations implementing provisions 
of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. These regulations, 
reflecting the Administration's goal of a family-friendly workplace, 
will ensure that all employees are fairly treated when they need time 
off for medical or family needs.
OPM will continue to improve its existing human resource management 
systems in order to attract and keep the best possible talent, to 
promote fairness and diversity, and to create a Government that works 
better and costs less.
_______________________________________________________________________
OPM

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                          PROPOSED RULE STAGE

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140. POLITICAL ACTIVITY--FEDERAL EMPLOYEES RESIDING IN DESIGNATED 
LOCALITIES
Priority:


Other Significant. Major under 5 USC 801.


Legal Authority:


 5 USC 7325


CFR Citation:


 5 CFR 733


Legal Deadline:


 Final, Statutory, February 3, 1994.


Abstract:


Congress amended the Hatch Act through the Hatch Act Reform Amendments 
of 1993; an interim regulation with a request for comments was issued 
on February 4, 1994, 59 FR 5313. The interim regulation addressed 
employee coverage and specifically described the political activities 
which the Reform Amendments permit and prohibit in connection with 
employee participation in elections for local partisan political office 
in the designated localities. The interim regulation also included a 
list of the localities whose Federally employed residents have been 
granted a partial exemption from the Reform Amendments' prohibitions on 
candidacy for partisan political office and on soliciting, accepting, 
or receiving political contributions. In view of the comments submitted 
on the interim regulation, substantive revisions to the regulation are 
planned. Therefore, a proposed regulation would be appropriated to 
provide the public with an opportunity to comment on such changes


Statement of Need:


Congress amended the Hatch Act through the Hatch Act Reform Amendments 
of 1993; an interim regulation with a request for comments was issued 
on February 4, 1994 (59 FR 5313). The interim regulation addressed 
employee coverage and specifically described the political activities 
which the Reform Amendments permit and prohibit in connection with 
employee participation in elections for local partisan political office 
in the designated localities. The interim regulation also included a 
list of the localities whose Federally employed residents have been 
granted a partial exemption from the Reform Amendments' prohibitions on 
candidacy for partisan political office and on soliciting, accepting, 
or receiving political contributions. In view of the comments submitted 
on the interim regulation, substantive revisions to the regulation are 
planned. Therefore, a proposed regulation would be appropriate to 
provide the public with an opportunity to comment on such changes.


Summary of the Legal Basis:


The legal basis for issuing this regulation is the Hatch Act Reform 
Amendments of 1993, Pub.L. 103-94, 107 Stat. 1001, as codified at 5 
U.S.C. section 7325.


Alternatives:


There is no alternative to issuing a proposed regulation in view of the 
substantive changes that are planned for the regulation. A final 
regulation also will be required to put covered employees on notice of 
the political activities that the Reform Amendments permit and prohibit 
in connection with elections for local partisan political office in the 
designated localities. Moreover, a consistent interpretation of the 
Reform Amendments' provisions is required for purposes of enforcement.


Anticipated Costs and Benefits:


There are no anticipated costs or risks associated with publication of 
a proposed regulation concerning the political activity of Federal 
employees residing in designated localities.


Risks:


None


Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________
Action                                 DFR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________
Interim Final Ru59 FR 5313                                     02/04/94
NPRM                                                           10/00/96
Final Action                                                   01/01/97
Small Entities Affected:


None


Government Levels Affected:


None


Agency Contact:
Jo-Ann Chabot
Office of the General Counsel
Office of Personnel Management
1900 E St. NW.
Washington, DC 20415
Phone: 202 606-1701
Fax: 202 606-0082
RIN: 3206-AF78

[[Page 62185]]

_______________________________________________________________________
OPM

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                            FINAL RULE STAGE

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141. FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE
Priority:


Other Significant


Legal Authority:


 5 USC 6387


CFR Citation:


 5 CFR 630, subpart L


Legal Deadline:


None


Abstract:


Sections 6381 through 6387 of Title 5, United States Code as added by 
Title II of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), Public Law 
103-3, Feb. 5, 1993, provide certain Federal employees a total of 12 
administrative work weeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period 
for: the birth of a child and care of the newborn; placement of a child 
with the employee for adoption or foster care; care of an employee's 
spouse, son, daughter, or parent with a serious health condition; or 
the serious health condition of the employee that makes the employee 
unable to perform the essential functions of his or her position. 
Section 6387 requires OPM to prescribe regulations for the 
administration of the FMLA. OPM's interim regulations implementing 
Title II of the FMLA were published on July 23, 1993. OPM's regulations 
establish a clear and uniform Federal Policy that ensures that all 
Federal employees are treated fairly and equitably when they need time 
off for medical problems or family needs. At the time of enactment of 
the FMLA, the Congressional Budget Office estimated ``that enactment of 
this title would not result in significant additional costs to the 
Federal Government.''


Statement of Need:


This regulation establishes a clear and uniform Federal policy that 
ensures that all Federal employees are treated fairly and equitably 
when they need time off for medical problems or family needs.


Summary of the Legal Basis:


Sections 6381 through 6387 of Title 5, United States Code, as added by 
Title II of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, (FMLA), Public 
Law 103-3, February 5, 1993, provide certain Federal employees with a 
total of 12 administrative workweeks of unpaid leave for certain 
medical and other family related matters. Section 6387 requires the 
Office of Personnel Management to prescribe regulations for the 
administration of the FMLA.


Alternatives:


None


Anticipated Costs and Benefits:


None


Risks:


None


Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________
Action                                 DFR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________
Interim Final Ru58 FR 39596                                    07/23/93
Final Action                                                   11/00/96
Small Entities Affected:


None


Government Levels Affected:


None


Agency Contact:
Jo Ann Perrini
Office of Compensation Policy
Human Resources Systems Service
Office of Personnel Management
1900 E Street NW.
Washington, DC 20415
Phone: 202 606-2858
Fax: 202 606-0824
RIN: 3206-AH10
BILLING CODE 6325-01-F