Personnel Appeals Board; Procedural Rules

The Government Accountability Office Personnel Appeals Board (PAB or Board) proposes several significant changes to its existing regulations to streamline and modernize case processing before the Board. The Board is codifying a process to submit pleadings and to execute service of process through electronic means. The Board will also begin requiring the submission of a petition form to ensure the Board is appraised of the crucial case-related information at the beginning of the case. The Board is also eliminating the automatic commencement of discovery upon the issuance of notice of petition to allow the Administrative Judge to tailor the process on a case-by-case basis. The Board is also beginning implementation of local rules for practice to aid pro se parties and legal practitioners who are unfamiliar with PAB processes. The local rules and petition form are available for viewing on the PAB website at www.pab.gao.gov. The Board is also proposing removal of Sec. Sec. 28.46-28.50 relating to subpoenas issued by the Board. The Board has also clarified language related to issuing of stays of personnel actions. The Board has also clarified the class certification process. The General Accounting Office Personnel Act of 1980 provides authority to make these changes.