5 C.F.R. § 734.502

Current through October 31, 2024

Section 734.502 - Participation in political activity while on duty, in uniform, in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties, or using a Federal vehicle

(a) This section applies to an employee:

(1) The duties and responsibilities of whose position continue outside normal duty hours and while away from the normal duty post; and

(2) Who is-

(i) An employee paid from an appropriation for the Executive Office of President; or

(ii) An employee appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate whose position is located within the United States, who determines policies to be pursued by the United States in relations with foreign powers or in the nationwide administration of Federal laws;

(b) For the purposes of this subpart, normal duty hours and normal duty post will be determined by the head of each agency or instrumentality of the United States.

(c) An employee described in paragraph (a) of this section may participate, subject to any restrictions that may be imposed in accordance with § 734.104 , in political activities:

(1) While he or she is on duty;

(2) While he or she is wearing a uniform, badge, or insignia that identifies the agency or instrumentality of the United States Government or the position of the employee;

(3) While he or she is in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by an individual employed or holding office in the Government of the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof; or

(4) While using a Government-owned or leased vehicle or while using a privately-owned vehicle in the discharge of official duties.

(d) An employee, to whom subpart E of this part does not apply, who is not on duty may participate in political activities in rooms of the White House or the Residence of the Vice President which are part of the Residence area or which are not regularly used solely in the discharge of official duties.

Example 1: An Inspector General is appointed under the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended. According to section 3(c) of that Act, he or she does not qualify as an employee who determines policies to be pursued by the United States in the nationwide administration of Federal laws. therefore, he or she may not participate in political activities while on duty, while wearing a uniform, badge, or insignia that identifies his or her office or position, while in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties, or while using a Government-owned or leased vehicle or while using a privately-owned vehicle in the discharge of official duties.

Example 2: An employee who is covered by this subpart and wears a uniform as an incident of her office may wear the uniform while she is giving a speech at a political fundraiser.

Example 3: The head of an executive department may hold a partisan political meeting or host a reception which is not a fundraiser in his conference room during normal business hours.

Example 4: An employee accompanies the Secretary of Transportation to a political party convention as part of the Secretary's security or administrative detail. The employee is considered to be on duty while protecting or performing official duties for the Secretary regardless of the nature of the function that the Secretary is attending.

Example 5: An American Ambassador overseas obtains authorization from the Department of State to depart post in order to take a vacation away from post. During the period she is authorized to be on vacation away from post, she is not considered to be on duty for the purpose of the Hatch Act Reform Amendments and may engage in any political activity permitted under the Hatch Act Reform Amendments of 1993.

5 C.F.R. §734.502

59 FR 48769, Sept. 23, 1994, as amended at 61 FR 35102, July 5, 1996; 79 FR 25486 , May 5, 2014