§3622 Code of Conduct for Commission Personnel

Summary

Board members and all officers and employees of the Commission must take an oath before they start work and follow U.S. laws that apply to federal employees. Within 60 days after all Board members are appointed, the Board must create a code of conduct like part 735 of title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations as of October 1, 1979. That code must at least include rules like the listed federal criminal and ethics laws (including chapter 11 of title 18; section 7352 and chapter 131 of title 5; sections 207, 208, 285, 508, 641, 645, 1001, 1917, and 2071 of title 18; and sections 1343, 1344, and 1349(b) of title 31) and any Panama laws that mean the same thing. The Commission must investigate claims that the code was broken and can ask the President to suspend someone while courts consider the case. The President must make agreements with Panama so each country uses its legal power to make Board members follow the code; the listed U.S. laws will be enforced for Board members only under those agreements. Section 207 of title 18 does not apply to a “covered individual” for acts done as an officer or employee of the Panama Canal Authority. A “covered individual” means an Authority officer or employee who worked 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 U.S. military retirees and reserve members may accept paid civil jobs with the Panama Canal Authority (this consent is effective regardless of subsection (b) of section 908 of title 37).