Federal Government Participation in the Automated Clearing House

These rules amend our regulation which governs the use of the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system by Federal agencies. We adopt, with some exceptions, the ACH rules (ACH Rules) developed by NACHA--The Electronic Payments Association (NACHA)--as the rules governing the use of the ACH system by Federal agencies. This document includes two separate rulemaking actions. First, we're issuing a final rule to permit the conversion of checks to ACH debit entries at Federal agency (agency) points-of-purchase and at lockbox locations to which payments to agencies are mailed or delivered. The final rule also addresses the origination by agencies of ACH debit entries authorized over the Internet. We previously published a notice of proposed rulemaking requesting comment on the conversion of checks at points-of-purchase and lockboxes, and the origination of ACH debit entries authorized over the Internet. The final rule is discussed in Part I of this document. Second, we're issuing an interim rule to address other changes that NACHA has made to the ACH Rules during the past year. We are requesting comment on all aspects of the interim rule, which is discussed in Part II of this document.