04-10661. Implementation of the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 and Adoption of Rules Governing Applications or Requests for Benefits by Delinquent Debtors

AGENCY:

Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Commission amends its rules to implement the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA). The amendments largely follow the implementing rules promulgated by the Department of Treasury. The Commission also adopts a rule whereby applications or other requests for benefits would be dismissed upon discovery that the entity applying for or seeking the benefit is delinquent in any debt to the Commission, and that entity fails to resolve the delinquency.

DATES:

Effective June 16, 2004, except §§ 1.1112, 1.1116, 1.1161 and 1.1164 and 1.1910 which will become effective on October 1, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Regina W. Dorsey, Special Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer, at 1-202-418-1993, or by e-mail at [e-mail], or Laurence H. Schecker, Office of General Counsel, Administrative Law Division, at 1-202-418-1720, or by e-mail at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

By this document, FCC 04-72, adopted March 25, and released on April 13, 2004, we amend our rules governing the collection of claims owed the United States, 47 CFR part 1 subpart O, to implement the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Public Law 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321, 1358 (1996) (DCIA). The term “claim” or “debt” has the meaning used in 31 U.S.C. 3701(b), which is any amount of funds or property that has been determined by an appropriate official of the Federal Government to be owed to the United States by a person, organization or entity other than a Federal Agency. We also adopt a rule providing that we will withhold action on applications and other requests for benefits upon discovery that the entity applying for or seeking benefits is delinquent in its non-tax debts owed to the Commission, and dismiss such applications or requests if the delinquent debt is not resolved.

I. DCIA Rules

In the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in this proceeding, we proposed many revisions to our rules based on the statutory changes adopted in the DCIA, as implemented in rules adopted by the Departments of Treasury and Justice. No comments relevant to the proposed rule changes were received. We therefore adopt the DCIA rule changes as generally proposed in the NPRM. As we noted in the NPRM, the major changes to the Commission's debt collection rules include an increase in the principal claim amount from $20,000 to $100,000 or such amount as the Attorney General deems appropriate, that agencies are authorized to compromise or to suspend or terminate collection activity thereon without the concurrence of the Department of Justice, and an increase in the minimum amount of a claim that may be referred to the Department of Justice from $600 to $2,500. The rules also reflect several new debt collection procedures under the DCIA, including but not limited to (a) transfer or referral of delinquent debt to the Department of the Treasury or Treasury-designated debt collection centers for collection (known as cross-servicing); (b) mandatory, centralized administrative offset by disbursing officials; (c) mandatory credit bureau reporting; and (d) mandatory prohibition against extending Federal assistance in the form of loan or loan guarantees to delinquent debtors. The rules adopted conform the Commission's definitions to those used by the Departments of Justice and Treasury in their regulations on the DCIA. Finally, we have added § 1.1935 adopting the new Treasury regulations adopting the DCIA administrative wage garnishment requirements. See Administrative Wage Garnishment, 63 FR 25139 (May 6, 1998) (permitting agencies to garnish up to 15 percent of the disposable pay of a debtor to satisfy delinquent non-tax debt owed), adopting 31 CFR 285.11.

We also incorporate the Federal salary offset procedures, governed by 5 U.S.C. 5514 and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulations. See 5 CFR 550.1104. Many other adjustments have been made to take into account debts arising under our auction rules. Other provisions have been redrafted for clarity but do not substantively change debt collection procedures.

II. Delinquent Debtors

As noted, we received no comments concerning our proposed rules changes, including the proposed “red light rule.” In the NPRM, we explained that our regulatory and application fee rules already permit us as a matter of discretion to dismiss applications for failure to pay appropriate fees. See 47 U.S.C. 158(c)(2), 159(c)(2). See also 47 CFR. 1.1109(c), 1.1109(d)(1); 1.1112(a)(1)(i); 1.1112(a)(2)(ii); 1.1157(a)(2); 1.1161(a)(1)(i); 1.1161(a)(2)(ii); 1.1164(e); and 1.1166(c).

Our auction rules provide that an applicant must certify that it “is not in default on any Commission licenses and that it is not delinquent on any non-tax debt owed to any Federal agency” or its application will be dismissed. 47 CFR 1.2105(a)(2)(x). See also 47 CFR 1.2105(a)(2)(xi). (These rules are not affected by the proposed red light rule.) 47 CFR 1.2105(b). We proposed that as a next step in the improvement of the management of the Commission's accounts, we would adopt a rule that anyone delinquent in any non-tax debts owed to the Commission will be ineligible for or barred from receiving a license or other benefit until the delinquency has been resolved by payment in full or by the completion of satisfactory arrangements for payment.

We adopt the rule changes as indicated in the Appendix to this Order. Our regulatory and application fee rules are amended (with some minor modifications from the rules proposed in the NPRM) to make it clear that we will withhold action on applications or other requests for benefits by delinquent debtors and ultimately dismiss those applications or other requests if payment of the delinquent debt is not made or other satisfactory arrangement for payment is not made. In addition, we are adding a generally applicable rule (with some necessary exceptions, as discussed below) to be added as § 1.1910 of our rules as set forth in the appendix to withhold action on applications or other requests for benefits by debtors delinquent in debts other than application or regulatory fees, and to dismiss those applications or other requests if the delinquent debt is not paid or satisfactory arrangement for payment is not made.

Under the rules adopted here, the Commission will not approve any applications or other authorizations until we determine that all delinquent debt to the Commission by entities using the same taxpayer identifying number (TIN) is paid or satisfactory arrangements are made for payment. Applications subject to the red light rule do not include matters that are subject to more restrictive procedures, e.g. requests to waive, defer, or reduce application fees or regulatory fees under 47 CFR 1.1117 and 1.1166, and petitions or applications for review under 47 CFR 1.1117, 1.1159, and 1.1167 related to applications or other requests requiring the filing of an FRN. See para 10, infra. See also 31 U.S.C. 7701(c)(2) (DCIA definition of doing business with the Federal government); 47 CFR 1.8002(a) (indicating anyone doing business with the Commission must obtain an FRN).

An applicant's FCC Register Number (FRN) will be used to determine all delinquent debt owed attributable to all entities using the same TIN. Entities may acquire multiple FRNs. However, only delinquent debt attributable to the same TIN will trigger our proposed red light rule.

By delinquent debt we mean a claim or debt that has not been paid by the date specified in the initial written demand for payment, applicable agreement, instrument, or Commission rule or rules, unless other satisfactory payment arrangements have been made by that date, or, at any time thereafter, the debtor has failed to satisfy an obligation under a payment agreement or instrument with the agency, or pursuant to a Commission rule. See also 31 CFR 900.2(b) (“a debt is ‘delinquent’ if it has not been paid by the date specified in the agency's initial written demand for payment or applicable agreement or instrument (including post-delinquency payment agreement), unless other satisfactory payment arrangements have been made.”).

We note that, pursuant to section 504(c) of the Communications Act, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 504(c), we do not treat monetary forfeitures imposed after issuance of a notice of apparent liability as debts owed to the United States until the forfeiture had been partially paid or a court of competent jurisdiction has ordered payment of the forfeiture and such order is final. All Commission electronic systems are linked with Revenue And Management Information System (RAMIS), which after the rules take effect, will check the FRN provided on the filing for eligibility-based fee sufficiency and the existence of any non-tax delinquent debt. The delinquency of any entity covered by the same TIN as that used by the entity making the filing will trigger this new rule. The delinquent debtor will be notified that a fee and delinquent debt check revealed either a fee insufficiency or delinquent debt that must be resolved within 30 days of the notification. Resolution includes payment of the debt, or other satisfactory resolution such as adequate arrangement that the debt will be paid. This resolution period is not intended to restrict our exercise of any right to recover or collect amounts due to the Commission. An application or other request for benefit will not be granted until the delinquent debt issue has been resolved. If the delinquency has not been resolved within 30 days of the date of the notification letter, the application or request for authorization will be dismissed.

We asked in the NPRM how to handle those situations where a timely challenge has been filed either to the existence of or the amount of a debt, and whether such debts should be considered delinquent for purposes of the red light rule. Cf. 31 CFR 285.13(d)(2)(iii) (a debt is not delinquent for purposes of the denial of financial assistance to delinquent debtors under 31 U.S.C. 3720B if it is subject to time-filed administrative or judicial challenge). No comments were received. We believe that a timely written challenge to a debt should preclude consideration of the debt for purposes of the red light rule. Accordingly, where an applicant has filed a timely administrative appeal, or a contested judicial proceeding, challenging either the existence of, or the amount of, a debt, such debt shall not be considered delinquent for purpose of the red light rule. For the purpose of the red light rule, we will consider appeals made to the Administrators of the Universal Service Fund and the Telecommunications Relay Services Fund and to the Billing and Collections Agent for the North American Numbering Plan as administrative appeals. Similarly, if an applicant has submitted a written request for compromise of debt in conformance with applicable rules, such a debt shall not be considered delinquent for purposes of the red light rule. See 31 U.S.C. 3711. As we noted in the NPRM, for purposes of part 1, subpart O only, an installment payment under 47 CFR 1.2110(g) will not be considered delinquent until the expiration of all applicable grace periods and any other applicable periods under Commission rules to make the payment due. The rules adopted here in no way affect the Commission's rules regarding payment for licenses (including installment, down, or final payments) or automatic cancellation of Commission licenses.

We invited comment on the exceptions to the red light rule, but received no comments. However, we raised several issues in this regard that we now resolve.

In the NPRM, we proposed that emergency authorizations, special temporary authority (STA) applications involving safety of life or property, including national security emergencies, requests to waive, defer, or reduce applications fees or regulatory fees under 47 CFR. 1.1117 and 1.1166, and petitions or applications for review under 47 CFR 1.1117, 1.1159, and 1.1167 related to other requests will not be subject to the red light rule. See FRN Order, 16 FCC Rcd at 16146 n.63 (citing regulations for emergency authorizations and STAs).

We proposed that such applications should include the FRN, as we noted in the FRN Order. Id. at 46. We also proposed that we would examine any subsequent applications for regular authority in place of the emergency authorization or STA to determine if the applicant is a delinquent debtor, and would not grant such applications until such delinquencies are resolved. We adopt this proposal as set forth in the NPRM. Further, we expand these exceptions to include situations where an entity's license is cancelled or expired, and where the entity seeks STA in order to continue providing service to a substantial number of customers or end-users for a brief period until those customers or end-users can be transitioned to other methods of communication. This approach minimizes service disruption to the public, including those who use radio systems for E911 and emergency communications.

We also sought comment on how to handle certain sections of the Communications Act that contain congressionally mandated deadlines, or provide that if the Commission fails to act by a set date, the Commission is deemed to have approved the action sought. See 47 U.S.C. 271(d)(3) (Bell operating company interLATA applications must be decided within 90 days); 47 U.S.C. 252(e)(5) (if a state commission fails to act on an interconnection agreement, the Commission shall issue an order preempting the state commission's jurisdiction within 90 days of notice of failure of the state to act); 47 U.S.C. 405(b)(1) (Commission must act on petition for reconsideration of an order concluding a hearing under section 204(a) or 208(b)); 47 U.S.C. 208(b)(1) (Commission must issue an order concluding an investigation of lawfulness of a charge, classification, regulation, or practice within 5 months after filing of complaint); 47 U.S.C. 614(h)(C)(iv) (Commission must decide cable must carry complaints within 120 days). See 47 U.S.C. 160(c) (Commission must act on petition for forbearance within one year, extendable by an additional 90 days, or petition deemed granted).

In addition, we noted that certain sections of the Commission's rules provide that uncontested applications are granted automatically once a given period of time has passed. See, e.g., 47 CFR 63.03 (a), which allows an applicant to transfer control of the domestic lines or authorization to operate on the 31st day after the date of public notice listing a domestic section 214 transfer of control application as accepted for filing as a streamlined application. We proposed that in these circumstances, if the applicant is found to be a delinquent debtor at the statutory or Commission imposed deadline, the application will be dismissed, consistent with the general rule. We received no comments on this proposal. We therefore adopt the rule as proposed. We continue to believe that this result is unlikely. Debtors will receive sufficient notice in advance of a debt being classified as delinquent. We expect that most applicants will diligently check to determine whether they are delinquent in any debts owed to the Commission and resolve any such delinquencies in a timely manner. Nonetheless, dismissal of such applications for delinquencies is possible.

The red light rule permits delinquent debtors to resolve the delinquency within 30 days to avoid dismissal of an application. We proposed that the 30-day resolution period would not apply to applications or requests for benefits where more restrictive rules govern treatment of delinquent debtors. For example, under existing rules auction applicants must already certify that they are not delinquent in non-tax debt or their short form application will be dismissed and they will be ineligible to participate in an auction. See 47 CFR 1.2105(a)(2)(x) and (xi).

We noted, however, that the red light rule would apply to subsequent applications filed by winning bidders, e.g., the long-form application. We adopt this proposal without modification.

In the NPRM, we asked whether the Bankruptcy Code requires an exception to the red light rule. No comments were received concerning this question. We have concluded that we must adopt an exception to the red light rule to comply with section 525(a) of the Bankruptcy Code as interpreted by the Supreme Court in FCC v. Nextwave Personal Communications, Inc., 537 U.S. 293 (2003). Therefore, the rules provide that applications or requests for benefits to which 11 U.S.C. 525(a) applies will not be dismissed by virtue of the applicant's delinquent status. We are not always aware that a delinquent debtor has filed for bankruptcy. Therefore, if an applicant receives a letter pursuant to § 1.1910 of the Commission's rules and that applicant has filed for bankruptcy, it should notify the Managing Director in writing of its status so that it can be determined whether section 525(a) applies.

In some instances, such as tariffs, filings with the Commission go into effect immediately (or within one day), thus precluding a check to determine if the filer is a delinquent debtor before the request goes into effect. See 47 U.S.C. 203, 206.

In the tariff situation, we have the ability to take appropriate action against a tariff after its effective date for noncompliance with any of our rules. See 47 U.S.C. 205. We adopt this proposal for tariffs that go into effect immediately on filing and where it is later discovered that the filer is a delinquent debtor. We will not apply this rule to multi-party tariffs where one party is discovered to be a delinquent debtor, as we do not wish to penalize the other parties to the tariff.

We did not propose to pre-screen FOIA requestors for delinquent debt under the proposed procedures, as our FOIA rules already address situations where FOIA requesters previously failed to pay FOIA fees. See 47 CFR 0.469(a)(2).

We adopt this proposal as previously stated. We note, however, that if an applicant is delinquent in paying its FOIA fees that delinquency will trigger the red light rule for other applications.

We proposed that if we adopted the red light rule, it would apply to any applications or requests for benefits pending at the time the rule goes into effect. Pending applications or requests for benefits are subject to a check for debt delinquency at any time before the request is granted. No comments were received on this proposal, and we adopt it as stated. Any submissions on or after the effective date of the red light rule will be subject to screening for delinquent debt.

The FRN became mandatory on December 3, 2001. See FRN Order, 16 FCC Rcd at 16148. Prior to that date, we encouraged entities doing business with the Commission to obtain and include the FRN in their filings with the Commission. See New Commission Registration System (CORES) to be Implemented July 19, 15 FCC Rcd 18754 (2001).

While many applicants included the FRN prior to December 3, 2001, many did not. We proposed that applications still pending if we ultimately adopt the red light rule that were filed prior to December 3, 2001 without an FRN will not be subject to the rule due to the administrative difficulties in checking for delinquent debt on those applications. Absent any comments on this issue, we adopt the proposal as stated.

III. Delegation of Authority

Pursuant to the DCIA and the FCCS, the head of the agency is empowered to collect claims of the United States for money or property arising out of activities of the agency, compromise debts that do not exceed $100,000 without the approval of the Department of Justice, and to suspend or terminate collection activity on a debt. See 31 U.S.C. 3711 (a) (1); 31 CFR part 901. See also 31 U.S.C. 3711(a) (2); 31 CFR part 902.

The DCIA rules we adopt here (and the predecessor rules) define the Chairman as the head of the agency for DCIA purposes, but neither the DCIA implementing rules nor our existing delegations of authority expressly address various administrative determinations specifically assigned to the head of the agency under the DCIA. See 47 CFR 1.1901(c) See also 47 CFR 0.211 and part 1, subpart O (2002).

Additionally, the head of the agency is authorized to waive the ban on the issuance of Federal financial assistance to persons or entities delinquent in non-tax debt owed to the Federal Government, and to delegate this authority to the Chief Financial Officer or the Deputy Chief Financial Officer. See 31 U.S.C. 3720B(a) (waiver of ban on issuance of Federal Financial assistance to delinquent debtors by agency head); 3720B(b) (delegation of waiver authority to Chief or Deputy Chief Financial Officer).

Our existing regulations did not specifically address this authority. See 47 CFR 0.211, 0.231, and part 1, subpart O (2002).

We amend the delegations of authority to make clear that the Chairman may make all administrative determinations under the DCIA. We also amend the rules to delegate to the Managing Director and the General Counsel authority to make administrative determinations (except waiver determinations under section 3720B) under the DCIA. Finally, we add a delegation to the Chief Financial Officer and the Deputy Chief Financial Officer to make the waiver determination under 31 U.S.C. 3720B. We adopt these rules of agency organization, procedure and practice without notice and comment. See 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A).

IV. Procedural Matters and Ordering Clauses

Regulatory Flexibility Certification. We hereby certify that the rules adopted in this Order will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. See 5 U.S.C. 605(b). The amendment of the delegations of authority is adopted without notice and comment and therefore does not require regulatory flexibility analysis. See 5 U.S.C. 604(a). The amendment of our part 1 subpart O rules to conform to the DCIA streamline our debt collection rules reflecting the statutory language contained in the DCIA, and therefore a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required. See FCCS Rules, 65 FR 70395, November 22, 2000 (certifying under section 605(b) that the FCCS rules did not require a regulatory flexibility analysis). The rule amendments requiring payment of delinquent debts before final action is taken on an application or other request for a federal benefit will not affect a substantial number of small entities. We estimate that there are approximately 1,225 debtors currently delinquent in their debt to the Commission out of approximately 750,000 entities that hold an FRN. This means that potentially less than 1/4 percent of entities doing business with the Commission could be affected by this rule. Of the 1225 delinquent debtors, it is impossible to determine how many are small entities, but we can reasonably posit that less than all 1225 are small entities. Consequently, fewer than one percent of entities subject to this rule are small entities. We have no reason to expect that this percentage will change over time. Therefore, we certify pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that the “red light rule” does not require a regulatory flexibility analysis.

Accordingly, it is ordered that, pursuant to sections 4(i), 8(c)(2), 9(c)(2), and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 158(c)(2), 159(c)(2), and 303(r), and 5 U.S.C. 5514, the rules set forth in the appendix are hereby adopted, effective June 16, 2004, except that changes to rules 1.1112, 1.1116, 1.1161 and 1.1164 and newly adopted rule 1.1910 are effective October 1, 2004.

It is further ordered that the Commission's Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center, shall send a copy of this Report and Order including the Regulatory Flexibility Certification, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Parts 0 and 1

• Administrative practice and procedure

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,

Secretary.

Rule Changes

For the reasons discussed in the preamble the Federal Communications Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR parts 0 and 1 as follows:

PART 0—COMMISSION ORGANIZATION

1. The authority citation for part 0 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Sec. 5, 48 Stat. 1068, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 155, 225, unless otherwise noted.

2. Section 0.211 is amended by adding paragraph (f) to read as follows:

§ 0.211

Chairman.

* * * * *

(f) Authority to act as “Head of the Agency” or “Agency Head” for all administrative determinations pursuant to the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Public Laws 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321, 1358 (1996) (DCIA).

3. Section 0.231 is amended by adding paragraph (f) to read as follows:

§ 0.231

Authority delegated

* * * * *

(f) (1) The Managing Director, or his designee, is delegated authority to perform all administrative determinations provided for by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Public Laws 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321, 1358 (1996) (DCIA), including, but not limited to the provisions of Title 31, United States Code section 3711 to:

(i) Collect claims of the United States Government for money or property arising out of the activities of, or referred to, the Federal Communications Commission,

(ii) Compromise a claim of the Government of not more than $100,000 (excluding interest) or such higher amount as the Attorney General of the United States may from time to time prescribe, and

(iii) Suspend or end collection action on a claim of the Government of not more than $100,000 (excluding interest) when it appears that no person liable on the claim has the present or prospective ability to pay a significant amount of the claim or the cost of collecting the claim is likely to be more than the amount recovered.

(2)(i) This delegation does not include waiver authority provided by 31 U.S.C. 3720B.

(ii) The Chief Financial Officer, or the Deputy Chief Financial Officer, is delegated authority to perform all administrative determinations provided for by 31 U.S.C. 3720B.

* * * * *

4. Section 0.251 is amended by adding paragraph (i) to read as follows:

§ 0.251

Authority delegated.

* * * * *

(i) The General Counsel is delegated authority to perform all administrative determinations provided for by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Public Law 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321, 1358 (1996) (DCIA), including, but not limited to the provisions of Title 31, U.S.C. 3711 to:

(1) Collect claims of the United States Government of money or property arising out of the activities of, or referred to, the Federal Communications Commission,

(2) Compromise a claim of the Government of not more than $100,000 (excluding interest) or such higher amount as the Attorney General of the United States may from time to time prescribe, and

(3) Suspend or end collection action on a claim of the Government of not more than $100,000 (excluding interest) when it appears that no person liable on the claim has the present or prospective ability to pay a significant amount of the claim or the cost of collecting the claim is likely to be more than the amount recovered.

Note to paragraph (i):

This delegation does not include waiver authority provided by 31 U.S.C. 3720B.

PART 1—PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

5. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 155, 225, 303(r), 309, and 325(e).

6. Section 1.1112 is amended by revising paragraph (a) introductory text and paragraph (c) to read as follows:

§ 1.1112

Conditionality of Commission or staff authorizations.

(a) Any instrument of authorization granted by the Commission, or by its staff under delegated authority, will be conditioned upon final payment of the applicable fee or delinquent fees and timely payment of bills issued by the Commission. As applied to checks, bank drafts and money orders, final payment shall mean receipt by the Treasury of funds cleared by the financial institution on which the check, bank draft or money order is drawn.

* * * * *

(c) (1) Where an applicant is found to be delinquent in the payment of application fees, the Commission will make a written request for the delinquent fee, together with any penalties that may be due under this subpart. Such request shall inform the applicant/filer that failure to pay or make satisfactory payment arrangements will result in the Commission's withholding action on, and/or as appropriate, dismissal of, any applications or requests filed by the applicant. The staff shall also inform the applicant of the procedures for seeking Commission review of the staff's fee determination.

(2) If, after final determination that the fee is due or that the applicant is delinquent in the payment of fees, and payment is not made in a timely manner, the staff will withhold action on the application or filing until payment or other satisfactory arrangement is made. If payment or satisfactory arrangement is not made within 30 days of the date of the original notification, the application will be dismissed.

7. Section 1.1116 is amended by revising paragraph (a) introductory text, paragraph (b), and by adding paragraph (d) to read as follows:

§ 1.1116

Penalty for late or insufficient payments.

(a) Filings subject to fees and accompanied by defective fee submissions will be dismissed under § 1.1109 (b) of this subpart where the defect is discovered by the Commission's staff within 30 calendar days from the receipt of the application or filing by the Commission. Filings by delinquent debtors will also be dismissed if the delinquent debt is not paid or satisfactory arrangements are not made within 30 days of the date of the original notification. See 47 CFR 1.1910.

* * * * *

(b) Applications or filings accompanied by insufficient fees or no fees, or where such applications or filings are made by persons or organizations that are delinquent in fees owed to the Commission, that are inadvertently forwarded to Commission staff for substantive review will be billed for the amount due if the discrepancy is not discovered until after 30 calendar days from the receipt of the application or filing by the Commission. Applications or filings that are accompanied by insufficient fees or no fees will have a penalty charge equaling 25 percent of the amount due added to each bill. Any Commission action taken prior to timely payment of these charges is contingent and subject to rescission.

* * * * *

(d) Failure to submit fees, following notice to the applicant of failure to submit the required fee, is subject to collection of the fee, including interest thereon, any associated penalties, and the full cost of collection to the Federal government pursuant to the provisions of the Debt Collection Improvement Act, 31 U.S.C. 3717 and 3720A. See 47 CFR 1.1901 through 1.1952. The debt collection processes described above may proceed concurrently with any other sanction in this paragraph.

8. Section 1.1118 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:

§ 1.1118

Error claims.

(a) Applicants who wish to challenge a staff determination of an insufficient fee or delinquent debt may do so in writing. A challenge to a determination that a party is delinquent in paying the full application fee must be accompanied by suitable proof that the fee had been paid or waived (or deferred from payment during the period in question), or by the required application payment and any assessment penalty payment (see § 1.1116) of this subpart). Failure to comply with these procedures will result in dismissal of the challenge. These claims should be addressed to the Federal Communications Commission, Attention: Financial Operations, 445 12th St. SW., Washington, DC 20554 or emailed to [e-mail].

* * * * *

9. Section 1.1161 is amended by revising paragraph (a) introductory text and by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:

§ 1.1161

Conditional license grants and delegated authorizations.

(a) Grant of any application or an instrument of authorization or other filing for which a regulatory fee is required to accompany the application or filing, will be conditioned upon final payment of the current or delinquent regulatory fees. Final payment shall mean receipt by the U.S. Treasury of funds cleared by the financial institution on which the check, bank draft, money order, credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover), wire or electronic payment is drawn.

* * * * *

(c)(1) Where an applicant is found to be delinquent in the payment of regulatory fees, the Commission will make a written request for the fee, together with any penalties that may be rendered under this subpart. Such request shall inform the regulatee that failure to pay may result in the Commission withholding action on any application or request filed by the applicant. The staff shall also inform the regulatee of the procedures for seeking Commission review of the staff's determination.

(2) If, after final determination that the fee is due or that the applicant is delinquent in the payment of fees and payment is not made in a timely manner, the staff will withhold action on the application or filing until payment or other satisfactory arrangement is made. If payment or satisfactory arrangement is not made within 30 days, the application will be dismissed.

10. Section 1.1164 is amended by adding paragraph (f)(5) to read as follows:

§ 1.1164

Penalties for late or insufficient regulatory fee payments.

* * * * *

(f) * * *

(5) An application or filing by a regulatee that is delinquent in its debt to the Commission is also subject to dismissal under 47 CFR 1.1910.

11. Section 1.1167 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:

§ 1.1167

Error claims related to regulatory fees.

(a) Challenges to determinations or an insufficient regulatory fee payment or delinquent fees should be made in writing. A challenge to a determination that a party is delinquent in paying a standard regulatory fee must be accompanied by suitable proof that the fee had been paid or waived (deferred from payment during the period in question), or by the required regulatory payment and any assessed penalty payment (see § 1.1164(c) of this subpart). Challenges submitted with a fee payment must be submitted to address stated on the invoice or billing statement. Challenges not accompanied by a fee payment should be filed with the Commission's Secretary and clearly marked to the attention of the Managing Director or emailed to [e-mail].

* * * * *

12. Subpart O of part 1 is revised to read as follows:

Subpart O—Collection of Claims Owed the United States General Provisions

1.1901

Definitions and construction.

1.1902

Exceptions.

1.1903

Use of procedures.

1.1904

Conformance to law and regulations.

1.1905

Other procedures; collection of forfeiture penalties.

1.1906

Informal action.

1.1907

Return of property or collateral.

1.1908

Omissions not a defense.

1.1909

[Reserved]

1.1910

Effect of insufficient fee payments, delinquent debts, or debarment.

Administrative Offset—Consumer Reporting Agencies—Contracting for Collection

1.1911

Demand for payment.

1.1912

Collection by administrative offset.

1.1913

Administrative offset against amounts payable from Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.

1.1914

Collection in installments.

1.1915

Exploration of compromise.

1.1916

Suspending or terminating collection action.

1.1917

Referrals to the Department of Justice and transfers of delinquent debt to the Secretary of Treasury.

1.1918

Use of consumer reporting agencies.

1.1919

Contracting for collection services.

1.1920-1.1924

[Reserved]

Salary Offset-Individual Debt

1.1925

Purpose.

1.1926

Scope.

1.1927

Notification.

1.1928

Hearing.

1.1929

Deduction from employee's pay.

1.1930

Liquidation from final check or recovery from other payment.

1.1931

Non-waiver of rights by payments.

1.1932

Refunds.

1.1933

Interest, penalties and administrative costs.

1.1934

Recovery when the Commission is not creditor agency.

1.1935

Obtaining the services of a hearing official.

1.1936

Administrative Wage Garnishment.

1.1937-1.1939

[Reserved]

Interest, Penalties, Administrative Costs and Other Sanctions

1.1940

Assessment.

1.1941

Exemptions.

1.1942

Other sanctions.

1.1943-1.1949

[Reserved]

Cooperation With the Internal Revenue Service

1.1950

Reporting discharged debts to the Internal Revenue Service.

1.1951

Offset against tax refunds.

1.1952

Use and disclosure of mailing addresses.

General Provisions Concerning Interagency Requests

1.1953

Interagency requests.

Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3701; 31 U.S.C. 3711 et seq.; 5 U.S.C. 5514; sec. 8(1) of E.O. 11609 (3 CFR , 1971-1975 Comp., p.586); redesignated in sec. 2-1 of E.O. 12107; (3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p.264); 31 CFR parts 901-904; 5 CFR part 550.

§ 1.1901

Definitions and construction.

For purposes of this subpart:

(a) The term administrative offset means withholding money payable by the United States Government to, or held by the Government for, a person, organization, or entity to satisfy a debt the person, organization, or entity owes the Government.

(b) The term agency or Commission means the Federal Communications Commission (including the Universal Service Fund, the Telecommunications Relay Service Fund, and any other reporting components of the Commission) or any other agency of the U.S. Government as defined by section 105 of title 5 U.S.C., the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Postal Rate Commission, a military department as defined by section 102 of title 5 U.S.C., an agency or court of the judicial branch, or an agency of the legislative branch, including the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.

(c) The term agency head means the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

(d) The term application includes in addition to petitions and applications elsewhere defined in the Commission's rules, any request, as for assistance, relief, declaratory ruling, or decision, by the Commission or on delegated authority.

(e) The terms claim and debt are deemed synonymous and interchangeable. They refer to an amount of money, funds, or property that has been determined by an agency official to be due to the United States from any person, organization, or entity, except another Federal agency. For purposes of administrative offset under 31 U.S.C. 3716, the terms “claim” and “debt” include an amount of money, funds, or property owed by a person to a State, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. “Claim” and “debt” include amounts owed to the United States on account of extension of credit or loans made by, insured or guaranteed by the United States and all other amounts due the United States from fees, leases, rents, royalties, services, sales of real or personal property, overpayments, penalties, damages, interest, taxes, and forfeitures issued after a notice of apparent liability that have been partially paid or for which a court of competent jurisdiction has order payment and such order is final (except those arising under the Uniform Code of Military Justice), and other similar sources.

(f) The term creditor agency means the agency to which the debt is owed.

(g) The term debt collection center means an agency of a unit or subagency within an agency that has been designated by the Secretary of the Treasury to collect debt owed to the United States. The Financial Management Service (FMS), Fiscal Service, United States Treasury, is a debt collection center.

(h) The term demand letter includes written letters, orders, judgments, and memoranda from the Commission or on delegated authority.

(i) The term “delinquent” means a claim or debt which has not been paid by the date specified by the agency unless other satisfactory payment arrangements have been made by that date, or, at any time thereafter, the debtor has failed to satisfy an obligation under a payment agreement or instrument with the agency, or pursuant to a Commission rule. For purposes of this subpart only, an installment payment under 47 CFR 1.2110(g) will not be considered deliquent until the expiration of all applicable grace periods and any other applicable periods under Commission rules to make the payment due. The rules set forth in this subpart in no way affect the Commission's rules, as may be amended, regarding payment for licenses (including installment, down, or final payments) or automatic cancellation of Commission licenses (see 47 CFR 1.1902(f)).

(j) The term disposable pay means that part of current basic pay, special pay, incentive pay, retired pay, retainer pay, or in the case of an employee not entitled to basic pay, other authorized pay remaining after the deduction of any amount required by law to be withheld. Agencies must exclude deductions described in 5 CFR 581.105(b) through (f) to determine disposable pay subject to salary offset.

(k) The term employee means a current employee of the Commission or of another agency, including a current member of the Armed Forces or a Reserve of the Armed Forces (Reserve).

(l) The term entity includes natural persons, legal associations, applicants, licensees, and regulatees.

(m) The term FCCS means the Federal Claims Collection Standards jointly issued by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General of the United States at 31 CFR parts 900-904.

(n) The term paying agency means the agency employing the individual and authorizing the payment of his or her current pay.

(o) The term referral for litigation means referral to the Department of Justice for appropriate legal proceedings except where the Commission has the statutory authority to handle the litigation itself.

(p) The term reporting component means any program, account, or entity required to be included in the Agency's Financial Statements by generally accepted accounting principles for Federal Agencies.

(q) The term salary offset means an administrative offset to collect a debt under 5 U.S.C. 5514 by deduction(s) at one or more officially established pay intervals from the current pay account of an employee without his or her consent.

(r) The term waiver means the cancellation, remission, forgiveness, or non-recovery of a debt or fee, including, but not limited to, a debt due to the United States, by an entity or an employee to an agency and as the waiver is permitted or required by 5 U.S.C. 5584, 10 U.S.C. 2774, 31 U.S.C. 3711, or any other law.

(s) Words in the plural form shall include the singular, and vice-versa, and words signifying the masculine gender shall include the feminine, and vice-versa. The terms includes and including do not exclude matters not listed but do include matters of the same general class.

§ 1.1902

Exceptions.

(a) Claims arising from the audit of transportation accounts pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3726 shall be determined, collected, compromised, terminated or settled in accordance with regulations published under the authority of 31 U.S.C. 3726 (see 41 CFR part 101-41).

(b) Claims arising out of acquisition contracts subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) shall be determined, collected, compromised, terminated, or settled in accordance with those regulations. (See 48 CFR part 32). If not otherwise provided for in the FAR, contract claims that have been the subject of a contracting officer's final decision in accordance with section 6(a) of the Contract Disputes Act of 1978 (41 U.S.C. 605(a)), may be determined, collected, compromised, terminated or settled under the provisions of this regulation, except that no additional review of the debt shall be granted beyond that provided by the contracting officer in accordance with the provisions of section 6 of the Contract Disputes Act of 1978 (41 U.S.C. 605), and the amount of any interest, administrative charge, or penalty charge shall be subject to the limitations, if any, contained in the contract out of which the claim arose.

(c) Claims based in whole or in part on conduct in violation of the antitrust laws, or in regard to which there is an indication of fraud, the presentation of a false claim, or a misrepresentation on the part of the debtor or any other party having an interest in the claim, shall be referred to the Department of Justice (DOJ) as only the DOJ has authority to compromise, suspend, or terminate collection action on such claims. The standards in the FCCS relating to the administrative collection of claims do apply, but only to the extent authorized by the DOJ in a particular case. Upon identification of a claim based in whole or in part on conduct in violation of the antitrust laws or any claim involving fraud, the presentation of a false claim, or misrepresentation on the part of the debtor or any party having an interest in the claim, the Commission shall promptly refer the case to the Department of Justice for action. At its discretion, the DOJ may return the claim to the forwarding agency for further handling in accordance with the standards in the FCCS.

(d) Tax claims are excluded from the coverage of this regulation.

(e) The Commission will attempt to resolve interagency claims by negotiation in accordance with Executive Order 12146 (3 CFR 1980 Comp., pp. 409-412).

(f) Nothing in this subpart shall supercede or invalidate other Commission rules, such as the part 1 general competitive bidding rules (47 CFR part 1, subpart Q) or the service specific competitive bidding rules, as may be amended, regarding the Commission's rights, including but not limited to the Commission's right to cancel a license or authorization, obtain judgment, or collect interest, penalties, and administrative costs.

§ 1.1903

Use of procedures.

Procedures authorized by this regulation (including, but not limited to, disclosure to a consumer reporting agency, contracting for collection services, administrative offset and salary offset) may be used singly or in combination, so long as the requirements of applicable law and regulation are satisfied.

§ 1.1904

Conformance to law and regulations.

The requirements of applicable law (31 U.S.C. 3701-3719, as amended by Public Law 97-365, 96 Stat. 1749 and Public Law 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321, 1358) have been implemented in government-wide standards which include the Regulations of the Office of Personnel Management (5 CFR part 550) and the Federal Claims Collection Standards issued jointly by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General of the United States (31 CFR parts 900-904). Not every item in the previous sentence described standards has been incorporated or referenced in this regulation. To the extent, however, that circumstances arise which are not covered by the terms stated in these regulations, the Commission will proceed in any actions taken in accordance with applicable requirements found in the standards referred to in this section.

§ 1.1905

Other procedures; collection of forfeiture penalties.

Nothing contained in these regulations is intended to require the Commission to duplicate administrative or other proceedings required by contract or other laws or regulations, nor do these regulations supercede procedures permitted or required by other statutes or regulations. In particular, the assessment and collection of monetary forfeitures imposed by the Commission will be governed initially by the procedures prescribed by 47 U.S.C. 503, 504 and 47 CFR 1.80. After compliance with those procedures, the Commission may determine that the collection of a monetary forfeiture under the collection alternatives prescribed by this subpart is appropriate but need not duplicate administrative or other proceedings. Fees and penalties prescribed by law, e.g., 47 U.S.C. 158 and 159, and promulgated under the authority of 47 U.S.C. 309(j) (e.g., 47 CFR part 1, subpart Q) may be collected as permitted by applicable law. Nothing contained herein is intended to restrict the Commission from exercising any other right to recover or collect amounts owed to it.

§ 1.1906

Informal action.

Nothing contained in these regulations is intended to preclude utilization of informal administrative actions or remedies which may be available (including, e.g., Alternative Dispute Resolution), and/or for the Commission to exercise rights as agreed to among the parties in written agreements, including notes and security agreements.

§ 1.1907

Return of property or collateral.

Nothing contained in this regulation is intended to deter the Commission from exercising any other right under law or regulation or by agreement it may have or possess, or to exercise its authority and right as a regulator under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and the Commission's rules, and demanding the return of specific property or from demanding, as a non-exclusive alternative, either the return of property or the payment of its value or the amount due the United States under any agreement or Commission rule.

§ 1.1908

Omissions not a defense.

The failure or omission of the Commission to comply with any provision in this regulation shall not serve as a defense to any debtor.

§ 1.1909

[Reserved]

§ 1.1910

Effect of insufficient fee payments, delinquent debts, or debarment.

(a)(1) An application (including a petition for reconsideration or any application for review of a fee determination) or request for authorization subject to the FCC Registration Number (FRN) requirement set forth in subpart W of this chapter will be examined to determine if the applicant has paid the appropriate application fee, appropriate regulatory fees, is delinquent in its debts owed the Commission, or is debarred from receiving Federal benefits (see, e.g., 31 CFR 285.13; 47 CFR part 1, subpart P).

(2) Fee payments, delinquent debt, and debarment will be examined based on the entity's taxpayer identifying number (TIN), supplied when the entity acquired or was assigned an FRN. See 47 CFR 1.8002(b)(1).

(b)(1) Applications by any entity found not to have paid the proper application or regulatory fee will be handled pursuant to the rules set forth in 47 CFR part 1, subpart G.

(2) Action will be withheld on applications, including on a petition for reconsideration or any application for review of a fee determination, or requests for authorization by any entity found to be delinquent in its debt to the Commission (see § 1.1901(j)), unless otherwise provided for in this regulation, e.g., 47 CFR 1.1928 (employee petition for a hearing). The entity will be informed that action will be withheld on the application until full payment or arrangement to pay any non-tax delinquent debt owed to the Commission is made and/or that the application may be dismissed. See the provisions of §§ 1.1108, 1.1109, 1.1116 and 1.1118. Any Commission action taken prior to the payment of delinquent non-tax debt owed to the Commission is contingent and subject to rescission. Failure to make payment on any delinquent debt is subject to collection of the debt, including interest thereon, any associated penalties, and the full cost of collection to the Federal government pursuant to the provisions of the Debt Collection Improvement Act, 31 U.S.C. 3717.

(2) If a delinquency has not been paid or the debtor has not made other satisfactory arrangements within 30 days of the date of the notice provided pursuant to paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the application or request for authorization will be dismissed.

(3) The provisions of paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section will not apply if the applicant has timely filed a challenge through an administrative appeal or a contested judicial proceeding either to the existence or amount of the non-tax delinquent debt owed the Commission.

(4) The provisions of paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section will not apply where more restrictive rules govern treatment of delinquent debtors, such as 47 CFR 1.2105(a)(2)(x) and (xi).

(c)(1) Applications for emergency or special temporary authority involving safety of life or property (including national security emergencies) or involving a brief transition period facilitating continuity of service to a substantial number of customers or end users, will not be subject to the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section. However, paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section will be applied to permanent authorizations for these services.

(2) Provisions of paragraph (a) and (b) of this section will not apply to application or requst for authorization to which 11 U.S.C. 525(a) is applicable.

§ 1.1911

Demand for payment.

(a) Written demand as described in paragraph (b) of this section, and which may be in the form of a letter, order, memorandum, or other form of written communication, will be made promptly upon a debtor of the United States in terms that inform the debtor of the consequences of failing to cooperate to resolve the debt. The specific content, timing, and number of demand letters depend upon the type and amount of the debt, including, e.g., any notes and the terms of agreements of the parties, and the debtor's response, if any, to the Commission's letters or telephone calls. One demand letter will be deemed sufficient. In determining the timing of the demand letter(s), the Commission will give due regard to the need to refer debts promptly to the Department of Justice for litigation, in accordance with the FCCS. When necessary to protect the Government's interest (for example, to prevent the expiration of a statute of limitations), written demand may be preceded by other appropriate actions under the FCCS, including immediate referral for litigation. The demand letter does not provide an additional period within to challenge the existence of, or amount of the non-tax debt if such time period has expired under Commission rules or other applicable limitation periods. Nothing contained herein is intended to limit the Commission's authority or discretion as may otherwise be permitted to collect debts owed.

(b) The demand letter will inform the debtor of:

(1) The basis for the indebtedness and the opportunities, if any, of the debtor to request review within the Commission;

(2) The applicable standards for assessing any interest, penalties, and administrative costs (§§1.1940 and 1.1941);

(3) The date by which payment is to be made to avoid late charges and enforced collection, which normally will not be more than 30 days from the date that the initial demand letter was mailed or hand-delivered; and

(4) The name, address, and phone number of a contact person or office within the Commission.

(c) The Commission will expend all reasonable effort to ensure that demand letters are mailed or hand-delivered on the same day that they are dated. As provided for in any agreement among parties, or as may be required by exigent circumstances, the Commission may use other forms of delivery, including, e.g., facsimile telecopier or electronic mail. There is no prescribed format for demand letters. The Commission utilizes demand letters and procedures that will lead to the earliest practicable determination of whether the debt can be resolved administratively or must be referred for litigation.

(d) The Commission may, as circumstances and the nature of the debt permit, include in demand letters such items as the Commission's willingness to discuss alternative methods of payment; its policies with respect to the use of credit bureaus, debt collection centers, and collection agencies; the Commission's remedies to enforce payment of the debt (including assessment of interest, administrative costs and penalties, administrative garnishment, the use of collection agencies, Federal salary offset, tax refund offset, administrative offset, and litigation); the requirement that any debt delinquent for more than 180 days be transferred to the Department of the Treasury for collection; and, depending on applicable statutory authority, the debtor's entitlement to consideration of a waiver. Where applicable, the debtor will be provided with a period of time (normally not more than 15 calendar days) from the date of the demand in which to exercise the opportunity to request a review.

(e) The Commission will respond promptly to communications from the debtor, within 30 days whenever feasible, and will advise debtors who dispute the debt that they must furnish available evidence to support their contentions.

(f) Prior to the initiation of the demand process or at any time during or after completion of the demand process, if the Commission determines to pursue, or is required to pursue, offset, the procedures applicable to offset in §§1.1912 and 1.1913, as applicable, will be followed. The availability of funds or money for debt satisfaction by offset and the Commission's determination to pursue collection by offset shall release the Commission from the necessity of further compliance with paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section.

(g) Prior to referring a debt for litigation, the Commission will advise each person determined to be liable for the debt that, unless the debt can be collected administratively, litigation may be initiated. This notification will follow the requirements of Executive Order 12988 (3 CFR, 1996 Comp., pp. 157-163) and may be given as part of a demand letter under paragraph (b) of this section or in a separate document. Litigation counsel for the Government will be advised that this notice has been given.

(h) When the Commission learns that a bankruptcy petition has been filed with respect to a debtor, before proceeding with further collection action, the Commission may immediately seek legal advice from its counsel concerning the impact of the Bankruptcy Code on any pending or contemplated collection activities. Unless the Commission determines that the automatic stay imposed at the time of filing pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 362 has been lifted or is no longer in effect, in most cases collection activity against the debtor should stop immediately.

(1) After seeking legal advice, a proof of claim will be filed in most cases with the bankruptcy court or the Trustee. The Commission will refer to the provisions of 11 U.S.C. 106 relating to the consequences on sovereign immunity of filing a proof of claim.

(2) If the Commission is a secured creditor, it may seek relief from the automatic stay regarding its security, subject to the provisions and requirements of 11 U.S.C. 362.

(3) Offset is stayed in most cases by the automatic stay. However, the Commission will determine from its counsel whether its payments to the debtor and payments of other agencies available for offset may be frozen by the Commission until relief from the automatic stay can be obtained from the bankruptcy court. The Commission will also determine from its counsel whether recoupment is available.

§ 1.1912

Collection by administrative offset.

(a) Scope. (1) The term administrative offset has the meaning provided in § 1.1901.

(2) This section does not apply to:

(i) Debts arising under the Social Security Act, except as provided in 42 U.S.C. 404;

(ii) Payments made under the Social Security Act, except as provided for in 31 U.S.C. 3716(c) (see 31 CFR 285.4, Federal Benefit Offset);

(iii) Debts arising under, or payments made under, the Internal Revenue Code (see 31 CFR 285.2, Tax Refund Offset) or the tariff laws of the United States;

(iv) Offsets against Federal salaries to the extent these standards are inconsistent with regulations published to implement such offsets under 5 U.S.C. 5514 and 31 U.S.C. 3716 (see 5 CFR part 550, subpart K, and 31 CFR 285.7, Federal Salary Offset);

(v) Offsets under 31 U.S.C. 3728 against a judgment obtained by a debtor against the United States;

(vi) Offsets or recoupments under common law, State law, or Federal statutes specifically prohibiting offsets or recoupments of particular types of debts; or

(vii) Offsets in the course of judicial proceedings, including bankruptcy.

(3) Unless otherwise provided for by contract or law, debts or payments that are not subject to administrative offset under 31 U.S.C. 3716 may be collected by administrative offset under the common law or other applicable statutory authority.

(4) Unless otherwise provided by law, administrative offset of payments under the authority of 31 U.S.C. 3716 to collect a debt may not be conducted more than 10 years after the Government's right to collect the debt first accrued, unless facts material to the Government's right to collect the debt were not known and could not reasonably have been known by the official or officials of the Government who were charged with the responsibility to discover and collect such debts. This limitation does not apply to debts reduced to a judgment.

(5) In bankruptcy cases, the Commission will seek legal advice from its counsel concerning the impact of the Bankruptcy Code, particularly 11 U.S.C. 106, 362, and 553, on pending or contemplated collections by offset.

(b) Mandatory centralized administrative offset. (1) The Commission is required to refer past due, legally enforceable nontax debts which are over 180 days delinquent to the Treasury for collection by centralized administrative offset. Debts which are less than 180 days delinquent also may be referred to the Treasury for this purpose. See FCCS for debt certification requirements.

(2) The names and taxpayer identifying numbers (TINs) of debtors who owe debts referred to the Treasury as described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section shall be compared to the names and TINs on payments to be made by Federal disbursing officials. Federal disbursing officials include disbursing officials of Treasury, the Department of Defense, the United States Postal Service, other Government corporations, and disbursing officials of the United States designated by the Treasury. When the name and TIN of a debtor match the name and TIN of a payee and all other requirements for offset have been met, the payment will be offset to satisfy the debt.

(3) Federal disbursing officials will notify the debtor/payee in writing that an offset has occurred to satisfy, in part or in full, a past due, legally enforceable delinquent debt. The notice shall include a description of the type and amount of the payment from which the offset was taken, the amount of offset that was taken, the identity of the creditor agency requesting the offset, and a contact point within the creditor agency who will respond to questions regarding the offset.

(4)(i) Before referring a delinquent debt to the Treasury for administrative offset, and subject to any agreement and/or waiver to the contrary by the debtor, the Commission shall ensure that offsets are initiated only after the debtor:

(A) Has been sent written notice of the type and amount of the debt, the intention of the Commission to use administrative offset to collect the debt, and an explanation of the debtor's rights under 31 U.S.C. 3716; and

(B) The debtor has been given:

(1) The opportunity to request within 15 days of the date of the written notice, after which opportunity is deemed waived, by the debtor, to inspect and copy Commission records related to the debt;

(2) The opportunity, unless otherwise waived by the debtor, for a review within the Commission of the determination of indebtedness; and

(3) The opportunity to request within 15 days of the date of the written notice, after which the opportunity is deemed waived by the debtor, for the debtor to make a written agreement to repay the debt.

(ii) The Commission may omit the procedures set forth in paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section when:

(A) The offset is in the nature of a recoupment;

(B) The debt arises under a contract as set forth in Cecile Industries, Inc. v. Cheney, 995 F.2d 1052 (Fed. Cir. 1993) (notice and other procedural protections set forth in 31 U.S.C. 3716(a) do not supplant or restrict established procedures for contractual offsets accommodated by the Contracts Disputes Act); or

(C) In the case of non-centralized administrative offsets conducted under paragraph (c) of this section, the Commission first learns of the existence of the amount owed by the debtor when there is insufficient time before payment would be made to the debtor/payee to allow for prior notice and an opportunity for review. When prior notice and an opportunity for review are omitted, the Commission shall give the debtor such notice and an opportunity for review as soon as practicable and shall promptly refund any money ultimately found not to have been owed to the Government.

(iii) When the Commission previously has given a debtor any of the required notice and review opportunities with respect to a particular debt (see 31 CFR 901.2), the Commission need not duplicate such notice and review opportunities before administrative offset may be initiated.

(5) Before the Commission refers delinquent debts to the Treasury, the Office of Managing Director must certify, in a form acceptable to the Treasury, that:

(i) The debt(s) is (are) past due and legally enforceable; and

(ii) The Commission has complied with all due process requirements under 31 U.S.C. 3716(a) and its regulations.

(6) Payments that are prohibited by law from being offset are exempt from centralized administrative offset. The Treasury shall exempt payments under means-tested programs from centralized administrative offset when requested in writing by the head of the payment certifying or authorizing agency. Also, the Treasury may exempt other classes of payments from centralized offset upon the written request of the head of the payment certifying or authorizing agency.

(7) Benefit payments made under the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), part B of the Black Lung Benefits Act (30 U.S.C. 921 et seq.), and any law administered by the Railroad Retirement Board (other than tier 2 benefits), may be offset only in accordance with Treasury regulations, issued in consultation with the Social Security Administration, the Railroad Retirement Board, and the Office of Management and Budget. See 31 CFR 285.4.

(8) In accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3716(f), the Treasury may waive the provisions of the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 concerning matching agreements and post-match notification and verification (5 U.S.C. 552a(o) and (p)) for centralized administrative offset upon receipt of a certification from a creditor agency that the due process requirements enumerated in 31 U.S.C. 3716(a) have been met. The certification of a debt in accordance with paragraph (b)(5) of this section will satisfy this requirement. If such a waiver is granted, only the Data Integrity Board of the Department of the Treasury is required to oversee any matching activities, in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3716(g). This waiver authority does not apply to offsets conducted under paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section.

(c) Non-centralized administrative offset. (1) Generally, non-centralized administrative offsets are ad hoc case-by-case offsets that the Commission conducts, at the Commission's discretion, internally or in cooperation with the agency certifying or authorizing payments to the debtor. Unless otherwise prohibited by law, when centralized administrative offset is not available or appropriate, past due, legally enforceable nontax delinquent debts may be collected through non-centralized administrative offset. In these cases, a creditor agency may make a request directly to a payment-authorizing agency to offset a payment due a debtor to collect a delinquent debt. For example, it may be appropriate for a creditor agency to request that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offset a Federal employee's lump-sum payment upon leaving Government service to satisfy an unpaid advance.

(2) The Commission will make reasonable effort to ensure that such offsets may occur only after:

(i) The debtor has been provided due process as set forth in paragraph (b)(4) of this section (subject to any waiver by the debtor); and

(ii) The payment authorizing agency has received written certification from the Commission that the debtor owes the past due, legally enforceable delinquent debt in the amount stated, and that the creditor agency has fully complied with its regulations concerning administrative offset.

(3) Payment authorizing agencies shall comply with offset requests by creditor agencies to collect debts owed to the United States, unless the offset would not be in the best interests of the United States with respect to the program of the payment authorizing agency, or would otherwise be contrary to law. Appropriate use should be made of the cooperative efforts of other agencies in effecting collection by administrative offset.

(4) When collecting multiple debts by non-centralized administrative offset, agencies should apply the recovered amounts to those debts in accordance with the best interests of the United States, as determined by the facts and circumstances of the particular case, particularly the applicable statute of limitations.

§ 1.1913

Administrative offset against amounts payable from Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.

Upon providing the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) with written certification that a debtor has been afforded the procedures provided in § 1.1912(b)(4), the Commission may request OPM to offset a debtor's anticipated or future benefit payments under the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund (Fund) in accordance with regulations codified at 5 CFR 831.1801-831.1808. Upon receipt of such a request, OPM will identify and “flag” a debtor's account in anticipation of the time when the debtor requests, or becomes eligible to receive, payments from the Fund. This will satisfy any requirement that offset be initiated prior to the expiration of the time limitations referenced in § 1.1914(a)(4).

§ 1.1914

Collection in installments.

(a) Subject to the Commission's rules pertaining to the installment loan program (see e.g., 47 CFR § 1.2110(g)), subpart Q or other agreements among the parties, the terms of which will control, whenever feasible, the Commission shall collect the total amount of a debt in one lump sum. If a debtor is financially unable to pay a debt in one lump sum, the Commission, in its sole discretion, may accept payment in regular installments. The Commission will obtain financial statements from debtors who represent that they are unable to pay in one lump sum and which are able to verify independently such representations (see 31 CFR 902.2(g)). The Commission will require and obtain a legally enforceable written agreement from the debtor that specifies all of the terms of the arrangement, including, as appropriate, sureties and other indicia of creditworthiness (see Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, 2 U.S.C. 661, et seq., OMB Circular A-129), and that contains a provision accelerating the debt in the event of default.

(b) The size and frequency of installment payments should bear a reasonable relation to the size of the debt and the debtor's ability to pay. If possible, the installment payments will be sufficient in size and frequency to liquidate the debt in three years or less.

(c) Security for deferred payments will be obtained in appropriate cases. The Commission may accept installment payments notwithstanding the refusal of the debtor to execute a written agreement or to give security, at the Commission's option.

(d) The Commission may deny the extension of credit to any debtor who fails to provide the records requested or fails to show an ability to pay the debt.

§ 1.1915

Exploration of compromise.

The Commission may attempt to effect compromise, preferably during the course of personal interviews, in accordance with the standards set forth in part 902 of the Federal Claims Collection Standards (31 CFR part 902). The Commission will also consider a request submitted by the debtor to compromise the debt. Such requests should be submitted in writing with full justification of the offer and addressing the bases for compromise at 31 CFR 902.2. Debtors will provide full financial information to support any request for compromise based on the debtor's inability to pay the debt. Unless otherwise provided by law, when the principal balance of a debt, exclusive of interest, penalties, and administrative costs, exceeds $100,000 or any higher amount authorized by the Attorney General, the authority to accept the compromise rests with the Department of Justice. The Commission will evaluate an offer, using the factors set forth in 31 CFR 902.2 and, as appropriate, refer the offer with the appropriate financial information to the Department of Justice. Department of Justice approval is not required if the Commission rejects a compromise offer.

§ 1.1916

Suspending or terminating collection action.

The suspension or termination of collection action shall be made in accordance with the standards set forth in part 903 of the Federal Claims Collection Standards (31 CFR part 903).

§ 1.1917

Referrals to the Department of Justice and transfer of delinquent debt to the Secretary of Treasury.

(a) Referrals to the Department of Justice shall be made in accordance with the standards set forth in part 904 of the Federal Claims Collection Standards (31 CFR part 904).

(b) The DCIA includes separate provisions governing the requirements that the Commission transfer delinquent debts to Treasury for general collection purposes (cross-servicing) in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3711(g)(1) and (2), and notify Treasury of delinquent debts for the purpose of administrative offset in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3716(c)(6). Title 31, U.S.C. 3711(g)(1) requires the Commission to transfer to Treasury all collection activity for a given debt. Under section 3711(g), Treasury will use all appropriate debt collection tools to collect the debt, including referral to a designated debt collection center or private collection agency, and administrative offset. Once a debt has been transferred to Treasury pursuant to the procedures at 31 CFR 285.12, the Commission will cease all collection activity related to that debt.

(c) All non-tax debts of claims owed to the Commission that have been delinquent for a period of 180 days shall be transferred to the Secretary of the Treasury. Debts which are less than 180 days delinquent may also be referred to the Treasury. Upon such transfer the Secretary of the Treasury shall take appropriate action to collect or terminate collection actions on the debt or claim. A debt is past-due if it has not been paid by the date specified in the Commission's initial written demand for payment or applicable agreement or instrument (including a post-delinquency payment agreement) unless other satisfactory payment arrangements have been made.

§ 1.1918

Use of consumer reporting agencies.

(a) The term individual means a natural person, and the term consumer reporting agency has the meaning provided in the Federal Claims Collection Act, as amended, 31 U.S.C. 3701(a)(3) or the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 168a(f).

(b) The Commission may disclose to a consumer reporting agency, or provide information to the Treasury who may disclose to a consumer reporting agency from a system of records, information that an individual is responsible for a claim. System information includes, for example, name, taxpayer identification number, business and home address, business and home telephone numbers, the amount of the debt, the amount of unpaid principle, the late period, and the payment history. Before the Commission reports the information, it will:

(1) Provide notice required by section 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4) that information in the system may be disclosed to a consumer reporting agency;

(2) Review the claim to determine that it is valid and overdue;

(3) Make reasonable efforts using information provided by the debtor in Commission files to notify the debtor, unless otherwise specified under the terms of a contract or agreement—

(i) That payment of the claim is overdue;

(ii) That, within not less than 60 days from the date of the notice, the Commission intends to disclose to a consumer reporting agency that the individual is responsible for that claim;

(iii) That information in the system of records may be disclosed to the consumer reporting agency; and

(iv) That unless otherwise specified and agreed to in an agreement, contract, or by the terms of a note and/or security agreement, or that the debt arises from the nonpayment of a Commission fee, penalty, or other statutory or regulatory obligations, the individual will be provided with an explanation of the claim, and, as appropriate, procedures to dispute information in the records of the agency about the claim, and to administrative appeal or review of the claim; and

(4) Review Commission records to determine that the individual has not—

(i) Repaid or agreed to repay the claim under a written repayment plan agreed to and signed by both the individual and the Commission's representative; or, if eligible; and

(ii) Filed for review of the claim under paragraph (g) of this section;

(c) The Commission shall: (1) Disclose to each consumer reporting agency to which the original disclosure was made a substantial change in the condition or amount of the claim;

(2) Verify or correct promptly information about the claim, on request of a consumer reporting agency for verification of any or all information so disclosed; and

(3) Obtain assurances from each consumer reporting agency that they are complying with all laws of the United States relating to providing consumer credit information.

(d) The Commission shall ensure that information disclosed to the consumer reporting agency is limited to—

(1) Information necessary to establish the identity of the individual, including name, address, and taxpayer identification number;

(2) The amount, status, and history of the claim; and

(3) The agency or program under which the claim arose.

(e) All accounts in excess of $100 that have been delinquent more than 31 days will normally be referred to a consumer reporting agency.

(f) Under the same provisions as described in paragraph (b) of this section, the Commission may disclose to a credit reporting agency, information relating to a debtor other than a natural person. Such commercial debt accounts are not covered by the Privacy Act. Moreover, commercial debt accounts are subject to the Commission's rules concerning debt obligation, including part 1 rules related to auction debt, and the agreements of the parties.

§ 1.1919

Contracting for collection services.

(a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section, the Commission may contract with private collection contractors, as defined in 31 U.S.C. 3701(f), to recover delinquent debts. In that regard, the Commission:

(1) Retains the authority to resolve disputes, compromise debts, suspend or terminate collection activity, and refer debts for litigation;

(2) Restricts the private collection contractor from offering, as an incentive for payment, the opportunity to pay the debt less the private collection contractor's fee unless the Commission has granted such authority prior to the offer;

(3) Specifically requires, as a term of its contract with the private collection contractor, that the private collection contractor is subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 to the extent specified in 5 U.S.C. 552a(m), and to applicable Federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to debt collection practices, including but not limited to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. 1692; and

(4) The private collection contractor is required to account for all amounts collected.

(b) Although the Commission will use government-wide debt collection contracts to obtain debt collection services provided by private collection contractors, the Commission may refer debts to private collection contractors pursuant to a contract between the Commission and the private collection contractor in those situations where the Commission is not required to transfer debt to the Secretary of the Treasury for debt collection.

(c) Agencies may fund private collection contractor in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3718(d), or as otherwise permitted by law.

(d) The Commission may enter into contracts for locating and recovering assets of the United States, such as unclaimed assets, but it will first establish procedures that are acceptable to Treasury before entering into contracts to recover assets of the United States held by a state government or a financial institution.

(e) The Commission may enter into contracts for debtor asset and income search reports. In accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3718(d), such contracts may provide that the fee a contractor charges the Commission for such services may be payable from the amounts recovered, unless otherwise prohibited by statute. In that regard, fees for those services will be added to the amount collected and are part of the administrative collection costs passed on to the debtor. See § 1.1940.

§§ 1.1920 through 1.1924

[Reserved]

§ 1.1925

Purpose.

Sections 1.1925 through 1.1939 apply to individuals who are employees of the Commission and provides the standards to be followed by the Commission in implementing 5 U.S.C. 5514; sec. 8(1) of E.O. 11609 (3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p.586); redesignated in sec. 2-1 of E.O. 12107 (3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p.264) to recover a debt from the pay account of a Commission employee. It also establishes procedural guidelines to recover debts when the employee's creditor and paying agencies are not the same.

§ 1.1926

Scope.

(a) Coverage. This section applies to the Commission and employees as defined by § 1.1901.

(b) Applicability. This section and 5 U.S.C. 5514 apply in recovering certain debts by offset, except where the employee consents to the recovery, from the current pay account of that employee. Because it is an administrative offset, debt collection procedures for salary offset which are not specified in 5 U.S.C. 5514 and these regulations should be consistent with the provisions of the Federal Claims Collection Standards (31 CFR parts 900-904).

(1) Excluded debts or claims. The procedures contained in this section do not apply to debts or claims arising under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) or the tariff laws of the United States, or to any case where collection of a debt by salary offset is explicitly provided for or prohibited by another statute (e.g. travel advances in 5 U.S.C. 5705 and employee training expenses in 5 U.S.C. 4108).

(2) Section 1.1926 does not preclude an employee from requesting waiver of an erroneous payment under 5 U.S.C. 5584, 10 U.S.C. 2774, or 32 U.S.C. 716, or in any way questioning the amount or validity of a debt, in the manner prescribed by the Commissioner. Similarly, this subpart does not preclude an employee from requesting waiver of the collection of a debt under any other applicable statutory authority.

(c) Time limit. Under 31 CFR 901.3(a)(4) offset may not be initiated more than 10 years after the Government's right to collect the debt first accrued, unless an exception applies as stated in section 901.3(a)(4).

§ 1.1927

Notification.

(a) Salary offset deductions will not be made unless the Managing Director of the Commission, or the Managing Director's designee, provides to the employee at least 30 days before any deduction, written notice stating at a minimum:

(1) The Commission's determination that a debt is owed, including the origin, nature, and amount of the debt;

(2) The Commission's intention to collect the debt by means of deduction from the employee's current disposable pay account;

(3) The frequency and amount of the intended deduction (stated as a fixed dollar amount or as a percentage of pay, not to exceed 15 percent of disposable pay) and the intention to continue the deductions until the debt is paid in full or otherwise resolved;

(4) An explanation of the Commission's policy concerning interest, penalties, and administrative costs (See §§ 1.1940 and 1.1941), a statement that such assessments must be made unless excused in accordance with the FCCS;

(5) The employee's right to inspect and copy Government records relating to the debt or, if the employee or his or her representative cannot personally inspect the records, to request and receive a copy of such records.

(6) If not previously provided, the opportunity (under terms agreeable to the Commission) to establish a schedule for the voluntary repayment of the debt or to enter into a written agreement to establish a schedule for repayment of the debt in lieu of offset. The agreement must be in writing, signed by both the employee and the Managing Director (or designee) of the Commission and documented in Commission files (see the FCCS).

(7) The employee's right to a hearing conducted by an official arranged by the Commission (an administrative law judge, or alternatively, a hearing official not under the control of the head of the Commission) if a petition is filed as prescribed by this subpart.

(8) The method and time period for petitioning for a hearing;

(9) That the timely filing of a petition for hearing will stay the commencement of collection proceedings;

(10) That the final decision in the hearing (if one is requested) will be issued at the earliest practical date, but not later than 60 days after the filing of the petition requesting the hearing unless the employee requests and the hearing official grants a delay in the proceedings;

(11) That any knowingly false, misleading, or frivolous statements, representations, or evidence may subject the employee to:

(i) Disciplinary procedures appropriate under Chapter 75 of title 5, U.S.C., part 752 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, or any other applicable statutes or regulations.

(ii) Penalties under the False Claims Act sections 3729-3731 of title 31, U.S.C., or any other applicable statutory authority; or

(iii) Criminal penalties under sections 286, 287, 1001, and 1002 of title 18, U.S.C., or any other applicable statutory authority.

(12) Any other rights and remedies available to the employee under statutes or regulations governing the program for which the collection is being made; and

(13) Unless there are applicable contractual or statutory provisions to the contrary, that amounts paid on or deducted for the debt which are later waived or found not owed to the United States will be promptly refunded to the employee.

(b) Notifications under this section shall be hand delivered with a record made of the date of delivery, or shall be mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested.

(c) No notification, hearing, written responses or final decisions under this regulation are required by the Commission for:

(1) Any adjustment to pay arising out of an employee's election of coverage, or change in coverage, under a Federal benefit program requiring periodic deductions from pay, if the amount to be recovered was accumulated over four pay periods or less;

(2) A routine intra-Commission adjustment of pay that is made to correct an overpayment of pay attributable to clerical or administrative errors or delays in processing pay documents, if the overpayment occurred within the four pay periods preceding the adjustment, or as soon thereafter as practical, the individual is provided written notice of the nature and the amount of the adjustment and point of contact for contesting such adjustment; or

(3) Any adjustment to collect a debt amounting to $50 or less, if, at the time of such adjustment, or as soon thereafter as practical, the individual is provided written notice of the nature and the amount of the adjustment and a point of contact for contesting such adjustment.

§ 1.1928

Hearing.

(a) Petition for hearing. (1) An employee may request a hearing by filing a written petition with the Managing Director of the Commission, or designated official stating why the employee believes the determination of the Commission concerning the existence or the amount of the debt is in error.

(2) The employee's petition must be executed under penalty of perjury by the employee and fully identify and explain with reasonable specificity all the facts, evidence and witnesses, if any, which the employee believes support his or her position.

(3) The petition must be filed no later than fifteen (15) calendar days from the date that the notification was hand delivered or the date of delivery by certified mail, return receipt requested.

(4) If a petition is received after the fifteenth (15) calendar day deadline referred to paragraph (a) (3) of this section, the Commission will nevertheless accept the petition if the employee can show, in writing, that the delay was due to circumstances beyond his or her control, or because of failure to receive notice of the time limit (unless otherwise aware of it).

(5) If a petition is not filed within the time limit specified in paragraph (a) (3) of this section, and is not accepted pursuant to paragraph (a)(4) of this section, the employee's right to hearing will be considered waived, and salary offset will be implemented by the Commission.

(b) Type of hearing. (1) The form and content of the hearing will be determined by the hearing official who shall be a person outside the control or authority of the Commission except that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the appointment of an administrative law judge by the Commission. In determining the type of hearing, the hearing officer will consider the nature and complexity of the transaction giving rise to the debt. The hearing may be conducted as an informal conference or interview, in which the Commission and employee will be given a full opportunity to present their respective positions, or as a more formal proceeding involving the presentation of evidence, arguments and written submissions.

(2) The employee may represent him or herself, or may be represented by an attorney.

(3) The hearing official shall maintain a summary record of the hearing.

(4) The decision of the hearing officer shall be in writing, and shall state:

(i) The facts purported to evidence the nature and origin of the alleged debt;

(ii) The hearing official's analysis, findings, and conclusions, in the light of the hearing, as to—

(A) The employee's and/or agency's grounds,

(B) The amount and validity of the alleged debt, and,

(C) The repayment schedule, if applicable.

(5) The decision of the hearing official shall constitute the final administrative decision of the Commission.

§ 1.1929

Deduction from employee's pay.

(a) Deduction by salary offset, from an employee's current disposable pay, shall be subject to the following conditions:

(1) Ordinarily, debts to the United States will be collected in full, in one lump sum. This will be done when funds are available for payment in one lump sum. However, if the employee is financially unable to pay in one lump sum or the amount of the debt exceeds 15 percent of disposable pay for an officially established pay interval, collection must be made in installments.

(2) The size of the installment deductions will bear a reasonable relationship to the size of the debt and the employee's ability to pay (see the FCCS). However, the installments will not exceed 15 percent of the disposable pay from which the deduction is made, unless the employee has agreed in writing to the deduction of a greater amount.

(3) Deduction will generally commence with the next full pay interval (ordinarily the next biweekly pay period) following the date: of the employee's written consent to salary offset, the waiver of hearing, or the decision issued by the hearing officer.

(4) Installment deductions will be pro-rated for a period not greater than the anticipated period of employment except as provided in §1.1930.

§ 1.1930

Liquidation from final check or recovery from other payment.

(a) If the employee retires or resigns or if his or her employment or period of active duty ends before collection of the debt is completed, offset of the entire remaining balance of the debt may be made from a final payment of any nature, including, but not limited to a final salary payment or lump-sum leave due the employee as the date of separation, to such extent as is necessary to liquidate the debt.

(b) If the debt cannot be liquidated by offset from a final payment, offset may be made from later payments of any kind due from the United States, including, but not limited to, the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, pursuant to §1.1913.

§ 1.1931

Non-waiver of rights by payments.

An employee's involuntary payment of all or any portion of a debt being collected under 5 U.S.C. 5514 shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights which the employee may have under 5 U.S.C. 5514 or any other provision of contract or law, unless statutory or contractual provisions provide to the contrary.

§ 1.1932

Refunds.

(a) Refunds shall promptly be made when—(1) A debt is waived or otherwise found not owing to the United States (unless expressly prohibited by statute or regulation); or

(2) The employee's paying agency is directed by an administrative or judicial order to refund amounts deducted from his or her current pay.

(b) Refunds do not bear interest unless required or permitted by law or contract.

§ 1.1933

Interest, penalties and administrative costs.

The assessment of interest, penalties and administrative costs shall be in accordance with §§1.1940 and 1.1941.

§ 1.1934

Recovery when the Commission is not creditor agency.

(a) Responsibilities of creditor agency. Upon completion of the procedures established under 5 U.S.C. 5514, the creditor agency must do the following:

(1) Must certify, in writing, that the employee owes the debt, the amount and basis of the debt, the date on which payment(s) is due, the date of the Government's right to collect the debt first accrued, and that the creditor agency's regulations implementing 5 U.S.C. 5514 have been approved by OPM.

(2) If the collection must be made in installments, the creditor agency also must advise the Commission of the number of installments to be collected, the amount of each installment, and the commencement date of the first installment (if a date other than the next officially established pay period is required).

(3) Unless the employee has consented to the salary offset in writing or signed a statement acknowledging receipt of the required procedures, and the written consent or statement is forwarded to the Commission, the creditor agency also must advise the Commission of the action(s) taken under 5 U.S.C. 5514(b) and give the date(s) the action(s) was taken.

(4) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the creditor agency must submit a debt claim containing the information specified in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this section and an installment agreement (or other instruction on the payment schedule), if applicable to the Commission.

(5) If the employee is in the process of separating, the creditor agency must submit its claim to the Commission for collection pursuant to §1.1930. The Commission will certify the total amount of its collection and provide copies to the creditor agency and the employee as stated in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. If the Commission is aware that the employee is entitled to payments from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, or other similar payments, it must provide written notification to the agency responsible for making such payments that the debtor owes a debt (including the amount) and that there has been full compliance with the provisions of this section. However, the creditor agency must submit a properly certified claim to the agency responsible for making such payments before collection can be made.

(6) If the employee is already separated and all payments from the Commission have been paid, the creditor agency may request, unless otherwise prohibited, that money due and payable to the employee from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund (5 CFR 831.1801 et seq.), or other similar funds, be administratively offset to collect the debt. (31 U.S.C. 3716 and 4 CFR 102.4)

(b) Responsibilities of the Commission—(1) Complete claim. When the Commission receives a properly certified debt claim from a creditor agency, deductions should be scheduled to begin prospectively at the next official established pay interval. The Commission will notify the employee that the Commission has received a certified debt claim from the creditor agency (including the amount) and written notice of the date deductions from salary will commence and of the amount of such deductions.

(2) Incomplete claim. When the Commission receives an incomplete debt claim from a creditor agency, the Commission will return the debt claim with a notice that procedures under 5 U.S.C. 5514 and this subpart must be provided, and a properly certified debt claim received, before action will be taken to collect from the employee's current pay account.

(3) Review. The Commission will not review the merits of the creditor agency's determination with respect to the amount or validity of the debt certified by the creditor agency.

(c) Employees who transfer from one paying agency to another. (1) If, after the creditor agency has submitted the debt claim to the Commission, the employee transfers to a position served by a different paying agency before the debt is collected in full, the Commission must certify the total amount of the collection made on the debt. One copy of the certification must be furnished to the employee, another to the creditor agency along with notice of employee's transfer. However, the creditor agency must submit a properly certified claim to the new paying agency before collection can be resumed.

(2) When an employee transfers to another paying agency, the creditor agency need not repeat the due process procedures described by 5 U.S.C. 5514 and this subpart to resume the collection. However, the creditor agency is responsible for reviewing the debt upon receiving the former paying agency's notice of the employee's transfer to make sure the collection is resumed by the new paying agency.

§ 1.1935

Obtaining the services of a hearing official.

(a) When the debtor does not work for the creditor agency and the creditor agency cannot provide a prompt and appropriate hearing before an administrative law judge or before a hearing official furnished pursuant to another lawful arrangement, the creditor agency may contact an agent of the Commission designated in Appendix A of 5 CFR part 581 for a hearing official, and the Commission will then cooperate as provided by the FCCS and provide a hearing official.

(b) When the debtor works for the creditor agency, the creditor agency may contact any agent (of another agency) designated in Appendix A of 5 CFR part 581 to arrange for a hearing official. Agencies must then cooperate as required by the FCCS and provide a hearing official.

(c) The determination of a hearing official designated under this section is considered to be an official certification regarding the existence and amount of the debt for purposes of executing salary offset under 5 U.S.C. 5514. A creditor agency may make a certification to the Secretary of the Treasury under 31 CFR 550.1108 or a paying agency under 31 CFR 550.1109 regarding the existence and amount of the debt based on the certification of a hearing official. If a hearing official determines that a debt may not be collected via salary offset, but the creditor agency finds that the debt is still valid, the creditor agency may still seek collection of the debt through other means, such as offset of other Federal payments, litigation, etc.

§ 1.1936

Administrative wage garnishment.

(a) Purpose. This section provides procedures for the Commission to collect money from a debtor's disposable pay by means of administrative wage garnishment to satisfy delinquent non-tax debt owed to the United States.

(b) Scope. (1) This section applies to Commission-administered programs that give rise to a delinquent nontax debt owed to the United States and to the Commission's pursuit of recovery of such debt.

(2) This section shall apply notwithstanding any provision of State law.

(3) Nothing in this section precludes the compromise of a debt or the suspension or termination of collection action in accordance with applicable law. See, for example, the Federal Claims Collection Standards (FCCS), 31 CFR parts 900 through 904.

(4) The receipt of payments pursuant to this section does not preclude the Commission from pursuing other debt collection remedies, including the offset of Federal payments to satisfy delinquent nontax debt owed to the United States. The Commission may pursue such debt collection remedies separately or in conjunction with administrative wage garnishment.

(5) This section does not apply to the collection of delinquent nontax debt owed to the Commission from the wages of Federal employees from their Federal employment. Federal pay is subject to the Federal salary offset procedures set forth in 5 U.S.C. 5514, §§ 1.1925 through 1.1935, and other applicable laws.

(6) Nothing in this section requires the Commission to duplicate notices or administrative proceedings required by contract or other laws or regulations.

(c) Definitions. In addition to the definitions set forth in § 1.1901 as used in this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) Business day means Monday through Friday. For purposes of computation, the last day of the period will be included unless it is a Federal legal holiday.

(2) Certificate of service means a certificate signed by a Commission official indicating the nature of the document to which it pertains, the date of mailing of the document, and to whom the document is being sent.

(3) Day means calendar day. For purposes of computation, the last day of the period will be included unless it is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a Federal legal holiday.

(4) Disposable pay means that part of the debtor's compensation (including, but not limited to, salary, bonuses, commissions, and vacation pay) from an employer remaining after the deduction of health insurance premiums and any amounts required by law to be withheld.

(5) Amounts required by law to be withheld include amounts for deductions such as social security taxes and withholding taxes, but do not include any amount withheld pursuant to a court order.

(6) Employer means a person or entity that employs the services of others and that pays their wages or salaries. The term employer includes, but is not limited to, State and local Governments, but does not include an agency of the Federal Government.

(7) Garnishment means the process of withholding amounts from an employee's disposable pay and the paying of those amounts to a creditor in satisfaction of a withholding order.

(8) Withholding order means any order for withholding or garnishment of pay issued by an agency, or judicial or administrative body. For purposes of this section, the terms “wage garnishment order” and “garnishment order” have the same meaning as “withholding order.”

(d) General rule. Whenever the Commission determines that a delinquent debt is owed by an individual, the Commission may initiate proceedings administratively to garnish the wages of the delinquent debtor as governed by procedures prescribed by 31 CFR 285. Wage garnishment will usually be performed for the Commission by the Treasury as part of the debt collection processes for Commission debts referred to Treasury for further collection action.

(e) Notice requirements. (1) At least 30 days before the initiation of garnishment proceedings, the Commission shall mail, by first class mail, to the debtor's last known address a written notice informing the debtor of:

(i) The nature and amount of the debt;

(ii) The intention of the Commission to initiate proceedings to collect the debt through deductions from pay until the debt and all accumulated interest, penalties and administrative costs are paid in full; and

(iii) An explanation of the debtor's rights, including those set forth in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, and the time frame within which the debtor may exercise his or her rights.

(2) The debtor shall be afforded the opportunity:

(i) To inspect and copy agency records related to the debt;

(ii) To enter into a written repayment agreement with the Commission under terms agreeable to the Commission; and

(iii) For a hearing in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section concerning the existence or the amount of the debt or the terms of the proposed repayment schedule under the garnishment order. However, the debtor is not entitled to a hearing concerning the terms of the proposed repayment schedule if these terms have been established by written agreement under paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section.

(3) The Commission will keep a copy of a certificate of service indicating the date of mailing of the notice. The certificate of service may be retained electronically so long as the manner of retention is sufficient for evidentiary purposes.

(f) Hearing. Pursuant to 31 CFR 285.11(f)(1), the Commission hereby adopts by reference the hearing procedures of 31 CFR 285.11(f).

(g) Wage garnishment order. (1) Unless the Commission receives information that the Commission believes justifies a delay or cancellation of the withholding order, the Commission will send, by first class mail, a withholding order to the debtor's employer within 30 days after the debtor fails to make a timely request for a hearing (i.e., within 15 business days after the mailing of the notice described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section), or, if a timely request for a hearing is made by the debtor, within 30 days after a final decision is made by the Commission to proceed with garnishment, or as soon as reasonably possible thereafter.

(2) The withholding order sent to the employer under paragraph (g)(1) of this section shall be in a form prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury on the Commission's letterhead and signed by the head of the Commission or his/her delegate. The order shall contain only the information necessary for the employer to comply with the withholding order, including the debtor's name, address, and social security number, as well as instructions for withholding and information as to where payments should be sent.

(3) The Commission will keep a copy of a certificate of service indicating the date of mailing of the order. The certificate of service may be retained electronically so long as the manner of retention is sufficient for evidentiary purposes.

(h) Certification by employer. Along with the withholding order, the Commission shall send to the employer a certification in a form prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. The employer shall complete and return the certification to the Commission within the time frame prescribed in the instructions to the form addressing matters such as information about the debtor's employment status and disposable pay available for withholding.

(i) Amounts withheld. (1) After receipt of the garnishment order issued under this section, the employer shall deduct from all disposable pay paid to the applicable debtor during each pay period the amount of garnishment described in paragraph (i)(2) of this section.

(2) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (i)(3) and (i)(4) of this section, the amount of garnishment shall be the lesser of:

(i) The amount indicated on the garnishment order up to 15% of the debtor's disposable pay; or

(ii) The amount set forth in 15 U.S.C. 1673(a)(2) (Restriction on Garnishment). The amount set forth at 15 U.S.C. 1673(a)(2) is the amount by which a debtor's disposable pay exceeds an amount equivalent to thirty times the minimum wage. See 29 CFR 870.10.

(3) When a debtor's pay is subject to withholding orders with priority the following shall apply:

(i) Unless otherwise provided by Federal law, withholding orders issued under this section shall be paid in the amounts set forth under paragraph (i)(2) of this section and shall have priority over other withholding orders which are served later in time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, withholding orders for family support shall have priority over withholding orders issued under this section.

(ii) If amounts are being withheld from a debtor's pay pursuant to a withholding order served on an employer before a withholding order issued pursuant to this section, or if a withholding order for family support is served on an employer at any time, the amounts withheld pursuant to the withholding order issued under this section shall be the lesser of:

(A) The amount calculated under paragraph (i)(2) of this section, or

(B) An amount equal to 25% of the debtor's disposable pay less the amount(s) withheld under the withholding order(s) with priority.

(iii) If a debtor owes more than one debt to the Commission, the Commission may issue multiple withholding orders provided that the total amount garnished from the debtor's pay for such orders does not exceed the amount set forth in paragraph (i)(2) of this section. For purposes of this paragraph (i)(3)(iii), the term agency refers to the Commission that is owed the debt.

(4) An amount greater than that set forth in paragraphs (i)(2) and (i)(3) of this section may be withheld upon the written consent of debtor.

(5) The employer shall promptly pay to the Commission all amounts withheld in accordance with the withholding order issued pursuant to this section.

(6) An employer shall not be required to vary its normal pay and disbursement cycles in order to comply with the withholding order.

(7) Any assignment or allotment by an employee of his earnings shall be void to the extent it interferes with or prohibits execution of the withholding order issued under this section, except for any assignment or allotment made pursuant to a family support judgment or order.

(8) The employer shall withhold the appropriate amount from the debtor's wages for each pay period until the employer receives notification from the Commission to discontinue wage withholding. The garnishment order shall indicate a reasonable period of time within which the employer is required to commence wage withholding.

(j) Exclusions from garnishment. The Commission may not garnish the wages of a debtor who it knows has been involuntarily separated from employment until the debtor has been reemployed continuously for at least 12 months. The debtor has the burden of informing the Commission of the circumstances surrounding an involuntary separation from employment.

(k) Financial hardship. (1) A debtor whose wages are subject to a wage withholding order under this section, may, at any time, request a review by the Commission of the amount garnished, based on materially changed circumstances such as disability, divorce, or catastrophic illness which result in demonstrated financial hardship.

(2) A debtor requesting a review under paragraph (k)(1) of this section shall submit the basis for claiming that the current amount of garnishment results in demonstrated financial hardship to the debtor, along with supporting documentation. The Commission will consider any information submitted; however, demonstrated financial hardship must be based on financial records that include Federal and state tax returns, affidavits executed under the pain and penalty of perjury, and, in the case of business-related financial hardship (e.g., the debtor is a partner or member of a business-agency relationship) full financial statements (audited and/or submitted under oath) in accordance with procedures and standards established by the Commission.

(3) If a financial hardship is found, the Commission will downwardly adjust, by an amount and for a period of time agreeable to the Commission, the amount garnisheed to reflect the debtor's financial condition. The Commission will notify the employer of any adjustments to the amounts to be withheld.

(l) Ending garnishment. (1) Once the Commission has fully recovered the amounts owed by the debtor, including interest, penalties, and administrative costs consistent with the FCCS, the Commission will send the debtor's employer notification to discontinue wage withholding.

(2) At least annually, the Commission shall review its debtors' accounts to ensure that garnishment has been terminated for accounts that have been paid in full.

(m) Actions prohibited by the employer. An employer may not discharge, refuse to employ, or take disciplinary action against the debtor due to the issuance of a withholding order under this section.

(n) Refunds. (1) If a hearing official, at a hearing held pursuant to paragraph (f)(3) of this section, determines that a debt is not legally due and owing to the United States, the Commission shall promptly refund any amount collected by means of administrative wage garnishment.

(2) Unless required by Federal law or contract, refunds under this section shall not bear interest.

(o) Right of action. The Commission may sue any employer for any amount that the employer fails to withhold from wages owed and payable to an employee in accordance with paragraphs (g) and (i) of this section. However, a suit may not be filed before the termination of the collection action involving a particular debtor, unless earlier filing is necessary to avoid expiration of any applicable statute of limitations period. For purposes of this section, “termination of the collection action” occurs when the Commission has terminated collection action in accordance with the FCCS or other applicable standards. In any event, termination of the collection action will have been deemed to occur if the Commission has not received any payments to satisfy the debt from the particular debtor whose wages were subject to garnishment, in whole or in part, for a period of one (1) year.

§§ 1.1937 through 1.1939

[Reserved]

§ 1.1940

Assessment.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of this section or § 1.1941, the Commission shall charge interest, penalties, and administrative costs on debts owed to the United States pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3717. The Commission will mail, hand-deliver, or use other forms of transmission, including facsimile telecopier service, a written notice to the debtor, at the debtor's CORES contact address (see section 1.8002(b)) explaining the Commission's requirements concerning these charges except where these requirements are included in a contractual or repayment agreement, or otherwise provided in the Commission's rules, as may be amended from time to time. These charges shall continue to accrue until the debt is paid in full or otherwise resolved through compromise, termination, or waiver of the charges. This provision is not intended to modify or limit the terms of any contract, note, or security agreement from the debtor, or to modify or limit the Commission's rights under its rules with regard to the notice or the parties' agreement to waive notice.

(b) The Commission shall charge interest on debts owed the United States as follows:

(1) Interest shall accrue from the date of delinquency, or as otherwise provided by the terms of any contract, note, or security agreement, regulation, or law.

(2) Unless otherwise established in a contract, note, or security agreement, repayment agreement, or by statute, the rate of interest charged shall be the rate established annually by the Treasury in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3717. Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3717, an agency may charge a higher rate of interest if it reasonably determines that a higher rate is necessary to protect the rights of the United States. The agency should document the reason(s) for its determination that the higher rate is necessary.

(3) The rate of interest, as initially charged, shall remain fixed for the duration of the indebtedness. When a debtor defaults on a repayment agreement and seeks to enter into a new agreement, the agency may require payment of interest at a new rate that reflects the current value of funds to the Treasury at the time the new agreement is executed. Interest shall not be compounded, that is, interest shall not be charged on interest, penalties, or administrative costs required by this section. If, however, a debtor defaults on a previous repayment agreement, charges that accrued but were not collected under the defaulted agreement shall be added to the principal under the new repayment agreement.

(c) The Commission shall assess administrative costs incurred for processing and handling delinquent debts. The calculation of administrative costs may be based on actual costs incurred or upon estimated costs as determined by the Commission. Commission administrative costs include the personnel and service costs (e.g., telephone, copier, and overhead) to notify and collect the debt, without regard to the success of such efforts by the Commission.

(d) Unless otherwise established in a contract, repayment agreement, or by statute, the Commission will charge a penalty, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3717(e)(2), currently not to exceed six percent (6%) a year on the amount due on a debt that is delinquent for more than 90 days. This charge shall accrue from the date of delinquency. If the rate permitted under 31 U.S.C. 3717 is changed, the Commission will apply that rate.

(e) The Commission may increase an administrative debt by the cost of living adjustment in lieu of charging interest and penalties under this section. Administrative debt includes, but is not limited to, a debt based on fines, penalties, and overpayments, but does not include a debt based on the extension of Government credit, such as those arising from loans and loan guaranties. The cost of living adjustment is the percentage by which the Consumer Price Index for the month of June of the calendar year preceding the adjustment exceeds the Consumer Price Index for the month of June of the calendar year in which the debt was determined or last adjusted. Increases to administrative debts shall be computed annually. Agencies should use this alternative only when there is a legitimate reason to do so, such as when calculating interest and penalties on a debt would be extremely difficult because of the age of the debt.

(f) When a debt is paid in partial or installment payments, amounts received by the agency shall be applied first to outstanding penalties and administrative cost charges, second to accrued interest, and third to the outstanding principal.

(g) The Commission will waive the collection of interest and administrative charges imposed pursuant to this section on the portion of the debt that is paid within 30 days after the date on which interest began to accrue. The Commission will not extend this 30-day period except for good cause shown of extraordinary and compelling circumstances, completely documented and supported in writing, submitted and received before the expiration of the first 30-day period. The Commission may, on good cause shown of extraordinary and compelling circumstances, completely documented and supported in writing, waive interest, penalties, and administrative costs charged under this section, in whole or in part, without regard to the amount of the debt, either under the criteria set forth in these standards for the compromise of debts, or if the agency determines that collection of these charges is against equity and good conscience or is not in the best interest of the United States.

(h) The Commission retains the common law right to impose interest and related charges on debts not subject to 31 U.S.C. 3717.

§ 1.1941

Exemptions.

(a) The preceding sections of this part, to the extent they reflect remedies or procedures prescribed by the Debt Collection Act of 1982 and the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, such as administrative offset, use of credit bureaus, contracting for collection agencies, and interest and related charges, do not apply to debts arising under, or payments made under, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.); the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), except to the extent provided under 42 U.S.C. 404 and 31 U.S.C. 3716(c); or the tariff laws of the United States. These remedies and procedures, however, may be authorized with respect to debts that are exempt from the Debt Collection Act of 1982 and the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, to the extent that they are authorized under some other statute or the common law.

(b) This section should not be construed as prohibiting the use of these authorities or requirements when collecting debts owed by persons employed by agencies administering the laws cited in paragraph (a) of this section unless the debt arose under those laws. However, the Commission is authorized to assess interest and related charges on debts which are not subject to 31 U.S.C. 3717 to the extent authorized under the common law or other applicable statutory authority.

§ 1.1942

Other sanctions.

The remedies and sanctions available to the Commission in this subpart are not exclusive. The Commission may impose other sanctions, where permitted by law, for any inexcusable, prolonged, or repeated failure of a debtor to pay such a claim. In such cases, the Commission will provide notice, as required by law, to the debtor prior to imposition of any such sanction.

§§ 1.1943 through 1.1949

[Reserved]

§ 1.1950

Reporting discharged debts to the Internal Revenue Service.

(a) In accordance with applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and implementing regulations (26 U.S.C. 6050P; 26 CFR 1.6050P-1), when the Commission discharges a debt for less than the full value of the indebtedness, it will report the outstanding balance discharged, not including interest, to the Internal Revenue Service, using IRS Form 1099-C or any other form prescribed by the Service, when:

(1) The principle amount of the debt not in dispute is $600 or more; and

(2) The obligation has not been discharged in a bankruptcy proceeding; and

(3) The obligation is no longer collectible either because the time limit in the applicable statute for enforcing collection expired during the tax year, or because during the year a formal compromise agreement was reached in which the debtor was legally discharged of all or a portion of the obligation.

(b) The Treasury will prepare the Form 1099-C for those debts transferred to Treasury for collection and deemed uncollectible.

§ 1.1951

Offset against tax refunds.

The Commission will take action to effect administrative offset against tax refunds due to debtors under 26 U.S.C. 6402, in accordance with the provisions of 31 U.S.C. 3720A and Treasury Department regulations.

§ 1.1952

Use and disclosure of mailing addresses.

(a) When attempting to locate a debtor in order to collect or compromise a debt under this subpart or other authority, the Commission may send a request to the Secretary of the Treasury (or designee) to obtain a debtor's mailing address from the records of the Internal Revenue Service.

(b) The Commission is authorized to use mailing addresses obtained under paragraph (a) of this section to enforce collection of a delinquent debt and may disclose such mailing addresses to other agencies and to collection agencies for collection purposes.

§ 1.1953

Interagency requests.

(a) Requests to the Commission by other Federal agencies for administrative or salary offset shall be in writing and forwarded to the Financial Operations Center, FCC, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.

(b) Requests by the Commission to other Federal agencies holding funds payable to the debtor will be in writing and forwarded, certified return receipt, as specified by that agency in its regulations. If the agency's rules governing this matter are not readily available or identifiable, the request will be submitted to that agency's office of legal counsel with a request that it be processed in accordance with their internal procedures.

(c) Requests to and from the Commission shall be accompanied by a certification that the debtor owes the debt (including the amount) and that the procedures for administrative or salary offset contained in this subpart, or comparable procedures prescribed by the requesting agency, have been fully complied with. The Commission will cooperate with other agencies in effecting collection.

(d) Requests to and from the Commission shall be processed within 30 calendar days of receipt. If such processing is impractical or not feasible, notice to extend the time period for another 30 calendar days will be forwarded 10 calendar days prior to the expiration of the first 30-day period.