Ethics Office Renews Legal Fund Info Requests
Published Date: 12/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The Office of Government Ethics wants to keep collecting info about Legal Expense Funds that help government workers pay for legal costs tied to their jobs. They’re asking for public comments by February 17, 2026, before renewing this paperwork approval. This affects executive branch employees and legal fund trustees but won’t add new costs or big changes—just keeping things running smoothly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Estimated Trustee Cost Burden
OGE estimates an annual cost burden of $37,128 for the Legal Expense Fund information collection using an estimated trustee or representative rate of $340 per hour. OGE estimates about three new funds per year, about five trusts on average each year, roughly 20 donors per trust, and about two payees per trust.
Paperwork Renewal for Legal Expense Funds
The Office of Government Ethics is asking to renew its information collection for Legal Expense Funds and invites public comments by February 17, 2026. The collection covers trust documents, quarterly reports, and termination reports and estimates 133 annual responses with a total annual burden of 109.2 hours and OMB Control Number 3209-0012.
Public Posting of Trust Reports
OGE will post trust documents, quarterly reports, and termination reports for Legal Expense Funds directly on its website as required by 5 CFR 2635.1007(g). This makes donor and payee information publicly available on OGE's website.
Filing Starts When Fund Is Approved
If you are an employee beneficiary of a Legal Expense Fund, the filing requirement begins once a Legal Expense Fund is approved under Subpart J of 5 CFR part 2635, even if no reportable contribution or distribution occurs during a reporting period. OGE specifically asked for comment on this point in the notice.
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Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14872, Exempting Certain Career Federal Employees From Ethics Reporting Requirements
Starting July 23, 2026, certain career federal employees won’t have to file public financial disclosure reports if they weren’t required to before. This change makes life easier for these employees and ethics staff without hurting government honesty or public trust. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until August 24, 2026, to share them!
2026-10772, Agency Information Collection Activities; Information Collection Renewal; Comment Request for Legal Expense Fund Information Collection
The Office of Government Ethics is renewing and updating its Legal Expense Fund information collection for another three years. This affects executive branch employees who get legal help through these funds and the trustees who manage them. They’re asking for public comments by June 29, 2026, and expect the process to take about 109 hours total each year.
2026-04439, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Proposed Collection; Comment Request for a Modified OGE Form 201 Request an Individual's Ethics Documents
The Office of Government Ethics wants to update and extend the OGE Form 201, which people use to request ethics documents from the executive branch. This change affects anyone asking for these public financial reports and aims to keep the process smooth for the next three years. Comments on the update are open until April 6, 2026, with no new costs expected.
2025-19442, Updated OGE Senior Executive Service Performance Review Board
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2025-17233, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Proposed Collection; Comment Request for a Modified OGE Form 201 Request an Individual's Ethics Documents
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics wants to update and extend the form people use to request government ethics documents for three more years. This affects anyone needing access to public financial reports from executive branch officials. The updated form is heading to the Office of Management and Budget for review, keeping the process smooth and official.
2025-15116, Agency Information Collection Activities; Information Collection Renewal; Comment Request for Qualified Trust Model Certificates and Model Trust Documents
The Office of Government Ethics wants to keep collecting info using 12 model certificates and trust documents for qualified trusts. This affects folks who manage these trusts and helps keep things clear and official. They’re asking for approval to continue, so no big changes or costs, just smooth sailing ahead!
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