OPM 1655 and OPM 1655A will be used by retired Administrative Law Judges seeking reemployment to complete hearings in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act of 1946. These forms will streamline the application process by providing all needed information on 2 forms.
This is to request an emergency extension for OPM Forms 1655 and 1655-A, OMB Control Number: 3206-0248. On October 7, 2010, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published a 60-day Federal Register Notice Vol. 75, No. 194 regarding a proposed rule to permanently eliminate the licensure requirement for incumbent Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) covered under the ALJ Program. Comments regarding this proposed rule are due on December 6, 2010. The rules concerning licensure requirements for incumbent ALJs may change, and could have a direct link to Senior ALJs, who utilize these forms to apply for the Senior ALJ Program. The final rule may greatly impact the Senior ALJ Program as the forms will require that revisions be made once the rule becomes final. As such, we are requesting a 6-month emergency extension based on the outcome of rulemaking. We presently anticipate that, at a minimum, a 6-month extension will be needed for an adequate time for OPM to evaluate public comments on the proposed rule and to revise the forms, as necessary, in conjunction with issuing the final rule. The expiration of these forms will cause unnecessary burden to retired ALJs, as the forms are tailored toward the specific requirements of the Senior ALJ Program, and eliminate the need to solicit additional information from Senior ALJ applicants.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form OPM 1655A Geographic Preference Statement for Senior Administrative Law Judge Applicant
Supp_Stat.DOC
Geographic Preference Statement for Senior Administrative Law Judge Applicant