Procedural Rules and Regulations, 11748-11787 [2017-01288]

Agencies

• National Labor Relations Board

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 36 (Friday, February 24, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11748-11787]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-01288]



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Vol. 82

Friday,

No. 36

February 24, 2017

Part III





National Labor Relations Board





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29 CFR Part 102





 Procedural Rules and Regulations; Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 82 , No. 36 / Friday, February 24, 2017 / 
Rules and Regulations

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NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD

29 CFR Part 102


Procedural Rules and Regulations

AGENCY: National Labor Relations Board.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The National Labor Relations Board amends its procedural Rules 
and Regulations to: Reflect modern technology, such as E-Filing, and 
eliminate references to telegraphs, carbon copies, and the requirements 
for hard copy submissions and multiple copies; use more plain language 
and eliminate legalistic terms such as ``therefrom,'' ``thereupon,'' 
``therein,'' ``herein,'' and ``said;'' reorganize the Rules and add 
headings so that the subject matter is easier to find; incorporate 
current practices that had not been included in the published Rules, 
such as the Board's Alternative Dispute Resolution Program; and update 
and streamline procedural provisions of the FOIA regulations. The 
amendments also clarify the means by which documents are filed and 
service is made by the parties and the Board. They also promote the 
parties' use of E-Filing, which will facilitate sharing documents with 
the public. These revisions are procedural rather than substantive.

DATES: This rule will be effective on March 6, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Shinners, Executive Secretary, 
National Labor Relations Board, 1015 Half Street SE., Washington, DC 
20570, (202) 273-3737 (this is not a toll-free number), 1-866-315-6572 
(TTY/TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background on the Rulemaking

    The changes are summarized below and grouped as follows: I. Global 
Changes; II. Definitions, Filing, and Service; III. Unfair Labor 
Practice Cases; IV. FOIA; and V. Other Sections.

I. Global Changes

    Throughout the Rules the Board has eliminated requirements for 
filing multiple copies and references to antiquated technology, such as 
carbon paper, stenographic copies, and telegraphic communications. The 
Rules have also been revised to use plain language and eliminate terms 
such as ``therefrom.'' Time periods have been changed to multiples of 
7, the use of gender specific pronouns has been minimized, and the term 
``shall'' was replaced with ``must,'' ``will,'' or ``may'' as 
appropriate. The revisions also ensure that terms, such as E-Filing, 
and capitalization of titles, such as ``Regional Director'' and 
``Administrative Law Judge,'' are consistent throughout the Rules. 
Changes were also made to ensure consistency in terminology by, for 
example, using only the term ``paragraph'' instead of using 
``subsection'' interchangeably with ``paragraph.'' Where feasible, 
headings were added to facilitate finding particular rules.

II. Definitions, Filing, and Service

    The filing and service requirements found in Sec. Sec.  102.111 
through 102.114 were moved to the beginning of part 102 so that these 
provisions, which apply to all parties and many different types of 
documents, are easily found in one location at the beginning of the 
Rules and not buried throughout the Rules. This change and others are 
discussed below in numerical sequence (based on where the material is 
located in the revised version).

A. Sections 102.1 Through 102.7

    The changes convert subpart A to a definitions section and subpart 
B to a section that covers the service and filing of documents. The 
revisions renumber the definitions currently in Sec. Sec.  102.1 
through 102.8 as Sec.  102.1(a) through (h). The service and filing 
provisions currently in Sec. Sec.  102.111 through 102.114 are moved to 
Sec. Sec.  102.2 through 102.5 to give them a higher profile position 
closer to the beginning of the Rules so that users who are not familiar 
with the Rules may find them more easily. Sections 102.6 and 102.7 are 
new and address notice to the Board of supplemental authority and 
signatures on E-Filed documents.
    Section 102.2 (Formerly Sec.  102.111), Time requirements for 
filing with the Agency, was reorganized and given headings. It first 
addresses filings, then extensions of time, and then late-filed 
documents. Other revisions are set forth below.
    (a) Time computation. This paragraph was clarified with regard to 
the time for filing a responsive document. Specifically, it now 
provides that ``the designated period begins to run on the date the 
preceding document was required to be received by the Agency, even if 
the preceding document was filed prior to that date.'' This language 
was originally in Sec.  102.112, which dealt with the date of service 
and the date of filing, but was moved here where it more logically 
fits. The last phrase was added to clarify what happens when a document 
is filed early.
    (b) Timeliness of filings. This paragraph was updated to include E-
Filing and specifies that E-Filed documents must be received on the due 
date by 11:59 p.m. of the receiving office's time zone. The Board 
deleted from this paragraph the language about extensions of time and 
placed that in a separate paragraph (c) below. This paragraph was also 
modified so that it directs the public to the Agency's Web site instead 
of appendix A for information on the official business hours of the 
Agency's offices, which will ensure that the public is provided with 
the most current information.
    (c) Extension of time to file. This paragraph specifies that, 
except as otherwise provided in the Rules, a request for an extension 
of time to file a document must be filed no later than the date on 
which the document is due and that requests filed within 3 days of the 
due date must be grounded upon circumstances not reasonably foreseeable 
in advance. This paragraph was clarified to require that such requests 
be in writing and served simultaneously on the other parties. Language 
was added to encourage parties to seek agreement from the other parties 
for the extension, and to indicate the other parties' position in the 
extension of time request. Language was also added to require any party 
intending to file an opposition to the request to do so as soon as 
possible following receipt of the request.
    (d) Late-filed documents. This paragraph codifies what has been 
permitted in practice.
    Section 102.3 (Formerly Sec.  102.112). Date of service. This 
section was revised to include a reference to email and was made more 
concise and reorganized for clarity.
    Section 102.4 (Formerly Sec.  102.113). Methods of service of 
process and papers by the Agency; proof of service. This section was 
revised to exclude service by telegraph and to provide that the Agency 
may serve documents by facsimile or email. General language authorizing 
email service was added to give the Agency flexibility to use this 
method where email service has been agreed to by the recipient. This 
section also adds authorization for service of subpoenas by private 
delivery service.
    Section 102.5 (Formerly Sec.  102.114). Filing and service of 
papers by parties: Form of papers; manner and proof of filing or 
service. Former Sec.  102.114 articulated the requirements for service 
and filings by parties and the General Counsel, when acting as a party. 
This section was reordered to better match the chronology of events 
(for example, filings appear before service). Topic

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headings were added for each paragraph to aid in navigating this 
section.
    Paragraph (a) consolidates Sec.  102.114(d) and other paragraphs 
that specified the form of filing (such as Sec.  102.46(j)). The 
revisions change the font requirements from 12 points per inch to 12 
point type with no more than 10.5 characters per inch, and add more 
detail to the spacing requirements. Multiple references to the 
requirement that briefs longer than 20 pages must contain a subject 
index and a table of cases are consolidated here.
    Paragraph (b) specifies the means by which parties may file 
requests to exceed the page limits for documents. Previously this 
provision was located in a number of places.
    Paragraph (c) is new and addresses E-Filing with the Agency. It 
provides that charges, petitions in representation proceedings, and 
showings of interest may be filed in paper format or by E-Filing, and 
that all other documents must be E-Filed unless the party filing also 
files an accompanying statement explaining why the party does not have 
access to the means for filing electronically or why filing 
electronically would impose an undue burden.
    Paragraph (d) consolidates the oft-repeated requirement in the 
Rules that documents are to be filed with the Board in Washington, DC. 
For uniformity, it also specifies filing locations for the Regions and 
the Administrative Law Judges.
    Paragraphs (e) and (f) continue the general limitation on filing 
documents via fax to encourage E-Filing instead.
    Paragraph (e) limits the documents that may be filed via fax to 
unfair labor practice charges, petitions in representation cases, 
objections to elections, and requests for extension of time for filing 
documents with the Agency.
    Paragraph (h) adds elements such as fax number and email address to 
the statement of service requirement. This paragraph was revised to 
eliminate language that restricted the types of documents that could be 
E-Filed, and permits E-Filing of charges, petitions in representation 
cases, and showings of interest.
    Section 102.6 Notice to the Administrative Law Judge or Board of 
Supplemental Authority. This section is new and provides that 
authorities that come to a party's attention after the party's 
submission to the Administrative Law Judge or the Board has been filed 
may be brought to the Judge's or the Board's attention by the party 
promptly filing a letter with the Judge or the Board and simultaneously 
serving all other parties. The language of the section is based on 
Reliant Energy, 339 NLRB 66 (2003). The language specifies deadlines 
for responses.
    Section 102.7 Signature on documents E-Filed with the Agency. This 
section is new and clarifies that E-filed documents may contain an 
electronic signature of the filer, which will have the same legal 
effect, validity, and enforceability as if signed manually.

III. Unfair Labor Practice Cases

    The changes include: (a) In Sec. Sec.  102.11 and 102.12, 
eliminating the requirement to submit an original copy of a charge 
filed by facsimile and making minor language changes to the contents of 
the charge; (b) in Sec.  102.14 revising language regarding service of 
charges; (c) in Sec.  102.19, eliminating the requirement that a 
Charging Party serve notice of appeal; (d) in Sec.  102.24, adding 
language about replies and further responses to an opposition to a 
motion; (e) in the subpoena section (now Sec.  102.32), including 
electronic data as well as the more traditional books and records; (f) 
in Sec.  102.37, adding language about the unavailability of a judge; 
(g) in Sec.  102.45, adding language about the Alternative Dispute 
Resolution (ADR) Program; and (h) in Sec.  102.53, deleting the 
requirement that a Charging Party serve notice of appeal of a 
compliance determination and adding language specifically permitting 
the filing of an opposition to a compliance appeal. Those revisions are 
described more fully below.

A. Sections 102.11 and 102.12

    Section 102.11 Signature; sworn or declaration was revised to 
eliminate the requirement to file an ``original'' and to provide an 
``original'' for the Agency's records if filed by facsimile. This 
requirement had been added when the Rules first permitted filing by 
facsimile. The requirement to submit an original sometimes resulted in 
the mailed original being docketed as a new charge because someone did 
not realize it was a hard copy of a charge that had already been filed 
by facsimile. Because filings by facsimile have not been problematic, 
the language has been eliminated.
    Section 102.12 Contents was revised to describe the person against 
whom the charge is filed as the ``Charged Party'' instead of the 
``Respondent,'' as is the Agency's custom until a complaint issues. It 
was also revised to state that the charge should contain a ``brief 
statement of the conduct'' constituting the alleged unfair labor 
practices rather than a ``clear and concise statement of the facts.'' 
In practice, the Agency does not require or expect a factual 
recitation. A statement has been added providing that attachments to 
charges are not permitted.

B. Section 102.14 Service of Charge

    (a) Charging Party's obligation to serve; methods of service. This 
paragraph was modified to add that the Charging Party may serve the 
charge on the Charged Party (Respondent) by email with the permission 
of the recipient and to remove the requirement that the permission of 
the recipient be obtained before serving the charge via facsimile 
transmission. The Rules retain the requirement that permission be 
obtained for service by email in case a party does not frequently check 
email.
    (b) Service as courtesy by Region. This paragraph, which currently 
provides that the Regional Director will serve the charge by regular 
mail or facsimile transmission, was revised to reflect that charges may 
also be served in person, via private delivery service, by email, by 
any manner provided for in Rules 4 or 5 of the Federal Rules of Civil 
Procedure, or in any other agreed-upon manner. This change will permit 
service by more expedient means.
    (c) Date of service of charge. In connection with the addition of 
email service (see paragraph (a) above), this provision was amended to 
show that, in the case of delivery by email, the date of service is the 
date the email is sent.

C. Section 102.19 Appeal to the General Counsel From Refusal To Issue 
or Reissue

    This section was revised to eliminate the requirement that the 
Charging Party serve a copy of the appeal on all parties. This 
requirement was deemed unnecessary because the Office of Appeals 
routinely sends an acknowledgement letter notifying all parties of the 
appeal. Further, the existing rule specifically provides that the 
failure to serve a copy of the appeal does not invalidate the appeal. 
This requirement also sometimes led to confusion as to whether a party 
had to serve the appeal form on the other parties or had to serve the 
document explaining why the appeal should be granted, which might 
discuss specific affidavit evidence provided during the investigation.

D. Section 102.24 Motions; Where To File; Contents; Service on Other 
Parties; Promptness in Filing and Response; Default Judgment 
Procedures; Summary Judgment Procedures

    A new paragraph was added addressing replies to an opposition to a 
motion and further responsive documents.

[[Page 11750]]

    This section codifies the rule established by the Board in D.L. 
Baker, Inc., 330 NLRB 521, fn. 4 (2000).

E. Section 102.31 Issuance of Subpoenas; Petitions To Revoke Subpoenas; 
Rulings on Claim of Privilege Against Self-Incrimination; Subpoena 
Enforcement Proceedings; Right To Inspect or Copy Data

    Paragraph (a) of this section was revised to clarify that subpoenas 
can require production of ``electronic data'' as well as books, 
records, correspondence, and documents. Paragraph (b) was revised to 
reflect the current practice of allowing parties to file oppositions to 
petitions to revoke subpoenas and replies to oppositions, as well as 
the practice of allowing the party aggrieved by an adverse ruling to 
make the ruling and other filings part of the official record during a 
formal proceeding (rather than at the investigative stage of the 
proceeding). Paragraph (b) was also revised to reflect that petitions 
to revoke subpoenas filed in response to a subpoena issued upon request 
of the Contempt, Compliance, and Special Litigation Branch must be 
filed with that Branch, which shall refer the petition to the Board for 
ruling.

F. Section 102.36 Disqualification and Unavailability of Administrative 
Law Judges

    This section was amended to add a paragraph (b) regarding the 
unavailability of Administrative Law Judges. This provision was 
previously in the Rules, but did not have a separate lettered 
paragraph.

G. Section 102.45 Administrative Law Judge's Decision; Contents of 
Record; Alternative Dispute Resolution Program

    New paragraphs (c)(1) through (10) cover the Alternative Dispute 
Resolution (ADR) Program. The ADR Program provides for a neutral to 
assist in resolving unfair labor practice cases pending before the 
Board. Although the ADR pilot program was launched in December 2005 and 
was converted to permanent status in March 2009, it had not previously 
been incorporated in the Rules. Incorporating this provision in the 
Rules will help ensure that the public will be more fully aware of the 
ADR Program.

H. Section 102.53 Appeal of Compliance Determination to the General 
Counsel; General Counsel's Action; Request for Review by the Board; 
Board Action; Opposition to Appeal or Request for Review

    Paragraph (a) of this section was revised to delete the requirement 
that the Charging Party serve a copy of the appeal on all other parties 
inasmuch as the Office of Appeals notifies all parties of the appeal.
    A new paragraph (e) was added specifically to permit the filing of 
an opposition to the compliance appeal.

IV. FOIA

    The revisions update and streamline procedural provisions of the 
FOIA regulations (Sec.  102.117). They are intended to make the 
regulations consistent with the restructuring of the Agency's 
Headquarters offices and centralization of the FOIA processing. See 78 
FR 44981-82 (July 23, 2013). In addition, the changes make the FOIA 
regulations more readable and requester-friendly, including additional 
headings and subheadings, in accordance with the recommendations of the 
Office of Government Information Service (OGIS), the agency charged by 
Congress to review the regulations and policies of federal 
administrative agencies to improve compliance with the FOIA. They also 
reflect procedural changes mandated by the OPEN Government Act of 2007, 
Public Law 110-175, including, for example, the Agency's designation of 
a FOIA Officer, Chief FOIA Officer, and Public Liaison. Finally, they 
conform the Agency's regulations to the recently-enacted FOIA 
Improvement Act of 2016, Public Law 114-185 (June 30, 2016).
    The changes explain that the FOIA Branch will handle all FOIA 
requests for Agency records, with the exception of Office of Inspector 
General records, which are handled by the Office of Inspector General. 
They also explain that all appeals for Agency documents will be decided 
by the Chief FOIA Officer, who is the Associate General Counsel for the 
Division of Legal Counsel.
    The changes also set forth the various methods for submitting 
requests, and in particular, state that the Agency's preferred method 
of submission is through its Web site. Regarding requests for documents 
maintained by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), the changes 
state that such requests should be submitted to the FOIA Branch, which 
will then forward such requests to the OIG for processing. This permits 
requesters to make requests for Inspector General documents through the 
Agency's Web site. Nonetheless, the revised Rules maintain the option 
for requesters to make requests directly to the Office of the Inspector 
General (by mail).
    Some of the specific changes include:
     Section 102.117(a)(1) deletes a sentence stating the 
Agency's policy that discretionary disclosures may be made when there 
is no foreseeable harm to an interest protected by a FOIA exemption, as 
the FOIA Improvement Act now requires disclosure when there is no such 
foreseeable harm;
     Section 102.117(c)(1)(ii) updates the most significant 
procedural change, that all FOIA requests should be made to the FOIA 
Branch in Washington, DC, with electronic submissions being the 
preferred method for making requests, including requests to the Office 
of the Inspector General;
     Section 102.117(a)(2)(i)-(iii) is new and identifies the 
Agency's FOIA officials;
     Section 102.117(a)(3) is new and explains the authority of 
each of the FOIA officials to respond to requests and administrative 
appeals;
     Section 102.117(a)(4) deletes the list of records made 
available, as the FOIA itself provides what records are to be made 
available;
     Section 102.117(b)(2) was modified to specify that the 
Division of Legal Counsel will certify General Counsel records and that 
the Executive Secretary will continue to certify Board records;
     Section 102.117(c)(2)(v) was modified to provide 90 days, 
rather than 28 days, for a requester to file an administrative appeal 
of an adverse determination, as required by the FOIA Improvement Act;
     Section 102.117(c)(2)(vi) was modified to clarify that the 
Agency will provide requesters an opportunity to limit their requests 
so that the request may be processed within the statutory time periods.
     Several paragraphs have been modified to add that 
requesters will be notified of their right to seek assistance from the 
Agency's FOIA Public Liaison or the Office of Government Information 
Services, as required by the FOIA Improvement Act.

V. Other Sections

A. Section 102.96 Issuance of Complaint Promptly

    This section was reworded to use plain language to make it more 
easily understandable.

B. Section 102.122 Subpart N--Reserved

    This section dealt with Enforcement of Rights, Privileges, and 
Immunities Granted or Guaranteed Under Section 222(f), Communications 
Act of 1934 to Employees of Merged Telegraph Carriers. The section has 
been deleted because the original Section 222(f) to which this section 
refers was repealed, and the subpart and Section number have been 
reserved for future use.

[[Page 11751]]

C. Section 102.136 Establishment and Use of Advisory Committees

    This section was revised to delete the reference to Office of 
Management and Budget Circular A-63 (rev. March 27, 1975) and Advisory 
Committee Management Guidance, 39 FR 12389-12391, because they are 
obsolete. Currently, each federal agency that sponsors advisory 
committees must adhere to the requirements established by the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (FACA) as well as regulations promulgated by the 
U.S. General Services Administration's (GSA) Committee Management 
Secretariat. GSA has had the responsibility for overseeing the FACA 
since 1977. OMB Circular A-63 from 1975 and the Advisory Committee 
Management Guidance, 39 FR 12389-12391 were superseded by a 2001 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) Final Rule. Accordingly, the 
references to the OMB Circular and Advisory Committee Management 
Guidance were deleted and replaced by a more generic reference to 
``applicable rules and regulations.''

Appendix A--NLRB Official Office Hours (Local Times)

    Appendix A was deleted because this information is already on the 
Agency's Web site, and would have to be modified frequently to keep it 
current. Section 102.2(b) directs the public to our Web site for this 
information.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

    Pursuant to Section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 
U.S.C. 605(b), the Agency has determined that these rule amendments 
will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    These rule amendments will not result in the expenditure by state, 
local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private 
sector, of $100,000,000 or more in any one year, and it will not 
significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no 
actions are deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

    This action is not a major rule as defined by Section 804 of the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, 5 U.S.C. 
804. These amendments will not result in an annual effect on the 
economy of $100,000,000 or more or a major increase in costs or prices, 
nor will these amendments have significant adverse effects on 
competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on 
the ability of United States-based companies to compete with foreign-
based companies in domestic and export markets.

Paperwork Reduction

    The amended regulations contain no additional information-
collection or record-keeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

Public Participation

    This rule is published as a final rule. The National Labor 
Relations Board considers this rule to be a procedural rule which is 
exempt from notice and public comment, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(3)(A), as a rule of ``agency organization, procedure, or 
practice.'' If you wish to contact the Agency, please do so at the 
above listed address. However, before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 102

    Administrative practice and procedure, Labor management relations.

Gary Shinners,
Executive Secretary.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, the National Labor 
Relations Board amends 29 CFR part 102 as follows:

PART 102--RULES AND REGULATIONS, SERIES 8

0
1. The authority citation for part 102 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Sections 1, 6, National Labor Relations Act (29 
U.S.C. 151, 156). Section 102.117 also issued under section 
552(a)(4)(A) of the Freedom of Information Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 
552(a)(4)(A)), and Section 102.117a also issued under section 
552a(j) and (k) of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a(j) and 
(k)). Sections 102.143 through 102.155 also issued under section 
504(c)(1) of the Equal Access to Justice Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 
504(c)(1)).


0
2. Revise subparts A and B to read as follows:

Subpart A--Definitions


Sec.  102.1  Terms defined in Section 2 of the Act.

    (a) Definition of terms. The terms person, employer, employee, 
representative, labor organization, commerce, affecting commerce, and 
unfair labor practice as used herein have the meanings set forth in 
Section 2 of the National Labor Relations Act, as amended by title I of 
the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947.
    (b) Act, Board, and Board agent. The term Act means the National 
Labor Relations Act, as amended. The term Board means the National 
Labor Relations Board and must include any group of three or more 
Members designated pursuant to Section 3(b) of the Act. The term Board 
agent means any Member, agent, or agency of the Board, including its 
General Counsel.
    (c) General Counsel. The term General Counsel means the General 
Counsel under Section 3(d) of the Act.
    (d) Region and Subregion. The term Region means that part of the 
United States or any territory thereof fixed by the Board as a 
particular Region. The term Subregion means that area within a Region 
fixed by the Board as a particular Subregion.
    (e) Regional Director, Officer-in-Charge, and Regional Attorney. 
The term Regional Director means the agent designated by the Board as 
the Regional Director for a particular Region, and also includes any 
agent designated by the Board as Officer-in-Charge of a Subregional 
office, but the Officer-in-Charge must have only such powers, duties, 
and functions appertaining to Regional Directors as have been duly 
delegated to such Officer-in-Charge. The term Regional Attorney means 
the attorney designated as Regional Attorney for a particular Region.
    (f) Administrative Law Judge and Hearing Officer. The term 
Administrative Law Judge means the agent of the Board conducting the 
hearing in an unfair labor practice proceeding. The term Hearing 
Officer means the agent of the Board conducting the hearing in a 
proceeding under Section 9 or in a dispute proceeding under Section 
10(k) of the Act.
    (g) State. The term State includes the District of Columbia and all 
States, territories, and possessions of the United States.
    (h) Party. The term party means the Regional Director in whose 
Region the proceeding is pending and any person named or admitted as a 
party, or properly seeking and entitled as of right to be admitted as a 
party, in any Board

[[Page 11752]]

proceeding, including, without limitation, any person filing a charge 
or petition under the Act, any person named as Respondent, as employer, 
or as party to a contract in any proceeding under the Act, and any 
labor organization alleged to be dominated, assisted, or supported in 
violation of Section 8(a)(1) or 8(a)(2) of the Act; but nothing herein 
should be construed to prevent the Board or its designated agent from 
limiting any party to participate in the proceedings to the extent of 
the party's interest only.

Subpart B--Service and Filings

Sec.
102.2 Time requirements for filings with the Agency.
102.3 Date of service.
102.4 Methods of service of process and papers by the Agency; proof 
of service.
102.5 Filing and service of papers by parties: Form of papers; 
manner and proof of filing or service.
102.6 Notice to the Administrative Law Judge or Board of 
supplemental authority.
102.7 Signature on documents E-Filed with the Agency.
102.8 [Reserved]


Sec.  102.2  Time requirements for filings with the Agency.

    (a) Time computation. In computing any period of time prescribed or 
allowed by these Rules, the day of the act, event, or default after 
which the designated period of time begins to run is not to be 
included. The last day of the period so computed is to be included, 
unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, in which event the 
period runs until the next Agency business day. When the period of time 
prescribed or allowed is less than 7 days, intermediate Saturdays, 
Sundays, and holidays are be excluded in the computation. Except as 
otherwise provided, in computing the period of time for filing a 
responsive document, the designated period begins to run on the date 
the preceding document was required to be received by the Agency, even 
if the preceding document was filed prior to that date.
    (b) Timeliness of filings. If there is a time limit for the filing 
of a motion, brief, exception, request for extension of time, or other 
paper in any proceeding, such document must be received by the Board or 
the officer or agent designated to receive such matter on or before the 
last day of the time limit for such filing or the last day of any 
extension of time that may have been granted. Non E-Filed documents 
must be received before the official closing time of the receiving 
office (see www.nlrb.gov setting forth the official business hours of 
the Agency's several offices). E-Filed documents must be received by 
11:59 p.m. of the time zone of the receiving office. In construing this 
section of the Rules, the Board will accept as timely filed any 
document which is postmarked on the day before (or earlier than) the 
due date; documents which are postmarked on or after the due date are 
untimely. ``Postmarking'' must include timely depositing the document 
with a delivery service that will provide a record showing that the 
document was given to the delivery service in sufficient time for 
delivery by the due date, but in no event later than the day before the 
due date. However, the following documents must be received on or 
before the last day for filing:
    (1) Charges filed pursuant to Section 10(b) of the Act (see also 
Sec.  102.14).
    (2) Applications for awards and fees and other expenses under the 
Equal Access to Justice Act.
    (3) Petitions to revoke subpoenas.
    (4) Requests for extensions of time to file any document for which 
such an extension may be granted.
    (c) Extension of time to file. Except as otherwise provided, a 
request for an extension of time to file a document must be filed no 
later than the date on which the document is due. Requests for 
extensions of time filed within 3 days of the due date must be grounded 
upon circumstances not reasonably foreseeable in advance. Requests for 
extension of time must be in writing and must be served simultaneously 
on the other parties. Parties are encouraged to seek agreement from the 
other parties for the extension, and to indicate the other parties' 
position in the extension of time request. An opposition to a request 
for an extension of time should be filed as soon as possible following 
receipt of the request.
    (d) Late-filed documents. (1) The following documents may be filed 
within a reasonable time after the time prescribed by these Rules only 
upon good cause shown based on excusable neglect and when no undue 
prejudice would result:
    (i) In unfair labor practice proceedings, motions, exceptions, 
answers to a complaint or a backpay specification, and briefs; and
    (ii) In representation proceedings, exceptions, requests for 
review, motions, briefs, and any responses to any of these documents.
    (2) A party seeking to file such documents beyond the time 
prescribed by these Rules must file, along with the document, a motion 
that states the grounds relied on for requesting permission to file 
untimely. The specific facts relied on to support the motion must be 
set forth in affidavit form and sworn to by individuals with personal 
knowledge of the facts. The time for filing any document responding to 
the untimely document will not commence until the date a ruling issues 
accepting the untimely document. In addition, cross-exceptions are due 
within 14 days, or such further period as the Board may allow, from the 
date a ruling issues accepting the untimely filed documents.


Sec.  102.3  Date of service.

    Where service is made by mail, private delivery service, or email, 
the date of service is the day when the document served is deposited in 
the United States mail, is deposited with a private delivery service 
that will provide a record showing the date the document was tendered 
to the delivery service, or is sent by email, as the case may be. Where 
service is made by personal delivery or facsimile, the date of service 
will be the date on which the document is received.


Sec.  102.4  Methods of service of process and papers by the Agency; 
proof of service.

    (a) Method of service for certain Agency-issued documents. 
Complaints and compliance specifications (including accompanying 
notices of hearing, and amendments to either complaints or to 
compliance specifications), final orders of the Board in unfair labor 
practice cases and Administrative Law Judges' decisions must be served 
upon all parties personally, by registered or certified mail, by 
leaving a copy at the principal office or place of business of the 
person required to be served, by email as appropriate, or by any other 
method of service authorized by law.
    (b) Service of subpoenas. Subpoenas must be served upon the 
recipient personally, by registered or certified mail, by leaving a 
copy at the principal office or place of business of the person 
required to be served, by private delivery service, or by any other 
method of service authorized by law.
    (c) Service of other Agency-issued documents. Other documents may 
be served by the Agency by any of the foregoing methods as well as by 
regular mail, private delivery service, facsimile, or email.
    (d) Proof of service. In the case of personal service, or delivery 
to a principal office or place of business, the verified return by the 
serving individual, setting forth the manner of such service, is proof 
of service. In the case of service by registered or certified mail, the 
return post office receipt is proof of service. However, these methods 
of proof of service are not

[[Page 11753]]

exclusive; any sufficient proof may be relied upon to establish 
service.
    (e) Service upon representatives of parties. Whenever these Rules 
require or permit the service of pleadings or other papers upon a 
party, a copy must be served on any attorney or other representative of 
the party who has entered a written appearance in the proceeding on 
behalf of the party. If a party is represented by more than one 
attorney or representative, service upon any one of such persons in 
addition to the party satisfies this requirement. Service by the Board 
or its agents of any documents upon any such attorney or other 
representative may be accomplished by any means of service permitted by 
these Rules, including regular mail.


Sec.  102.5  Filing and service of papers by parties: Form of papers; 
manner and proof of filing or service.

    (a) Form of papers to be filed. All papers filed with the Board, 
General Counsel, Regional Director, Administrative Law Judge, or 
Hearing Officer must be typewritten or otherwise legibly duplicated on 
8\1/2\ by 11-inch plain white paper, and must have margins no less than 
one inch on all four sides. Page numbers may be placed in the margins, 
but no text may appear there. Typeface that is single-spaced must not 
contain more than 10.5 characters per inch, and proportionally-spaced 
typeface must be 12 point or larger, for both text and footnotes. 
Condensed text is not permitted. The text must be double-spaced, but 
headings and footnotes may be single-spaced, and quotations more than 
two lines long may be indented and single-spaced. Case names must be 
italicized or underlined. Where any brief filed with the Board exceeds 
20 pages, it must contain a subject index with page references and an 
alphabetical table of cases and other authorities cited.
    (b) Requests to exceed the page limits. Requests for permission to 
exceed the page limits for documents filed with the Board must state 
the reasons for the requests. Unless otherwise specified, such requests 
must be filed not less than 10 days prior to the date the document is 
due.
    (c) E-Filing with the Agency. Unless otherwise permitted under this 
section, all documents filed in cases before the Agency must be filed 
electronically (``E-Filed'') on the Agency's Web site (www.nlrb.gov) by 
following the instructions on the Web site. The Agency's Web site also 
contains certain forms that parties or other persons may use to prepare 
their documents for E-Filing. If the document being E-Filed is required 
to be served on another party to a proceeding, the other party must be 
served by email, if possible, or in accordance with paragraph (g) of 
this section. Unfair labor practice charges, petitions in 
representation proceedings, and showings of interest may be filed in 
paper format or E-Filed. A party who files other documents in paper 
format must accompany the filing with a statement explaining why the 
party does not have access to the means for filing electronically or 
why filing electronically would impose an undue burden. Notwithstanding 
any other provision in these Rules, if a document is filed 
electronically the filer need not also file a hard copy of the 
document, and only one copy of a document filed in hard copy should be 
filed. Documents may not be filed with the Agency via email without the 
prior approval of the receiving office.
    (d) Filing with the Agency by Mail or Delivery. Documents to be 
filed with the Board are to be filed with the Office of the Executive 
Secretary in Washington, DC. Documents to be filed with the Regional 
Offices are to be filed with the Regional Office handling the case. 
Documents to be filed with the Division of Judges are to be filed with 
the Division office handling the matter.
    (e) Filing by fax with the Agency. Only unfair labor practice 
charges, petitions in representation proceedings, objections to 
elections, and requests for extensions of time for filing documents 
will be accepted by the Agency if faxed to the appropriate office. 
Other documents may not be faxed. At the discretion of the receiving 
office, the person submitting a document by fax may be required 
simultaneously to file the original with the office by overnight 
delivery service. When filing a charge, a petition in a representation 
proceeding, or election objections by fax pursuant to this section, 
receipt of the faxed document by the Agency constitutes filing with the 
Agency. A failure to timely file or serve a document will not be 
excused on the basis of a claim that facsimile transmission could not 
be accomplished because the receiving machine was off-line or busy or 
unavailable for any other reason.
    (f) Service. Unless otherwise specified, documents filed with the 
Agency must be simultaneously served on the other parties to the case 
including, as appropriate, the Regional Office in charge of the case. 
Service of documents by a party on other parties may be made 
personally, or by registered mail, certified mail, regular mail, email 
(unless otherwise provided for by these Rules), private delivery 
service, or by fax for documents of or under 25 pages in length. 
Service of documents by a party on other parties by any other means, 
including by fax for documents over 25 pages in length, is permitted 
only with the consent of the party being served. When a party does not 
have the ability to receive service by email or fax, or chooses not to 
accept service of a document longer than 25 pages by fax, the other 
party must be notified personally or by telephone of the substance of 
the filed document and a copy of the document must be served by 
personal service no later than the next day, by overnight delivery 
service, or by fax or email as appropriate. Unless otherwise specified 
elsewhere in these Rules, service on all parties must be made in the 
same manner as that used in filing the document with the Board, or in a 
more expeditious manner. When filing with the Board is done by hand, 
however, the other parties must be immediately notified of such action, 
followed by service of a copy in a manner designed to insure receipt by 
them by the close of the next business day. The provisions of this 
section apply to the General Counsel after a complaint has issued, just 
as they do to any other party, except to the extent that the provisions 
of Sec.  102.4(a) provide otherwise.
    (g) Proof of service. When service is made by registered or 
certified mail, the return post office receipt will be proof of 
service. When service is made by a private delivery service, the 
receipt from that service showing delivery will be proof of service. 
However, these methods of proof of service are not exclusive; any 
sufficient proof may be relied upon to establish service.
    (h) Statement of service. The person or party filing a document 
with the Agency must simultaneously file a statement of service. Such 
statement must include the names of the parties served, the date and 
manner of service, and the location of service such as mailing address, 
fax number, or email address as appropriate. The Agency requires proof 
of service as defined in paragraph (g) of this section only if, 
subsequent to the receipt of the statement of service, a question is 
raised with respect to proper service. Failure to make proof of service 
does not affect the validity of the service.
    (i) Failure to properly serve. Failure to comply with the 
requirements of this section relating to timeliness of service on other 
parties will be a basis for either:
    (1) Rejecting the document; or
    (2) Withholding or reconsidering any ruling on the subject matter 
raised by the document until after service has

[[Page 11754]]

been made and the served party has had reasonable opportunity to 
respond.


Sec.  102.6  Notice to the Administrative Law Judge or Board of 
supplemental authority.

    Pertinent and significant authorities that come to a party's 
attention after the party's submission to the Administrative Law Judge 
or the Board has been filed may be brought to the Judge's or the 
Board's attention by the party promptly filing a letter with the judge 
or the Board and simultaneously serving all other parties. The body of 
the letter may not exceed 350 words. A party may file and serve on all 
other parties a response that is similarly limited. In unfair labor 
practice cases, the response must be filed no later than 14 days after 
service of the letter. In representation cases, the response must be 
filed no later than 7 days after service of the letter. No extension of 
time will be granted to file the response.


Sec.  102.7  Signature on documents E-Filed with the Agency.

    Documents filed with the Agency by E-Filing may contain an 
electronic signature of the filer which will have the same legal 
effect, validity, and enforceability as if signed manually. The term 
``electronic signature'' means an electronic sound, symbol, or process, 
attached to or logically associated with a contract or other record and 
executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the document.


Sec.  102.8  [Reserved]

Subpart I--[Removed]

0
4. Remove subpart I.

Subparts C Through H--[Redesignated Subparts D Through I]

0
5. Redesignate subparts C through H as subparts D through I.

0
6. Add new subpart C to read as follows:
Subpart C--Procedure Under Section 10(A) to (I) of the Act for the 
Prevention of Unfair Labor Practices
Sec.
102.9 Who may file; withdrawal and dismissal.
102.10 Where to file.
102.11 Signature; sworn; declaration.
102.12 Contents.
102.13 [Reserved]
102.14 Service of charge.
102.15 When and by whom issued; contents; service.
102.16 Hearing; change of date or place.
102.17 Amendment.
102.18 Withdrawal.
102.19 Appeal to the General Counsel from refusal to issue or 
reissue.
102.20 Answer to complaint; time for filing; contents; allegations 
not denied deemed admitted.
102.21 Where to file; service upon the parties; form.
102.22 Extension of time for filing.
102.23 Amendment.
102.24 Motions; where to file; contents; service on other parties; 
promptness in filing and response; default judgment procedures; 
summary judgment procedures.
102.25 Ruling on motions.
102.26 Motions; rulings and orders part of the record; rulings not 
to be appealed directly to the Board without special permission; 
requests for special permission to appeal.
102.27 Review of granting of motion to dismiss entire complaint; 
reopening of the record.
102.28 Filing of answer or other participation in proceedings not a 
waiver of rights.
102.29 Intervention; requisites; rulings on motions to intervene.
102.30 Depositions; examination of witnesses.
102.31 Issuance of subpoenas; petitions to revoke subpoenas; rulings 
on claim of privilege against self-incrimination; subpoena 
enforcement proceedings; right to inspect or copy data.
102.32 Payment of witness fees and mileage; fees of persons taking 
depositions.
102.33 Transfer of charge and proceeding from Region to Region; 
consolidation of proceedings in same Region; severance.
102.34 Who will conduct hearing; public unless otherwise ordered.
102.35 Duties and powers of Administrative Law Judges; stipulations 
of cases to Administrative Law Judges or to the Board; assignment 
and powers of settlement judges.
102.36 Disqualification and unavailability of Administrative Law 
Judges.
102.37 [Reserved]
102.38 Rights of parties.
102.39 Rules of evidence controlling so far as practicable.
102.40 Stipulations of fact admissible.
102.41 Objection to conduct of hearing; how made; objections not 
waived by further participation.
102.42 Filings of briefs and proposed findings with the 
Administrative Law Judge and oral argument at the hearing.
102.43 Continuance and adjournment.
102.44 [Reserved]
102.45 Administrative Law Judge's decision; contents of record; 
alternative dispute resolution program.
102.46 Exceptions and brief in support; answering briefs to 
exceptions; cross-exceptions and brief in support; answering briefs 
to cross-exceptions; reply briefs; failure to except; oral argument; 
filing requirements.
102.47 Filing of motion after transfer of case to Board.
102.48 No exceptions filed; exceptions filed; motions for 
reconsideration, rehearing, or reopening the record.
102.49 Modification or setting aside of Board order before record 
filed in court; action thereafter.
102.50 Hearings before the Board or a Board Member.
102.51 Settlement or adjustment of issues.
102.52 Compliance with Board order; notification of compliance 
determination.
102.53 Appeal of compliance determination to the General Counsel; 
General Counsel's action; request for review by the Board; Board 
action; opposition to appeal or request for review.
102.54 Issuance of compliance specification; consolidation of 
complaint and compliance specification.
102.55 Contents of compliance specification.
102.56 Answer to compliance specification.
102.57 Extension of date of hearing.
102.58 Withdrawal of compliance specification.
102.59 Hearing and posthearing procedures.

Subpart C--Procedure Under Section 10(A) to (I) of the Act for the 
Prevention of Unfair Labor Practices


Sec.  102.9  Who may file; withdrawal and dismissal.

    Any person may file a charge alleging that any person has engaged 
in or is engaging in any unfair labor practice affecting commerce. The 
charge may be withdrawn, prior to the hearing, only with the consent of 
the Regional Director with whom such charge was filed; at the hearing 
and until the case has been transferred to the Board pursuant to Sec.  
102.45, upon motion, with the consent of the Administrative Law Judge 
designated to conduct the hearing; and after the case has been 
transferred to the Board pursuant to Sec.  102.45, upon motion, with 
the consent of the Board. Upon withdrawal of any charge, any complaint 
based thereon will be dismissed by the Regional Director issuing the 
complaint, the Administrative Law Judge designated to conduct the 
hearing, or the Board.


Sec.  102.10  Where to file.

    Except as provided in Sec.  102.33, a charge must be filed with the 
Regional Director for the Region in which the alleged unfair labor 
practice has occurred or is occurring. A charge alleging that an unfair 
labor practice has occurred or is occurring in two or more Regions may 
be filed with the Regional Director for any of those Regions.


Sec.  102.11  Signature; sworn; declaration.

    Charges must be in writing and signed, and either must be sworn to 
before a notary public, Board agent, or other person duly authorized by 
law to administer oaths and take acknowledgments or must contain a 
declaration by the person signing it,

[[Page 11755]]

under the penalty of perjury that its contents are true and correct 
(see 28 U.S.C. 1746).


Sec.  102.12  Contents.

    (a) A charge must contain the following:
    (1) The full name and address of the person making the charge.
    (2) If the charge is filed by a labor organization, the full name 
and address of any national or international labor organization of 
which it is an affiliate or constituent unit.
    (3) The full name and address of the person against whom the charge 
is made (referred to as the Charged Party).
    (4) A brief statement of the conduct constituting the alleged 
unfair labor practices affecting commerce.
    (b) Attachments to charges are not permitted.


Sec.  102.13  [Reserved]


Sec.  102.14  Service of charge.

    (a) Charging Party's obligation to serve; methods of service. Upon 
the filing of a charge, the Charging Party is responsible for the 
timely and proper service of a copy upon the person against whom such 
charge is made. Service may be made personally, or by registered mail, 
certified mail, regular mail, private delivery service, or facsimile. 
With the permission of the person receiving the charge, service may be 
made by email or by any other agreed-upon method.
    (b) Service as courtesy by Regional Director. The Regional Director 
will, as a matter of courtesy, serve a copy of the charge on the 
charged party in person, or send it to the charged party by regular 
mail, private delivery service, email or facsimile transmission, in any 
manner provided for in Rules 4 or 5 of the Federal Rules of Civil 
Procedure, or in any other agreed-upon method. The Region will not be 
responsible for such service.
    (c) Date of service of charge. In the case of service of a charge 
by mail or private delivery service, the date of service is the date of 
deposit with the post office or other carrier. In the case of delivery 
by email, the date of service is the date the email is sent. In the 
case of service by other methods, including hand delivery or facsimile 
transmission, the date of service is the date of receipt.


Sec.  102.15  When and by whom issued; contents; service.

    After a charge has been filed, if it appears to the Regional 
Director that formal proceedings may be instituted, the Director will 
issue and serve on all parties a formal complaint in the Board's name 
stating the alleged unfair labor practices and containing a Notice of 
Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge at a fixed place and at a 
time not less than 14 days after the service of the complaint. The 
complaint will contain:
    (a) A clear and concise statement of the facts upon which the Board 
asserts jurisdiction, and
    (b) A clear and concise description of the acts which are claimed 
to constitute unfair labor practices, including, where known, the 
approximate dates and places of such acts and the names of Respondent's 
agents or other representatives who committed the acts.


Sec.  102.16  Hearing; change of date or place.

    (a) Upon the Regional Director's own motion or upon proper cause 
shown by any other party, the Regional Director issuing the complaint 
may extend the hearing date or change the hearing place, except that 
the Regional Director's authority to extend the hearing date is limited 
to the following circumstances:
    (1) Where all parties agree or no party objects to extension of the 
hearing date;
    (2) Where a new charge or charges have been filed which, if 
meritorious, might be appropriate for consolidation with the pending 
complaint;
    (3) Where negotiations which could lead to settlement of all or a 
portion of the complaint are in progress;
    (4) Where issues related to the complaint are pending before the 
General Counsel's Division of Advice or Office of Appeals; or
    (5) Where more than 21 days remain before the scheduled hearing 
date.
    (b) In circumstances other than those set forth in paragraph (a) of 
this section, motions to reschedule the hearing may be filed with the 
Division of Judges in accordance with Sec.  102.24(a). When a motion to 
reschedule has been granted, the Regional Director issuing the 
complaint retains the authority to order a new hearing date and the 
responsibility to make the necessary arrangements for conducting the 
hearing, including its location and the transcription of the 
proceedings.


Sec.  102.17  Amendment.

    A complaint may be amended upon such terms as may be deemed just, 
prior to the hearing, by the Regional Director issuing the complaint; 
at the hearing and until the case has been transferred to the Board 
pursuant to Sec.  102.45, upon motion, by the Administrative Law Judge 
designated to conduct the hearing; and after the case has been 
transferred to the Board pursuant to Sec.  102.45, at any time prior to 
the issuance of an order based thereon, upon motion, by the Board.


Sec.  102.18  Withdrawal.

    A complaint may be withdrawn before the hearing by the Regional 
Director on the Director's own motion.


Sec.  102.19  Appeal to the General Counsel from refusal to issue or 
reissue.

    (a) If, after the charge has been filed, the Regional Director 
declines to issue a complaint or, having withdrawn a complaint pursuant 
to Sec.  102.18, refuses to reissue it, the Director will so advise the 
parties in writing, accompanied by a simple statement of the procedural 
or other grounds for that action. The Charging Party may obtain a 
review of such action by filing the ``Appeal Form'' with the General 
Counsel in Washington, DC, and filing a copy of the ``Appeal Form'' 
with the Regional Director, within 14 days from the service of the 
notice of such refusal to issue or reissue by the Regional Director, 
except where a shorter period is provided by Sec.  102.81. The Charging 
Party may also file a statement setting forth the facts and reasons 
upon which the appeal is based. If such a statement is timely filed, 
the separate ``Appeal Form'' need not be served. A request for 
extension of time to file an appeal must be in writing and be received 
by the General Counsel, and a copy of such request filed with the 
Regional Director, prior to the expiration of the filing period. Copies 
of the acknowledgment of the filing of an appeal and of any ruling on a 
request for an extension of time for filing of the appeal must be 
served on all parties. Consideration of an appeal untimely filed is 
within the discretion of the General Counsel upon good cause shown.
    (b) Oral presentation in Washington, DC, of the appeal issues may 
be permitted by a party on written request made within 4 days after 
service of acknowledgement of the filing of an appeal. In the event 
such request is granted, the other parties must be notified and 
afforded, without additional request, a like opportunity at another 
appropriate time.
    (c) The General Counsel may sustain the Regional Director's refusal 
to issue or reissue a complaint, stating the grounds of the affirmance, 
or may direct the Regional Director to take further action; the General 
Counsel's decision must be served on all the parties. A motion for 
reconsideration of the decision must be filed within 14 days of service 
of the decision, except as hereinafter provided, and must state with 
particularity the error requiring reconsideration. A motion for

[[Page 11756]]

reconsideration based upon newly discovered evidence which has become 
available only since the decision on appeal must be filed promptly on 
discovery of such evidence. Motions for reconsideration of a decision 
previously reconsidered will not be entertained, except in unusual 
situations where the moving party can establish that new evidence has 
been discovered which could not have been discovered by diligent 
inquiry prior to the first reconsideration.


Sec.  102.20  Answer to complaint; time for filing; contents; 
allegations not denied deemed admitted.

    The Respondent must, within 14 days from the service of the 
complaint, file an answer. The Respondent must specifically admit, 
deny, or explain each of the facts alleged in the complaint, unless the 
Respondent is without knowledge, in which case the Respondent must so 
state, such statement operating as a denial. All allegations in the 
complaint, if no answer is filed, or any allegation in the complaint 
not specifically denied or explained in an answer filed, unless the 
Respondent states in the answer that the Respondent is without 
knowledge, will be deemed to be admitted to be true and will be so 
found by the Board, unless good cause to the contrary is shown.


Sec.  102.21  Where to file; service upon the parties; form.

    An original and four copies of the answer shall be filed with the 
Regional Director issuing the complaint. Immediately upon the filing of 
his answer, respondent shall serve a copy thereof on the other parties. 
An answer of a party represented by counsel or non-attorney 
representative shall be signed by at least one such attorney or non-
attorney representative of record in his/her individual name, whose 
address shall be stated. A party who is not represented by an attorney 
or non-attorney representative shall sign his/her answer and state his/
her address. Except when otherwise specifically provided by rule or 
statute, an answer need not be verified or accompanied by affidavit. 
The signature of the attorney or non-attorney party representative 
constitutes a certificate by him/her that he/she has read the answer; 
that to the best of his/her knowledge, information, and belief there is 
good ground to support it; and that it is not interposed for delay. If 
an answer is not signed or is signed with intent to defeat the purpose 
of this section, it may be stricken as sham and false and the action 
may proceed as though the answer had not been served. For a willful 
violation of this section an attorney or non-attorney party 
representative may be subjected to appropriate disciplinary action. 
Similar action may be taken if scandalous or indecent matter is 
inserted.


Sec.  102.22  Extension of time for filing.

    Upon the Regional Director's own motion or upon proper cause shown 
by any other party, the Regional Director issuing the complaint may by 
written order extend the time within which the answer must be filed.


Sec.  102.23  Amendment.

    The Respondent may amend its answer at any time prior to the 
hearing. During the hearing or subsequently, the Respondent may amend 
the answer in any case where the complaint has been amended, within 
such period as may be fixed by the Administrative Law Judge or the 
Board. Whether or not the complaint has been amended, the answer may, 
in the discretion of the Administrative Law Judge or the Board, upon 
motion, be amended upon such terms and within such periods as may be 
fixed by the Administrative Law Judge or the Board.


Sec.  102.24  Motions; where to file; contents; service on other 
parties; promptness in filing and response; default judgment 
procedures; summary judgment procedures.

    (a) All motions under Sec. Sec.  102.22 and 102.29 made prior to 
the hearing must be filed in writing with the Regional Director issuing 
the complaint. All motions for default judgment, summary judgment, or 
dismissal made prior to the hearing must be filed in writing with the 
Board pursuant to the provisions of Sec.  102.50. All other motions 
made prior to the hearing, including motions to reschedule the hearing 
under circumstances other than those set forth in Sec.  102.16(a), must 
be filed in writing with the Chief Administrative Law Judge in 
Washington, DC, with the Associate Chief Judge in San Francisco, 
California, or with the Associate Chief Judge in New York, New York, as 
the case may be. All motions made at the hearing must be made in 
writing to the Administrative Law Judge or stated orally on the record. 
All motions filed subsequent to the hearing, but before the transfer of 
the case to the Board pursuant to Sec.  102.45, must be filed with the 
Administrative Law Judge, care of the Chief Administrative Law Judge in 
Washington, DC, the Associate Chief Judge in San Francisco, or the 
Associate Chief Judge in New York, as the case may be. Motions must 
briefly state the order or relief applied for and the grounds therefor. 
All motions filed with a Regional Director or an Administrative Law 
Judge as set forth in this paragraph (a) must be filed together with an 
affidavit of service on the parties. All motions filed with the Board, 
including motions for default judgment, summary judgment, or dismissal, 
must be filed with the Executive Secretary of the Board in Washington, 
DC, together with an affidavit of service on the parties. Unless 
otherwise provided in these Rules, motions, oppositions, and replies 
must be filed promptly and within such time as not to delay the 
proceeding.
    (b) All motions for summary judgment or dismissal must be filed 
with the Board no later than 28 days prior to the scheduled hearing. 
Where no hearing is scheduled, or where the hearing is scheduled less 
than 28 days after the date for filing an answer to the complaint or 
compliance specification, whichever is applicable, the motion must be 
filed promptly. Upon receipt of the motion, the Board may deny the 
motion or issue a Notice to Show Cause why the motion may not be 
granted. If a Notice to Show Cause is issued, the hearing, if 
scheduled, will normally be postponed indefinitely. If a party desires 
to file an opposition to the motion prior to issuance of the Notice to 
Show Cause to prevent postponement of the hearing, it may do so. 
However, any such opposition must be filed no later than 21 days prior 
to the hearing. If a Notice to Show Cause is issued, an opposing party 
may file a response notwithstanding any opposition it may have filed 
prior to issuance of the notice. The time for filing the response must 
be fixed in the Notice to Show Cause. Neither the opposition nor the 
response must be supported by affidavits or other documentary evidence 
showing that there is a genuine issue for hearing. The Board in its 
discretion may deny the motion where the motion itself fails to 
establish the absence of a genuine issue, or where the opposing party's 
pleadings, opposition and/or response indicate on their face that a 
genuine issue may exist. If the opposing party files no opposition or 
response, the Board may treat the motion as conceded, and default 
judgment, summary judgment, or dismissal, if appropriate, will be 
entered.
    (c) A party that has filed a motion may file a reply to an 
opposition to its motion within 7 days of receipt of the opposition, 
but in the interest of administrative finality, further responses are 
not permitted except where there are special circumstances warranting 
leave to file such a response.

[[Page 11757]]

Sec.  102.25  Ruling on motions.

    An Administrative Law Judge designated by the Chief Administrative 
Law Judge, the Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge, or an Associate 
Chief Administrative Law Judge as the case may be, will rule on all 
prehearing motions (except as provided in Sec. Sec.  102.16, 102.22, 
102.29, and 102.50), and all such rulings and orders will be issued in 
writing and a copy served on each of the parties. The Administrative 
Law Judge designated to conduct the hearing will rule on all motions 
after opening of the hearing (except as provided in Sec.  102.47), and 
any related orders, if announced at the hearing, will be stated orally 
on the record; in all other cases, the Administrative Law Judge will 
issue such rulings and orders in writing and must cause a copy to be 
served on each of the parties, or will make the ruling in the decision. 
Whenever the Administrative Law Judge has reserved ruling on any 
motion, and the proceeding is thereafter transferred to and continued 
before the Board pursuant to Sec.  102.50, the Board must rule on such 
motion.


Sec.  102.26  Motions; rulings and orders part of the record; rulings 
not to be appealed directly to the Board without special permission; 
requests for special permission to appeal.

    All motions, rulings, and orders will become a part of the record, 
except that rulings on motions to revoke subpoenas will become a part 
of the record only upon the request of the party aggrieved thereby as 
provided in Sec.  102.31. Unless expressly authorized by the Rules and 
Regulations, rulings by the Regional Director or by the Administrative 
Law Judge on motions and/or by the Administrative Law Judge on 
objections, and related orders, may not be appealed directly to the 
Board except by special permission of the Board, but will be considered 
by the Board in reviewing the record if exception to the ruling or 
order is included in the statement of exceptions filed with the Board 
pursuant to Sec.  102.46. Requests to the Board for special permission 
to appeal from a ruling of the Regional Director or of the 
Administrative Law Judge, together with the appeal from such ruling, 
must be filed in writing promptly and within such time as not to delay 
the proceeding, and must briefly state the reasons special permission 
may be granted and the grounds relied on for the appeal. The moving 
party must simultaneously serve a copy of the request for special 
permission and of the appeal on the other parties and, if the request 
involves a ruling by an Administrative Law Judge, on the Administrative 
Law Judge. Any statement in opposition or other response to the request 
and/or to the appeal must be filed within 7 days of receipt of the 
appeal, in writing, and must be served simultaneously on the other 
parties and on the Administrative Law Judge, if any. If the Board 
grants the request for special permission to appeal, it may proceed 
immediately to rule on the appeal.


Sec.  102.27  Review of granting of motion to dismiss entire complaint; 
reopening of the record.

    If any motion in the nature of a motion to dismiss the complaint in 
its entirety is granted by the Administrative Law Judge before the 
filing of the Judge's decision, any party may obtain a review of such 
action by filing a request with the Board in Washington, DC, stating 
the grounds for review, and, immediately on such filing must serve a 
copy on the Regional Director and on the other parties. Unless such 
request for review is filed within 28 days from the date of the order 
of dismissal, the case will be closed.


Sec.  102.28  Filing of answer or other participation in proceedings 
not a waiver of rights.

    The right to make motions or to make objections to rulings upon 
motions will not be deemed waived by the filing of an answer or by 
other participation in the proceedings before the Administrative Law 
Judge or the Board.


Sec.  102.29  Intervention; requisites; rulings on motions to 
intervene.

    Any person desiring to intervene in any proceeding must file a 
motion in writing or, if made at the hearing, may move orally on the 
record, stating the grounds upon which such person claims an interest. 
Prior to the hearing, such a motion must be filed with the Regional 
Director issuing the complaint; during the hearing, such motion must be 
made to the Administrative Law Judge. Immediately upon filing a written 
motion, the moving party must serve a copy on the other parties. The 
Regional Director will rule upon all such motions filed prior to the 
hearing, and will serve a copy of the rulings on the other parties, or 
may refer the motion to the Administrative Law Judge for ruling. The 
Administrative Law Judge will rule upon all such motions made at the 
hearing or referred to the Judge by the Regional Director, in the 
manner set forth in Sec.  102.25. The Regional Director or the 
Administrative Law Judge, as the case may be, may, by order, permit 
intervention in person, or by counsel or other representative, to such 
extent and upon such terms as may be deemed proper.


Sec.  102.30  Depositions; examination of witnesses.

    Witnesses must be examined orally under oath at a hearing, except 
that for good cause shown after the issuance of a complaint, testimony 
may be taken by deposition.
    (a) Applications to take depositions must be in writing and set 
forth the reasons why the depositions may be taken, the name, mailing 
address and email address (if available) of the witness, the matters 
concerning which it is expected the witness will testify, and the time 
and place proposed for taking the deposition, together with the name 
and mailing and email addresses of the person before whom it is desired 
that the deposition be taken (for the purposes of this section 
hereinafter referred to as the ``officer''). Such application must be 
made to the Regional Director prior to the hearing, and to the 
Administrative Law Judge during and subsequent to the hearing but 
before transfer of the case to the Board pursuant to Sec.  102.45 or 
Sec.  102.50. Such application must be served on the Regional Director 
or the Administrative Law Judge, as the case may be, and on all other 
parties, not less than 7 days (when the deposition is to be taken 
within the continental United States) and 15 days (if the deposition is 
to be taken elsewhere) prior to the time when it is desired that the 
deposition be taken. The Regional Director or the Administrative Law 
Judge, as the case may be, will upon receipt of the application, if in 
the Regional Director's or Administrative Law Judge's discretion, good 
cause has been shown, make and serve on the parties an order specifying 
the name of the witness whose deposition is to be taken and the time, 
place, and designation of the officer before whom the witness is to 
testify, who may or may not be the same officer as that specified in 
the application. Such order will be served on all the other parties by 
the Regional Director or on all parties by the Administrative Law 
Judge.
    (b) The deposition may be taken before any officer authorized to 
administer oaths by the laws of the United States or of the place where 
the examination is held, including any Board agent authorized to 
administer oaths. If the examination is held in a foreign country, it 
may be taken before any secretary of embassy or legation, consul 
general, consul, vice consul, or consular agent of the United States.
    (c) At the time and place specified in the order, the officer 
designated to take

[[Page 11758]]

the deposition will permit the witness to be examined and cross-
examined under oath by all the parties appearing, and the witness's 
testimony will be reduced to type-writing by the officer or under his 
direction. All objections to questions or evidence will be deemed 
waived unless made at the examination. The officer will not have power 
to rule upon any objections but the objections will be noted in the 
deposition. The testimony must be subscribed by the witness to the 
satisfaction of the officer who will attach a certificate stating that 
the witness was duly sworn by the officer, that the deposition is a 
true record of the testimony and exhibits given by the witness, and 
that the officer is not of counsel or attorney to any of the parties 
nor interested in the event of the proceeding or investigation. If the 
deposition is not signed by the witness because the witness is ill, 
dead, cannot be found, or refuses to sign it, such fact will be 
included in the certificate of the officer and the deposition may then 
be used as fully as though signed. The officer will immediately deliver 
the transcript, together with the certificate, in person, by registered 
or certified mail, or by E-File to the Regional Director or Division of 
Judges' office handling the matter.
    (d) The Administrative Law Judge will rule upon the admissibility 
of the deposition or any part of the deposition.
    (e) All errors or irregularities in compliance with the provisions 
of this section will be deemed waived unless a motion to suppress the 
deposition or some part thereof is made with reasonable promptness 
after such defect is or, with due diligence, might have been 
ascertained.
    (f) If the parties so stipulate in writing, depositions may be 
taken before any person at any time or place, upon any notice and in 
any manner, and when so taken may be used like other depositions.


Sec.  102.31   Issuance of subpoenas; petitions to revoke subpoenas; 
rulings on claim of privilege against self-incrimination; subpoena 
enforcement proceedings; right to inspect or copy data.

    (a) The Board or any Board Member will, on the written application 
of any party, issue subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of 
witnesses and the production of any evidence, including books, records, 
correspondence, electronic data, or documents, in their possession or 
under their control. The Executive Secretary has the authority to sign 
and issue any such subpoenas on behalf of the Board or any Board 
Member. Applications for subpoenas, if filed before the hearing opens, 
must be filed with the Regional Director. Applications for subpoenas 
filed during the hearing must be filed with the Administrative Law 
Judge. Either the Regional Director or the Administrative Law Judge, as 
the case may be, will grant the application on behalf of the Board or 
any Member. Applications for subpoenas may be made ex parte. The 
subpoena must show on its face the name and address of the party at 
whose request the subpoena was issued.
    (b) Any person served with a subpoena, whether ad testificandum or 
duces tecum, if that person does not intend to comply with the 
subpoena, must, within 5 business days after the date of service of the 
subpoena, petition in writing to revoke the subpoena. The date of 
service for purposes of computing the time for filing a petition to 
revoke is the date the subpoena is received. All petitions to revoke 
subpoenas must be served on the party at whose request the subpoena was 
issued. A petition to revoke, if made prior to the hearing, must be 
filed with the Regional Director and the Regional Director will refer 
the petition to the Administrative Law Judge or the Board for ruling. 
Petitions to revoke subpoenas filed during the hearing must be filed 
with the Administrative Law Judge. Petitions to revoke subpoenas filed 
in response to a subpoena issued upon request of the Agency's Contempt, 
Compliance, and Special Litigation Branch must be filed with that 
Branch, which will refer the petition to the Board for ruling. Notice 
of the filing of petitions to revoke will be promptly given by the 
Regional Director, the Administrative Law Judge, or the Contempt, 
Compliance and Special Litigation Branch, as the case may be, to the 
party at whose request the subpoena was issued. The Administrative Law 
Judge or the Board, as the case may be, will revoke the subpoena if in 
their opinion the evidence whose production is required does not relate 
to any matter under investigation or in question in the proceedings or 
the subpoena does not describe with sufficient particularity the 
evidence whose production is required, or if for any other reason 
sufficient in law the subpoena is otherwise invalid. The Administrative 
Law Judge or the Board, as the case may be, will make a simple 
statement of procedural or other grounds for the ruling on the petition 
to revoke. The petition to revoke any opposition to the petition, 
response to the opposition, and ruling on the petition will not become 
part of the official record except upon the request of the party 
aggrieved by the ruling, at an appropriate time in a formal proceeding 
rather than at the investigative stage of the proceeding.
    (c) Upon refusal of a witness to testify, the Board may, with the 
approval of the Attorney General of the United States, issue an order 
requiring any individual to give testimony or provide other information 
at any proceeding before the Board if, in the judgment of the Board:
    (1) The testimony or other information from such individual may be 
necessary to the public interest; and
    (2) Such individual has refused or is likely to refuse to testify 
or provide other information on the basis of the privilege against 
self-incrimination. Requests for the issuance of such an order by the 
Board may be made by any party. Prior to hearing, and after transfer of 
the proceeding to the Board, such requests must be made to the Board in 
Washington, DC, and the Board will take such action thereon as it deems 
appropriate. During the hearing, and thereafter while the proceeding is 
pending before the Administrative Law Judge, such requests must be made 
to the Administrative Law Judge. If the Administrative Law Judge denies 
the request, the ruling will be subject to appeal to the Board, in 
Washington, DC, in the manner and to the extent provided in Sec.  
102.26 with respect to rulings and orders by an Administrative Law 
Judge, except that requests for permission to appeal in this instance 
must be filed within 24 hours of the Administrative Law Judge's ruling. 
If no appeal is sought within such time, or if the appeal is denied, 
the ruling of the Administrative Law Judge becomes final and the denial 
becomes the ruling of the Board. If the Administrative Law Judge deems 
the request appropriate, the Judge will recommend that the Board seek 
the approval of the Attorney General for the issuance of the order, and 
the Board will take such action on the Administrative Law Judge's 
recommendation as it deems appropriate. Until the Board has issued the 
requested order, no individual who claims the privilege against self-
incrimination will be required or permitted to testify or to give other 
information respecting the subject matter of the claim.
    (d) Upon the failure of any person to comply with a subpoena issued 
upon the request of a private party, the General Counsel will, in the 
name of the Board but on relation of such private party, institute 
enforcement proceedings in the appropriate district court, unless in 
the judgment of the Board the enforcement of the subpoena would be 
inconsistent with law and with the

[[Page 11759]]

policies of the Act. Neither the General Counsel nor the Board will be 
deemed thereby to have assumed responsibility for the effective 
prosecution of the same before the court.
    (e) Persons compelled to submit data or evidence at a public 
proceeding are entitled to retain or, on payment of lawfully prescribed 
costs, to procure copies or transcripts of the data or evidence 
submitted by them. Persons compelled to submit data or evidence in the 
nonpublic investigative stages of proceedings may, for good cause, be 
limited by the Regional Director to inspection of the official 
transcript of their testimony, but must be entitled to make copies of 
documentary evidence or exhibits which they have produced.


Sec.  102.32   Payment of witness fees and mileage; fees of persons 
taking depositions.

    Witnesses summoned before the Administrative Law Judge must be paid 
the same fees and mileage that are paid witnesses in the courts of the 
United States, and witnesses whose depositions are taken and the 
officer taking them are severally entitled to the same fees as are paid 
for like services in the courts of the United States. Witness fees and 
mileage will be paid by the party at whose instance the witnesses 
appear, and the persons taking the deposition will be paid by the party 
at whose instance the deposition is taken.


Sec.  102.33  Transfer of charge and proceeding from Region to Region; 
consolidation of proceedings in same Region; severance.

    (a) Whenever the General Counsel deems it necessary to effectuate 
the purposes of the Act or to avoid unnecessary costs or delay, a 
charge may be filed with the General Counsel in Washington, DC, or, at 
any time after a charge has been filed with a Regional Director, the 
General Counsel may order that such charge and any proceeding regarding 
the charge be:
    (1) Transferred to and continued before the General Counsel for 
investigation or consolidation with any other proceeding which may have 
been instituted in a Regional Office or with the General Counsel; or
    (2) Consolidated with any other proceeding which may have been 
instituted in the same region; or
    (3) Transferred to and continued in any other Region for the 
purpose of investigation or consolidation with any proceeding which may 
have been instituted in or transferred to such other region; or
    (4) Severed from any other proceeding with which it may have been 
consolidated pursuant to this section.
    (b) The provisions of Sec. Sec.  102.9 through 102.32 will, insofar 
as applicable, govern proceedings before the General Counsel, pursuant 
to this section, and the powers granted to Regional Directors in such 
provisions will, for the purpose of this section, be reserved to and 
exercised by the General Counsel. After the transfer of any charge and 
any proceeding which may have been instituted with respect thereto from 
one Region to another pursuant to this section, the provisions of this 
subpart will, insofar as possible, govern such charge and such 
proceeding as if the charge had originally been filed in the Region to 
which the transfer is made.
    (c) The Regional Director may, prior to hearing, exercise the 
powers in paragraphs (a)(2) and (4) of this section with respect to 
proceedings pending in the Director's Region.
    (d) Motions to consolidate or sever proceedings after issuance of 
complaint must be filed as provided in Sec.  102.24 and ruled upon as 
provided in Sec.  102.25, except that the Regional Director may 
consolidate or sever proceedings prior to hearing upon the Director's 
own motion. Rulings by the Administrative Law Judge upon motions to 
consolidate or sever may be appealed to the Board as provided in Sec.  
102.26.


Sec.  102.34   Who will conduct hearing; public unless otherwise 
ordered.

    The hearing for the purpose of taking evidence upon a complaint 
will be conducted by an Administrative Law Judge designated by the 
Chief Administrative Law Judge, Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge, 
or any Associate Chief Judge, as the case may be, unless the Board or 
any Board Member presides. At any time, an Administrative Law Judge may 
be designated to take the place of the Administrative Law Judge 
previously designated to conduct the hearing. Hearings will be public 
unless otherwise ordered by the Board or the Administrative Law Judge.


Sec.  102.35  Duties and powers of Administrative Law Judges; 
stipulations of cases to Administrative Law Judges or to the Board; 
assignment and powers of settlement judges.

    (a) The Administrative Law Judge will inquire fully into the facts 
as to whether the Respondent has engaged in or is engaging in an unfair 
labor practice affecting commerce as set forth in the complaint or 
amended complaint. The Administrative Law Judge has authority, with 
respect to cases assigned to the Judge, between the time the Judge is 
designated and transfer of the case to the Board, subject to the Rules 
and Regulations of the Board and within its powers, to:
    (1) Administer oaths and affirmations.
    (2) Grant applications for subpoenas.
    (3) Rule upon petitions to revoke subpoenas.
    (4) Rule upon offers of proof and receive relevant evidence.
    (5) Take or cause depositions to be taken whenever the ends of 
justice would be served.
    (6) Regulate the course of the hearing and, if appropriate or 
necessary, to exclude persons or counsel from the hearing for 
contemptuous conduct and to strike all related testimony of witnesses 
refusing to answer any proper question.
    (7) Hold conferences for the settlement or simplification of the 
issues by consent of the parties, but not to adjust cases.
    (8) Dispose of procedural requests, motions, or similar matters, 
including motions referred to the Administrative Law Judge by the 
Regional Director and motions for default judgment, summary judgment, 
or to amend pleadings; also to dismiss complaints or portions thereof; 
to order hearings reopened; and, upon motion, to order proceedings 
consolidated or severed prior to issuance of Administrative Law Judge 
decisions.
    (9) Approve stipulations, including stipulations of facts that 
waive a hearing and provide for a decision by the Administrative Law 
Judge. Alternatively, the parties may agree to waive a hearing and 
decision by an Administrative Law Judge and submit directly to the 
Executive Secretary a stipulation of facts, which, if approved, 
provides for a decision by the Board. A statement of the issues 
presented may be set forth in the stipulation of facts, and each party 
may also submit a short statement (no more than three pages) of its 
position on the issues. If the Administrative Law Judge (or the Board) 
approves the stipulation, the Judge (or the Board) will set a time for 
the filing of briefs. In proceedings before an Administrative Law 
Judge, no further briefs may be filed except by special leave of the 
Judge. In proceedings before the Board, answering briefs may be filed 
within 14 days, or such further period as the Board may allow, from the 
last date on which an initial brief may be filed. No further briefs may 
be filed except by special leave of the Board. At the conclusion of the 
briefing schedule, the Administrative Law Judge (or the Board) will 
decide the case or otherwise dispose of it.
    (10) Make and file decisions, including bench decisions delivered 
within 72 hours after conclusion of oral

[[Page 11760]]

argument, in conformity with Public Law 89-554, 5 U.S.C. 557.
    (11) Call, examine, and cross-examine witnesses and to introduce 
into the record documentary or other evidence.
    (12) Request the parties at any time during the hearing to state 
their respective positions concerning any issue in the case and/or 
supporting theory(ies).
    (13) Take any other necessary action authorized by the Board's 
published Rules and Regulations.
    (b) Upon the request of any party or of the Administrative Law 
Judge assigned to hear a case, or upon the Chief Judge, Deputy Chief 
Judge, or Associate Chief Judge's own motion, the Chief Judge, Deputy 
Chief Judge or an Associate Chief Judge may assign a Judge other than 
the trial judge to conduct settlement negotiations. In exercising this 
discretion, the Chief Judge, Deputy Chief Judge, or Associate Chief 
Judge making the assignment will consider, among other factors, whether 
there is reason to believe that resolution of the dispute is likely, 
the request for assignment of a settlement judge is made in good faith, 
and the assignment is otherwise feasible. However, no such assignment 
will be made absent the agreement of all parties to the use of this 
procedure.
    (1) The settlement judge will convene and preside over conferences 
and settlement negotiations between the parties, assess the 
practicalities of a potential settlement, and report to the Chief 
Judge, Deputy Chief Judge, or Associate Chief Judge the status of 
settlement negotiations, recommending continuation or termination of 
the settlement negotiations. Where feasible, settlement conferences 
will be held in person.
    (2) The settlement judge may require that the attorney or other 
representative for each party be present at settlement conferences and 
that the parties or agents with full settlement authority also be 
present or available by telephone.
    (3) Participation of the settlement judge will terminate upon the 
order of the Chief Judge, Deputy Chief Judge, or Associate Chief Judges 
issued after consultation with the settlement judge. The conduct of 
settlement negotiations must not unduly delay the hearing.
    (4) All discussions between the parties and the settlement judge 
will be confidential. The settlement judge must not discuss any aspect 
of the case with the trial judge, and no evidence regarding statements, 
conduct, offers of settlement, and concessions of the parties made in 
proceedings before the settlement judge will be admissible in any 
proceeding before the Board, except by stipulation of the parties. 
Documents disclosed in the settlement process may not be used in 
litigation unless voluntarily produced or obtained pursuant to 
subpoena.
    (5) No decision of a Chief Judge, Deputy Chief Judge, or Associate 
Chief Judge concerning the assignment of a settlement judge or the 
termination of a settlement judge's assignment is appealable to the 
Board.
    (6) Any settlement reached under the auspices of a settlement judge 
is subject to approval in accordance with the provisions of Sec.  101.9 
of the Board's Statements of Procedure.


Sec.  102.36   Disqualification and unavailability of Administrative 
Law Judges.

    (a) An Administrative Law Judge may withdraw from a proceeding 
because of a personal bias or for other disqualifying reasons. Any 
party may request the Administrative Law Judge, at any time following 
the Judge's designation and before filing of the Judge's decision, to 
withdraw on grounds of personal bias or disqualification, by filing 
with the Judge promptly upon the discovery of the alleged facts a 
timely affidavit setting forth in detail the matters alleged to 
constitute grounds for disqualification. If, in the Administrative Law 
Judge's opinion, the affidavit is filed with due diligence and is 
sufficient on its face, the Judge will promptly disqualify himself/
herself and withdraw from the proceeding. If the Administrative Law 
Judge does not disqualify himself/herself and withdraw from the 
proceeding, the Judge must rule upon the record, stating the grounds 
for that ruling, and proceed with the hearing, or, if the hearing has 
closed, the Judge will proceed with issuance of the decision, and the 
provisions of Sec.  102.26, with respect to review of rulings of 
Administrative Law Judges, will apply.
    (b) If the Administrative Law Judge designated to conduct the 
hearing becomes unavailable to the Board after the hearing has been 
opened, the Chief Administrative Law Judge, Deputy Chief Administrative 
Law Judge, or an Associate Chief Administrative Law Judge, as the case 
may be, may designate another Administrative Law Judge for the purpose 
of further hearing or other appropriate action.


Sec.  102.37   [Reserved]


Sec.  102.38   Rights of parties.

    Any party has the right to appear at the hearing in person, by 
counsel, or by other representative, to call, examine, and cross-
examine witnesses, and to introduce into the record documentary or 
other evidence, except that the Administrative Law Judge may limit the 
participation of any party as appropriate. Documentary evidence must be 
submitted in duplicate for the record with a copy to each party.


Sec.  102.39   Rules of evidence controlling so far as practicable.

    The hearing will, so far as practicable, be conducted in accordance 
with the rules of evidence applicable in the district courts of the 
United States under the rules of civil procedure for the district 
courts of the United States, adopted by the Supreme Court of the United 
States pursuant to the Act of June 19, 1934 (U.S.C., title 28, Sections 
723-B, 723-C).


Sec.  102.40   Stipulations of fact admissible.

    Stipulations of fact may be introduced in evidence with respect to 
any issue.


Sec.  102.41  Objection to conduct of hearing; how made; objections not 
waived by further participation.

    Any objection with respect to the conduct of the hearing, including 
any objection to the introduction of evidence, may be stated orally or 
in writing, accompanied by a short statement of the grounds of such 
objection, and included in the record. No such objection will be deemed 
waived by further participation in the hearing.


Sec.  102.42   Filings of briefs and proposed findings with the 
Administrative Law Judge and oral argument at the hearing.

    Any party is entitled, upon request, to oral argument, for a 
reasonable period at the close of the hearing. Oral argument and any 
presentation of proposed findings and conclusions will be included in 
the transcript of the hearing. In the discretion of the Administrative 
Law Judge, any party may, upon request made before the close of the 
hearing, file a brief or proposed findings and conclusions, or both, 
with the Administrative Law Judge, who may fix a reasonable time for 
such filing, but not in excess of 35 days from the close of the 
hearing. Requests for further extensions of time must be made to the 
Chief Administrative Law Judge, Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge, 
or an Associate Chief Administrative Law Judge, as the case may be. 
Notice of the request for any extension must be immediately served on 
all other parties, and proof of service must be furnished. The brief or 
proposed findings and conclusions must be served on the other parties, 
and a statement of such service must be furnished. In any case in which 
the Administrative Law Judge believes that written briefs or proposed 
findings of fact and conclusions may not be

[[Page 11761]]

necessary, the Judge must notify the parties at the opening of the 
hearing or as soon thereafter as practicable that the Judge may wish to 
hear oral argument in lieu of briefs.


Sec.  102.43   Continuance and adjournment.

    In the Administrative Law Judge's discretion, the hearing may be 
continued from day to day, or adjourned to a later date or to a 
different place, by announcement at the hearing by the Administrative 
Law Judge, or by other appropriate notice.


Sec.  102.44   [Reserved]


Sec.  102.45  Administrative Law Judge's decision; contents of record; 
alternative dispute resolution program.

    (a) Administrative Law Judge's decision. After a hearing for the 
purpose of taking evidence upon a complaint, the Administrative Law 
Judge will prepare a decision. The decision will contain findings of 
fact, conclusions of law, and the reasons or grounds for the findings 
and conclusions, and recommendations for the proper disposition of the 
case. If the Respondent is found to have engaged in the alleged unfair 
labor practices, the decision will also contain a recommendation for 
such affirmative action by the Respondent as will effectuate the 
policies of the Act. The Administrative Law Judge will file the 
decision with the Board. If the Judge delivers a bench decision, 
promptly upon receiving the transcript the Judge will certify the 
accuracy of the pages of the transcript containing the decision; file 
with the Board a certified copy of those pages, together with any 
supplementary matter the Judge may deem necessary to complete the 
decision; and serve a copy on each of the parties. Upon the filing of 
the decision, the Board will enter an order transferring the case to 
the Board, setting forth the date of the transfer and will serve on all 
the parties copies of the decision and the order. Service of the 
Administrative Law Judge's decision and of the order transferring the 
case to the Board is complete upon mailing.
    (b) Contents of record. The charge upon which the complaint was 
issued and any amendments, the complaint and any amendments, notice of 
hearing, answer and any amendments, motions, rulings, orders, the 
transcript of the hearing, stipulations, exhibits, documentary 
evidence, and depositions, together with the Administrative Law Judge's 
decision and exceptions, and any cross-exceptions or answering briefs 
as provided in Sec.  102.46, constitutes the record in the case.
    (c) Alternative dispute resolution program. The Alternative Dispute 
Resolution (ADR) Program is available to parties with unfair labor 
practice or compliance cases pending before the Board at any stage 
subsequent to the initial issuance of an Administrative Law Judge's 
decision or any other process involving the transfer to the Board of 
such cases. Participation in the ADR Program is voluntary, and a party 
that enters the ADR Program may withdraw any time after the first 
meeting with the neutral. No party will be charged fees or expenses for 
using the ADR Program.
    (1) The parties may request participation in the ADR Program by 
contacting the program director. Deadlines for filing pleadings with 
the Board will be stayed effective the date that the case enters the 
ADR Program. If the case is removed from the ADR Program, the time 
period for filing will begin to run and will consist of the time period 
that remained when the case entered the ADR Program. Notice will be 
provided to the parties of the date the case enters the ADR Program and 
the date it is removed from the ADR Program.
    (2) A case may remain in the ADR Program for 28 days from the first 
settlement meeting or until the parties reach a settlement, whichever 
occurs first. A request for extension of the stay beyond the 28 days 
will be granted only with the approval and in the discretion of both 
the neutral and the program director upon a showing that such an 
extension is supported by good cause.
    (3) Once the case enters the ADR Program, the program director will 
arrange for the appointment of a neutral to assist the parties in 
settling the case.
    (4) The preferred method of conducting settlement conferences is to 
have the parties or their representatives attend in person, and 
therefore the neutral will make every reasonable effort to meet with 
the participants face-to-face at the parties' location. Settlement 
conferences by telephone or through videoconference may be held if the 
parties so desire.
    (5) Parties may be represented by counsel at the conferences, but 
representation by counsel is not required. However, each party must 
have in attendance a representative who has the authority to bind the 
party to the terms of a settlement agreement.
    (6) The neutral may ask the parties to submit pre-conference memos 
setting forth the issues in dispute, prior settlement efforts, and 
anything else that the parties would like to bring to the neutral's 
attention. A party's memo will be treated as a confidential submission 
unless the party that prepared the memo authorizes its release to the 
other parties.
    (7) Settlement discussions held under the ADR Program will be 
confidential. All documents submitted to the neutral and statements 
made during the ADR proceedings, including proposed settlement terms, 
are for settlement purposes only and are confidential. However, 
evidence otherwise admissible or discoverable will not be rendered 
inadmissible or undiscoverable because of its use in the ADR 
proceedings. No evidence as to what transpired during the ADR 
proceedings will be admissible in any administrative or court 
proceeding except to the extent it is relevant to determining the 
existence or meaning of a settlement agreement. The parties and their 
representatives will not discuss with the press any matters concerning 
settlement positions communicated during the ADR proceedings except by 
express written permission of the other parties. There will be no 
communication between the ADR Program and the Board on specific cases 
submitted to the ADR Program, except for procedural information such as 
case name, number, timing of the process, and status.
    (8) The neutral has no authority to impose a settlement. Settlement 
agreements are subject to approval by the Board in accordance with its 
existing procedures for approving settlements.
    (9) No party will at any time or in any proceeding take the 
position that participation in the ADR Program resulted in the waiver 
of any legal rights related to the underlying claims in the case, 
except as set forth in any settlement agreement.
    (10) Nothing in the ADR Program is intended to discourage or 
interfere with settlement negotiations that the parties wish to conduct 
outside the ADR Program.


Sec.  102.46  Exceptions and brief in support; answering briefs to 
exceptions; cross-exceptions and brief in support; answering briefs to 
cross-exceptions; reply briefs; failure to except; oral argument; 
filing requirements.

    (a) Exceptions and brief in support. Within 28 days, or within such 
further period as the Board may allow, from the date of the service of 
the order transferring the case to the Board, pursuant to Sec.  102.45, 
any party may (in accordance with Section 10(c) of the Act and 
Sec. Sec.  102.2 through 102.5 and 102.7) file with the Board in 
Washington, DC, exceptions to the Administrative Law Judge's decision 
or to any other part of

[[Page 11762]]

the record or proceedings (including rulings upon all motions or 
objections), together with a brief in support of the exceptions. The 
filing of exceptions and briefs is subject to the filing requirements 
of paragraph (h) of this section
    (1) Exceptions. (i) Each exception must:
    (A) Specify the questions of procedure, fact, law, or policy to 
which exception is taken;
    (B) Identify that part of the Administrative Law Judge's decision 
to which exception is taken;
    (C) Provide precise citations of the portions of the record relied 
on; and
    (D) Concisely state the grounds for the exception. If a supporting 
brief is filed, the exceptions document must not contain any argument 
or citation of authorities in support of the exceptions; any argument 
and citation of authorities must be set forth only in the brief. If no 
supporting brief is filed, the exceptions document must also include 
the citation of authorities and argument in support of the exceptions, 
in which event the exceptions document is subject to the 50-page limit 
for briefs set forth in paragraph (h) of this section.
    (ii) Any exception to a ruling, finding, conclusion, or 
recommendation which is not specifically urged will be deemed to have 
been waived. Any exception which fails to comply with the foregoing 
requirements may be disregarded.
    (2) Brief in support of exceptions. Any brief in support of 
exceptions must contain only matter that is included within the scope 
of the exceptions and must contain, in the order indicated, the 
following:
    (i) A clear and concise statement of the case containing all that 
is material to the consideration of the questions presented.
    (ii) A specification of the questions involved and to be argued, 
together with a reference to the specific exceptions to which they 
relate.
    (iii) The argument, presenting clearly the points of fact and law 
relied on in support of the position taken on each question, with 
specific page citations to the record and the legal or other material 
relied on.
    (b) Answering briefs to exceptions. (1) Within 14 days, or such 
further period as the Board may allow, from the last date on which 
exceptions and any supporting brief may be filed, a party opposing the 
exceptions may file an answering brief to the exceptions, in accordance 
with the filing requirements of paragraph (h) of this section.
    (2) The answering brief to the exceptions must be limited to the 
questions raised in the exceptions and in the brief in support. It must 
present clearly the points of fact and law relied on in support of the 
position taken on each question. Where exception has been taken to a 
factual finding of the Administrative Law Judge and the party filing 
the answering brief proposes to support the Judge's finding, the 
answering brief must specify those pages of the record which the party 
contends support the Judge's finding.
    (c) Cross-exceptions and brief in support. Any party who has not 
previously filed exceptions may, within 14 days, or such further period 
as the Board may allow, from the last date on which exceptions and any 
supporting brief may be filed, file cross-exceptions to any portion of 
the Administrative Law Judge's decision, together with a supporting 
brief, in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (h) of 
this section.
    (d) Answering briefs to cross-exceptions. Within 14 days, or such 
further period as the Board may allow, from the last date on which 
cross-exceptions and any supporting brief may be filed, any other party 
may file an answering brief to such cross-exceptions in accordance with 
the provisions of paragraphs (b) and (h) of this section. Such 
answering brief must be limited to the questions raised in the cross-
exceptions.
    (e) Reply briefs. Within 14 days from the last date on which an 
answering brief may be filed pursuant to paragraphs (b) or (d) of this 
section, any party may file a reply brief to any such answering brief. 
Any reply brief filed pursuant to this paragraph (e) must be limited to 
matters raised in the brief to which it is replying, and must not 
exceed 10 pages. No extensions of time will be granted for the filing 
of reply briefs, nor will permission be granted to exceed the 10-page 
limit. The reply brief must be filed with the Board and served on the 
other parties. No further briefs may be filed except by special leave 
of the Board. Requests for such leave must be in writing and copies 
must be served simultaneously on the other parties.
    (f) Failure to except. Matters not included in exceptions or cross-
exceptions may not thereafter be urged before the Board, or in any 
further proceeding.
    (g) Oral argument. A party desiring oral argument before the Board 
must request permission from the Board in writing simultaneously with 
the filing of exceptions or cross-exceptions. The Board will notify the 
parties of the time and place of oral argument, if such permission is 
granted. Oral arguments are limited to 30 minutes for each party 
entitled to participate. No request for additional time will be granted 
unless timely application is made in advance of oral argument.
    (h) Filing requirements. Documents filed pursuant to this section 
must be filed with the Board in Washington, DC, and copies must also be 
served simultaneously on the other parties. Any brief filed pursuant to 
this section must not be combined with any other brief, and except for 
reply briefs whose length is governed by paragraph (e) of this section, 
must not exceed 50 pages in length, exclusive of subject index and 
table of cases and other authorities cited.


Sec.  102.47  Filing of motion after transfer of case to Board.

    All motions filed after the case has been transferred to the Board 
pursuant to Sec.  102.45 must be filed with the Board in Washington, 
DC, and served upon the other parties. Such motions must be printed or 
otherwise legibly duplicated.


Sec.  102.48  No exceptions filed; exceptions filed; motions for 
reconsideration, rehearing, or reopening the record.

    (a) No exceptions filed. If no timely or proper exceptions are 
filed, the findings, conclusions, and recommendations contained in the 
Administrative Law Judge's decision will, pursuant to Section 10(c) of 
the Act, automatically become the decision and order of the Board and 
become its findings, conclusions, and order, and all objections and 
exceptions must be deemed waived for all purposes.
    (b) Exceptions filed. (1) Upon the filing of timely and proper 
exceptions, and any cross-exceptions or answering briefs, as provided 
in Sec.  102.46, the Board may decide the matter upon the record, or 
after oral argument, or may reopen the record and receive further 
evidence before a Board Member or other Board agent or agency, or 
otherwise dispose of the case.
    (2) Where exception is taken to a factual finding of the 
Administrative Law Judge, the Board, in determining whether the finding 
is contrary to a preponderance of the evidence, may limit its 
consideration to such portions of the record as are specified in the 
exceptions, the supporting brief, and the answering brief.
    (c) Motions for reconsideration, rehearing, or reopening the 
record. A party to a proceeding before the Board may, because of 
extraordinary circumstances, move for reconsideration, rehearing, or 
reopening of the record after the Board decision or order.
    (1) A motion for reconsideration must state with particularity the 
material

[[Page 11763]]

error claimed and with respect to any finding of material fact, must 
specify the page of the record relied on. A motion for rehearing must 
specify the error alleged to require a hearing de novo and the 
prejudice to the movant from the error. A motion to reopen the record 
must state briefly the additional evidence sought to be adduced, why it 
was not presented previously, and that, if adduced and credited, it 
would require a different result. Only newly discovered evidence, 
evidence which has become available only since the close of the 
hearing, or evidence which the Board believes may have been taken at 
the hearing will be taken at any further hearing.
    (2) Any motion pursuant to this section must be filed within 28 
days, or such further period as the Board may allow, after the service 
of the Board's decision or order, except that a motion to reopen the 
record must be filed promptly on discovery of the evidence to be 
adduced.
    (3) The filing and pendency of a motion under this provision will 
not stay the effectiveness of the action of the Board unless so 
ordered. A motion for reconsideration or rehearing need not be filed to 
exhaust administrative remedies.


Sec.  102.49  Modification or setting aside of Board order before 
record filed in court; action thereafter.

    Within the limitations of the provisions of Section 10(c) of the 
Act, and Sec.  102.48, until a transcript of the record in a case is 
filed in a court, within the meaning of Section 10 of the Act, the 
Board may at any time upon reasonable notice modify or set aside, in 
whole or in part, any findings of fact, conclusions of law, or order 
made or issued by it. Thereafter, the Board may proceed pursuant to 
Sec.  102.50, insofar as applicable.


Sec.  102.50  Hearings before the Board or a Board Member.

    Whenever the Board deems it necessary to effectuate the purposes of 
the Act or to avoid unnecessary costs or delay, it may, at any time, 
after a complaint has issued pursuant to Sec.  102.15 or Sec.  102.33, 
order that such complaint and any proceeding which may have been 
instituted with respect thereto be transferred to and continued before 
it or any Board Member. The provisions of this subpart, insofar as 
applicable, govern proceedings before the Board or any Board Member 
pursuant to this section, and the powers granted to Administrative Law 
Judges in such provisions will, for the purpose of this section, be 
reserved to and exercised by the Board or the Board Member who will 
preside.


Sec.  102.51  Settlement or adjustment of issues.

    At any stage of a proceeding prior to hearing, where time, the 
nature of the proceeding, and the public interest permit, all 
interested parties have an opportunity to submit to the Regional 
Director, with whom the charge was filed, for consideration, facts, 
arguments, offers of settlement, or proposals of adjustment.


Sec.  102.52  Compliance with Board order; notification of compliance 
determination.

    After entry of a Board order directing remedial action, or the 
entry of a court judgment enforcing such order, the Regional Director 
will seek compliance from all persons having obligations under the 
order. As appropriate, the Regional Director will make a compliance 
determination and notify the parties of that determination. A Charging 
Party adversely affected by a monetary, make-whole, reinstatement, or 
other compliance determination will be provided, on request, with a 
written statement of the basis for that determination.


Sec.  102.53  Appeal of compliance determination to the General 
Counsel; General Counsel's action; request for review by the Board; 
Board action; opposition to appeal or request for review.

    (a) Appeal of compliance determination to the General Counsel. The 
Charging Party may appeal a compliance determination to the General 
Counsel in Washington, DC, within 14 days of the written statement of 
compliance determination as set forth in Sec.  102.52. The appeal must 
contain a complete statement setting forth the facts and reasons upon 
which it is based and must identify with particularity the error 
claimed in the Regional Director's determination. The General Counsel 
may for good cause shown extend the time for filing an appeal.
    (b) General Counsel's action. The General Counsel may affirm or 
modify the Regional Director's determination or take such other action 
deemed appropriate, and must state the grounds for that decision.
    (c) Request for review by Board. Within 14 days after service of 
the General Counsel's decision, the Charging Party may file a request 
for review of that decision with the Board in Washington, DC. The 
request for review must contain a complete statement of the facts and 
reasons upon which it is based and must identify with particularity the 
error claimed in the General Counsel's decision. A copy of the request 
for review must be served simultaneously on all other parties and on 
the General Counsel and the Regional Director.
    (d) Board action. The Board may affirm or modify the General 
Counsel's decision, or otherwise dispose of the matter as it deems 
appropriate. The denial of the request for review will constitute an 
affirmance of the General Counsel's decision.
    (e) Opposition to appeal or request for review. Within 7 days of 
receipt of a compliance appeal or request for review, a party may file 
an opposition to the compliance appeal or request for review.


Sec.  102.54  Issuance of compliance specification; consolidation of 
complaint and compliance specification.

    (a) If it appears that controversy exists with respect to 
compliance with a Board order which cannot be resolved without a formal 
proceeding, the Regional Director may issue and serve on all parties a 
compliance specification in the name of the Board. The specification 
will contain or be accompanied by a Notice of Hearing before an 
Administrative Law Judge at a specific place and at a time not less 
than 21 days after the service of the specification.
    (b) Whenever the Regional Director deems it necessary to effectuate 
the purposes and policies of the Act or to avoid unnecessary costs or 
delay, the Regional Director may issue a compliance specification, with 
or without a notice of hearing, based on an outstanding complaint.
    (c) Whenever the Regional Director deems it necessary to effectuate 
the purposes and policies of the Act or to avoid unnecessary costs or 
delay, the Regional Director may consolidate with a complaint and 
Notice of Hearing issued pursuant to Sec.  102.15 a compliance 
specification based on that complaint. After opening of the hearing, 
the Board or the Administrative Law Judge, as appropriate, must approve 
consolidation. Issuance of a compliance specification is not a 
prerequisite or bar to Board initiation of proceedings in any 
administrative or judicial forum which the Board or the Regional 
Director determines to be appropriate for obtaining compliance with a 
Board order.


Sec.  102.55   Contents of compliance specification.

    (a) Contents of specification with respect to allegations 
concerning the amount of backpay due. With respect to allegations 
concerning the amount of backpay due, the specification will 
specifically and in detail show, for each

[[Page 11764]]

employee, the backpay periods broken down by calendar quarters, the 
specific figures and basis of computation of gross backpay and interim 
earnings, the expenses for each quarter, the net backpay due, and any 
other pertinent information.
    (b) Contents of specification with respect to allegations other 
than the amount of backpay due. With respect to allegations other than 
the amount of backpay due, the specification will contain a clear and 
concise description of the respects in which the Respondent has failed 
to comply with a Board or court order, including the remedial acts 
claimed to be necessary for compliance by the Respondent and, where 
known, the approximate dates, places, and names of the Respondent's 
agents or other representatives described in the specification.
    (c) Amendments to specification. After the issuance of the Notice 
of Compliance Hearing but before the hearing opens, the Regional 
Director may amend the specification. After the hearing opens, the 
specification may be amended upon leave of the Administrative Law Judge 
or the Board, upon good cause shown.


Sec.  102.56   Answer to compliance specification.

    (a) Filing and service of answer to compliance specification. Each 
Respondent alleged in the specification to have compliance obligations 
must, within 21 days from the service of the specification, file an 
answer with the Regional Director issuing the specification, and must 
immediately serve a copy on the other parties.
    (b) Form and contents of answer. The answer to the specification 
must be in writing, signed and sworn to by the Respondent or by a duly 
authorized agent with appropriate power of attorney affixed, and 
contain the address of the Respondent. The answer must specifically 
admit, deny, or explain each allegation of the specification, unless 
the Respondent is without knowledge, in which case the Respondent must 
so state, such statement operating as a denial. Denials must fairly 
meet the substance of the allegations of the specification at issue. 
When a Respondent intends to deny only a part of an allegation, the 
Respondent must specify so much of it as is true and deny only the 
remainder. As to all matters within the knowledge of the Respondent, 
including but not limited to the various factors entering into the 
computation of gross backpay, a general denial will not suffice. As to 
such matters, if the Respondent disputes either the accuracy of the 
figures in the specification or the premises on which they are based, 
the answer must specifically state the basis for such disagreement, 
setting forth in detail the Respondent's position and furnishing the 
appropriate supporting figures.
    (c) Failure to answer or to plead specifically and in detail to 
backpay allegations of specification. If the Respondent fails to file 
any answer to the specification within the time prescribed by this 
section, the Board may, either with or without taking evidence in 
support of the allegations of the specification and without further 
notice to the Respondent, find the specification to be true and enter 
such order as may be appropriate. If the Respondent files an answer to 
the specification but fails to deny any allegation of the specification 
in the manner required by paragraph (b) of this section, and the 
failure to deny is not adequately explained, such allegation will be 
deemed admitted as true, and may be so found by the Board without the 
taking of evidence supporting such allegation, and the Respondent will 
be precluded from introducing any evidence controverting the 
allegation.
    (d) Extension of time for filing answer to specification. Upon the 
Regional Director's own motion or upon proper cause shown by any 
Respondent, the Regional Director issuing the compliance specification 
may, by written order, extend the time within which the answer to the 
specification must be filed.
    (e) Amendment to answer. Following the amendment of the 
specification by the Regional Director, any Respondent affected by the 
amendment may amend its answer.


Sec.  102.57   Extension of date of hearing.

    Upon the Regional Director's own motion or upon proper cause shown, 
the Regional Director issuing the compliance specification and Notice 
of Hearing may extend the hearing date.


Sec.  102.58   Withdrawal of compliance specification.

    Any compliance specification and Notice of Hearing may be withdrawn 
before the hearing by the Regional Director upon the Director's own 
motion.


Sec.  102.59  Hearing and posthearing procedures.

    After the issuance of a compliance specification and Notice of 
Hearing, the procedures provided in Sec. Sec.  102.24 through 102.51 
will be followed insofar as applicable.

Subpart E--Procedure for Unfair Labor Practice and Representation 
Cases Under Sections 8(b)(7) and 9(c) of the Act

0
7. Revise Sec. Sec.  102.73 through 102.76 to read as follows:

Sec.
102.73 Initiation of proceedings.
102.74 Complaint and formal proceedings.
102.75 Suspension of proceedings on the charge where timely petition 
is filed.
102.76 Petition; who may file; where to file; contents.


Sec.  102.73  Initiation of proceedings.

    Whenever it is charged that any person has engaged in an unfair 
labor practice within the meaning of Section 8(b)(7) of the Act, the 
Regional Director will investigate such charge, giving it the priority 
specified in subpart H of this part.


Sec.  102.74  Complaint and formal proceedings.

    If it appears to the Regional Director that the charge has merit, 
formal proceedings will be instituted in accordance with the procedures 
described in Sec. Sec.  102.15 through 102.51, insofar as they are 
applicable, and insofar as they are not inconsistent with the 
provisions of this subpart. If it appears to the Regional Director that 
issuance of a complaint is not warranted, the Director will decline to 
issue a complaint, and the provisions of Sec.  102.19, including the 
provisions for appeal to the General Counsel, are applicable unless an 
election has been directed under Sec. Sec.  102.77 and 102.78, in which 
event the provisions of Sec.  102.81 are applicable.


Sec.  102.75  Suspension of proceedings on the charge where timely 
petition is filed.

    If it appears to the Regional Director that issuance of a complaint 
may be warranted but for the pendency of a petition under Section 9(c) 
of the Act, which has been filed by any proper party within a 
reasonable time not to exceed 30 days from the commencement of 
picketing, the Regional Director will suspend proceedings on the charge 
and will proceed to investigate the petition under the expedited 
procedure provided below, pursuant to the first proviso to subparagraph 
(C) of Section 8(b)(7) of the Act.


Sec.  102.76  Petition; who may file; where to file; contents.

    When picketing of an employer has been conducted for an object 
proscribed by Section 8(b)(7) of the Act, a petition for the 
determination of a question concerning representation of the employees 
of such employer may be

[[Page 11765]]

filed in accordance with the provisions of Sec. Sec.  102.60 and 
102.61, insofar as applicable, except that if a charge under Sec.  
102.73 has been filed against the labor organization on whose behalf 
picketing has been conducted, the petition will not be required to 
contain a statement that the employer declines to recognize the 
petitioner as the representative within the meaning of Section 9(a) of 
the Act; or that the union represents a substantial number of 
employees; or that the labor organization is currently recognized but 
desires certification under the Act; or that the individuals or labor 
organizations who have been certified or are currently recognized by 
the employer are no longer the representative; or, if the petitioner is 
an employer, that one or more individuals or labor organizations have 
presented to the petitioner a claim to be recognized as the exclusive 
representative of the employees in the unit claimed to be appropriate.

0
8. In Sec.  102.77, revise the section heading and paragraph (b) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  102.77  Investigation of petition by Regional Director; directed 
election.

* * * * *
    (b) If, after the investigation of such petition or any petition 
filed under subpart D of this part, and after the investigation of the 
charge filed pursuant to Sec.  102.73, it appears to the Regional 
Director that an expedited election under Section 8(b)(7)(C) of the Act 
is warranted, and that the policies of the Act would be effectuated 
thereby, the Regional Director shall forthwith proceed to conduct an 
election by secret ballot of the employees in an appropriate unit, or 
make other disposition of the matter, except that in any case in which 
it appears to the Regional Director that the proceeding raises 
questions which cannot be decided without a hearing, the Director may 
issue and cause to be served on the parties, individuals, and labor 
organizations involved a Notice of Hearing before a Hearing Officer at 
a time and place fixed therein. In this event, the method of conducting 
the hearing and the procedure following, shall be governed insofar as 
applicable by Sec. Sec.  102.63 through 102.68.

Subpart F--Procedure for Referendum Under Section 9(e) of the Act

0
9. Revise Sec.  102.83 to read as follows:


Sec.  102.83  Petition for referendum under Section 9(e)(1) of the Act; 
who may file; where to file; withdrawal.

    A petition to rescind the authority of a labor organization to make 
an agreement requiring as a condition of employment membership in such 
labor organization may be filed by an employee or group of employees on 
behalf of 30 percent or more of the employees in a bargaining unit 
covered by such an agreement. The petition shall be in writing and 
signed, and either must be sworn to before a notary public, Board 
agent, or other person duly authorized by law to administer oaths and 
take acknowledgments or must contain a declaration by the person 
signing it, under the penalties of the Criminal Code, that its contents 
are true and correct to the best of his knowledge and belief. One 
original of the petition must be filed with the Regional Director 
wherein the bargaining unit exists or, if the unit exists in two or 
more Regions, with the Regional Director for any of such Regions. A 
person filing a petition by facsimile must also file an original for 
the Agency's records, but failure to do so must not affect the validity 
of the filing by facsimile, if otherwise proper. A person filing a 
petition electronically need not file an original. The petition may be 
withdrawn only with the approval of the Regional Director with whom 
such petition was filed. Upon approval of the withdrawal of any 
petition the case will be closed.

0
10. Revise Sec.  102.84(l) to read as follows:


Sec.  102.84  Contents of petition to rescind authority.

* * * * *
    (l) Evidence supporting the statement that 30 percent or more of 
the bargaining unit employees desire to rescind the authority of their 
employer and labor organization to enter into an agreement made 
pursuant to Section 8(a)(3) of the Act. Such evidence must be filed 
together with the petition, but must not be served on any other party.
* * * * *

0
11. Revise Sec. Sec.  102.85 through 102.88 to read as follows:

Sec.
102.85 Investigation of petition by Regional Director; consent 
referendum; directed referendum.
102.86 Hearing; posthearing procedure.
102.87 Method of conducting balloting; postballoting procedure.
102.88 Refusal to conduct referendum; appeal to Board.
102.85 Investigation of petition by Regional Director; consent 
referendum; directed referendum.

    Where a petition has been filed pursuant to Sec.  102.83, and it 
appears to the Regional Director that the petitioner has made an 
appropriate showing, in such form as the Regional Director may 
determine, that 30 percent or more of the employees within a unit 
covered by an agreement between their employer and a labor organization 
requiring membership in such labor organization desire to rescind the 
authority of such labor organization to make such an agreement, the 
Regional Director will proceed to conduct a secret ballot of the 
employees involved on the question whether they desire to rescind the 
authority of the labor organization to make such an agreement with 
their employer, except that, in any case in which it appears to the 
Regional Director that the proceeding raises questions which cannot be 
decided without a hearing, the Director may issue and cause to be 
served on the parties a Notice of Hearing before a Hearing Officer at a 
time and place fixed therein. The Regional Director will fix the time 
and place of the election, eligibility requirements for voting, and 
other arrangements of the balloting, but the parties may enter into an 
agreement, subject to the approval of the Regional Director, fixing 
such arrangements. In any such consent agreements, provision may be 
made for final determination of all questions arising with respect to 
the balloting by the Regional Director or upon grant of a request for 
review, by the Board.


Sec.  102.86  Hearing; posthearing procedure.

    The method of conducting the hearing and the procedure following 
the hearing will be governed, insofar as applicable, by Sec. Sec.  
102.63 through 102.68.


Sec.  102.87  Method of conducting balloting; postballoting procedure.

    The method of conducting the balloting and the postballoting 
procedure will be governed by the provisions of Sec.  102.69, insofar 
as applicable.


Sec.  102.88  Refusal to conduct referendum; appeal to Board.

    If, after a petition has been filed, and prior to the close of the 
hearing, it appears to the Regional Director that no referendum should 
be conducted, the Regional Director will dismiss the petition by 
administrative action. Such dismissal will be in writing and 
accompanied by a simple statement of the procedural or other grounds. 
The petitioner may obtain a review of such action by filing a request 
therefor with the Board in Washington, DC, and filing a copy of such 
request with the Regional Director and the other parties within 14 days 
from the service of notice of such dismissal. The request must contain 
a complete statement setting forth the facts and reasons upon which the 
request is based.

[[Page 11766]]


0
12. Revise newly redesignated subpart G to read as follows:

Subpart G--Procedure to Hear and Determine Disputes Under Section 
10(k) of the Act

Sec.
102.89 Initiation of proceedings.
102.90 Notice of hearing; hearing; proceedings before the Board; 
briefs; determination of dispute.
102.91 Compliance with determination; further proceedings.
102.92 Review of determination.
102.93 Alternative procedure.


Sec.  102.89   Initiation of proceedings.

    Whenever it is charged that any person has engaged in an unfair 
labor practice within the meaning of Section 8(b)(4)(D) of the Act, the 
Regional Director of the office in which such charge is filed or to 
which it is referred will, as soon as possible after the charge has 
been filed, serve on the parties a copy of the charge and will 
investigate such charge and if it is deemed appropriate to seek 
injunctive relief of a district court pursuant to Section 10(l) of the 
Act, the Regional Director will give it priority over all other cases 
in the office except other cases under Section 10(l) and cases of like 
character.


Sec.  102.90  Notice of hearing; hearing; proceedings before the Board; 
briefs; determination of dispute.

    If it appears to the Regional Director that the charge has merit 
and the parties to the dispute have not submitted satisfactory evidence 
to the Regional Director that they have adjusted, or have agreed-upon 
methods for the voluntary adjustment of, the dispute out of which such 
unfair labor practice has arisen, the Regional Director will serve on 
all parties to such dispute a Notice of Hearing under Section 10(k) of 
the Act before a Hearing Officer at a time and place stated in the 
Notice. The hearing date will not be less than 10 days after service of 
the notice of the filing of the charge. The Notice of Hearing must 
contain a simple statement of the issues involved in such dispute. Such 
Notice will be issued promptly, and, in cases in which it is deemed 
appropriate to seek injunctive relief pursuant to Section 10(l) of the 
Act, will normally be issued within 5 days of the date upon which 
injunctive relief is first sought. Hearings will be conducted by a 
Hearing Officer, and the procedure will conform, insofar as applicable, 
to the procedure set forth in Sec. Sec.  102.64 through 102.68. Upon 
the close of the hearing, the proceeding will be transferred to the 
Board, and the Board will proceed either promptly upon the record, or 
after oral argument, or the submission of briefs, or further hearing, 
to determine the dispute or otherwise dispose of the matter. Parties 
who desire to file a brief with the Board must do so within 7 days 
after the close of the hearing. However, no briefs will be filed in 
cases designated in the Notice of Hearing as involving the national 
defense, and the parties, after the close of the evidence, may argue 
orally upon the record their respective contentions and positions; 
except that, upon application for leave to file briefs expeditiously 
made to the Board in Washington, DC, after the close of the hearing, 
the Board may for good cause shown, grant leave to file briefs and set 
a time for filing. Simultaneously upon such filing, a copy must be 
served on the other parties. No reply brief may be filed except upon 
special leave of the Board.


Sec.  102.91   Compliance with determination; further proceedings.

    If, after issuance of the determination by the Board, the parties 
submit to the Regional Director satisfactory evidence that they have 
complied with the determination, the Regional Director will dismiss the 
charge. If no satisfactory evidence of compliance is submitted, the 
Regional Director will proceed with the charge under Section 8(b)(4)(D) 
and Section 10 of the Act and the procedure prescribed in Sec. Sec.  
102.9 through 102.51 will, insofar as applicable, govern. However, if 
the Board determination is that employees represented by a Charged 
Union are entitled to perform the work in dispute, the Regional 
Director will dismiss the charge as to that union irrespective of 
whether the employer has complied with that determination.


Sec.  102.92   Review of determination.

    The record of the proceeding under Section 10(k) and the 
determination of the Board will become a part of the record in such 
unfair labor practice proceeding and may be subject to judicial review 
in proceedings to enforce or review the final order of the Board under 
Section 10(e) and (f) of the Act.


Sec.  102.93  Alternative procedure.

    If, either before or after service of the Notice of Hearing, the 
parties submit to the Regional Director satisfactory evidence that they 
have adjusted the dispute, the Regional Director will dismiss the 
charge and will withdraw the Notice of Hearing if Notice has issued. 
If, either before or after issuance of the Notice of Hearing, the 
parties submit to the Regional Director satisfactory evidence that they 
have agreed-upon methods for the voluntary adjustment of the dispute, 
the Regional Director will defer action upon the charge and will 
withdraw the Notice of Hearing if Notice has issued. If it appears to 
the Regional Director that the dispute has not been adjusted in 
accordance with such agreed-upon methods and that an unfair labor 
practice within the meaning of Section 8(b)(4)(D) of the Act is 
occurring or has occurred, the Regional Director may issue a complaint 
under Sec.  102.15, and the procedure prescribed in Sec. Sec.  102.9 
through 102.51 will, insofar as applicable, govern; and Sec. Sec.  
102.90 through 102.92 are inapplicable, except that if an agreed-upon 
method for voluntary adjustment results in a determination that 
employees represented by a Charged Union are entitled to perform the 
work in dispute, the Regional Director will dismiss the charge as to 
that union irrespective of whether the employer has complied with that 
determination.

0
13. Revise newly redesignated subpart H to read as follows:

Subpart H--Procedure in Cases Under Section 10(j), (l), and (m) of 
the Act

Sec.
102.94 Expeditious processing of Section 10(j) cases.
102.95 Priority of cases pursuant to Section 10(l) and (m) of the 
Act.
102.96 Issuance of complaint promptly.
102.97 Expeditious processing of Section 10(l) and (m) cases in 
successive stages.
102.94 Expeditious processing of Section 10(j) cases.

    (a) Whenever temporary relief or a restraining order pursuant to 
Section 10(j) of the Act has been procured by the Board, the complaint 
which has been the basis for such temporary relief or restraining order 
will be heard expeditiously and the case will be given priority by the 
Board in its successive steps following the issuance of the complaint 
(until ultimate enforcement or dismissal by the appropriate circuit 
court of appeals) over all other cases except cases of like character 
and cases under Section 10(l) and (m) of the Act.
    (b) In the event the Administrative Law Judge hearing a complaint, 
concerning which the Board has procured temporary relief or a 
restraining order pursuant to Section 10(j), recommends a dismissal in 
whole or in part of such complaint, the chief law officer will promptly 
suggest to the district court which issued such temporary relief or 
restraining order the possible change in circumstances arising out of 
the findings and recommendations of the Administrative Law Judge.

[[Page 11767]]

Sec.  102.95   Priority of cases pursuant to Section 10(l) and (m) of 
the Act.

    (a) Whenever a charge is filed alleging the commission of an unfair 
labor practice within the meaning of Section 8(b)(4)(A), (B), (C), 
8(b)(7), or 8(e) of the Act, the Regional Office in which such charge 
is filed or to which it is referred will give it priority over all 
other cases in the office except cases of like character and cases 
under Section 8(b)(4)(D) in which it is deemed appropriate to seek 
injunctive relief of a district court pursuant to Section 10(l) of the 
Act.
    (b) Whenever a charge is filed alleging the commission of an unfair 
labor practice within the meaning of Section 8(a)(3) or 8(b)(2), the 
Regional Office in which such charge is filed or to which it is 
referred will give it priority over all other cases in the office 
except cases of like character and cases under Section 10(l) of the 
Act.


Sec.  102.96   Issuance of complaint promptly.

    Whenever injunctive relief pursuant to Section 10(l) of the Act is 
sought in district court, a complaint against the party or parties 
sought to be enjoined, covering the same subject matter as the 
application for injunctive relief, will be issued promptly, normally 
within 5 days of the date when injunctive relief is first sought, 
except in cases in which a Notice of Hearing under Section 10(k) of the 
Act has issued.


Sec.  102.97   Expeditious processing of Section 10(l) and (m) cases in 
successive stages.

    (a) Any complaint issued pursuant to Sec.  102.95(a) or, in a case 
in which it is deemed appropriate to seek injunctive relief of a 
district court pursuant to Section 10(l) of the Act, any complaint 
issued pursuant to Sec.  102.93 or Notice of Hearing issued pursuant to 
Sec.  102.90 will be heard expeditiously and the case will be given 
priority in such successive steps following its issuance (until 
ultimate enforcement or dismissal by the appropriate circuit court of 
appeals) over all cases except cases of like character.
    (b) Any complaint issued pursuant to Sec.  102.95(b) will be heard 
expeditiously and the case will be given priority in its successive 
steps following its issuance (until ultimate enforcement or dismissal 
by the appropriate circuit court of appeals) over all cases except 
cases of like character and cases under Section 10(l) of the Act.

0
14. Revise the heading for newly redesignated subpart I to read as 
follows:

Subpart I--Advisory Opinions and Declaratory Orders Regarding Board 
Jurisdiction

0
15. Revise Sec. Sec.  102.99 through 102.110 to read as follows:

Sec.
102.99 Contents of petition for advisory opinion.
102.100 Notice of petition; service of petition.
102.101 Response to petition; service of response.
102.102 Intervention.
102.103 Proceedings before the Board; briefs; advisory opinions.
102.104 Withdrawal of petition.
102.105 Petitions for declaratory orders; who may file; where to 
file; withdrawal.
102.106 Contents of petition for declaratory order.
102.107 Notice of petition; service of petition.
102.108 Response to petition; service of response.
102.109 Intervention.
102.110 Proceedings before the Board; briefs; declaratory orders.


Sec.  102.99  Contents of petition for advisory opinion.

    (a) A petition for an advisory opinion, when filed by an agency or 
court of a State or territory, must allege the following:
    (1) The name of the agency or court.
    (2) The names of the parties to the proceeding and the docket 
number.
    (3) The nature of the proceeding, and the need for the Board's 
opinion on the jurisdictional issue to the proceeding.
    (4) The general nature of the business involved in the proceeding 
and, where appropriate, the nature of and details concerning the 
employing enterprise.
    (5) The findings of the agency or court or, in the absence of 
findings, a statement of the evidence relating to the commerce 
operations of such business and, where appropriate, to the nature of 
the employing enterprise.
    (b) The petition or request must be submitted to the Board in 
Washington, DC.


Sec.  102.100  Notice of petition; service of petition.

    Upon the filing of a petition, the petitioner must simultaneously 
serve, in the manner provided by Sec.  102.5(g), a copy of the petition 
on all parties to the proceeding and on the Director of the Board's 
Regional Office having jurisdiction over the territorial area in which 
such agency or court is located. A statement of service must be filed 
with the petition as provided by Sec.  102.5(h).


Sec.  102.101   Response to petition; service of response.

    Any party served with such petition may, within 14 days after 
service thereof, respond to the petition, admitting or denying its 
allegations. The response must be filed with the Board in Washington, 
DC. The response must simultaneously be served on all other parties to 
the proceeding, and a statement of service must be filed in accordance 
with the provisions of Sec.  102.5(h).


Sec.  102.102   Intervention.

    Any person desiring to intervene must file a motion for 
intervention, stating the grounds upon which such person claims to have 
an interest in the petition. The motion must be filed with the Board in 
Washington, DC.


Sec.  102.103   Proceedings before the Board; briefs; advisory 
opinions.

    The Board will thereupon proceed, upon the petition, responses, and 
submission of briefs, to determine whether, on the facts before it, the 
commerce operations of the employer involved are such that the Board 
would or would not assert jurisdiction. Such determination will be in 
the form of an advisory opinion and will be served on the parties. No 
briefs may be filed except upon special permission of the Board.


Sec.  102.104   Withdrawal of petition.

    The petitioner may withdraw the petition at any time prior to 
issuance of the Board's advisory opinion.


Sec.  102.105   Petitions for declaratory orders; who may file; where 
to file; withdrawal.

    Whenever both an unfair labor practice charge and a representation 
case relating to the same employer are contemporaneously on file in a 
Regional Office of the Board, and the General Counsel entertains doubt 
whether the Board would assert jurisdiction over the employer involved, 
the General Counsel may file a petition with the Board for a 
declaratory order disposing of the jurisdictional issue in the case. 
Such petition may be withdrawn at any time prior to the issuance of the 
Board's order.


Sec.  102.106   Contents of petition for declaratory order.

    (a) A petition for a declaratory order must allege the following:
    (1) The name of the employer.
    (2) The general nature of the employer's business.
    (3) The case numbers of the unfair labor practice and 
representation cases.
    (4) The commerce data relating to the operations of such business.

[[Page 11768]]

    (5) Whether any proceeding involving the same subject matter is 
pending before an agency or court of a State or territory.
    (b) The petition must be filed with the Board in Washington, DC.


Sec.  102.107   Notice of petition; service of petition.

    Upon filing a petition, the General Counsel will simultaneously 
serve a copy thereof on all parties and must file a statement of 
service as provided by Sec.  102.5(h).


Sec.  102.108   Response to petition; service of response.

    Any party to the representation or unfair labor practice case may, 
within 14 days after service, respond to the petition, admitting or 
denying its allegations. The response must be filed with the Board in 
Washington, DC. The response must be served on the General Counsel and 
all other parties, and a statement of service must be filed as provided 
by Sec.  102.5(h).


Sec.  102.109   Intervention.

    Any person desiring to intervene must file a motion for 
intervention, stating the grounds upon which such person claims to have 
an interest in the petition. The motion must be filed with the Board in 
Washington, DC.


Sec.  102.110   Proceedings before the Board; briefs; declaratory 
orders.

    The Board will proceed, upon the petition, responses, and 
submission of briefs, to determine whether, on the facts before it, the 
commerce operations of the employer involved are such that the Board 
would or would not assert jurisdiction over the employer. Such 
determination will be made by a declaratory order, with like effect as 
in the case of other orders of the Board, and will be served on the 
parties. Any party desiring to file a brief must file the brief with 
the Board in Washington, DC, with a statement that copies are being 
served simultaneously on the other parties.


Sec. Sec.  102.111 through 102.114  [Added and Reserved]

0
16. Add reserved Sec. Sec.  102.111 through 102.114 to subpart I.

0
17. Revise subparts J through M to read as follows:

Subpart J--Certification and Signature of Documents

Sec.
102.115 Certification of Board papers and documents.
102.116 Signature on Board orders.


Sec.  102.115   Certification of Board papers and documents.

    The Executive Secretary of the Board, or, in the event of the 
Executive Secretary's absence or disability, whomever may be designated 
by the Board in the Executive Secretary's place, will certify copies of 
all papers and documents which are a part of any of the files or 
records of the Board as necessary or desirable from time to time.


Sec.  102.116   Signature on Board orders.

    The Executive Secretary, Deputy Executive Secretary, or an 
Associate Executive Secretary, or, in the event of their absence or 
disability, whomever may be designated by the Board in their place, is 
hereby authorized to sign all orders of the Board.

Subpart K--Records and Information

Sec.
102.117 Freedom of Information Act Regulations: Agency materials 
including formal documents available pursuant to the Freedom of 
Information Act; requests for described records; time limit for 
response; appeal from denial of request; fees for document search, 
duplication, and review; files and records not subject to 
inspection.
102.118 Present and former Board employees prohibited from producing 
documents and testifying; production of witnesses' statements after 
direct testimony.
102.119 Privacy Act Regulations: notification as to whether a system 
of records contains records pertaining to requesting individuals; 
requests for access to records, amendment of requests; fees for 
document duplication; files and records exempted from certain 
Privacy Act requirements.


Sec.  102.117   Freedom of Information Act Regulations: Agency 
materials including formal documents available pursuant to the Freedom 
of Information Act; requests for described records; time limit for 
response; appeal from denial of request; fees for document search, 
duplication, and review; files and records not subject to inspection.

    (a)(1) Introduction. This subpart contains the Rules that the 
National Labor Relations Board (Agency) follows in processing requests 
for records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552. 
The Rules in this subpart may be read in conjunction with the text of 
the FOIA and the Uniform Freedom of Information Fee Schedule and 
Guidelines published by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB 
Guidelines). Some records will be made available on the Agency's Web 
site at www.nlrb.gov to facilitate public access. Requests made by 
individuals for records about themselves under the Privacy Act of 1974, 
5 U.S.C. 552(a), are processed under Sec.  102.119.
    (2) FOIA Officials. The following are designated as the Agency's 
FOIA officials with responsibilities for complying with the FOIA:
    (i) FOIA Officer. The Assistant General Counsel for the FOIA Branch 
is the Agency's designated FOIA Officer.
    (ii) Chief FOIA Officer. The Associate General Counsel for the 
Division of Legal Counsel is the Agency's designated Chief FOIA 
Officer.
    (iii) FOIA Public Liaison. The official(s) designated by the Chief 
FOIA Officer is the Agency's FOIA Public Liaison, with overall 
responsibilities for assisting in reducing delays, increasing 
transparency, understanding the status of requests, and assisting in 
the resolution of disputes. The designated FOIA Public Liaison is 
available on the Agency's Web site.
    (3) Authority to respond to requests and administrative appeals. 
The FOIA Officer has the authority to act upon and respond on behalf of 
the Board and the General Counsel to all requests for Agency records, 
except for records maintained by the Agency's Office of the Inspector 
General. The Office of the Inspector General has the authority to 
respond to all requests for records maintained by that Office. The 
Chief FOIA Officer has the authority to respond on behalf of the 
Chairman of the Board and the General Counsel to all administrative 
appeals of adverse determinations. The Chief FOIA Officer's authority 
includes responding, on behalf of the Chairman of the Board, to appeals 
of initial determinations made by the Office of the Inspector General.
    (4) Records made available. Records that are required by the FOIA 
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(2) may be accessed through the Agency's Web site 
at www.nlrb.gov.
    (b)(1) Formal documents. The formal documents constituting the 
record in a case or proceeding are matters of official record and, 
until officially destroyed pursuant to applicable statutory authority, 
are available to the public pursuant to the procedures in this section.
    (2) Certification of records. The Executive Secretary will certify 
copies of all formal documents maintained by the Board upon request 
made a reasonable time in advance of need and payment of lawfully 
prescribed costs. The Deputy General Counsel will certify copies of any 
record maintained by, or originating from, the Office of General 
Counsel and any division, branch, or office organizationally overseen 
by the Office of the General Counsel, including any Regional, 
Subregional, or Resident Office.

[[Page 11769]]

    (c)(1) Making FOIA requests to the Agency--(i) Content of 
requests--(A) Description of records sought. Requests for records must 
be in writing and must reasonably describe the record so as to permit 
its identification and location. To the extent possible, requesters may 
include specific information, such as the NLRB case number, case name, 
date(s) of record(s) requested, and/or full name of the party, author, 
or recipient of the record(s) in question. Requesters should include as 
much detail as practicable about the records sought. Requesters may 
contact the FOIA Public Liaison to discuss the records sought and to 
receive assistance in describing the records.
    (B) Assumption of fees. Requests must contain a specific statement 
assuming financial responsibility for the direct costs of responding to 
the request in accordance with paragraph (d)(2) of this section.
    (C) Specificity requirement. Requests that do not reasonably 
describe the records sought or assume sufficient financial 
responsibility for responding to the request, or that otherwise fail to 
comply with this section, may delay the Agency's response to the 
request.
    (ii) Transmission of requests. Requests for records maintained by 
the Agency should be made to the FOIA Branch, which is located in the 
Agency's Washington, DC headquarters. The FOIA Branch is responsible 
for responding to requests for records originating from, or maintained 
by, the Board and the Office of the General Counsel, including 
Regional, Subregional, and resident offices. Requests for records 
maintained by the Agency's Office of the Inspector General may be made 
directly to that office.
    (A) Requesters may file FOIA requests electronically through the 
Agency's Web site (https://www.nlrb.gov), which is the preferred method 
of submission to allow for prompt receipt, including for requests for 
records maintained by the Agency's Office of the Inspector General. 
FOIA requests may also be made by mail to the Agency's Washington, DC 
headquarters address, by email to the Agency's designated mailbox, or 
by facsimile. The mailing address, email address, and facsimile number 
are available on the Agency's Web site.
    (B) Requests not made through the Agency's Web site should be 
clearly marked to indicate that they contain a request for records 
under the Freedom of Information Act.
    (C) Requests made to an Agency division, branch, or any office 
other than the FOIA Branch will be forwarded to the FOIA Branch by the 
receiving office, but in that event, the applicable time limit for 
response set forth in paragraph (i) of this section will be calculated 
from the date of receipt by the FOIA Branch. The receiving office will 
normally forward the request to the FOIA Branch within 10 days of the 
initial receipt.
    (D) Requests made to the Agency for records that originated with 
another governmental agency may be referred to that agency.
    (2) Processing of FOIA requests--(i) Timing of response. The Agency 
ordinarily responds to FOIA requests according to their order of 
receipt. An initial determination will be issued within 20 working days 
(i.e., exempting Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after 
the receipt of a request. Responsive records are released at the time 
of the determination or, if necessary, at a time thereafter on a 
rolling basis.
    (ii) Expedited treatment. A request for expedited processing may be 
made at any time during the pendency of a FOIA request or appeal. 
Requests and appeals will be taken out of order and given expedited 
treatment when warranted. A requester must provide sufficient 
justification to grant such processing by showing that any one of the 
following circumstances exists:
    (A) The lack of expedited treatment could reasonably be expected to 
pose an imminent threat to the life or physical safety of an 
individual; or
    (B) There is an urgency to inform the public about an actual or 
alleged federal government activity, if made by a person primarily 
engaged in disseminating information; or
    (C) The loss of substantial due process rights; or
    (D)(1) There is widespread and exceptional media interest and 
possible questions exist about the government's integrity which may 
affect public confidence.
    (2) Within 10 calendar days of receipt of a request for expedited 
processing, the Agency will decide whether to grant it and will notify 
the requester of the decision. Once the determination has been made to 
grant expedited processing, the request will be given priority and 
processed as soon as practicable. If a request for expedited processing 
is denied, the Agency will act expeditiously on any appeal of that 
decision.
    (iii) Initial determination of requests. Within 20 working days 
after receipt of a request by the FOIA Branch, a determination will be 
made whether to comply with such request, and the requester will be 
notified in writing of that determination. In the case of requests made 
for records maintained by the Agency's Office of the Inspector General, 
that determination will be made by the Office of the Inspector General. 
Requesters will be made aware of their right to seek assistance from 
the Agency's FOIA Public Liaison.
    (A) Grants of requests. If the determination is to comply with the 
request, the records will be made promptly available to the person 
making the request and, at the same time, a statement of any charges 
due in accordance with the fee schedule provisions of paragraph (d)(2) 
of this section will be provided.
    (B) Denials of requests. If the determination is to deny the 
request in any respect, the requester will be notified in writing of 
that determination. The determination will set forth: The reason(s) for 
the denial; the name and title or position of each person responsible 
for the denial; and an estimate of the volume of records or information 
withheld, in number of pages or in some other reasonable form of 
estimation: However, this estimate does not need to be provided if the 
volume is otherwise indicated through deletions on records disclosed in 
part, or if providing an estimate would harm an interest protected by 
an applicable exemption. The determination will also inform the 
requester of the right to seek dispute resolution services from the 
Agency's FOIA Public Liaison or the Office of Government Information 
Services, as well as the right to appeal the adverse determination 
under the administrative appeal provisions of paragraph (c)(2)(v) of 
this section.
    (C) Adverse determinations may consist of: A determination to 
withhold any requested record in whole or in part; a determination that 
a requested record does not exist or cannot be located; a determination 
that what has been requested is not a record subject to the FOIA; a 
determination on any disputed fee matter, including a denial of a 
request for a fee waiver or reduction or placement in a particular fee 
category; and a denial of a request for expedited treatment. An adverse 
determination to an administrative appeal by the Chief FOIA Officer 
will be the final action of the Agency. An adverse determination will 
inform the requester of the right to seek dispute resolution services 
from the Agency's FOIA Public Liaison or the Office of Government 
Information Services, as well as the right to appeal the adverse 
determination under the administrative appeal provisions of paragraph 
(c)(2)(v) of this section.
    (iv) Records containing business information. Business information

[[Page 11770]]

obtained by the Agency from a submitter will be disclosed under the 
FOIA only consistent with the procedures established in this section.
    (A) For purposes of this section:
    (1) Business information means commercial or financial information 
obtained by the Agency from a submitter that may be protected from 
disclosure under Exemption 4 of the FOIA.
    (2) Submitter means any person or entity from whom the Agency 
obtains business information, directly or indirectly. The term includes 
corporations; state, local, and tribal governments; and foreign 
governments.
    (B) A submitter of business information will use good faith efforts 
to designate, by appropriate markings, either at the time of submission 
or at a reasonable time thereafter, any portions of its submission that 
it considers to be protected from disclosure under Exemption 4. These 
designations will expire 10 years after the date of the submission 
unless the submitter requests, and provides justification for, a longer 
designation period. The Agency will provide a submitter with prompt 
written notice of a FOIA request or administrative appeal that seeks 
its business information wherever required under paragraph 
(c)(2)(iv)(C) of this section, except as provided in paragraph 
(c)(2)(iv)(F) of this section, in order to give the submitter an 
opportunity to object to disclosure of any specified portion of that 
information under paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(D) of this section. The notice 
will either describe the business information requested or include 
copies of the requested records or record portions containing the 
information. When notification of a voluminous number of submitters is 
required, notification may be made by posting or publishing the notice 
in a place reasonably likely to accomplish notification.
    (C) Notice will be given to a submitter whenever: The information 
has been designated in good faith by the submitter as information 
considered protected from disclosure under Exemption 4; or the Agency 
has reason to believe that the information may be protected from 
disclosure under Exemption 4.
    (D) The Agency will allow a submitter a reasonable time to respond 
to the notice described in paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(B) of this section. If 
a submitter has any objection to disclosure, it is required to submit a 
detailed written statement. The statement must specify all grounds for 
withholding any portion of the information under any exemption of the 
FOIA and, in the case of Exemption 4, it must show why the information 
is a trade secret or commercial or financial information that is 
privileged or confidential. In the event that a submitter fails to 
respond to the notice within the time specified in it, the submitter 
will be considered to have no objection to disclosure of the 
information. Information provided by a submitter under this paragraph 
may itself be subject to disclosure under the FOIA.
    (E) The Agency will consider a submitter's objections and specific 
grounds for nondisclosure in deciding whether to disclose business 
information. Whenever the Agency decides to disclose business 
information over the objection of a submitter, the Agency will give the 
submitter written notice, which will include: A statement of the 
reason(s) why each of the submitter's disclosure objections was not 
sustained; a description of the business information to be disclosed; 
and a specified disclosure date, which will be a reasonable time 
subsequent to the notice.
    (F) The notice requirements of paragraphs (c)(2)(iv)(B) and (E) of 
this section will not apply if: The Agency determines that the 
information may not be disclosed; the information lawfully has been 
published or has been officially made available to the public; 
disclosure of the information is required by statute (other than the 
FOIA) or by a regulation issued in accordance with the requirements of 
Executive Order 12600 (3 CFR, 1988 Comp., p. 235); or the designation 
made by the submitter under paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(B) of this section 
appears obviously frivolous--except that, in such a case, the Agency 
will, within a reasonable time prior to a specified disclosure date, 
give the submitter written notice of any final decision to disclose the 
information.
    (G) Whenever a requester files a lawsuit seeking to compel the 
disclosure of business information, the Agency will promptly notify the 
submitter.
    (H) Whenever the Agency provides a submitter with notice and an 
opportunity to object to disclosure under paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(B) of 
this section, the Agency will also notify the requester(s). Whenever 
the Agency notifies a submitter of its intent to disclose requested 
information under paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(E) of this section, the Agency 
will also notify the requester(s). Whenever a submitter files a lawsuit 
seeking to prevent the disclosure of business information, the Agency 
will notify the requester(s).
    (v) Administrative appeals. (A) An appeal from an adverse 
determination made pursuant to paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this section 
must be filed within 90 calendar days of the service of the 
notification of the adverse determination, in whole or in part. Appeals 
of adverse determinations made by the FOIA Officer or the Office of the 
Inspector General may be filed with the Division of Legal Counsel in 
Washington, DC.
    (B) As provided in paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this section, an 
adverse determination will notify the requester of the right to appeal 
the adverse determination and will specify where such appeal may be 
filed. Within 20 working days after receipt of an appeal, the Chief 
FOIA Officer will make a determination with respect to such appeal and 
will notify the requester in writing. If the determination is to grant 
the appeal, the responsive records will be made promptly available to 
the requester upon receipt of payment of any charges due in accordance 
with the provisions of paragraph (d)(2) of this section. If the appeal 
is denied, in whole or in part, the requester will be notified of the 
reasons for the decision, the name and title or position of any person 
responsible for the denial, and the provisions for judicial review of 
that determination under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. Section 552(4)(B).
    (C) Before seeking judicial review of an adverse determination, a 
requester must first submit a timely administrative appeal.
    (D) Even if no FOIA appeal is filed, the Chief FOIA Officer may, 
without regard to the time limit for filing of an appeal, initiate 
reconsideration of an adverse determination by issuing written notice 
to the requester. In such event, the time limit for making the 
determination will commence with the issuance of such notification.
    (vi) Extension of time to respond to requests. In unusual 
circumstances as specified in this paragraph (c)(2)(vi), the Agency may 
extend the time limits prescribed in either paragraph (c)(2)(i) or (iv) 
of this section by written notice to the requester setting forth the 
reasons for such extension and the date on which a determination is 
expected, and notifying the requester of the right to seek dispute 
resolution services from the Office of Government Information Services. 
The extension of time will not exceed 10 working days. As used in this 
paragraph (c)(2)(vi), unusual circumstances means, but only to the 
extent reasonably necessary to the proper processing of the particular 
request:
    (A) The need to search for and collect the requested records from 
other offices in the Agency that are separate from the FOIA Branch;

[[Page 11771]]

    (B) The need to search for, collect, and appropriately examine a 
voluminous amount of separate and distinct records which are sought in 
a single request;
    (C)(1) The need for consultation, which will be conducted with all 
practicable speed, with another agency having a substantial interest in 
the determination of the request or with two or more offices in the 
Agency having a substantial subject matter interest in the request.
    (2) If the request cannot be processed within the time limits 
prescribed above, the Agency will provide the requester with an 
opportunity to limit the request so that it may be processed within the 
10-day extended time limit for response. The requester may also arrange 
an alternative time frame with the Agency for processing the request or 
a modified request. The Agency's FOIA Public Liaison is available to 
assist with any issues that may arise.
    (vii) Preservation of FOIA request files. The Agency will preserve 
files created in response to requests for information under the FOIA 
and files created in responding to administrative appeals under the 
FOIA until disposition or destruction is authorized by Title 44 of the 
United States Code or the National Archives and Records 
Administration's General Records Schedule 4.2, item 020. Records will 
not be disposed of or destroyed while they are the subject of a pending 
request, appeal, or lawsuit under the FOIA.
    (d)(1) Fees. For purposes of this section, the following 
definitions apply:
    (i) Direct costs means those expenditures which are actually 
incurred in searching for and duplicating and, in the case of 
commercial use requests, reviewing documents to respond to a FOIA 
request.
    (ii) Search refers to the process of looking for and retrieving 
records or information responsive to a request. It includes page-by-
page or line-by-line identification of material within documents and 
also includes reasonable efforts to locate and retrieve information 
from records maintained in electronic form or format. The Agency will 
ensure that searches are done in the most efficient and least expensive 
manner reasonably possible.
    (iii) Duplication refers to the process of making a copy of a 
record, or the information contained in it, necessary to respond to a 
FOIA request. Such copies can take the form of paper, microfilm, 
videotape, audiotape, or electronic records (e.g., magnetic tape or 
disk), among others. The Agency will honor a requester's specified 
preference of form or format of disclosure if the record is readily 
reproducible with reasonable efforts in the requested form or format by 
the office responding to the request.
    (iv) Review refers to the process of examining documents located in 
response to a request that is for commercial use to determine whether 
any portion of it is exempt from disclosure. It includes processing any 
documents for disclosure, e.g., doing all that is necessary to redact 
and prepare them for disclosure. Review time includes time spent 
considering any formal objection to disclosure made by a business 
submitter under paragraph (c)(2)(iv) of this section, but does not 
include time spent resolving general legal or policy issues regarding 
the application of exemptions.
    (v) Commercial use request refers to a request from or on behalf of 
a person who seeks information for a use or purpose that furthers the 
commercial, trade, or profit interests of the requester or the person 
on whose behalf the request is made, which can include furthering those 
interests through litigation.
    (vi) Educational institution refers to a preschool, a public or 
private elementary or secondary school, an institution of undergraduate 
higher education, an institution of graduate higher education, an 
institution of professional education, or an institution of vocational 
education, that operates a program of scholarly research. To be in this 
category, a requester must show that the request is authorized by and 
is made under the auspices of a qualifying institution and that the 
records are not sought for a commercial use but are sought to further 
scholarly research.
    (vii) Representative of the news media refers to any person 
actively gathering news for an entity that is organized and operated to 
publish or broadcast news to the public. The term news means 
information that is about current events or that would be of current 
interest to the public. Examples of news media entities include 
television or radio stations broadcasting to the public at large and 
publishers of periodicals (but only in instances where they can qualify 
as disseminators of news) who make their products available for 
purchase or subscription by the general public. For ``freelance'' 
journalists to be regarded as working for a news organization, they 
must demonstrate a solid basis for expecting publication through that 
organization. A publication contract is the clearest proof, but the 
Agency will also look to the past publication record of a requester in 
making this determination. To be in this category, a requester must not 
be seeking the requested records for commercial use. However, a request 
for records supporting the news dissemination function of the requester 
will not be considered to be for a commercial use.
    (viii) Working days, as used in this section, means calendar days 
excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays.
    (2) Fee schedule. Requesters will be subject to a charge of fees 
for the full allowable direct costs of document search, review, and 
duplicating, as appropriate, in accordance with the following 
schedules, procedures, and conditions:
    (i) Schedule of charges:
    (A) For each one-quarter hour or portion thereof of clerical time 
$3.10.
    (B) For each one-quarter hour or portion thereof of professional 
time $9.25.
    (C) For each sheet of duplication (not to exceed 8\1/2\ by 14 
inches) of requested records $0.12.
    (D) All other direct costs of preparing a response to a request 
will be charged to the requester in the same amount as incurred by the 
Agency. Such costs will include, but not be limited to: Certifying that 
records are true copies; sending records to requesters or receiving 
records from the Federal records storage centers by special methods 
such as express mail; and, where applicable, conducting computer 
searches for information and for providing information in electronic 
format.
    (ii) Fees incurred in responding to information requests are to be 
charged in accordance with the following categories of requesters:
    (A) Commercial use requesters will be assessed charges to recover 
the full direct costs for searching for, reviewing for release, and 
duplicating the records sought. Requesters must reasonably describe the 
records sought.
    (B) Educational institution requesters will be assessed charges for 
the cost of reproduction alone, excluding charges for the first 100 
pages. To be eligible for inclusion in this category, requesters must 
show that the request is being made under the auspices of a qualifying 
institution and that the records are not sought for commercial use, but 
are sought in furtherance of scholarly research. Requesters must 
reasonably describe the records sought.
    (C) Requesters who are representatives of the news media will be 
assessed charges for the cost of reproduction alone, excluding charges 
for the first 100 pages. To be eligible for inclusion in this category, 
a requester must meet the criteria in paragraph (d)(1)(vii) of this 
section, and the request must not be made for commercial use. In 
reference to this

[[Page 11772]]

class of requester, a request for records supporting the news 
dissemination function of the requester will not be considered to be a 
request for commercial use. Requesters must reasonably describe the 
records sought.
    (D) All other requesters, not elsewhere described, will be assessed 
charges to recover the full reasonable direct cost of searching for and 
reproducing records that are responsive to the request, except that the 
first 100 pages of reproduction and the first 2 hours of search time 
will be furnished without charge. Requesters must reasonably describe 
the records sought.
    (E) Absent a reasonably based factual showing that a requester may 
be placed in a particular user category, fees will be imposed as 
provided for in the commercial use requester category.
    (iii) Unusual fee circumstances. (A) In no event will fees be 
imposed on any requester when the total charges are less than $5, which 
is the Agency's cost of collecting and processing the fee itself.
    (B) If the Agency reasonably believes that a requester or a group 
of requesters acting together is attempting to divide a request into a 
series of requests for the purpose of avoiding fees, the Agency may 
aggregate those requests and charge accordingly. The Agency may presume 
that multiple requests of this type made within a 30-day period have 
been made to avoid fees. Where requests are separated by a longer 
period, the Agency will aggregate them only where there exists a solid 
basis for determining that aggregation is warranted under all the 
circumstances involved. Multiple requests involving unrelated matters 
will not be aggregated.
    (iv) Requests for fee waiver or reduction. Documents are to be 
furnished without charge or at reduced levels if disclosure of the 
information is in the public interest because it is likely to 
contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or 
activities of the Government and is not primarily in the commercial 
interest of the requester. Disclosure to data brokers or others who 
merely compile and market government information for direct economic 
return will not be presumed to primarily serve the public interest. A 
fee waiver or reduction is justified where the public interest standard 
is satisfied and that public interest is greater in magnitude than that 
of any identified commercial interest in disclosure. Where only some of 
the requested records satisfy the requirements for a fee waiver, a 
waiver will be granted for those records.
    (v) Failure to pay fees. If a requester fails to pay chargeable 
fees that were incurred as a result of the Agency's processing of the 
information request, beginning on the 31st day following the date on 
which the notification of charges was sent, the Agency may assess 
interest charges against the requester in the manner prescribed in 31 
U.S.C. Section 3717. Where appropriate, other steps permitted by 
federal debt collection statutes, including disclosure to consumer 
reporting agencies, use of collection agencies, and offset, will be 
used by the Agency to encourage payment of amounts overdue.
    (vi) Assumption of financial responsibility for processing 
requests. Each request for records must contain a specific statement 
assuming financial liability, in full or to a specified maximum amount, 
for charges, in accordance with paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and (ii) of this 
section, which may be incurred by the Agency in responding to the 
request. If the anticipated charges exceed the maximum limit stated by 
the person making the request, or if the request contains no assumption 
of financial liability or charges, the requester will be notified and 
afforded an opportunity to assume financial liability. In either case, 
the request for records will not be deemed received for purposes of the 
applicable time limit for response until a written assumption of 
financial liability is received. The Agency may require a requester to 
make an advance payment of anticipated fees under the following 
circumstances:
    (A) If the anticipated charges are likely to exceed $250, the 
Agency will notify the requester of the likely cost and obtain 
satisfactory assurance of full payment when the requester has a history 
of prompt payment of FOIA fees, or require an advance payment of an 
amount up to the full estimated charges in the case of requesters with 
no history of payment.
    (B) If a requester has previously failed to pay fees that have been 
charged in processing a request within 30 days of the date the 
notification of fees was sent, the requester will be required to pay 
the entire amount of fees that are owed, plus interest as provided for 
in paragraph (d)(2)(v) of this section, before the Agency will process 
a further information request. In addition, the Agency may require 
advance payment of fees that the Agency estimates will be incurred in 
processing the further request before the Agency commences processing 
that request. When the Agency acts under paragraph (d)(2)(vi)(A) or (B) 
of this section, the administrative time limits for responding to a 
request or an appeal from initial determinations will begin to run only 
after the Agency has received the fee payments required in paragraph 
(d)(2) of this section.
    (vii) Fees may be charged even if no documents are provided. 
Charges may be imposed even though the search discloses no records 
responsive to the request, or if records located are determined to be 
exempt from disclosure.


Sec.  102.118  Present and former Board employees prohibited from 
producing documents and testifying; production of witnesses' statements 
after direct testimony.

    (a) Prohibition on producing files and documents. Except as 
provided in Sec.  102.117 respecting requests cognizable under the 
Freedom of Information Act, no present or former employee or specially 
designated agent of the Agency will produce or present any files, 
documents, reports, memoranda, or records of the Board or of the 
General Counsel, whether in response to a subpoena duces tecum or 
otherwise, without the written consent of the Board or the Chairman of 
the Board if the document is in Washington, DC, and in control of the 
Board; or of the General Counsel if the document is in a Regional 
Office of the Board or is in Washington, DC, and in the control of the 
General Counsel.
    (b) Prohibition on testifying. No present or former employee or 
specially designated agent of the Agency will testify on behalf of any 
party to any cause pending in any court or before the Board, or any 
other board, commission, or other administrative agency of the United 
States, or of any State, territory, or the District of Columbia, or any 
subdivisions thereof, with respect to any information, facts, or other 
matter coming to that person's knowledge in that person's official 
capacity or with respect to the contents of any files, documents, 
reports, memoranda, or records of the Board or of the General Counsel, 
whether in answer to a subpoena or otherwise, without the written 
consent of the Board or the Chairman of the Board if the person is in 
Washington, DC, and subject to the supervision or control of the Board 
or was subject to such supervision or control when formerly employed at 
the Agency; or of the General Counsel if the person is in a Regional 
Office of the Agency or is in Washington, DC, and subject to the 
supervision or control of the General Counsel or was subject to such 
supervision or control when formerly employed at the Agency. A request 
that such consent be granted must be in writing and must identify the 
documents to be produced, or the person whose testimony is desired, the

[[Page 11773]]

nature of the pending proceeding, and the purpose to be served by the 
production of the document or the testimony of the official.
    (c) Motion to quash subpoena. Whenever any subpoena ad 
testificandum or subpoena duces tecum, the purpose of which is to 
adduce testimony or require the production of records as described 
above, has been served on any present or former employee or specially 
designated agent of the Agency, that person will, unless otherwise 
expressly directed by the Board or the Chairman of the Board or the 
General Counsel, as the case may be, move pursuant to the applicable 
procedure, whether by petition to revoke, motion to quash, or 
otherwise, to have such subpoena invalidated on the ground that the 
evidence sought is privileged against disclosure by this Rule.
    (d) Prohibition on disclosure of personal information. No present 
or former employee or specially designated agent of the Agency will, by 
any means of communication to any person or to another agency, disclose 
personal information about an individual from a record in a system of 
records maintained by this Agency, as more fully described in the 
notices of systems of records published by this Agency in accordance 
with the provisions of Section (e)(4) of the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 
U.S.C. 552a(e)(4), or by the Notices of Government-wide Systems of 
Personnel Records published by the Civil Service Commission in 
accordance with those statutory provisions, except pursuant to a 
written request by, or with the prior written consent of, the 
individual to whom the record pertains, unless disclosure of the record 
would be in accordance with the provisions of Section (b)(1) through 
(11), both inclusive, of the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(1) 
through (11).
    (e) Production of statement for cross-examination. Notwithstanding 
the prohibitions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, after a 
witness called by the General Counsel or by the Charging Party has 
testified in a hearing upon a complaint under Section 10(c) of the Act, 
the Administrative Law Judge must, upon motion of the Respondent, order 
the production of any statement, as defined paragraph (g) of this 
section, of such witness in the possession of the General Counsel which 
relates to the subject matter as to which the witness has testified.
    (1) If the entire contents of any such statement relate to the 
subject matter of the testimony of the witness, the Administrative Law 
Judge must order the statement to be delivered directly to the 
respondent for examination and use for the purpose of cross-
examination.
    (2) If the General Counsel claims that any statement ordered to be 
produced under this section contains matter which does not relate to 
the subject matter of the testimony of the witness, the Administrative 
Law Judge will order the General Counsel to deliver the statement for 
the inspection of the Administrative Law Judge in camera. Upon 
delivery, the Administrative Law Judge will excise the portions of such 
statement which do not relate to the subject matter of the testimony of 
the witness except that the Administrative Law Judge has discretion to 
decline to excise portions which, although not relating to the subject 
matter of the testimony of the witness, do relate to other matters 
raised by the pleadings. With the material excised, the Administrative 
Law Judge will then direct delivery of the statement to the Respondent 
for use on cross-examination. If any portion of the statement is 
withheld and the Respondent objects to the withholding, the General 
Counsel will preserve the entire text of the statement, and, if the 
Respondent files exceptions with the Board based upon such withholding, 
make the entire text available to the Board for the purpose of 
determining the correctness of the ruling of the Administrative Law 
Judge. If the General Counsel elects not to comply with an order of the 
Administrative Law Judge directing delivery to the Respondent of any 
statement, or portion thereof as the Administrative Law Judge may 
direct, the Administrative Law Judge will strike from the record the 
testimony of the witness.
    (f) Production of statement in postelection hearings. The 
provisions of paragraph (e) of this section will also apply after any 
witness has testified in any postelection hearing pursuant to Sec.  
102.69(d) and any party has moved for the production of any statement, 
as defined in paragraph (g) of this section, of the witness in 
possession of any agent of the Board which relates to the subject 
matter as to which the witness has testified. The authority exercised 
by the Administrative Law Judge under paragraph (e) of this section 
will be exercised by the Hearing Officer presiding.
    (g) Definition of statement. The term statement as used in this 
section means:
    (1) A written statement made by the witness and signed or otherwise 
adopted or approved by the witness; or
    (2) A stenographic, mechanical, electrical, or other recording, or 
a transcription thereof, which is a substantially verbatim recital of 
an oral statement made by the witness to an agent of the party 
obligated to produce the statement and recorded contemporaneously with 
the making of the oral statement.


Sec.  102.119  Privacy Act Regulations: notification as to whether a 
system of records contains records pertaining to requesting 
individuals; requests for access to records, amendment of requests; 
fees for document duplication; files and records exempted from certain 
Privacy Act requirements.

    (a)(1) An individual will be informed whether a system of records 
maintained by the Agency contains a record pertaining to such 
individual. An inquiry may be made in writing or in person during 
normal business hours to the official of the Agency designated for that 
purpose and at the address set forth in a notice of a system of records 
published by this Agency, in a Notice of Systems of Government-wide 
Personnel Records published by the Office of Personnel Management, or 
in a Notice of Government-wide Systems of Records published by the 
Department of Labor. Copies of such notices, and assistance in 
preparing an inquiry, may be obtained from any Regional Office of the 
Board or at the Board offices in Washington, DC. The inquiry may 
contain sufficient information, as defined in the notice, to identify 
the record.
    (2) Reasonable verification of the identity of the inquirer, as 
described in paragraph (e) of this section, will be required to assure 
that information is disclosed to the proper person. The Agency will 
acknowledge the inquiry in writing within 10 days (excluding Saturdays, 
Sundays, and legal public holidays) and, wherever practicable, the 
acknowledgment will supply the information requested. If, for good 
cause shown, the Agency cannot supply the information within 10 days, 
the inquirer will within that time period be notified in writing of the 
reasons therefor and when it is anticipated the information will be 
supplied. An acknowledgment will not be provided when the information 
is supplied within the 10-day period. If the Agency refuses to inform 
an individual whether a system of records contains a record pertaining 
to an individual, the inquirer will be notified in writing of that 
determination and the reasons therefor, and of the right to obtain 
review of that determination under the provisions of paragraph (f) of 
this section. The provisions of this paragraph (a)(2) do not apply to 
the extent that requested information from the relevant system of 
records has been exempted from this Privacy Act requirement.

[[Page 11774]]

    (b)(1) An individual will be permitted access to records pertaining 
to such individual contained in any system of records described in the 
notice of system of records published by the Agency, or access to the 
accounting of disclosures from such records. The request for access 
must be made in writing or in person during normal business hours to 
the person designated for that purpose and at the address set forth in 
the published notice of system of records. Copies of such notices, and 
assistance in preparing a request for access, may be obtained from any 
Regional Office of the Board or at the Board offices in Washington, DC. 
Reasonable verification of the identity of the requester, as described 
in paragraph (e) of this section, will be required to assure that 
records are disclosed to the proper person. A request for access to 
records or the accounting of disclosures from such records will be 
acknowledged in writing by the Agency within 10 days of receipt 
(excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) and, wherever 
practicable, the acknowledgment will inform the requester whether 
access will be granted and, if so, the time and location at which the 
records or accounting will be made available. If access to the record 
of accounting is to be granted, the record or accounting will normally 
be provided within 30 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal 
public holidays) of the request, unless for good cause shown the Agency 
is unable to do so, in which case the individual will be informed in 
writing within that 30-day period of the reasons therefor and when it 
is anticipated that access will be granted. An acknowledgment of a 
request will not be provided if the record is made available within the 
10-day period.
    (2) If an individual's request for access to a record or an 
accounting of disclosure from such a record under the provisions of 
this paragraph (b) is denied, the notice informing the individual of 
the denial will set forth the reasons therefor and advise the 
individual of the right to obtain a review of that determination under 
the provisions of paragraph (f) of this section. The provisions of this 
paragraph (b)(2) do not apply to the extent that requested information 
from the relevant system of records has been exempted from this Privacy 
Act requirement.
    (c) An individual granted access to records pertaining to such 
individual contained in a system of records may review all such 
records. For that purpose, the individual may be accompanied by a 
person of the individual's choosing, or the record may be released to 
the individual's representative who has written consent of the 
individual, as described in paragraph (e) of this section. A first copy 
of any such record or information will ordinarily be provided without 
charge to the individual or representative in a form comprehensible to 
the individual. Fees for any other copies of requested records will be 
assessed at the rate of 12 cents for each sheet of duplication.
    (d) An individual may request amendment of a record pertaining to 
such individual in a system of records maintained by the Agency. A 
request for amendment of a record must be in writing and submitted 
during normal business hours to the person designated for that purpose 
and at the address set forth in the published notice for the system of 
records containing the record of which amendment is sought. Copies of 
such notices, and assistance in preparing a request for amendment, may 
be obtained from any Regional Office of the Board or at the Board 
offices in Washington, DC. The requester must provide verification of 
identity as described in paragraph (e) of this section, and the request 
must set forth the specific amendment requested and the reason for the 
requested amendment. The Agency will acknowledge in writing receipt of 
the request within 10 days of receipt (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, 
and legal public holidays) and, whenever practicable, the 
acknowledgement will advise the individual of the determination of the 
request. If the review of the request for amendment cannot be completed 
and a determination made within 10 days, the review will be completed 
as soon as possible, normally within 30 days (Saturdays, Sundays, and 
legal public holidays excluded) of receipt of the request unless 
unusual circumstances preclude completing the review within that time, 
in which event the requester will be notified in writing within that 
30-day period of the reasons for the delay and when the determination 
of the request may be expected. If the determination is to amend the 
record, the requester will be so notified in writing and the record 
will be amended in accordance with that determination. If any 
disclosures accountable under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552a(c) have 
been made, all previous recipients of the record which was amended must 
be advised of the amendment and its substance. If it is determined that 
the request may not be granted, the requester will be notified in 
writing of that determination and of the reasons therefor, and advised 
of the right to obtain review of the adverse determination under the 
provisions of paragraph (f) of this section. The provisions of this 
paragraph (d) do not apply to the extent that requested information 
from the relevant system of records has been exempted from this Privacy 
Act requirement.
    (e) Verification of the identification of individuals required 
under paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section to assure that 
records are disclosed to the proper person will be required by the 
Agency to an extent consistent with the nature, location, and 
sensitivity of the records being disclosed. Disclosure of a record to 
an individual will normally be made upon the presentation of acceptable 
identification. Disclosure of records by mail may be made on the basis 
of the identifying information set forth in the request. Depending on 
the nature, location, and sensitivity of the requested record, a signed 
notarized statement verifying identity may be required by the Agency. 
Proof of authorization as representative to have access to a record of 
an individual must be in writing, and a signed notarized statement of 
such authorization may be required by the Agency if the record 
requested is of a sensitive nature.
    (f)(1) Review may be obtained with respect to:
    (i) A refusal, under paragraph (a) or (g) of this section, to 
inform an individual if a system of records contains a record 
concerning that individual;
    (ii) A refusal, under paragraph (b) or (g) of this section, to 
grant access to a record or an accounting of disclosure from such a 
record; or
    (iii) A refusal, under paragraph (d) of this section, to amend a 
record.
    (iv) The request for review may be made to the Chairman of the 
Board if the system of records is maintained in the office of a Member 
of the Board, the Office of the Executive Secretary, the Office of the 
Solicitor, the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, or the 
Division of Administrative Law Judges. Consistent with the provisions 
of Section 3(d) of the Act, and the delegation of authority from the 
Board to the General Counsel, the request may be made to the General 
Counsel if the system of records is maintained by an office of the 
Agency other than those enumerated above. Either the Chairman of the 
Board or the General Counsel may designate in writing another officer 
of the Agency to review the refusal of the request. Such review will be 
completed within 30 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal 
public holidays)

[[Page 11775]]

from the receipt of the request for review unless the Chairman of the 
Board or the General Counsel, as the case may be, for good cause shown, 
extends such 30-day period.
    (2) If, upon review of a refusal under paragraph (a) or (g) of this 
section, the reviewing officer determines that the individual may be 
informed of whether a system of records contains a record pertaining to 
that individual, such information will be promptly provided. If the 
reviewing officer determines that the information was properly denied, 
the individual will be so informed in writing with a brief statement of 
the reasons therefor.
    (3) If, upon review of a refusal under paragraph (b) or (g) of this 
section, the reviewing officer determines that access to a record or to 
an accounting of disclosures may be granted, the requester will be so 
notified and the record or accounting will be promptly made available 
to the requester. If the reviewing officer determines that the request 
for access was properly denied, the individual will be so informed in 
writing with a brief statement of the reasons therefor, and of the 
right to judicial review of that determination under the provisions of 
5 U.S.C. 552a(g)(1)(B).
    (4) If, upon review of a refusal under paragraph (i) of this 
section, the reviewing official grants a request to amend, the 
requester will be so notified, the record will be amended in accordance 
with the determination, and, if any disclosures accountable under the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552a(c) have been made, all previous recipients 
of the record which was amended will be advised of the amendment and 
its substance. If the reviewing officer determines that the denial of a 
request for amendment may be sustained, the Agency will advise the 
requester of the determination and the reasons therefor, and that the 
individual may file with the Agency a concise statement of the reason 
for disagreeing with the determination, and may seek judicial review of 
the Agency's denial of the request to amend the record. In the event a 
statement of disagreement is filed, that statement:
    (i) Will be made available to anyone to whom the record is 
subsequently disclosed together with, at the discretion of the Agency, 
a brief statement summarizing the Agency's reasons for declining to 
amend the record; and
    (ii) Will be supplied, together with any Agency statements, to any 
prior recipients of the disputed record to the extent that an 
accounting of disclosure was made.
    (g) To the extent that portions of systems of records described in 
notices of Government-wide systems of records published by the Office 
of Personnel Management are identified by those notices as being 
subject to the management of an officer of this Agency, or an officer 
of the Agency is designated as the official to contact for information, 
access, or contents of those records, individual requests for access to 
those records, requests for their amendment, and review of denials of 
requests for amendment will be in accordance with the provisions of 5 
CFR 297.101 through 297.501, as promulgated by the Office of Personnel 
Management. To the extent that portions of systems of records described 
in notices of Government-wide systems of records published by the 
Department of Labor are identified by those notices as being subject to 
the management of an officer of the Agency, or an officer of the Agency 
is designated as the official to contact for information, access, or 
contents of those records, individual requests for access to those 
records, requests for their amendment, and review of denials of 
requests for amendment will be in accordance with the provisions of 
this section. Review of a refusal to inform an individual whether such 
a system of records contains a record pertaining to that individual and 
review of a refusal to grant an individual's request for access to a 
record in such a system may be obtained in accordance with the 
provisions of paragraph (f) of this section.
    (h) Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2), the system of records 
maintained by the Office of the Inspector General of the National Labor 
Relations Board that contains Investigative Files will be exempted from 
the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552a, except subsections (b), (c)(1) and 
(2), (e)(4)(A) through (F), (e)(6), (7), (9), (10), and (11), and (i), 
from 29 CFR 102.117(c) and (d), and from 29 CFR 102.119(a), (b), (c), 
(d), (e), and (f), insofar as the system contains investigatory 
material compiled for criminal law enforcement purposes.
    (i) Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2), the system of records 
maintained by the Office of the Inspector General of the National Labor 
Relations Board that contains the Investigative Files must be exempted 
from 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), (d), (e)(1), (e)(4)(G), (H), and (I), and 
(f), from 29 CFR 102.117(c) and (d), and from 29 CFR 102.119(a), (b), 
(c), (d), (e), and (f), insofar as the system contains investigatory 
material compiled for law enforcement purposes not within the scope of 
the exemption at 29 CFR 102.119(h).
    (j) Privacy Act exemptions contained in paragraphs (h) and (i) of 
this section are justified for the following reasons:
    (1) 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) requires an agency to make the accounting 
of each disclosure of records available to the individual named in the 
record at that individual's request. These accountings must state the 
date, nature, and purpose of each disclosure of a record and the name 
and address of the recipient. Accounting for each disclosure would 
alert the subjects of an investigation to the existence of the 
investigation and the fact that they are subjects of the investigation. 
The release of such information to the subjects of an investigation 
would provide them with significant information concerning the nature 
of the investigation and could seriously impede or compromise the 
investigation, endanger the physical safety of confidential sources, 
witnesses, law enforcement personnel, and their families and lead to 
the improper influencing of witnesses, the destruction of evidence, or 
the fabrication of testimony.
    (2) 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(4) requires an agency to inform any person or 
other agency about any correction or notation of dispute made by the 
agency in accordance with subsection (d) of the Act. Since this system 
of records is being exempted from subsection (d) of the Act, concerning 
access to records, this section is inapplicable to the extent that this 
system of records will be exempted from subsection (d) of the Act.
    (3) 5 U.S.C. 552a(d) requires an agency to permit an individual to 
gain access to records pertaining to the individual, to request 
amendment to such records, to request a review of an agency decision 
not to amend such records, and to contest the information contained in 
such records. Granting access to records in this system of records 
could inform the subject of an investigation of an actual or potential 
criminal violation, of the existence of that investigation, of the 
nature and scope of the information and evidence obtained as to the 
individual's activities, or of the identity of confidential sources, 
witnesses, and law enforcement personnel and could provide information 
to enable the subject to avoid detection or apprehension. Granting 
access to such information could seriously impede or compromise an 
investigation, endanger the physical safety of confidential sources, 
witnesses, law enforcement personnel, and their families, lead to the 
improper influencing of witnesses, the destruction of evidence, or the 
fabrication of testimony, and disclose investigative

[[Page 11776]]

techniques and procedures. In addition, granting access to such 
information could disclose classified, security-sensitive, or 
confidential business information and could constitute an unwarranted 
invasion of the personal privacy of others.
    (4) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1) requires each agency to maintain in its 
records only such information about an individual as is relevant and 
necessary to accomplish a purpose of the agency required by statute or 
by executive order of the President. The application of this provision 
could impair investigations and law enforcement because it is not 
always possible to detect the relevance or necessity of specific 
information in the early stages of an investigation. Relevance and 
necessity are often questions of judgment and timing, and it is only 
after the information is evaluated that the relevance and necessity of 
such information can be established. In addition, during the course of 
the investigation, the investigator may obtain information which is 
incidental to the main purpose of the investigative jurisdiction of 
another agency. Such information cannot readily be segregated. 
Furthermore, during the course of the investigation, the investigator 
may obtain information concerning the violation of laws other than 
those which are within scope of the investigator's jurisdiction. In the 
interest of effective law enforcement, OIG investigators may retain 
this information, since it can aid in establishing patterns of criminal 
activity and can provide valuable leads for other law enforcement 
agencies.
    (5) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(2) requires an agency to collect information 
to the greatest extent practicable directly from the subject individual 
when the information may result in adverse determinations about an 
individual's rights, benefits, and privileges under Federal programs. 
The application of this provision could impair investigations and law 
enforcement by alerting the subject of an investigation, thereby 
enabling the subject to avoid detection or apprehension, to influence 
witnesses improperly, to destroy evidence, or to fabricate testimony. 
Moreover, in certain circumstances, the subject of an investigation 
cannot be required to provide information to investigators and 
information must be collected from other sources. Furthermore, it is 
often necessary to collect information from sources other than the 
subject of the investigation to verify the accuracy of the evidence 
collected.
    (6) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(3) requires an agency to inform each person 
whom it asks to supply information, on a form that can be retained by 
the person, of the authority under which the information is sought and 
whether disclosure is mandatory or voluntary; of the principal purposes 
for which the information is intended to be used; of the routine uses 
which may be made of the information; and of the effects on the person, 
if any, of not providing all or any part of the requested information. 
The application of this provision could provide the subject of an 
investigation with substantial information about the nature of that 
investigation that could interfere with the investigation. Moreover, 
providing such a notice to the subject of an investigation could 
seriously impede or compromise an undercover investigation by revealing 
its existence and could endanger the physical safety of confidential 
sources, witnesses, and investigators by revealing their identities.
    (7) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(G) and (H) require an agency to publish a 
Federal Register notice concerning its procedures for notifying an 
individual, at the individual's request, if the system of records 
contains a record pertaining to the individual, how to gain access to 
such a record, and how to contest its content. Since this system of 
records is being exempted from subsection (f) of the Act, concerning 
agency rules, and subsection (d) of the Act, concerning access to 
records, these requirements are inapplicable to the extent that this 
system of records will be exempt from subsections (f) and (d) of the 
Act. Although the system would be exempt from these requirements, OIG 
has published information concerning its notification, access, and 
contest procedures because, under certain circumstances, OIG could 
decide it is appropriate for an individual to have access to all or a 
portion of the individual's records in this system of records.
    (8) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(I) requires an agency to publish a Federal 
Register notice concerning the categories of sources of records in the 
system of records. Exemption from this provision is necessary to 
protect the confidentiality of the sources of information, to protect 
the privacy and physical safety of confidential sources and witnesses, 
and to avoid the disclosure of investigative techniques and procedures. 
Although the system will be exempt from this requirement, OIG has 
published such a notice in broad generic terms.
    (9) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(5) requires an agency to maintain its records 
with such accuracy, relevance, timeliness, and completeness as is 
reasonably necessary to assure fairness to the individual in making any 
determination about the individual. Since the Act defines maintain to 
include the collection of information, complying with this provision 
could prevent the collection of any data not shown to be accurate, 
relevant, timely, and complete at the moment it is collected. In 
collecting information for criminal law enforcement purposes, it is not 
possible to determine in advance what information is accurate, 
relevant, timely, and complete. Facts are first gathered and then 
placed into a logical order to prove or disprove objectively the 
criminal behavior of an individual. Material which seems unrelated, 
irrelevant, or incomplete when collected can take on added meaning or 
significance as the investigation progresses. The restrictions of this 
provision could interfere with the preparation of a complete 
investigative report, thereby impeding effective law enforcement.
    (10) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(8) requires an agency to make reasonable 
efforts to serve notice on an individual when any record on such 
individual is made available to any person under compulsory legal 
process when such process becomes a matter of public record. Complying 
with this provision could prematurely reveal an ongoing criminal 
investigation to the subject of the investigation.
    (11) 5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(1) requires an agency to promulgate rules 
that establish procedures whereby an individual can be notified in 
response to the individual's request if any system of records named by 
the individual contains a record pertaining to the individual. The 
application of this provision could impede or compromise an 
investigation or prosecution if the subject of an investigation were 
able to use such rules to learn of the existence of an investigation 
before it could be completed. In addition, mere notice of the fact of 
an investigation could inform the subject and others that their 
activities are under or may become the subject of an investigation and 
could enable the subjects to avoid detection or apprehension, to 
influence witnesses improperly, to destroy evidence, or to fabricate 
testimony. Since this system would be exempt from subsection (d) of the 
Act, concerning access to records, the requirements of subsection 
(f)(2) through (5) of the Act, concerning agency rules for obtaining 
access to such records, are inapplicable to the extent that this system 
of records will be exempted from subsection (d) of the Act. Although 
this system would be exempt from the requirements of

[[Page 11777]]

subsection (f) of the Act, OIG has promulgated rules which establish 
agency procedures because, under certain circumstances, it could be 
appropriate for an individual to have access to all or a portion of the 
individual's records in this system of records.
    (12) 5 U.S.C. 552a(g) provides for civil remedies if an agency 
fails to comply with the requirements concerning access to records 
under subsections (d)(1) and (3) of the Act; maintenance of records 
under subsection (e)(5) of the Act; and any other provision of the Act, 
or any rule promulgated thereunder, in such a way as to have an adverse 
effect on an individual. Since this system of records would be exempt 
from subsections (c) (3) and (4), (d), (e)(1), (2), and (3) and (4)(G) 
through (I), (e)(5), and (8), and (f) of the Act, the provisions of 
subsection (g) of the Act would be inapplicable to the extent that this 
system of records will be exempted from those subsections of the Act.
    (k) Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2), the system of records 
maintained by the NLRB containing Agency Disciplinary Case Files 
(Nonemployees) are exempt from the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552a (c)(3), 
(d), (e)(1), (e)(4) (G), (H), and (I), and (f) insofar as the system 
contains investigatory material compiled for law enforcement purposes 
other than material within the scope of 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2).
    (l) The Privacy Act exemption set forth in paragraph (k) of this 
section is claimed on the ground that the requirements of subsections 
(c)(3), (d), (e)(1), (e)(4) (G), (H), and (I), and (f) of the Privacy 
Act, if applied to Agency Disciplinary Case Files, would seriously 
impair the ability of the NLRB to conduct investigations of alleged or 
suspected violations of the NLRB's misconduct rules, as set forth in 
paragraphs (j)(1), (3), (4), (7), (8), and (11) of this section.
    (m) Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2), investigatory material 
compiled for law enforcement purposes that is contained in the Next 
Generation Case Management System (NxGen) (NLRB-33), are exempt from 
the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), (d), (e)(1), (e)(4)(G), 
(e)(4)(H), (e)(4)(I), and (f). This information was formerly contained 
within the following legacy systems, which remain accessible and which 
also are exempt pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2), as follows:
    (1) The following three legacy systems of records are exempt in 
their entirety from provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), (d), (e)(1), 
(e)(4)(G), (e)(4)(H), (e)(4)(I), and (f), because the systems contain 
investigatory material compiled for law enforcement purposes, other 
than material within the scope of 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2): Case Activity 
Tracking System (CATS) and Associated Regional Office Files (NLRB-25), 
Regional Advice and Injunction Litigation System (RAILS) and Associated 
Headquarters Files (NLRB-28), and Appeals Case Tracking System (ACTS) 
and Associated Headquarters Files (NLRB-30).
    (2) Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2), limited categories of 
information from the following four systems of records are exempt from 
the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), (d), (e)(1), (e)(4)(G), 
(e)(4)(H), (e)(4)(I), and (f), insofar as the systems contain 
investigatory material compiled for law enforcement purposes, other 
than material within the scope of 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2):
    (i) The legacy Judicial Case Management Systems-Pending Case List 
(JCMS-PCL) and Associated Headquarters Files (NLRB-21)--information 
relating to requests to file injunctions under 29 U.S.C. 160(j), 
requests to initiate federal court contempt proceedings, certain 
requests that the Board initiate litigation or intervene in non-Agency 
litigation, and any other investigatory material compiled for law 
enforcement purposes;
    (ii) The legacy Solicitor's System (SOL) and Associated 
Headquarters Files (NLRB-23)--information relating to requests to file 
injunctions under 29 U.S.C. 160(j), requests to initiate federal court 
contempt proceedings, certain requests that the Board initiate 
litigation or intervene in non-Agency litigation, and any other 
investigatory material compiled for law enforcement purposes;
    (iii) The legacy Special Litigation Case Tracking System (SPLIT) 
and Associated Headquarters Files (NLRB-27)--information relating to 
investigative subpoena enforcement cases, injunction and mandamus 
actions regarding Agency cases under investigation, bankruptcy case 
information in matters under investigation, Freedom of Information Act 
cases involving investigatory records, certain requests that the Board 
initiate litigation or intervene in non-Agency litigation, and any 
other investigatory material compiled for law enforcement purposes; and
    (iv) The Freedom of Information Act Tracking System (FTS) and 
Associated Agency Files (NLRB-32)--information requested under the 
Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, that relates to the Agency's 
investigation of unfair labor practice and representation cases or 
other proceedings described in paragraphs (m)(1) and (2) of this 
section.
    (n) The reasons for exemption under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2) are as 
follows:
    (1) 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) requires an agency to make the accounting 
of each disclosure of records available to the individual named in the 
record at such individual's request. These accountings must state the 
date, nature, and purpose of each disclosure of a record, and the name 
and address of the recipient. Providing such an accounting of 
investigatory information to a party in an unfair labor practice or 
representation matter under investigation could inform that individual 
of the precise scope of an Agency investigation, or the existence or 
scope of another law enforcement investigation. Accordingly, this 
Privacy Act requirement could seriously impede or compromise either the 
Agency's investigation, or another law enforcement investigation, by 
causing the improper influencing of witnesses, retaliation against 
witnesses, destruction of evidence, or fabrication of testimony.
    (2) 5 U.S.C. 552a(d) requires an agency to permit an individual to 
gain access to records pertaining to such individual, to request 
amendment to such records, to request review of an agency decision not 
to amend such records, and, where the Agency refuses to amend records, 
to submit a statement of disagreement to be included with the records. 
Such disclosure of investigatory information could seriously impede or 
compromise the Agency's investigation by revealing the identity of 
confidential sources or confidential business information, or causing 
the improper influencing of witnesses, retaliation against witnesses, 
destruction of evidence, fabrication of testimony, or unwarranted 
invasion of the privacy of others. Amendment of the records could 
interfere with ongoing law enforcement proceedings and impose an undue 
administrative burden by requiring investigations to be continuously 
reinvestigated.
    (3) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1) requires an agency to maintain in its 
records only such information about an individual as is relevant and 
necessary to accomplish a purpose of the agency required by statute or 
by executive order of the President. This requirement could foreclose 
investigators from acquiring or receiving information the relevance and 
necessity of which is not readily apparent and could only be 
ascertained after a complete review and evaluation of all the evidence.
    (4) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(G) and (H) require an agency to publish a 
Federal Register notice concerning its procedures for notifying an 
individual, at the individual's request, if the system of records 
contains a record pertaining

[[Page 11778]]

to the individual, for gaining access to such a record, and for 
contesting its content. Because certain information from these systems 
of records is exempt from subsection (d) of the Act concerning access 
to records, and consequently, from subsection (f) of the Act concerning 
Agency rules governing access, these requirements are inapplicable to 
that information.
    (5) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(I) requires an agency to publish a Federal 
Register notice concerning the categories of sources of records in the 
system of records. Exemption from this provision is necessary to 
protect the confidentiality of sources of information, to protect 
against the disclosure of investigative techniques and procedures, to 
avoid threats or reprisals against informers by subjects of 
investigations, and to protect against informers refusing to give full 
information to investigators for fear of having their identities as 
sources revealed.
    (6) 5 U.S.C. 552a(f) requires an agency to promulgate rules for 
notifying individuals of Privacy Act rights granted by subsection (d) 
of the Act concerning access and amendment of records. Because certain 
information from these systems is exempt from subsection (d) of the 
Act, the requirements of subsection (f) of the Act are inapplicable to 
that information.

Subpart L--Post-Employment Restrictions on Activities by Former 
Officers and Employees

Sec.
102.120 Post-employment restrictions on activities by former 
officers and employees.


Sec.  102.120  Post-employment restrictions on activities by former 
officers and employees.

    Former officers and employees of the Agency who were attached to 
any of its Regional Offices or the Washington staff are subject to the 
applicable post-employment restrictions imposed by 18 U.S.C. 207. 
Guidance concerning those restrictions may be obtained from the 
Designated Agency Ethics Officer and any applicable regulations issued 
by the Office of Government Ethics.

Subpart M--Construction of Rules

Sec.
102.121 Rules to be liberally construed.
102.122 and 102.123 [Reserved]


Sec.  102.121   Rules to be liberally construed.

    The Rules and Regulations in this part will be liberally construed 
to effectuate the purposes and provisions of the Act.


Sec. Sec.  102.122 and 102.123   [Reserved]

Subpart N--[Removed and Reserved]

0
18. Remove and reserve subpart N.

0
19. Revise subpart O to read as follows:

Subpart O--Amendments

Sec.
102.124 Petitions for issuance, amendment, or repeal of rules.
102.125 Action on petition.


Sec.  102.124   Petitions for issuance, amendment, or repeal of rules.

    Any interested person may petition the Board, in writing, for the 
issuance, amendment, or repeal of a rule or regulation. An original of 
such petition must be filed with the Board and must state the rule or 
regulation proposed to be issued, amended, or repealed, together with a 
statement of grounds in support of such petition.


Sec.  102.125   Action on petition.

    Upon the filing of such petition, the Board will consider the same 
and may either grant or deny the petition in whole or in part, conduct 
an appropriate hearing thereon, or make other disposition of the 
petition. Should the petition be denied in whole or in part, prompt 
notice will be given of the denial, accompanied by a simple statement 
of the grounds unless the denial is self-explanatory.

Subpart P--Ex Parte Communications

0
20. Revise Sec.  102.126 to read as follows:


Sec.  102.126  Unauthorized communications.

    (a) No interested person outside this Agency may, in an on-the-
record proceeding of the types defined in Sec.  102.128, make or 
knowingly cause to be made any prohibited ex parte communication to 
Board agents of the categories designated in that Section relevant to 
the merits of the proceeding.
    (b) No Board agent of the categories defined in Sec.  102.128, 
participating in a particular proceeding as defined in that section, 
may:
    (i) Request any prohibited ex parte communications; or
    (ii) Make or knowingly cause to be made any prohibited ex parte 
communications about the proceeding to any interested person outside 
this Agency relevant to the merits of the proceeding.

0
21. Revise Sec.  102.127(a) to read as follows:


Sec.  102.127   Definitions.

* * * * *
    (a) The term person outside this Agency, to whom the prohibitions 
apply includes any individual outside this Agency, partnership, 
corporation, association, or other entity, or an agent thereof, and the 
General Counsel or the General Counsel's representative when 
prosecuting an unfair labor practice proceeding before the Board 
pursuant to Section 10(b) of the Act.
* * * * *

0
22. Revise Sec. Sec.  102.128 through 102. to read as follows:

Sec.
102.128 Types of on-the-record proceedings; categories of Board 
agents; duration of prohibition.
102.129 Communications prohibited.
102.130 Communications not prohibited.
102.131 Solicitation of prohibited communications.
102.132 Reporting of prohibited communications; penalties.
102.133 Penalties and enforcement.


Sec.  102.128  Types of on-the-record proceedings; categories of Board 
agents; duration of prohibition.

    Unless otherwise provided by specific order of the Board entered in 
the proceeding, the prohibition of Sec.  102.126 will be applicable in 
the following types of on-the-record proceedings to unauthorized ex 
parte communications made to the designated categories of Board agents 
who participate in the decision, from the stage of the proceeding 
specified until the issues are finally resolved by the Board for the 
purposes of that proceeding under prevailing rules and practices:
    (a) In a pre-election proceeding pursuant to Section 9(c)(1) or 
9(e), or in a unit clarification or certification amendment proceeding 
pursuant to Section 9(b) of the Act, in which a formal hearing is held, 
communications to the Regional Director and the Director's staff who 
review the record and prepare a draft of the decision, and Board 
Members and their staff, from the time the hearing is opened.
    (b) In a postelection proceeding pursuant to Section 9(c)(1) or 
9(e) of the Act, in which a formal hearing is held, communications to 
the Hearing Officer, the Regional Director and the Director's staff who 
review the record and prepare a draft of the report or decision, and 
Board Members and their staff, from the time the hearing is opened.
    (c) In a postelection proceeding pursuant to Section 9(c)(1) or 
9(e), or in a unit clarification or certification amendment proceeding 
pursuant to Section 9(b) of the Act, in which no formal hearing is 
held, communications to Board Members and their staff, from the time 
the Regional Director's report or decision is issued.

[[Page 11779]]

    (d) In a proceeding pursuant to Section 10(k) of the Act, 
communications to Board Members and their staff, from the time the 
hearing is opened.
    (e) In an unfair labor practice proceeding pursuant to Section 
10(b) of the Act, communications to the Administrative Law Judge 
assigned to hear the case or to make rulings upon any motions or issues 
therein and Board Members and their staff, from the time the complaint 
and/or Notice of Hearing is issued, or the time the communicator has 
knowledge that a complaint or Notice of Hearing will be issued, 
whichever occurs first.
    (f) In any other proceeding to which the Board by specific order 
makes the prohibition applicable, to the categories of personnel and 
from the stage of the proceeding specified in the order.


Sec.  102.129  Communications prohibited.

    Except as provided in Sec.  102.130, ex parte communications 
prohibited by Sec.  102.126 include:
    (a) Such communications, when written, if copies are not 
contemporaneously served by the communicator on all parties to the 
proceeding in accordance with the provisions of Sec.  102.5(g).
    (b) Such communications, when oral, unless advance notice is given 
by the communicator to all parties in the proceeding and adequate 
opportunity afforded to them to be present.


Sec.  102.130  Communications not prohibited.

    Ex parte communications prohibited by Sec.  102.126 do not include 
oral or written communications or requests:
    (a) Which relate solely to matters which the Hearing Officer, 
Regional Director, Administrative Law Judge, or Board Member is 
authorized by law or Board Rules to entertain or dispose of on an ex 
parte basis.
    (b) For information solely with respect to the status of a 
proceeding.
    (c) Which all the parties to the proceeding agree, or which the 
responsible official formally rules, may be made on an ex parte basis.
    (d) Proposing settlement or an agreement for disposition of any or 
all issues in the proceeding.
    (e) Which concern matters of general significance to the field of 
labor-management relations or administrative practice and which are not 
specifically related to pending on-the-record proceedings.
    (f) From the General Counsel to the Board when the General Counsel 
is acting as counsel for the Board.


Sec.  102.131  Solicitation of prohibited communications.

    No person may knowingly and willfully solicit the making of an 
unauthorized ex parte communication by any other person.


Sec.  102.132  Reporting of prohibited communications; penalties.

    (a) Any Board agent of the categories defined in Sec.  102.128 to 
whom a prohibited oral ex parte communication is attempted to be made 
shall refuse to listen to the communication, inform the communicator of 
this rule, and advise the communicator that anything may be said in 
writing with copies to all parties. Any Board agent who receives, or 
who makes or knowingly causes to be made, an unauthorized ex parte 
communication will place or cause to be placed on the public record of 
the proceeding:
    (1) The communication, if it was written;
    (2) A memorandum stating the substance of the communication, if it 
was oral;
    (3) All written responses to the prohibited communication; and
    (4) Memoranda stating the substance of all oral responses to the 
prohibited communication.
    (b) The Executive Secretary, if the proceeding is then pending 
before the Board, the Administrative Law Judge, if the proceeding is 
then pending before any such judge, or the Regional Director, if the 
proceeding is then pending before a Hearing Officer or the Regional 
Director, will serve copies of all such materials placed on the public 
record of the proceeding on all other parties to the proceeding and on 
the attorneys of record for the parties. Within 14 days after service 
of such copies, any party may file with the Executive Secretary, 
Administrative Law Judge, or Regional Director serving the 
communication, and serve on all other parties, a statement setting 
forth facts or contentions to rebut those contained in the prohibited 
communication. All such responses will be placed in the public record 
of the proceeding, and provision may be made for any further action, 
including reopening of the record which may be required under the 
circumstances. No action taken pursuant to this provision will 
constitute a waiver of the power of the Board to impose an appropriate 
penalty under Sec.  102.133.


Sec.  102.133  Penalties and enforcement.

    (a) Where the nature and circumstances of a prohibited 
communication made by or caused to be made by a party to the proceeding 
are such that the interests of justice and statutory policy may require 
remedial action, the Board, the Administrative Law Judge, or the 
Regional Director, as the case may be, may issue to the party making 
the communication a Notice to Show Cause, returnable before the Board 
within a stated period not less than 7 days from the date of issuance, 
why the Board may not determine that the interests of justice and 
statutory policy require that the claim or interest in the proceeding 
of a party who knowingly makes a prohibited communication, or knowingly 
causes a prohibited communication to be made may be dismissed, denied, 
disregarded, or otherwise adversely affected on account of such 
violation.
    (b) Upon notice and hearing, the Board may censure, suspend, or 
revoke the privilege of practice before the Agency of any person who 
knowingly and willfully makes or solicits the making of a prohibited ex 
parte communication. However, before the Board institutes formal 
proceedings under this paragraph (b), it will first advise the person 
or persons concerned in writing that it proposes to take such action 
and that they may show cause, within a period to be stated in such 
written advice, but not less than 7 days from the date thereof, why it 
may not take such action.
    (c) The Board may censure, or, to the extent permitted by law, 
suspend, dismiss, or institute proceedings for the dismissal of, any 
Board agent who knowingly and willfully violates the prohibitions and 
requirements of this rule.


Sec.  102.134  [Added and Reserved]

0
23. Add reserved Sec.  102.134 to subpart P.

0
24. Revise subparts Q through S to read as follows:

Subpart Q--Procedure Governing Matters Affecting Employment-
Management Agreements Under the Postal Reorganization Act

Sec.
102.135 Postal Reorganization Act.


Sec.  102.135  Postal Reorganization Act.

    (a) Employment-management agreements. All matters within the 
jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Board pursuant to the 
Postal Reorganization Act (chapter 12 of title 39, U.S. Code, as 
revised) are governed by the provisions of subparts A, B, C, D, F, G, 
H, J, K, L, M, O, and P of this part, insofar as applicable.
    (b) Inconsistencies. To the extent that any provision of this 
subpart is

[[Page 11780]]

inconsistent with any provision of title 39, United States Code, the 
provision of title 39 governs.
    (c) Exceptions. For the purposes of this subpart, references in the 
subparts cited in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section to:
    (1) Employer is deemed to include the Postal Service;
    (2) Act will in the appropriate context mean Postal Reorganization 
Act;
    (3) Section 9(c) of the Act and cited paragraphs will mean 39 
U.S.C. 1203(c) and 1204; and
    (4) Section 9(b) of the Act will mean 39 U.S.C. 1202.

Subpart R--Advisory Committees

Sec.
102.136 Establishment and use of advisory committees.


Sec.  102.136  Establishment and use of advisory committees.

    Advisory committees may from time to time be established or used by 
the Agency in the interest of obtaining advice or recommendations on 
issues of concern to the Agency. The establishment, use, and 
functioning of such committees will be in accordance with the 
provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, 
applicable Rules and Regulations.

Subpart S--Open Meetings

Sec.
102.137 Public observation of Board meetings.
102.138 Definition of meeting.
102.139 Closing of meetings; reasons.
102.140 Action necessary to close meeting; record of votes.
102.141 Notice of meetings; public announcement and publication.
102.142 Transcripts, recordings, or minutes of closed meetings; 
public availability; retention.


Sec.  102.137   Public observation of Board meetings.

    Every portion of every meeting of the Board will be open to public 
observation, except as provided in Sec.  102.139, and Board Members 
will not jointly conduct or dispose of Agency business other than in 
accordance with the provisions of this subpart.


Sec.  102.138  Definition of meeting.

    For purposes of this subpart, meeting means the deliberations of at 
least three Members of the full Board, or the deliberations of at least 
two Members of any group of three Board Members to whom the Board has 
delegated powers which it may itself exercise, where such deliberations 
determine or result in the joint conduct or disposition of official 
Agency business, but does not include deliberations to determine 
whether a meeting may be closed to public observation in accordance 
with the provisions of this subpart.


Sec.  102.139   Closing of meetings; reasons.

    (a) Except where the Board determines that the public interest 
requires otherwise, meetings, or portions thereof, will not be open to 
public observation where the deliberations concern the issuance of a 
subpoena, the Board's participation in a civil action or proceeding or 
an arbitration, or the initiation, conduct, or disposition by the Board 
of particular representation or unfair labor practice proceedings under 
Section 8, 9, or 10 of the Act, or any court proceedings collateral or 
ancillary thereto.
    (b) Meetings, or portions thereof, may also be closed by the Board, 
except where it determines that the public interest requires otherwise, 
when the deliberations concern matters or information falling within 
the reasons for closing meetings specified in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(1) 
(secret matters concerning national defense or foreign policy); (c)(2) 
(internal personnel rules and practices); (c)(3) (matters specifically 
exempted from disclosure by statute); (c)(4) (privileged or 
confidential trade secrets and commercial or financial information); 
(c)(5) (matters of alleged criminal conduct or formal censure); (c)(6) 
(personal information where disclosure would cause a clearly 
unwarranted invasion of personal privacy); (c)(7) (certain materials or 
information from investigatory files compiled for law enforcement 
purposes); or (c)(9)(B) (disclosure would significantly frustrate 
implementation of a proposed Agency action).


Sec.  102.140  Action necessary to close meeting; record of votes.

    A meeting will be closed to public observation under Sec.  102.139, 
only when a majority of the Board Members who will participate in the 
meeting vote to take such action.
    (a) When the meeting deliberations concern matters specified in 
Sec.  102.139(a), the Board Members will vote at the beginning of the 
meeting, or portion of the meeting, on whether to close such meeting, 
or portion of the meeting, to public observation, and on whether the 
public interest requires that a meeting which may properly be closed 
may nevertheless be open to public observation. A record of such vote, 
reflecting the vote of each Board Member, will be kept and made 
available to the public at the earliest practicable time.
    (b) When the meeting deliberations concern matters specified in 
Sec.  102.139(b), the Board will vote on whether to close such meeting, 
or portion of the meeting, to public observation, and on whether there 
is a public interest which requires that a meeting which may properly 
be closed may nevertheless be open to public observation. The vote will 
be taken at a time sufficient to permit inclusion of information 
concerning the open or closed status of the meeting in the public 
announcement of the vote. A single vote may be taken with respect to a 
series of meetings at which the deliberations will concern the same 
particular matters where such subsequent meetings are scheduled to be 
held within 30 days after the initial meeting. A record of such vote, 
reflecting the vote of each Board Member, will be kept and made 
available to the public within one day after the vote is taken.
    (c) Whenever any person whose interests may be directly affected by 
deliberations during a meeting, or a portion of a meeting, requests 
that the Board close the meeting, or a portion of the meeting, to 
public observation for any of the reasons specified in 5 U.S.C. 
552b(c)(5) (matters of alleged criminal conduct or formal censure), 
(c)(6) (personal information where disclosure would cause a clearly 
unwarranted invasion of personal privacy), or (c)(7) (certain materials 
or information from investigatory files compiled for law enforcement 
purposes), the Board Members participating in the meeting, upon request 
of any one of its Members, will vote on whether to close such meeting, 
or a portion of the meeting, for that reason. A record of such vote, 
reflecting the vote of each Board Member participating in the meeting 
will be kept and made available to the public within 1 day after the 
vote is taken.
    (d) After public announcement of a meeting as provided in Sec.  
102.141, a meeting, or portion of a meeting, announced as closed may be 
opened, or a meeting, or portion of a meeting, announced as open may be 
closed, only if a majority of the Board Members who will participate in 
the meeting determine by a recorded vote that Board business so 
requires and that an earlier announcement of the change was not 
possible. The change made and the vote of each Board Member on the 
change will be announced publicly at the earliest practicable time.
    (e) Before a meeting may be closed pursuant to Sec.  102.139, the 
Solicitor of the Board will certify that in the Solicitor's opinion the 
meeting may

[[Page 11781]]

properly be closed to public observation. The certification will set 
forth each applicable exemptive provision for such closing. Such 
certification will be retained by the Agency and made publicly 
available as soon as practicable.


Sec.  102.141   Notice of meetings; public announcement and 
publication.

    (a) A public announcement setting forth the time, place, and 
subject matter of meetings or portions of meetings closed to public 
observation pursuant to the provisions of Sec.  102.139(a) will be made 
at the earliest practicable time.
    (b) Except for meetings closed to public observation pursuant to 
the provisions of Sec.  102.139(a), the Agency will publicly announce 
each meeting to be held at least 7 days before the scheduled date of 
the meeting. The announcement will specify the time, place, and subject 
matter of the meeting, whether it is to be open to public observation 
or closed, and the name, address, and phone number of an Agency 
official designated to respond to requests for information about the 
meeting. The 7-day period for advance notice may be shortened only upon 
a determination by a majority of the Board Members who will participate 
in the meeting that Agency business requires that such meeting be 
called at an earlier date, in which event the public announcements will 
be made at the earliest practicable time. A record of the vote to 
schedule a meeting at an earlier date will be kept and made available 
to the public.
    (c) Within 1 day after the vote to close a meeting, or any portion 
of a meeting, pursuant to the provisions of Sec.  102.139(b), the 
Agency will make publicly available a full written explanation of its 
action closing the meeting, or portion of a meeting, together with a 
list of all persons expected to attend the meeting and their 
affiliation.
    (d) If after public announcement required by paragraph (b) of this 
section has been made, the time and place of the meeting are changed, a 
public announcement will be made at the earliest practicable time. The 
subject matter of the meeting may be changed after the public 
announcement only if a majority of the Members of the Board who will 
participate in the meeting determine that Agency business so requires 
and that no earlier announcement of the change was possible. When such 
a change in subject matter is approved a public announcement of the 
change will be made at the earliest practicable time. A record of the 
vote to change the subject matter of the meeting will be kept and made 
available to the public.
    (e) All announcements or changes issued pursuant to the provisions 
of paragraphs (b) and (d) of this section, or pursuant to provisions of 
Sec.  102.140(d), will be submitted for publication in the Federal 
Register immediately following their release to the public.
    (f) Announcements of meetings made pursuant to the provisions of 
this section shall be made publicly available by the executive 
secretary.


Sec.  102.142   Transcripts, recordings, or minutes of closed meetings; 
public availability; retention.

    (a) For every meeting or portion of a meeting closed under the 
provisions of Sec.  102.139, the presiding officer will prepare a 
statement setting forth the time and place of the meeting and the 
persons present, which statement will be retained by the Agency. For 
each such meeting or portion of a meeting there will also be maintained 
a complete transcript or electronic recording of the proceedings, 
except that for meetings closed pursuant to Sec.  102.139(a) the Board 
may, in lieu of a transcript or electronic recording, maintain a set of 
minutes fully and accurately summarizing any action taken, the reasons 
for taking the action, and views on the action taken, documents 
considered, and the Board Members' vote on each roll call vote.
    (b) The Agency will promptly make available to the public copies of 
transcripts, recordings, or minutes maintained as provided in 
accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, except to the extent the 
items contain information which the Agency determines may be withheld 
pursuant to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552(c). Copies of transcripts or 
minutes, or transcriptions of electronic recordings including the 
identification of speakers, will, to the extent determined to be 
publicly available, be furnished to any person, subject to the payment 
of duplication costs in accordance with the schedule of fees set forth 
in Sec.  102.117(c)(2)(iv), and the actual cost of transcription.
    (c) The Agency will maintain a complete verbatim copy of the 
transcript, a complete electronic recording, or a complete set of the 
minutes for each meeting or portion of a meeting closed to the public, 
for a period of at least one year after the close of the Agency 
proceeding of which the meeting was a part, but in no event for a 
period of less than 2 years after such meeting.

Subpart T--Awards of Fees and Other Expenses

0
25. Revise Sec.  102.143(a) through (d) and (g) to read as follows:


Sec.  102.143   Adversary adjudication defined; entitlement to award; 
eligibility for award.

    (a) The term adversary adjudication, as used in this subpart, means 
unfair labor practice proceedings pending before the Board on a 
complaint and backpay proceedings under Sec. Sec.  102.52 through 
102.59 pending before the Board on a Notice of Hearing at any time 
after October 1, 1984.
    (b) A Respondent in an adversary adjudication who prevails in that 
proceeding, or in a significant and discrete substantive portion of 
that proceeding, and who otherwise meets the eligibility requirements 
of this section, is eligible to apply for an award of fees and other 
expenses allowable under the provisions of Sec.  102.145.
    (c) Applicants eligible to receive an award are as follows:
    (1) An individual with a net worth of not more than $2 million;
    (2) A sole owner of an unincorporated business who has a net worth 
of not more than $7 million, including both personal and business 
interests, and not more than 500 employees;
    (3) A charitable or other tax-exempt organization described in 
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)) 
with not more than 500 employees;
    (4) A cooperative association as defined in Section 15(a) of the 
Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 1141j(a)) with not more than 500 
employees; and
    (5) Any other partnership, corporation, association, unit of local 
government, or public or private organization with a net worth of not 
more than $7 million and not more than 500 employees.
    (d) For the purpose of eligibility, the net worth and number of 
employees of an applicant will be determined as of the date of the 
complaint in an unfair labor practice proceeding or the date of the 
Notice of Hearing in a backpay proceeding.
* * * * *
    (g) The net worth and number of employees of the applicant and all 
of its affiliates will be aggregated to determine eligibility. Any 
individual, corporation, or other entity that directly or indirectly 
controls or owns a majority of the voting shares or other interest of 
the applicant, or any corporation or other entity of which the 
applicant directly or indirectly owns or controls a majority of the 
voting shares or other interest, will

[[Page 11782]]

be considered an affiliate for purposes of this part, unless such 
treatment would be unjust and contrary to the purposes of the Equal 
Access to Justice Act (94 Stat. 2325) in light of the actual 
relationship between the affiliated entities. In addition, financial 
relationships of the applicant other than those described in this 
paragraph may constitute special circumstances that would make an award 
unjust.
* * * * *

0
26. Revise Sec.  102.145(b) and (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  102.145   Allowable fees and expenses.

* * * * *
    (b) No award for the attorney or agent fees under these Rules may 
exceed $75 per hour. However, an award may also include the reasonable 
expenses of the attorney, agent, or witness as a separate item, if the 
attorney, agent, or expert witness ordinarily charges clients 
separately for such expenses.
    (c) In determining the reasonableness of the fee sought for an 
attorney, agent, or expert witness, the following matters will be 
considered:
    (1) If the attorney, agent, or expert witness is in practice, that 
person's customary fee for similar services, or, if an employee of the 
applicant, the fully allocated cost of the services;
    (2) The prevailing rate for similar services in the community in 
which the attorney, agent, or expert witness ordinarily performs 
services;
    (3) The time actually spent in the representation of the applicant; 
and
    (4) The time reasonably spent in light of the difficulty or 
complexity of the issues in the adversary adjudicative proceeding.
* * * * *

0
27. Revise Sec.  102.146 to read as follows:


Sec.  102.146   Rulemaking on maximum rates for attorney or agent fees.

    Any person may file with the Board a petition under Sec.  102.124 
for rulemaking to increase the maximum rate for attorney or agent fees. 
The petition should specify the rate the petitioner believes may be 
established and explain fully why the higher rate is warranted by an 
increase in the cost of living or a special factor (such as the limited 
availability of qualified attorneys or agents for the proceedings 
involved).

0
28. Revise Sec.  102.147(a) through (c) and (e) through (h) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  102.147   Contents of application; net worth exhibit; 
documentation of fees and expenses.

    (a) An application for an award of fees and expenses under the Act 
must identify the applicant and the adversary adjudication for which an 
award is sought. The application must state the particulars in which 
the applicant has prevailed and identify the positions of the General 
Counsel in that proceeding that the applicant alleges were not 
substantially justified. Unless the applicant is an individual, the 
application must also state the number, category, and work location of 
employees of the applicant and its affiliates and describe briefly the 
type and purpose of its organization or business.
    (b) The application must include a statement that the applicant's 
net worth does not exceed $2 million (if an individual) or $7 million 
(for all other applicants, including their affiliates). However, an 
applicant may omit this statement if:
    (1) It attaches a copy of a ruling by the Internal Revenue Service 
that it qualifies as an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of 
the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)) or, in the case of a 
tax-exempt organization not required to obtain a ruling from the 
Internal Revenue Service on its exempt status, a statement that 
describes the basis for the applicant's belief that it qualifies under 
such Section; or
    (2) It states that it is a cooperative association as defined in 
Section 15(a) of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 1141j(a)).
    (c) The application must state the amount of fees and expenses for 
which an award is sought.
* * * * *
    (e) The application must be signed by the applicant or an 
authorized officer or attorney of the applicant. It must also contain 
or be accompanied by a written verification under oath or under penalty 
of perjury that the information provided in the application is true.
    (f) Each applicant, except a qualified tax-exempt organization or 
cooperative association, must provide with its application a detailed 
exhibit showing the net worth of the applicant and any affiliates (as 
defined in Sec.  102.143(g)) when the adversary adjudicative proceeding 
was initiated. The exhibit may be in any form convenient to the 
applicant that provides full disclosure of the applicant's and its 
affiliates' assets and liabilities and is sufficient to determine 
whether the applicant qualifies under the standards in this part. The 
Administrative Law Judge may require an applicant to file such 
additional information as may be required to determine its eligibility 
for an award.
    (g)(1) Unless otherwise directed by the Administrative Law Judge, 
the net worth exhibit will be included in the public record of the fee 
application proceeding. An applicant that objects to public disclosure 
of information in any portion of the exhibit may submit that portion of 
the exhibit in a sealed envelope labeled Confidential Financial 
Information, accompanied by a motion to withhold the information from 
public disclosure. The motion must describe the information sought to 
be withheld and explain, in detail, why public disclosure of the 
information would adversely affect the applicant and why disclosure is 
not required in the public interest. The exhibit must be served on the 
General Counsel but need not be served on any other party to the 
proceeding. If the Administrative Law Judge finds that the information 
may not be withheld from disclosure, it will be placed in the public 
record of the proceeding.
    (2) If the Administrative Law Judge grants the motion to withhold 
from public disclosure, the exhibit will remain sealed, except to the 
extent that its contents are required to be disclosed at a hearing. The 
granting of the motion to withhold from public disclosure will not 
determine the availability of the document under the Freedom of 
Information Act in response to a request made under the provisions of 
Sec.  102.117. Notwithstanding that the exhibit may be withheld from 
public disclosure, the General Counsel may disclose information from 
the exhibit to others if required in the course of an investigation to 
verify the claim of eligibility.
    (h) The application must be accompanied by full documentation of 
the fees and expenses for which an award is sought. A separate itemized 
statement must be submitted for each professional firm or individual 
whose services are covered by the application, showing the dates and 
the hours spent in connection with the proceeding by each individual, a 
description of the specific services performed, the rate at which each 
fee has been computed, any expenses for which reimbursement is sought, 
the total amount claimed, and the total amount paid or payable by the 
applicant or by any other person or entity for the services provided. 
The Administrative Law Judge may require the applicant to provide 
vouchers, receipts, or other substantiation for any expenses claimed.

[[Page 11783]]


0
29. Revise Sec. Sec.  102.148 through 102.155 to read as follows:
Sec.
102.148 When an application may be filed; place of filing; service; 
referral to Administrative Law Judge; stay of proceeding.
102.149 Filing of documents; service of documents; motions for 
extension of time.
102.150 Answer to application; reply to answer; comments by other 
parties.
102.151 Settlement.
102.152 Further proceedings.
102.153 Administrative Law Judge's decision; contents; service; 
transfer of case to the Board; contents of record in case.
102.154 Exceptions to Administrative Law Judge's decision; briefs; 
action of the Board.
102.155 Payment of award.


Sec.  102.148   When an application may be filed; place of filing; 
service; referral to Administrative Law Judge; stay of proceeding.

    (a) An application may be filed after entry of the final order 
establishing that the applicant has prevailed in an adversary 
adjudication proceeding or in a significant and discrete substantive 
portion of that proceeding, but in no case later than 30 days after the 
entry of the Board's final order in that proceeding. The application 
for an award must be filed with the Board in Washington, DC, together 
with a certificate of service. The application must be served on the 
Regional Director and on all parties to the adversary adjudication in 
the same manner as other pleadings in that proceeding, except as 
provided in Sec.  102.147(g)(1) for financial information alleged to be 
confidential.
    (b) Upon filing, the application will be referred by the Board to 
the Administrative Law Judge who heard the adversary adjudication upon 
which the application is based, or, in the event that proceeding had 
not previously been heard by an Administrative Law Judge, it will be 
referred to the Chief Administrative Law Judge for designation of an 
Administrative Law Judge, in accordance with Sec.  102.34, to consider 
the application. When the Administrative Law Judge to whom the 
application has been referred is or becomes unavailable, the provisions 
of Sec. Sec.  102.34 and 102.36 will apply.
    (c) Proceedings for the award of fees, but not the time limit of 
this section for filing an application for an award, will be stayed 
pending final disposition of the adversary adjudication in the event 
any person seeks reconsideration or review of the decision in that 
proceeding.
    (d) For purposes of this section the withdrawal of a complaint by a 
Regional Director under Sec.  102.18 will be treated as a final order, 
and an appeal under Sec.  102.19 will be treated as a request for 
reconsideration of that final order.


Sec.  102.149   Filing of documents; service of documents; motions for 
extension of time.

    (a) All motions and pleadings after the time the case is referred 
by the Board to the Administrative Law Judge until the issuance of the 
Administrative Law Judge's decision must be filed with the 
Administrative Law Judge together with proof of service. Copies of all 
documents filed must be served on all parties to the adversary 
adjudication.
    (b) Motions for extensions of time to file motions, documents, or 
pleadings permitted by Sec.  102.150 or by Sec.  102.152 must be filed 
with the Chief Administrative Law Judge, the Deputy Chief 
Administrative Law Judge, or an Associate Chief Administrative Law 
Judge, as the case may be, no later than 3 days before the due date of 
the document. Notice of the request must be immediately served on all 
other parties and proof of service furnished.


Sec.  102.150   Answer to application; reply to answer; comments by 
other parties.

    (a) Within 35 days after service of an application, the General 
Counsel may file an answer to the application. Unless the General 
Counsel requests an extension of time for filing or files a statement 
of intent to negotiate under paragraph (b) of this section, failure to 
file a timely answer may be treated as a consent to the award 
requested. The filing of a motion to dismiss the application will stay 
the time for filing an answer to a date 35 days after issuance of any 
order denying the motion. Within 21 days after service of any motion to 
dismiss, the applicant may file a response. Review of an order granting 
a motion to dismiss an application in its entirety may be obtained by 
filing a request with the Board in Washington, DC, pursuant to Sec.  
102.27.
    (b) If the General Counsel and the applicant believe that the 
issues in the fee application can be settled, they may jointly file a 
statement of their intent to negotiate toward a settlement. The filing 
of such a statement will extend the time for filing an answer for an 
additional 35 days.
    (c) The answer must explain in detail any objections to the award 
requested and identify the facts relied on in support of the General 
Counsel's position. If the answer is based on alleged facts not already 
in the record of the adversary adjudication, supporting affidavits must 
be provided or a request made for further proceedings under Sec.  
102.152.
    (d) Within 21 days after service of an answer, the applicant may 
file a reply. If the reply is based on alleged facts not already in the 
record of the adversary adjudication, supporting affidavits must be 
provided or a request made for further proceedings under Sec.  102.152.
    (e) Any party to an adversary adjudication other than the applicant 
and the General Counsel may file comments on a fee application within 
35 days after it is served and on an answer within 21 days after it is 
served. A commenting party may not participate further in the fee 
application proceeding unless the Administrative Law Judge determines 
that such participation is required in order to permit full exploration 
of matters raised in the comments.


Sec.  102.151   Settlement.

    The applicant and the General Counsel may agree on a proposed 
settlement of the award before final action on the application. If a 
prevailing party and the General Counsel agree on a proposed settlement 
of an award before an application has been filed, the proposed 
settlement must be filed with the application. All such settlements are 
subject to approval by the Board.


Sec.  102.152   Further proceedings.

    (a) Ordinarily, the determination of an award will be made on the 
basis of the documents in the record. The Administrative Law Judge, 
however, upon request of either the applicant or the General Counsel, 
or on the General Counsel's own initiative, may order further 
proceedings, including an informal conference, oral argument, 
additional written submission, or an evidentiary hearing. An 
evidentiary hearing will be held only when necessary for resolution of 
material issues of fact.
    (b) A request that the Administrative Law Judge order further 
proceedings under this section must specifically identify the disputed 
issues and the evidence sought to be adduced, and must explain why the 
additional proceedings are necessary to resolve the issues.
    (c) An order of the Administrative Law Judge scheduling further 
proceedings will specify the issues to be considered.
    (d) Any evidentiary hearing held pursuant to this section will be 
open to the public and will be conducted in accordance with Sec. Sec.  
102.30 through 102.43, except Sec. Sec.  102.33, 102.34, and 102.38.

[[Page 11784]]

    (e) Rulings of the Administrative Law Judge are reviewable by the 
Board only in accordance with the provisions of Sec.  102.26.


Sec.  102.153   Administrative Law Judge's decision; contents; service; 
transfer of case to the Board; contents of record in case.

    (a) Upon conclusion of proceedings under Sec. Sec.  102.147 through 
102.152, the Administrative Law Judge will prepare a decision, which 
will include written findings and conclusions as necessary to dispose 
of the application. The Administrative Law Judge will transmit the 
decision to the Board. Upon receipt of the decision, the Board will 
enter an order transferring the case to the Board and will serve copies 
on all the parties of the Judge's decision and the Board's order, 
setting forth the date of the transfer.
    (b) The record in a proceeding on an application for an award of 
fees and expenses includes the application and any amendments or 
attachments, the net worth exhibit, the answer and any amendments or 
attachments, any reply to the answer, any comments by other parties, 
motions, rulings, orders, stipulations, written submissions, the 
transcript of any oral argument, the transcript of any hearing, 
exhibits, and depositions, together with the Administrative Law Judge's 
decision and exceptions, any cross-exceptions or answering briefs as 
provided in Sec.  102.46, and the record of the adversary adjudication 
upon which the application is based.


Sec.  102.154   Exceptions to Administrative Law Judge's decision; 
briefs; action of the Board.

    Procedures before the Board, including the filing of exceptions to 
the Administrative Law Judge's decision and briefs, and action by the 
Board, will be in accordance with Sec. Sec.  102.46, 102.47, 102.48, 
and 102.50. The Board will issue a decision on the application or 
remand the proceeding to the Administrative Law Judge for further 
proceedings.


Sec.  102.155   Payment of award.

    To obtain payment of an award made by the Board, the applicant must 
submit to the Director of the Division of Administration, a copy of the 
Board's final decision granting the award, accompanied by a statement 
that the applicant will not seek court review of the decision. If such 
statement is filed, the Agency will pay the amount of the award within 
60 days, unless judicial review of the award or of the underlying 
decision has been sought.

Subpart U--Debt-Collection Procedures by Administrative Offset

0
30. Revise Sec.  102.156 to read as follows:


Sec.  102.156   Administrative offset; purpose and scope.

    The regulations in this subpart specify the Agency procedures that 
will be followed to implement the administrative offset procedures set 
forth in the Debt Collection Act of 1982 (Pub. L. 97-365), 31 U.S.C. 
3716.

0
31. Revise Sec.  102.157(e) to read as follows:


Sec.  102.157   Definitions.

* * * * *
    (e) A debt is considered delinquent if it has not been paid by the 
date specified in the Agency's initial demand letter (Sec.  102.161), 
unless satisfactory payment arrangements have been made by that date, 
or if, at any time thereafter, the debtor fails to satisfy the debtor's 
obligations under a payment agreement with the Agency.

0
32. Revise Sec.  102.159 to read as follows:


Sec.  102.159   Exclusions.

    (a)(1) The Agency is not authorized by the Debt Collection Act of 
1982 (31 U.S.C. 3716) to use administrative offset with respect to:
    (i) Debts owed by any State or local government;
    (ii) Debts arising under or payments made under the Social Security 
Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the tariff laws of the 
United States; or
    (iii) When a statute explicitly provides for or prohibits using 
administrative offset to collect the claim or type of claim involved.
    (2) No claim that has been outstanding for more than 10 years after 
the Board's right to collect the debt first accrued may be collected by 
means of administrative offset, unless facts material to the right to 
collect the debt were not known, and could not reasonably have been 
known, by the official of the Agency who was charged with the 
responsibility to discover and collect such debts until within 10 years 
of the initiation of the collection action. A determination of when the 
debt first accrued may be made according to existing laws regarding the 
accrual of debts, such as under 28 U.S.C. 2415. Unless otherwise 
provided by contract or law, debts or payments owed the Board which are 
not subject to administrative offset under 31 U.S.C. 3716 may be 
collected by administrative offset under the common law or other 
applicable statutory authority, pursuant to this paragraph (a) or Board 
regulations established pursuant to such other statutory authority.
    (b) Collection by offset against a judgment obtained by a debtor 
against the United States will be accomplished in accordance with 31 
U.S.C. 3728.

0
33. Revise Sec.  102.160(a) and (d) to read as follows:


Sec.  102.160   Agency responsibilities.

    (a) The Agency will provide appropriate written or other guidance 
to Agency officials in carrying out this subpart, including the 
issuance of guidelines and instructions. The Agency will also take such 
administrative steps as may be appropriate to carry out the purposes 
and ensure the effective implementation of this subpart.
* * * * *
    (d) Administrative offset must be considered by the Agency only 
after attempting to collect a claim under 31 U.S.C. 3711(a).

0
34. Revise Sec.  102.161 to read as follows:


Sec.  102.161   Notification.

    (a) The Agency must send a written demand to the debtor in terms 
which inform the debtor of the consequences of failure to cooperate. In 
the demand letter, the Agency must provide the name of an Agency 
employee who can provide a full explanation of the claim. When the 
Agency deems it appropriate to protect the Government's interests (for 
example, to prevent the statute of limitations, 28 U.S.C. 2415, from 
expiring), written demand may be preceded by other appropriate actions.
    (b) In accordance with guidelines established by the Agency, the 
Agency official responsible for collection of the debt must send 
written notice to the debtor, informing the debtor, as appropriate, of 
the:
    (1) Nature and amount of the Board's claim;
    (2) Date by which payment is to be made (which normally may be not 
more than 30 days from the date that the initial notification was 
mailed or hand delivered);
    (3) Agency's intent to collect by administrative offset and of the 
debtor's rights in conjunction with such an offset;
    (4) Agency's intent to collect, as appropriate, interest, 
penalties, administrative costs and attorneys fees;
    (5) Rights of the debtor to a full explanation of the claim, of the 
opportunity to inspect and copy Agency records with respect to the 
claim and to dispute any information in the Agency's records concerning 
the claim;

[[Page 11785]]

    (6) Debtor's right to administrative appeal or review within the 
Agency concerning the Agency's claim and how such review must be 
obtained;
    (7) Debtor's opportunity to enter into a written agreement with the 
Agency to repay the debt; and
    (8) Date on which, or after which, an administrative offset will 
begin.

0
35. Revise Sec.  102.163 to read as follows:


Sec.  102.163   Opportunity for repayment.

    (a) The Agency must afford the debtor the opportunity to repay the 
debt or enter into a repayment plan which is agreeable to the Agency 
and is in a written form signed by the debtor. The Agency may deem a 
repayment plan to be abrogated if the debtor, after the repayment plan 
is signed, fails to comply with the terms of the plan.
    (b) The Agency has discretion and may exercise sound judgment in 
determining whether to accept a repayment agreement in lieu of 
administrative offset.

0
36. Revise Sec.  102.164(e) to read as follows:


Sec.  102.164   Review of the obligation.

* * * * *
    (e) Nothing in this subpart will preclude the Agency from sua 
sponte reviewing the obligation of the debtor, including 
reconsideration of the Agency's determination concerning the debt, and 
the accuracy, timeliness, relevance, and completeness of the 
information on which the debt is based.

Subpart V--Debt-Collection Procedures by Federal Income Tax Refund 
Offset

0
37. Revise Sec.  102.168 to read as follows:


Sec.  102.168   Federal income tax refund offset; purpose and scope.

    The regulations in this subpart specify the Agency procedures that 
will be followed to implement the federal income tax refund offset 
procedures set forth in 26 U.S.C. 6402(d) of the Internal Revenue Code 
(Code), 31 U.S.C. 3720A, and 301.6402-6 of the Treasury Regulations on 
Procedure and Administration (26 CFR 301.6402-6). This statute and the 
implementing regulations of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 26 
CFR 301.6402-6 authorize the IRS to reduce a tax refund by the amount 
of a past-due legally enforceable debt owed to the United States. The 
regulations apply to past-due legally enforceable debts owed to the 
Agency by individuals and business entities. The regulations are not 
intended to limit or restrict debtor access to any judicial remedies to 
which the debtor may otherwise be entitled.

0
38. Revise Sec.  102.169(a) and (b) to read as follows:


Sec.  102.169   Definitions.

    (a) Tax refund offset refers to the IRS income tax refund offset 
program operated under authority of 31 U.S.C. 3720A.
    (b) Past-due legally enforceable debt is a delinquent debt 
administratively determined to be valid, whereon no more than 10 years 
have lapsed since the date of delinquency (unless reduced to judgment), 
and which is not discharged under a bankruptcy proceeding or subject to 
an automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. 362.
* * * * *

0
39. Revise Sec.  102.170(a)(3), (b), (c), and (d) to read as follows:


Sec.  102.170   Agency referral to IRS for tax referral effect; Agency 
responsibilities.

    (a) * * *
    (3) The amount of the debt; and
* * * * *
    (b) The Agency will ensure the confidentiality of taxpayer 
information as required by the IRS in its Tax Information Security 
Guidelines.
    (c) As necessary, the Agency will submit updated information at the 
times and in the manner prescribed by the IRS to reflect changes in the 
status of debts or debtors referred for tax refund offset.
    (d) Amounts erroneously offset will be refunded by the Agency or 
the IRS in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding.

0
40. Revise Sec.  102.173(a) to read as follows:


Sec.  102.173   Relation to other collection efforts.

    (a) Tax refund offset is intended to be an administrative 
collection remedy to be used consistent with IRS requirements for 
participation in the program, and the costs and benefits of pursuing 
alternative remedies when the tax refund offset program is readily 
available. To the extent practical, the requirements of the program 
will be met by merging IRS requirements into the Agency's overall 
requirements for delinquent debt collection.
* * * * *

0
41. Revise Sec.  102.174(a), (b) introductory text, (b)(2), and (d) to 
be read as follows:


Sec.  102.174  Debtor notification.

    (a) The Agency must send appropriate written demand to the debtor 
in terms which inform the debtor of the consequences of failure to 
repay debts or claims owed to the Board.
    (b) Before the Agency refers a debt to the IRS for tax refund 
offset, it will make a reasonable attempt to notify the debtor that:
* * * * *
    (2) Unless the debt is repaid or a satisfactory repayment agreement 
is established within 60 days thereafter, the debt will be referred to 
the IRS for offset from any overpayment of tax remaining after taxpayer 
liabilities of greater priority have been satisfied; and
* * * * *
    (d) The notification required by paragraph (b) of this section and 
sent to the address specified in paragraph (c) of this section may, at 
the option of the Agency, be incorporated into demand letters required 
by paragraph (a) of this section.

0
42. Revise Sec.  102.175 to read as follows:


Sec.  102.175   Agency review of the obligation.

    (a) The Agency official responsible for collection of the debt will 
consider any evidence submitted by the debtor as a result of the 
notification required by Sec.  102.174 and notify the debtor of the 
result. If appropriate, the debtor will also be advised where and to 
whom to request a review of any unresolved dispute.
    (b) The debtor will be granted 30 days from the date of the 
notification required by paragraph (a) of this section to request a 
review of the determination of the Agency official responsible for 
collection of the debt on any unresolved dispute. The debtor will be 
advised of the result.


Sec.  102.176   [Removed and Reserved]

0
43. Remove and reserve Sec.  102.176.

0
44. Revise subpart W to read as follows:

Subpart W--Misconduct by Attorneys or Party Representatives

Sec.
102.177 Exclusion from hearings; refusal of witness to answer 
questions; misconduct by attorneys and party representatives before 
the Agency; procedures for processing misconduct allegations.


Sec.  102.177   Exclusion from hearings; refusal of witness to answer 
questions; misconduct by attorneys and party representatives before the 
Agency; procedures for processing misconduct allegations.

    (a) Any attorney or other representative appearing or practicing 
before the Agency must conform to the standards of ethical and 
professional conduct required of practitioners before

[[Page 11786]]

the courts, and the Agency will be guided by those standards in 
interpreting and applying the provisions of this section.
    (b) Misconduct by any person at any hearing before an 
Administrative Law Judge, Hearing Officer, or the Board may be grounds 
for summary exclusion from the hearing. Notwithstanding the procedures 
set forth in paragraph (e) of this section for handling allegations of 
misconduct, the Administrative Law Judge, Hearing Officer, or Board has 
the authority in the proceeding in which the misconduct occurred to 
admonish or reprimand, after due notice, any person who engages in 
misconduct at a hearing.
    (c) The refusal of a witness at any such hearing to answer any 
question which has been ruled to be proper may, in the discretion of 
the Administrative Law Judge or Hearing Officer, be grounds for 
striking all testimony previously given by such witness on related 
matters.
    (d) Misconduct by an attorney or other representative at any stage 
of any Agency proceeding, including but not limited to misconduct at a 
hearing, may be grounds for discipline. Such misconduct of an 
aggravated character may be grounds for suspension and/or disbarment 
from practice before the Agency and/or other sanctions.
    (e) All allegations of misconduct pursuant to paragraph (d) of this 
section, except for those involving the conduct of Agency employees, 
will be handled in accordance with the following procedures:
    (1) Allegations that an attorney or party representative has 
engaged in misconduct may be brought to the attention of the 
Investigating Officer by any person. The Investigating Officer, for 
purposes of this paragraph (e)(1), is the head of the Division of 
Operations-Management, or designee.
    (2) The Investigating Officer or designee will conduct such 
investigation as is deemed appropriate and will have the usual powers 
of investigation provided in Section 11 of the Act. Following the 
investigation, the Investigating Officer will make a recommendation to 
the General Counsel, who will make the determination whether to 
institute disciplinary proceedings against the attorney or party 
representative. The General Counsel's authority to make this 
determination is not delegable to the Regional Director or other 
personnel in the Regional Office. If the General Counsel determines not 
to institute disciplinary proceedings, all interested persons will be 
notified of the determination, which is final.
    (3) If the General Counsel decides to institute disciplinary 
proceedings against the attorney or party representative, the General 
Counsel or designee will serve the respondent with a complaint which 
will include: A statement of the acts which are claimed to constitute 
misconduct including the approximate date and place of such acts 
together with a statement of the discipline recommended; notification 
of the right to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge with 
respect to any material issues of fact or mitigation; and an 
explanation of the method by which a hearing may be requested. The 
complaint will not be issued until the respondent has been notified of 
the allegations in writing and has been afforded a reasonable 
opportunity to respond.
    (4) Within 14 days of service of the disciplinary complaint, the 
Respondent must file an answer admitting or denying the allegations, 
and may request a hearing. If no answer is filed or no material issue 
of fact or relevant to mitigation warranting a hearing is raised, the 
matter may be submitted directly to the Board. If no answer is filed, 
then the allegations will be deemed admitted.
    (5) Sections 102.24 through 102.51, rules applicable to unfair 
labor practice proceedings, apply to disciplinary proceedings under 
this section to the extent that they are not contrary to the provisions 
of this section.
    (6) The hearing will be conducted at a reasonable time, date, and 
place. In setting the hearing date, the Administrative Law Judge will 
give due regard to the Respondent's need for time to prepare an 
adequate defense and the need of the Agency and the Respondent for an 
expeditious resolution of the allegations.
    (7) The hearing will be public unless otherwise ordered by the 
Board or the Administrative Law Judge.
    (8) Any person bringing allegations of misconduct or filing a 
petition for disciplinary proceedings against an attorney or party 
representative will be given notice of the scheduled hearing. Any such 
person will not be a party to the disciplinary proceeding, however, and 
will not be afforded the rights of a party to call, examine or cross-
examine witnesses and introduce evidence at the hearing, to file 
exceptions to the Administrative Law Judge's decision, or to appeal the 
Board's decision.
    (9) The Respondent will, upon request, be provided with an 
opportunity to read the transcript or listen to a recording of the 
hearing.
    (10) The General Counsel must establish the alleged misconduct by a 
preponderance of the evidence.
    (11) At any stage of the proceeding prior to hearing, the 
Respondent may submit a settlement proposal to the General Counsel, who 
may approve the settlement or elect to continue with the proceedings. 
Any formal settlement reached between the General Counsel and the 
Respondent, providing for entry of a Board order reprimanding, 
suspending, disbarring or taking other disciplinary action against the 
Respondent, is subject to final approval by the Board. In the event any 
settlement, formal or informal, is reached after opening of the 
hearing, such settlement must be submitted to the Administrative Law 
Judge for approval. In the event the Administrative Law Judge rejects 
the settlement, either the General Counsel or the Respondent may appeal 
such ruling to the Board as provided in Sec.  102.26.
    (12) If it is found that the Respondent has engaged in misconduct 
in violation of paragraph (d) of this section, the Board may issue a 
final order imposing such disciplinary sanctions as it deems 
appropriate, including, where the misconduct is of an aggravated 
character, suspension and/or disbarment from practice before the 
Agency, and/or other sanctions.
    (f) Any person found to have engaged in misconduct warranting 
disciplinary sanctions under paragraph (d) of this section may seek 
judicial review of the administrative determination.

Subpart X--Special Procedures When the Board Lacks a Quorum

0
45. Revise Sec. Sec.  102.179 through 102.182 to read as follows:

Sec.
102.179 Motions for default judgment, summary judgment, or dismissal 
referred to Chief Administrative Law Judge.
102.180 Requests for special permission to appeal referred to Chief 
Administrative Law Judge.
102.181 Administrative and procedural requests referred to Executive 
Secretary.
102.182 Representation cases should be processed to certification.


Sec.  102.179  Motions for default judgment, summary judgment, or 
dismissal referred to Chief Administrative Law Judge.

    During any period when the Board lacks a quorum, all motions for 
default judgment, summary judgment, or dismissal filed or pending 
pursuant to Sec.  102.50 will be referred to the Chief Administrative 
Law Judge in Washington, DC, for ruling. Such rulings by the Chief 
Administrative Law

[[Page 11787]]

Judge, and orders in connection therewith, may not be appealed directly 
to the Board, but will be considered by the Board in reviewing the 
record if exception to the ruling or order is included in the statement 
of exceptions filed with the Board pursuant to Sec.  102.46.


Sec.  102.180   Requests for special permission to appeal referred to 
Chief Administrative Law Judge.

    During any period when the Board lacks a quorum, any request for 
special permission to appeal filed or pending pursuant to Sec.  102.26 
will be referred to the Chief Administrative Law Judge in Washington, 
DC, for ruling. Such rulings by the Chief Administrative Law Judge, and 
orders in connection therewith, may not be appealed directly to the 
Board, but will be considered by the Board in reviewing the record if 
exception to the ruling or order is included in the statement of 
exceptions filed with the Board pursuant to Sec.  102.46.


Sec.  102.181  Administrative and procedural requests referred to 
Executive Secretary.

    During any period when the Board lacks a quorum, administrative and 
procedural requests that would normally be filed with the Office of the 
Executive Secretary for decision by the Board prior to the filing of a 
request for review under Sec.  102.67, or exceptions under Sec. Sec.  
102.46 and 102.69, will be referred to the Executive Secretary for 
ruling. Rulings by the Executive Secretary, and orders in connection 
therewith, may not be appealed directly to the Board, but will be 
considered by the Board if such matters are raised by a party in its 
request for review or exceptions.


Sec.  102.182  Representation cases should be processed to 
certification.

    During any period when the Board lacks a quorum, the second proviso 
of Sec.  102.67(b) regarding the automatic impounding of ballots will 
be suspended. To the extent practicable, all representation cases may 
continue to be processed and the appropriate certification should be 
issued by the Regional Director notwithstanding the pendency of a 
request for review, subject to revision or revocation by the Board 
pursuant to a request for review filed in accordance with this subpart.


Appendix A  [Removed]

0
46. Remove appendix A.

[FR Doc. 2017-01288 Filed 2-23-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P