[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 15, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 15CFR15.23]

[Page 169]
 
                  TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND FOREIGN TRADE
 
PART 15--LEGAL PROCEEDINGS--Table of Contents
 
  Subpart C--Involuntary Child and Spousal Support Allotments of NOAA 
                             Corps Officers
 
Sec. 15.23  Definitions.

    (a) Active duty. Full-time duty in the NOAA Corps.
    (b) Authorized person. Any agent or attorney of any state having in 
effect a plan approved under part D of title IV of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 651-664), who has the duty or authority to seek recovery 
of any amounts owed as child or child and spousal support (including, 
when authorized under the state plan, any official of a political 
subdivision); and the court that has authority to issue an order against 
a member for the support and maintenance of a child or any agent of such 
court.
    (c) Child support. Periodic payments for the support and maintenance 
of a child or children, subject to and in accordance with state or local 
law. This includes but is not limited to, payments to provide for 
health, education, recreation, and clothing or to meet other specific 
needs of such a child or children.
    (d) Designated official. The official who is designated to receive 
notices of failure to make payments from an authorized person (as 
defined in paragraph (b) of this section). For the Department of 
Commerce this official is the Assistant General Counsel for 
Administration.
    (e) Notice. A court order, letter, or similar documentation issued 
by an authorized person providing notification that a member has failed 
to make periodic support payments under a support order.
    (f) Spousal support. Periodic payments for the support and 
maintenance of a spouse or former spouse, in accordance with state and 
local law. It includes, but is not limited to, separate maintenance, 
alimony while litigation continues, and maintenance. Spousal support 
does not include any payment for transfer of property or its value by an 
individual to his or her spouse or former spouse in compliance with any 
community property settlement, equitable distribution of property, or 
other division of property between spouses or former spouses.
    (g) Support order. Any order for the support of any person issued by 
a court of competent jurisdiction or by administrative procedures 
established under state law that affords substantial due process and is 
subject to judicial review. A court of competent jurisdiction includes: 
(1) Indian tribal courts within any state, territory, or possession of 
the United States and the District of Columbia; and (2) a court in any 
foreign country with which the United States has entered into an 
agreement that requires the United States to honor the notice.