[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 39 (Monday, March 1, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9905-9906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5004]
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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
5 CFR Part 532
RIN 3206-AI10
Prevailing Rate Systems; Removal of Umatilla County, Oregon, from
the Spokane, Washington, Nonappropriated Fund Wage Area
AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel Management is issuing a final rule to
remove Umatilla County, Oregon, from the Spokane, Washington,
nonappropriated fund Federal Wage System wage area because
nonappropriated fund Federal Wage System employees are no longer
stationed in Umatilla County, and no Federal agency anticipates such
future employment in the county.
DATES: This regulation is effective on March 31, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Hopkins, (202) 606-2848, FAX:
(202) 606-0824, or email to jdhopkin@opm.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 23, 1997, the Office of
Personnel Management (OPM) published an interim rule (62 FR 66973) to
remove Umatilla County, Oregon, from the Spokane, Washington,
nonappropriated fund (NAF) Federal Wage System (FWS) wage area. The
change was made effective on January 1, 1998. The Federal Prevailing
Rate Advisory Committee (FPRAC), the statutory national labor-
management committee responsible for advising OPM on matters concerning
the pay of FWS employees, recommended by consensus that we remove
Umatilla County, OR, from the Spokane, WA, FWS wage area. The Spokane
wage area is composed of one survey county, Spokane County, and three
area of application counties, Adams County, WA, Walla Walla County, WA,
and Umatilla County, OR. The removal of Umatilla County is appropriate
because there are no NAF FWS employees stationed in the county, and no
Federal agency anticipates future NAF employment. According to section
5343(a)(1)(B)(i) of title 5, United States Code, NAF wage areas ``shall
not extend
[[Page 9906]]
beyond the immediate locality in which the particular prevailing rate
employees are employed.''
On January 1, 1998, the minimum wage for the state of Oregon
increased to $6.00 per hour. Under section 532.205 of title 5, Code of
Federal Regulations, the highest mimimum wage applicable within a wage
area must be applied to the entire wage area. Pay rates for NAF FWS
employees stationed in Adams, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties, WA,
would have been increased to the higher minimum wage amount for the
state of Oregon even though there are no NAF FWS employees working in
Umatilla County, OR. OPM published an interim rule making this change
and provided a 30-day public comment period. During this period, OPM
did not receive any comments. Based on the previous recommendation of
FPRAC, the interim rule is being adopted as a final rule without any
changes.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
I certify that these regulations will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because they
will affect only Federal agencies and employees.
List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 532
Administrative practice and procedure, Freedom of information,
Government employees, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Wages.
Accordingly, under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 5343, the interim rule
(62 FR 66973) amending 5 CFR part 532 published on December 23, 1997,
is adopted as final with no changes.
Office of Personnel Management.
Janice R. Lachance,
Director.
[FR Doc. 99-5004 Filed 2-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-01-P
