Office of Personnel Management – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Retirement Services, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers the general public and other federal agencies the opportunity to comment on an extension, without change, of a currently approved information collection request (ICR) 3206-0254, Request for Case Review for Enhanced Disability Annuity Benefit, RI 20-123. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35) as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act (Pub. L. 104-106), OPM is soliciting comments for this collection.

The Retirement Services, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers the general public and other federal agencies the opportunity to comment on the reinstatement of an expired information collection request (ICR) 3206-0138 without change, Reinstatement of Disability Annuity Previously Terminated Because of Restoration to Earning Capacity, RI 30-9. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35) as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act (Pub. L. 104-106), OPM is soliciting comments for this collection. This information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on March 8, 2016 (Vol. 81, No. 45, Page 12146) allowing for a 60-day public comment period. No comments were received for this information collection. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments.

The Office of Personnel Management is issuing proposed regulations to implement the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015, which establishes a new leave category, to be known as ``disabled veteran leave,'' available during a 12-month period beginning on the first day of employment to be used by an employee who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 30 percent or more for purposes of undergoing medical treatment for such disability. In addition, we are proposing to rescind two obsolete regulations.

This notice identifies Schedule A, B, and C appointing authorities applicable to a single agency that were established or revoked from February 1, 2016, to February 29, 2016.

The Retirement Services, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers the general public and other Federal agencies the opportunity to comment on a revised information collection request (ICR) 3206-0237, Information and Instruction on Your Reconsideration Rights, RI 38-47. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35) as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act (Pub. Law 104-106), OPM is soliciting comments for this collection.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) proposes to amend part 297 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, to implement a 60-day timeframe for individuals to appeal or submit requests for administrative review of initial decisions regarding access and amendment requests involving records maintained in OPM systems of records. This proposed change will allow greater efficiency in processing appeals and requests for administrative review and will also improve the office's records maintenance and disposal policies. OPM's retention of the Privacy Act Case Records are to be maintained in accordance with the NARA General Records Schedule 14 which relies on whether or not the request is appealed to institute a disposal timeframe. The addition of this appeal or administrative review timeframe will allow offices to dispose of records in accordance with the NARA General Records Schedule 14. OPM is also proposing to update the points of contact for Privacy Act matters, including where to address appeals or requests for administrative review of access and amendment denials involving records maintained in OPM systems of records. OPM also proposes to amend part 297 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations to implement exemptions for the OPM Central-9/Personnel Investigations Records, the OPM Internal 16/Adjudications Officer Control Files, the newly established OPM Internal 20/Integrity Assurance Officer Control Files, and the newly established OPM Internal 19/Investigative Training Records. In this proposed rulemaking, OPM proposes to exempt portions of these system of records from one or more provisions of the Privacy Act to safeguard national security information, and law enforcement information, to protect the identities of sources who furnished information under an express promise of confidentiality, and to safeguard qualifications testing and examination materials that would, if released, compromise the objectivity or fairness of the testing or examination process.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing a final rule to amend the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) regulation to provide a second reduction election opportunity for annuitants and compensationers enrolled in FEGLI Option B and Option C. This new procedure replaces the procedure by which FEGLI enrollees elect the allowable multiples of coverage they wish to continue during retirement or while receiving compensation.

The Federal Investigative Services (FIS), U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is notifying the general public and other Federal agencies that OPM is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of a revised information collection, control number 3206-0266, Privacy Act Request for Completed Standard Form SF85/SF85P/ SF86, INV 100A. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35), as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act (Pub. L. 104-106), OPM is providing an additional 30 days for public comments. OPM previously solicited comments for this collection, with a 60-day public comment period, at 81 FR 7847 (February 16, 2016).

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing a proposed rule that would redefine the geographic boundaries of the Asheville, NC, and Charlotte, NC, appropriated fund Federal Wage System (FWS) wage areas. The proposed rule would redefine Alexander and Catawba Counties, NC, from the Charlotte wage area to the Asheville wage area. These changes are based on a recent consensus recommendation of the Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee (FPRAC) to best match the counties proposed for redefinition to a nearby FWS survey area. There are no FWS employees stationed in Alexander or Catawba Counties.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing a final rule to abolish the Newburgh, New York, appropriated fund Federal Wage System (FWS) wage area and redefine Orange County, NY, to the New York, NY, survey area; Dutchess County, NY, to the New York area of application; Delaware and Ulster Counties, NY, to the Albany- Schenectady-Troy, NY, area of application; and Sullivan County, NY, to the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, area of application. These changes are based on a consensus recommendation of the Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee (FPRAC) to best match the counties proposed for redefinition to nearby FWS survey areas.

The Retirement Services, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers the general public and other federal agencies the opportunity to comment on an extension, without change, of a currently approved information collection request (ICR) 3206-0134, Application To Make Deposit or Redeposit (CSRS) [SF 2803], Application To Pay Military Deposit for Military Service Performed After December 31, 1956 (CSRS), [SF 2803A]; and Application To Make Service Credit Payment for Civilian Service (FERS) [SF 3108], Application To Pay Military Deposit for Military Service Performed After December 31, 1956 (FERS), [SF 3108A]. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. Law 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35) as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act (Pub. L. 104- 106), OPM is soliciting comments for this collection. This information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on February 22, 2016 (Volume 81, No. 34, Page 8761) allowing for a 60-day public comment period. No comments were received for this information collection. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in comments that: 1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; 2. Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; 3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.

The Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee is issuing this notice to cancel the April 21, 2016, public meeting scheduled to be held in Room 5A06A, U.S. Office of Personnel Management Building, 1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC. The original Federal Register notice announcing this meeting was published Wednesday, November 25, 2015, at 80 FR 73839.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is revising the definition of spouse in its regulations on the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) as a result of the decision by the United States Supreme Court holding section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional. The new definition replaces the existing definition, which contains language from DOMA that refers to ``a legal union between one man and one woman.'' The new definition permits Federal employees with same-sex spouses to use FMLA leave in the same manner as Federal employees with opposite-sex spouses.

The Retirement Services, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers the general public and other federal agencies the opportunity to comment an extension without change of a currently approved information collection (ICR) 3206-0128, Application For Refund of Retirement Deductions Civil Service Retirement System and Current/Former Spouse's Notification of Application for Refund of Retirement Deductions Under the Civil Service Retirement System. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35) as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act (Pub. L. 104-106), OPM is soliciting comments for this collection.

Federal Investigative Services (FIS), U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is notifying the general public and other federal agencies that OPM is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of a revised information collection control number 3206-0258, Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions, Standard Form 85P (SF 85P) and Supplemental Questionnaire for Selected Positions, Standard Form SF 85P-S (SF 85P-S). OPM is soliciting comments for this collection as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35) as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act (Pub. L. 104- 106). The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in comments that: 1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; 2. Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; 3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.

The Retirement Services, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers the general public and other federal agencies the opportunity to comment on an existing information collection request (ICR) 3206-0211, Reemployment of Annuitants. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35) as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act (Pub. L. 104-106), OPM is soliciting comments for this collection.

The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers the general public and other Federal agencies the opportunity to comment on an information collection request, Combined Federal Campaign Applications OMB Control No. 3206-0131, which includes OPM Forms 1647 A-E. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35) as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act (Pub. L. 104-106), OPM is soliciting comments on this collection. The Office of Personnel Management is particularly interested in comments that: 1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; 2. Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; 3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.

The Hispanic Council on Federal Employment (Council) meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at the location shown below from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Council is an advisory committee composed of representatives from Hispanic organizations and senior government officials. Along with its other responsibilities, the Council shall advise the Director of the Office of Personnel Management on matters involving the recruitment, hiring, and advancement of Hispanics in the Federal workforce. The Council is co-chaired by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management and the Chair of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA). The meeting is open to the public. Please contact the Office of Personnel Management at the address shown below if you wish to present material to the Council at any of the meetings. The manner and time prescribed for presentations may be limited, depending upon the number of parties that express interest in presenting information.

The Retirement Services, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers the general public and other Federal agencies the opportunity to comment on the reinstatement of an expired information collection without change (ICR) 3206-0099, Initial Certification of Full-Time School Attendance. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35) as amended by the Clinger- Cohen Act (Pub. L. 104-106), OPM is soliciting comments for this collection.

The Retirement Services, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers the general public and other Federal agencies the opportunity to comment on the reinstatement of an expired information collection with change (ICR) 3206-0034, Annuitant's Report of Earned Income. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35) as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act (Pub. L. 104- 106), OPM is soliciting comments for this collection.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing a final rule to define Hancock County, Mississippi, as an area of application county to the Harrison, MS, nonappropriated fund (NAF) Federal Wage System (FWS) wage area. This change is necessary because there are four NAF FWS employees working in Hancock County, and the county is not currently defined to a NAF wage area.

The Retirement Services, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers the general public and other federal agencies the opportunity to comment on an extension without change of a currently approved information collection (ICR) 3206-0226, It's Time to Sign Up for Direct Deposit or Direct Express. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35) as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act (Pub. L. 104-106), OPM is soliciting comments for this collection. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in comments that: 1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; 2. Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; 3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.

The Retirement Services, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers the general public and other Federal agencies the opportunity to comment on an extension without change, of a currently approved information collection request (ICR) 3206-0174, Survivor Annuity Election for a Spouse (RI 20-63), Cover Letter Giving Information about the Cost to Elect Less Than the Maximum Survivor Annuity (RI 20-116) and Cover Letter Giving Information About the Cost to Elect the Maximum Survivor Annuity (RI 20-117). As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. Law 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35) as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act (Pub. L. 104-106), OPM is soliciting comments for this collection.

The President has signed an Executive order to implement the January 2016 pay adjustments for certain Federal civilian employees. The Executive order authorizes a 1- percent across-the-board increase for statutory pay systems and locality pay increases costing approximately 0.3 percent of basic payroll, reflecting an overall average pay increase of 1.3 percent. This is consistent with the President's alternative pay plan issued under 5 U.S.C. 5303(b) on August 28, 2015, and the President's alternative pay plan issued under 5 U.S.C. 5304a on November 30, 2015. This notice serves as documentation for the public record.

The Retirement Services, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers the general public and other Federal agencies the opportunity to comment on a revised information collection (ICR) 3206-0034, Annuitant's Report of Earned Income. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35) as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act (Pub. L. 104-106), OPM is soliciting comments for this collection.