Page images
PDF
EPUB

(d) The results of each proceeding conducted pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(F), as amended, including a report of the disciplinary action taken against the officer or employee who was primarily responsible for improperly withholding records or an explanation of why disciplinary action was not taken.

(e) A copy of every rule made by the Foundation implementing the provisions of the FOIA.

(f) A copy of the fee schedule and the total amount of fees collected by the agency for making records available under this section.

(g) Such other information as indicates efforts to administer the provisions of the FOIA, as amended.

[blocks in formation]

AUTHORITY: Executive Order 11222 of May 8, 1965, 3 CFR, 1965 Supp.; 5 CFR 735.104, unless otherwise noted.

SOURCE: 32 FR 17663, Dec. 12, 1967, unless otherwise noted.

§ 1105.735-1 Purpose.

While confident of the integrity and sense of responsibility of the employees of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, it is essential to the Government and to the conduct of the business of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities that unusually high standards of honesty, integrity, impartiality, and conduct be maintained by employees of the Endowments. In accordance with these concepts, this part sets forth policies and procedures of the Endowments with respect to employee conduct, certain permissible and prohibited outside activities, and possible conflictsof-interest situations.

[blocks in formation]

have not been designated as "regular employees" by the Chairman of either Endowment for purposes of these regulations.

(c) "Full-time employee" means a "regular employee" with an assigned full-time working schedule.

(d) "Part-time employee" means a "regular employee" with an assigned part-time (less than 40 hours a week) work schedule.

(e) "Intermittent employee" means a "regular employee" with an assigned intermittent working schedule.

(f) "Shared staff" and "joint employees" mean employees performing services for both Endowments on a shared basis.

(g) "Special Government employee" means a "special Government employee" as defined in section 202 of title 18 of the United States Code who is employed by the National Endowment for the Arts or the National Endowment for the Humanities, or by both Endowments jointly.

(h) "Endowment" means either the National Endowment for the Arts or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

(i) "Foundation" means the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities.

(j) "Chairman" means the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, or the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

(Sec. 10, 79 Stat. 852 as amended 82 Stat. 186, 84 Stat. 443 (20 U.S.C. 959)) [38 FR 3511, Feb. 7, 1973]

§ 1105.735-4 Statutory provisions.

Each employee is responsible for acquainting himself not only with the provisions of this part, but also with applicable portions of each Federal statute relating to his conduct as an employee of the National Endowment for the Arts or the National Endowment for the Humanities and of the U.S. Government. This part will be called to the attention of all employees by the Administrative Officer of the Foundation at least once a year and he will provide a copy of the part to each new employee who joins either the National Endowment for the Arts or the National Endowment for the Humanities or becomes a member of

the shared staff. (A list of pertinent statutes is provided in the Appendix to this part.)

§ 1105.735-5 Conflicts-of-Interest Counsel

or.

(a) Conflicts-of-Interest Counselor. The General Counsel of the Foundation is designated the Conflicts-of-Interest Counselor, with responsibility for providing, on request from any employee, counsel regarding conflicts-ofinterest regulations and requirements, as well as their applicability in particular situations. Each employee is responsible for seeking the advice of the Conflicts-of-Interest Counselor whenever it appears that he may be, or may become, involved in a possible conflicts-of-interest situation. Any supervisor may refer to the Conflicts-of-Interest Counselor any possible conflicts-of-interest situation involving a subordinate of his whenever he deems such action appropriate. In such cases, the subordinate concerned shall be informed that the matter has been referred for consideration and shall be afforded the opportunity to state his case. The General Counsel of the Foundation is responsible for reviewing conflicts-of-interest matters brought to his attention and for attempting to work with the employees concerned in resolving such situations, and for offering employees an opportunity to explain any conflict or appearance of conflict. Matters which cannot be satisfactorily resolved in this manner will be referred to the Chairman of the Endowment concerned, or, in the case of a share staff member, to the Chairmen of both Endowments, for decision and appropriate action. Remedial action, whether disciplinary or otherwise, shall be effected in accordance with any applicable laws, Executive orders, and regulations.

(b) Disciplinary and other remedial actions. When there is a final decision that a conflicts-of-interest situation requires disciplinary or other remedial action, such action shall be taken promptly to end the conflict or appearance of conflict of interest and to carry out any appropriate disciplinary measure. Any action taken, whether

disciplinary or otherwise, shall be effected in accordance with applicable laws, Executive orders, Civil Service Commission regulations and the regulations in this part. The action taken may involve, among other things:

(1) Divestment by the employee of his conflicting interest;

(2) Changes in existing duties;

(3) Disqualification for a particular assignment;

(4) Appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including removal.

[32 FR 17663, Dec. 12, 1967, as amended at 33 FR 494, Jan. 13, 1968]

[blocks in formation]

(iii) Regulating or auditing private or other non-Federal enterprises;

(iv) Other activities where the decision or action has an economic impact on the interest of a particular nonFederal enterprise; or

require the incumbent to report in order to avoid involvement in a possible conflicts-of-interest situation and carry out the purpose of law.

(2) Requirements of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. In order to fulfill the Endowments' obligations under the general Government requirement described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, it has been determined that a Statement of Employment and Financial Interests must be completed and submitted in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section by employees occupying the following positions:

(i) National Endowment for the Arts:

(a) Deputy chairman.

(b) All special assistants to the chairman and deputy chairman.

(c) All program, division and office directors.

(ii) National Endowment for the Humanities:

(a) Deputy chairman.

(b) All assistants (including special assistants) to the chairman and

deputy chairman.

(c) All program and office directors (but not including the Public Information Director).

(d) All program officers classified at GS-13 and above.

(iii) Shared staff:

(a) All attorneys.

(b) Director and Assistant Director of Administration.

(c) All auditors classified at GS-13 and above.

(d) Financial manager.

(e) Administrative services officer.

All grants officers.

(3) Inclusion and exclusion of positions. (i) Whenever appropriate, the Chairman of an Endowment may amend paragraph (a)(2) of this section to include additional positions in his Endowment that entail submission of such statements or may exclude any positions in his Endowment listed in paragraph (a)(2) of this section the inclusion of which is not required by the general requirement in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. Inclusion or elimination of shared positions will be accomplished by agreement of both Chairmen. Each supervisor is responsible for bringing to the attention of the appropriate Chairman (through the Deputy Chairman) any position which the supervisor believes should be covered or excluded by this requirement. (ii) If an employee believes that his position has been improperly included among those for which a Statement of Employment and Financial Interests is required, he may bring this matter, via the Foundation's grievance procedures, to the attention of the appropriate Deputy Chairman or, in the case of shared staff, to the attention of both Deputy Chairmen. In the event that the recommendation is made that the position be included, the employee may appeal to the Chairman of the Endowment con

cerned, or, in the case of shared staff, to both Chairmen, whose ruling shall be final.

(iii) Although an employee's position may generally be included within the terms of paragraph (a)(1) of this section, such position may be excluded from the reporting requirement when it is determined that:

(a) The duties of a position are such that the likelihood of the incumbent's involvement in a conflicts-of-interest situation is remote; or

(b) The duties of a position are at such a level of responsibility that the submission of a statement of employment and financial interests is not necessary because of the degree of supervision and review over the incumbent or the inconsequential effect on the integrity of the Government.

(4) Submission of original and supplementary statements. Each employee covered by this requirement shall complete the statement and submit it within 90 days after the effective date of this part. Each new employee shall complete and submit the statement within 30 days after his entrance on duty or within 90 days after the effective date of this part, whichever date is later. All changes in, or additions to, the information contained in each employee's original statement must be reported in a supplementary statement submitted by the employee as of June 30 each year. If no changes or additions occur a negative report is required. Not withstanding the filing of the annual report required by this subparagraph, each employee shall at all times avoid acquiring a financial interest that could result, or taking an action that would result, in a violation of the conflicts of interest provisions of section 208 of title 18, U.S.C., or § 1105.735-7 of this part. The Administrative Office of the Foundation is responsible for informing each new, affected employee of the requirement for him to submit the statement within 30 days after his entrance on duty.

(5) Interests of employees' relatives. For purposes of the statement, the interests of a spouse, minor child, or any other member of an employee's immediate household who is a blood rela

tion of the employee, are considered to be interests of the employee.

(6) Information not known by employees. If information required to be included on the statement of employment and financial interests (supplementary or otherwise, including holdings placed in trust) is not known by the employee but is known to another person, the employee shall request such other person to submit the information on his behalf.

(7) Information not required. Employees are not required to submit information relating to their financial interests in any professional society not conducted as a business enterprise as described in the next sentence, charitable, religious, social, fraternal, recreational, public service, civic, political, or similar organization not conducted as a business enterprise. Professional societies, educational institutions, and other nonprofit organizations engaged in research, development, or related activities involving grants of money from, or contracts with, the Government are deemed "business enterprises" and are required to be included in employees' statements of employment and financial interests.

(8) Effect of employees' statements on other requirements. The statements of employment and financial interests and supplementary statements required of employees are in addition to, and are not in substitution for, or in derogation of, any similar requirement imposed by law, regulation, or Executive order. The submission of the statement or supplementary statement by an employee does not permit him or any other person to participate in any matter in which his or the other person's participation is prohibited by law, regulation, or Executive order.

(9) Confidentiality of employees' statements. Each statement of employment and financial interest and each supplementary statement will be held in strictest confidence. The officials designated below to receive such statements will not allow access to, or information to be disclosed from, a statement except to carry out a purpose of this part. Information will not be disclosed from the statement except as

the Civil Service Commission or the appropriate Chairman (or Chairmen, in the case of shared staff members) may authorize for good cause shown.

(10) Review of statements. (i) Each Deputy Chairman will submit his statement to the appropriate Endowment Chairman.

(ii) Employees of either Endowment shall submit their statements to the Deputy Chairman of that Endowment.

(iii) Joint employees shall submit their statements to both Deputy Chairmen.

(iv) When a statement submitted under paragraph (b)(2) or (3) of this section indicates a conflict between the interests of an employee and the performance of his services for the Government and when the conflict or appearance of conflict cannot be resolved by the Deputy Chairman (or by both Deputy Chairmen in the case of joint employees), he shall report the information concerning the conflict or appearance of conflict to the Chairman through the General Counsel. In the case of joint employees, information concerning the conflict or appearance of conflict shall be reported to both Chairmen. The employee concerned shall be given an opportunity to explain the conflict or appearance of conflict before remedial action is initiated.

(b) Special Government employees. (1) Each special Government employee shall submit a statement of employment, and, unless otherwise directed, a statement of financial interests not later than the time of his employment. It is necessary that the special Government employee report all Federal and non-Federal employment, and, when a statement of financial interests is required, those financial interests which relate, either directly, or indirectly, to his Foundation responsibilities or duties.

(2) Each special Government employee must file a supplementary statement of employment and financial interests whenever a significant change occurs, either in his employment or financial interests, in order that his statement may be kept current.

(3) The provisions of paragraph (a)(5) through (9) of this section apply

to special Government employees in the same manner as to other employees.

(Sec. 10, 79 Stat. 852, as amended at 82 Stat. 186, 84 Stat. 443 (20 U.S.C. 959))

[32 FR 17663, Dec. 12, 1967, as amended at 38 FR 3512, Feb. 7, 1973]

§ 1105.735-7 Employee conduct.

(a) General. (1) Each Endowment assumes that an employee will conduct himself in a manner that will not discredit or embarrass himself or the Endowment. However, it is pointed out that the violation of the regulations in this part, or any criminal, infamous, dishonest, immoral, or notoriously disgraceful conduct on the part of an employee (whether in official duty status or not), is cause for immediate disciplinary action, up to and including removal.

shall (2) Employees avoid any action, whether or not specifically prohibited, which might result in create the appearance of:

or

(i) Using public office for private gain;

(ii) Giving preferential treatment to any person;

(iii) Impeding Government efficiency or economy;

(iv) Losing complete independence or impartiality;

(v) Making a Government decision outside official channels; or

(vi) Affecting adversely the confidence of the public in the integrity of the Government.

(b) Indebtedness. Employees are expected to meet their just financial obligations and not to take advantage of the fact that their wages are not subject to garnishment for private debts. Failure to meet just financial obligations in a proper and timely manner may result in disciplinary action, up to, and including, removal. For the purpose of this section, a "just financial obligation" means one acknowledged by the employee or reduced to judgment by a court, and “in a proper and timely manner" means in a manner which the agency determines does not, under the circumstances, reflect adversely on the Government as his employer. In the event of dispute between an employee and an alleged

« PreviousContinue »