[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 51 (Thursday, March 15, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 15233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6216]



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Rules and Regulations
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 51 / Thursday, March 15, 2012 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 15233]]



GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE

4 CFR Part 28


Personnel Appeals Board; Procedural Rules

AGENCY: Government Accountability Office Personnel Appeals Board.

ACTION: Final rule; technical amendment.

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SUMMARY: The rule adopts as final an interim rule published December 9, 
2011, which amended regulations to reflect a change in law concerning 
grievance procedures and changed some specific terms in the regulations 
to ones more commonly used throughout the government. Additionally, the 
PAB is moving its offices as of March 19, 2012, and accordingly, this 
part is being amended to reflect that move and change the Board's 
address. The intended effect of this action is to ensure that the 
public is informed of the final rule and of the Board's address change.

DATES: Effective March 15, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beth Don, Executive Director, or Susan 
Inzeo, Solicitor, 202-512-6137, Personnel Appeals Board, Room 1566, 441 
G Street NW., Washington, DC 20548.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 9, 2011, the Government 
Accountability Office Personnel Appeals Board (the Board or PAB) 
published an interim rule reflecting a change in law concerning 
grievance procedures and changing some specific terms in the 
regulations to ones more commonly used throughout the government. 76 FR 
76873, December 9, 2011. The formal period for comments closed on 
February 7, 2012, and no comments were received. Accordingly, the 
interim rule amending 4 CFR part 28 which was published at 76 FR 76873 
on December 9, 2011, is adopted as a final rule without substantial 
changes. Additionally, since the PAB is moving its offices as of March 
19, 2012, title 4, part 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations is being 
amended to reflect the change in location and mailing address.

List of Subjects in 4 CFR Part 28

    Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Government 
employees, Labor-management relations, Reduction in force.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the interim rule 
amending title 4, part 28, Code of Federal Regulations, which was 
published at 76 FR 76873 on December 9, 2011, is adopted as final, with 
changes as follows:

PART 28--GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE PERSONNEL APPEALS BOARD; 
PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO CLAIMS CONCERNING EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES AT 
THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE

0
1. The authority citation for part 28 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 31 U.S.C. 753.


0
2. In Sec.  28.11, revise paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  28.11  Filing a charge with the Office of General Counsel.

* * * * *
    (c) How to file. Charges may be filed with the Office of General 
Counsel by personal delivery (including commercial carrier) or by mail.
    (1) A charge may be filed by personal delivery at the Office of 
General Counsel, Personnel Appeals Board, Room 1562, 441 G Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20548.
    (2) A charge may be filed by mail addressed to the Office of 
General Counsel, Personnel Appeals Board, Room 1562, 441 G Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20548. When filed by mail, the postmark shall be the 
date of filing for all submissions to the Office of General Counsel.
* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  28.18, revise paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  28.18  Filing a petition with the Board.

* * * * *
    (c) How to file. (1) A petition may be filed by hand delivery to 
the office of the Personnel Appeals Board, Room 1566, 441 G Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20548. It must be received by 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, on the date that it is filed.
    (2) A petition may be filed by mail addressed to the Personnel 
Appeals Board, Room 1566, 441 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20548. When 
filed by mail, the postmark shall be the date of filing for all 
submissions to the Board.
* * * * *

0
4. In Sec.  28.160, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  28.160  Request for records.

    (a) Individuals may request access to records pertaining to them 
that are maintained as described in 4 CFR part 83, by addressing 
inquiry to the PAB General Counsel either by mail or by appearing in 
person at the Personnel Appeals Board Office of General Counsel, Room 
1562, 441 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20548, during business hours on 
a regular business day. Requests in writing should be clearly and 
prominently marked ``Privacy Act Request.'' Requests for copies of 
records shall be subject to duplication fees set forth in 4 CFR 83.17.
* * * * *

0
5. In Sec.  28.161, revise paragraph (b) to read as follows:


Sec.  28.161  Denial of access to information--Appeals.

* * * * *
    (b) Any individual whose request for access to records of the PAB 
General Counsel has been denied in whole or in part by the General 
Counsel may, within 30 days of receipt of the denial, challenge that 
decision by filing a written request for review of the decision with 
the Personnel Appeals Board, Room 1566, 441 G Street NW., Washington, 
DC 20548.
* * * * *

Steven H. Svartz,
Chair, Personnel Appeals Board, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
[FR Doc. 2012-6216 Filed 3-14-12; 8:45 am]
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