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64708 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No.

213 / Friday, November 3, 2006 / Notices

(GAO) or other Federal agency when the SAFEGUARDS: OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS
information is required for program System records are safeguarded in
evaluation purposes. accordance with the requirements of the Proposed Collection; Comment
f. To a Member of Congress or staff on Privacy Act, the Computer Security Act, Request for Unmodified SF 278
behalf of and at the request of the and OMB Circular A–130. Technical, Executive Branch Personnel Public
individual who is the subject of the administrative, and personnel security Financial Disclosure Report
record. measures are implemented to ensure
AGENCY: Office of Government Ethics
g. To the National Archives and confidentiality and integrity of the
(OGE).
Records Administration (NARA) for system data stored, processed, and
transmitted. Paper records are stored in ACTION: Notice.
records management purposes.
h. To an expert, consultant, or secure cabinets or rooms to which only SUMMARY: The Office of Government
contractor in the performance of a authorized individuals have access. Ethics is publishing this first round
Federal duty to which the information Electronic records are protected by notice and seeking comment on the
is relevant, including individuals, passwords and other appropriate Standard Form (SF) 278 because it
organizations, private or public security measures. intends to submit the form for extension
agencies, or other entities or individuals RETENTION AND DISPOSAL: of approval (up to three years) by the
with whom a Federal agency/ Disposition of records is according to Office of Management and Budget
organization has a contract or agreement the National Archives and Records (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction
to perform such services, including Administration (NARA) guidelines, as Act. OGE is making no changes to the
issuance of charge cards, as that agency/ set forth in the handbook, GSA Records SF 278 at this time. As in the past, OGE
organization may deem practicable for Maintenance and Disposition System will ask agencies to notify filers of two
the purposes of laws administered by (OAD P 1820.2A and CIO P 1820.1), updates to the information contained in
the agency/organization, in order for the authorized GSA records schedules, and the existing SF 278.
contractor, subcontractor, public or by individual agencies. DATES: Written comments by the public
private agency, or other entity or and the agencies on this proposed
individual with whom the agency/ SYSTEM MANAGER AND ADDRESS:
extension are invited and must be
organization has an agreement or Director, Office of Commercial received by January 2, 2007.
contract to perform the services of the Acquisition (FC), General Services
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
contract or agreement. This routine use Administration, 1901 South Bell Street,
to OGE on this paperwork notice by any
includes disclosures by the individual Arlington VA 22202. Also, officials
of the following methods:
or entity performing the service for the responsible for individual agency
• E-mail: usoge@oge.gov. (Include
Federal agency/organization to any purchase card programs using the
reference to ‘‘SF 278 Paperwork
secondary entity or individual to SmartPay system (e.g., Federal
Comment’’ in the subject line of the
perform an activity that is necessary for Agency/Organization Program
message).
individuals, organizations, private or Coordinators).
• Fax: 202–482–9237.
public agencies, or other entities or • Mail, Hand Delivery/Courier: Office
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:
individuals with whom the agency/ of Government Ethics, Suite 500, 1201
organization has a contract or agreement Individuals may obtain information
about their records from the purchase New York Avenue, NW., Washington,
to provide the service to the agency/ DC 20005–3917, Attention: Paul D.
organization. charge card program manager of the
agency for which they transact Ledvina, Records Officer, Information
i. To GSA in the form of listings, Resources Management Division.
purchases.
reports, and records of all transportation
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
related transactions, including refunds RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
Ledvina at the Office of Government
and adjustments, by the contractor to Requests from individuals for access Ethics; telephone: 202–482–9281; TDD:
enable audits of transportation related to their records should be addressed to 202–482–9293; fax: 202–482–9237; e-
charges to the Government. their agency’s purchase charge card mail: pdledvin@oge.gov. A copy of a
j. To GSA contract agents assigned to program manager or to the finance office blank SF 278 may be obtained, without
participating agencies for billing of of the agency for which the individual charge, by contacting Mr. Ledvina. Also,
purchase expenses. transacts purchases. a copy of a blank SF 278 is available
k. To agency finance offices for debt CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES: through the Forms, Publications & Other
collection purposes. Ethics Documents section of OGE’s Web
Individuals may access their records,
contest the contents, and appeal site at www.usoge.gov.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING,
RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, AND determinations according to their SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office
DISPOSING OF SYSTEM RECORDS: agency’s rules. of Government Ethics intends to submit,
after this notice and comment period,
STORAGE: RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
the unmodified Standard Form 278
Information may be collected on Information is obtained from Executive Branch Personnel Public
paper or electronically and may be individuals submitting charge card Financial Disclosure Report (OMB
stored on paper or on electronic media, applications, monthly contractor control number 3209–0001) for
as appropriate. reports, purchase records, managers, extension of approval for (up to) three
other agencies, non-Federal sources years by OMB under the Paperwork
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RETRIEVABILITY: such as private firms, and other agency Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
Records may be retrieved by name, systems containing information chapter 35). The current paperwork
Social Security Number, credit card pertaining to the purchase charge card approval for the SF 278 expires at the
number, and/or other personal identifier program. end of November 2006. The Office of
(e.g., employee ID) or appropriate type [FR Doc. E6–18600 Filed 11–02–06; 8:45 am] Government Ethics, as the supervising
of designation. BILLING CODE 6820–34–S ethics office for the executive branch of

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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 213 / Friday, November 3, 2006 / Notices 64709

the Federal Government under the reporting thresholds. The second rulemakings and OGE’s memorandum
Ethics in Government Act (the Ethics involves revised routine use language are posted on the OGE Web site.
Act), is the sponsoring agency for the contained in the Privacy Act Statement
Privacy Act Statement
Standard Form 278. OGE will not seek of the form. OGE is proposing no
General Services Administration (GSA) revisions to the SF 278, but will In addition, OGE has updated the
standard forms clearance for this continue to ask executive branch OGE/GOVT–1 Privacy Act system of
extension because no modification to departments and agencies to inform SF records notice (covering SF 278 Public
this standard form is proposed. 278 filers, through cover memorandum Financial Disclosure Reports and other
In accordance with section 102 of the or otherwise, of these two updates when name-retrieved ethics program records).
Ethics Act, 5 U.S.C. app. section 102, the existing March 2000 edition of the See 68 FR 3097–3109 (January 22,
and OGE’s implementing financial SF 278 report forms are provided for 2003), as corrected at 68 FR 24744 (May
disclosure regulations at 5 CFR part completion. See OGE’s August 25, 2003 8, 2003). As a result, the Privacy Act
2634, the SF 278 collects pertinent memorandum to designated agency Statement, which includes summaries
financial information from certain ethics officials (DO–03–015), posted in of the routine uses on page 11 of the
officers and high-level employees in the the ‘‘DAEOgrams’’ section of the OGE instructions on the SF 278, is affected.
executive branch for conflicts of interest Web site. Information regarding these As explained in the above-noted OGE
review and public disclosure. The SF changes is also posted along with the SF memorandum DO–03–015 and the SF
278 is also completed by individuals 278 in the forms section of OGE’s Web 278 notice posted on OGE’s Web site,
who are nominated by the President for site. In addition, OGE will post on its the system notice update added three
high-level executive branch positions Web site an updated summary of one of new routine uses applicable to SF 278
requiring Senate confirmation and new the Privacy Act routine uses on the reports. Moreover, OGE will also ask
entrants to other public reporting report form (see discussion below). agencies to inform filers of an update
positions in the executive branch. The needed to the summary of the sixth
financial information collected under Gifts/Reimbursements Reporting listed routine use on the form in their
the statute and regulations relates to: Thresholds periodic notifications to filers of
assets and income; transactions; gifts, changes to the SF 278. See revised
Every three years OGE issues final
reimbursements and travel expenses; routine use ‘‘h’’ at 68 FR 3100 for the
rule amendments that revise the
liabilities; agreements or arrangements; OGE/GOVT–1 records system notice.
executive branch financial disclosure
outside positions; and compensation OGE has already updated that same
regulation to increase the aggregation
over $5,000 paid by a source—all sixth routine use summary for two of its
and exception thresholds for reporting
subject to various reporting thresholds other forms, the OGE Form 201 and the
of gifts, reimbursements and travel
and exclusions. OGE Optional Form 450–A, and is
expenses for the public and confidential
preparing to do so for the proposed
Current Version of the SF 278 report systems. See 5 U.S.C. app. section
future modified OGE Form 450 for use
The Office of Government Ethics is 102(a)(2)(A) & (B). The OGE aggregation
starting in 2007. The first two forms are
proposing no modifications to the SF threshold limits the total value of gifts
posted in the forms section of the OGE
278 at this time. OGE will continue to and reimbursements from any one
Web site; see the paperwork notices in
make the unmodified SF 278 available source. The exception threshold limits
2005 and 2006 for the latter form posted
to departments and agencies and their the value of individual gifts that must be
in the Laws & Regulations section of
reporting employees through the Forms, counted toward the aggregation
OGE’s Web site. A summary of the
Publications & Other Ethics Documents threshold.
updates relevant to that SF 278
section of OGE’s Web site. This provides OGE’s threshold adjustments are tied statement will be included with the
filers with two electronic options for to the ‘‘minimal value’’ threshold of the paperwork clearance submission to
preparing their report on a computer (as Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act, as OMB.
well as a downloadable blank form). determined by GSA under 5 U.S.C.
There is also a link on the OGE Web site 7342. Since 2002, OGE has asked SF 278 Filers
to another electronic version of the SF agencies to notify filers of the SF 278 of The SF 278 is completed by
278 maintained by the Department of the updated adjustments to the candidates, nominees, new entrants,
Defense. In addition, GSA separately reporting thresholds for gifts and incumbents and terminees of certain
maintains two electronic versions of the reimbursements. Effective January 1, high-level positions in the executive
form on its Web site (www.gsa.gov); 2005, GSA raised the ‘‘minimal value’’ branch of the Federal Government.
paper forms can also be ordered through threshold under 5 U.S.C. 7342 to $305 These reports are routinely reviewed by
GSA. or less for the three-year period 2005– the agencies concerned. The Office of
The Office of Government Ethics has 2007. See 70 FR 2317–2318 (part V) Government Ethics, along with the
determined that at this time, electronic (January 12, 2005). Following GSA’s agencies concerned, conducts the
filing of the SF 278 using an Internet- action, OGE advised agencies of the review of the SF 278 reports of
based system will not be permitted. A adjusted thresholds and revised its Presidential nominees subject to Senate
printout and manual signature of the financial disclosure regulation to reflect confirmation and incumbents in and
form are still required unless otherwise the increase in the thresholds for SF 278 terminees from such positions.
specifically approved by OGE. Further reporting of gifts and travel
reimbursements received from any one Reporting Burden
developments on electronic filing may
be forthcoming as part of a broader E- source to ‘‘more than $305’’ for the The Office of Government Ethics
Gov initiative. aggregation level for reporting and to estimates, based on the agency ethics
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‘‘$122 or less’’ for the de minimis program questionnaire responses for


Agency Notification of Updates aggregation exception threshold. See 2003–2005, that an average of some
There are two ways in which the March 17, 2005 memorandum to 23,971 SF 278 report forms are filed
content of the current SF 278 report designated agency ethics officials (DO– annually at departments and agencies
form is affected. The first concerns 05–007) and 70 FR 12111–12112 (March throughout the executive branch. Most
adjustments in the gifts/reimbursements 11, 2005). Both GSA and OGE of those executive branch filers are

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64710 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 213 / Friday, November 3, 2006 / Notices

current Federal employees at the time Federal Register to inform the public Total Annual Responses: 26,820.
they file. However, an estimated 4.9 and the agencies at the time it submits Total Annual Hours: 7,197.
percent, or some 1,175 of the the request for OMB paperwork To obtain copies of the supporting
branchwide total SF 278 filers are approval. statement and any related forms for the
members of the public, including proposed paperwork collections
Approved: October 26, 2006.
private citizen Presidential nominees to referenced above, access CMS’ Web site
Robert I. Cusick,
positions subject to Senate confirmation address at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/
Director, Office of Government Ethics. PaperworkReductionActof1995, or E-
(and their private representatives-
lawyers, accountants, brokers and [FR Doc. E6–18554 Filed 11–2–06; 8:45 am] mail your request, including your
bankers), other private citizen BILLING CODE 6345–02–P address, phone number, OMB number,
prospective new entrants to reportable and CMS document identifier, to
positions, and those who file Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov, or call the
termination reports from such positions DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND Reports Clearance Office on (410) 786–
after their Government service ends, and HUMAN SERVICES 1326.
Presidential and Vice Presidential To be assured consideration,
candidates. The OGE estimate covers Centers for Medicare & Medicaid comments and recommendations for the
the next three years, 2007–2009, Services proposed information collections must
including a significant increase in [Document Identifier: CMS–R–234] be received at the address below, no
reports anticipated with the fall 2008 later than 5 p.m. on January 2, 2007.
Presidential election and following Agency Information Collection CMS, Office of Strategic Operations
transition. The estimated average Activities: Proposed Collection; and Regulatory Affairs, Division of
amount of time to complete the report Comment Request Regulations Development—C, Attention:
form, including review of the Bonnie L Harkless, Room C4–26–05,
instructions and gathering of needed AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore,
information, remains the same as Medicaid Services, HHS. Maryland 21244–1850.
previously reported, at three hours. In compliance with the requirement
Dated: October 24, 2006.
Thus, the overall estimated annual of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Michelle Shortt,
public burden for the SF 278 for the Director, Regulations Development Group,
private citizen/representative nominee Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS) is publishing the Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory
and terminee report forms processed in Affairs.
executive branch agencies, and those following summary of proposed
collections for public comment. [FR Doc. E6–18412 Filed 11–2–06; 8:45 am]
report forms processed by the OGE, BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
including private citizen Presidential Interested persons are invited to send
and Vice Presidential candidates report comments regarding this burden
forms, is 3,525 hours. estimate or any other aspect of this
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
The prior paperwork burden estimate collection of information, including any
HUMAN SERVICES
for the 2003–2005 period was 1,347 of the following subjects: (1) The
hours. This estimate was based upon an necessity and utility of the proposed Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
annual average of 449 SF 278 forms, information collection for the proper Services
those received only at OGE from private performance of the agency’s functions;
(2) the accuracy of the estimated [Document Identifier: CMS–R–64, CMS–
citizen/representative nominee and 3070G–I, CMS–576A, and CMS–304/304A]
terminee filers, and Presidential and burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality,
Vice Presidential candidates. The utility, and clarity of the information to Agency Information Collection
burden estimate for 2007–2009 is be collected; and (4) the use of Activities: Submission for OMB
adjusted to cover private citizen filers in automated collection techniques or Review; Comment Request
departments and agencies throughout other forms of information technology to
the executive branch. minimize the information collection AGENCY: Centers for Medicare &
burden. Medicaid Services, HHS.
Consideration of Comments Type of Information Collection In compliance with the requirement
Public comment is invited on each Request: Extension of a currently of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the
aspect of the SF 278 Public Financial approved collection. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Disclosure Report as set forth in this Title of Information Collection: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
notice, including specifically views on Subpart D—Private Contracts and Services (CMS), Department of Health
the need for and practical utility of this Supporting Regulations in 42 CFR and Human Services, is publishing the
collection of information, the accuracy 405.410, 405.430, 405.435, 405.440, following summary of proposed
of OGE’s burden estimate, the potential 405.445, and 405.455. collections for public comment.
for enhancement of quality, utility and Use: Under the section 4507 of the Interested persons are invited to send
clarity of the information collected, and Balanced Budget Act of 1997, CMS is comments regarding this burden
the minimization of burden (including required to permit certain physicians estimate or any other aspect of this
the use of information technology). and practitioners to opt out of Medicare collection of information, including any
Any comments received in response and furnish covered services to of the following subjects: (1) The
to this notice will be summarized for, Medicare beneficiaries through private necessity and utility of the proposed
and may be included with, OGE’s contracts. information collection for the proper
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request to OMB for paperwork approval Form Number: CMS–R–234 (OMB#: performance of the Agency’s function;
for this information collection. 0938–0730). (2) the accuracy of the estimated
Comments will also become a matter of Frequency: Reporting—Biennially. burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality,
public record. After reviewing any Affected Public: Business or other for- utility, and clarity of the information to
comments received, OGE will also profits. be collected; and (4) the use of
publish a second round notice in the Number of Respondents: 26,820. automated collection techniques or

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