[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 251 (Friday, December 29, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 83039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-33220]


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OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS


Study Under the Presidential Transition Act of 2000 on Improving 
the Financial Disclosure Process for Executive Branch Presidential 
Nominees; Opportunity for Comment

AGENCY: Office of Government Ethics (OGE).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Government Ethics is conducting a study under 
the Presidential Transition Act of 2000 on improving the financial 
disclosure process for executive branch Presidential nominees. This 
notice indicates the pendency of OGE's study and provides the public 
and agencies an opportunity to comment.

DATES: Any comments should be received by January 29, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send any comments to the Office of Government Ethics, Suite 
500, 1201 New York Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20005-3917, Attention: 
Ms. Jane S. Ley. Comments may also be sent electronically to OGE's 
Internet E-mail address at [email protected]. For E-mail messages, the 
subject line should include the following reference--``Comments 
Regarding Financial Disclosure Process Study.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane S. Ley, Deputy Director for 
Government Relations and Special Projects, Office of Government Ethics, 
telephone: 202-208-8022; TDD: 202-208-8025; FAX: 202-208-8037.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Government Ethics is in the 
midst of a six-month study under section 3 of the Presidential 
Transition Act of 2000, Public Law 106-293 (October 12, 2000), on 
improving the financial disclosure process for executive branch 
Presidential nominees required to file reports under section 101(b) of 
the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. appendix). Within six 
months of the date of enactment of the new law (that is, by April 12, 
2001), OGE has to submit a report based on the study to the Committee 
on Governmental Affairs of the U.S. Senate and Committee on Government 
Reform of the U.S. House of Representatives.
    Under the law, OGE's report will include recommendations and 
legislative proposals on streamlining, standardizing and coordinating 
the financial disclosure process and requirements for executive branch 
Presidential nominees as well as avoiding duplication and burden with 
respect to financial information disclosed to the White House, OGE, and 
the Senate. The report may also address other matters relevant to the 
process, as OGE deems appropriate. The law further provides that the 
recommendations and proposals cannot, if implemented, have the effect 
of lessening substantive compliance with any conflict of interest 
requirement. Presidential nominees subject to Senate confirmation are 
currently required to file detailed Public Financial Disclosure Reports 
(the Standard Form (SF) 278 for executive branch nominees) with their 
agencies and OGE, as well as certain financial and other information 
filed with the White House, on the national security position 
questionnaire (SF 86) processed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 
and on various questionnaires developed by the respective confirming 
Senate committees.
    As part of its consideration of these important matters, OGE 
believes it would be both appropriate and helpful to give the public 
and agencies an opportunity to express their views. Interested persons 
may submit comments to OGE, to be received by January 29, 2001, 
regarding any specific part of the financial disclosure process study 
or just to give general views on the study in order to assist OGE.

    Approved: December 21, 2000.
Amy L. Comstock,
Director, Office of Government Ethics.
[FR Doc. 00-33220 Filed 12-28-00; 8:45 am]
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