FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION

                         

JUSTIFICATION OF

APPROPRIATION ESTIMATES

FOR

CONGRESSIONAL APPROPRIATIONS

 

 

 

FISCAL YEAR 2014

 

APRIL 10, 2013

 

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Request and Annual Performance Plan

 

Executive Summary..................................................................................................................... 1

Mission ......................................................................................................................................... 4

Functions and Procedures ....................................................................................................... 4

Strategic Goals ............................................................................................................................ 5

Organization Chart....................................................................................................................... 6

Commission Members ............................................................................................................. 7

Appropriation Language............................................................................................................. 8

Authorizing Legislation............................................................................................................... 8

Justification by Function ............................................................................................................ 9

           General Statement .......................................................................................................... 9

            Activities:

               Administrative Law Judge Function........................................................................ 11

               Commission Review Function................................................................................ 16

               Office of the Executive Director Function................................................................ 24

Charts and Graphs .................................................................................................................. 26

Budget Authority by Object Class

Personnel Summary         

Amounts Available for Obligation

Summary of Changes by Budget Authority        

Appropriations and Staffing History Table                     


 


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (Commission) is an independent adjudicatory agency that provides administrative trial and appellate review of legal disputes arising under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 [30 U.S.C 801 et seq.] (Mine Act), as amended.  Section 113 of the Mine Act establishes the Commission and sets forth its responsibilities.  The Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 [Pub. L. 109-236] (MINER Act) added an additional responsibility to the Commission, resolving disputes between the Secretary of Labor and underground coal operators with respect to the contents of emergency response plans or the Secretary�s refusal to approve such plans.

The Commission is requesting a budget of $16,423,000 for FY 2014 to support the full-time equivalent (FTE) of 76 staff members.  The requested FY 2014 funding level is $1,181,000 below the FY 2012 enacted level as a result of the one-time funding in FY 2012 to support moving the Commission Headquarters to a new location in Washington, DC and the purchase of a new electronic case management system.  

Most cases that come before the Commission involve civil penalties proposed by the Department of Labor�s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) against mine operators.  The Commission is responsible for addressing whether the alleged violations occurred, as well as the assessment of appropriate civil penalties.  Other types of cases include contests of MSHA orders to close a mine for health or safety reasons, miners� charges of discrimination based on their complaints regarding health or safety, and miners� requests for compensation after being idled by a mine closure order.  Disputes involving the temporary reinstatement of a miner or an emergency response plan must be decided on an expedited basis. 

The Commission�s Administrative Law Judges (judges) decide cases at the trial level.  The five-member Commission provides administrative appellate review.  Review of a judge�s decision by the Commission is not automatic, and requires the approval of at least two Commissioners.  Most of the cases accepted for review are generated from petitions filed by parties adversely affected by a judge�s decision. In addition, the Commission, on its own initiative, may decide to review a case.  A judge�s decision that is not accepted for review becomes a final, non-precedential order of the Commission.  Appeals from the Commission�s decisions are to the federal courts of appeals.

Cases at the trial level are handled by the Commission�s Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ).  The number of pending trial-level cases has been the subject of much concern.  The increased number of cases on hand is the result of a dramatic growth in the number of new cases filed with the Commission.  From FY 2000 through FY 2005, the average number of cases filed was 192 per month, or 2,307 per year.  However, since FY 2006 the number of new cases filed increased steadily, and in FY 2014 it is expected that 11,000 new cases will be filed.

The Commission�s overall management priority continues to be the reduction of the case backlog. The Commission has taken a number of steps to dispose of cases more efficiently and reduce the number of cases on hand.  To expedite the processing of settlement decisions, the Commission promulgated a final rule requiring that parties submit proposed settlement orders to the Commission in electronic form. 75 Fed. Reg. 73955 (Nov. 30, 2010).  The rule became effective on December 30, 2010.

In December 2011, the Commission published a final rule setting forth simplified procedures for litigating certain categories of cases before the Commission�s judges.  75 Fed. Reg. 81459 (Dec. 28, 2011).  Although the simplified proceedings rule became effective on March 1, 2011, full implementation was delayed until May 2012.  The Commission will track cases disposed of through simplified proceedings in order to assess the success of this alternative procedure for case disposition.

As a result of staff added using a supplemental appropriation in FY 2010 and efficiency measures implemented by the Commission to expedite the disposition of certain cases, the number of undecided trial-level cases on hand dropped from 18,170 in FY 2010 to 15,788 by the beginning of FY 2012.  This was the first drop in the Commission�s trial-level case inventory from one year to the next since FY 2004. 

We project that the Commission will begin FY 2014 with 11,682 undecided trial cases.  During FY 2014, we anticipate that 11,000 new cases will be filed, and that Commission judges will dispose of 11,000 cases.  Thus, the case inventory at the end of the year will remain at 11,682.

In recent years, the Commission�s appellate review function has also seen a dramatic increase in the number of filings.  The trend of parties filing an increased number of petitions for review each year is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, and even accelerate as the Commission�s judges increase their dispositions in the course of addressing the cases on hand. 

Resolving these substantive cases creates a great demand on the resources of the five-member Commission and the Office of General Counsel (OGC).  Typically, in these substantive cases, the Commissioners, with the assistance of the OGC, review and analyze extensive briefs filed by the parties, sometimes conduct an oral argument, and issue a decision which addresses all the contentions raised by the parties.

In addition to petitions for review in substantive cases, the Commission at the appellate level considers requests to reopen cases in which a mine operator is in default for failing to timely respond to the Secretary�s proposed penalty or to a judge�s order. These cases are generically referred to as default cases.  The number of these requests for reopening filed each year has remained at historically high levels.

 

The Commission has also identified the need for an electronic Case Management System (CMS). Using funding provided in FY 2012, the Commission intends to implement an electronic CMS during FY 2013. This will be an integrated product that will allow most cases and documents to be filed, managed, stored and tracked internally online, both at the OALJ and at the Commissioner levels. An additional goal is to increase public access under the Freedom of Information Act and other transparency initiatives designed to promote greater public understanding of the Commission�s activities.

 

 

 


 

MISSION

 

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission is an independent adjudicatory agency charged with resolving disputes arising from the enforcement of safety and health standards in the nation�s mines.  Under its enabling statute, the Mine Act, the Commission does not regulate the mining industry, nor does it enforce the Mine Act; those functions are delegated to the Secretary of Labor acting through MSHA. The Commission�s mission is to provide just, speedy, and legally sound adjudication of proceedings authorized under the Mine Act, thereby enhancing compliance with the Act and contributing to the improved health and safety of the nation�s miners.

 

The scope of the Commission�s mission was expanded by the passage of the MINER Act in 2006.  That statute amended the Mine Act and vested the Commission with the responsibility for resolving disputes over the contents of mine emergency plans adopted by underground coal mine operators and submitted to MSHA for review and approval.  The MINER Act imposed tight deadlines on the Commission and its judges with respect to these proceedings, and the Commission has adopted procedural rules to implement those deadlines.

 

FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES

The Commission carries out its responsibilities through trial-level adjudication by judges and appellate review of judges� decisions by a five-member Commission appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.  Most cases involve challenges to civil penalties proposed by MSHA against mine operators and address whether or not the alleged safety and health violations occurred and if so, the degree of gravity and negligence involved, so that appropriate sanctions may be imposed.  Other types of cases involve mine operators� contests of mine closure orders, miners� complaints of safety or health related discrimination, miners� applications for compensation after a mine is idled by a closure order, and review of disputes between MSHA and underground coal mine operators relating to those operators� mine emergency plans.

Once a case is filed with the Commission, it is referred to the Chief Administrative Law Judge (Chief Judge).  Thereafter, litigants in the case must submit additional filings before the case is assigned to a judge.  To expedite the decisional process, the Chief Judge may rule on certain motions and where appropriate, issue orders of settlement, dismissal, or default.  Otherwise, once a case is assigned to an individual judge, that judge is responsible for the case and rules upon motions and settlement proposals.  If a hearing is necessary, the judge schedules and presides over the hearing, and issues a decision based upon the record.  A judge�s decision becomes a final, non-precedential order of the Commission unless it is accepted for review by the five-member Commission.

The Commission provides administrative appellate review. It may, in its discretion, review decisions issued by judges when requested by a litigant, or it may, on its own initiative, direct cases for review.  The Commission�s decisions are precedential, and appeals from the Commission�s decisions are heard in the federal courts of appeals.

The Office of the Executive Director supports the above functions by providing budget and financial management, and administrative and technical services, including human resources and information technology, procurement and contracting, and facilities management.

 

STRATEGIC GOALS

 

The Commission has set forth the following strategic goals:

 

      ensure expeditious, fair, and legally sound adjudication of cases at the trial and appellate levels

 

      manage the Commission�s human resources, operations, facilities, and information technology systems to ensure a continually improving, effective, and efficient organization


 

 

 

 

 

 


Commission Members

 

 

 

NAME                                                    TERM EXPIRATION

 

 

Mary Lu Jordan, Chairman                             August 30, 2014

 

Michael G. Young                                             August 30, 2014

 

Patrick K. Nakamura                                        August 30, 2016

 

*****

 

 

 

The following commission members� terms expired on August 30, 2012

 

 

                      Michael F. Duffy

 

                      Robert F. Cohen Jr.

 

 

 

                                                                                   

 


 

 

APPROPRIATION LANGUAGE

 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 

For necessary expenses of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, $16,423,000. 

Note.--A full-year 2013 appropriation for this account was not enacted at the time the budget was prepared; therefore, the budget assumes this account is operating under the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013 (P.L. 112-175). The amounts included for 2013 reflect the annualized level provided by the continuing resolution.

 

 

 

Authorizing Legislation

 

 

 

Authorizing Legislation Containing Indefinite Authority
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended (30 U.S.C. � 801 et seq.)

 

Dollars in thousands

 

 

 

 

FY 2012
Actual

FY 2013
CR Level

FY 2014
Request

Budget Authority

$17,604

$17,711

$16,423

 

72

74

76

 

 

 

 

 

 


JUSTIFICATION BY FUNCTION

 

 

GENERAL STATEMENT

 

The Commission was established as an independent agency by section 113(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.  The Commission fulfills its mission through three main functions.

 

The trial-level function lies within the Office of the Administrative Law Judges (OALJ).  At the trial level, the Commission�s judges hear and decide cases initiated by the Secretary of Labor, mine operators, miners, and miners� representatives. 

 

The appellate function is carried out by the five-member Commission, its staff, and the Office of the General Counsel (OGC).  The Commission hears appeals of judges� decisions by granting a petition for discretionary review from one or more of the parties or by directing review on its own motion.  In addition, at the appellate level, the Commission considers motions to reopen cases where an operator has failed to timely contest a proposed penalty or to timely respond to the Secretary of Labor�s penalty petition. 

 

The Office of the Executive Director (OED) supports both the trial-level and appellate functions by providing budget management, administrative and technical services.

 

The Commission is requesting in FY 2014 $16,423,000 and 76 FTE. This includes:

 

      $340,000 to fund two additional positions in the Office of the General Counsel.

      $83,000 to fund the one percent pay raise for civilian employees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary by Function

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars in thousands

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FY 2012
Actual

 

FY 2013
CR Level

 

FY 2014
Request

Function

FTE

Budget Authority

 

FTE

Budget Authority

 

FTE

Budget Authority

Administrative Law Judge

48

$12,705

 

48

$12,507

 

48

$11,351

Commission Review

19

$3,981

 

20

$4,255

 

22

$4,210

Office of Executive Director

5

$918

 

6

$949

 

6

$862

Total

72

$17,604

 

74

$17,711

 

76

$16,423


Administrative Law Judge Function

 

 

Dollars in thousands

 

 

 

 

FY 2012
Actual

FY 2013
CR Level

FY 2014
Request

Budget Authority

$12,705

$12,507

$11,351

FTE

48

48

48

 

Introduction

 

The Commission employs administrative law judges to hear and decide contested cases at the trial level.  The judges travel to hearing sites located at or near the mine involved in order to afford mine operators, miners and their representatives a full opportunity to participate in the hearing process.  Commission judges are also responsible for evaluating and approving or denying settlement agreements proposed by the parties under the Mine Act.

 

The Commission�s has set the following objective for the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) function:  

 

      Dispose of cases in a timely manner.

 

FY 2014

 

The Commission�s FY 2014 budget request includes 48 FTEs and $11,351,000 for the ALJ function. This includes $52,000 to fund the one percent pay raise for civilian employees.

 

This request will support the current full-time equivalent of 20 judges, which is the judge level first achieved through the FY 2010 Supplemental Appropriations Act (P.L. 111-212), and maintained since the passage of that Act. 

 

The FY 2014 request also includes law clerks and legal assistants to support the judges, and a number of docket clerks to maintain case files and process and record documents filed with the Commission. 

 

The Commission estimates that 11,682 trial level cases will be pending at the beginning of FY 2014.  New case filings are expected to remain steady as operators continue to elect to contest civil penalties proposed by MSHA and as MSHA utilizes its �pattern of violations� sanctions.  Therefore, the Commission anticipates that it will receive 11,000 new cases during the fiscal year.  The Commission estimates that, depending on experience, judges will normally dispose of an average of 550 cases per year for each of the Commission�s 20 FTE judge slots.  Therefore, the Commission would normally anticipate a total of 11,000 case dispositions annually. 

 

FY 2013

 

The Commission began FY 2013 with an inventory of 12,982 undecided cases, and 11,000 new cases are anticipated for the year. 

 

The Commission estimates that, depending on experience, judges will normally dispose of an average of 550 cases per year for each of the Commission�s 20 FTE judge slots.  Therefore, the Commission would normally anticipate a total of 11,000 case dispositions annually. 

 

During FY 2013 the Commission expects to utilize savings in rent expense to hire temporary law clerks and legal assistants to help reduce the backlog of cases. These temporary hires will allow the Commission to reach a staffing ratio of 1:1 and to assign law clerks to a special project on settlements. It is estimated that this will allow the disposition of an additional 1,300 cases above the 11,000 normal output for total case dispositions of 12,300.

 

This is expected to result in an FY 2013 end-of-year inventory of 11,682 undecided cases, the third year that the number of pending cases was reduced during the year.

 

FY 2012

 

There were 15,788 cases pending at the start of FY 2012, and 9,078 cases were received.

 

In FY 2012 that were 11,884 dispositions. This larger than expected number includes the Performance Coal Company settlement (also known as Massey Coal Company and Upper Big Branch Mine) in March 2012 when 1,241 cases were settled.

 

This resulted in an FY 2012 end-of-year inventory of 12,982 undecided cases.  This was the second year that the number of pending cases was reduced during the year.

 

 

 

Administrative Law Judge Function - Caseload Data

 

 

FY 2012
Actual

FY 2013
CR Level

FY 2014
Request

Cases pending beginning of year

15,788

12,982

11,682

 

Assessment of civil penalty

12,067

10,565

9,871

 

Notice of contest

3,674

2,336

1,743

 

Discrimination proceeding

44

71

58

 

Compensation proceeding

2

8

8

 

Other

1

2

2

New cases received

9,078

11,000

11,000

 

Assessment of civil penalty

7,911

9,130

9,130

 

Notice of contest

1,063

1,744

1,744

 

Discrimination proceeding

95

110

110

 

Compensation proceeding

7

12

12

 

Other

2

4

4

Total case workload

24,866

23,982

22,682

 

Assessment of civil penalty

19,978

19,695

19,001

 

Notice of contest

4,737

4,080

3,487

 

Discrimination proceeding

139

181

168

 

Compensation proceeding

9

20

20

 

Other

3

6

6

Cases decided

11,884

12,300

11,000

 

Assessment of civil penalty

9,413

9,824

9,130

 

Notice of contest

2,401

2,337

1,744

 

Discrimination proceeding

68

123

110

 

Compensation proceeding

1

12

12

 

Other

1

4

4

Cases pending end of year

12,982

11,682

11,682

 

Assessment of civil penalty

10,565

9,871

9,871

 

Notice of contest

2,336

1,743

1,743

 

Discrimination proceeding

71

58

58

 

Compensation proceeding

8

8

8

 

Other

2

2

2


 

 

 

Administrative Law Judge Function – Case Workload

 

 

 

 


 

Performance Goals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FY 2012

 

FY 2013

 

FY 2014

 

 

 

Actual

 

CR Level

 

Request

Performance Goal

 

Target

Results

 

Target

 

Target

All cases

On hand over 365 days in age

 

7,200

5,435

 

7,200

 

7,200

 

 

45%

41%

 

45%

 

45%

 

Disposed of within 365 days of receipt

 

33%

36%

 

33%

 

33%

Penalty cases

Average days from receipt to disposition

 

525

530

 

525

 

525

Settlement orders

Decisions issued within 60 days of motion

 

77%

79%

 

77%

 

77%

Simplified proceedings

Percentage of all dispositions

 

Baseline

 

 

TBD

 

TBD

 

Average days from receipt to disposition

 

Baseline

 

 

TBD

 

TBD

 

 

The Commission�s simplified proceedings rule became effective in March 2011 with full implementation in May 2012.  Baseline metrics will be established through FY 2013. Targets will be set for FY 2014 once the FY 2013 data is collected.

 


Commission Review Function

 

 

 

Dollars in thousands

 

 

 

 

FY 2012
Actual

FY 2013
CR Level

FY 2014
Request

Budget Authority

 $3,981

$4,255

$4,210

FTE

19

20

22

 

Introduction

 

The Commission Review function incorporates the responsibilities of the Commissioners and the Office of the General Counsel in the appellate review function.

The five-member Commission decides two principal types of cases:

 

(1)       substantive cases, which are cases in which a judge has issued a final or interlocutory decision on the merits and either party has filed a petition for review with the Commission, or at least two Commissioners have decided to grant review on their own initiative.

 

(2)       default cases, which are cases where an operator has failed to timely contest a proposed penalty or to respond to the Secretary�s penalty petition and the operator has filed a motion to reopen the final order.

 

The general authority for the review of judges� decisions is set forth in section 113(d)(1) of the Mine Act.  The Act states that a judge�s decision shall become final 40 days after its issuance, unless within that period any two Commissioners direct that the decision be reviewed.  Most substantive cases come before the Commission when two or more Commissioners vote to grant a petition for discretionary review filed by a party adversely affected or aggrieved by the judge�s decision.  The Commission may also consider a judge�s interlocutory ruling on the merits.

 

Two or more Commissioners may also direct any judge�s decision for review sua sponte (on the Commission�s own motion, without the parties filing a petition).  Sua sponte review is limited to judges� decisions that are contrary to law or Commission policy, or that present a novel question of policy. 

 

Many of the Commission�s cases present issues of first impression under the Mine Act.  That is, the cases raise issues that have not been resolved by prior decisions of the Commission or the courts, or the cases involve the interpretation of safety and health standards and regulations newly promulgated by MSHA.

 

The OGC is responsible for conducting the initial research in substantive cases and preparing draft opinions for Commission members.  OGC plays an important role in handling substantive cases that have been accepted for review by the Commissioners. The OGC attorneys also perform other duties, such as responding to FOIA requests, ethics counseling and training, review of financial disclosure forms, and equal employment opportunity counseling and training.  Those duties have substantially increased with the size of the Commission�s staff.  In addition, OGC is primarily responsible for formulating and drafting the Commission�s rulemaking initiatives, such as those involving more efficient settlement procedures and simplified proceedings for litigating certain categories of cases.

 

In recent years, the Commission�s appellate review function has seen a significant increase in the number of filings of both substantive and default cases.  The trend of an increased number of petitions being filed for substantive review is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, and perhaps accelerate as the Commission�s judges issue a greater number of decisions in the course of addressing the Commission�s case backlog. 

 

In addition, the high number of default cases filed before the Commission continued to be a major challenge. Historically, the number of motions to reopen filed by operators has been fewer than 50 per year. However, the number of motions to reopen filed with the Commission increased substantially from 68 in FY 2007 to 174 in FY 2012 – a 200% increase.  It is expected that the number of new cases filed will remain unchanged in FY 2014.  Each default case must be carefully analyzed by an OGC attorney-advisor, who then prepares a draft order for consideration by the Commissioners. 

 

 

The Commission has established the following objectives for the Commission review function.   

 

      Issue decisions in substantive cases accepted for review in a timely manner

 

      Issue orders in default cases in a timely manner

 

FY 2014

 

The Commission is requesting a budget of $4,210,000 and 22 FTE for the Commission Review activity in FY 2014.  This includes:  

 

      $340,000 for an additional two positions in the Office of the General Counsel.

      $26,000 to fund the one percent pay raise for civilian employees

 

The first position requested for the OGC would be for an attorney. The significant increase in workload of substantive cases has caused a strain on resources in OGC. The number of substantive cases on hand at year end has grown from 14 cases in FY 2010 to an estimated 65 cases in FY 2014, nearly a five-fold increase. Over the same period the number of FTE in OGC has only increased by three FTE, or 33%. This FTE should allow an additional 8 substantive cases to be decided.

The second additional position in the OGC would be for a records manager who would also have responsibility for FOIA requests and the Privacy Act program. Records management, FOIA, and Privacy Act are areas of responsibility that currently are assigned as additional duties to attorneys in the OGC, which significantly reduces their availability to work on substantive cases. Many records management duties are currently not performed due to the lack of a full-time records manager, and the National Archives and Records Administration has indicated that the Commission must undertake several measures to achieve compliance with applicable requirements.  It is estimated that this additional position would free up one-half of an FTE for attorney work, resulting in an additional 4 substantive cases being decided. In conjunction with the additional attorney requested above, this would lower the number of substantive cases pending at year end to 65.

 

In FY 2014, it is expected that 189 cases will be pending before the Commission at the beginning of the year, and an estimated 270 new cases will be filed during the year.  Approximately 262 dispositions are expected, of which an estimated 72 will be in substantive cases and 190 in default cases. Thus, it is anticipated that the Commission�s appellate docket will contain 197 undecided cases at the end of FY 2014.

 

In FY 2014, it is expected that 70 petitions for review of judges� decisions will be filed with the Commission, and 42 of those petitions will be granted.   

 

 

 

 

FY 2013

 

The FY2013 Continuing Resolution level provided for $4,255,000 and 20 FTEs. The additional FTE was for an attorney-advisor in the Office of the General Counsel.

 

In FY 2013, the Commission began the year with an inventory of 159 undecided cases, and 280 new cases are anticipated for the year.  An estimated 250 case dispositions are expected, consisting of 60 dispositions in substantive cases and 190 dispositions in default cases. Thus, it is anticipated that the Commission�s appellate docket will contain 189 undecided cases at the end of FY 2013.

 

In FY 2013, it is expected that 70 petitions for review of judges� decisions will be filed with the Commission, and 42 of those petitions will be granted.   

 

 

FY 2012

 

The Commission received $3,981,000 and 19 FTE in FY 2012.

 

The Commission began FY 2012 with an inventory of 108 undecided appellate cases and received 229 new cases during the year.  There were 178 case dispositions made, 51 of which were substantive cases and 127 were default cases.  The Commission�s appellate docket contained 159 undecided cases at the end of FY 2012.

In FY 2012, 55 petitions for review of judges� decisions were filed with the Commission, and 29 of those petitions were granted.   

 

 

 

 


 

 

Commission Review Function

Petitions for Substantive Review

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Commission Review Function

Substantive Cases

 

 

 


 

 

Commission Review Function- Caseload Data

 

 

FY 2012
Actual

FY 2013
CR Level

FY 2014
Request

Cases pending beginning of year

108

159

189

 

Substantive cases

53

57

67

 

Default cases

55

102

122

New cases received

229

280

270

 

Substantive cases

55

70

70

 

Default cases

174

210

200

Total case workload

337

402

459

 

Substantive cases

108

127

137

 

Default cases

229

312

322

Cases decided

178

250

262

 

Substantive cases

51

60

72

 

Default cases

127

190

190

Cases pending end of year

159

189

197

 

Substantive cases

57

67

65

 

Default cases

102

122

132

 

 


 

 

Performance Goals - Commission Review Function

 

 

 

 

`

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FY 2012

 

FY 2013

 

FY 2014

 

 

 

Actual

 

CR Level

 

Request

Performance Goal

 

Target

Results

 

Target

 

Target

Substantive cases

On hand - 12-18 months in age

 

6

18

 

9

 

15

 

 

 

16%

28%

 

15%

 

30%

 

On hand - over 18 months in age

 

2

14

 

2

 

8

 

 

 

8%

22%

 

5%

 

16%

 

Age over 18 months at decision

 

8

6

 

10

 

12

 

 

 

33%

38%

 

33%

 

40%

Default cases

On hand over 6 months in age

 

15

31

 

15

 

15

 

 

 

15%

31%

 

15%

 

15%


Office of the Executive Director Function

 

 

Dollars in thousands

 

 

 

 

FY 2012
Actual

FY 2013
CR Level

FY 2014
Request

Budget Authority

$918 

$949

$862

FTE

5

6

6

 

Introduction

 

The Office of the Executive Director (OED) provides administrative services to support the Commission in fulfilling its mission and strategic goals.  The primary functions are financial management, human resources, procurement and contracting, information technology, facilities management, and general administrative service support. 

The financial management services function includes the areas of budget and accounting, such as budget formulation, budget execution, funds control, financial reporting, and vendor payments.

 

Human resources covers the areas of recruitment and placement, classification and pay administration, performance management and incentive awards, employee benefits and retirement, personnel security, coordination of employee training program, and wellness and employee assistance programs.  

 

Procurement and contracting covers specific matters such as maintaining a simplified acquisition program for supplies and services, contract implementation and oversight, and coordination of services and supplies.

 

Information technology entails help desk functions, network administration, policy formulation, and telecommunication.

 

Facilities management covers property and space management, organization management, and physical security.

 

Other general administrative services provided by OED include the administration of employee travel authorizations and reimbursements, and the Metro subsidy program.

 


 

FY 2014

 

The Commission is requesting an FY 2014 budget of $862,000 and 6 FTE.  This includes $5,000 fund the one percent pay raise for civilian employees.

 

 

FY 2013

 

The FY2013 Continuing Resolution level provided for $949,000 and 6 FTEs. The additional FTE was for an information technology position.

 

It is expected that the electronic case management system will be implemented in FY 2013.

 

 

FY 2012

 

The Commission received $918,000 and 5 FTE in FY 2012. 

 

The Commission conducted a move of the headquarters to a new location within Washington, DC. In addition, the Commission initiated the procurement of an electronic case management system.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHARTS AND GRAPHS


 

 

Budget Authority by Object Class

 

 

 

FY 2014 Budget Request by Object Code

Dollars in thousands

 

 

 

 

FY 2012 Actual

FY 2013 CR Level

FY 2014 Request

Personnel Compensation

        7,513

7,802

8,016

Other than Full-Time Permanent

380

380

384

Total, Personnel Compensation

7,893

8,182

8,400

Personnel Benefits, Civilian

2,070

2,135

2,168

Benefits to Former Employees

11

12

12

Travel and Transportation of Persons

240

331

331

Transportation of Things

31

32

32

Rental Payments to GSA

1,547

1,547

1,706

Communications, Utilities, and Misc.

369

369

369

Printing and Reproduction

24

24

24

Other Services

2,628

3,534

2,625

Supplies and Materials

855

368

325

Equipment

1,936

1,177

431

Total

17,604

17,711

16,423


Personnel Summary

 

 

2012

2013

2014

ENACTED

CR LEVEL

REQUEST

Account: Salaries & Expenses

Executive Level III

1

1

1

Executive Level IV

4

4

4

Subtotal

5

5

5

ES

2

2

2

Subtotal

2

2

2

AL-1

1

1

1

AL-3

19

19

19

Subtotal

20

20

20

GS-15

5

5

                  5

GS-14

4

4

                  4

GS-13

3

3

                  7

GS-12

3

3

                  3

GS-11

16

16

                16

GS-9

4

4

                  4

GS-8

5

7

                  5

GS-7

3

3

                  3

GS-6

2

2

                  2

GS-5

-

-

 -

Subtotal

45

47

49

Total Permanent Full-time Positions

72

74

76

Unfilled positions end-of-year

-

-

-

Total, full-time permanent employment end-of-year

59

-

-

Cumulative Full-time equivalent (FTE) usage

58

-

-

 

 

 


 

 

FY 2012 Enacted

FY 2013

CR Level

FY 2014 Request

Average EX Salary

$158,767

$158,767

$160,355 

Average ES Salary

$169,730

$169,730

$171,427 

Average AL Salary

$164,022

$164,022

$165,662 

Average GS Salary

$78,310

$82,367

$79,991

 

 

 

Amounts Available for Obligation

(in millions)

 

 

 

FY 2012 Actual

FY 2013 CR Level

FY 2014 Request

 

FTE

Amount

FTE

Amount

FTE

Amount

Appropriation, total

estimated obligations

72

$17.604

74

$17.711

76

$16.423

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Changes by Budget Authority

(in millions)

 

 

Budget Authority

FY 2012

Actual

FY 2013 CR Level

FY 2014 Request

Net Change

(FY 2012 to FY 2014)

Appropriations

$17.604

$17.711

$16.423

- $1.181

Full-time Equivalent

72

74

76

4

 


 

Changes in 2014

 

 

Dollars in thousands

 

 

FY 2012 Actual

$17,604

Activity Changes

 

 

Civilian pay raise 1%

 

83

 

 

Personnel Compensation

79

 

 

 

Other than Full-Time Permanent

4

 

 

Transfer between Object Codes

 

0

 

 

Rental Payments to GSA

159

 

 

 

Other Services

-159

 

 

One-time FY 2012 costs

 

-2,900

 

 

Case management system implementation

-1,000

 

 

 

Office relocation

-1,900

 

 

Additional FTE

 

522

 

 

Personnel Compensation

424

 

 

 

Personnel Benefits, Civilian

98

 

 

Additional contractor support

 

598

 

Other changes

 

516

 

 

Benefits to Former Employees

1

 

 

 

Travel and Transportation of Persons

91

 

 

 

Transportation of Things

1

 

 

 

Other Services

112

 

 

 

Supplies and Materials

5

 

 

 

Equipment

306

 

Total Changes

 

-$1,181

FY 2014 Request

 

$16,423

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Appropriations and FTE History

Fiscal Year

Budget Estimate

to Congress

House Allowance

Senate Allowance

Appropriation

FTE[1]

2000

6,159,000

6,060,000

6,159,000

6,136,000[2]

43

2001

6,320,000

6,200,000

6,320,000

6,320,000

42

2002

6,939,000

6,939,000

6,939,000

6,934,000[3]

38

2003

 7,127,000

          

7,131,343[4]

35

2004

7,774,000

7,774,000

7,774,000

7,728,133[5]

40

2005

7,813,000

7,813,000

7,813,000

7,809,024[6]

40

2006

7,809,000

7,809,000

7,809,000

7,730,910[7]

40

2007

7,576,000

7,731,000

7,731,000

7,777,652[8]

44

2008

8,096,000

8,096,000

7,954,563

7,954,563

48

2009

8,653,000

8,653,000

8,653,000

8,653,000

50

2010

9,857,567

9,857,567          

10,358,000          

10,358,000[9]

63

Supplemental

 

3,800,000

3,800,000

3,800,000[10]

17[11]

2011

13,105,000

13,905,000

15,755,000

10,337,000[12]

63

2012

22,417,000

17,637,000

17,603,666[13]

72

2013

16,000,000

 

 

17,711,00014

74

2014

16,423,000

 

 

 

76 (e)

(e) = estimated 



[1] FTE for FY 2012 and before represent the FTE ceiling given budget authority, not the actual FTE.

[2]  Reflects reduction of $23,000 pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2000, P.L. 106-113.

[3] Reflects reduction of $5,000 pursuant to Section 1403 of P.L. 107-206.

[4] Reflects adjustments pursuant to the Omnibus Appropriations Act, P.L. 108-7.

[5] Reflects reduction of $45,867 pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, P.L. 108-199.

[6] Reflects a congressional add-on of $59,000 and a reduction of $62,976 pursuant to Section 122(a) of P.L.108-447.

[7] Reflects reduction of $78,090 pursuant to Title III, Chapter 8, of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, P.L. 109-148.

[8] Reflects reduction of $144,437 pursuant to Sec. 528(a) of P.L. 110-161.

[9] Reflects Senate approved mark-up of $500,000 pursuant to P.L. 111-117.

[10] Reflects supplemental funding of $3,800,000 pursuant to P.L. 111-212.

[11] Temporary FTE provided July 29, 2010—July 28, 2011 though FY 2010 supplemental appropriation. The Commission carried this staff over for the last two months of FY 2011, using FY 2011 funding.

[12] Reflects reduction of $21,000 pursuant to Sec. 1119(a) of the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012, P.L. 112-10.

[13]  Reflects reduction of $33,334 pursuant to Section 527(a) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012, P.L. 112-74.

14  Reflects the 2013 Continuing Resolution level