Report on 1996 Surveys Used to Determine Cost-of-Living Allowances in Nonforeign Areas

This notice publishes the ``Report on 1996 Surveys Used to Determine Cost-of-Living Allowances in Nonforeign Areas.'' The surveys were conducted by Runzheimer International under contract with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The analyses and report were prepared by OPM. The results of the surveys are used to determine cost- of-living allowances (COLA's) paid to General Schedule, U.S. Postal Service, and certain other Federal employees in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This report provides the basis for the increases in certain COLA rates being published by OPM in the interim rulemaking immediately preceding this notice.