2019 US Code
Title 5 - Government Organization and Employees
Part III - Employees
Subpart F - Labor-Management and Employee Relations
Chapter 73 - Suitability, Security, and Conduct
Subchapter III - Political Activities
Sec. 7326 - Penalties

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Citation 5 U.S.C. § 7326 (2019)
Section Name §7326. Penalties
Section Text

An employee or individual who violates section 7323 or 7324 shall be subject to—

(1) disciplinary action consisting of removal, reduction in grade, debarment from Federal employment for a period not to exceed 5 years, suspension, or reprimand;

(2) an assessment of a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000; or

(3) any combination of the penalties described in paragraph (1) or (2).

Source Credit

(Added Pub. L. 112–230, §4, Dec. 28, 2012, 126 Stat. 1617; amended Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1097(k)(1), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1626.)

Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS

A prior section 7326, added Pub. L. 103–94, §2(a), Oct. 6, 1993, 107 Stat. 1004, related to penalties, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 112–230, §4, Dec. 28, 2012, 126 Stat. 1617.

Another prior section 7326, Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 526, authorized nonpartisan political activities, prior to the general revision of this subchapter by Pub. L. 103–94.

A prior section 7327, Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 526; Pub. L. 96–54, §2(a)(14), (15), Aug. 14, 1979, 93 Stat. 382; Pub. L. 97–468, title VI, §615(b)(1)(E), Jan. 14, 1983, 96 Stat. 2578, related to permitted political activity in certain municipalities where employees reside, prior to the general revision of this subchapter by Pub. L. 103–94.

A prior section 7328, added Pub. L. 96–191, §8(e)(1), Feb. 15, 1980, 94 Stat. 33, exempted employees of the General Accounting Office from provisions of this subchapter, prior to the general revision of this subchapter by Pub. L. 103–94.

AMENDMENTS

2017—Pub. L. 115–91 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "An employee or individual who violates section 7323 or 7324 shall be subject to removal, reduction in grade, debarment from Federal employment for a period not to exceed 5 years, suspension, reprimand, or an assessment of a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000."

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2017 AMENDMENT; APPLICABILITY

Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1097(k)(2), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1626, provided that: "The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to any violation of section 7323 or 7324 of title 5, United States Code, occurring after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 12, 2017]."

EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICABILITY

Section effective 30 days after Dec. 28, 2012, see section 5(a) of Pub. L. 112–230, set out as an Effective Date of 2012 Amendment note under section 1501 of this title.

Pub. L. 112–230, §5(b), Dec. 28, 2012, 126 Stat. 1617, provided that:

"(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendment made by section 4 [enacting this section and repealing former section 7326 of this title] shall apply with respect to any violation occurring before, on, or after the effective date of this Act [see above].

"(2) Exception.—The amendment made by section 4 shall not apply with respect to an alleged violation if, before the effective date of this Act—

"(A) the Special Counsel has presented a complaint for disciplinary action, under section 1215 of title 5, United States Code, with respect to the alleged violation; or

"(B) the employee alleged to have committed the violation has entered into a signed settlement agreement with the Special Counsel with respect to the alleged violation."

Publication Title United States Code, 2018 Edition, Supplement 1, Title 5 - GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 5 - GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES
PART III - EMPLOYEES
Subpart F - Labor-Management and Employee Relations
CHAPTER 73 - SUITABILITY, SECURITY, AND CONDUCT
SUBCHAPTER III - POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
Sec. 7326 - Penalties
Contains section 7326
Date 2019
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 24, 2020
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 80 Stat. 526
93 Stat. 382
94 Stat. 33
96 Stat. 2578
107 Stat. 1004
126 Stat. 1617
131 Stat. 1626
Public Law References Public Law 89-554, Public Law 96-54, Public Law 96-191, Public Law 97-468, Public Law 103-94, Public Law 112-230, Public Law 115-91
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