Rule2024-18460
Federal Management Regulation; Updating the FMR With Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Language
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 22, 2024
Effective
October 21, 2024
Issuing agencies
General Services Administration
Abstract
GSA is issuing a final rule that makes technical amendments to the Federal Management Regulation (FMR) regarding gender neutrality. These technical amendments result in more inclusive language by replacing gender-specific pronouns (e.g., he, she, his, her) with non- gendered pronouns. GSA is also correcting minor grammatical and administrative errors in FMR parts 102-5 and 102-42. These changes are grammatical and technical in nature and do not result in added costs or associated policy changes.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 163 (Thursday, August 22, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 163 (Thursday, August 22, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67865-67867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-18460]
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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
41 CFR Parts 102-5, 102-36, 102-38, 102-39, 102-40, 102-41, and
102-42
[FMR Case 2024-01; Docket No. GSA-FMR-2024-0001; Sequence No. 1]
RIN 3090-AK79
Federal Management Regulation; Updating the FMR With Diversity,
Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Language
AGENCY: Office of Government-wide Policy (OGP), General Services
Administration (GSA).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: GSA is issuing a final rule that makes technical amendments to
the Federal Management Regulation (FMR) regarding gender neutrality.
These technical amendments result in more inclusive language by
replacing gender-specific pronouns (e.g., he, she, his, her) with non-
gendered pronouns. GSA is also correcting minor grammatical and
administrative errors in FMR parts 102-5 and 102-42. These changes are
grammatical and technical in nature and do not result in added costs or
associated policy changes.
DATES: This final rule is effective on October 21, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. William Garrett, Director,
Personal Property Policy Division, Office of Government-wide Policy, at
202-368-8163 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#24544156574b4a454854564b544156505d544b484d475d644357450a434b52"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="67170215140809060b171508170215131e17080b0e041e2700140649000811">[email protected]</span></a> for clarification of
content. For information pertaining to status or publication schedules,
contact the Regulatory Secretariat Division at 202-501-4755 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7a3d293b281f1d291f193a1d091b541d150c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="41061200132426122422012632206f262e37">[email protected]</span></a>. Please cite ``FMR Case 2024-01.''
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Executive Order (E.O.) 13988, Preventing and Combating
Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation,
dated January 20, 2021, establishes a policy ``to prevent and combat
discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation,
and to fully enforce Title VII and other laws that prohibit
discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.''
The Federal Government must be a model for diversity, equity,
inclusion, and accessibility, where all employees are treated with
dignity and respect. Therefore, GSA has undertaken a review of FMR
parts 102-5 and 102-33 through 102-42.
Consistent with the American Psychological Association (APA) Style
Guide, 7th Edition, Publication Manual Section 5.5 guidance on ``Gender
and Pronoun Usage'', GSA is replacing gender-specific pronouns, such as
he, she, his, or her, with more inclusive and respectful terminology to
all segments of society. Other terms that do not use gender-specific
language, such as Administrator, Architect, employee, and purchaser,
have also been used as appropriate.
II. Discussion of the Final Rule
A. Summary of Significant Changes
This final rule is technical in nature and does not significantly
change any definition, operation, or interpretation of the FMR.
B. Expected Cost Impact to the Public
There is no expected cost impact to the public due to these
technical changes to the FMR.
III. Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 14094
Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review)
directs agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available
regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select
regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential
economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive
impacts, and equity). E.O. 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory
Review) emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and
benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting
flexibility. E.O. 14094 (Modernizing Regulatory Review) amends Section
3(f) of E.O. 12866 and supplements and reaffirms the principles,
structures, and definitions governing contemporary regulatory review
established in E.O. 12866 and E.O. 13563. The Office of Management and
Budget's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) has
determined that this rule is not a significant regulatory action, and
therefore, it was not reviewed under Section 6(b) of E.O. 12866.
IV. Congressional Review Act
OIRA has determined that this rule is not a ``major rule'' under 5
U.S.C. 804(2). Title II, Subtitle E of the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (codified at 5 U.S.C. 801-808), also
known as the Congressional Review Act or CRA, generally provides that
before a rule may take effect, unless excepted, the agency promulgating
the rule must
[[Page 67866]]
submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, to each House
of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the United States.
This rule is excepted from CRA reporting requirements prescribed under
5 U.S.C. 801 as it relates to agency management or personnel under 5
U.S.C. 804(3)(B).
V. Regulatory Flexibility Act
This final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. This final rule is
also excepted from the Administrative Procedure Act pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(a)(2) because it applies to agency management or personnel.
Therefore, an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis was not
performed.
VI. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to
the FMR do not impose recordkeeping or information collection
requirements, or the collection of information from offerors,
contractors, or members of the public that require the approval of the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.
List of Subjects in 41 CFR Parts 102-5, 102-36, 102-38, 102-39,
102-40, 102-41, and 102-42.
Home-to-work transportation, Excess and surplus Government
property, Government property management.
Robin Carnahan,
Administrator of General Services.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, GSA amends 41 CFR parts
102-5, 102-36, 102-38, 102-39, 102-40, 102-41, and 102-42 as set forth
below:
PART 102-5--HOME-TO-WORK TRANSPORTATION
0
1. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 102-5 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c); 31 U.S.C. 1344(e)(1).
Sec. 102-5.30 [Amended]
0
2. Amend Sec. 102-5.30 by--
0
a. In the definition of ``field work'', removing from the first
sentence the words ``his/her regular'' and adding the words ``their
regular'' in its place;
0
b. In the definition of ``home'', removing the words ``his/her place of
work '' and adding the words ``their place of work'' in its place;
0
c. In the definition ``home-to-work'', removing the words ``his/her
home'' and adding the words ``their home'' in its place; and
0
d. In the definition ``work'', removing ``his/her official'' and adding
``their official'' in its place.
0
3. In Sec. 102-5.35:
0
a. Revise the section heading; and;
0
b. Remove the phrase ``authorized home-to-work'' wherever it appears
and add, in its place, the phrase ``authorized for home-to-work''.
The revision reads as follows:
Sec. 102-5.35 Who is authorized for home-to-work transportation?
* * * * *
Sec. 102-5.70 [Amended]
0
4. Amend Sec. 102-5.70 by removing from paragraph (a) ``his/her work''
and adding ``their work'' in its place.
0
5. Amend Sec. 102-5.75 by--
0
a. Revising paragraph (b);
0
b. Removing from paragraph (c) the phrase ``his/her official'' and
adding in its place the phrase ``their official''; and
0
c. Revising the note to the section.
The revisions read as follows:
Sec. 102-5.75 What circumstances do not establish a basis for
authorizing home-to-work transportation for field work?
* * * * *
(b) When the employee's workday begins at their work; or
* * * * *
Note to Sec. 102-5.75: For instances where an employee is
authorized for home-to-work transportation under the field work
provision, but performs field work only on an intermittent basis,
the agency shall establish procedures to ensure that a Government
passenger carrier is used only when field work is actually being
performed. Although some employees' daily workstation is not located
in a Government office, these employees are not performing field
work. Like all Government employees, employees working in a ``field
office'' are responsible for their own commuting costs.
0
6. Amend Sec. 102-5.90 by:
0
a. Revising the section heading; and
0
b. Removing from the phrase ``the employee home-to-work'' wherever it
appears and adding in its place ``home-to-work''.
The revision reads as follows:
Sec. 102-5.90 Should an agency consider whether to base a Government
passenger carrier at a Government facility near the employee's home or
work rather than authorize home-to-work transportation?
* * * * *
0
7. Amend Sec. 102-5.105 by revising the first sentence to read as
follows:
Sec. 102-5.105 May others accompany an employee using home-to-work
transportation?
Yes, an employee authorized for home-to-work transportation may
share space in a Government passenger carrier with other individuals,
provided that the passenger carrier does not travel additional
distances as a result and such sharing is consistent with the
employee's Federal agency's policy. * * *
PART 102-36--DISPOSITION OF EXCESS PERSONAL PROPERTY
0
8. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 102-36 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c).
Sec. 102-36.5 [Amended]
0
9. Amend Sec. 102-36.5 by removing the phrases ``he deems'' and ``his
functions'' and adding the phrases ``the Administrator deems'' and
``their functions'' in their places, respectively.
Sec. 102-36.40 [Amended]
0
10. Amend Sec. 102-36.40 by removing from the definition ``Federal
agency'' the phrase ``his/her direction'' and adding the phrase ``the
Architect's direction'' in its place.
Sec. 102-36.60 [Amended]
0
11. Amend Sec. 102-36.60 by removing from paragraph (d) the phrase
``his direction'' and adding the phrase ``the Architect's direction''
in its place.
Sec. 102-36.115 [Amended]
0
12. Amend Sec. 102-36.115 by removing from paragraph (a)(1) the phrase
``he/she represents'' and adding the phrase ``they represent'' in its
place.
Sec. 102-36.155 [Amended]
0
13. Amend Sec. 102-36.155 by removing from paragraph (d) the phrase
``his obligations'' and add the phrase ``their obligations'' in its
place.
PART 102-38--SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY
0
14. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 102-38 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 40 U.S.C. 545 and 40 U.S.C. 121(c).
Sec. 102-38.110 [Amended]
0
15. Amend Sec. 102-38.110 by removing the phrase ``(or his/her
designee)'' and adding the phrase ``(or designee)'' in its place.
Sec. 102-38.195 [Amended]
0
16. Amend Sec. 102-38.195 by removing the phrase ``uses his/her own''
and adding the phrase ``does not use an authorized'' in its place.
0
17. Amend Sec. 102-38.240 by
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0
a. Revising the section heading; and
0
b. In paragraph (b) removing the phrase ``his/her bid'' and adding the
phrase ``their bid''.
The revision reads as follows:
Sec. 102-38.240 What happens to the deposit bond if the bidder
defaults or wants to withdraw their bid?
* * * * *
Sec. 102-38.255 [Amended]
0
18. Amend Sec. 102-38.255 by removing from paragraph (a) the phrase
``his/her bid'' and adding the phrase ``their bid'' in its place.
Sec. 102-38.260 [Amended]
0
19. Amend Sec. 102-38.260 by removing the words ``his/her designee''
and adding the word ``designee'' in its place.
PART 102-39--REPLACEMENT OF PERSONAL PROPERTY PURSUANT TO THE
EXCHANGE/SALE AUTHORITY
0
20. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 102-39 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c); 40 U.S.C. 503.
Sec. 102-39.20 [Amended]
0
21. In Sec. 102-39.20 amend the definition of ``Federal agency'' by
removing the words ``his/her direction'' and adding, in their place,
the words ``the Architect's direction.''
PART 102-40--UTILIZATION AND DISPOSITION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY WITH
SPECIAL HANDLING REQUIREMENTS
0
22. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 102-40 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c).
Sec. 102-40.135 [Amended]
0
23. In Sec. 102-40.135 in paragraph (b) amend the certification
paragraph by removing the words ``he/she is'' and adding in their place
the words, ``the purchaser is''.
Sec. 102-40.145 [Amended]
0
24. In Sec. 102-40.145, paragraph (a) amend the certification by-
0
a. Removing from first paragraph the words ``certifies that he/she''
and adding in their place the words ``certifies that they''; and
0
b. Removing from the second paragraph the words ``he/she is licensed''
and adding in their place the words ``they are licensed''.
Sec. 102-40.160 [Amended]
0
25. Amend Sec. 102-40.160 by:
0
a. In paragraph (c)(1), in the certification, removing the words ``his/
her bid'' and adding in the place the words ``their bid''; and
0
b. In paragraph (c)(2), in the certification, removing the words ``he/
she is'' and adding in their place the words ``they are''.
Sec. 102-40.165 [Amended]
0
26. Amend Sec. 102-40.165 by:
0
a. In paragraph (d)(1), in the certification, removing the words ``his/
her bid'' and adding in their place the words ``their bid'';
0
b. In paragraph (d)(2):
0
i. In the introductory text, removing the words ``his/her license'' and
adding in their place the words ``the bidder's license''; and
0
c. In the certification removing the words ``he/she is legally'' and
``his/her license'' and adding their place the words ``they are
legally'' and ``the bidder's license'', respectively.
Sec. 102-40.170 [Amended]
0
27. In Sec. 102-40.170 amend paragraph (g) by removing from
certification the words ``that he/she is'' and adding in their place
the words ``that the purchaser or donee is''.
Sec. 102-40.190 [Amended]
0
28. In Sec. 102-40.190 amend paragraph (b) by removing the words ``his
or her professional'' and adding in their place the words ``their
professional''.
PART 102-41--DISPOSITION OF SEIZED, FORFEITED, VOLUNTARILY
ABANDONED, AND UNCLAIMED PERSONAL PROPERTY
0
29. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 102-41 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c).
0
30. Amend Sec. 102-41.135 by revising the section heading to read as
follows:
Sec. 102-41.135 How much reimbursement do we pay the former owner
when they file a claim for unclaimed personal property that we no
longer have?
* * * * *
PART 102-42--UTILIZATION, DONATION, AND DISPOSAL OF FOREIGN GIFTS
AND DECORATIONS
0
31. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 102-42 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c); sec. 515, 5 U.S.C. 7342 (91 Stat.
862).
Sec. 102-42.10 [Amended]
0
32. In Sec. 102-42.10 amend definition of ``Employee'' in paragraph
(7) by removing the words ``his or her spouse are separated'' and
adding in their place the words ``the individual's spouse are legally
separated''.
Sec. 102-42.20 [Amended]
0
33. Amend Sec. 102-42.20 by--
0
a. In paragraph (a) introductory text removing the words ``he/she is
not'' and adding in their place the words ``the employee is not''; and
0
b. In paragraphs (a)(1) and (b)(1) removing the words ``his/her
employing'' and adding in their place the words ``their employing''.
[FR Doc. 2024-18460 Filed 8-21-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-14-P
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