Streamlining Regulations

The Merit Systems Protection Board (``MSPB'') is issuing a revised interim rule amending several provisions of its practices and procedures regulations to improve the agency's service to its customers by facilitating the expeditious adjudication of appeals. This revised interim rule is intended to streamline MSPB case adjudication. It revises and adds to the regulatory changes undertaken in an interim rule issued by the MSPB on September 18, 2003. (68 FR 54651) This revised interim rule reflects the comments received from MSPB adjudicators and practitioners based on their experiences with the implementation of the current interim rule. The MSPB is soliciting comments concerning this revised interim rule, as well as additional comments concerning the September 18, 2003 interim rule. The MSPB will issue a final rule following the end of the comment period for this revised interim rule. All comments received during the comment period will be taken into consideration in drafting the final rule.

Agency Contact: William D. Spencer, Clerk of the Board, Merit Systems Protection Board, 1615 M Street, NW., Washington, DC 20419; (202) 653-7200, phone; (202) 653-7130, fax; or e-mail: mspb@mspb.gov.