Separate Maintenance Allowance for Duty at Johnston Island

SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel Management is adopting as final the

interim regulations authorizing payment of a separate maintenance

allowance to Federal civilian employees assigned to Johnston Island, a

nonforeign post of duty dedicated to chemical weapon storage and

disposal facilities. A separate maintenance allowance assists an

employee in meeting some of the additional expenses of maintaining a

spouse and/or dependents elsewhere who would normally reside with the

employee. The final regulations provide for determining which employees

are eligible for the separate maintenance allowance, which relatives

qualify as dependents, the method of payment, and the payment amounts.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The final regulations are effective on July 7, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Roger M. Knadle, (202) 606-2858.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

published an interim rule on October 4, 1993 (58 FR 51565). The 30-day

public comment period ended on November 3, 1993. No comments were

received on the interim rule; therefore, OPM is adopting as final the

interim rule implementing section 1092 of Public Law 102-190, December

5, 1991 (the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1992

and 1993). Section 1092 amended chapter 59 of title 5, United States

Code, by adding section 5942a to provide a separate maintenance

allowance to assist an employee assigned to Johnston Island to meet the

additional expenses of maintaining a spouse and/or dependents elsewhere

who would normally reside with the employee. On November 16, 1992, this

regulatory authority was delegated to OPM by Executive Order 12822.

The final regulations provide procedures and rules under which the

head of the agency may determine eligibility for a separate maintenance

allowance and the appropriate payment amount. The regulations define:

(1) Dependents, (2) the annual rate to be paid to an employee according

to the number of his or her dependents, (3) the method of payment, and

(4) the responsibilities of the agencies and OPM.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

I certify that these regulations will not have a significant

economic impact on a substantial number of small entities since they

apply only to Federal agencies and employees.

List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 591

Government employees, Travel and transportation expenses, Wages.

U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

Lorraine A. Green,

Deputy Director.

Accordingly, the interim rule adding subpart D to 5 CFR part 591,

published at 58 FR 51565 on October 4, 1993, is adopted as a final rule

without change.

[FR Doc. 94-13746 Filed 6-6-94; 8:45 am]

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