The start of 2017 brings two changes to the federal Office of Government Ethics (“OGE”) rules for executive branch officers and employees.

First, important changes to the executive branch gift rules went into effect this week. 

Second, OGE’s overhaul of the Executive Branch Ethics Program regulations (5 C.F.R. Part 2638) also took effect at the start of the year.  Most of these rules address the operation of ethics programs at federal agencies and their relationship with OGE.  There are several rules that should be of interest to prospective or incoming agency officials.  Some highlights:

• Certain high-level appointees must participate in a briefing on their “immediate ethics obligations,” usually within fifteen days of their appointment, including the individual’s financial conflicts and recusal obligations, and a plan to comply with the requirements of their ethics agreement.

• Agency written job offers must now include a notice of the ethics rules and laws that will apply should the offeree accept employment, instructions on how to get more information on ethics, and any applicable timeframes for receiving training or completing a financial disclosure.

• Employees who become supervisors will receive written information about agency ethics, in addition to the normal training requirements.

• A year before the Presidential election, each agency must assess whether it has sufficient ethics staff to support the presidential transition. The regulation also explains that OGE will offer training on counseling incoming and outgoing employees and officials, and assist the transition with preparing for nominations and any new ethics initiatives.

These requirements are especially relevant as Inauguration Day approaches and the incoming administration begins the hiring and appointment process.  Individuals considering entering the administration should also consider our guidance on financial disclosures, interacting with the transition, and the appointee vetting process.