Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2008/12/29/E8-30885/testimony-by-nara-employees-relating-to-agency-information-and-production-of-records-in-legal
Timestamp: 2017-06-29 12:52:47
Document Index: 12844682

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u20091251', 'art1', 'art 1250', 'art2', '§\u20091250', 'art3', 'art 1251', 'art\n1251', 'art?\n1251', 'art?\n1251', 'art?\n44', '§\u20091251', '§\u20091251', '§\u20091251', '§\u20091251', '§\u20091251', 'art4', 'art 1256', 'art5', '§\u20091256']

:: Testimony by NARA Employees Relating to Agency Information and Production of Records in Legal Proceedings
A Rule by the National Archives and Records Administration on 12/29/2008
79392-79396
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E8-30885
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is revising its regulations relating to demands for records or testimony in legal proceedings. The rule is intended to facilitate access to records in NARA's custody, centralize agency decision making in response to demands for records or testimony, minimize the disruption of official duties in complying with demands, maintain agency control over the release of agency information, and protect the interests of the United States. In addition, this rule consolidates existing regulations and applies to demands in legal proceedings where the United States is a party and to demands in legal proceedings where the United States is not a party. The rule affects parties to lawsuits and their counsel.
On November 16, 2007, NARA published a proposed rule (72 FR 64558) for a 60-day public comment period on new regulations containing NARA's policy and procedures in response to demands for testimony or records in legal proceedings.
We notified several listservs and researcher organizations about the proposed rule and its availability on regulations.gov. We also posted a notice about the rule on our Web site, http://www.archives.gov. We received no public comments. We are adopting the proposed rule as a final rule after making a number of minor changes to clarify the rule.Start Printed Page 79393
In particular, in several instances we made minor word changes to clarify the meaning of a particular sentence or paragraph: we clarified the requirements of the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a, if records sought are covered by the Privacy Act; specified that the demanding party is responsible for complying with all service requirements; and clarified the process for submitting witness fees and fees for the production of records.
This final rule contains information collection activities that are subject to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. These information collection requirements, contained in § 1251.10, have been approved by OMB under the control number 3095-0038 with a current expiration date of May 31, 2011.
Start Amendment PartFor the reasons set forth in the preamble, NARA amends Subchapter C of 36 CFR Chapter XII as follows:End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part1. The authority citation for part 1250 is revised to read as follows:End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part2. Remove § 1250.84.End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part3. Add new part 1251 to read as follows:End Amendment Part
1251.1 What is the purpose of this part?
1251.2 To what demands does this part apply?
1251.3 What definitions apply to this part?
1251.4 May employees provide records or give testimony in response to a demand without authorization?
1251.6 How does the General Counsel determine whether to comply with a demand for records or testimony?
1251.8 Who is authorized to accept service of a subpoena demanding the production of records or testimony?
1251.10 What are the filing requirements for a demand for documents or testimony?
1251.12 How does NARA process your demand?
1251.14 Who makes the final determination on compliance with demands for records or testimony?
1251.16 Are there any restrictions that apply to testimony?
1251.18 Are there any restrictions that apply to the production of records?
1251.20 Are there any fees associated with providing records or testimony?
1251.22 Are there penalties for providing records or testimony in violation of this part?
44 U.S.C. 2104; 44 U.S.C. 2108; 44 U.S.C. 2109; 44 U.S.C. 2111 note; 44 U.S.C. 2112; 44 U.S.C. 2116; 44 U.S.C. ch. 22; 44 U.S.C. 3103.
General Counsel means the General Counsel of NARA or a person to whom the General Counsel has delegated Start Printed Page 79394authority under this part. General Counsel also means the Inspector General of NARA (or a person to whom the Inspector General has delegated authority under this part) when a demand is made for records of NARA's Office of the Inspector General, or for the testimony of an employee of NARA's Office of the Inspector General.
NARA employee or employee means: (1) Any current or former officer or employee of NARA, except that this definition does not include former NARA employees who are retained or hired as expert witnesses concerning, or who agree to testify about, matters available to the public or matters with which they had no specific involvement or responsibility during their employment with NARA;
Records or agency information means: (1) Archival records, which are permanently valuable records of the United States Government that have been transferred to the legal custody of the Archivist of the United States;
No, except as otherwise permitted by § 1251.14 of this part, no employee may produce records and information or provide any testimony relating to agency information in response to a demand, or other legal request, without the prior, written approval of the General Counsel.
(f) Demands for the production of materials designated as Federal archival records, Presidential records or donated historical materials administered by NARA must be addressed to, and served Start Printed Page 79395on either: the Assistant Archivist for Records Services—Washington, DC (for records located in Headquarters); Director of Archival Operations (for records located in the regions); or the appropriate Presidential Library Director.
(a) Your demand must be in writing and must be served on the appropriate party as identified in § 1251.8.
(b) Demands for production of records that are governed by the Privacy Act require authorization of a court of competent jurisdiction as defined in § 1251.3.
The General Counsel makes the final determination on demands to employees for testimony. The appropriate NARA official authorized to accept service, as described in § 1251.8, makes the final determination on demands for the production of records. The NARA official notifies the requester and, as necessary, the court or other authority of the final determination and any conditions that may be imposed on the release of records or information, or on the testimony of a NARA employee. If the NARA official deems it appropriate not to comply with the demand, the official communicates the reasons for the noncompliance as appropriate.
(1) Witness fees for current NARA employees must be submitted to the General Counsel and made payable to the Treasury of the United States.
(2) Fees for the production of records, including records certification fees, must be submitted to the official who makes the final determination on demands for the production of records, as described in § 1251.14, and made payable to the National Archives Trust Fund (NATF).
Start Amendment Part4. The authority citation for part 1256 continues to read as follows:End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part5. Remove § 1256.4.End Amendment Part
[FR Doc. E8-30885 Filed 12-24-08; 8:45 am]