The Merit Systems Protection Board (the Board) is an independent Government agency that operates like a court. The Board was created to ensure that all Federal government agencies follow Federal merit systems practices. The Board does this by adjudicating Federal employee appeals of agency personnel actions, and by conducting special reviews and studies of Federal merit systems.

(a) The Board has three members whom the President appoints and the Senate confirms. Members of the Board serve seven-year terms.

(b) The President appoints, with the Senate's consent, one member of the Board to serve as Chairman and chief executive officer of the Board. The President also appoints one member of the Board to serve as Vice Chairman. If the office of the Chairman is vacant or the Chairman cannot perform his or her duties, then the Vice Chairman performs the Chairman's duties. If both the Chairman and the Vice Chairman cannot perform their duties, then the remaining Board Member performs the Chairman's duties.

(a) The three Board members make decisions in all cases by majority vote except in circumstances described in paragraph (b) of this section or as otherwise provided by law.

(b) When there are at least two Board members and, due to a vacancy, recusal or other reasons, the Board members are unable to decide any case by majority vote, the decision, recommendation, or other order under review may be deemed the final decision or order of the Board. The Chairman of the Board may direct the issuance of an order consistent with this paragraph (b).

(c) When due to vacancies, recusals, or other reasons, only one Board member is able to act, the Board member may direct the following types of matters to an administrative judge or other official:

(1) A party's request to withdraw his/her appeal or petition for review for final disposition;

(2) A newly raised claim that was not previously adjudicated in the appeal currently under review for docketing and adjudication;

(3) A settlement for possible final disposition, including a determination of whether the parties actually reached a settlement, understood its terms, and agreed whether it is to be enforceable by the Board; or

(4) A matter for further development of the record.

(d) When due to vacancies, recusals, or other reasons no Board member is able to act, the Clerk of the Board may direct the following types of matters to an administrative judge or other official:

(1) A party's request to withdraw his/her appeal or petition for review for final disposition;

(2) A newly raised claim that was not previously adjudicated in the appeal currently under review for docketing and adjudication;

(3) A settlement for possible final disposition, including a determination of whether the parties actually reached a settlement, understood its terms, and agreed whether it is to be enforceable by the Board; or

(4) A matter for further development of the record.

(e) Decisions and orders issued pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section shall not be precedential.

(a) Any interested person may petition the MSPB for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of a rule. For purposes of this regulation, a “rule” means a regulation contained in 5 CFR parts 1200 through 1216. Each petition shall:

(1) Be submitted to the Clerk of the Board, 1615 M Street NW., Washington, DC 20419;

(2) Set forth the text or substance of the rule or amendment proposed or specify the rule sought to be repealed;

(3) Explain the petitioner's interest in the action sought; and

(4) Set forth all data and arguments available to the petitioner in support of the action sought.

(b) No public procedures will be held on the petition before its disposition. If the MSPB finds that the petition contains adequate justification, a rulemaking proceeding will be initiated or a final rule will be issued as appropriate under the Administrative Procedure Act. If the Board finds that the petition does not contain adequate justification, the petition will be denied by letter or other notice, with a brief statement of the ground for denial. The Board may consider new evidence at any time; however, repetitious petitions for rulemaking will not be considered.

The Board may issue a policy governing the conduct of the parties for all appeals before the Board and of parties and any other individuals in communications with the Board. Such policy may include rules regarding prohibited conduct and vexatious filing by a party, witness, representative, or other individual, as well as potential sanctions or other consequences for violations of the policy. Any policy established pursuant to this regulation will be made publicly available via the Board's website (www.mspb.gov).