The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) promulgates (1) regulations directed to other Federal agencies regarding adequate and proper documentation of the policies and transactions of the Federal Government and for ensuring proper records disposition and (2) regulations directed to the public relating to access to and use of the historically valuable archives, donated historical materials, Nixon Presidential materials, and Presidential records in the National Archives, regional archives, Presidential libraries, and Presidential Materials Projects operated by NARA. NARA also promulgates regulations relating to the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) grant programs.
NARA's regulatory priorities for fiscal year 1999 will be issuance of records management regulations concerning Federal agency electronic records and regulations relating to storage of inactive Federal records. NARA records management regulations must provide agencies with the guidance they need to fulfill their statutory obligation to make and preserve records containing adequate and proper documentation of the agency's business. NARA intends to update and expand its regulation relating to recordkeeping requirements for electronic records. The regulation will help Federal agencies to manage their Federal records created or received in electronic form, including those generated with newer technologies and those in the physical custody of contractors. Records in electronic form may contain information vital to the operation of the Government or records that must be maintained for a lengthy period of time.
NARA also intends to issue revised regulations on facility standards for agency records centers to ensure that Federal records stored in agency- or privately operated records storage facilities are stored in facilities meeting the appropriate environmental, physical security, and fire safety standards to maintain the records for their required retention period. The current regulation does not distinguish between the environmental storage conditions for temporary records and for permanently valuable records, nor does it reflect current fire safety standards. NARA's other high-priority regulation will provide policy and procedures to Federal agencies relating to conversion of NARA's records center operations to a totally reimbursable program on October 1, 1999 (FY 2000).
NARA also intends to review and revise other records management regulations relating to removal of personal documentary materials from agencies, NARA records centers storage procedures, and records declassification procedures, which are discussed in greater detail in the NARA section of the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions.
NARA plans no significant rulemakings in the area of public use of archival records and materials in NARA research rooms in FY 1999. As described in the NARA section of the Unified Agenda, NARA is revising its regulations on research room procedures and use of NARA facilities to reflect changes in policies and procedures. NARA also plans to review and update its fees for reproduction of records and other materials transferred to NARA.