Federal Register: December 19, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 245)
DOCID: fr19de08-10 FR Doc E8-30180
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
General Services Administration
CFR Citation: 41 CFR Part 102-74
RIN ID: RIN 3090-AI78
FMR ID: [FMR Amendment 2008-08; FMR Case 2008-102-3; Docket 2008-0001; Sequence 5]
NOTICE: RULES
DOCID: fr19de08-10
ACTION: Federal Management Regulation:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Final rule.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Federal Management Regulation; FMR Case 2008-102-3, Real Property Policies Update - Smoking Restrictions
DATES: Effective Date: December 19, 2008.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The General Services Administration is amending the Federal Management Regulation (FMR) to revise the restrictions on the smoking of tobacco products in leased or owned space under the jurisdiction, custody, or control of the Administrator of General Services. This final rule cancels and replaces in its entirety 41 CFR Sec. Sec. 102 74.315 through 10274.350 including the insertion of a new Sec. 102 74.351.
SUMMARY:
FMR Case 2008-102-3, Real Property Policies Update - Smoking Restrictions,
DOCUMENT BODY:
[[Page 77518]]
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
A. Background
1. On August 9, 1997, President Clinton signed Executive Order (E.O.) 13058, entitled ``Protecting Federal Employees and the Public From Exposure to Tobacco Smoke in the Federal Workplace,'' to establish a smokefree environment for Federal employees and members of the public visiting or using Federal facilities (62 FR 43451, August 13, 1997).
2. On October 20, 1997, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) issued GSA Bulletin FPMR D245, ``Protecting Federal Employees and the Public from Exposure to Tobacco Smoke in the Federal Workplace'' (62 FR 54461). In accordance with the requirements of E.O. 13058, GSA Bulletin FPMR D245 prohibited the smoking of tobacco products in all interior space owned, rented or leased by the executive branch of the Federal Government, except in speciallyequipped designated smoking areas, outdoor areas in front of air intake ducts and certain other residential and nonFederal occupied space. The bulletin also required the heads of executive agencies to evaluate the need to restrict smoking in courtyards and near doorways.
3. Studies conducted since the issuance of GSA Bulletin FPMR D245 have concluded that cigarette smoking is the number one preventable cause of morbidity and premature mortality worldwide. Studies also have shown that the harmful effects of smoking are not confined solely to the smoker, but extend to coworkers and members of the general public who are exposed to secondhand smoke as well. Recognition of these facts is evidenced by the stricter laws on smoking enacted by several states over the past 10 years. Twentysix states have banned smoking entirely in all of their State government buildings and 19 have banned smoking in all private work places.
4. Executive Order 13058 encourages the heads of executive agencies to evaluate the need to further restrict smoking at doorways and in courtyards under executive branch control and authorizes the agency heads to restrict smoking in these areas in light of this evaluation.
5. The proposed changes to the current smoking policy may affect conditions of employment for employees. Where there is an exclusive representative for the employees, executive branch agencies will be required to meet their collective bargaining obligations under the Federal Service LaborManagement Relations Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. Ch. 71, LaborManagement Relations, before the proposed revisions to the existing smoking policy can be implemented.
B. Executive Order 12866
The General Services Administration (GSA) has determined that this final rule is not a significant regulatory action for the purposes of Executive Order 12866.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
This final rule is not required to be published in the Federal Register for comment. Therefore, the Regulatory Flexibility Act does not apply.
D. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to the FMR do not impose information collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.
E. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
This final rule is exempt from Congressional review under 5 U.S.C.
801 since it relates solely to agency management and personnel. List of Subjects in 41 CFR Part 10274
Facility Management.
Dated: December 8, 2008
James A. Williams,
Acting Administrator of General Services.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, GSA amends 41 CFR part 102 74 of Subchapter C as set forth below:
PART 10274FACILITY MANAGEMENT
1. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 10274 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c).
2. Amend Subpart B of part 10274 by revising Sec. Sec. 102.74315
through 102.74350 and adding new Sec. 102.74351 to read as follows:
Sec. 10274.315 What is the smoking policy for interior space in Federal facilities?
Pursuant to Executive Order 13058, ``Protecting Federal Employees
and the Public From Exposure to Tobacco Smoke in the Federal
Workplace'' (3 CFR, 1997 Comp., p. 216), it is the policy of the
executive branch to establish a smokefree environment for Federal
employees and members of the public visiting or using Federal
facilities. The smoking of tobacco products is prohibited in all
interior space owned, rented or leased by the executive branch of the Federal Government.
Sec. 10274.320 Are there any exceptions to the smoking policy for interior space in Federal facilities?
Yes, the smoking policy does not apply in
(a) Any residential accommodation for persons voluntarily or
involuntarily residing, on a temporary or longterm basis, in a
building owned, leased or rented by the Federal Government;
(b) Portions of Federally owned buildings leased, rented or
otherwise provided in their entirety to nonFederal parties;
(c) Places of employment in the private sector or in other non
Federal Governmental units that serve as the permanent or intermittent duty station of one or more Federal employees; and
(d) Instances where an agency head establishes limited and narrow
exceptions that are necessary to accomplish agency missions. Such
exceptions must be in writing, approved by the agency head and, to the
fullest extent possible, provide protection of nonsmokers from exposure
to environmental tobacco smoke. Authority to establish such exceptions may not be delegated.
Sec. 10274.325 Are designated smoking areas authorized in interior space?
No, unless specifically established by an agency head as provided
by Sec. 10274.320(d). A previous exception for designated smoking areas is being eliminated. All designated interior
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smoking areas will be closed effective June 19, 2009. This sixmonth
phasein period is designed to establish a fixed but reasonable time
for implementing this policy change. This phasein period will provide
agencies with time to comply with their obligations under the Federal
Service LaborManagement Relations Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. Ch. 71,
LaborManagement Relations, in those circumstances where there is an exclusive union representative for the employees.
Sec. 10274.330 What smoking restrictions apply to outside areas under Executive branch control?
Effective June 19, 2009, smoking is prohibited in courtyards and within twentyfive (25) feet of doorways and air intake ducts on outdoor space under the jurisdiction, custody or control of GSA. This sixmonth phasein period is designed to establish a fixed but reasonable time for implementing this policy change. This phasein period will provide agencies with time to comply with their obligations under the Federal Service LaborManagement Relations Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. Ch. 71, LaborManagement Relations, in those circumstances where there is an exclusive union representative for the employees. Sec. 10274.335 Who is responsible for furnishing and installing signs concerning smoking restrictions in the building, and in and around building entrance doorways and air intake ducts?
Federal agency building managers are responsible for furnishing and
installing suitable, uniform signs in the building, and in and around
building entrance doorways and air intake ducts, reading ``No
Smoking,'' ``No Smoking Except in Designated Areas,'' ``No Smoking
Within 25 Feet of Doorway,'' or ``No Smoking Within 25 Feet of Air Duct,'' as applicable.
Sec. 10274.340 Who is responsible for monitoring and controlling
areas designated for smoking by an agency head and for identifying those areas with proper signage?
Agency heads are responsible for monitoring and controlling areas
designated by them under Sec. 10274.320(d) for smoking and
identifying these areas with proper signage. Suitable, uniform signs
reading ``Designated Smoking Area'' must be furnished and installed by the occupant agency.
Sec. 10274.345 Does the smoking policy in this part apply to the judicial branch?
This smoking policy applies to the judicial branch when it occupies
space in buildings controlled by the executive branch. Furthermore, the
Federal Chief Judge in a local jurisdiction may be deemed to be
comparable to an agency head and may establish exceptions for Federal jurors and others as provided in Sec. 10274.320(d).
Sec. 10274.350 Are agencies required to meet their obligations under
the Federal Service LaborManagement Relations Act where there is an
exclusive representative for the employees prior to implementing this smoking policy?
Yes. Where there is an exclusive representative for the employees,
Federal agencies must meet their obligations under the Federal Service
LaborManagement Relations Act, 5 U.S.C. Ch. 71, LaborManagement
Relations, prior to implementing this section. In all other cases, agencies may consult directly with employees.
Sec. 10274.351 If a state or local government has a smokefree
ordinance that is more strict than the smoking policy for Federal
facilities, does the state or local law or Federal policy control?
The answer depends on whether the facility is Federally owned or
privately owned. If the facility is Federally owned, then Federal
preemption principles apply and the Federal policy controls. If the
facility is privately owned, then Federal tenants are subject to the
provisions of the state or local ordinance, even in the Federally
leased space, if the state or local restrictions are more stringent than the Federal policy.
[FR Doc. E830180 Filed 121908; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 682014S
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Mr. Stanley C. Langfeld, Director, Regulations Management Division, Office of Governmentwide Policy, General Services Administration, at (202) 5011737, or by email at stanley.langfeld@gsa.gov for clarification of content. For information pertaining to status or publication schedules, contact the Regulatory Secretariat, Room 4041, GS Building, Washington, DC 20405, (202) 501 4755. Please cite FMR Amendment 200808, FMR Case 20081023.