15 C.F.R. PART 15—LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Title 15 - Commerce and Foreign Trade
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 15 U.S.C. 1501, 1512, 1513, 1515 and 1518; Reorganization Plan No. 5 of 1950; 3 CFR, 1949–1953 Comp., p. 1004; 44 U.S.C. 3101; subpart C is issued under 37 U.S.C. 101, 706; 15 U.S.C. 1673; 42 U.S.C. 665.
Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 15 appear at 62 FR 19669, Apr. 23, 1997.
Source: 53 FR 41318, Oct. 21, 1988, unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 62 FR 19669, Apr. 23, 1997.
(a) This subpart sets forth the procedures to be followed when a summons or complaint is served on the Department, a component, or the Secretary or a Department employee in his or her official capacity. (b) This subpart is intended to ensure the orderly execution of the affairs of the Department and not to impede any legal proceeding. (c) This subpart does not apply to subpoenas. The procedures to be followed with respect to subpoenas are set out in subpart B. (d) This subpart does not apply to service of process made on a Department employee personally on matters not related to official business of the Department or to the official responsibilities of the Department employee. [53 FR 41318, Oct. 21, 1988. Redesignated and amended at 62 FR 19669, 19670, Apr. 23, 1997] For the purpose of this subpart: (a) General Counsel means the General Counsel of the United States Department of Commerce or other Department employee to whom the General Counsel has delegated authority to act under this subpart, or the chief legal officer (or designee) of the Department of Commerce component concerned. (b) Component means Office of the Secretary or an operating unit of the Department as defined in Department Organization Order 1–1. (c) Department means the Department of Commerce. (d) Department employee means any officer or employee of the Department, including commissioned officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (e) Legal proceeding means a proceeding before a tribunal constituted by law, including a court, an administrative body or commission, or an administrative law judge or hearing officer. (f) Official business means the authorized business of the Department. (g) Secretary means Secretary of Commerce. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this subpart, any summons or complaint to be served in person or by registered or certified mail or as otherwise authorized by law on the Department, a component or the Secretary or a Department employee in their official capacity, shall be served on the General Counsel of the United States Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230. (b) Any summons or complaint to be served in person or by registered or certified mail or as otherwise authorized by law on the Patent and Trademark Office or the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks or an employee of the Patent and Trademark Office in his or her official capacity, shall be served on the Solicitor for the Patent and Trademark Office or a Department employee designated by the Solicitor. (c) Except as otherwise provided in this subpart, any component or Department employee served with a summons or complaint shall immediately notify and deliver the summons or complaint to the office of the General Counsel. Any employee of the Patent and Trademark Office served with a summons or complaint shall immediately notify and deliver the summons or complaint to the office of the Solicitor. (d) Any Department employee receiving a summons or complaint shall note on the summons or complaint the date, hour, and place of service and whether service was by personal delivery or by mail. (e) When a legal proceeding is brought to hold a Department employee personally liable in connection with an action taken in the conduct of official business, rather than liable in an official capacity, the Department employee by law is to be served personally with process. Service of process in this case is inadequate when made upon the General Counsel or the Solicitor or their designees. Except as otherwise provided in this subpart, a Department employee sued personally for an action taken in the conduct of official business shall immediately notify and deliver a copy of the summons or complaint to the office of the General Counsel. Any employee of the Patent and Trademark Office sued personally for an action taken in the conduct of official business shall immediately notify and deliver a copy of the summons or complaint to the Office of the Solicitor. (f) A Department employee sued personally in connection with official business may be represented by the Department of Justice at its discretion. See 28 CFR 50.15 and 50.16 (1987). (g) The General Counsel or Solicitor or Department employee designated by either, when accepting service of process for a Department employee in an official capacity, shall endorse on the Marshal's or server's return of service form or receipt for registered or certified mail the following statement: “Service accepted in official capacity only.” The statement may be placed on the form or receipt with a rubber stamp. (h) Upon acceptance of service or receiving notification of service, as provided in this section, the General Counsel and Solicitor shall take appropriate steps to protect the rights of the Department, component, the Secretary or Department employee involved. Source: 60 FR 9291, Feb. 17, 1995, unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 62 FR 19669, Apr. 23, 1997.
(a) This subpart sets forth the policies and procedures of the Department of Commerce regarding the testimony of employees, and former employees, as witnesses in legal proceedings and the production or disclosure of information contained in Department of Commerce documents for use in legal proceedings pursuant to a request, order, or subpoena (collectively referred to in this subpart as a “demand”). (b) This subpart does not apply to any legal proceeding in which an employee is to testify while on leave status, regarding facts or events that are unrelated to the official business of the Department. (c) This subpart in no way affects the rights and procedures governing public access to records pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act or the Trade Secrets Act. (d) This subpart is not intended to be relied upon to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by any party against the United States. For the purpose of this subpart: (a) Agency counsel means the chief legal officer (or his/her designee) of an agency within the Department of Commerce. (b) Component means Office of the Secretary or an operating unit of the Department as defined in Department Organization Order 1–1. (c) Demand means a request, order, or subpoena for testimony or documents for use in a legal proceeding. (d) Department means the United States Department of Commerce and its constituent agencies. (e) Document means any record, paper and other property held by the Department, including without limitation, official letters, telegrams, memoranda, reports, studies, calendar and diary entries, maps, graphs, pamphlets, notes, charts, tabulations, analyses, statistical or informational accumulations, any kind of summaries of meetings and conversations, film impressions, magnetic tapes and sound or mechanical reproductions. (f) Employee means all current or former employees or officers of the Department, including commissioned officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and any other individual who has been appointed by, or subject to the supervision, jurisdiction or control of the Secretary of the Department of Commerce. (g) General Counsel means the General Counsel of the Department or other Department employee to whom the General Counsel has delegated authority to act under this subpart. (h) Legal proceeding means all pretrial, trial and post trial stages of all existing or reasonably anticipated judicial or administrative actions, hearings, investigations, or similar proceedings before courts, commissions, boards or other tribunals, foreign or domestic. This phrase includes all phases of discovery as well as responses to formal or informal requests by attorneys or others involved in legal proceedings. (i) Official business means the authorized business of the Department. (j) Secretary means the Secretary of the Department of Commerce. (k) Solicitor means the Solicitor of the Patent and Trademark Office. (l) Testimony means a statement in any form, including personal appearances before a court or other legal tribunal, interviews, depositions, telephonic, televised, or videotaped statements or any responses given during discovery or similar proceedings, which response would involve more than the production of documents. (m) United States means the Federal Government, its departments and agencies, and individuals acting on behalf of the Federal Government. No employee shall in response to a demand, produce any documents, or provide testimony regarding any information relating to, or based upon Department of Commerce documents, or disclose any information or produce materials acquired as part of the performance of that employee's official duties, or because of that employee's official status without the prior authorization of the General Counsel, or the Solicitor, or the appropriate agency counsel. The reasons for this policy are as follows: (a) To conserve the time of Department employees for conducting official business; (b) To minimize the possibility of involving the Department in controversial issues that are not related to the Department's mission; (c) To prevent the possibility that the public will misconstrue variances between personal opinions of Department employees and Department policy; (d) To avoid spending the time and money of the United States for private purposes; (e) To preserve the integrity of the administrative process; and (f) To protect confidential, sensitive information and the deliberative process of the Department. (a) Whenever a demand for testimony or for the production of documents is made upon an employee, the employee shall immediately notify the General Counsel (Room 5890, U. S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, (202) 482–1067) or appropriate agency counsel. When a demand for testimony or for the production of documents is made upon an employee of the Patent and Trademark Office, the employee should immediately notify the Solicitor, by phone, (703) 305–9035; by mailed addressed Solicitor, Box 8, Patent and Trademark Office, Washington, DC 20231; or in person to 2121 Crystal Drive, Crystal Park 2, Suite 918, Arlington, Virginia 22215. (b) A Department employee may not give testimony, produce documents, or answer inquiries from a person not employed by the Department regarding testimony or documents subject to a demand or a potential demand under the provisions of this subpart without the approval of the General Counsel, or the Solicitor, or the appropriate agency counsel. A Department employee shall immediately refer all inquiries and Demands to the General Counsel, or the Solicitor, or appropriate agency counsel. Where appropriate, the General Counsel, or the Solicitor, or appropriate agency counsel, may instruct the Department employee, orally or in writing, not to give testimony or produce documents. (c)(1) Demand for testimony or documents. A demand for the testimony of a Department employee shall be addressed to the General Counsel, Room 5890, Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230 or appropriate agency counsel. A demand for testimony of an employee of the Patent and Trademark Office shall be mail addressed to the Solicitor, Box 8, Patent and Trademark Office, Washington, DC 20231; or in person to 2121 Crystal Drive, Crystal Park 2, Suite 918, Arlington, Virginia 22215. (2) Subpoenas. A subpoena for testimony by a Department employee or a document shall be served in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil or Criminal Procedure or applicable state procedure and a copy of the subpoena shall be sent to the General Counsel, or the Solicitor, or appropriate agency counsel. (3) Affidavit. Except when the United States is a party, every demand shall be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration under 28 U.S.C. 1746 or, if an affidavit is not feasible, a statement setting forth the title of the legal proceeding, the forum, the requesting party's interest in the legal proceeding, the reason for the demand, a showing that the desired testimony or document is not reasonably available from any other source, and if testimony is requested, the intended use of the testimony, a general summary of the desired testimony, and a showing that no document could be provided and used in lieu of testimony. The purpose of this requirement is to assist the General Counsel, or the Solicitor, or appropriate agency counsel in making an informed decision regarding whether testimony or the production of a document(s) should be authorized. (d) A certified copy of a document for use in a legal proceeding may be provided upon written request and payment of applicable fees. Written requests for certification shall be addressed to the agency counsel for the component having possession, custody, or control of the document. Unless governed by another applicable provision of law or component regulation, the applicable fee includes charges for certification and reproduction as set out in 15 CFR part 4.9. Other reproduction costs and postage fees, as appropriate, must also be borne by the requester. (e) The Secretary retains the authority to authorize and direct testimony in those cases where a statute or Presidential order mandates a personal decision by the Secretary. (f) The General Counsel, or the Solicitor, or appropriate agency counsel may consult or negotiate with an attorney for a party or the party if not represented by an attorney, to refine or limit a demand so that compliance is less burdensome or obtain information necessary to make the determination required by paragraph (b) of this section. Failure of the attorney to cooperate in good faith to enable the General Counsel, or the Solicitor, or the Secretary, or the appropriate agency counsel to make an informed determination under this subpart may serve, where appropriate, as a basis for a determination not to comply with the demand. (g) A determination under this subpart to comply or not to comply with a demand is not an assertion or waiver of privilege, lack of relevance, technical deficiency or any other ground for noncompliance. (h) The General Counsel, or the Solicitor, or appropriate agency counsel may waive any requirements set forth under this section when circumstances warrant. (a) A Department employee who receives a subpoena shall immediately forward the subpoena to the General Counsel, or the appropriate agency counsel. In the case of an employee of the Patent and Trademark Office, the subpoena shall immediately be forwarded to the Solicitor. The General Counsel, or the Solicitor, or appropriate agency counsel will determine the extent to which a Department employee will comply with the subpoena. (b) If an employee is served with a subpoena that the General Counsel, or the Solicitor, or appropriate agency counsel determines should not be complied with, the General Counsel, Solicitor or appropriate agency counsel will attempt to have the subpoena withdrawn or modified. If this cannot be done, the General Counsel, Solicitor or appropriate agency counsel will attempt to obtain Department of Justice representation for the employee and move to have the subpoena modified or quashed. If, because of time constraints, this is not possible prior to the compliance date specified in the subpoena, the employee should appear at the time and place set forth in the subpoena. If legal counsel cannot appear on behalf of the employee, the employee should produce a copy of the Department's regulations and inform the legal tribunal that he/she has been advised by counsel not to provide the requested testimony and/or produce documents. If the legal tribunal rules that the demand in the subpoena must be complied with, the employee shall respectfully decline to comply with the demand. United States ex rel. Touhy v. Ragen, 340 U. S. 462 (1951). (c) Where the Department employee is an employee of the Office of the Inspector General, the Inspector General in consultation with the General Counsel, will make a determination under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section. In addition to the policies and procedures as outlined in §§15.11 through 15.16, the following applies to legal proceedings between private litigants: (a) If a Department employee is authorized to give testimony in a legal proceeding not involving the United States, the testimony, if otherwise proper, shall be limited to facts within the personal knowledge of the Department employee. Employees, with or without compensation, shall not provide expert testimony in any legal proceedings regarding Department information, subjects or activities except on behalf of the United States or a party represented by the United States Department of Justice. However, upon a showing by the requester that there are exceptional circumstances and that the anticipated testimony will not be adverse to the interest of the Department or the United States, the General Counsel, or the Solicitor, or appropriate agency counsel may, in writing grant special authorization for the employee to appear and give the expert or opinion testimony. (b)(1) If, while testifying in any legal proceeding, an employee is asked for expert or opinion testimony regarding official DOC information, subjects or activities, which testimony has not been approved in advance in accordance with the regulations in this subpart, the witness shall: (i) Respectfully decline to answer on the grounds that such expert or opinion testimony is forbidden by the regulations in this subpart; (ii) Request an opportunity to consult with the General Counsel, or the Solicitor, or appropriate agency counsel before giving such testimony; and (iii) Explain that upon such consultation, approval for such testimony may be provided. (2) If the witness is then ordered by the body conducting the proceeding to provide expert or opinion testimony regarding official DOC information, subjects or activities without the opportunity to consult with either the General Counsel, or the Solicitor, or appropriate agency counsel, the witness shall respectfully refuse to provide such testimony. See United States ex rel. Touhy v. Ragen, 340 U. S. 462 (1951). (c) If an employee is unaware of the regulations in this subpart and provides expert or opinion testimony regarding official DOC information, subjects or activities in a legal proceeding without the aforementioned consultation, the witness shall, as soon after testifying as possible, inform the General Counsel, or the Solicitor, or appropriate agency counsel that such testimony was given and provide a written summary of the expert or opinion testimony provided. [60 FR 9291, Feb. 17, 1995. Redesignated and amended at 62 FR 19669, 19670, Apr. 23, 1997] Demands in legal proceedings for the production of records, or for the testimony of Department employees regarding information protected by the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a, the Trade Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. 1905 or other confidentiality statutes, must satisfy the requirements for disclosure set forth in those statutes before the records may be provided or testimony given. The General Counsel, or the Solicitor, or appropriate agency counsel should first determine if there is a legal basis to provide the testimony or records sought under applicable confidentiality statutes before applying §§15.11 through 15.18. Where an applicable confidentiality statute mandates disclosure, §§15.11 through 15.18 will not apply. [60 FR 9291, Feb. 17, 1995. Redesignated and amended at 62 FR 19669, 19670, Apr. 23, 1997] The following applies in legal proceedings in which the United States is a party: (a) A Department employee may not testify as an expert or opinion witness for any other party other than the United States. (b) Whenever, in any legal proceeding involving the United States, a request is made by an attorney representing or acting under the authority of the United States, the General Counsel, or the Solicitor, or appropriate agency counsel will make all necessary arrangements for the Department employee to give testimony on behalf of the United States. Where appropriate, the General Counsel, or the Solicitor, or appropriate agency counsel may require reimbursement to the Department of the expenses associated with a Department employee giving testimony on behalf of the United States. Source: 53 FR 15548, May 2, 1988, unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 62 FR 19669, Apr. 23, 1997.
This subpart provides implementing policies governing involuntary child or child and spousal support allotments for officers of the uniformed service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and prescribes applicable procedures. This subpart applies to Commissioned Officers of the NOAA Corps on active duty. (a) Active duty. Full-time duty in the NOAA Corps. (b) Authorized person. Any agent or attorney of any state having in effect a plan approved under part D of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 651–664), who has the duty or authority to seek recovery of any amounts owed as child or child and spousal support (including, when authorized under the state plan, any official of a political subdivision); and the court that has authority to issue an order against a member for the support and maintenance of a child or any agent of such court. (c) Child support. Periodic payments for the support and maintenance of a child or children, subject to and in accordance with state or local law. This includes but is not limited to, payments to provide for health, education, recreation, and clothing or to meet other specific needs of such a child or children. (d) Designated official. The official who is designated to receive notices of failure to make payments from an authorized person (as defined in paragraph (b) of this section). For the Department of Commerce this official is the Assistant General Counsel for Administration. (e) Notice. A court order, letter, or similar documentation issued by an authorized person providing notification that a member has failed to make periodic support payments under a support order. (f) Spousal support. Periodic payments for the support and maintenance of a spouse or former spouse, in accordance with state and local law. It includes, but is not limited to, separate maintenance, alimony while litigation continues, and maintenance. Spousal support does not include any payment for transfer of property or its value by an individual to his or her spouse or former spouse in compliance with any community property settlement, equitable distribution of property, or other division of property between spouses or former spouses. (g) Support order. Any order for the support of any person issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or by administrative procedures established under state law that affords substantial due process and is subject to judicial review. A court of competent jurisdiction includes: (1) Indian tribal courts within any state, territory, or possession of the United States and the District of Columbia; and (2) a court in any foreign country with which the United States has entered into an agreement that requires the United States to honor the notice. (a) It is the policy of the Department of Commerce to require Commissioned Officers of the NOAA Corps on active duty to make involuntary allotments from pay and allowances as payment of child, or child and spousal, support payments when the officer has failed to make periodic payments under a support order in a total amount equal to the support payable for two months or longer. Failure to make such payments shall be established by notice from an authorized person to the designated official. Such notice shall specify the name and address of the person to whom the allotment is payable. The amount of the allotment shall be the amount necessary to comply with the support order. If requested, the allotment may include arrearages as well as amounts for current support, except that the amount of the allotment, together with any other amounts withheld for support from the officer as a percentage of pay, shall not exceed the limits prescribed in section 303 (b) and (c) of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 U.S.C. 1673). An allotment under this subpart shall be adjusted or discontinued upon notice from an authorized person. (b) Notwithstanding the above, no action shall be taken to require an allotment from the pay and allowances of any officer until such officer has had a consultation with an attorney from the Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Administration, in person, to discuss the legal and other factors involved with respect to the officer's support obligation and his/her failure to make payments. Where it has not been possible, despite continuing good faith efforts to arrange such a consultation, the allotment shall start the first pay period beginning after 30 days have elapsed since the notice required in paragraph (d)(1) of §15.25 is given to the affected officer. [53 FR 15548, May 2, 1988. Redesignated and amended at 62 FR 19669, 19670, Apr. 23, 1997] (a) Service of notice. (1) An authorized person shall send to the designated official a signed notice that includes: (i) A statement that delinquent support payments equal or exceed the amount of support payable for 2 months under a support order, and a request that an allotment be initiated pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 665. (ii) A certified copy of the support order. (iii) The amount of the monthly support payment. Such amount may include arrearages, if a support order specifies the payment of such arrearages. The notice shall indicate how much of the amount payable shall be applied toward liquidation of the arrearages. (iv) Sufficient information identifying the officer to enable processing by the designated official. The following information is requested: (A) Full name; (B) Social Security Number; (C) Date of birth; and (D) Duty station location. (v) The full name and address of the allottee. The allottee shall be an authorized person, the authorized person's designee, or the recipient named in the support order. (vi) Any limitations on the duration of the support allotment. (vii) A certificate that the official sending the notice is an authorized person. (viii) A statement that delinquent support payments are more than 12 weeks in arrears, if appropriate. (2) The notice shall be accomplished by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or by personal service, upon the appropriate designated official, who shall note the date and time of receipt on the notice. (3) The notice is effective when it is received in the office of the designated official. (4) When the information submitted is not sufficient to identify the officer, the notice shall be returned directly to the authorized person with an explanation of the deficiency. However, prior to returning the notice if there is sufficient time, an attempt should be made to inform the authorized person who caused the notice to be served, that it will not be honored unless adequate information is supplied. (5) Upon receipt of effective notice of delinquent support payments, together with all required supplementary documents and information, the designated official shall identify the officer from whom moneys are due and payable. The allotment shall be established in the amount necessary to comply with the support order and to liquidate arrearages if provided by a support order when the maximum amount to be allotted under this provision, together with any other moneys withheld for support from the officer, does not exceed: (i) 50 percent of the officer's disposable earnings for any month where the officer asserts by affidavit or other acceptable evidence, that he/she is supporting a spouse and/or dependent child, other than a party in the support order. When the officer submits evidence, copies shall be sent to the authorized person, together with notification that the officer's support claim will be honored. If the support claim is contested by the authorized person, that authorized person may refer this matter to the appropriate court or other authority for resolution. (ii) 60 percent of the officer's disposable earnings for any month where the officer fails to assert by affidavit or other acceptable evidence that he/she is supporting a spouse and/or dependent child. (iii) Regardless of the limitations above, an additional 5 percent of the officer's disposable earnings shall be withheld when it is stated in the notice that the officer is in arrears in an amount equivalent to 12 or more weeks' support. (b) Disposable earnings. The following moneys are subject to inclusion in computation of the officer's disposable earnings: (1) Basic pay. (2) Special pay (including enlistment and reenlistment bonuses). (3) Accrued leave payments (basic pay portions only). (4) Aviation career incentive pay. (5) Incentive pay for Hazardous Duty. (6) Readjustment pay. (7) Diving pay. (8) Sea pay. (9) Severance pay (including disability severance pay). (10) Retired pay (including disability retired pay). (c) Exclusions. In determining the amount of any moneys due from or payable by the United States to any individual, there shall be excluded amounts which are: (1) Owed by the officer to the United States. (2) Required by law to be deducted from the remuneration or other payment involved, including, but not limited to: (i) Amounts withheld from benefits payable under Title II of the Social Security Act where the withholding is required by law. (ii) Federal employment taxes. (3) Properly withheld for federal and state income tax purposes if the withholding of the amounts is authorized by law and if amounts withheld are not greater than would be the case if the individual claimed all dependents to which he/she were entitled. The withholding of additional amounts pursuant to section 3402(i) of Title 26 of the United States Code may be permitted only when the officer presents evidence of a tax obligation which supports the additional withholding. (4) Deducted for servicemen's Group Life Insurance coverage. (5) Advances of pay that may be due and payable by the officer at some future date. (d) Officer notification. (1) As soon as possible, but not later than 15 calendar days after the date of receipt of notice, the designated official shall send to the officer, at his/her duty station or last known address, written notice: (i) That notice has been received from an authorized person, including a copy of the documents submitted; (ii) Of the maximum limitations set forth, with a request that the officer submit supporting affidavits or other documentation necessary for determining the applicable percentage limitation; (iii) That the officer may submit supporting affidavits or other documentation as evidence that the information contained in the notice is in error; (iv) That by submitting supporting affidavits or other necessary documentation, the officer consents to the disclosure of such information to the party requesting the support allotment; (v) Of the amount or percentage that will be deducted if the officer fails to submit the documentation necessary to enable the designated official to respond to the notice within the prescribed time limits; (vi) That legal counsel will be provided by the Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Administration; and (vii) Of the date that the allotment is scheduled to begin. (2) The officer shall be provided with the following: (i) A consultation in person with an attorney from the Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Administration, to discuss the legal and other factors involved with the officer's support obligation and his/her failures to make payment. (ii) Copies of any other documents submitted with the notice. (3) The Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Administration will make every effort to see that the officer receives a consultation concerning the support obligation and the consequences of failure to make payments within 30 days of the notice required in paragraph (d)(1). In the event such consultation is not possible, despite continuing good faith efforts to arrange a consultation, no action shall be taken to require an allotment from the pay and allowances of any NOAA Corps Officer until 30 days have elapsed after the notice described in paragraph (d)(1) is given to the affected officer. (4) If, within 30 days of the date of the notice, the officer has furnished the designated official affidavits or other documentation showing the information in the notice to be in error, the designated official shall consider the officer's response. The designated official may return to the authorized person, without action, the notice for a statutorily required support allotment together with the member's affidavit and other documentation, if the member submits substantial proof of error, such as: (i) The support payments are not delinquent. (ii) The underlying support order in the notice has been amended, superseded, or set aside. (e) Absence of funds. (1) When notice is served and the identified officer is found not to be entitled to moneys due from or payable by NOAA, the designated official shall return the notice to the authorized person, and advise that no moneys are due from or payable by NOAA to the named individual. (2) Where it appears that moneys are only temporarily exhausted or otherwise unavailable, the authorized person shall be fully advised as to why, and for how long, the money will be unavailable. (3) In instances where the officer separates from active duty service, the authorized person shall be informed by the Office of Commissioned Personnel, NOAA Corps that the allotment is discontinued. (4) Payment of statutorily required allotments shall be enforced over other voluntary deductions and allotments when the gross amount of pay and allowances is not sufficient to permit all authorized deductions and collections. (f) Allotment of funds. (1) The authorized person or allottee shall notify the designated official promptly if the operative court order upon which the allotment is based is vacated, modified, or set aside. The designated official shall also be notified of any events affecting the allottee's eligibility to receive the allotment, such as the former spouse's remarriage, if a part of the payment is for spousal support, and notice of a change in eligibility for child support payments under circumstances of death, emancipation, adoption, or attainment of majority of a child whose support is provided through the allotment. (2) An allotment established under this Directive shall be adjusted or discontinued upon notice from the authorized person. (3) Neither the Department of Commerce nor any officer or employee thereof, shall be liable for any payment made from moneys due from, or payable by, the Department of Commerce to any individuals pursuant to notice regular on its face, if such payment is made in accordance with this subpart. If a designated official receives notice based on support which, on its face, appears to conform to the law of the jurisdiction from which it was issued, the designated official shall not be required to ascertain whether the authority that issued the orde had obtained personal jurisdiction over the member. (4) Effective date of allotment. The allotment shall start with the first pay period beginning after the officer has had a consultation with an attorney from the Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Administration but not later than the first pay period beginning after 30 days have elapsed since the notice required in paragraph (d)(1) of this section is given to the affected officer. The Department of Commerce shall not be required to vary its normal NOAA Corps allotment payment cycle to comply with the notice. (g) Designated official. Notice should be sent to: The Assistant General Counsel for Administration, Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, (202) 377–5387. Source: 62 FR 19670, Apr. 23, 1997, unless otherwise noted.
(a) The Department of Commerce may indemnify a present or former Department employee who is personally named as a defendant in any civil suit in state or federal court, or other legal proceeding seeking damages against a present or former Department employee personally, for any verdict, judgment or other monetary award which is rendered against such employee, provided that the conduct giving rise to the verdict, judgment or award was taken within the scope of his/her employment and that such indemnification is in the interest of the Department as determined by the Secretary or his/her designee. (b) The Department may settle or compromise a personal damage claim against a present or former employee by the payment of available funds at any time provided the alleged conduct giving rise to the personal property claim was taken within the employee's scope of employment and such settlement is in the interest of the Department as determined by the Secretary or his/her designee. (c) Absent exceptional circumstances, as determined by the Secretary or his/her designee, the Department will not consider a request either to indemnify or to settle a personal damage claim before entry of an adverse verdict, judgment or award. (d) Any payment under this section either to indemnify a present or former Department employee or to settle a personal damage claim shall be contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds of the Department of Commerce. The following procedures shall be followed in the event that a civil action or proceeding is brought, in any court, against a present or former employee of the Department (or against his/her estate) for personal injury, loss of property or death, resulting from the Department employee's activities while acting within the scope of his/her office or employment: (a) After being served with process or pleadings in such an action or proceeding, the employee (or the executor(rix) or administrator(rix)) of the estate shall within five (5) calendar days of receipt, deliver all such process and pleadings or an attested true copy thereof, together with a fully detailed report of the circumstances of the incident giving rise to the court action or proceeding to the General Counsel. Where appropriate, the General Counsel, or his/her designee, may request that the Department of Justice provide legal representation for the present or former Department employee. (b)(1) Only if a present or former employee of the Department has satisfied the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section in a timely fashion, may the employee subsequently request indemnification to satisfy a verdict, judgment, or award entered against that employee. (2) No request for indemnification will be considered unless the employee has submitted a written request, with appropriate documentation, including copies of the verdict, judgment, appeal bond, award, or settlement proposal through the employee's supervisory chain to the head of the employee's component. The written request will include an explanation by the employee of how the employee was working within the scope of employment and whether the employee has insurance or any other source of indemnification. (3) The head of the component or his/her designee will forward the employee's request with a recommendation to the General Counsel for review. The request for indemnification shall include a detailed analysis of the basis for the recommendation. The head of the component will also certify to the General Counsel that the component has funds available to pay the indemnification. (c) The General Counsel or his/her designee will review the circumstances of the incident giving rise to the action or proceeding, and all data bearing upon the question of whether the employee was acting within the scope of his/her employment. Where appropriate, the agency shall seek the views of the Department of Justice and/or the U.S. Attorney for the district embracing the place where the action or proceeding is brought. (d) The General Counsel shall forward the request, the accompanying documentation, and the General Counsel's recommendation to the Secretary or his/her designee for decision.
Title 15: Commerce and Foreign Trade
PART 15—LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Section Contents
§ 15.1 Scope and purpose.
§ 15.2 Definitions.
§ 15.3 Acceptance of service of process.
§ 15.11 Scope.
§ 15.12 Definitions.
§ 15.13 Demand for testimony or production of documents: Department policy.
§ 15.14 Demand for testimony or production of documents: Department procedures.
§ 15.15 Procedures when a Department employee receives a subpoena.
§ 15.16 Legal proceedings between private litigants: Expert or opinion testimony.
§ 15.17 Demands or requests in legal proceedings for records protected by confidentiality statutes.
§ 15.18 Testimony of Department employees in proceedings involving the United States.
§ 15.21 Purpose.
§ 15.22 Applicability and scope.
§ 15.23 Definitions.
§ 15.24 Policy.
§ 15.25 Procedures.
§ 15.31 Policy.
§ 15.32 Procedures for the handling of lawsuits against Department employees arising within the scope of their office or employment.
Subpart A—Service of Process
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§ 15.1 Scope and purpose.
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§ 15.2 Definitions.
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§ 15.3 Acceptance of service of process.
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Subpart B—Testimony by Employees and the Production of Documents in Legal Proceedings
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§ 15.11 Scope.
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§ 15.12 Definitions.
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§ 15.13 Demand for testimony or production of documents: Department policy.
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§ 15.14 Demand for testimony or production of documents: Department procedures.
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§ 15.15 Procedures when a Department employee receives a subpoena.
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§ 15.16 Legal proceedings between private litigants: Expert or opinion testimony.
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§ 15.17 Demands or requests in legal proceedings for records protected by confidentiality statutes.
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§ 15.18 Testimony of Department employees in proceedings involving the United States.
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Subpart C—Involuntary Child and Spousal Support Allotments of NOAA Corps Officers
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§ 15.21 Purpose.
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§ 15.22 Applicability and scope.
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§ 15.23 Definitions.
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§ 15.24 Policy.
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§ 15.25 Procedures.
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Subpart D—Statement of Policy and Procedures Regarding Indemnification of Department of Commerce Employees
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§ 15.31 Policy.
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§ 15.32 Procedures for the handling of lawsuits against Department employees arising within the scope of their office or employment.
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