[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 34 (Friday, February 20, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9189-9190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03315]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 34 / Friday, February 20, 2015 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 9189]]
FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY
5 CFR Part 2429
Unfair Labor Practice Proceedings and Miscellaneous and General
Requirements
AGENCY: Federal Labor Relations Authority.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) is engaged in an
initiative to make electronic filing or ``eFiling'' available to
parties in all cases before the FLRA. Making eFiling available is
another way in which the FLRA is using technology to improve the
customer-service experience. These eFiling enhancements are expected to
increase efficiency by reducing procedural filing errors and processing
delays.
DATES: Effective March 23, 2015.
ADDRESSES: Written comments about this final rule can be emailed to
[email protected] or sent to the Case Intake and Publication
Office, Federal Labor Relations Authority, 1400 K Street NW.,
Washington, DC 20424. All written comments will be available for public
inspection during normal business hours at the Case Intake and
Publication Office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gina Grippando, Counsel for Regulatory
and Public Affairs, Federal Labor Relations Authority, Washington, DC
20424, (202) 218-7776.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the first stage of its eFiling
initiative, the FLRA enabled parties to use eFiling to file requests
for Federal Service Impasses Panel assistance in the resolution of
negotiation impasses. See 77 FR 5987 (Feb. 7, 2012). The second stage
of the FLRA's eFiling initiative provided parties with an option to use
eFiling to electronically file 11 types of documents in cases filed
with the FLRA's three-member adjudicatory body, the Authority. Parties
may now file such documents. See 77 FR 26430 (May 4, 2012). The third
stage of the FLRA's eFiling initiative provided parties with the option
to use eFiling to electronically file certain documents involved in
representation and unfair labor practice proceedings. See 77 FR 37751
(June 25, 2012).
The fourth stage of the FLRA's eFiling initiative is the subject of
this Final Rule. In this stage, parties will be able to use the FLRA's
eFiling system to file certain documents involved in unfair labor
practice proceedings before the FLRA's Office of Administrative Law
Judges. This rule modifies the FLRA's existing regulations to allow
eFiling of those documents. As the FLRA's eFiling procedures develop,
the revisions set forth in this action may be evaluated and revised
further.
Sectional Analysis
Sectional analysis of the amendments and revisions to part 2429,
Miscellaneous and General Requirements, are as follows:
Part 2429--Miscellaneous and General Requirements
Section 2429.24(d)
This section is amended to reflect the addition of eFiling as an
authorized means of filing documents with the Office of Administrative
Law Judges pursuant to paragraph (f)(15) of this section and corrects
the person with whom such documents must be filed by replacing
appropriate administrative law judge with Chief Administrative Law
Judge.
Section 2429.24(f)(15)
This section is added to reflect that documents filed with the
Office of Administrative Law Judges are now documents that can be filed
using eFiling as an alternative to the filing methods discussed in
paragraph (e) of this section.
As described above, this amendment updates the regulations to
merely expand the Federal Labor Relations Authority's current
electronic filing system. This rule pertains to agency organization,
procedure, or practice, and it is exempt from prior notice and public
comment pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A).
Executive Order 12866
The FLRA is an independent regulatory agency, and as such, is not
subject to the requirements of E.O. 12866.
Executive Order 13132
The FLRA is an independent regulatory agency, and as such, is not
subject to the requirements of E.O. 13132.
Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
Pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5
U.S.C. 605(b), the Chairman of the FLRA has determined that this rule,
as amended, will not have a significant impact on a substantial number
of small entities, because this rule applies only to federal agencies,
federal employees, and labor organizations representing those
employees.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
This rule change will not result in the expenditure by state,
local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private
sector, of $100,000,000 or more in any one year, and it will not
significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no
actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
This action is not a major rule as defined by section 804 of the
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This rule
will not result in an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or
more; a major increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse
effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity,
innovation, or on the ability of United States-based companies to
compete with foreign-based companies in domestic and export markets.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
The amended regulations contain no additional information
collection or record-keeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.
[[Page 9190]]
List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 2429
Administrative practice and procedure, Government employees, Labor
management relations.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the FLRA amends 5 CFR part
2429, as follows:
PART 2429--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for part 2429 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 7134; Sec. 2429.18 also issued under 28
U.S.C. 2112(a).
0
2. Section 2429.24 is amended by revising paragraph (d) and adding
paragraph (f)(15) to read as follows:
Sec. 2429.24 Place and method of filing; acknowledgement.
* * * * *
(d) Unless electronically filed pursuant to paragraph (f)(15) of
this section, a document filed with the Office of Administrative Law
Judges pursuant to this subchapter shall be submitted to the address
for the Chief Administrative Law Judge, as set forth in the appendix.
(f) * * *
(15) Documents submitted to the Office of Administrative Law Judges
under 5 CFR part 2423, including answers to complaints, motions,
briefs, pre-hearing disclosures, stipulations, and any other documents
as permitted by the eFiling system for the Office of Administrative Law
Judges.
* * * * *
Dated: February 12, 2015.
Carol Waller Pope,
Chairman.
[FR Doc. 2015-03315 Filed 2-19-15; 8:45 am]
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