Previous messageNext message Previous in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same author Previous page (May 2003) Back to main OGE-ETHICSINFO-L page Join or leave OGE-ETHICSINFO-L (or change settings) Reply Post a new message Search Proportional font Non-proportional font *Date:* Fri, 9 May 2003 12:14:03 -0400 *Reply-To:* ETHICS_MAILINGLIST ETHICS_MAILINGLIST *From:* ETHICS_MAILINGLIST ETHICS_MAILINGLIST *Subject:* ETHICS NEWS AND INFORMATION MAY 9, 2003 *Content-Type:* text/plain; charset=US-ASCII ETHICS NEWS AND INFORMATION MAY 9, 2003 2002 OGE OPINIONS NOW AVAILABLE The Office of Government Ethics (OGE) issued DAEOgram DO-03-006 on Wednesday, May 7, 2003, announcing the availability of the Informal Advisory Letters and Memoranda and Formal Opinions for the year 2002 as well as a newly reformatted index covering guidance issued from 1990-2002. The opinions can be accessed at: http://www.usoge.gov/pages/advisory_opinions/2002opinions.html OGE RULEMAKINGS OGE PUBLISHES PROPOSED AGENCY GIFT ACCEPTANCE RULE On May 5, 2003, OGE published a proposed rule concerning the implementation of OGE's statutory gift acceptance authority. See 68 FR 23875-23883 (pt. VII) (05/05/03). The proposed rule would establish criteria for determining whether the exercise of this gift acceptance authority is appropriate, and related guidelines for the solicitation and acceptance of gifts. Although this proposed rule would implement authority that is specific to OGE, it addresses several agency gift acceptance issues of general concern to executive branch agencies. Therefore, it could provide guidance to other agencies in administering their gift authority. In order to develop a final rule that would have the greatest degree of utility in this regard, OGE invites comments by executive branch agencies on this proposed rule, in particular with respect to the issues of more general concern. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by OGE on or before August 4, 2003. The proposed rule can be accessed at: http://www.usoge.gov/pages/laws_regs_fedreg_stats/fedreg_issuances/2003fedreg.html PRIVACY ACT NOTICE CORRECTION In the Thursday, May 8, 2003, issue of the Federal Register, OGE published a correction document which corrects several minor errors in its Privacy Act Notice of Proposed New and Revised Systems of Records published last January (no comments were received). See 68 FR 24744 (05/08/03). The correction document also confirms that the proposed new and revised records systems, as corrected, will become effective on May 22, 2003. The correction document can be accessed at: http://www.usoge.gov/pages/laws_regs_fedreg_stats/fedreg_issuances/2003fedreg.html COMMENTS ON PROPOSED POST-EMPLOYMENT REGULATION OGE wants to remind you that comments are due on May 19, 2003 concerning the proposed post-employment rule published at 68 Federal Register 7844 (Feb. 18, 2003) (available at www.usoge.gov under "Federal Register Issuances for 2003"). Comments may be mailed to the address specified in the Federal Register notice or may be provided electronically to OGE's e-mail address, usoge@oge.gov. The subject line of any e-mail messages should include the following reference: "Comments on proposed post-employment rule." FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE NEWS Schedule B Reporting For the annual SF 278s due May 15th, please keep in mind that the Schedule B gift and travel reimbursement reporting threshold, for the entire CY 2002 reporting period, is now "more than $285." The de minimis aggregation amount is "$114 or less." (See OGE DAEOgram DO-02-021, dated September 27, 2002.) Neither the downloadable nor the electronically fillable SF 278 forms on OGE's website reflect these increased amounts. OGE is near completion of the renewal of the form that will contain these changes. Combat Zone Extensions Automatic combat zone SF 278 filing extensions of 180 days are in effect for reports due from any individual either serving in, or in support of the Armed Forces, in an area that has been designated by the President, by an Executive Order, as a combat zone. The report due date is 180 days from the last day of the individual's service in the combat area, or the last day of hospitalization from an injury or disease received while in the combat area. (See subsection 101(g)(2) of the Ethics in Government Act, as amended.) Filers who choose to exercise this extension should note the specifics on the SF 278 cover sheet comments block. SF 278 Review Assumptions Reviewers of the annual SF 278s should keep in mind the possible use of the "Review Assumptions" outlined in section 4.3 of the OGE manual, Public Financial Disclosure: A Reviewer's Reference. Careful use of the assumptions can lessen the amount of needed follow-up to obtain additional information from the SF 278 filer. Please keep in mind that any use you make of the assumptions should be documented as part of your overall review notes. The Reviewer's Reference is available on OGE's website at: http://www.usoge.gov/pages/forms_pubs_otherdocs/fpo_files/reference/rf278guide_96.pdf (Note: This guide was created before the passage of the Section 508 regulations and is therefore NOT Section 508 compliant) NARA ISSUES GENERAL RECORDS SCHEDULE COVERING ETHICS PROGRAM RECORDS (GRS 25) On April 24, 2003, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) issued General Records Schedule (GRS) Transmittal No. 9 to heads of Federal agencies. Included in GRS Transmittal 9 is GRS 25 covering ethics program records. General Records Schedules are issued by the Archivist of the United States to provide disposal authorization for temporary administrative records common to several or all agencies of the Federal Government. GRS 25 resulted from a joint project involving NARA, OGE, and members of the ethics community. GRS Transmittal 25 and the GRS are posted on the NARA web site at: www.archives.gov under the Records Management Section. Before implementing GRS 25, we recommend reading GRS Transmittal No. 9 and Introduction to General Records Schedules. Also, GRS 25 includes introductory paragraphs describing its coverage and applicability. Please consult your agency's records officer for questions concerning your agency's records management policies and practices. The list of Federal records officers is posted on NARA's website on the Records Management page. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Back to: Top of message <#TOP> | Previous page | Main OGE-ETHICSINFO-L page ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Back to the LISTSERV home page at LISTSERV.ACCESS.GPO.GOV.