§3622 Code of conduct for Commission personnel

Summary

Board members and all Commission officers and employees must take an oath before starting work and follow United States laws that apply to federal workers. Within 60 days after the full Board is appointed, the Board must create a code of conduct. That code must match part 735 of title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations as it was on October 1, 1979, and must also include rules equivalent to the listed federal criminal, ethics, conflict-of-interest, and other statutes named in the law, plus Panamanian laws that are basically the same. The Commission must investigate claims that someone broke the code and can ask the President to suspend a Board member, officer, or employee while legal proceedings happen. The President must work out arrangements with Panama so each country uses its legal power to make sure Board members follow the code; the listed U.S. laws will be enforced only under those arrangements. Section 207 of title 18 does not apply to a “covered individual” acting as an officer or employee of the Panama Canal Authority. A “covered individual” is a Panama Canal Authority officer or employee who used to work for the Commission (not the Administrator) and whose Commission job ended at noon on the Canal Transfer Date; that rule is effective as of the Canal Transfer Date. Congress also agrees that certain military retirees and reservists and members of the Commissioned Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service may accept paid jobs with the Panama Canal Authority, and that consent applies without regard to subsection (b) of section 908 of title 37.