2017-14008. Indemnification of Federal Trade Commission Employees  

  • Start Preamble Start Printed Page 30966

    AGENCY:

    Federal Trade Commission (“FTC” or “Commission”).

    ACTION:

    Final rule.

    SUMMARY:

    The Federal Trade Commission is publishing a policy that permits indemnification of FTC employees in appropriate circumstances, as determined by the Commission or the Commission's designee, for claims made against them as a result of actions taken by them in the scope of their employment.

    DATES:

    These amendments are effective July 5, 2017.

    Start Further Info

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    David C. Shonka, Acting General Counsel, (202) 326-2222, Office of the General Counsel, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20580.

    End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Presently, the FTC does not have a policy to indemnify its employees who are sued in their individual capacities and who suffer an adverse judgment as a result of conduct taken within the scope of their employment; nor does the FTC have a policy to settle these claims with agency funds. Lawsuits against federal employees in their personal capacities have proliferated since the Supreme Court's decision in Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971). This decision held that personal damage awards against a federal employee are permitted when, in the course of his or her employment, the federal employee is found to have violated an individual's constitutional rights. Although the Federal Liability Reform and Tort Compensation Act of 1988, Public Law 100-694, prohibits personal actions against Federal employees for common law torts committed while acting within the scope of their employment, that Act does not apply to suits against federal employees for violation of the Constitution or federal statutes.

    The FTC believes that actions against its employees in their personal capacities and the potential for a judgment against agency employees hinder the agency's effectiveness as a law enforcement agency. The FTC's ability to effectively protect consumers and promote competition depends upon the willingness of its employees to pursue investigations and litigation. Uncertainty regarding what conduct may lead to a personal liability claim resulting in a monetary judgment tends to intimidate employees, stifle creativity and initiative, and limit decisive action. Thus, the threat of personal liability against an employee for a decision made or action taken as part of official duties can adversely affect the FTC's achievement of its mission. The adoption of a policy to permit indemnification would help alleviate these problems and afford FTC employees the same protection now given to other federal employees in several other government agencies, including the Agency for International Development, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Department of Commerce, Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of the Interior, and the Department of Justice.

    The FTC's policy permits, but does not require, the agency to indemnify a FTC employee who suffers an adverse verdict, judgment, or other monetary award, provided that the actions giving rise to the judgment were taken within the scope of employment, and that such indemnification is in the interest of the FTC, as determined by the Commission or the Commission's designee. The policy also allows the agency to settle a claim brought against an employee in his or her individual capacity by the payment of funds, upon a similar determination by the Commission or the Commission's designee. Generally, the FTC will not entertain a request either to indemnify or to pay to settle a personal damage claim against an employee before entry of an adverse verdict, judgment, or monetary award. However, in certain cases, the Commission or its designee, may determine that exceptional circumstances justify the earlier indemnification or payment of a settlement amount. This policy is applicable to actions pending against FTC employees as of its effective date, as well as to actions commenced after that date.

    Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Commission certifies that these new regulations, which deal solely with internal policies governing FTC personnel, do not require an initial or final regulatory analysis under the Regulatory Flexibility Act because they will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. See 5 U.S.C. 605(b).

    Paperwork Reduction Act

    The regulations adopted herein do not contain information collection requirements within the meaning of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

    Administrative Procedure Act

    The indemnification policy is published in final form without the opportunity for public notice and comment because it is a general statement of policy relating to FTC management and personnel. See 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2),(b).

    Start List of Subjects

    List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 1

    • Administrative practice and procedure
    • Government employees
    • Indemnity payments
    End List of Subjects

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Federal Trade Commission amends part 1, title 16, of the Code of Federal Regulations, as follows:

    Start Part

    PART 1—GENERAL PROCEDURES

    End Part Start Amendment Part

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

    End Amendment Part Start Authority

    Authority: Sec. 6, 38 Stat. 721 (15 U.S.C. 46), unless otherwise noted.

    End Authority
    [Added and Reserved]
    Start Amendment Part

    2. In subpart Q, add and reserve §§ 1.125 through 1.129.

    End Amendment Part Start Amendment Part

    3. Add subpart R to read as follows:

    End Amendment Part

    Subpart R—Policy With Regard to Indemnification of FTC Employees

    Start Authority

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 46.

    End Authority
    Policy on employee indemnification.

    (a) The Commission may indemnify, in whole or in part, its employees (which for the purpose of this regulation includes former employees) for any verdict, judgment, or other monetary award which is rendered against any such employee, provided that the conduct giving rise to the verdict, judgment, or award was taken within the scope of his or her employment with the Federal Trade Commission and that such indemnification is in the interest of the Federal Trade Commission, as determined as a matter of discretion by the Commission, or its designee.

    (b) The Commission may settle or compromise a personal damage claim against its employee by the payment of available funds, at any time, provided the alleged conduct giving rise to the personal damage claim was taken within the scope of employment and that such settlement or compromise is in the interest of the Federal Trade Commission, as determined as a matter of discretion by the Commission, or its designee.Start Printed Page 30967

    (c) Absent exceptional circumstances, as determined by the Commission or its designee, the Commission will not entertain a request either to agree to indemnify or to settle a personal damage claim before entry of an adverse verdict, judgment, or monetary award.

    (d) When an employee of the Federal Trade Commission becomes aware that an action may be or has been filed against the employee in his or her individual capacity as a result of conduct taken within the scope of his or her employment, the employee shall immediately notify his or her supervisor that such an action is pending or threatened. The supervisor shall promptly thereafter notify the Office of the General Counsel. Employees may be authorized to receive legal representation by the Department of Justice in accordance with 28 CFR 50.15.

    (e)(1) The employee may, thereafter, request either:

    (i) Indemnification to satisfy a verdict, judgment or award entered against the employee; or

    (ii) Payment to satisfy the requirements of a settlement proposal.

    (2) The employee shall submit a written request, with documentation including copies of the verdict, judgment, award, or settlement proposal, as appropriate, to the head of his or her division or office, who thereupon shall submit to the General Counsel, in a timely manner, a recommended disposition of the request. The General Counsel may also seek the views of the Department of Justice. The failure of an employee to provide notification under paragraph (d) of this section or make a request under this paragraph (e) shall not impair the agency's ability to provide indemnification or payment under this section if it determines it is appropriate to do so.

    (f) Any amount paid under this section either to indemnify a Federal Trade Commission employee or to settle a personal damage claim shall be contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds of the Federal Trade Commission.

    Start Signature

    By direction of the Commission.

    Donald S. Clark,

    Secretary.

    End Signature End Supplemental Information

    [FR Doc. 2017-14008 Filed 7-3-17; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 6750-01-P

Document Information

Effective Date:
7/5/2017
Published:
07/05/2017
Department:
Federal Trade Commission
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
2017-14008
Dates:
These amendments are effective July 5, 2017.
Pages:
30966-30967 (2 pages)
Topics:
Administrative practice and procedure, Government employees, Indemnity payments
PDF File:
2017-14008.Pdf
CFR: (2)
16 CFR 1.125 through 1.129
16 CFR 1.130