PUBLIC LAW 104-1-^AN. 23, 1995 109 STAT. 31 adoption, approval, and issuance of regulations, except that the Board may, in its discretion, dispense with publication of a general notice of proposed rulemaking of minor, technical, or urgent amendments that satisfy the criteria for dispensing with publication of such notice pursuant to section 553(b)(B) of title 5, United States Code. (f) RIGHT TO PETITION FOR RULEMAKING.— Any interested party may petition to the Board for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of a regulation. (g) CONSULTATION.— The Executive Director, the Deputy Directors, and the Board— (1) shall consult, with regard to the development of regulations, with— (A) the Chair of the Administrative Conference of the United States; (B) the Secretary of Labor; (C) the Federal Labor Relations Authority; and (D) the Director of the Office of Personnel Management; and (2) may consult with any other persons with whom consultation, in the opinion of the Board, the Executive Director, or Deputy Directors, may be helpful. SEC. 305. EXPENSES. 2 USC 1385. (a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— Beginning in fiscal year 1995, and for each fiscal year thereafter, there are authorized to be appropriated for the expenses of the Office such sums as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Office. Until sums are first appropriated pursuant to the preceding sentence, but for a period not exceeding 12 months following the date of the enactment of this Act— (1) one-half of the expenses of the Office shall be paid from funds appropriated for allowances and expenses of the House of Representatives, and (2) one-half of the expenses of the Office shall be paid from funds appropriated for allowances and expenses of the Senate, upon vouchers approved by the Executive Director, except that a voucher shall not be required for the disbursement of salaries of employees who are paid at an annual rate. The Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate are authorized to make arrangements for the division of expenses under this subsection, including arrangements for one House of Congress to reimburse the other House of Congress. (b) FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. — The Executive Director may place orders and enter into agreements for goods and services with the head of any agency, or major organizational unit within an agency, in the legislative or executive branch of the United States in the same manner and to the same extent as agencies are authorized under sections 1535 and 1536 of title 31, United States Code, to place orders and enter into agreements. (c) WITNESS FEES AND ALLOWANCES. —Except for covered employees, witnesses before a hearing officer or the Board in any proceeding under this Act other than rulemaking shall be paid the same fee and mileage allowances as are paid subpoenaed witnesses in the courts of the United States. Covered employees who are summoned, or are assigned by their employer, to testify in
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