Cheney's Energy Task Force Contacts: Inspiration for Waxman's Legislation?

[CorpGovActivist]

Check out HR 984: http://thomas.loc.gov/ (Markup of this is going on live now: http://oversight.house.gov/video.asp)

Key excerpts...

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(a) In General- Not later than 30 days after the end of a calendar quarter, each covered executive branch official shall make a record of, and file with the Office of Government Ethics a report on, any significant contacts during the quarter between the covered executive branch official and any private party relating to an official government action. If no such contacts occurred, each such official shall make a record of, and file with the Office a report on, this fact, at the same time.

(a) Violation- Whoever violates this title shall be subject to administrative sanctions, up to and including termination of employment.

(b) Deliberate Attempt To Conceal- Whoever deliberately attempts to conceal a significant contact in violation of this title shall upon proof of such deliberate violation by a preponderance of the evidence, be subject to a civil fine of not more than $50,000, depending on the extent and gravity of the violation.

`(1) COVERED EXECUTIVE BRANCH OFFICIAL- The term `covered executive branch official' means--

`(A) any officer or employee serving in a position in level I, II, III, IV, or V of the Executive Schedule, as designated by statute or Executive order;

`(B) any member of the uniformed services whose pay grade is at or above O-7 under section 201 of title 37, United States Code;

`(C) any officer or employee serving in a position of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character described in section 7511(b)(2)(B) of title 5, United States Code;

`(D) any noncareer appointee, as defined by section 3132(a)(7) of title 5, United States Code; and

`(E) any officer or employee serving in a position of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy advocating character, or any other individual functioning in the capacity of such an officer or employee, in the Executive Office of the President or the Office of the Vice President, but does not include the President or Vice President or the chief of staff of the President or Vice President.
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This would have covered the Energy Task Force contacts.

; )

- Dave