Standards of Conduct, 70322-70331 [2011-29090]

Agencies

• Federal Election Commission

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 219 (Monday, November 14, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70322-70331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29090]


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FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

5 CFR Chapter XXXVII

11 CFR Parts 7 and 201

[Notice 2011-16]
RIN 3209-AA15


Standards of Conduct

AGENCY: Federal Election Commission.

ACTION: Final rules.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Election Commission (``Commission'' or ``FEC''), 
with the concurrence of the Office of Government Ethics (``OGE''), is 
revising the Commission's ``Standards of Conduct,'' which are the FEC 
rules that govern the conduct of Commissioners and Commission 
employees. The new rules update the Commission's regulations to reflect 
statutory changes enacted after the Standards of Conduct were 
originally promulgated in 1986, and to conform them to regulations 
issued by OGE and the Office of Personnel Management (``OPM''). In 
addition to the revisions to the FEC's Standards of Conduct, the 
Commission, with OGE's concurrence, is issuing regulations that 
supplement the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the 
Executive Branch issued by OGE. These supplemental regulations address 
outside employment of Commissioners and Commission employees. The new 
rules are unchanged from the rules presented in the Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking.

DATES: Effective Date: December 14, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert M. Knop, Assistant General 
Counsel, or Mr. Anthony T. Buckley, Attorney, 999 E Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20463, (202) 694-1650 or (800) 424-9530.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 \1\ includes restrictions on gifts, 
travel, outside activities, and outside employment. See Public Law No. 
101-194, tit. III and VI, 103 Stat. 1716 (1989). It authorizes the 
Office of Government Ethics (``OGE'') to implement regulations 
concerning the conduct of executive branch employees. See 5 U.S.C. 
7351(c). OGE issued a final rule setting forth uniform standards of 
ethical conduct and an interim final rule on financial disclosure in 
1992, followed by a final rule on financial interests in 1996. These 
rules apply to all executive branch departments and agencies of the 
Federal Government and their employees. These three executive branch-
wide regulations, as corrected and amended, are codified at 5 CFR parts 
2634, 2635, and 2640.\2\ The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as 
amended, 2 U.S.C. 431 et seq. (``the Act''), in part, restricts the 
activities of members of the Federal Election Commission and the 
Commission's

[[Page 70323]]

employees. See 2 U.S.C. 437c(a)(3) and 437g(a)(12)(A).
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    \1\ Public Law 101-194, 103 Stat. 1716 (1989).
    \2\ Shortly before Congress passed the Ethics Reform Act of 
1989, the President issued Executive Order 12674, which sets forth 
basic principles of ethical conduct for Federal employees and 
requires OGE to promulgate ``regulations that establish a single, 
comprehensive, and clear set of executive-branch standards of 
conduct.'' E.O. 12674, 54 FR 15159, 15160 (Apr. 12, 1989). This 
Executive Order was later modified. E.O. 12731, 55 FR 42547 (Oct. 
17, 1990). OGE's regulations also implement Executive Order 12674, 
as modified by Executive Order 12731.
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    The OGE Standards of Ethical Conduct regulations supersede any 
standards of conduct regulations previously issued by Federal agencies 
and therefore supersede, with some exceptions, the Commission's former 
regulations in 11 CFR part 7. Although agencies may still issue 
regulations to supplement OGE's Standards of Ethical Conduct in order 
to accommodate specific agency needs, any such regulations must be 
issued in accordance with OGE's rules, and must be submitted to OGE for 
prior approval. See 5 CFR 2635.105(a) and (b). Agencies may, however, 
retain any regulations based on their own separate statutory authority 
or that address different, non-ethics matters.
    OGE's Standards of Ethical Conduct regulations address gifts from 
outside sources, gifts between employees, conflicting financial 
interests, impartiality in performing official duties, pursuit of other 
employment, misuse of position, and outside employment and activities. 
See 5 CFR part 2635.
    In addition to OGE's Standards of Ethical Conduct regulations, 
Commission employees are subject to certain rules issued by the Office 
of Personnel Management (``OPM'') concerning employee responsibilities 
and conduct. See 5 CFR part 735. These rules address restrictions on 
certain gambling activities, conduct prejudicial to the government, and 
unauthorized examination training for individuals preparing to take 
civil and Foreign Service examinations. See 5 CFR part 735.
    The Commission and OGE have determined that the following 
supplemental regulations are necessary and appropriate in view of the 
FEC's programs and operations and to fulfill the purposes of the OGE 
standards. These supplemental regulations are being issued in new 
chapter XXXVII of title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations. In 
addition, the FEC is revising its regulations at 11 CFR part 7 to 
conform to the OGE and OPM regulations, without compromising the 
Commission's independence in its core mission of administering Federal 
campaign finance laws.
    On May 17, 2010, the Commission and OGE jointly published a Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register. See Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking on Standards of Conduct, 75 FR 27456 (May 17, 2010) 
(``NPRM''). The comment period closed on June 16, 2010. Two comments 
were received in response to the proposed rules.\3\ The Internal 
Revenue Service submitted a comment stating that it did not find any 
conflict between the Internal Revenue Code or Treasury Regulations and 
the proposed rules. One other commenter submitted comments addressing 
certain aspects of the proposed regulations. These comments are 
addressed in the discussion below.
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    \3\ Copies of submitted comments are available on the 
Commission's Web site. Go to https://sers.nictusa.com/fosers/ and 
search for REG number 2003-01.
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Transmittal of Final Rules to Congress

    Under the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553(d), and the 
Congressional Review of Agency Rulemaking Act, 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1), 
agencies must submit final rules to the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives and the President of the Senate, and publish them in 
the Federal Register at least thirty calendar days before they take 
effect. The final rules that follow were transmitted to Congress on 
November 4, 2011.

II. Statement of Basis and Purpose

    The Commission, with the concurrence of OGE, is amending the rules 
that govern the conduct of members of the Commission 
(``Commissioners'') and Commission employees by adding supplemental 
regulations in a new chapter XXXVII of 5 CFR, consisting of part 4701, 
and by revising the Commission's Standards of Conduct in 11 CFR part 7.

FEC Supplemental Regulations in 5 CFR Part 4701

5 CFR 4701.101--Scope
    New section 4701.101 sets forth the authority for the supplemental 
regulations, which includes 2 U.S.C. 437c(a)(3), 5 U.S.C. 7301, and 5 
U.S.C. App. (Ethics in Government Act of 1978). Section 4701.101(a) 
indicates that the regulations in 5 CFR part 4701 apply to both 
Commissioners and employees of the Commission. The rules at 5 CFR 
4701.101(b) list some of the other regulations in title 5 and 11 CFR 
part 7 that govern the ethical conduct of Commissioners and employees. 
No public comments were received on this section.
5 CFR 4701.102--Prior approval for certain outside employment and 
activities
    OGE's Standards of Ethical Conduct regulations supersede the 
Commission's former regulation at 11 CFR 7.9(f) concerning prior 
approval for outside employment and activities. OGE's regulations 
prohibit an employee from engaging in outside employment or any other 
outside activity that conflicts with their official duties. 5 CFR 
2635.802. A Federal agency shall, by supplemental regulation, require 
employees or any category of employees to obtain prior approval before 
engaging in specific types of outside activities, including outside 
employment, if that agency determines that a prior approval requirement 
is necessary or desirable for the purpose of administering the agency's 
ethics program. 5 CFR 2635.803.
    The Commission has determined that an approval requirement for 
outside employment or activities is necessary, desirable and 
appropriate to the administration of its ethics program because the 
approval requirement has been effective in ensuring that the outside 
employment and activities of its employees conform to all applicable 
laws and regulations. Therefore, the Commission, with the concurrence 
of OGE, is renewing its requirement for prior approval of certain 
outside employment and activities by issuing this supplemental 
regulation at 5 CFR 4701.102 in accordance with 5 CFR 2635.803.
    Section 4701.102 differs significantly from former 11 CFR 7.9(f). 
The major difference is in the far narrower scope of the outside 
employment and activities covered by the new regulation. Former 11 CFR 
7.9(f) required Commission employees to obtain prior approval for all 
outside employment and activities. The term ``outside employment or 
other outside activity'' was defined broadly at former 11 CFR 7.2(h) to 
include ``any work, service or other activity performed by an 
employee.'' In contrast, 5 CFR 4701.102 requires prior approval from 
the Designated Agency Ethics Official (``DAEO'') only for outside 
activities that are related to the employee's official duties or that 
involve the application of the same specialized skills or the same 
educational background as used in the performance of the employee's 
official duties. This new rule, which draws on portions of prior 
approval regulations adopted by several other Federal agencies with OGE 
concurrence, is narrowly tailored to address agency concerns, while 
reducing the administrative burdens placed on employees. See, e.g., 5 
CFR 3801.106 (Department of Justice), 5 CFR 4501.103 (OPM), 5 CFR 
6301.102 (Department of Education), and 5 CFR 8601.102 (Federal 
Retirement Thrift Investment Board).
    New 5 CFR 4701.102(a) sets out the definitions of the terms used in 
5 CFR

[[Page 70324]]

4701.102(b). The definitions of ``active participant,'' ``employee,'' 
and ``related to the employee's official duties'' refer back to the 
definitions of these terms used in the general standards of conduct 
regulations issued by OGE.
    Section 4701.102(a)(2) follows the definition of ``employee'' in 
OGE's regulation at 5 CFR 2635.102(h), which includes ``any officer or 
employee of an agency.'' This definition includes Commissioners. 
However, section 4701.102(b) excludes Commissioners from its 
procedures. Section 437c(a)(3) of the Act itself restricts outside 
activities of Commissioners. See 2 U.S.C. 437c(a)(3).\4\ As discussed 
below, regulations implementing Section 437c(a)(3) were located in 
former 11 CFR 7.9, and are being moved to 11 CFR 7.6 as part of this 
rulemaking.
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    \4\ Section 437c(a)(3) states that Commissioners ``shall not 
engage in any other business, vocation, or employment.''
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    Section 4701.102(a)(3) defines ``outside employment'' to mean any 
form of non-Federal employment, business relationship or activity 
involving the provision of personal services, with or without 
compensation. The definition provides a non-exhaustive list of services 
such as serving as a lawyer, officer, director, trustee, agent, 
consultant, contractor, general partner, teacher, speaker, writer, or 
any other services provided by an individual. This definition of 
``outside employment'' is similar to those adopted by other Federal 
agencies and covers a broad range of outside employment and activities 
in which a Commission employee may seek to engage. See, e.g., 5 CFR 
3801.106 (Department of Justice) and 5 CFR 5701.101 (Federal Trade 
Commission). Notably, this definition of ``outside employment'' 
includes unpaid activity which may not conform to the usual 
understanding of ``employment.''
    Section 4701.102(b) states that a Commission employee other than a 
special Government employee \5\ must obtain prior, written approval 
from the DAEO before engaging in outside employment or activities where 
the services provided are related to the employee's official duties or 
involve the application of the same specialized skills or the same 
educational background as used in the performance of the employee's 
official duties. Accordingly, Commission employees are required to 
obtain prior, written approval only when they seek to engage in outside 
employment or activities that are related, in one of those respects, to 
their official duties. For example, a Commission attorney wishing to 
engage in weekend employment as a salesperson for a retail organization 
need not seek prior approval because such employment would not be 
related to his or her official duties or involve the application of the 
same specialized skills or educational background as used in his or her 
position at the Commission. In contrast, a Commission attorney wishing 
to represent a relative in a lawsuit filed against a private party in 
State court would need to seek prior approval because such 
representation would involve the application of the same specialized 
skill or same educational background as used in his or her position 
with the Commission.
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    \5\ ``Special Government employee'' is defined at 5 CFR 
2635.102(l). Special Government employees are temporary or part-time 
employees hired to provide expertise about the industry in which 
they work. Such special Government employees are expected to have 
outside employment, and it is unnecessary to require them to seek 
prior approval for such outside employment.
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    One comment argued that the prior approval requirement would be 
overbroad in that approval would be required for many activities that 
obviously do not conflict with Federal employment or law. Consequently, 
according to the comment, the requirement may deter employees from 
participating in community activities or cause a greater administrative 
burden in having to process so many requests. This comment also faulted 
the rule for not specifying how the employer will determine if an 
outside activity involves the same specialized skills or educational 
background. The comment suggested that the requirement should be 
eliminated.
    The Commission disagrees with the comment because the scope of 
activities in the revised rules for which prior approval is required is 
considerably narrower than the scope of activities in the former 
regulations, which required prior approval for any potential outside 
employment. Thus, there will likely be fewer requests for the DAEO to 
handle. Further, the requirement to seek prior approval is not intended 
to prevent Commission employees from engaging in outside activities; 
rather, it is merely intended to help employees avoid potential 
conflicts with their jobs at the Commission.\6\
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    \6\ To this end, for example, the Commission's Office of the 
General Counsel has developed a Policy on Pro Bono Legal Activities. 
This Policy states, in part, that ``it is the policy of the Office 
of General Counsel to encourage and support efforts by its employees 
to provide pro bono legal services within their communities that are 
consistent with applicable federal statutes and regulations 
governing conflicts of interest and outside activities.'' The Policy 
also provides for pre-approval of certain non-representational pro 
bono services, such as providing advice at walk-in legal clinics or 
assisting individuals with filling out governmental forms, which 
employees may engage in without prior approval (after notifying the 
Commission's ethics officer and their supervisor).
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    Finally, the Commission has determined that the ``same specialized 
skills and educational background'' standard is well suited for 
reviewing outside activities. The previous standard, in which all 
outside activities were reviewed, was overly broad and unduly 
burdensome. On the other hand, although the regulation also requires 
employees to seek approval for outside activities that ``relate to 
their official duties,'' limiting the preapproval requirement to those 
activities would be too narrow. Such a limitation would exclude from 
the review and prior approval process activities that have little or 
nothing to do with an employee's work, but may nevertheless result in 
criminal or administrative violations due to the employee's employment 
status. For instance, attorney employees may not represent persons 
before Federal courts or other Federal agencies. See 18 U.S.C. 203 and 
205 (prohibiting representation by Federal employees in matters 
involving the United States or District of Columbia). Similarly, Audit 
staff may not communicate with the Internal Revenue Service on behalf 
of persons being audited. See 18 U.S.C. 203. The Commission has 
determined that requiring prior approval for those activities that use 
the same specialized skills or educational background is the least 
burdensome standard for employees and the Commission that still ensures 
that employees receive the guidance they need to avoid potential 
conflicts with their jobs at the Commission.
    Section 4701.102(c) establishes the procedure for the submission of 
approval requests to the DAEO. It requires that the request be 
submitted through all of the employee's supervisors. For purposes of 
this section, the Staff Director, the General Counsel, the Inspector 
General, the Chief Financial Officer, a Commissioner, or the 
Commission, respectively, are considered the final level of supervision 
for their subordinates. A request needs to provide certain information, 
including the identity of the person, group, or organization for which 
the employee intends to provide services.
    One comment expressed concern that the new regulations would 
require employees to obtain the approval of all supervisors before 
commencing outside employment. However, section 4701.102(c) requires 
only that employees submit their requests

[[Page 70325]]

through all of their supervisors. The only person with the authority to 
approve or disapprove the request is the DAEO. See 5 CFR 4701.102(b). 
The purpose of having the employee submit the request through his or 
her supervisory chain is to alert these supervisors to the request so 
that they can provide the DAEO with relevant information, where 
necessary, about the employee's present job duties and likely future 
assignments. Such additional information is sometimes necessary for the 
DAEO to make an accurate determination about the request pursuant to 
section 4701.102(d), and to provide appropriate guidance to the 
employee for the purpose of avoiding potential conflicts with his or 
her job duties at the Commission.
    Section 4701.102(d) sets forth the standard for the DAEO's approval 
of an employee's request regarding outside employment or activity, 
which was not in former 11 CFR 7.9(f). Approval will be granted only 
upon a determination that the outside employment or activity is not 
expected to involve conduct prohibited by statute or Federal 
regulations. In making this determination, the regulations to be 
considered include those at 5 CFR part 2635. Therefore, the approval 
will depend on whether the outside employment or activity: (1) Would 
create conflicting financial interests, (2) would result in a lack of 
impartiality in performing official duties or the misuse of Government 
position, and (3) would otherwise comply with 5 CFR part 2635. The 
Commission also intends to develop appropriate internal procedural 
guidelines, consistent with the regulations adopted here, to address 
the processing of requests for prior approval of outside employment or 
activities by agency employees.
    The comment also objected to the use of the phrase ``expected to,'' 
arguing that it is too broad and subjective, failing to specify an 
exact standard. The comment further proposed the standard that 
``approval shall be granted only upon a determination that the outside 
employment does not involve conduct prohibited by statute or Federal 
regulation including 5 CFR part 2635'' as an alternative.
    The language the Commission is adopting is an appropriate standard, 
having been adopted by numerous other Federal departments and agencies. 
See, e.g., 5 CFR 3801.106(b)(3) (Department of Justice), 5 CFR 
4501.103(c) (OPM), and 5 CFR 8601.102(b) (Federal Thrift Retirement 
Investment Board). Moreover, the phrase ``expected to'' is not intended 
to introduce any element of subjectivity or uncertainty. It merely 
recognizes that the activity for which approval is sought has yet to 
take place, and that a determination by the DAEO will be made based on 
the information as provided by the employee, not on information that is 
not provided, or on subsequent changes to the scope of an activity that 
occur after the employee enters into it. Cf. 5 CFR 2635.107(b) 
(employee must make full disclosure of all relevant circumstances in 
order to invoke protection from disciplinary action based on good faith 
reliance on advice of agency ethics official). Indeed, 5 CFR part 2635, 
in part, employs the ``expected to'' standard. See 5 CFR 2635.802(b), 
Example 2.\7\
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    \7\ The Commission also notes that it received a request from 
the union that represents some agency employees seeking to bargain 
over certain aspects of the prior approval regulation at 5 CFR 
4701.102.
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FEC Standards of Conduct in 11 CFR Part 7

    The Act authorizes the Commission to promulgate regulations 
addressing certain conduct of its members and its employees. Pursuant 
to this authority, the Commission is promulgating the following rules 
in 11 CFR part 7: (1) 11 CFR 7.1 (purpose and applicability), (2) 7.2 
(definitions), (3) 7.3 (interpretation and advisory service), (4) 7.4 
(reporting suspected violations), (5) 7.5 (corrective actions), (6) 7.6 
(outside employment and activities of Commissioners), (7) 7.7 
(prohibition against making complaints and investigations public), and 
(8) 7.8 (ex parte communications in enforcement actions). Details of 
these provisions are discussed below.
    Many of the Commission's former regulations in 11 CFR part 7 have 
been supplanted by OGE's regulations. These regulations include: (1) 
Portions of former 11 CFR 7.1 (purpose and applicability), former 11 
CFR 7.3 (notification to employees and special Commission employees), 
former 11 CFR 7.7 (prohibited conduct--general), former 11 CFR 7.8 
(gifts, entertainment, and favors), portions of former 11 CFR 7.9 
(outside employment or activities), former 11 CFR 7.10 (financial 
interests), former 11 CFR 7.12 (membership in associations), former 11 
CFR 7.13 (use of Government property), former 11 CFR 7.16 
(miscellaneous statutory provisions), and former 11 CFR 7.17-7.21 
(comprising Subpart C, which addressed special Commission employees). 
Accordingly, the Commission is removing the supplanted regulations from 
the Commission's Standards of Conduct in 11 CFR part 7.
    The Commission's regulation at former 11 CFR 7.11 concerning 
political activity by Commissioners and Commission employees was 
supplanted by the Hatch Act Reform Amendments of 1993. See Public Law 
103-94, 107 Stat. 1001 (1993). Therefore, the Commission is removing 
former section 7.11. See discussion below.
    The Commission's regulations at former 11 CFR part 7, subpart D 
(composed of sections 7.22-7.33), addressed post-employment conflicts 
of interest and procedures for administrative enforcement proceedings. 
The statutory authorization for these regulations has been removed. See 
18 U.S.C. 216(j). Therefore, the Commission is removing 11 CFR part 7, 
subpart D. See discussion below.
    The regulations that the Commission is retaining and revising are 
redesignated. The following chart lists the removals, revisions, and 
redesignations for 11 CFR part 7.

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                                                            Redesignated 11 CFR
      Former 11 CFR section                Action                 section          Supplanted by 5 CFR section
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7.1(a)..........................  Removed as supplanted...  ...................  2635.101.
7.1(b) \8\ & (c)................  Removed as supplanted...  ...................  2635.102(h).
7.1(b) \9\......................  Revised.................  7.1(a) and (b)
7.2.............................  Revised.................  7.2
7.3.............................  Removed as supplanted...  ...................  2638.701-2638.706.
7.4.............................  Revised and redesignated  7.3
7.5.............................  Revised and redesignated  7.4
7.6.............................  Revised and redesignated  7.5
7.7.............................  Removed as supplanted...  ...................  2635.101.
7.8.............................  Removed as supplanted...  ...................  2635.201-2635.205.\10\
7.9(a)..........................  Revised and redesignated  7.6

[[Page 70326]]

 
7.9(b)-(f)......................  Removed as supplanted...  ...................  2635.801-2635.809\11\
7.10............................  Removed as supplanted...  ...................  2635.401-2635.403.\12\
7.11............................  Removed as supplanted...  ...................  Hatch Act Amendments.
7.12............................  Removed as supplanted...  ...................  2635.402.\13\
7.13............................  Removed as supplanted...  ...................  2635.704.
7.14............................  Revised and redesignated  7.7
7.15............................  Revised and redesignated  7.8
7.16............................  Removed as supplanted...  ...................  2635.901-2635.902.
7.17-7.21.......................  Removed as supplanted...  ...................  2635.102(h).\14\
7.22-7.33.......................  Removed as supplanted...  ...................  18 U.S.C. 207.
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A. 11 CFR 7.1--Scope
    Section 7.1(a) states that the regulations in 11 CFR part 7 apply 
to all members and employees of the Commission. Section 7.1(b) lists 
the other regulations in title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 
including new 5 CFR part 4701, that now govern the ethical conduct of 
Commissioners and employees. Former 11 CFR 7.1(b), which stated that 
the regulations in 11 CFR part 7 apply to all employees and ``special 
Commission employees,'' is being removed. As explained below, 11 CFR 
7.2(d) includes ``special Government employees'' in the definition of 
``employee.'' Although the Commission's former regulations used the 
term ``special Commission employee,'' the revised regulation uses the 
term ``special Government employee'' as defined at 5 CFR 2635.102(l) in 
order to better conform to OGE terminology. Because revised 11 CFR 
7.1(a) states that the regulations in 11 CFR part 7 apply to all 
Commission employees, which includes special Government employees, 
former paragraph (b) is no longer necessary and is being removed. 
Former 11 CFR 7.1(c), which stated that the regulations in 11 CFR part 
7 must be construed in accordance with any applicable laws, 
regulations, and the Commission's Labor-Management Agreement is being 
removed because it is unnecessary. No public comments were received on 
this section.
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    \8\ Part of former 11 CFR 7.1(b) included special Government 
employees. See also 11 CFR 7.2(d).
    \9\ Part of former 11 CFR 7.1(b) explained that 11 CFR part 7 
applies to Commission members and employees.
    \10\ See also 5 CFR 2635.301-2635.304.
    \11\ See also 5 CFR part 4701.
    \12\ See also 5 CFR 2635.501-2635.503 and 2635.703.
    \13\ See also 5 CFR 2635.502, 2635.704-2635.705, and discussion 
below.
    \14\ See also 11 CFR 7.2(d) (including special Government 
employees).
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B. 11 CFR 7.2--Definitions
    Section 7.2 continues to set forth the definitions used in 11 CFR 
part 7. The definition of ``Commission'' in 11 CFR 7.2(a) remains 
unchanged. The definition of ``Commissioner'' in 11 CFR 7.2(b) is being 
revised slightly. Whereas former paragraph (b) of 11 CFR 7.2 defined 
``Commissioner,'' in part, as ``a voting member of the Federal Election 
Commission,'' revised 11 CFR 7.2(b) deletes the word ``voting'' from 
the definition. The word ``voting'' is not necessary because the 
Commission no longer includes non-voting members.\15\ This definition 
includes a Commissioner who holds his or her position by virtue of a 
recess appointment.
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    \15\ Prior to 1993, the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of 
the House of Representatives served as non-voting ``ex-officio'' 
members of the Commission. These positions were, however, found to 
be in violation of the Constitution's separation of powers doctrine 
in FEC v. NRA Political Victory Fund, 6 F.3d 821 (DC Cir. 1993), 
cert. dismissed for want of jurisdiction, 513 U.S. 88 (Dec. 6, 
1994).
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    The definition of ``conflict of interest'' in former section 7.2(c) 
is being removed. Instead, the Commission relies on OGE regulations and 
regulatory definitions regarding conflicts of interest, except for the 
provisions in 11 CFR 7.6 governing outside employment and activities of 
Commissioners. See, e.g., 5 CFR 2635.801-2635.809. Because section 7.6 
does not use the term ``conflict of interest,'' a definition of that 
phrase specific to 11 CFR part 7 is no longer needed.
    The terms ``Designated Agency Ethics Officer'' and ``Ethics 
Officer'' in former 11 CFR 7.2(d) are being replaced with the term 
``Designated Agency Ethics Official'' in section 7.2(c) and throughout 
part 7. See 11 CFR 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5. These changes make the 
Commission's regulations consistent with OGE's regulations at 5 CFR 
2638.104. Section 7.2(c) also includes a provision from former 11 CFR 
7.4 stating that the Commission's General Counsel serves as the 
Designated Agency Ethics Official.
    In revised 11 CFR 7.2(d), the definition of ``employee'' is being 
moved from former 11 CFR 7.2(e) and is being amended to include a 
``special Government employee as defined in 18 U.S.C. 202(a).'' OGE 
regulations at 5 CFR 2635.102(h) include ``special Government 
employee'' within the general definition of ``employee,'' thus 
subjecting special Government employees to the same Standards of 
Conduct as other employees, with certain limitations. Revised section 
7.2(d) operates similarly.
    Section 7.2(e) defines ``ex parte communication'' for the purposes 
of 11 CFR part 7. This definition is based on the definition of ``ex 
parte communication'' at 11 CFR 201.2(a) applicable to non-enforcement 
situations.\16\ Like that definition, section 7.2(e) defines ``ex parte 
communication'' as any written or oral communication by any person 
outside the agency to any Commissioner or any member of any 
Commissioner's staff, but not to any other Commission employee, that 
imparts information or argument regarding prospective Commission 
enforcement action or potential action concerning any pending 
enforcement matter. Like Commission regulations at 11 CFR 111.22 and 
part 201, the definition in section 7.2(e) is limited to Commissioners 
and their staff members because the Commissioners are empowered to make 
decisions on enforcement matters, and their staff members are their 
confidential assistants on these matters. The Commission notes that 
``matter'' as used in the revised rule includes enforcement Matters 
Under Review, Administrative Fines, and Alternative Dispute Resolution 
cases (``ADR''). See also discussion of 11 CFR 7.8 below.
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    \16\ The treatment of ex parte communications in enforcement 
matters is addressed in 11 CFR 111.22. The treatment of ex parte 
communications in audits, rulemakings, advisory opinions, public 
funding cases, and litigation matters is covered by 11 CFR part 201.
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    Section 7.2(f) defines the term ``Inspector General.'' The 
definitions of

[[Page 70327]]

``former employee,'' ``official responsibility,'' ``person,'' and 
``special Commission employee'' at former 11 CFR 7.2(f), (g), (i), and 
(j), respectively, are being removed from section 7.2 as these 
definitions are no longer necessary. In addition, paragraph (h) of 
former 11 CFR 7.2 defining ``outside employment or other outside 
activity'' is being removed. Because the Commission is replacing much 
of former 11 CFR 7.9 (outside employment or activities by Commission 
employees) with a supplemental regulation at 5 CFR 4701.102, paragraph 
(h) of former 11 CFR 7.2 defining ``outside employment or other outside 
activity'' is now superfluous.
    No public comments were received on this section.
C. 11 CFR 7.3--Interpretation and Guidance
    Section 11 CFR 7.3 is a revised version of former 11 CFR 7.4, which 
addressed the provision of interpretation and guidance to Commissioners 
and employees. Specifically, under section 7.3(a), Commissioners and 
employees may seek interpretation and guidance related to 5 CFR parts 
735, 2634, 2635, 2640, and 4701 from the DAEO. Paragraph (b) clarifies 
that the DAEO, a Commissioner, or an employee may request an opinion 
from the Director of OGE concerning interpretations of 5 CFR parts 
2634, 2635, or 2640. No public comments were received on this section.
D. 11 CFR 7.4--Reporting Suspected violations
    Section 7.4, which is a revised version of former 11 CFR 7.5, 
addresses the reporting of suspected violations of the FEC's Standards 
of Conduct and OGE's Standards of Ethical Conduct. Section 7.4 requires 
the reporting of suspected violations of 5 CFR parts 735, 2634, 2635, 
2640, and 4701, and 11 CFR part 7 to the DAEO, the Inspector General, 
or other appropriate law enforcement authorities. No public comments 
were received on this section.
E. 11 CFR 7.5--Corrective Action
    Section 7.5 informs employees that a violation of the FEC's 
Standards of Conduct or OGE's Standards of Ethical Conduct may be cause 
for appropriate corrective action, disciplinary action, or adverse 
action, in addition to any penalty prescribed by law, including 
criminal penalties. This section is based on former section 7.6(a). 
Procedures for taking corrective, disciplinary, and adverse actions are 
set forth in other authority. Accordingly, the procedures in former 
section 7.6(b) and (c) are no longer necessary and are being deleted. 
No public comments were received on this section.
F. 11 CFR 7.6--Outside Employment and Activities by Commissioners
    Section 7.6 addresses outside employment and activities of 
Commissioners.\17\ FECA provides authority for additional restrictions 
on Commissioners' outside employment and activities. See 2 U.S.C. 
437c(a)(3).
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    \17\ Outside activities of all FEC employees are addressed in 
OGE's Standards of Ethical Conduct at 5 CFR 2635.801-2635.809, 
which, when the standards became effective in February 1993, 
superseded the Commission's former regulations at 11 CFR 7.9(b)-(f). 
Commissioners are subject to additional limitations on outside 
activities as described in 11 CFR 7.6 and 2 U.S.C. 437c(a)(3).
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    Section 7.6, which retains the approach of the former rule at 11 
CFR 7.9(a), states that no Commissioner may devote a substantial 
portion of his or her time to any other business, vocation, or 
employment. This regulation retains the former rule's allowance of a 
ninety-day period for a Commissioner, following the start of Commission 
service, to limit such activity.
    As noted in the 1986 Explanation and Justification for the prior 
rule on Commissioners' outside activities, the use of the words 
``substantial portion'' of a Commissioner's time to trigger the 
regulation's prohibitions is based on the legislative history of 2 
U.S.C. 437c(a)(3). See Explanation and Justification for Final Rules on 
Standards of Conduct for Agency Employees, 51 FR 34440, 34442 (Sept. 
29, 1986). The Conference Report that accompanied the 1976 amendments 
to FECA discusses 2 U.S.C. 437c(a)(3): ``[T]he conferees agree that the 
requirement is intended to apply to members who devote a substantial 
portion of their time to such business, vocation, or employment 
activities.'' H.R. Rep. No. 94-1057, at 34 (1976) (Conf. Rep.), 
reprinted in Legislative History of Federal Election Campaign Act 
Amendments of 1976, at 1028 (1977). This rule continues this 
interpretation. No public comments were received on this section.
G. 11 CFR 7.7--Prohibition Against Making Complaints and Investigations 
Public
    Pursuant to section 111.21 of the Commission's rules, which 
implements section 437g(a)(12)(A) of the Act, and with the exception of 
Commission actions described in section 111.20, ``no complaint filed 
with the Commission, nor any notification sent by the Commission, nor 
any investigation conducted by the Commission, nor any findings made by 
the Commission shall be made public by the Commission or by any person 
or entity without the written consent of the respondent with respect to 
whom the complaint was filed, the notification sent, the investigation 
conducted, or the finding made.'' 11 CFR 111.21(a); 2 U.S.C. 
437g(a)(12)(A). Section 7.7 derives its authority from 2 U.S.C. 
437g(a)(12)(A). This rule follows former 11 CFR 7.14. The Commission is 
making one non-substantive change by removing the phrase ``are warned 
that they'' from paragraph 7.7(a). The language is unnecessary because 
the text of the paragraph itself serves as a warning.
    No public comments were received on this section.
H. 11 CFR 7.8--Ex Parte Communications in Enforcement Actions
    Section 7.8, which is a revised version of former 11 CFR 7.15, 
addresses ex parte communications made in the context of enforcement 
actions. In particular, section 7.8 prohibits the making or 
consideration of ex parte communications by Commissioners and any 
member of a Commissioner's staff, except as otherwise required by 
law.\18\ Former 11 CFR 7.15 applied to Commissioners and ``employees 
involved in the decisional process.'' The revisions to this section 
were made to conform 11 CFR 7.8 to the ex parte rules in 11 CFR 111.22 
and part 201. See also discussion of 11 CFR 7.2(e), above. Section 7.8 
also contains nonsubstantive revisions from paragraphs (a), (c), and 
(d) of former section 7.15. For clarity, the Commission has added new 
paragraph (e) of section 7.8, which references the provisions of 11 CFR 
111.22 governing ex parte communications made in connection with 
Commission enforcement actions, and 11 CFR part 201, governing ex parte 
communications made in connection with public funding, audits, 
litigation, rulemakings, and advisory opinions. Paragraph 7.8(e) is 
intended to assist the reader in locating additional rules regarding ex 
parte communications in enforcement actions, audits, litigation, 
rulemakings, and advisory opinions.
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    \18\ Please note that this includes shared staff as described in 
Commission Directive 64. Directive 64 can be found here: https://www.fec.gov/directives/directive_64.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    No public comments were received on this section.

[[Page 70328]]

I. Removal of 11 CFR 7.11--Political and Organization Activity
    The Hatch Act Reform Amendments of 1993 \19\ lifted many of the 
restrictions imposed by the original Hatch Act on most Federal 
employees with regard to participation in political campaigns. However, 
Congress specifically addressed the FEC in the Hatch Act Amendments and 
left all of the original Hatch Act's restrictions in place for 
employees of the Commission, other than Commissioners. See 5 U.S.C. 
7323(b)(1) and (2). In contrast to the Commissioners, Commission 
employees may not give a political contribution to a Member of 
Congress, an employee of the Executive Branch (other than the President 
or Vice President), or an officer of a uniformed service. 5 U.S.C. 
7323(b)(1). Additionally, Commission employees may not ``take an active 
part in political management or political campaigns.'' 5 U.S.C. 
7323(b)(2)(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ Public Law 103-94, 107 Stat. 1001 (1993) (``Hatch Act 
Amendments'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Hatch Act, as amended, prohibits certain political activities 
by Commissioners such as (1) Using official authority or influence to 
interfere with an election, (2) knowingly soliciting or discouraging 
political activity by anyone subject to a Commission audit or 
investigation, (3) soliciting or receiving political contributions 
(except in certain, narrowly limited circumstances), or (4) being a 
candidate for public office in a partisan election. 5 U.S.C. 7323(a).
    OPM has authority to issue regulations regarding the Hatch Act 
Amendments, and the Office of Special Counsel (``OSC'') interprets and 
enforces those regulations. See 5 U.S.C. 1103(a)(5), 1212, 1216(a)(1) 
and 7325. No provision in the Hatch Act Amendments empowers any agency 
other than OPM to issue regulations pursuant to the Hatch Act 
Amendments, and no provision in FECA directly refers to the Hatch Act 
Amendments or previous Hatch Act restrictions. OPM has issued a 
regulation expressly prescribing the extent to which the political 
activities of employees may be limited beyond the restrictions in the 
Hatch Act Amendments. See 5 CFR 734.104. This OPM regulation states: 
``No further proscriptions or restrictions may be imposed upon 
employees covered under this regulation except: (a) Employees who are 
appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate; (b) Employees who are appointed by the President; (c) Non-
career senior executive service members; (d) Schedule C employees, 5 
CFR 213.3301, 213.3302; and (e) Any other employees who serve at the 
pleasure of the President.'' 5 CFR 734.104.
    The Commission requested and received an advisory opinion from the 
OSC as to the scope of the Commission's authority to interpret the 
Hatch Act Amendments regarding Commissioners and Commission 
employees.\20\ The specific question asked was whether the Commission 
may adopt a regulation that would forbid a Commissioner or a Commission 
employee from publicly supporting, working for, or contributing to a 
candidate, political party, or political committee subject to the 
jurisdiction of the FEC, even if, in the case of public support, the 
activity is not done in concert with the candidate, political party, or 
political committee. In its opinion, the OSC noted the OPM regulations 
cited above and stated with respect to employees that ``the FEC cannot 
further restrict the political activity of its regular employees by 
forbidding them from publicly supporting or contributing to a 
candidate, political party, or political committee subject to the 
jurisdiction of the Commission.'' U.S. Office of Special Counsel 
Advisory Opinion, OSC File No. AD-03-0095, at 2 (Aug. 29, 2003). The 
OSC opinion also noted with respect to Commissioners that ``the FEC has 
no authority to adopt regulations that would forbid a Commissioner from 
publicly supporting, working for, or contributing to a candidate, 
political party, or political committee subject to the jurisdiction of 
the FEC.'' Id. at 2-3. Thus, the OSC concluded that ``the FEC may not 
adopt regulations that would limit the political activity of FEC 
employees or Commissioners beyond the restrictions set forth in the 
Hatch Act.'' \21\ Id. at 3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ A copy of the Office of Special Counsel's opinion is 
available on the Commission's Web site. Go to https://sers.nictusa.com/fosers/and search for REG number 2003-01.
    \21\ Under 5 U.S.C. 1212, the advisory opinion authority of the 
OSC is limited to matters related to the Hatch Act. Therefore, the 
conclusions of the opinion are also limited to interpretations of 
the Hatch Act and OPM regulations. They do not apply to any separate 
statutory authority under FECA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Accordingly, former section 7.11 is being removed because it is 
inconsistent with the Hatch Act Amendments.
J. Removal of 11 CFR 7.12--Membership in Associations
    The Commission is removing former 11 CFR 7.12, which addressed 
employee and Commissioner membership in associations. In 1991, OGE 
issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that included proposed 
regulations concerning participation in professional associations. See 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Standards of Ethical Conduct for 
Employees of the Executive Branch, 56 FR 33778 (July 23, 1991). OGE 
decided, however, to reserve action in its final rule on this topic as 
a result of the overwhelming response to its request for comments. See 
Explanation and Justification for Final Rule on Standards of Ethical 
Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, 57 FR 35006 (Aug. 7, 
1992). Consistent with the OGE decision to reserve action on membership 
in associations in its final rule, the Commission concludes that 
ethical concerns regarding membership in nongovernmental associations 
or organizations are properly addressed under the more general 
standards in 5 CFR part 2635. See 57 FR at 35035. Among those general 
provisions that are applicable are 5 CFR 2635.402 (concerning 
disqualifying financial interests), 5 CFR 2635.502 (concerning personal 
and business relationships), and 5 CFR 2635.704 and 2635.705 
(concerning use of government property and official time).
K. Removal of 11 CFR Part 7, Subpart D (Post Employment Conflict of 
Interest: Procedure for Administrative Enforcement Proceedings)
    Former 11 CFR part 7, subpart D, concerned administrative 
procedures to be followed for investigations of post-employment 
conflict-of-interest violations by individuals who have left Commission 
employment. Subpart D was based on a prior version of 18 U.S.C. 207 and 
5 CFR parts 2637 and 2641. At the time that subpart D was adopted, 18 
U.S.C. 207(j) authorized agency proceedings against individuals who 
violated that section and required that ``departments and agencies 
shall, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Government 
Ethics, establish procedures to carry out this subsection.''
    Subsequently, however, 18 U.S.C. 207(j) was amended and the 
language authorizing administrative procedures and providing the 
authority to promulgate regulations establishing procedures was removed 
and replaced with language providing exceptions to the restrictions on 
post-employment conflicts of interest.\22\ The Commission has no 
pending post-employment situations concerning employees who left 
service before the repeal of former 18 U.S.C. 207(j). Accordingly, the 
Commission is removing former 11 CFR part 7, subpart D in its entirety. 
Please

[[Page 70329]]

note that former employees remain subject to Department of Justice 
criminal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 207 for post-employment conflict 
of interest violations. See 18 U.S.C. 216.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ See Pub. L. No. 101-189, Div. A, Title VIII, Part B, sec. 
814(d)(2), 103 Stat. 1352, 1499 (1989) (National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Certification of No Effect Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b) (Regulatory 
Flexibility Act)

    The Commission certifies that the attached final rules will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. The basis of this certification is that this rulemaking 
affects only the appointed members of the Federal Election Commission 
and its employees. The members of the Commission and its employees are 
individuals, and are not small entities under 5 U.S.C. 601.

List of Subjects

5 CFR Part 4701

    Conflict of interests, Government employees, Outside activities.

11 CFR Part 7

    Administrative practice and procedure, Conflict of interests, 
Government employees, Political activities (government employees).

11 CFR Part 201

    Ex parte communications.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, title 5 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations is amended as follows, and chapter I of title 11 of 
the Code of Federal Regulations is further amended as follows:

TITLE 5--GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES

0
1. Chapter XXXVII, consisting of part 4701, is added to title 5 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations to read as follows:

CHAPTER XXXVII--FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

PART 4701--SUPPLEMENTAL STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT FOR EMPLOYEES 
OF THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

Sec.
4701.101 Scope.
4701.102 Prior approval for certain outside employment.

    Authority:  2 U.S.C. 437c(a)(3); 5 U.S.C. 7301; 5 U.S.C. app. 
(Ethics in Government Act of 1978); E.O. 12674, 54 FR 15159, 3 CFR 
p. 215 (1989 Comp.), as modified by E.O. 12731, 55 FR 42547, 3 CFR 
p. 306 (1990 Comp.); 5 CFR 2635.105 and 2635.803.


Sec.  4701.101  Scope.

    (a) In accordance with 5 CFR 2635.105, the regulations in this part 
set forth standards of conduct that apply to members and other 
employees of the Federal Election Commission (``Commission'').
    (b) In addition, members and other employees of the Commission are 
subject to the following regulations:
    (1) 5 CFR part 735 (Employee Responsibilities and Conduct);
    (2) 5 CFR part 2634 (Executive Branch Financial Disclosure, 
Qualified Trusts, and Certificates of Divestiture);
    (3) 5 CFR part 2635 (Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of 
the Executive Branch); and
    (4) 11 CFR part 7 (Standards of Conduct for Members and Employees 
of the Federal Election Commission).


Sec.  4701.102  Prior approval for certain outside employment.

    (a) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
    (1) Active participant has the meaning set forth in 5 CFR 
2635.502(b)(1)(v).
    (2) Employee has the meaning set forth in 5 CFR 2635.102(h).
    (3) Definition of outside employment. For purposes of this section, 
outside employment means any form of non-Federal employment, business 
relationship or activity involving the provision of personal services, 
whether or not for compensation. It includes, but is not limited to, 
services as an officer, director, agent, advisor, attorney, consultant, 
contractor, general partner, trustee, teacher, speaker, writer, or any 
other services provided by an individual. It includes writing when done 
under an arrangement with another person for production or publication 
of the written product. The definition does not include participation 
in the activities of a nonprofit charitable, religious, professional, 
social, fraternal, educational, recreational, public service or civic 
organization, unless:
    (i) The activity provides compensation other than reimbursement of 
expenses;
    (ii) The activities of the non-Federal organization are devoted 
substantially to matters relating to the employee's official duties as 
defined in 5 CFR 2635.807(a)(2)(i)(B) through (E) and the employee will 
serve as officer or director of the non-Federal organization; or
    (iii) The activities will involve the provision of consultative or 
professional services. Consultative services means the provision of 
personal services, including the rendering of advice or consultation, 
which requires advanced knowledge in a field of science or learning 
customarily acquired by a course of specialized instruction and study 
in an institution of higher education, hospital, or similar facility. 
Professional services means the provision of personal services, 
including the rendering of advice or consultation, which involves 
application of the skills of a profession as defined in 5 CFR 
2636.305(b)(1) or involves a fiduciary relationship as defined in 5 CFR 
2636.305(b)(2).
    (4) Related to the employee's official duties means that the 
outside employment meets one or more of the tests described in 5 CFR 
2635.807(a)(2)(i)(B) through (E). Outside employment related to the 
employee's official duties includes:
    (i) Outside employment that an employee has been invited to 
participate in because of his or her official position rather than his 
or her expertise in the subject matter;
    (ii) Outside employment in which an employee has been asked to 
participate by a person that has interests that may be substantially 
affected by the performance or nonperformance of the employee's 
official duties;
    (iii) Outside employment that conveys information derived from 
nonpublic information gained during the course of government 
employment; and
    (iv) Outside employment that deals in significant part with any 
matter to which the employee is or has been officially assigned in the 
last year, or any ongoing or announced Commission policy, program, or 
operation.
    (b) Prior approval requirement. An employee of the Commission, 
including a member of a Commissioner's staff, but not a member of the 
Commission or a special Government employee, shall obtain written 
approval from the Designated Agency Ethics Official before engaging in 
outside employment where the services provided:
    (1) Are related to the employee's official duties; or
    (2) Involve the application of the same specialized skills or the 
same educational background as used in the performance of the 
employee's official duties.
    (c) Submission of requests for approval. (1) The request for 
approval shall be sent through all of the employee's supervisors and 
shall state the name of the person, group, or organization for whom the 
outside employment is to be performed; the type of outside employment 
to be performed; and the proposed hours of, and approximate dates of, 
the outside employment.
    (2) Upon a significant change in the nature or scope of the outside 
employment or in the employee's official position, the employee shall 
submit a revised request for approval.

[[Page 70330]]

    (d) Standard for approval. Approval shall be granted only upon a 
determination that the outside employment is not expected to involve 
conduct prohibited by statute or Federal regulation, including 5 CFR 
part 2635.

TITLE 11--FEDERAL ELECTIONS

CHAPTER I--FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

0
2. Part 7 is revised to read as follows:

PART 7--STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

Sec.
7.1 Scope.
7.2 Definitions.
7.3 Interpretation and guidance.
7.4 Reporting suspected violations.
7.5 Corrective action.
7.6 Outside employment and activities by Commissioners.
7.7 Prohibition against making complaints and investigations public.
7.8 Ex parte communications in enforcement actions.

    Authority:  2 U.S.C. 437c, 437d, and 438; 5 U.S.C. 7321 et seq. 
and app. 3.


Sec.  7.1  Scope.

    (a) The regulations in this part apply to members and employees of 
the Federal Election Commission (``Commission'').
    (b) In addition, members and employees of the Commission are 
subject to the following regulations:
    (1) 5 CFR part 735 (Employee Responsibilities and Conduct);
    (2) 5 CFR part 2634 (Executive Branch Financial Disclosure, 
Qualified Trusts, and Certificates of Divestiture);
    (3) 5 CFR part 2635 (Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of 
the Executive Branch); and
    (4) 5 CFR part 4701 (Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for 
Employees of the Federal Election Commission).


Sec.  7.2  Definitions.

    As used in this part:
    (a) Commission means the Federal Election Commission, 999 E Street 
NW., Washington, DC 20463.
    (b) Commissioner means a member of the Federal Election Commission, 
in accordance with 2 U.S.C. 437c.
    (c) Designated Agency Ethics Official means the employee designated 
by the Commission to administer the provisions of the Ethics in 
Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. appendix), as amended, and includes a 
designee of the Designated Agency Ethics Official. The General Counsel 
serves as the Commission's Designated Agency Ethics Official.
    (d) Employee means an employee of the Federal Election Commission 
and includes a special Government employee as defined in 18 U.S.C. 
202(a).
    (e) Ex parte communication means any written or oral communication 
by any person outside the agency to any Commissioner or any member of 
any Commissioner's staff, but not to any other Commission employee, 
that imparts information or argument regarding prospective Commission 
action or potential action concerning any pending enforcement matter.
    (f) Inspector General means the individual appointed by the 
Commission to administer the provisions of the Inspector General Act of 
1978, as amended (5 U.S.C. appendix), and includes any designee of the 
Inspector General.


Sec.  7.3  Interpretation and guidance.

    (a) A Commissioner or employee seeking advice and guidance on 
matters covered by this part or 5 CFR parts 735, 2634, 2635, 2640, or 
4701 may consult with the Designated Agency Ethics Official. The 
Designated Agency Ethics Official should be consulted before 
undertaking any action that might violate this part or 5 CFR parts 735, 
2634, 2635, 2640, or 4701 governing the conduct of Commissioners or 
employees.
    (b) The Designated Agency Ethics Official, a Commissioner, or an 
employee may request an opinion from the Director of the Office of 
Government Ethics regarding an interpretation of 5 CFR parts 2634, 
2635, or 2640.


Sec.  7.4  Reporting suspected violations.

    Commissioners and employees shall disclose immediately any 
suspected violation of a statute or of a rule set forth in this part or 
of a rule set forth in 5 CFR parts 735, 2634, 2635, 2640, or 4701 to 
the Designated Agency Ethics Official, the Office of Inspector General, 
or other appropriate law enforcement authorities.


Sec.  7.5  Corrective action.

    A violation of this part or 5 CFR parts 735, 2634, 2635, 2640, or 
4701 by an employee may be cause for appropriate corrective, 
disciplinary, or adverse action in addition to any penalty prescribed 
by law.


Sec.  7.6  Outside employment and activities by Commissioners.

    No member of the Commission may devote a substantial portion of his 
or her time to any other business, vocation, or employment. Any 
individual who is engaging substantially in any other business, 
vocation, or employment at the time such individual begins to serve as 
a member of the Commission will appropriately limit such activity no 
later than 90 days after beginning to serve as such a member.


Sec.  7.7  Prohibition against making complaints and investigations 
public.

    (a) Commission employees are subject to criminal penalties if they 
discuss or otherwise make public any matters pertaining to a complaint 
or investigation under 2 U.S.C. 437g, without the written permission of 
the person complained against or being investigated. Such 
communications are prohibited by 2 U.S.C. 437g(a)(12)(A).
    (b) Section 437g(a)(12)(B) of title 2 of the United States Code 
provides as follows: ``Any member or employee of the Commission, or any 
other person, who violates the provisions of [2 U.S.C. 437g(a)(12)(A)] 
shall be fined not more than $2,000. Any such member, employee, or 
other person who knowingly and willfully violates the provisions of [2 
U.S.C. 437g(a)(12)(A)] shall be fined not more than $5,000.''


Sec.  7.8  Ex parte communications in enforcement actions.

    In order to avoid the possibility of prejudice, real or apparent, 
to the public interest in enforcement actions pending before the 
Commission pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 437g:
    (a) Except to the extent required for the disposition of 
enforcement matters as required by law (as, for example, during the 
normal course of an investigation or a conciliation effort), no 
Commissioner or member of any Commissioner's staff shall make or 
entertain any ex parte communications.
    (b) The prohibition of this section shall apply from the time a 
complaint is filed with the Commission pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 437g(a)(1) 
or from the time that the Commission determines on the basis of 
information ascertained in the normal course of its supervisory 
responsibilities that it has reason to believe that a violation has 
occurred or may occur pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 437g(a)(2), and such 
prohibition shall remain in force until the Commission has concluded 
all action with respect to the enforcement matter in question.
    (c) Any written communication prohibited by paragraph (a) of this 
section shall be delivered to the General Counsel, who shall place the 
communication in the case file.
    (d) A Commissioner or member of any Commissioner's staff involved 
in handling enforcement actions who receives an offer to make an oral 
communication or any communication concerning any enforcement action 
pending before the Commission as described in paragraph (a) of this 
section, shall decline to listen to such

[[Page 70331]]

communication. If unsuccessful in preventing the communication, the 
Commissioner or employee shall advise the person making the 
communication that he or she will not consider the communication and 
shall prepare a statement setting forth the substance and circumstances 
of the communication. Within 48 hours of receipt of the communication, 
the Commissioner or any member of any Commissioner's staff shall 
prepare a statement setting forth the substance and circumstances of 
the communication and shall deliver the statement to the General 
Counsel for placing in the file in the manner set forth in paragraph 
(c) of this section.
    (e) Additional rules governing ex parte communications made in 
connection with Commission enforcement actions are found at 11 CFR 
111.22. Rules governing ex parte communications made in connection with 
public funding, Commission audits, litigation, rulemakings, and 
advisory opinions are found at 11 CFR part 201.

PART 201--EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS

0
3. The authority citation for Part 201 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  2 U.S.C. 437d(a)(8), 2 U.S.C. 438(a)(8), 5 U.S.C. 
553(e).


0
4. Section 201.1 is amended by removing the citation ``7.15'' and 
adding in its place the citation ``7.8.''

    On behalf of the Commission.
    Dated: October 21, 2011.
Cynthia L. Bauerly,
Chair, Federal Election Commission.
    Dated: October 31, 2011.
Don W. Fox,
Acting Director, Office of Government Ethics.
[FR Doc. 2011-29090 Filed 11-10-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6715-01-P