Authorization of Solicitations During the Combined Federal Campaign

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 19, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 27169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12551]



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Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 96 / Wednesday, May 19, 1999 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 27169]]


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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

5 CFR Part 950

RIN 3206-AI53


Authorization of Solicitations During the Combined Federal 
Campaign

AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing a final 
rule giving the Director the discretion to authorize solicitations upon 
written request during the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). In 
extraordinary circumstances, solicitations in support of victims in 
cases of emergencies or disasters may be approved. The intended effect 
of this rule is to enable the Federal workforce to respond to 
emergencies or disasters of catastrophic proportions which may occur 
during the CFC.

DATES: Final rule effective: June 18, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Becky Kumar, Office of General 
Counsel, Office of Personnel Management, (202) 606-2885.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The devastation in Central America caused by 
Hurricane Mitch in late October and early November of 1998 resulted in 
over 10,000 deaths and destroyed the homes and communities of many 
thousands more. This tragedy provided the impetus for OPM to review its 
regulations governing the solicitation of the Federal workforce and to 
conclude that there is a need for further flexibility in its 
regulations in order to respond to emergencies and disasters of 
catastrophic proportions.
    The CFC regulations prohibit solicitations of the Federal workforce 
apart from those conducted as part of the Combined Federal Campaign. 
The CFC was designed to be the one concentrated period during which 
Federal employees may be solicited to contribute to all eligible 
organizations. The rationale for limiting the CFC to a single period 
during the year is to provide Federal employees with a means of 
contributing to a wide variety of worthy voluntary organizations, but 
to accomplish this with minimal disruption to the work of the 
Government.
    The regulations contain an exception for solicitations requested in 
writing on behalf of victims of emergencies and disasters, with the 
limitation that no such solicitations may occur between September 1 to 
December 15, the period of the CFC. In our review of this matter, we 
have determined that, on rare occasions, it may be necessary to 
authorize a solicitation during this time period. Natural disasters are 
not subject to time constraints, and extraordinary occurrences may 
necessitate extraordinary relief measures. OPM believes that this time 
period is of continuing concern in the future, since, according to the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Atlantic hurricane 
season runs from June 1 through November 30 each year and the Pacific 
hurricane season runs from May 15 through November 30. Both of these 
periods overlap with the CFC.
    On November 30, 1998, OPM published an interim rule allowing the 
Director to authorize solicitations during the CFC for victims of 
disasters or emergencies, upon written request and a showing of 
extraordinary circumstances. The interim rule provided a 30-day period 
for public comment. OPM received no comments during the comment period. 
Therefore, the interim rule is being adopted as the final rule.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    I certify that these regulations would not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because they 
would only apply to Federal agencies and employees.

Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Review

    This rule has been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget 
in accordance with Executive Order 12866.

List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 950

    Administrative practice and procedure, Charitable contributions, 
Government employees, Military personnel, Nonprofit organizations.

    Accordingly, under the authority of E.O. 12353, 47 FR 12785 (1982), 
the interim rule amending 5 CFR part 950, published on November 30, 
1998 (63 FR 65637), is adopted as final without any changes.

Office of Personnel Management.
Janice R. Lachance,
Director.
[FR Doc. 99-12551 Filed 5-18-99; 8:45 am]
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