Records and Information, 45065-45067 [2015-18557]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 145 / Wednesday, July 29, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
notice requirement set forth in
paragraph (b)(2)(i)(A) of this section.
(ii) Nothing in this paragraph (b) shall
require a covered financial institution to
report any information not otherwise
required to be reported by law or
regulation.
Dated: July 23, 2015.
Jennifer Shasky Calvery,
Director, Financial Crimes Enforcement
Network.
[FR Doc. 2015–18552 Filed 7–28–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810–2P–P
POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Parts 261, 262, and 265
Records and Information
Postal ServiceTM.
Final rule.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Postal Service is
amending its regulations concerning
records and information management
for administrative purposes, to clarify
existing text, and to update and add
definitions.
SUMMARY:
These regulations will be
effective July 29, 2015.
DATES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Matthew J. Connolly, Chief Privacy
Officer, 202–268–2608.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
The Postal Service is amending 39
CFR parts 261, 262, and 265 to delineate
more clearly the responsibility for
managing postal records and ensuring
compliance with the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA). See 5 U.S.C.
552; 39 U.S.C. 410(c). In general, these
modifications should promote the
coordination of activities among the
Officers, Public Liaisons, Coordinators,
and Records Custodians tasked with
FOIA compliance, and facilitate the
response to information requests by
FOIA Requester Service Centers (RSCs).
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Records and Information Management
(Part 261)
As required by 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1), the
amendments to part 261 provide
descriptions of the Postal Service’s
central and field organization for FOIA
processing. Specifically, the
amendments clarify the position of the
Postal Service’s Privacy and Records
Office within the General Counsel’s
Office. As further required by 5 U.S.C.
552(a)(6)(B)(ii), the amendments also
describe the Postal Service’s FOIA
Public Liaisons and their
responsibilities to requesters through
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:16 Jul 28, 2015
Jkt 235001
the Postal Service’s FOIA Requester
Service Centers.
Records and Information Management
Definitions (Part 262)
As required by 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(B),
the amendments to part 262 provide
further descriptions of the Postal
Service’s central and field organization
for FOIA processing. Specifically, the
amendments describe various officials
involved in FOIA processing and their
responsibilities.
Release of Information (Part 265)
As required by 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1), the
amendments to part 265 provide
descriptions of the established places at
which, the employees from whom, and
the methods whereby the public may
obtain information, make submittals or
requests, and obtain decisions regarding
FOIA requests. Specifically, the
amendments describe how and to whom
a FOIA request must be submitted, and
clarify that the regulations must be read
in conjunction with the text of the
FOIA, the Fee Schedule and Guidelines
published by the Office of Management
and Budget, and Postal Service
Handbook AS–353, Guide to Privacy,
the Freedom of Information Act, and
Records Management. FOIA requests
must now be sent to the appropriate
FOIA Requester Service Center (RSC), as
detailed in the regulations. A request
that is not initially submitted to the
appropriate FOIA RSC will be deemed
to have been received by the Postal
Service for purposes of computing the
time for response at the time that it is
actually received by the appropriate
FOIA RSC or at the time the request is
referred to the appropriate records
custodians by a FOIA RSC, but in any
case a request will be deemed to have
been received no later than 10 days after
the request is first received by a FOIA
RSC.
List of Subjects
39 CFR Part 261
Archives and records.
39 CFR Part 262
Archives and records.
39 CFR Part 265
Administrative practice and
procedure, Courts, Freedom of
information, Government employees.
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, the Postal Service amends 39
CFR chapter I, subchapter D as follows:
PART 261—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR
part 261 continues to read as follows:
■
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
45065
Authority: 39 U.S.C. 401.
■
2. Revise § 261.1 to read as follows:
§ 261.1
Purpose and scope.
Under 39 U.S.C. 410, as enacted by
the Postal Reorganization Act, the U.S.
Postal Service is not subject to the
provisions of the Federal Records Act of
1950, or any of its supporting
regulations which provide for the
conduct of records management in
Federal agencies. The objective of parts
261 through 268 of this chapter are to
provide the basis for an organizationwide records and information
management program affecting all Postal
Service organizational components
having the custody of any form of
information and records.
■ 3. Revise § 261.2 to read as follows:
§ 261.2
Authority.
(a) As provided in 39 U.S.C. 401(5),
the Postal Service has the power to
acquire property it deems necessary or
convenient in the transaction of its
business and to hold, maintain, sell,
lease or otherwise dispose of such
property.
(b) Under § 262.2 of this chapter, the
Postal Service Privacy and Records
Office, located under the Associate
General Counsel and Chief Ethics and
Compliance Officer, is responsible for
the retention, security, and privacy of
Postal Service records and is
empowered to authorize the disclosure
of such records and to order their
disposal by destruction or transfer.
Included is the authority to issue
records management policy and to
delegate or take appropriate action if
that policy is not adhered to or if
questions of interpretation of procedure
arise.
■ 4. Revise § 261.4 to read as follows:
§ 261.4
Responsibility.
(a) The Chief Freedom of Information
Act (FOIA) Officer, whose duties are
performed by the Associate General
Counsel and Chief Ethics and
Compliance Officer, is responsible for:
(1) Overseeing Postal Service
compliance with the FOIA.
(2) Making recommendations to the
Postmaster General regarding the Postal
Service’s FOIA program.
(3) Monitoring and reporting on FOIA
implementation and performance for the
Postal Service.
(b) The Chief Privacy Officer, under
the Associate General Counsel and Chief
Ethics and Compliance Officer, is
responsible for administering records
and information management policies,
and the privacy of information
programs, and for the compliance of all
E:\FR\FM\29JYR1.SGM
29JYR1
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
45066
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 145 / Wednesday, July 29, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
handbooks, directives, and instructions
in support of these policies and
programs.
(c) The Deputy Chief FOIA Officer,
under the Privacy and Records Office,
administers the Postal Service release of
information program with the assistance
of FOIA Coordinators in Headquarters
departments and area and district
offices.
(d) Freedom of Information Act Public
Liaisons are responsible for:
(1) Managing FOIA Requester Service
Centers (RSCs).
(2) Receiving concerns of requesters
about the service provided by the FOIA
RSC following an initial response.
(3) Ensuring a service-oriented
response to requests and FOIA-related
inquiries.
(4) Reporting to the Chief FOIA
Officer on their activities.
(e) Freedom of Information Act
Requester Service Centers are
responsible for:
(1) Facilitating communication
between the Postal Service and FOIA
requesters.
(2) Providing information to
requesters concerning the status of FOIA
requests and information about
responses to such requests.
(f) Freedom of Information Act
Coordinators fill an ad hoc position
located within each Headquarters
department, and Area and District
office, and are responsible for:
(1) Coordinating and tracking FOIA
requests referred to or received by their
functional or geographical area.
(2) Providing procedural guidance,
upon request, to records custodians.
(3) Assisting the Deputy Chief FOIA
Officer with national reporting
activities, such as annual reporting of
local FOIA and Privacy Act activities.
(g) Records Custodians are
responsible for ensuring that records
within their facilities or organizations
are managed according to Postal Service
policies. Vice presidents or their
designees are the custodians of records
maintained at Headquarters. In the field,
the Records Custodian is the head of a
Postal Service facility such as an area,
district, Post Office, or other Postal
Service installation or designee that
maintains Postal Service records. Senior
medical personnel are the custodians of
restricted medical records maintained
within Postal Service facilities. The
Custodian of Employee Assistance
Program (EAP) records is the Postal
Service counselor, a supplier, or the
public health service, whichever
provided the services.
(h) Postal Service managers are
responsible for administering records
and information management policies
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:16 Jul 28, 2015
Jkt 235001
and for complying with all handbooks,
directives, and instructions in support
of this policy.
PART 262—[AMENDED]
5. The authority citation for 39 CFR
part 262 continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552, 552a; 39 U.S.C.
401.
■
6. Revise § 262.2 to read as follows:
§ 262.2
Officials.
(a) Chief Privacy Officer. The Chief
Privacy Officer (CPO) is responsible for
the issuance of policy on the protection
of privacy and the release of Postal
Service records. The CPO has the power
to authorize the disclosure of such
records. Additionally, the CPO is
responsible for establishing procedures
and guidelines to ensure that record
management practices are in
compliance with the Privacy Act and
FOIA. The CPO directs the activities of
the Privacy and Records Office and may
also delegate or take appropriate action
if policies are not adhered to or if
questions of interpretation or
procedures arise.
(b) Deputy Chief FOIA Officer. The
Deputy Chief FOIA Officer, under the
Privacy and Records Office, administers
the Postal Service release of information
program and has the power to authorize
the disclosure of records. The Deputy
Chief FOIA Officer oversees FOIA
Requester Service Centers (RSCs).
(c) Records Custodian. The Records
Custodian is the postmaster or other
head of a facility such as an area vice
president, district manager, or head of a
postal installation or department who
maintains Postal Service records. Vice
presidents are the custodians of records
maintained at Headquarters. Senior
medical personnel are the custodians of
restricted medical records maintained
within postal facilities.
(d) Information System Executive.
This is the Postal Service official,
usually a vice president, who prescribes
the existence of and the policies for an
information system.
(e) Records Office. The Records Office
is responsible for the issuance of policy
on the maintenance and disposition of
Postal Service records and information,
and to delegate or take appropriate
action if such policy is not adhered to
or if questions of interpretation or
procedure arise.
PART 265—[AMENDED]
7. The authority citation for 39 CFR
part 265 continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552; 5 U.S.C. App. 3;
39 U.S.C. 401, 403, 410, 1001, 2601.
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
■
8. Revise § 265.1 to read as follows:
§ 265.1
Purpose and scope.
(a) This part contains the regulations
of the Postal Service relating to the
availability to the public of Postal
Service records. Included in this part
are the regulations which implement the
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5
U.S.C. 552, insofar as it applies to the
Postal Service. These rules should be
read in conjunction with the text of the
FOIA and the Fee Schedule and
Guidelines published by the Office of
Management and Budget. Additionally,
Postal Service Handbook AS–353, Guide
to Privacy, the Freedom of Information,
and Records Management, contains
information for the public about
submitting FOIA requests and the
specific procedures used by the Postal
Service when responding to FOIA
requests. This resource is available at
https://www.usps.com.
(b) Official records of the Postal
Service made available pursuant to the
requirements of the Act shall be
furnished to members of the public as
prescribed by this part.
■
9. Revise § 265.3 to read as follows:
§ 265.3
Responsibility.
(a) Records custodian. Official records
are in the custody of the Postmaster or
other head of a facility or department at
which they are maintained, as defined
at § 261.4(c) of this chapter. These
custodians are responsible for
responding in the first instance to
requests from members of the public for
Postal Service records.
(b) Deputy Chief FOIA Officer. The
Deputy Chief FOIA Officer, under the
Privacy and Records Office is
responsible for the overall
administration of this part, including
the issuance of detailed instructions to
custodians.
(c) General Counsel. The General
Counsel decides timely appeals
authorized by this part.
■
10. Revise § 265.4 to read as follows:
§ 265.4
Inquiries.
Inquiries regarding the availability of
Postal Service records must be directed
to the appropriate Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) Requester
Service Center (RSC). A description of
FOIA RSCs is available at https://
www.usps.com. If the appropriate FOIA
RSC is not known, inquiries should be
directed to the FOIA Requester Service
Center, Privacy and Records Office, U.S.
Postal Service, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW.,
Washington, DC 20260, telephone (202)
268–2608.
E:\FR\FM\29JYR1.SGM
29JYR1
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 145 / Wednesday, July 29, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
11. In § 265.7, revise the section
heading and paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) to
read as follows:
■
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
§ 265.7 Procedure for submitting a FOIA
request.
(a) Submission of requests—(1) Form
and content of request. To permit
expeditious handling and timely
response in accordance with the
provisions of this part, a request to
inspect or to obtain a copy of an
identifiable Postal Service record must
be in writing and bear the caption
‘‘Freedom of Information Act Request’’
or otherwise be clearly and prominently
identified as a request for records
pursuant to the Freedom of Information
Act. A request must be clearly and
prominently identified as such on the
envelope or other cover. Requests for
records, submitted by the public that are
not labeled as Freedom of Information
Act requests will be handled as FOIA
requests when received by the
appropriate Requester Service Center in
accordance with paragraph (b) of this
section, but they may be delayed in
reaching the appropriate Requester
Service Center. A Freedom of
Information Act request must identify
the record sought as completely as
possible, by name, description, or
subject matter, and be sufficient to
permit the custodian to locate it with a
reasonable amount of effort. The request
may state the maximum amount of fees
for which the requester is willing to
accept liability without prior notice. See
paragraph (f)(2) of § 265.8. If no amount
is stated, the requester will be deemed
willing to accept liability for fees not to
exceed $25.
(2) To whom submitted. A request
must be submitted to the appropriate
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Requester Service Center (RSC). If the
FOIA RSC is not known, an inquiry
should be directed to the FOIA
Requester Service Center, Privacy and
Records Office, U.S. Postal Service, 475
L’Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, DC
20260, telephone (202) 268–2608. The
FOIA RSC will either process the
request or refer the request to the
appropriate component or records
custodians. The FOIA RSC will advise
the requester of any such referral. A
request that is not initially submitted to
the appropriate FOIA RSC will be
deemed to have been received by the
Postal Service for purposes of
computing the time for response in
accordance with paragraph (b) of this
section at the time that it is actually
received by the appropriate FOIA RSC
or at the time the request is referred to
the appropriate records custodians by a
FOIA RSC, but in any case a request will
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:16 Jul 28, 2015
Jkt 235001
be deemed to have been received no
later than 10 days after the request is
first received by a FOIA RSC. If a
request seeks records maintained at two
or more facilities, the custodian shall be
deemed to be the next senior common
supervisor of the heads of the facilities,
e.g., district manager, area vice
president. The Records Office is deemed
to be the custodian, for purposes of this
part, in all instances in which a request
is for a listing of postal employees. See
paragraph (a)(6) of § 265.6.
*
*
*
*
*
Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Federal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2015–18557 Filed 7–28–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710–12–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 81
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2015–0359; FRL–9929–97–
OAR]
RIN 2060–AR95
Air Quality Designations for the 2006
24-hour Fine Particle National Ambient
Air Quality Standards (2006 24-hour
PM2.5 NAAQS), 1997 Annual PM2.5
NAAQS, and 1987 Annual Coarse
Particle (PM10) NAAQS; Technical
Amendments to Inadvertent Errors
Environmental Protection
Agency.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
Pursuant to its authority
under the Clean Air Act (CAA), the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
is promulgating this final action to make
technical amendments to address
several minor, inadvertent and
nonsubstantive errors in the regulatory
text establishing the air quality
designations for the 2006 24-hour fine
particle (PM2.5) National Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS), 1997
annual PM2.5 NAAQS, and 1987 annual
coarse particle (PM10) NAAQS.
Consistent with the EPA’s interpretation
of the good cause exemption provisions
outlined in the Administrative
Procedure Act, this action is being taken
without notice and comment. The states
to which these amendments apply are
New York and West Virginia.
DATES: The effective date of these
technical amendments is August 28,
2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
general questions concerning this
action, please contact Andy Chang, U.S.
EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
45067
Standards, Air Quality Planning
Division, C539–04, Research Triangle
Park, NC 27711, telephone (919) 541–
2416, email at chang.andy@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
The following is an outline of the
preamble.
I. What is the good cause exemption, and
why is the EPA using it?
II. What is the purpose of this action?
III. What are the technical amendments to
inadvertent errors in prior designations?
A. Technical Amendments Concerning
Designations for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5
NAAQS
B. Technical Amendments Concerning
Designations for the 1997 Annual PM2.5
NAAQS
C. Technical Amendments Concerning
Designations for the 1987 Annual PM10
NAAQS
IV. Environmental Justice Considerations
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and
Regulatory Review
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
(UMRA)
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children from Environmental Health and
Safety Risks
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
I. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act (NTTAA)
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions
to Address Environmental Justice in
Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations
K. Congressional Review Act
L. Judicial Review
I. What is the good cause exemption,
and why is the EPA using it?
Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(3)(B), provides that, when an
agency for good cause finds that public
notice and comment procedures are
impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary
to the public interest, the agency may
issue a rule without providing notice
and an opportunity for public comment.
The EPA has determined that there is
good cause for making this rule final
without prior proposal and opportunity
for comment because such notice and
opportunity for comment is
unnecessary. In this action, we are
amending 40 CFR part 81, which
contains the tables of area designations
and boundaries for each NAAQS. Notice
E:\FR\FM\29JYR1.SGM
29JYR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 145 (Wednesday, July 29, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45065-45067]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18557]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Parts 261, 262, and 265
Records and Information
AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Postal Service is amending its regulations concerning
records and information management for administrative purposes, to
clarify existing text, and to update and add definitions.
DATES: These regulations will be effective July 29, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew J. Connolly, Chief Privacy
Officer, 202-268-2608.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
The Postal Service is amending 39 CFR parts 261, 262, and 265 to
delineate more clearly the responsibility for managing postal records
and ensuring compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). See
5 U.S.C. 552; 39 U.S.C. 410(c). In general, these modifications should
promote the coordination of activities among the Officers, Public
Liaisons, Coordinators, and Records Custodians tasked with FOIA
compliance, and facilitate the response to information requests by FOIA
Requester Service Centers (RSCs).
Records and Information Management (Part 261)
As required by 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1), the amendments to part 261
provide descriptions of the Postal Service's central and field
organization for FOIA processing. Specifically, the amendments clarify
the position of the Postal Service's Privacy and Records Office within
the General Counsel's Office. As further required by 5 U.S.C.
552(a)(6)(B)(ii), the amendments also describe the Postal Service's
FOIA Public Liaisons and their responsibilities to requesters through
the Postal Service's FOIA Requester Service Centers.
Records and Information Management Definitions (Part 262)
As required by 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(B), the amendments to part 262
provide further descriptions of the Postal Service's central and field
organization for FOIA processing. Specifically, the amendments describe
various officials involved in FOIA processing and their
responsibilities.
Release of Information (Part 265)
As required by 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1), the amendments to part 265
provide descriptions of the established places at which, the employees
from whom, and the methods whereby the public may obtain information,
make submittals or requests, and obtain decisions regarding FOIA
requests. Specifically, the amendments describe how and to whom a FOIA
request must be submitted, and clarify that the regulations must be
read in conjunction with the text of the FOIA, the Fee Schedule and
Guidelines published by the Office of Management and Budget, and Postal
Service Handbook AS-353, Guide to Privacy, the Freedom of Information
Act, and Records Management. FOIA requests must now be sent to the
appropriate FOIA Requester Service Center (RSC), as detailed in the
regulations. A request that is not initially submitted to the
appropriate FOIA RSC will be deemed to have been received by the Postal
Service for purposes of computing the time for response at the time
that it is actually received by the appropriate FOIA RSC or at the time
the request is referred to the appropriate records custodians by a FOIA
RSC, but in any case a request will be deemed to have been received no
later than 10 days after the request is first received by a FOIA RSC.
List of Subjects
39 CFR Part 261
Archives and records.
39 CFR Part 262
Archives and records.
39 CFR Part 265
Administrative practice and procedure, Courts, Freedom of
information, Government employees.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Postal Service amends
39 CFR chapter I, subchapter D as follows:
PART 261--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 261 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 39 U.S.C. 401.
0
2. Revise Sec. 261.1 to read as follows:
Sec. 261.1 Purpose and scope.
Under 39 U.S.C. 410, as enacted by the Postal Reorganization Act,
the U.S. Postal Service is not subject to the provisions of the Federal
Records Act of 1950, or any of its supporting regulations which provide
for the conduct of records management in Federal agencies. The
objective of parts 261 through 268 of this chapter are to provide the
basis for an organization-wide records and information management
program affecting all Postal Service organizational components having
the custody of any form of information and records.
0
3. Revise Sec. 261.2 to read as follows:
Sec. 261.2 Authority.
(a) As provided in 39 U.S.C. 401(5), the Postal Service has the
power to acquire property it deems necessary or convenient in the
transaction of its business and to hold, maintain, sell, lease or
otherwise dispose of such property.
(b) Under Sec. 262.2 of this chapter, the Postal Service Privacy
and Records Office, located under the Associate General Counsel and
Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, is responsible for the retention,
security, and privacy of Postal Service records and is empowered to
authorize the disclosure of such records and to order their disposal by
destruction or transfer. Included is the authority to issue records
management policy and to delegate or take appropriate action if that
policy is not adhered to or if questions of interpretation of procedure
arise.
0
4. Revise Sec. 261.4 to read as follows:
Sec. 261.4 Responsibility.
(a) The Chief Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer, whose
duties are performed by the Associate General Counsel and Chief Ethics
and Compliance Officer, is responsible for:
(1) Overseeing Postal Service compliance with the FOIA.
(2) Making recommendations to the Postmaster General regarding the
Postal Service's FOIA program.
(3) Monitoring and reporting on FOIA implementation and performance
for the Postal Service.
(b) The Chief Privacy Officer, under the Associate General Counsel
and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, is responsible for
administering records and information management policies, and the
privacy of information programs, and for the compliance of all
[[Page 45066]]
handbooks, directives, and instructions in support of these policies
and programs.
(c) The Deputy Chief FOIA Officer, under the Privacy and Records
Office, administers the Postal Service release of information program
with the assistance of FOIA Coordinators in Headquarters departments
and area and district offices.
(d) Freedom of Information Act Public Liaisons are responsible for:
(1) Managing FOIA Requester Service Centers (RSCs).
(2) Receiving concerns of requesters about the service provided by
the FOIA RSC following an initial response.
(3) Ensuring a service-oriented response to requests and FOIA-
related inquiries.
(4) Reporting to the Chief FOIA Officer on their activities.
(e) Freedom of Information Act Requester Service Centers are
responsible for:
(1) Facilitating communication between the Postal Service and FOIA
requesters.
(2) Providing information to requesters concerning the status of
FOIA requests and information about responses to such requests.
(f) Freedom of Information Act Coordinators fill an ad hoc position
located within each Headquarters department, and Area and District
office, and are responsible for:
(1) Coordinating and tracking FOIA requests referred to or received
by their functional or geographical area.
(2) Providing procedural guidance, upon request, to records
custodians.
(3) Assisting the Deputy Chief FOIA Officer with national reporting
activities, such as annual reporting of local FOIA and Privacy Act
activities.
(g) Records Custodians are responsible for ensuring that records
within their facilities or organizations are managed according to
Postal Service policies. Vice presidents or their designees are the
custodians of records maintained at Headquarters. In the field, the
Records Custodian is the head of a Postal Service facility such as an
area, district, Post Office, or other Postal Service installation or
designee that maintains Postal Service records. Senior medical
personnel are the custodians of restricted medical records maintained
within Postal Service facilities. The Custodian of Employee Assistance
Program (EAP) records is the Postal Service counselor, a supplier, or
the public health service, whichever provided the services.
(h) Postal Service managers are responsible for administering
records and information management policies and for complying with all
handbooks, directives, and instructions in support of this policy.
PART 262--[AMENDED]
0
5. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 262 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552, 552a; 39 U.S.C. 401.
0
6. Revise Sec. 262.2 to read as follows:
Sec. 262.2 Officials.
(a) Chief Privacy Officer. The Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) is
responsible for the issuance of policy on the protection of privacy and
the release of Postal Service records. The CPO has the power to
authorize the disclosure of such records. Additionally, the CPO is
responsible for establishing procedures and guidelines to ensure that
record management practices are in compliance with the Privacy Act and
FOIA. The CPO directs the activities of the Privacy and Records Office
and may also delegate or take appropriate action if policies are not
adhered to or if questions of interpretation or procedures arise.
(b) Deputy Chief FOIA Officer. The Deputy Chief FOIA Officer, under
the Privacy and Records Office, administers the Postal Service release
of information program and has the power to authorize the disclosure of
records. The Deputy Chief FOIA Officer oversees FOIA Requester Service
Centers (RSCs).
(c) Records Custodian. The Records Custodian is the postmaster or
other head of a facility such as an area vice president, district
manager, or head of a postal installation or department who maintains
Postal Service records. Vice presidents are the custodians of records
maintained at Headquarters. Senior medical personnel are the custodians
of restricted medical records maintained within postal facilities.
(d) Information System Executive. This is the Postal Service
official, usually a vice president, who prescribes the existence of and
the policies for an information system.
(e) Records Office. The Records Office is responsible for the
issuance of policy on the maintenance and disposition of Postal Service
records and information, and to delegate or take appropriate action if
such policy is not adhered to or if questions of interpretation or
procedure arise.
PART 265--[AMENDED]
0
7. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 265 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552; 5 U.S.C. App. 3; 39 U.S.C. 401, 403,
410, 1001, 2601.
0
8. Revise Sec. 265.1 to read as follows:
Sec. 265.1 Purpose and scope.
(a) This part contains the regulations of the Postal Service
relating to the availability to the public of Postal Service records.
Included in this part are the regulations which implement the Freedom
of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552, insofar as it applies to the
Postal Service. These rules should be read in conjunction with the text
of the FOIA and the Fee Schedule and Guidelines published by the Office
of Management and Budget. Additionally, Postal Service Handbook AS-353,
Guide to Privacy, the Freedom of Information, and Records Management,
contains information for the public about submitting FOIA requests and
the specific procedures used by the Postal Service when responding to
FOIA requests. This resource is available at https://www.usps.com.
(b) Official records of the Postal Service made available pursuant
to the requirements of the Act shall be furnished to members of the
public as prescribed by this part.
0
9. Revise Sec. 265.3 to read as follows:
Sec. 265.3 Responsibility.
(a) Records custodian. Official records are in the custody of the
Postmaster or other head of a facility or department at which they are
maintained, as defined at Sec. 261.4(c) of this chapter. These
custodians are responsible for responding in the first instance to
requests from members of the public for Postal Service records.
(b) Deputy Chief FOIA Officer. The Deputy Chief FOIA Officer, under
the Privacy and Records Office is responsible for the overall
administration of this part, including the issuance of detailed
instructions to custodians.
(c) General Counsel. The General Counsel decides timely appeals
authorized by this part.
0
10. Revise Sec. 265.4 to read as follows:
Sec. 265.4 Inquiries.
Inquiries regarding the availability of Postal Service records must
be directed to the appropriate Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Requester Service Center (RSC). A description of FOIA RSCs is available
at https://www.usps.com. If the appropriate FOIA RSC is not known,
inquiries should be directed to the FOIA Requester Service Center,
Privacy and Records Office, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza
SW., Washington, DC 20260, telephone (202) 268-2608.
[[Page 45067]]
0
11. In Sec. 265.7, revise the section heading and paragraphs (a)(1)
and (2) to read as follows:
Sec. 265.7 Procedure for submitting a FOIA request.
(a) Submission of requests--(1) Form and content of request. To
permit expeditious handling and timely response in accordance with the
provisions of this part, a request to inspect or to obtain a copy of an
identifiable Postal Service record must be in writing and bear the
caption ``Freedom of Information Act Request'' or otherwise be clearly
and prominently identified as a request for records pursuant to the
Freedom of Information Act. A request must be clearly and prominently
identified as such on the envelope or other cover. Requests for
records, submitted by the public that are not labeled as Freedom of
Information Act requests will be handled as FOIA requests when received
by the appropriate Requester Service Center in accordance with
paragraph (b) of this section, but they may be delayed in reaching the
appropriate Requester Service Center. A Freedom of Information Act
request must identify the record sought as completely as possible, by
name, description, or subject matter, and be sufficient to permit the
custodian to locate it with a reasonable amount of effort. The request
may state the maximum amount of fees for which the requester is willing
to accept liability without prior notice. See paragraph (f)(2) of Sec.
265.8. If no amount is stated, the requester will be deemed willing to
accept liability for fees not to exceed $25.
(2) To whom submitted. A request must be submitted to the
appropriate Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requester Service Center
(RSC). If the FOIA RSC is not known, an inquiry should be directed to
the FOIA Requester Service Center, Privacy and Records Office, U.S.
Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, DC 20260, telephone
(202) 268-2608. The FOIA RSC will either process the request or refer
the request to the appropriate component or records custodians. The
FOIA RSC will advise the requester of any such referral. A request that
is not initially submitted to the appropriate FOIA RSC will be deemed
to have been received by the Postal Service for purposes of computing
the time for response in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section
at the time that it is actually received by the appropriate FOIA RSC or
at the time the request is referred to the appropriate records
custodians by a FOIA RSC, but in any case a request will be deemed to
have been received no later than 10 days after the request is first
received by a FOIA RSC. If a request seeks records maintained at two or
more facilities, the custodian shall be deemed to be the next senior
common supervisor of the heads of the facilities, e.g., district
manager, area vice president. The Records Office is deemed to be the
custodian, for purposes of this part, in all instances in which a
request is for a listing of postal employees. See paragraph (a)(6) of
Sec. 265.6.
* * * * *
Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Federal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2015-18557 Filed 7-28-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P