Executive Branch Ethics Program Amendments, 76271-76288 [2016-26418]

Agencies

• Office of Government Ethics

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 2, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76271-76288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26418]



========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. 
Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each 
week.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 212 / Wednesday, November 2, 2016 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 76271]]



OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS

5 CFR Part 2638

RIN 3209-AA42


Executive Branch Ethics Program Amendments

AGENCY: Office of Government Ethics (OGE).

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Office of Government Ethics is issuing a final rule 
amending the regulation that sets forth the elements and procedures of 
the executive branch ethics program. This comprehensive revision is 
informed by the experience gained over the last several decades 
administering the program, and was developed in consultation with 
agency ethics officials, the federal inspector general community, the 
Office of Personnel Management, and the Department of Justice. The 
final rule defines and describes the executive branch ethics program, 
delineates the responsibilities of various stakeholders, and enumerates 
key executive branch ethics procedures.

DATES: This final rule is effective January 1, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monica Ashar, Assistant Counsel, 
Office of Government Ethics, Suite 500, 1201 New York Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20005-3917; Telephone: (202) 482-9300; TTY: (800) 877-
8339; FAX: (202) 482-9237.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) published a proposed 
rule in the Federal Register, 81 FR 36193, June 6, 2016, proposing to 
amend 5 CFR part 2638, The Executive Branch Ethics Program. Part 2638 
sets forth the mission of the executive branch ethics program, the 
responsibilities of key participants, and the procedures of the 
executive branch ethics program, as well as the procedures for 
government ethics education, correction of executive branch agency 
ethics programs, and corrective action involving individual employees.
    These amendments, which are described in the preamble to the 
proposed rule, draw upon the collective experience of agency ethics 
officials across the executive branch and OGE as the supervising ethics 
office. They reflect extensive input from the executive branch ethics 
community and the inspector general community, as well as OGE's 
consultation with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of 
Personnel Management pursuant to 5 U.S.C. app. 402(b)(1). In short, 
they present a comprehensive picture of the executive branch ethics 
program, its responsibilities and its procedures, as reflected through 
nearly 40 years of interpreting and implementing the Ethics in 
Government Act of 1978, as amended (the Act), as well as other 
applicable statutes, regulations, Executive orders, and authorities.
    The proposed rule provided a 60-day comment period, which ended on 
August 5, 2016. OGE received one set of timely and responsive comments, 
which were submitted by an individual. OGE also received one set of 
timely comments from an executive branch agency, but the agency 
withdrew its comments prior to the deadline. After carefully 
considering the individual's comments and making appropriate 
modifications, and for the reasons set forth below and in the preamble 
to the proposed rule, OGE is publishing this final rule.
    OGE plans to issue several pieces of guidance to the executive 
branch ethics community in order to provide assistance and instruction 
regarding the implementation of these amendments. Additionally, OGE 
Desk Officers are available to answer questions from their respective 
agencies.

II. Summary of Comments and Changes to the Proposed Rule

General Comments

    As noted above, OGE received one set of comments on the proposed 
rule. In several instances, the commenter proposed minor, largely 
technical changes in wording. These proposed changes pertained to 
Sec. Sec.  2638.107(g) and (h) (adding the words ``payment for'' before 
``travel''), 2638.202 (deleting the citation to section 402 of the 
Act), and 2638.204 (adding the words ``filed with or'' before 
``transmitted''). For various reasons, OGE has not adopted these 
recommendations. OGE did, however, adopt the commenter's recommendation 
at Sec.  2638.207(a) to change ``the'' agency to ``an'' agency. The 
more substantive changes proposed by the commenter are discussed in 
further detail below.
    Additionally, as described below, OGE is making several technical 
changes to provisions involving Inspectors General. OGE is making these 
changes based on its continuing collaboration with the federal 
inspector general community and with the Council of the Inspectors 
General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), of which the Director of 
OGE (Director) is a statutory member. OGE has taken into consideration 
the views of CIGIE, as expressed both in CIGIE meetings and in various 
communications with individual members of CIGIE and CIGIE's leadership. 
OGE believes the changes will increase the effectiveness of its ongoing 
coordination with CIGIE. These changes are intended to align the 
regulation more closely with the Act and the Inspector General Act of 
1978, as amended (the Inspector General Act).
Subpart A--Mission and Responsibilities
    Section 2638.101 sets forth the mission of the executive branch 
ethics program, which is to prevent conflicts of interest on the part 
of executive branch employees. The one commenter recommended revising 
the second sentence of Sec.  2638.101(b), which describes the sources 
of potential conflicts of interest, so as to make the language clearer 
and to broaden the discussion of the mission to reference helping 
employees uphold their ethical responsibilities. Although OGE has 
revised this language for clarity consistent with the general aim of 
this comment, OGE has not adopted the specific recommendation to 
reference assistance to employees. Section 2638.101 is intended to 
articulate overarching, program-level principles, rather than focus on 
assisting employees individually.
    OGE made several technical changes to Sec.  2638.106, which 
describes the

[[Page 76272]]

government ethics responsibilities of Inspectors General. These changes 
were made to more accurately reflect their authority as set forth in 
section 6 of the Inspector General Act.
Subpart B--Procedures of the Executive Branch Ethics Program
    Section 2638.206 establishes the requirement to provide the 
Director with notice of referrals made to DOJ regarding potential 
violations of criminal conflict of interest laws. OGE made several 
technical changes to this section to delete references to ``agencies'' 
in order to avoid potential confusion as to the appropriate channel for 
making required notifications. OGE sought neither to limit the 
independence of Inspectors General nor to exclude them from this 
regulatory requirement. OGE is, however, sensitive to general concerns 
about Inspector General independence and has eliminated the reference 
to ``agencies'' as a prophylactic measure to avoid creating any 
perception that Inspectors General would need to act in concert with 
various agency offices when filing the required notifications. 
Additionally, the one commenter suggested deleting the citation to 
section 402 of the Act from the undesignated paragraph of Sec.  
2638.206. As a result of the technical changes described above, the 
citation has been removed.
    Related technical changes include deleting from Sec.  2638.206(a) 
the 30-day deadline by which the Director must be notified of a 
referral to DOJ. This change aligns the regulation with the statutory 
language of 5 U.S.C. app. 402(e)(2), which requires notification ``upon 
referral.'' Accordingly, OGE also deleted the corresponding reference 
to the 30-day deadline from Sec.  2638.604(n). Other technical changes 
include deleting the language at Sec.  2638.206(b), which required the 
referring agency to provide the Director with certain information, 
because the provision was redundant of Sec.  2638.202, ``furnishing 
records and information generally.'' In its place, OGE has added 
language committing that it will obtain the concurrence of CIGIE's 
Chairperson before implementing substantive changes to the OGE Form 
202. With this self-imposed requirement, OGE is choosing to 
institutionalize its current collaboration with CIGIE as to the 
processes and procedures related to referrals to DOJ for prosecution. 
This language is not intended to require formal action other than 
agreement between OGE's Director and CIGIE's Chairperson. Further, 
concurrence would not be required when merely updating references to 
telephone numbers, email addresses, or similarly non-substantive 
information contained in the form. Finally, OGE deleted the language in 
Sec.  2638.206(c) that recommended that an Inspector General, when 
making a covered referral to DOJ, provide the DAEO with copies of 
documents that are also provided to the Director. Because this 
provision offered only a recommendation, and would not have established 
a binding requirement, OGE found this language superfluous. The 
deletion of this language would not prevent an Inspector General from 
providing a DAEO with copies of documents, unless such disclosure were 
prohibited by law, and there may in fact be instances when OGE would 
encourage such sharing of documents in order to ensure that appropriate 
corrective action is taken.
    Section 2638.209 sets forth the procedures for OGE's formal 
advisory opinion service, including the criteria that the Director will 
consider when determining whether to issue a formal advisory opinion. 
The sole commenter suggested replacing the fifth criterion, ``the 
interests of the executive branch ethics program'' at Sec.  
2638.209(b)(5), with ``the importance of the question to upholding the 
ethics responsibilities of employees, as listed in Sec.  2638.102.'' 
OGE has not adopted this recommendation. The fifth criterion could 
already reasonably encompass the standard the commenter proposed. As 
currently drafted, the fifth criterion has the advantage of 
supplementing the first four criteria, which are unchanged from the 
prior regulation.
Subpart C--Government Ethics Education
    Section 2638.302 contains the definitions for the two training 
formats prescribed in subpart C. Regarding the definition of ``live 
training'' at Sec.  2638.302(a), which requires that ``the presenter 
personally communicate[] a substantial portion of the material at the 
same time as the employees being trained are receiving [it],'' the sole 
commenter requested additional guidance on the minimum for satisfying 
the ``substantial portion'' criteria. He cites example 5, in which OGE 
demonstrates that the ``substantial portion'' standard can be been met 
with at least a 20-minute discussion following a 40-minute video. 
Although the 40-minute video or other non-live material alone would not 
satisfy this criterion, coupling the non-live material with at least a 
20-minute phone call would bring the training into compliance with the 
minimum standard. Further, the phone call and the video presentation 
are not required to occur on the same day. Although OGE did not adopt 
the commenter's recommendation, OGE emphasizes that the default, as 
illustrated in examples 1 through 4, will be for the presenter to 
personally communicate the material for the full duration or nearly the 
full duration of the training, except when to do so is impracticable.
    Section 2638.304 sets forth the requirements for administering 
initial ethics training to new agency employees. The sole commenter 
observed that the deadlines for completion at Sec.  2638.304(b) and 
(b)(1) are expressed in months, while the deadline at Sec.  
2638.304(a)(2)(iii) is expressed in days. He suggested that the 
deadlines in this section should be expressed consistently. In 
response, OGE is making the deadlines consistent by changing the 
deadline at Sec.  2638.304(a)(2)(iii) from 90 days to 3 months. OGE 
selected 3 months rather than 90 days because a 3-month deadline would 
allow agencies to offer initial ethics training four times a year, 
whereas four 90-day periods would fall slightly short of a full year. 
The commenter also addressed the 60-day period pertaining to special 
Government employees at Sec.  2638.304(b)(2), mistakenly characterizing 
it as a deadline. The 60-day period tracks provisions in the Act, 5 
U.S.C. app. 101(d), and in criminal conflict of interest statutes, 18 
U.S.C. 203 and 205, that modify certain requirements for employees who 
serve no more than 60 days in a year. OGE has not adopted the 
recommendation, which was based on an incorrect reading of the proposed 
rule. In considering this comment, however, OGE identified an error in 
its proposed language and made a technical correction at Sec.  
2638.304(b)(2), changing ``less than 60 days'' to ``no more than 60 
days'' so as to conform to the statutory time frame. OGE also made the 
same technical correction at Sec.  2638.305(b)(2)(ii).
    OGE made a similar technical correction at Sec.  2638.305(a) to 
remedy an inconsistency. In the proposed rule, OGE stated that this 
section, with some exceptions, ``applies to public filers who are 
Senate-confirmed Presidential nominees and appointees.'' At the same 
time, Sec.  2638.305(b)(2)(ii) prescribes procedures for certain 
special Government employees who are ``expected to serve for less than 
60 days in a calendar year.'' Because these individuals are not public 
filers, OGE deleted the words ``public filers who are'' in Sec.  
2638.305(a).

[[Page 76273]]

Subpart E--Corrective Action Involving Individual Employees
    Subpart E implements the limited authority of the Director to take 
certain actions against individual employees. The commenter challenged 
the authority of Inspectors General to investigate matters within DOJ's 
authority and recommended deleting language in Sec. Sec.  2638.501 and 
2638.502 authorizing referrals to Inspectors General. OGE has not 
adopted this recommendation. As noted above, OGE consulted with DOJ 
prior to submitting the proposed rule for publication, and DOJ did not 
object to this provision.
    Section 2638.504 contains the procedures that OGE may use when the 
Director has reason to believe that an executive branch employee is 
violating or has violated a noncriminal government ethics law or 
regulation. OGE made two technical changes to this section. First, in 
Sec.  2638.504(a), OGE is clarifying that, consistent with 5 U.S.C. 
app. 402(f)(2)(A)(ii)(II), the Presidential notification procedure is 
triggered only in connection with investigations to be initiated by 
agency heads. Second, in Sec.  2638.504(b), OGE is clarifying that OGE 
may close only its own involvement in the matter. This provision was 
not intended to suggest that any other office would necessarily close 
its involvement.
Subpart F--General Provisions
    The sole commenter also raised a question regarding the definition 
of disciplinary action at Sec.  2638.603 with respect to military 
officers. He asserted that the phrase ``comparable provisions may 
include those in the Uniform Code of Military Justice'' was ``overly 
vague and largely beside the point.'' In response to this comment and 
to avoid any confusion, OGE has deleted examples of disciplinary 
actions, as well as examples of provisions that may apply to employees 
who are not subject to title 5 of the United States Code. Because 
agencies interpret the authority under which they administer 
disciplinary actions, as well as determine specific disciplinary 
actions, OGE does not want this provision to be misconstrued as seeking 
to limit the authority of agencies.
    As noted above in the discussion of Sec.  2638.206(a), OGE has also 
deleted the language of Sec.  2638.604(n) in the proposed regulation, 
which reiterated a deadline that has since been removed. As a result, 
OGE has also renumbered the subsequent paragraphs.

III. Matters of Regulatory Procedure

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    As Director of the Office of Government Ethics, I certify under the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) that this final rule 
would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities because it primarily affects current and former federal 
executive branch employees.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35) does not apply 
because this regulation does not contain information collection 
requirements that require approval of the Office of Management and 
Budget.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    For purposes of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 
chapter 5, subchapter II), this final rule would not significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments and will not result in increased 
expenditures by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, 
or by the private sector, of $100 million or more (as adjusted for 
inflation) in any one year.

Executive Order 13563 and Executive Order 12866

    Executive Orders 13563 and 12866 direct agencies to assess all 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select the regulatory approaches that 
maximize net benefits (including economic, environmental, public health 
and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive Order 
13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, 
of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. 
This rulemaking has been designated as a ``significant regulatory 
action'' although not economically significant, under section 3(f) of 
Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, this final rule has been reviewed 
by the Office of Management and Budget.

Executive Order 12988

    As Director of the Office of Government Ethics, I have reviewed 
this final rule in light of section 3 of Executive Order 12988, Civil 
Justice Reform, and certify that it meets the applicable standards 
provided therein.

List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 2638

    Administrative practice and procedure, Conflict of interests, 
Government employees, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Approved: October 27, 2016.
Walter M. Shaub, Jr.,
Director, Office of Government Ethics.

0
Accordingly, the Office of Government Ethics is revising 5 CFR part 
2638 as set forth below:

PART 2638--EXECUTIVE BRANCH ETHICS PROGRAM

Subpart A--Mission and Responsibilities
Sec.
2638.101 Mission.
2638.102 Government ethics responsibilities of employees.
2638.103 Government ethics responsibilities of supervisors.
2638.104 Government ethics responsibilities of agency ethics 
officials.
2638.105 Government ethics responsibilities of lead human resources 
officials.
2638.106 Government ethics responsibilities of Inspectors General.
2638.107 Government ethics responsibilities of agency heads.
2638.108 Government ethics responsibilities of the Office of 
Government Ethics.
Subpart B--Procedures of the Executive Branch Ethics Program
2638.201 In general.
2638.202 Furnishing records and information generally.
2638.203 Collection of public financial disclosure reports required 
to be submitted to the Office of Government Ethics.
2638.204 Collection of other public financial disclosure reports.
2638.205 Collection of confidential financial disclosure reports.
2638.206 Notice to the Director of certain referrals to the 
Department of Justice.
2638.207 Annual report on the agency's ethics program.
2638.208 Written guidance on the executive branch ethics program.
2638.209 Formal advisory opinions.
2638.210 Presidential transition planning.
Subpart C--Government Ethics Education
2638.301 In general.
2638.302 Definitions.
2638.303 Notice to prospective employees.
2638.304 Initial ethics training.
2638.305 Additional ethics briefing for certain agency leaders.
2638.306 Notice to new supervisors.
2638.307 Annual ethics training for confidential filers and certain 
other employees.
2638.308 Annual ethics training for public filers.
2638.309 Agency-specific ethics education requirements.
2638.310 Coordinating the agency's ethics education program.
Subpart D--Correction of Executive Branch Agency Ethics Programs
2638.401 In general.
2638.402 Informal action.
2638.403 Formal action.

[[Page 76274]]

Subpart E--Corrective Action Involving Individual Employees
2638.501 In general.
2638.502 Violations of criminal provisions related to government 
ethics.
2638.503 Recommendations and advice to employees and agencies.
2638.504 Violations of noncriminal provisions related to government 
ethics.
Subpart F--General Provisions
2638.601 Authority and purpose.
2638.602 Agency regulations.
2638.603 Definitions.
2638.604 Key program dates.

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. App. 101-505; E.O. 12674, 54 FR 15159, 3 
CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 215, as modified by E.O. 12731, 55 FR 42547, 3 
CFR, 1990 Comp., p. 306.

Subpart A--Mission and Responsibilities


Sec.  2638.101  Mission.

    (a) Mission. The primary mission of the executive branch ethics 
program is to prevent conflicts of interest on the part of executive 
branch employees.
    (b) Breadth. The executive branch ethics program works to ensure 
that public servants make impartial decisions based on the interests of 
the public when carrying out the governmental responsibilities 
entrusted to them, serve as good stewards of public resources, and 
loyally adhere to the Constitution and laws of the United States. In 
the broadest sense of the term, ``conflicts of interest'' stem from 
financial interests; business or personal relationships; misuses of 
official position, official time, or public resources; and the receipt 
of gifts. The mission is focused on both conflicts of interest and the 
appearance of conflicts of interest.
    (c) Conflicts-based program. The executive branch ethics program is 
a conflicts-based program, rather than a solely disclosure-based 
program. While transparency is an invaluable tool for promoting and 
monitoring ethical conduct, the executive branch ethics program 
requires more than transparency. This program seeks to ensure the 
integrity of governmental decision making and to promote public 
confidence by preventing conflicts of interest. Taken together, the 
systems in place to identify and address conflicts of interest 
establish a foundation on which to build and sustain an ethical culture 
in the executive branch.


Sec.  2638.102  Government ethics responsibilities of employees.

    Consistent with the fundamental principle that public service is a 
public trust, every employee in the executive branch plays a critical 
role in the executive branch ethics program. As provided in the 
Standards of Conduct at part 2635 of this chapter, employees must 
endeavor to act at all times in the public's interest, avoid losing 
impartiality or appearing to lose impartiality in carrying out official 
duties, refrain from misusing their offices for private gain, serve as 
good stewards of public resources, and comply with the requirements of 
government ethics laws and regulations, including any applicable 
financial disclosure requirements. Employees must refrain from 
participating in particular matters in which they have financial 
interests and, pursuant to Sec.  2635.402(f) of this chapter, should 
notify their supervisors or ethics officials when their official duties 
create the substantial likelihood of such conflicts of interest. 
Collectively, the charge of employees is to make ethical conduct the 
hallmark of government service.


Sec.  2638.103  Government ethics responsibilities of supervisors.

    Every supervisor in the executive branch has a heightened personal 
responsibility for advancing government ethics. It is imperative that 
supervisors serve as models of ethical behavior for subordinates. 
Supervisors have a responsibility to help ensure that subordinates are 
aware of their ethical obligations under the Standards of Conduct and 
that subordinates know how to contact agency ethics officials. 
Supervisors are also responsible for working with agency ethics 
officials to help resolve conflicts of interest and enforce government 
ethics laws and regulations, including those requiring certain 
employees to file financial disclosure reports. In addition, 
supervisors are responsible, when requested, for assisting agency 
ethics officials in evaluating potential conflicts of interest and 
identifying positions subject to financial disclosure requirements.


Sec.  2638.104  Government ethics responsibilities of agency ethics 
officials.

    (a) Appointment of a Designated Agency Ethics Official. Each agency 
head must appoint a Designated Agency Ethics Official (DAEO). The DAEO 
is the employee with primary responsibility for directing the daily 
activities of the agency's ethics program and coordinating with the 
Office of Government Ethics.
    (b) Qualifications necessary to serve as DAEO. The following are 
necessary qualifications of an agency's DAEO:
    (1) The DAEO must be an employee at an appropriate level in the 
organization, such that the DAEO is able to coordinate effectively with 
officials in relevant agency components and gain access to the agency 
head when necessary to discuss important matters related to the 
agency's ethics program.
    (2) The DAEO must be an employee who has demonstrated the 
knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to manage a significant 
agency program, to understand and apply complex legal requirements, and 
to generate support for building and sustaining an ethical culture in 
the organization.
    (3) On an ongoing basis, the DAEO must demonstrate the capacity to 
serve as an effective advocate for the executive branch ethics program, 
show support for the mission of the executive branch ethics program, 
prove responsive to the Director's requests for documents and 
information related to the ethics program, and serve as an effective 
liaison with the Office of Government Ethics.
    (4) In any agency with 1,000 or more employees, any DAEO appointed 
after the effective date of this regulation must be an employee at the 
senior executive level or higher, unless the agency has fewer than 10 
positions at that level.
    (c) Responsibilities of the DAEO. Acting directly or through other 
officials, the DAEO is responsible for taking actions authorized or 
required under this subchapter, including the following:
    (1) Serving as an effective liaison to the Office of Government 
Ethics;
    (2) Maintaining records of agency ethics program activities;
    (3) Promptly and timely furnishing the Office of Government Ethics 
with all documents and information requested or required under subpart 
B of this part;
    (4) Providing advice and counseling to prospective and current 
employees regarding government ethics laws and regulations, and 
providing former employees with advice and counseling regarding post-
employment restrictions applicable to them;
    (5) Carrying out an effective government ethics education program 
under subpart C of this part;
    (6) Taking appropriate action to resolve conflicts of interest and 
the appearance of conflicts of interest, through recusals, directed 
divestitures, waivers, authorizations, reassignments, and other 
appropriate means;
    (7) Consistent with Sec.  2640.303 of this chapter, consulting with 
the Office of Government Ethics regarding the issuance of waivers 
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 208(b);
    (8) Carrying out an effective financial disclosure program, by:
    (i) Establishing such written procedures as are appropriate 
relative to

[[Page 76275]]

the size and complexity of the agency's financial disclosure program 
for the filing, review, and, when applicable, public availability of 
financial disclosure reports;
    (ii) Requiring public and confidential filers to comply with 
deadlines and requirements for financial disclosure reports under part 
2634 of this chapter and, in the event of noncompliance, taking 
appropriate action to address such noncompliance;
    (iii) Imposing late fees in appropriate cases involving untimely 
filing of public financial disclosure reports;
    (iv) Making referrals to the Inspector General or the Department of 
Justice in appropriate cases involving knowing and willful 
falsification of financial disclosure reports or knowing and willful 
failure to file financial disclosure reports;
    (v) Reviewing financial disclosure reports, with an emphasis on 
preventing conflicts of interest;
    (vi) Consulting, when necessary, with financial disclosure filers 
and their supervisors to evaluate potential conflicts of interest;
    (vii) Timely certifying financial disclosure reports and taking 
appropriate action with regard to financial disclosure reports that 
cannot be certified; and
    (viii) Using the information disclosed in financial disclosure 
reports to prevent and resolve potential conflicts of interest.
    (9) Assisting the agency in its enforcement of ethics laws and 
regulations when agency officials:
    (i) Make appropriate referrals to the Inspector General or the 
Department of Justice;
    (ii) Take disciplinary or corrective action; and
    (iii) Employ other means available to them.
    (10) Upon request of the Office of Inspector General, providing 
that office with ready and active assistance with regard to the 
interpretation and application of government ethics laws and 
regulations, as well as the procedural requirements of the ethics 
program;
    (11) Ensuring that the agency has a process for notifying the 
Office of Government Ethics upon referral, made pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 
535, to the Department of Justice regarding a potential violation of a 
conflict of interest law, unless such notification would be prohibited 
by law;
    (12) Providing agency officials with advice on the applicability of 
government ethics laws and regulations to special Government employees;
    (13) Requiring timely compliance with ethics agreements, pursuant 
to part 2634, subpart H of this chapter;
    (14) Conducting ethics briefings for certain agency leaders, 
pursuant to Sec.  2638.305;
    (15) Prior to any Presidential election, preparing the agency's 
ethics program for a potential Presidential transition; and
    (16) Periodically evaluating the agency's ethics program and making 
recommendations to the agency regarding the resources available to the 
ethics program.
    (d) Appointment of an Alternate Designated Agency Ethics Official. 
Each agency head must appoint an Alternate Designated Agency Ethics 
Official (ADAEO). The ADAEO serves as the primary deputy to the DAEO in 
the administration of the agency's ethics program. Together, the DAEO 
and the ADAEO direct the daily activities of an agency's ethics program 
and coordinate with the Office of Government Ethics. The ADAEO must be 
an employee who has demonstrated the skills necessary to assist the 
DAEO in the administration of the agency's ethics program.
    (e) Program support by additional ethics officials and other 
individuals. Subject to approval by the DAEO or the agency head, an 
agency may designate additional ethics officials and other employees to 
assist the DAEO in carrying out the responsibilities of the ethics 
program, some of whom may be designated ``deputy ethics officials'' for 
purposes of parts 2635 and 2636 of this chapter. The agency is 
responsible for ensuring that these employees have the skills and 
expertise needed to perform their assigned duties related to the ethics 
program and must provide appropriate training to them for this purpose. 
Although the agency may appoint such officials as are necessary to 
assist in carrying out functions of the agency's ethics program, they 
will be subject to the direction of the DAEO with respect to the 
functions of the agency's ethics program described in this chapter. The 
DAEO retains authority to make final decisions regarding the agency's 
ethics program and its functions, subject only to the authority of the 
agency head and the Office of Government Ethics.
    (f) Ethics responsibilities that may be performed only by the DAEO 
or ADAEO. In addition to any items reserved for action by the DAEO or 
ADAEO in other parts of this chapter, only the DAEO or ADAEO may carry 
out the following responsibilities:
    (1) Request approval of supplemental agency regulations, pursuant 
to Sec.  2635.105 of this chapter;
    (2) Recommend a separate component designation, pursuant to Sec.  
2641.302(e) of this chapter;
    (3) Request approval of an alternative means for collecting certain 
public financial disclosure reports, pursuant to Sec.  2638.204(c);
    (4) Request determinations regarding public reporting requirements, 
pursuant to Sec. Sec.  2634.202(c), 2634.203, 2634.205, and 2634.304(f) 
of this chapter;
    (5) Make determinations, other than exceptions in individual cases, 
regarding the means the agency will use to collect public or 
confidential financial disclosure reports, pursuant to Sec. Sec.  
2638.204 and 2638.205;
    (6) Request an alternative procedure for filing confidential 
financial disclosure reports, pursuant to Sec.  2634.905(a) of this 
chapter;
    (7) Request a formal advisory opinion on behalf of the agency or a 
prospective, current, or former employee of that agency, pursuant to 
Sec.  2638.209(d); and
    (8) Request a certificate of divestiture, pursuant to Sec.  
2634.1005(b) of this chapter.


Sec.  2638.105  Government ethics responsibilities of lead human 
resources officials.

    (a) The lead human resources official, as defined in Sec.  
2638.603, acting directly or through delegees, is responsible for:
    (1) Promptly notifying the DAEO of all appointments to positions 
that require incumbents to file public or confidential financial 
disclosure reports, with the notification occurring prior to 
appointment whenever practicable but in no case occurring more than 15 
days after appointment; and
    (2) Promptly notifying the DAEO of terminations of employees in 
positions that require incumbents to file public financial disclosure 
reports, with the notification occurring prior to termination whenever 
practicable but in no case occurring more than 15 days after 
termination.
    (b) The lead human resources official may be assigned certain 
additional ethics responsibilities by the agency.
    (1) If an agency elects to assign such responsibilities to human 
resources officials, the lead human resources official is responsible 
for coordinating, to the extent necessary and practicable, with the 
DAEO to support the agency's ethics program;
    (2) If the lead human resources official is responsible for 
conducting ethics training pursuant to subpart C of this part, that 
official must follow the DAEO's directions regarding applicable 
requirements, procedures, and the qualifications of any presenters, 
consistent with the requirements of this chapter;

[[Page 76276]]

    (3) If the lead human resources official is responsible for issuing 
the required government ethics notices in written offers of employment, 
pursuant to Sec.  2638.303, or providing supervisory ethics notices, 
pursuant to Sec.  2638.306, that official must comply with any 
substantive and procedural requirements established by the DAEO, 
consistent with the requirements of this chapter; and
    (4) To the extent applicable, the lead human resources official is 
required to provide the DAEO with a written summary and confirmation 
regarding procedures for implementing certain requirements of subpart C 
of this part by January 15 each year, pursuant to Sec.  2638.310.
    (c) Nothing in this section prevents an agency head from delegating 
the duties described in paragraph (b) of this section to another agency 
official. In the event that an agency head delegates the duties 
described in paragraph (b) of this section to an agency official other 
than the lead human resources official, the requirements of paragraph 
(b) of this section will apply to that official.


Sec.  2638.106  Government ethics responsibilities of Inspectors 
General.

    An agency's Inspector General has authority to conduct 
investigations of suspected violations of conflict of interest laws and 
other government ethics laws and regulations. An Inspector General is 
responsible for giving due consideration to a request made pursuant to 
section 403 of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (the ``Act'') by 
the Office of Government Ethics for investigation of a possible 
violation of a government ethics law or regulation. Inspectors General 
provide the Office of Government Ethics notification of certain 
referrals to the Department of Justice, pursuant to Sec.  2638.206. 
Inspectors General may consult with the Director for legal guidance on 
the application of government ethics laws and regulations, except that 
the Director may not make any finding as to whether a provision of 
title 18, United States Code, or any criminal law of the United States 
outside of such title, has been or is being violated. Nothing in this 
section will be construed to limit or otherwise affect the authority of 
an Inspector General under section 6 of the Inspector General Act of 
1978, as amended, including the authority under section 6(a)(2) to make 
such investigations and reports relating to the administration of the 
programs and operations of the applicable establishment as are, in the 
judgment of the Inspector General, necessary or desirable.


Sec.  2638.107  Government ethics responsibilities of agency heads.

    The agency head is responsible for, and will exercise personal 
leadership in, establishing and maintaining an effective agency ethics 
program and fostering an ethical culture in the agency. The agency head 
is also responsible for:
    (a) Designating employees to serve as the DAEO and ADAEO and 
notifying the Director in writing within 30 days of such designation;
    (b) Providing the DAEO with sufficient resources, including 
staffing, to sustain an effective ethics program;
    (c) Requiring agency officials to provide the DAEO with the 
information, support, and cooperation necessary for the accomplishment 
of the DAEO's responsibilities;
    (d) When action is warranted, enforcing government ethics laws and 
regulations through appropriate referrals to the Inspector General or 
the Department of Justice, investigations, and disciplinary or 
corrective action;
    (e) Requiring that violations of government ethics laws and 
regulations, or interference with the functioning of the agency ethics 
program, be appropriately considered in evaluating the performance of 
senior executives;
    (f) Requiring the Chief Information Officer and other appropriate 
agency officials to support the DAEO in using technology, to the extent 
practicable, to carry out ethics program functions such as delivering 
interactive training and tracking ethics program activities;
    (g) Requiring appropriate agency officials to submit to the Office 
of Government Ethics, by May 31 each year, required reports of travel 
accepted by the agency under 31 U.S.C. 1353 during the period from 
October 1 through March 31;
    (h) Requiring appropriate agency officials to submit to the Office 
of Government Ethics, by November 30 each year, required reports of 
travel accepted by the agency under 31 U.S.C. 1353 during the period 
from April 1 through September 30; and
    (i) Prior to any Presidential election, supporting the agency's 
ethics program in preparing for a Presidential transition.


Sec.  2638.108  Government ethics responsibilities of the Office of 
Government Ethics.

    The Office of Government Ethics is the supervising ethics office 
for the executive branch, providing overall leadership and oversight of 
the executive branch ethics program designed to prevent and resolve 
conflicts of interest. The Office of Government Ethics has the 
authorities and functions established in the Act.
    (a) Authorities and functions. Among other authorities and 
functions, the Office of Government Ethics has the authorities and 
functions described in this section.
    (1) The Office of Government Ethics issues regulations regarding 
conflicts of interest, standards of conduct, financial disclosure, 
requirements for agency ethics programs, and executive branch-wide 
systems of records for government ethics records. In issuing any such 
regulations, the Office of Government Ethics will, to the full extent 
required under the Act and any Executive order, coordinate with the 
Department of Justice and the Office of Personnel Management. When 
practicable, the Office of Government Ethics will also consult with a 
diverse group of selected agency ethics officials that represents a 
cross section of executive branch agencies to ascertain representative 
views of the DAEO community when developing substantive revisions to 
this chapter.
    (2) The Office of Government Ethics reviews and approves or 
disapproves agency supplemental ethics regulations.
    (3) The Office of Government Ethics issues formal advisory opinions 
to interested parties, pursuant to Sec.  2638.209. When developing a 
formal advisory opinion, the Office of Government Ethics will provide 
interested parties with an opportunity to comment.
    (4) The Office of Government Ethics issues guidance and informal 
advisory opinions, pursuant to Sec.  2638.208. When practicable, the 
Office of Government Ethics will consult with selected agency ethics 
officials to ascertain representative views of the DAEO community when 
developing guidance or informal advisory opinions that the Director 
determines to be of significant interest to a broad segment of the DAEO 
community.
    (5) The Office of Government Ethics supports agency ethics 
officials through such training, advice, and counseling as the Director 
deems necessary.
    (6) The Office of Government Ethics provides assistance in 
interpreting government ethics laws and regulations to executive branch 
Offices of Inspector General and other executive branch entities.
    (7) When practicable, the Office of Government Ethics convenes 
quarterly executive branch-wide meetings of key agency ethics 
officials. When the Office of Government Ethics convenes a major 
executive branch-wide training event, the event normally serves in 
place of a quarterly meeting.

[[Page 76277]]

    (8) Pursuant to sections 402(b)(10) and 403 of the Act, the 
Director requires agencies to furnish the Office of Government Ethics 
with all information, reports, and records which the Director 
determines to be necessary for the performance of the Director's 
duties, except when such a release is prohibited by law.
    (9) The Office of Government Ethics conducts reviews of agency 
ethics programs in order to ensure their compliance with program 
requirements and to ensure their effectiveness in advancing the mission 
of the executive branch-wide ethics program. The Office of Government 
Ethics also conducts single-issue reviews of individual agencies, 
groups of agencies, or the executive branch ethics program as a whole.
    (10) The Office of Government Ethics reviews financial disclosure 
reports filed by employees, former employees, nominees, candidates for 
the Office of the President of the United States, and candidates for 
the Office of the Vice President of the United States who are required 
to file executive branch financial disclosure reports with the Office 
of Government Ethics pursuant to sections 101, 103(c), and 103(l) of 
the Act.
    (11) By January 15 each year, the Office of Government Ethics 
issues year-end reports to agencies regarding their compliance with the 
obligations, pursuant to section 103(c) of the Act and part 2634 of 
this chapter:
    (i) To timely transmit the annual public financial disclosure 
reports of certain high-level officials to the Office of Government 
Ethics; and
    (ii) To promptly submit such additional information as is necessary 
to obtain the Director's certification of the reports.
    (12) The Office of Government Ethics oversees the development of 
ethics agreements between agencies and Presidential nominees for 
positions in the executive branch requiring Senate confirmation and 
tracks compliance with such agreements. The Office of Government Ethics 
also maintains a guide that provides sample language for ethics 
agreements of Presidential nominees requiring Senate confirmation.
    (13) The Office of Government Ethics proactively assists 
Presidential Transition Teams in support of effective and efficient 
Presidential transitions and, to the extent practicable, may provide 
Presidential campaigns with advice and counsel on preparing for 
Presidential transitions.
    (14) The Office of Government Ethics orders such corrective action 
on the part of an agency as the Director deems necessary, pursuant to 
subpart D of this part, and such corrective action on the part of 
individual executive branch employees as the Director deems necessary, 
pursuant to subpart E of this part.
    (15) The Office of Government Ethics makes determinations regarding 
public financial disclosure requirements, pursuant to Sec. Sec.  
2634.202(c), 2634.203, 2634.205, and 2634.304(f) of this chapter.
    (16) The Office of Government Ethics conducts outreach to inform 
the public of matters related to the executive branch ethics program.
    (17) The Director and the Office of Government Ethics take such 
other actions as are necessary and appropriate to carry out their 
responsibilities under the Act.
    (b) Other authorities and functions. Nothing in this subpart or 
this chapter limits the authority of the Director or the Office of 
Government Ethics under the Act.

Subpart B--Procedures of the Executive Branch Ethics Program


Sec.  2638.201  In general.

    This subpart establishes certain procedures of the executive branch 
ethics program. The procedures set forth in this subpart are in 
addition to procedures established elsewhere in this chapter and in the 
program advisories and other issuances of the Office of Government 
Ethics.


Sec.  2638.202  Furnishing records and information generally.

    Consistent with sections 402 and 403 of the Act, each agency must 
furnish to the Director all information and records in its possession 
which the Director deems necessary to the performance of the Director's 
duties, except to the extent prohibited by law. All such information 
and records must be provided to the Office of Government Ethics in a 
complete and timely manner.


Sec.  2638.203  Collection of public financial disclosure reports 
required to be submitted to the Office of Government Ethics.

    The public financial disclosure reports of individuals, other than 
candidates for elected office and elected officials, whose reports are 
required by section 103 of the Act to be transmitted to the Office of 
Government Ethics will be transmitted through the executive branch-wide 
electronic filing system of the Office of Government Ethics, except in 
cases in which the Director determines that using that system would be 
impracticable.


Sec.  2638.204  Collection of other public financial disclosure 
reports.

    This section establishes the procedure that the executive branch 
ethics program will use to collect, pursuant to section 101 of the Act, 
public financial disclosure reports of individuals whose reports are 
not required by section 103 of the Act to be transmitted to the Office 
of Government Ethics.
    (a) General. Subject to the exclusions and exceptions in paragraphs 
(b) through (d) of this section, the public financial disclosure 
reports required by part 2634 of this chapter will be collected through 
the executive branch-wide electronic filing system of the Office of 
Government Ethics.
    (b) Exclusions. This section does not apply to persons whose 
financial disclosure reports are covered by section 105(a)(1) or (2) of 
the Act, persons whose reports are required by section 103 of the Act 
to be transmitted to the Office of Government Ethics, or such other 
persons as the Director may exclude from the coverage of this section 
in the interest of the executive branch ethics program.
    (c) Authorization to collect public reports in paper format or 
through a legacy electronic filing system. Upon written request signed 
by the DAEO or ADAEO and by the Chief Information Officer, the Director 
of the Office of Government Ethics may authorize an agency in the 
interest of the executive branch ethics program to collect public 
financial disclosure reports in paper format or through a legacy 
electronic filing system other than the executive branch-wide 
electronic filing system of the Office of Government Ethics. The 
Director may rescind any such authorization based on a written 
determination that the rescission promotes the efficiency or 
effectiveness of the executive branch ethics program, but only after 
providing the agency with advance written notice and an opportunity to 
respond. The rescission will become effective on January 1 of a 
subsequent calendar year, but not less than 24 months after notice is 
provided.
    (d) Exceptions in cases of extraordinary circumstances or temporary 
technical difficulties. Based on a determination that extraordinary 
circumstances or temporary technical difficulties make the use of an 
electronic filing system impractical, the DAEO or ADAEO may authorize 
an individual to file a public financial disclosure report using such 
alternate means of filing as are authorized in the program advisories 
of the Office of Government Ethics. To the extent practicable, agencies 
should limit the number of exceptions they grant under this paragraph 
each year.

[[Page 76278]]

The Director may suspend an agency's authority to grant exceptions 
under this paragraph when the Director is concerned that the agency may 
be granting exceptions unnecessarily or in a manner that is 
inconsistent with Sec.  2638.601(c). Nothing in this paragraph limits 
the authority of the agency to excuse an employee from filing 
electronically to the extent necessary to provide reasonable 
accommodations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Pub. L. 93-112), 
as amended, or other applicable legal authority.


Sec.  2638.205  Collection of confidential financial disclosure 
reports.

    This section establishes the procedure that the executive branch 
will use to collect confidential financial disclosure reports from 
employees of the executive branch. To the extent not inconsistent with 
part 2634 of this chapter or with the approved forms, instructions, and 
other guidance of the Office of Government Ethics, the DAEO of each 
agency will determine the means by which the agency will collect 
confidential financial disclosure reports, including a determination as 
to whether the agency will collect such reports in either paper or 
electronic format. Nothing in this paragraph limits the authority of 
the agency to provide reasonable accommodations under the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Pub. L. 93-112), as amended, or other 
applicable legal authority.


Sec.  2638.206  Notice to the Director of certain referrals to the 
Department of Justice.

    This section establishes the requirement to provide the Director 
with notice of certain referrals.
    (a) Upon any referral made pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 535 to the 
Department of Justice regarding a potential violation of a conflict of 
interest law, the referring office must notify the Director of the 
referral by filing a completed OGE Form 202 with the Director, unless 
prohibited by law.
    (b) In order to ensure effective coordination of this section, the 
Office of Government Ethics will obtain the concurrence of the 
Chairperson of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and 
Efficiency before implementing substantive changes to the OGE Form 202.
    (c) If an agency's procedures authorize an official outside the 
Office of Inspector General to make a referral covered by this section, 
that official must provide the Inspector General and the DAEO with 
copies of documents provided to the Director pursuant this section, 
unless prohibited by law.


Sec.  2638.207  Annual report on the agency's ethics program.

    (a) By February 1 of each year, an agency must file with the Office 
of Government Ethics, pursuant to section 402(e)(1) of the Act, a 
report containing such information about the agency's ethics program as 
is requested by the Office of Government Ethics. The report must be 
filed electronically and in a manner consistent with the instructions 
of the Office of Government Ethics.
    (b) In order to facilitate the collection of required information 
by agencies, the Office of Government Ethics will provide agencies with 
advance notice regarding the contents of the report prior to the 
beginning of the reporting period for information that would be 
expected to be tracked over the course of the reporting period. 
Otherwise, it will provide as much notice as practicable, taking into 
consideration the effort required to collect the information.


Sec.  2638.208  Written guidance on the executive branch ethics 
program.

    This section describes several means by which the Office of 
Government Ethics provides agencies, employees, and the public with 
guidance regarding its legal interpretations, program requirements, and 
educational offerings. Normally, guidance documents are published on 
the official Web site of the Office of Government Ethics.
    (a) Legal advisories. The Office of Government Ethics issues legal 
advisories, which are memoranda regarding the interpretation of 
government ethics laws and regulations. They are intended primarily to 
provide education and notice to executive branch ethics officials; 
prospective, current, and former executive branch employees; and 
individuals who interact with the executive branch.
    (b) Program advisories. The Office of Government Ethics issues 
program advisories, which are memoranda regarding the requirements or 
procedures applicable to the executive branch ethics program and 
individual agency ethics programs. They are intended primarily to 
instruct agencies on uniform procedures for the executive branch ethics 
program.
    (c) Informal advisory opinions. Upon request or upon its own 
initiative, the Office of Government Ethics issues informal advisory 
opinions. Informal advisory opinions address subjects that in the 
opinion of the Director do not meet the criteria for issuance of formal 
advisory opinions. They are intended primarily to provide guidance to 
individuals and illustrate the application of government ethics laws 
and regulations to specific circumstances.


Sec.  2638.209  Formal advisory opinions.

    This section establishes the formal advisory opinion service of the 
Office of Government Ethics.
    (a) General. The Office of Government Ethics renders formal 
advisory opinions pursuant to section 402(b)(8) of the Act. A formal 
advisory opinion will be issued when the Director determines that the 
criteria and requirements established in this section are met.
    (b) Subjects of formal advisory opinions. Formal advisory opinions 
may be rendered on matters of general applicability or important 
matters of first impression concerning the application of the Act; 
Executive Order 12674 of April 12, 1989, as modified by Executive Order 
12731 of October 17, 1990; 18 U.S.C. 202-209; and regulations 
interpreting or implementing these authorities. In determining whether 
to issue a formal advisory opinion, the Director will consider:
    (1) The unique nature of the question and its precedential value;
    (2) The potential number of employees throughout the government 
affected by the question;
    (3) The frequency with which the question arises;
    (4) The likelihood or presence of inconsistent interpretations on 
the same question by different agencies; and
    (5) The interests of the executive branch ethics program.
    (c) Role of the formal advisory opinion service. The formal 
advisory opinion service of the Office of Government Ethics is not 
intended to replace the government ethics advice and counseling 
programs maintained by executive branch agencies. Normally, formal 
advisory opinions will not be issued with regard to the types of 
questions appropriately directed to an agency's DAEO. If a DAEO 
receives a request that the DAEO believes might appropriately be 
answered by the Office of Government Ethics through a formal advisory 
opinion, the DAEO will consult informally with the General Counsel of 
the Office of Government Ethics for instructions as to whether the 
matter should be referred to the Office of Government Ethics or 
retained by the agency for handling. Except in unusual circumstances, 
the Office of Government Ethics will not render formal advisory 
opinions with respect to hypothetical situations posed in requests for 
formal advisory opinions. At the discretion of the Director, however, 
the Office of Government Ethics may render formal advisory

[[Page 76279]]

opinions on certain proposed activities or financial transactions.
    (d) Eligible persons. Any person may request an opinion with 
respect to a situation in which that person is directly involved, and 
an authorized representative may request an opinion on behalf of that 
person. However, an employee will normally be required to seek an 
opinion from the agency's DAEO before requesting a formal advisory 
opinion from the Office of Government Ethics. In addition, a DAEO may 
request a formal advisory opinion on behalf of the agency or a 
prospective, current, or former employee of that agency.
    (e) Submitting a request for a formal advisory opinion. The request 
must be submitted either by electronic mail addressed to 
ContactOGE@oge.gov or by mail, through either the United States Postal 
Service or a private shipment service, to the Director of the Office of 
Government Ethics, Suite 500, 1201 New York Avenue NW., Washington, DC 
20005-3917. Personal deliveries will not be accepted.
    (f) Requirements for request. The request must include:
    (1) An express statement indicating that the submission is a 
request for a formal advisory opinion;
    (2) The name, street address, and telephone number of the person 
requesting the opinion;
    (3) The name, street address, and telephone number of any 
representative of that person;
    (4) All material facts necessary for the Director to render a 
complete and correct opinion;
    (5) The date of the request and the signature of either the 
requester or the requester's representative; and
    (6) In the case of a request signed by a representative, a written 
designation of the representative that is dated and signed by the 
requester.
    (g) Optional materials. At the election of the requester, the 
request may also include legal memoranda or other material relevant to 
the requested formal advisory opinion.
    (h) Additional information. The Director may request such 
additional information or documentation as the Director deems necessary 
to the development of a formal advisory opinion, from either the 
requester or other sources. If the requester or the requester's 
representative fails to cooperate with such a request, the Office of 
Government Ethics normally will close the matter without issuing a 
formal advisory opinion.
    (i) Comments from interested parties. The Office of Government 
Ethics will, to the extent practicable, solicit written comments on a 
request by posting a prominent notice on its official Web site. Any 
such notice will summarize relevant information in the request, provide 
interested parties 30 days to submit written comments, and include 
instructions for submitting written comments. Written comments 
submitted after the deadline will be considered only at the discretion 
of the Director.
    (j) Consultation with the Department of Justice. Whenever the 
Office of the Government Ethics is considering rendering a formal 
advisory opinion, the Director will consult with the Office of Legal 
Counsel of the Department of Justice sufficiently in advance to afford 
that office an opportunity to review the matter. In addition, whenever 
a request involves an actual or apparent violation of any provision of 
18 U.S.C. 202-209, the Director will consult with the Criminal Division 
of the Department of Justice. If the Criminal Division determines that 
an investigation or prosecution will be undertaken, the Director will 
take no further action on the request, unless the Criminal Division 
makes a determination not to prosecute.
    (k) Consultation with other executive branch officials. The 
Director will consult with such other executive branch officials as the 
Director deems necessary to ensure thorough consideration of issues and 
information relevant to the request by the Office of Government Ethics. 
In the case of a request submitted by a prospective or current 
employee, the Director will share a copy of the request with the DAEO 
of the employee's agency.
    (l) Publication. The Office of Government Ethics will publish each 
formal advisory opinion on its official Web site. Prior to publishing a 
formal advisory opinion on its Web site, the Office of Government 
Ethics will delete information that identifies individuals involved and 
that is unnecessary to a complete understanding of the opinion.
    (m) Reliance on formal advisory opinions. (1) Any formal advisory 
opinion referred to in this section or any provisions or finding of a 
formal advisory opinion involving the application of the Act or the 
regulations promulgated pursuant to the Act or Executive order may be 
relied upon by:
    (i) Any person directly involved in the specific transaction or 
activity with respect to which such advisory opinion has been rendered; 
and
    (ii) Any person directly involved in any specific transaction or 
activity which is indistinguishable in all its material aspects from 
the transaction or activity with respect to which such formal advisory 
opinion was rendered.
    (2) Any person who relies upon any provision or finding of any 
formal advisory opinion in accordance with this paragraph and who acts 
in good faith in accordance with the provisions and findings of such 
opinion will not, as a result of such act, be subject to prosecution 
under 18 U.S.C. 202-209 or, when the opinion is exculpatory, be subject 
to any disciplinary action or civil action based upon legal authority 
cited in that opinion.


Sec.  2638.210  Presidential transition planning.

    Prior to any Presidential election, each agency has a 
responsibility to prepare its agency ethics program for a Presidential 
transition. Such preparations do not constitute support for a 
particular candidate and are not reflective of a belief regarding the 
likely outcome of the election; rather, they reflect an understanding 
that agencies are responsible for ensuring the continuity of 
governmental operations.
    (a) Preparing the ethics program for a transition. The agency head 
or the DAEO must, not later than 12 months before any Presidential 
election, evaluate whether the agency's ethics program has an adequate 
number of trained agency ethics officials to effectively support a 
Presidential transition.
    (b) Support by the Office of Government Ethics. In connection with 
any Presidential election, the Office of Government Ethics will:
    (1) Prior to the election, offer training opportunities for agency 
ethics officials on counseling departing noncareer appointees on post-
employment restrictions, reviewing financial disclosure reports, 
drafting ethics agreements for Presidential nominees, and counseling 
new noncareer appointees on conflict of interest laws and the Standards 
of Conduct; and
    (2) After the election, in the event of a Presidential transition, 
proactively assist the Presidential Transition Team in preparing for 
Presidential nominations, coordinate with agency ethics officials, and 
develop plans to implement new initiatives related to government 
ethics.

Subpart C--Government Ethics Education


Sec.  2638.301  In general.

    Every agency must carry out a government ethics education program 
to teach employees how to identify government ethics issues and obtain 
assistance in complying with government ethics laws and regulations. An 
agency's failure to comply with any

[[Page 76280]]

of the education or notice requirements set forth in this subpart does 
not exempt an employee from applicable government ethics requirements.


Sec.  2638.302  Definitions.

    The following definitions apply to the format of the various types 
of training required in this subpart. The agency may deviate from these 
prescribed formats to the extent necessary to provide reasonable 
accommodations to participants under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
(Pub. L. 93-112), as amended, or other applicable legal authority.
    (a) Live. A training presentation is considered live if the 
presenter personally communicates a substantial portion of the material 
at the same time as the employees being trained are receiving the 
material, even if part of the training is prerecorded or automated. The 
training may be delivered in person or through video or audio 
technology. The presenter must respond to questions posed during the 
training and provide instructions for participants to submit questions 
after the training.

    Example 1.  An agency ethics official provides a presentation 
regarding government ethics and takes questions from participants 
who are assembled in a training room with the ethics official. At 
the end of the session, the ethics official provides contact 
information for participants who wish to pose additional questions. 
This training is considered live.
    Example 2.  An agency ethics official provides a presentation to 
a group of employees in an auditorium. She presents an introduction 
and a brief overview of the material that will be covered in the 
training. She has participants watch a prerecorded video regarding 
government ethics. She stops the video frequently to elaborate on 
key concepts and offer participants opportunities to pose questions 
before resuming the video. At the end of the session, she recaps key 
concepts and answers additional questions. She then provides contact 
information for employees who wish to pose additional questions. 
This training is considered live.
    Example 3.  The ethics official in Example 2 arranges for 
several Senate-confirmed public filers stationed outside of 
headquarters to participate in the live training via streaming video 
or telephone. For these remote participants, the ethics official 
also establishes a means for them to pose questions during the 
training, such as by emailing questions to her assistant. She also 
provides these remote participants with instructions for contacting 
the ethics office to pose additional questions after the training. 
This training is also considered live for the remote participants.
    Example 4.  Agency ethics officials present training via a 
telephone conference. A few dozen agency employees dial into the 
conference call. The ethics officials take questions that are 
submitted by email and provide contact information for employees who 
wish to pose additional questions later. This training is considered 
live.
    Example 5.  Several Senate-confirmed public filers required to 
complete live training in a particular year are stationed at various 
facilities throughout the country. For these filers, an ethics 
official schedules a 20-minute conference call, emails them copies 
of the written materials and a link to a 40-minute video on 
government ethics, and instructs them to view the video before the 
conference call. During the conference call, the ethics official 
recaps key concepts, takes questions, and provides his contact 
information in case participants have additional questions. The 
public filers then confirm by email that they watched the video and 
participated in the conference call. This training is considered 
live because a substantial portion of the training was live.

    (b) Interactive. A training presentation is considered interactive 
if the employee being trained is required to take an action with regard 
to the subject of the training. The required action must involve the 
employee's use of knowledge gained through the training and may not be 
limited to merely advancing from one section of the training to another 
section. Training that satisfies the requirements of paragraph (a) of 
this section will also satisfy the requirements of this paragraph.

    Example 1.  An automated system allows employees to view a 
prerecorded video in which an agency ethics official provides 
training. At various points, the system poses questions and an 
employee selects from among a variety of possible answers. The 
system provides immediate feedback as to whether the selections are 
correct or incorrect. When the employee's selections are incorrect, 
the system displays the correct answer and explains the relevant 
concepts. This training is considered interactive.
    Example 2.  If, instead of a video, the training described in 
Example 1 were to include animated or written materials interspersed 
with questions and answers, the training would still be considered 
interactive.
    Example 3.  A DAEO emails materials to employees who are 
permitted under part 2638 to complete interactive training. The 
materials include a written training presentation, questions, and 
space for employees to provide written responses. Employees are 
instructed to submit their answers to agency ethics officials, who 
provide individualized feedback. This training is considered 
interactive.
    Example 4.  A DAEO emails materials to employees who are 
permitted under part 2638 to complete interactive training. The 
materials include a written training presentation, questions, and an 
answer key. The DAEO also distributes instructions for contacting an 
ethics official with any questions about the subjects covered. This 
training meets the minimum requirements to be considered 
interactive, even though the employees are not required to submit 
their answers for review and feedback. However, any DAEO who uses 
this minimally interactive format is encouraged to provide employees 
with other opportunities for more direct and personalized feedback.


Sec.  2638.303  Notice to prospective employees.

    Written offers of employment for positions covered by the Standards 
of Conduct must include the information required in this section to 
provide prospective employees with notice of the ethical obligations 
associated with the positions.
    (a) Content. The written offer must include, in either the body of 
the offer or an attachment:
    (1) A statement regarding the agency's commitment to government 
ethics;
    (2) Notice that the individual will be subject to the Standards of 
Conduct and the criminal conflict of interest statutes as an employee;
    (3) Contact information for an appropriate agency ethics office or 
an explanation of how to obtain additional information on applicable 
ethics requirements;
    (4) Where applicable, notice of the time frame for completing 
initial ethics training; and
    (5) Where applicable, a statement regarding financial disclosure 
requirements and an explanation that new entrant reports must be filed 
within 30 days of appointment.
    (b) DAEO's authority. At the election of the DAEO, the DAEO may 
specify the language that the agency will use in the notice required 
under paragraph (a) of this section or may approve, disapprove, or 
revise language drafted by other agency officials.
    (c) Tracking. Each agency must establish written procedures, which 
the DAEO must review each year, for issuing the notice required in this 
section. In the case of an agency with 1,000 or more employees, the 
DAEO must review any submissions under Sec.  2638.310 each year to 
confirm that the agency has implemented an appropriate process for 
meeting the requirements of this section.


Sec.  2638.304  Initial ethics training.

    Each new employee of the agency subject to the Standards of Conduct 
must complete initial ethics training that meets the requirements of 
this section.
    (a) Coverage. (1) This section applies to each employee appointed 
to a position in an agency who was not an employee of the agency 
immediately prior to that appointment. This section also permits 
Presidential nominees for Senate-confirmed positions to complete the 
initial ethics training prior to appointment.
    (2) The DAEO may exclude a non-supervisory position at or below the

[[Page 76281]]

GS-8 grade level, or the equivalent, from the requirement to complete 
the training presentation described in paragraph (e)(1) of this 
section, provided that:
    (i) The DAEO signs a written determination that the duties of the 
position do not create a substantial likelihood that conflicts of 
interest will arise;
    (ii) The position does not meet the criteria set forth at Sec.  
2634.904 of this chapter; and
    (iii) The agency provides an employee described in paragraph (a)(1) 
of this section who is appointed to the position with the written 
materials required under paragraph (e)(2) of this section within 3 
months of appointment.
    (b) Deadline. Except as provided in this paragraph, each new 
employee must complete initial ethics training within 3 months of 
appointment.
    (1) In the case of a Presidential nominee for a Senate-confirmed 
position, the nominee may complete the ethics training before or after 
appointment, but not later than 3 months after appointment.
    (2) In the case of a special Government employee who is reasonably 
expected to serve for no more than 60 days in a calendar year on a 
board, commission, or committee, the agency may provide the initial 
ethics training at any time before, or at the beginning of, the 
employee's first meeting of the board, commission, or committee.
    (c) Duration. The duration of the training must be sufficient for 
the agency to communicate the basic ethical obligations of federal 
service and to present the content described in paragraph (e) of this 
section.
    (d) Format. Employees covered by this section are required to 
complete interactive initial ethics training.
    (e) Content. The following content requirements apply to initial 
ethics training.
    (1) Training presentation. The training presentation must focus on 
government ethics laws and regulations that the DAEO deems appropriate 
for the employees participating in the training. The presentation must 
address concepts related to the following subjects:
    (i) Financial conflicts of interest;
    (ii) Impartiality;
    (iii) Misuse of position; and
    (iv) Gifts.
    (2) Written materials. In addition to the training presentation, 
the agency must provide the employee with either the following written 
materials or written instructions for accessing them:
    (i) The summary of the Standards of Conduct distributed by the 
Office of Government Ethics or an equivalent summary prepared by the 
agency;
    (ii) Provisions of any supplemental agency regulations that the 
DAEO determines to be relevant or a summary of those provisions;
    (iii) Such other written materials as the DAEO determines should be 
included; and
    (iv) Instructions for contacting the agency's ethics office.
    (f) Tracking. Each agency must establish written procedures, which 
the DAEO must review each year, for initial ethics training. In the 
case of an agency with 1,000 or more employees, the DAEO must review 
any submissions under Sec.  2638.310 each year to confirm that the 
agency has implemented an appropriate process for meeting the 
requirements of this section.
    Example 1.  The DAEO of a large agency decides that the agency's 
ethics officials will conduct live initial ethics training for high-
level employees and certain procurement officials. The DAEO directs 
ethics officials to cover concepts related to financial conflicts of 
interest, impartiality, misuse of position, and gifts during the 
live training sessions. She also coordinates with the agency's Chief 
Information Officer to develop computerized training for all other 
new employees, and she directs her staff to include concepts related 
to financial conflicts of interest, impartiality, misuse of 
position, and gifts in the computerized training. The computerized 
training poses multiple-choice questions and provides feedback when 
employees answer the questions. At the DAEO's request, the agency's 
human resources officials distribute the required written materials 
as part of the onboarding procedures for new employees. The 
computerized training automatically tracks completion of the 
training, and the ethics officials use sign-in sheets to track 
participation in the live training. After the end of the calendar 
year, the DAEO reviews the materials submitted by the Office of 
Human Resources under Sec.  2638.310 to confirm that the agency has 
implemented procedures for identifying new employees, distributing 
the written materials, and providing their initial ethics training. 
The agency's program for initial ethics training complies with the 
requirements of Sec.  2638.304.
    Example 2.  The agency head, the DAEO, and the lead human 
resources official of an agency with more than 1,000 employees have 
agreed that human resources officials will conduct initial ethics 
training. The DAEO provides the lead human resources official with 
written materials for use during the training, approves the content 
of the presentations, and trains the human resources officials who 
will conduct the initial ethics training. After the end of the 
calendar year, the lead human resources official provides the DAEO 
with a copy of the agency's procedures for identifying new employees 
and providing initial ethics training, and the lead human resources 
official confirms that there is a reasonable basis for concluding 
that the procedures have been implemented. The DAEO reviews these 
procedures and finds them satisfactory. The agency has complied with 
its tracking obligations with regard to initial ethics training.


Sec.  2638.305  Additional ethics briefing for certain agency leaders.

    In addition to other applicable requirements, each individual 
covered by this section must complete an ethics briefing to discuss the 
individual's immediate ethics obligations. Although the ethics briefing 
is separate from the initial ethics training, the agency may elect to 
combine the ethics briefing and the initial ethics training, provided 
that the requirements of both this section and Sec.  2638.304 are met.
    (a) Coverage. This section applies to Senate-confirmed Presidential 
nominees and appointees, except for those in positions identified in 
Sec.  2634.201(c)(2) of this chapter.
    (b) Deadline. The following deadlines apply to the ethics briefing.
    (1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, each 
individual covered by this section must complete the ethics briefing 
after confirmation but not later than 15 days after appointment. The 
DAEO may grant an extension of the deadline not to exceed 30 days after 
appointment.
    (2)(i) In extraordinary circumstances, the DAEO may grant an 
additional extension to an individual by issuing a written 
determination that an extension is necessary. The determination must 
describe the extraordinary circumstances necessitating the extension, 
caution the individual to be vigilant for conflicts of interest created 
by any newly acquired financial interests, remind the individual to 
comply with any applicable ethics agreement, and be accompanied by a 
copy of the ethics agreement(s). The DAEO must send a copy of the 
determination to the individual before expiration of the time period 
established in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. The agency must 
conduct the briefing at the earliest practicable date thereafter. The 
written determination must be retained with the record of the 
individual's briefing.
    (ii) In the case of a special Government employee who is expected 
to serve for no more than 60 days in a calendar year on a board, 
commission, or committee, the agency must provide the ethics briefing 
before the first meeting of the board, commission, or committee.
    (c) Qualifications of presenter. The employee conducting the 
briefing must have knowledge of government ethics laws and regulations 
and must be

[[Page 76282]]

qualified, as the DAEO deems appropriate, to answer the types of basic 
and advanced questions that are likely to arise regarding the required 
content.
    (d) Duration. The duration of the ethics briefing must be 
sufficient for the agency to communicate the required content.
    (e) Format. The ethics briefing must be conducted live.
    (f) Content. The ethics briefing must include the following 
activities.
    (1) If the individual acquired new financial interests reportable 
under section 102 of the Act after filing the nominee financial 
disclosure report, the agency ethics official must appropriately 
address the potential for conflicts of interest arising from those 
financial interests.
    (2) The agency ethics official must counsel the individual on the 
basic recusal obligation under 18 U.S.C. 208(a).
    (3) The agency ethics official must explain the recusal obligations 
and other commitments addressed in the individual's ethics agreement 
and ensure that the individual understands what is specifically 
required in order to comply with each of them, including any deadline 
for compliance. The ethics official and the individual must establish a 
process by which the recusals will be achieved, which may consist of a 
screening arrangement or, when the DAEO deems appropriate, vigilance on 
the part of the individual with regard to recusal obligations as they 
arise in particular matters.
    (4) The agency ethics official must provide the individual with 
instructions and the deadline for completing initial ethics training, 
unless the individual completes the initial ethics training either 
before or during the ethics briefing.
    (g) Tracking. The DAEO must maintain a record of the date of the 
ethics briefing for each current employee covered by this section.

    Example 1.  A group of ethics officials conducts initial ethics 
training for six Senate-confirmed Presidential appointees within 15 
days of their appointments. At the end of the training, ethics 
officials meet individually with each of the appointees to conduct 
their ethics briefings. The agency and the appointees have complied 
with both Sec.  2638.304 and Sec.  2638.305.
    Example 2.  The Senate confirms a nominee for a position as an 
Assistant Secretary. After the nominee's confirmation but several 
days before her appointment, the nominee completes her initial 
ethics briefing during a telephone call with an agency ethics 
official, and the ethics official records the date of the briefing. 
The agency and the nominee have complied with Sec.  2638.305. During 
the telephone call, the ethics official also discusses the content 
required for initial ethics training and provides the nominee with 
instructions for accessing the required written materials online. 
The agency and the nominee have also complied with Sec.  2638.304.


Sec.  2638.306  Notice to new supervisors.

    The agency must provide each employee upon initial appointment to a 
supervisory position with the written information required under this 
section.
    (a) Coverage. This requirement applies to each civilian employee 
who is required to receive training pursuant to 5 CFR 412.202(b).
    (b) Deadline. The agency must provide the written materials 
required by this section within 1 year of the employee's initial 
appointment to the supervisory position.
    (c) Written materials. The written materials must include contact 
information for the agency's ethics office and the text of Sec.  
2638.103. In addition, a copy of, a hyperlink to, or the address of a 
Web site containing the Principles of Ethical Conduct must be included, 
as well as such other information as the DAEO deems necessary for new 
supervisors.
    (d) Tracking. Each agency must establish written procedures, which 
the DAEO must review each year, for supervisory ethics notices. In the 
case of an agency with 1,000 or more employees, the DAEO must review 
any submissions under Sec.  2638.310 each year to confirm that the 
agency has implemented an appropriate process for meeting the 
requirements of this section.


Sec.  2638.307  Annual ethics training for confidential filers and 
certain other employees.

    Each calendar year, employees covered by this section must complete 
ethics training that meets the following requirements.
    (a) Coverage. In any calendar year, this section applies to the 
following employees, unless they are public filers:
    (1) Each employee who is required to file an annual confidential 
financial disclosure report pursuant to Sec.  2634.904 of this chapter 
during that calendar year, except an employee who ceases to be a 
confidential filer before the end of the calendar year;
    (2) Employees appointed by the President and employees of the 
Executive Office of the President;
    (3) Contracting officers described in 41 U.S.C. 2101; and
    (4) Other employees designated by the head of the agency.
    (b) Deadline. The employee must complete required annual ethics 
training before the end of the calendar year.
    (c) Duration. Agencies must provide employees with 1 hour of duty 
time to complete interactive training and review any written materials.
    (d) Format. The following formatting requirements apply.
    (1) Except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, 
employees covered by this section are required to complete interactive 
training.
    (2) If the DAEO determines that it is impracticable to provide 
interactive training to a special Government employee covered by this 
section who is expected to work no more than 60 days in a calendar 
year, or to an employee who is an officer in the uniformed services 
serving on active duty for no more 30 consecutive days, only the 
requirement to provide the written materials required by this section 
will apply to that employee each year. The DAEO may make the 
determination as to individual employees or a group of employees.
    (e) Content. The following content requirements apply to annual 
ethics training for employees covered by this section.
    (1) Training presentation. The training presentation must focus on 
government ethics laws and regulations that the DAEO deems appropriate 
for the employees participating in the training. The presentation must 
address concepts related to the following subjects:
    (i) Financial conflicts of interest;
    (ii) Impartiality;
    (iii) Misuse of position; and
    (iv) Gifts.
    (2) Written materials. In addition to the training presentation, 
the agency must provide the employee with either the following written 
materials or written instructions for accessing them:
    (i) The summary of the Standards of Conduct distributed by the 
Office of Government Ethics or an equivalent summary prepared by the 
agency;
    (ii) Provisions of any supplemental agency regulations that the 
DAEO determines to be relevant or a summary of those provisions;
    (iii) Such other written materials as the DAEO determines should be 
included; and
    (iv) Instructions for contacting the agency's ethics office.
    (f) Tracking. The following tracking requirements apply to training 
conducted pursuant to this section. An employee covered by this section 
must confirm in writing the completion of annual ethics training and 
must comply with any procedures established by the DAEO for such 
confirmation. If the DAEO or other presenter has knowledge that an 
employee completed required

[[Page 76283]]

training, that individual may record the employee's completion of the 
training, in lieu of requiring the employee to provide written 
confirmation. In the case of an automated system that delivers 
interactive training, the DAEO may deem the employee to have confirmed 
the completion of the training if the system tracks completion 
automatically.


Sec.  2638.308  Annual ethics training for public filers.

    Each calendar year, public filers and other employees specified in 
this section must complete ethics training that meets the following 
requirements.
    (a) Coverage. In any calendar year, this section applies to each 
employee who is required to file an annual public financial disclosure 
report pursuant to Sec.  2634.201(a) of this chapter during that 
calendar year, except for an employee who ceases to be a public filer 
during that calendar year.
    (b) Deadline. A public filer must complete required annual ethics 
training before the end of the calendar year.
    (c) Qualifications of presenter. The employee conducting any live 
training presentation must have knowledge of government ethics laws and 
regulations and must be qualified, as the DAEO deems appropriate, to 
answer the types of basic and advanced questions that are likely to 
arise regarding the required content.
    (d) Duration. The duration of training must be sufficient for the 
agency to communicate the required content, but at least 1 hour. 
Agencies must provide employees with 1 hour of duty time to complete 
interactive training and review any written materials.
    (e) Format. The annual ethics training must meet the following 
formatting requirements.
    (1) Employees whose pay is set at Level I or Level II of the 
Executive Schedule must complete 1 hour of live training each year, 
unless a matter of vital national interest makes it necessary for an 
employee to complete interactive training in lieu of live training in a 
particular year.
    (2) Other civilian employees identified in section 103(c) of the 
Act who are stationed in the United States must complete live training 
once every 2 years and interactive training in alternate years. In 
extraordinary circumstances, the DAEO may grant written authorization 
for an employee who is required to complete live training in a 
particular year to complete interactive training.
    (3) All other employees covered by this section must complete 
interactive training.
    (f) Content. The following content requirements apply to annual 
ethics training for employees covered by this section.
    (1) Training presentation. The training presentation must focus on 
government ethics laws and regulations that the DAEO deems appropriate 
for the employees participating in the training. The presentation must 
address concepts related to the following subjects:
    (i) Financial conflicts of interest;
    (ii) Impartiality;
    (iii) Misuse of position; and
    (iv) Gifts.
    (2) Written materials. In addition to the training presentation, 
the agency must provide the employee with either the following written 
materials or written instructions for accessing them:
    (i) The summary of the Standards of Conduct distributed by the 
Office of Government Ethics or an equivalent summary prepared by the 
agency;
    (ii) Provisions of any supplemental agency regulations that the 
DAEO determines to be relevant or a summary of those provisions;
    (iii) Such other written materials as the DAEO determines should be 
included; and
    (iv) Instructions for contacting the agency's ethics office.
    (g) Tracking. The following tracking requirements apply to training 
conducted pursuant to this section. An employee covered by this section 
must confirm in writing the completion of annual ethics training and 
must comply with any procedures established by the DAEO for such 
confirmation. If the DAEO or other presenter has knowledge that an 
employee completed required training, that individual may record the 
employee's completion of the training, in lieu of requiring the 
employee to provide written confirmation. In the case of an automated 
system that delivers interactive training, the DAEO may deem the 
employee to have confirmed the completion of the training if the system 
tracks completion automatically.

    Example 1. The DAEO of a small agency distributes the written 
materials for annual training by emailing a link to a Web site that 
contains the required materials. He then conducts a live training 
session for all of the agency's public filers. He spends the first 
15 minutes of the training addressing concepts related to financial 
conflicts of interest, impartiality, misuse of position, and gifts. 
Because several participants are published authors, he spends the 
next 15 minutes covering restrictions on compensation for speaking, 
teaching, and writing. He then spends 20 minutes discussing 
hypothetical examples related to the work of the agency and 10 
minutes answering questions. The training meets the content 
requirements of this section. Further, because live training 
satisfies the requirements for interactive training, this training 
meets the formatting requirements for all public filers, including 
those required to complete interactive training.
    Example 2. An ethics official personally appears at each monthly 
senior staff meeting to conduct a 10-minute training session on 
government ethics. Across the year, he addresses concepts related to 
financial conflicts of interest, impartiality, misuse of position, 
gifts, and other subjects related to government ethics laws and 
regulations, although no one session covers all of these subjects. 
During each meeting, he distributes a one-page handout summarizing 
the key points of his presentation, takes questions, and provides 
contact information for employees who wish to pose additional 
questions. He records the names of the public filers in attendance 
at each meeting. Once a year, he emails them the required written 
materials, as well as the one-page summaries. While many of these 
public filers do not attend all 12 meetings, each attends at least 
six sessions during the calendar year. Although some of the filers 
missed the sessions that addressed gifts, they all received the 
handout summarizing the presentation on gifts. The training 
satisfies the annual training requirement for the public filers who 
attended the meetings, including those required to complete 
interactive training. Moreover, because the ethics official recorded 
the names of the public filers who attended, the filers are not 
required to separately confirm their completion of the training.
    Example 3. One of the Presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed 
employees in Example 2 was required to complete live training that 
year. Because she attended only four senior staff meetings during 
the year, she completed only 40 minutes of annual ethics training. 
The DAEO allows the employee to spend 20 minutes reviewing the 
handouts and written materials and send an email confirming that she 
completed her review before the end of the calendar year. This 
arrangement satisfies the requirements for live annual training 
because a substantial portion of the training was live.


Sec.  2638.309  Agency-specific ethics education requirements.

    The DAEO may establish additional requirements for the agency's 
ethics education program, with or without a supplemental agency 
regulation under Sec.  2635.105 of this chapter.
    (a) Groups of employees. The DAEO may establish specific government 
ethics training requirements for groups of agency employees.
    (b) Employees performing ethics duties. The DAEO has an obligation 
to ensure that employees performing assigned ethics duties have the 
necessary expertise with regard to

[[Page 76284]]

government ethics laws and regulations. If the DAEO determines that 
employees engaged in any activities described in Sec. Sec.  2638.104 
and 2638.105 require training, the DAEO may establish specific training 
requirements for them either as a group or individually.
    (c) Procedures. The DAEO may establish specific procedures for 
training that the DAEO requires under paragraph (a) or (b) of this 
section, including any certification procedures the DAEO deems 
necessary. Agency employees must comply with the requirements and 
procedures that the DAEO establishes under this section.


Sec.  2638.310  Coordinating the agency's ethics education program.

    In an agency with 1,000 or more employees, any office that is not 
under the supervision of the DAEO but has been delegated responsibility 
for issuing notices, pursuant to Sec.  2638.303 or Sec.  2638.306, or 
conducting training, pursuant to Sec.  2638.304, must submit the 
following materials to the DAEO by January 15 each year:
    (a) A written summary of procedures that office has established to 
ensure compliance with this subpart; and
    (b) Written confirmation that there is a reasonable basis for 
concluding that the procedures have been implemented.

Subpart D--Correction of Executive Branch Agency Ethics Programs


Sec.  2638.401  In general.

    The Office of Government Ethics has authority, pursuant to sections 
402(b)(9) and 402(f)(1) of the Act, to take the action described in 
this subpart with respect to deficiencies in agency ethics programs. 
Agency ethics programs comprise the matters described in this 
subchapter for which agencies are responsible.


Sec.  2638.402  Informal action.

    If the Director has information indicating that an agency ethics 
program is not compliant with the requirements set forth in applicable 
government ethics laws and regulations, the Director is authorized to 
take any or all of the measures described in this section. The Director 
may:
    (a) Contact agency ethics officials informally to identify the 
relevant issues and resolve them expeditiously;
    (b) Issue a notice of deficiency to make the agency aware of its 
possible noncompliance with an applicable government ethics law or 
regulation;
    (c) Require the agency to respond in writing to the notice of 
deficiency;
    (d) Require the agency to provide such additional information or 
documentation as the Director determines to be necessary;
    (e) Issue an initial decision with findings as to the existence of 
a deficiency in the agency's ethics program;
    (f) Require the agency to correct or, at the Director's discretion, 
satisfactorily mitigate any deficiency in its ethics program;
    (g) Provide the agency with guidance on measures that would correct 
or satisfactorily mitigate any program deficiency;
    (h) Monitor the agency's efforts to correct or satisfactorily 
mitigate the deficiency and require the agency to submit progress 
reports; or
    (i) Take other actions authorized under the Act to resolve the 
matter informally.


Sec.  2638.403  Formal action.

    If the Director determines that informal action, pursuant to Sec.  
2638.402, has not produced an acceptable resolution, the Director may 
issue an order directing the agency to take specific corrective action.
    (a) Before issuing such an order, the Director will:
    (1) Advise the agency in writing of the deficiency in its ethics 
program;
    (2) Describe the action that the Director is considering taking;
    (3) Provide the agency with 30 days to respond in writing; and
    (4) Consider any timely written response submitted by the agency.
    (b) If the Director is satisfied with the agency's response, no 
order will be issued.
    (c) If the Director decides to issue an order, the order will 
describe the corrective action to be taken.
    (d) If the agency does not comply with the order within a 
reasonable time, the Director will:
    (1) Notify the head of the agency of intent to furnish a report of 
noncompliance to the President and the Congress;
    (2) Provide the agency 14 calendar days within which to furnish 
written comments for submission with the report of noncompliance; and
    (3) Report the agency's noncompliance to the President and to the 
Congress.

Subpart E--Corrective Action Involving Individual Employees


Sec.  2638.501  In general.

    This subpart addresses the Director's limited authority, pursuant 
to sections 402(b)(9) and 402(f)(2) of the Act, to take certain actions 
with regard to individual employees if the Director suspects a 
violation of a noncriminal government ethics law or regulation. Section 
402(f)(5) of the Act prohibits the Director from making any finding 
regarding a violation of a criminal law. Therefore, the Director will 
refer possible criminal violations to an Inspector General or the 
Department of Justice, pursuant to Sec.  2638.502. If, however, the 
Director is concerned about a possible violation of a noncriminal 
government ethics law or regulation by an employee, the Director may 
notify the employee's agency, pursuant to Sec.  2638.503. In the rare 
circumstance that an agency does not address a matter after receiving 
this notice, the Director may use the procedures in Sec.  2638.504 to 
issue a nonbinding recommendation of a disciplinary action or an order 
to terminate an ongoing violation. Nothing in this subpart relieves an 
agency of its primary responsibility to ensure compliance with 
government ethics laws and regulations.


Sec.  2638.502  Violations of criminal provisions related to government 
ethics.

    Consistent with section 402(f) of the Act, nothing in this subpart 
authorizes the Director or any agency official to make a finding as to 
whether a provision of title 18, United States Code, or any other 
criminal law of the United States outside of such title, has been or is 
being violated. If the Director has information regarding the violation 
of a criminal law by an individual employee, the Director will notify 
an Inspector General or the Department of Justice.


Sec.  2638.503  Recommendations and advice to employees and agencies.

    The Director may make such recommendations and provide such advice 
to employees or agencies as the Director deems necessary to ensure 
compliance with applicable government ethics laws and regulations. The 
Director's authority under this section includes the authority to 
communicate with agency heads and other officials regarding government 
ethics and to recommend that the agency investigate a matter or 
consider taking disciplinary or corrective action against individual 
employees.


Sec.  2638.504  Violations of noncriminal provisions related to 
government ethics.

    In the rare case that consultations made pursuant to Sec.  2638.503 
have not resolved the matter, the Director may use the procedures in 
this section if the Director has reason to believe that an employee is 
violating, or has violated, any noncriminal government ethics law or 
regulation. Any proceedings pursuant

[[Page 76285]]

to this section will be conducted in accordance with applicable 
national security requirements.
    (a) Agency investigation. The Director may recommend that the 
agency head or the Inspector General conduct an investigation. If the 
Director determines thereafter that an agency head has not conducted an 
investigation within a reasonable time, the Director will notify the 
President.
    (b) Initiating further proceedings. Following an investigation 
pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section or a determination by the 
Director that an investigation has not been conducted within a 
reasonable time, the Director may either initiate further proceedings 
under this section or close the involvement of the Office of Government 
Ethics in the matter.
    (1) If the Director initiates further proceedings, the Director 
will notify the employee in writing of the suspected violation, the 
right to respond orally and in writing, and the right to be 
represented. The notice will include instructions for submitting a 
written response and requesting an opportunity to present an oral 
response, copies of this section and sections 401-403 of the Act, and 
copies of the material relied upon by the Office of Government Ethics.
    (2) If the Director is considering issuing an order directing the 
employee to take specific action to terminate an ongoing violation, the 
Director will also provide notice of the potential issuance of an order 
and the right to request a hearing, pursuant to paragraph (f) of this 
section.
    (c) Employee's response. The employee will be provided with a 
reasonable opportunity to present an oral response to the General 
Counsel of the Office of Government Ethics within 30 calendar days of 
the date of the employee's receipt of the notice described in paragraph 
(b) of this section. If the employee fails to timely request an 
opportunity to present an oral response or fails to cooperate with 
reasonable efforts to schedule the oral response, only a timely 
submitted written response will be considered.
    (d) General Counsel's recommendation. After affording the employee 
30 calendar days to respond, the General Counsel will provide the 
Director with a written recommendation as to the action warranted by 
the circumstances. However, if the employee has timely exercised an 
applicable right to request a hearing pursuant to paragraph (g) of this 
section, the provisions of paragraph (g) will apply instead of the 
provisions of this paragraph.
    (1) If the employee has not had an opportunity to comment on any 
newly obtained material relied upon for the recommendation, the General 
Counsel will provide the employee with an opportunity to comment on 
that material before submitting the recommendation to the Director.
    (2) The recommendation will include findings of fact and a 
conclusion as to whether it is more likely than not that a violation 
has occurred. The General Counsel will provide the Director with copies 
of the material relied upon for the recommendation, including any 
timely written response and a transcript of any oral response of the 
employee.
    (3) In the case of an ongoing violation, the General Counsel may 
recommend an order directing the employee to take specific action to 
terminate the violation, provided that the employee has been afforded 
the notice required under paragraph (f) of this section and an 
opportunity for a hearing.
    (e) Decisions and orders of the Director. After reviewing the 
recommendation of the General Counsel pursuant to paragraph (d) of this 
section or, in the event of a hearing, the recommendation of the 
administrative law judge pursuant to paragraph (g)(7) of this section, 
the Director may issue a decision and, if applicable, an order. The 
authority of the Director to issue decisions and orders under this 
paragraph may not be delegated to any other official. The Director's 
decision will include written findings and conclusions with respect to 
all material issues and will be supported by substantial evidence of 
record.
    (1) A copy of the decision and order will be furnished to the 
employee and, if applicable, the employee's representative. Copies will 
also be provided to the DAEO and the head of the agency or, where the 
employee is the head of an agency, to the President. The Director's 
decision and any order will be posted on the official Web site of the 
Office of Government Ethics, except to the extent prohibited by law.
    (2) The Director's decision may include a nonbinding recommendation 
that appropriate disciplinary or corrective action be taken against the 
employee. If the agency head does not take the action recommended 
within a reasonable period of time, the Director may notify the 
President.
    (3) In the case of an ongoing violation, the Director may issue an 
order directing the employee to take specific action to terminate the 
violation, provided that the employee has been afforded the notice 
required under paragraph (f) of this section and an opportunity for a 
hearing.
    (f) Notice of the right to request a hearing regarding an order to 
terminate a violation. Before an order to terminate an ongoing 
violation may be recommended or issued under this section, the employee 
must be provided with written notice of the potential issuance of an 
order, the right to request a hearing, and instructions for requesting 
a hearing.
    (1) If the employee submits a written request for a hearing within 
30 calendar days of the date of the employee's receipt of the notice, 
the hearing will be conducted pursuant to paragraph (g) of this 
section;
    (2) If the employee does not submit a written request for a hearing 
within 30 days of receipt of the notice, the General Counsel may issue 
a recommendation, pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section, in lieu of 
a hearing after first considering any timely response of the employee, 
pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section; and
    (3) If the employee timely submits written requests for both a 
hearing, pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section, and an oral 
response, pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, only a hearing 
will be conducted, pursuant to paragraph (g) of this section.
    (g) Hearings. If, after receiving a notice required pursuant to 
paragraph (f) of this section, the employee submits a timely request 
for a hearing, an administrative law judge who has been appointed under 
5 U.S.C. 3105 will serve as the hearing officer, and the following 
procedures will apply to the hearing. An employee of the Office of 
Government Ethics will be assigned to provide the administrative law 
judge with logistical support in connection with the hearing.
    (1) The General Counsel of the Office of Government Ethics will 
designate attorneys to present evidence and argument at the hearing in 
support of a possible finding that the employee is engaging in an 
ongoing violation. The General Counsel will serve as Advisor to the 
Director and will not, in connection with the presentation of evidence 
and argument against the employee, direct or supervise these attorneys. 
Any attorney who presents evidence, argument, or testimony against the 
employee at the hearing will be recused from assisting the Director or 
the General Counsel in connection with the contemplated order.
    (2) The administrative law judge will issue written instructions 
for the conduct of the hearing, including deadlines for submitting 
lists of proposed witnesses and exchanging copies of documentary 
evidence. The hearing will be conducted informally,

[[Page 76286]]

and the administrative law judge may make such rulings as are necessary 
to ensure that the hearing is conducted equitably and expeditiously.
    (3) The parties to the hearing will be the employee and the 
attorneys of the Office of Government Ethics designated to present 
evidence and arguments supporting a finding that a violation is 
ongoing, respectively. The parties will not engage in ex parte 
communications with the administrative law judge, unless the 
administrative law judge authorizes limited ex parte communications 
regarding scheduling and logistical matters.
    (4) If either party requests assistance in securing the appearance 
of an approved witness who is an employee, the administrative law judge 
may, at his or her discretion, notify the General Counsel, who will 
assist the Director in requesting that the head of the employing agency 
produce the witness, pursuant to section 403(a)(1) of the Act. The 
Director will notify the President if an agency head fails to produce 
the approved witness.
    (5) The hearing will be conducted on the record and witnesses will 
be placed under oath and subject to cross-examination. Following the 
hearing, the administrative law judge will provide each party with a 
copy of the hearing transcript.
    (6) Hearings will generally be open to the public, but the 
administrative law judge may issue a written order closing, in whole or 
in part, the hearing in the best interests of national security, the 
employee, a witness, or an affected person. The order will set forth 
the reasons for closing the hearing and, along with any objection to 
the order by a party, will be made a part of the record. Unless 
specifically excluded by the administrative law judge, the DAEO of the 
employee's agency will be permitted to attend a closed hearing. If the 
administrative law judge denies a request by a party or an affected 
person to close the hearing, in whole or in part, that denial will be 
immediately appealable by the requester. The requester must file a 
notice of appeal with the Director within 3 working days. In the event 
that such a notice is filed, the hearing will be held in abeyance 
pending resolution of the appeal. The notice of appeal, exclusive of 
attachments, may not exceed 10 pages of double-spaced type. The 
Director will afford the parties and, if not a party, the requester the 
opportunity to make an oral presentation in person or via 
telecommunications technology within 3 working days of the filing of 
the appeal. The oral presentation will be conducted on the record. If 
the appellant or either party is unavailable to participate in the oral 
presentation within the 3-working-day period, the Director will convene 
the oral presentation without that party or affected person. The 
Director will issue a decision on the appeal within 3 working days of 
the oral presentation. If the Director is unavailable during this time 
period, the Director may designate a senior executive of the Office of 
Government Ethics to hear the oral presentation and decide the appeal. 
The notice of appeal, the record of the oral presentation, the decision 
on the appeal, and any other document considered by the Director or the 
Director's designee in connection with the appeal will be made a part 
of the record of the hearing.
    (7) After closing the record, the administrative law judge will 
certify the entire record to the Director for decision. When so 
certifying the record, the administrative law judge will make a 
recommended decision, which will include his or her written findings of 
fact and conclusions of law with respect to material issues. After 
considering the certified record, the Director may issue a decision and 
an order, pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section.
    (h) Dismissal. The Director may dismiss a proceeding under this 
section at any time, without a finding as to the alleged violation, 
upon a finding that:
    (1) The employee or the agency has taken appropriate action to 
address the Director's concerns;
    (2) The employee has undertaken, or agreed in writing to undertake, 
measures the Director deems satisfactory; or
    (3) A question has arisen involving the potential application of a 
criminal law.
    (i) Notice procedure. The notices required by paragraphs (b)(1) and 
(f) of this section may be delivered by U.S. mail, electronic mail, or 
personal delivery. There will be a rebuttable presumption that notice 
sent by U.S. mail is received within 5 working days. If the agency does 
not promptly provide the Office of Government Ethics with an employee's 
contact information upon request, the notice may be sent to the 
agency's DAEO, who will bear responsibility for promptly delivering 
that notice to the employee and promptly notifying the Director after 
its delivery.

Subpart F--General Provisions


Sec.  2638.601  Authority and purpose.

    (a) Authority. The regulations of this part are issued pursuant to 
the authority of titles I and IV of the Ethics in Government Act of 
1978 (Pub. L. 95-521, as amended) (``the Act'').
    (b) Purpose. These executive branch regulations supplement and 
implement titles I, IV and V of the Act and set forth more specifically 
certain procedures provided in those titles, and furnish examples, 
where appropriate.
    (c) Agency authority. Subject only to the authority of the Office 
of Government Ethics as the supervising ethics office for the executive 
branch, all authority conferred on agencies in this subchapter B of 
chapter XVI of title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations is sole and 
exclusive authority.


Sec.  2638.602  Agency regulations.

    Each agency may, subject to the prior approval of the Office of 
Government Ethics, issue regulations not inconsistent with this part 
and this subchapter, using the procedures set forth in Sec.  2635.105 
of this chapter.


Sec.  2638.603  Definitions.

    For the purposes of this part:
    Act means the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-521, as 
amended).
    ADAEO or Alternate Designated Agency Ethics Official means an 
officer or employee who is designated by the head of the agency as the 
primary deputy to the DAEO in coordinating and managing the agency's 
ethics program in accordance with the provisions of Sec.  2638.104.
    Agency or agencies means any executive department, military 
department, Government corporation, independent establishment, board, 
commission, or agency, including the United States Postal Service and 
Postal Regulatory Commission, of the executive branch.
    Agency head means the head of an agency. In the case of a 
department, it means the Secretary of the department. In the case of a 
board or commission, it means the Chair of the board or commission.
    Confidential filer means an employee who is required to file a 
confidential financial disclosure report pursuant to Sec.  2634.904 of 
this chapter.
    Conflict of interest laws means 18 U.S.C. 202-209, and conflict of 
interest law means any provision of 18 U.S.C. 202-209.
    Corrective action means any action necessary to remedy a past 
violation or prevent a continuing violation of this part, including but 
not limited to restitution, change of assignment, disqualification, 
divestiture, termination of an activity, waiver, the creation of a 
qualified diversified or blind trust, or counseling.

[[Page 76287]]

    DAEO or Designated Agency Ethics Official means an officer or 
employee who is designated by the head of the agency to coordinate and 
manage the agency's ethics program in accordance with the provisions of 
Sec.  2638.104.
    Department means a department of the executive branch.
    Director means the Director of the Office of Government Ethics.
    Disciplinary action means those disciplinary actions referred to in 
Office of Personnel Management regulations and instructions 
implementing provisions of title 5 of the United States Code or 
provided for in comparable provisions applicable to employees not 
subject to title 5.
    Employee means any officer or employee of an agency, including a 
special Government employee. It includes officers but not enlisted 
members of the uniformed services. It includes employees of a state or 
local government or other organization who are serving on detail to an 
agency, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3371, et seq. It does not include the 
President or Vice President. Status as an employee is unaffected by pay 
or leave status or, in the case of a special Government employee, by 
the fact that the individual does not perform official duties on a 
given day.
    Executive branch includes each executive agency as defined in 5 
U.S.C. 105 and any other entity or administrative unit in the executive 
branch. However, it does not include any agency, entity, office, or 
commission that is defined by or referred to in 5 U.S.C. app. sections 
109(8)-(11) of the Act as within the judicial or legislative branch.
    Government ethics laws and regulations include, among other 
applicable authorities, the provisions related to government ethics or 
financial disclosure of the following authorities:
    (1) Chapter 11 of title 18 of the United States Code;
    (2) The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-521, as 
amended);
    (3) The Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012 (STOCK 
Act) (Pub. L. 112-105, as amended);
    (4) Executive Order 12674 (Apr. 12, 1989) as amended by Executive 
Order 12731 (Oct. 17, 1990); and
    (5) Subchapter B of this chapter.
    Lead human resources official means the agency's chief policy 
advisor on all human resources management issues who is charged with 
selecting, developing, training, and managing a high-quality, 
productive workforce. For agencies covered by the Chief Human Capital 
Officers Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-296), the Chief Human Capital Officer 
is the lead human resources official.
    Person includes an individual, partnership, corporation, 
association, government agency, or public or private organization.
    Principles of Ethical Conduct means the collection of general 
principles set forth in Sec.  2635.101(b) of this chapter.
    Public filer means an employee, former employee, or nominee who is 
required to file a public financial disclosure report, pursuant to 
Sec.  2634.202 of this chapter.
    Senior executive means a career or noncareer appointee in the 
Senior Executive Service or equivalent federal executive service. It 
also includes employees in Senior Level (SL) and Senior Technical (ST) 
positions. In addition, it includes equivalent positions in agencies 
that do not have a federal executive service.
    Special Government employee means an employee who meets the 
definition at 18 U.S.C. 202(a). The term does not relate to a specific 
category of employee, and 18 U.S.C. 202(a) is not an appointment 
authority. The term describes individuals appointed to positions in the 
executive branch, the legislative branch, any independent agency of the 
United States, or the District of Columbia who are covered less 
expansively by conflict of interest laws at 18 U.S.C. 202-209. As a 
general matter, an individual appointed to a position in the 
legislative or executive branch who is expected to serve for 130 days 
or less during any period of 365 consecutive days is characterized as a 
special Government employee. The appointment of special Government 
employees is not administered or overseen by the Office of Government 
Ethics but is carried out under legal authorities administered by the 
Office of Personnel Management and other agencies.
    Standards of Conduct means the Standards of Ethical Conduct for 
Employees of the Executive Branch set forth in part 2635 of this 
chapter.


Sec.  2638.604  Key program dates.

    Except as amended by program advisories of the Office of Government 
Ethics, the following list summarizes key deadlines of the executive 
branch ethics program:
    (a) January 15 is the deadline for:
    (1) The Office of Government Ethics to issue its year-end status 
reports, pursuant to Sec.  2638.108(a)(11); and
    (2) In an agency with 1,000 or more employees, any office not under 
the supervision of the DAEO that provides notices or training required 
under subpart C of this part to provide a written summary and 
confirmation, pursuant to Sec.  2638.310.
    (b) February 1 is the deadline for the DAEO to submit the annual 
report on the agency's ethics program, pursuant to Sec.  2638.207.
    (c) February 15 is the deadline for employees to file annual 
confidential financial disclosure reports, pursuant to Sec.  
2634.903(a) of this chapter.
    (d) May 15 is the deadline for employees to file annual public 
financial disclosure reports, pursuant to Sec.  2634.201(a) of this 
chapter.
    (e) May 31 is the deadline for the agency to submit required travel 
reports to the Office of Government Ethics, pursuant to Sec.  
2638.107(g).
    (f) July 1 is the deadline for the DAEO to submit a letter stating 
whether components currently designated should remain designated, 
pursuant to Sec.  2641.302(e)(2) of this chapter.
    (g) November 30 is the deadline for the agency to submit required 
travel reports to the Office of Government Ethics, pursuant to Sec.  
2638.107(h).
    (h) December 31 is the deadline for completion of annual ethics 
training for employees covered by Sec. Sec.  2638.307 and 2638.308.
    (i) By the deadline specified in the request is the deadline, 
pursuant to Sec.  2638.202, for submission of all documents and 
information requested by the Office of Government Ethics in connection 
with a review of the agency's ethics program, except when the 
submission of the information or reports would be prohibited by law.
    (j) Prior to appointment whenever practicable but in no case more 
than 15 days after appointment is the deadline, pursuant to Sec.  
2638.105(a)(1), for the lead human resources official to notify the 
DAEO that the agency has appointed a confidential or public financial 
disclosure filer.
    (k) Prior to termination whenever practicable but in no case more 
than 15 days after termination is the deadline, pursuant to Sec.  
2638.105(a)(2), for the lead human resources official to notify the 
DAEO of the termination of a public financial disclosure filer.
    (l) Within 15 days of appointment is the deadline for certain 
agency leaders to complete ethics briefings, pursuant to Sec.  
2638.305(b).
    (m) Within 30 days of designation is the deadline for the agency 
head to notify the Director of the designation of any DAEO or ADAEO, 
pursuant to Sec.  2638.107(a).
    (n) Within 3 months of appointment is the deadline for new 
employees to complete initial ethics training, pursuant to Sec.  
2638.304(b).

[[Page 76288]]

    (o) Within 1 year of appointment is the deadline for new 
supervisors to receive supervisory ethics notices, pursuant to Sec.  
2638.306(b).
    (p) Not later than 12 months before any Presidential election is 
the deadline for the agency head or the DAEO to evaluate whether the 
agency's ethics program has an adequate number of trained agency ethics 
officials to deliver effective support in the event of a Presidential 
transition, pursuant to Sec.  2638.210(a).

[FR Doc. 2016-26418 Filed 11-1-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6345-03-P