81 FR 12622 - Proposed Priorities and Definitions-Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program-Short-Term Projects and Long-Term Projects
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 47 (March 10, 2016)
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 47 (March 10, 2016)
| Page Range | 12622-12626 | |
| FR Document | 2016-05412 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 47 (Thursday, March 10, 2016)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 12622-12626] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-05412] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 34 CFR Chapter VI [Docket ID ED-2015-OPE-0134] Proposed Priorities and Definitions--Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program--Short-Term Projects and Long-Term Projects CFDA Numbers: 84.021A and 84.021B. AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education. ACTION: Proposed priorities and definitions. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education proposes priorities and definitions under the Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (Fulbright-Hays GPA) Program. The Assistant Secretary may use these priorities and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2016 and later years. We take this action to focus Federal financial assistance on an identified national need. We intend the priorities to address a gap in the types of institutions, faculty, and students that have historically benefitted from international education opportunities. DATES: We must receive your comments on or before April 11, 2016. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. We will not accept comments submitted by fax or by email or those submitted after the comment period. To ensure that we do not receive duplicate copies, please submit your comments only once. In addition, please include the Docket ID at the top of your comments.Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov to submit your comments electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing agency documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket, is available on the site under the ``Help'' tab. Postal Mail, Commercial Delivery, or Hand Delivery: If you mail or deliver your comments about these proposed regulations, address them to Reha Mallory, Office of Postsecondary Education, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 3E213, Washington, DC 20202. Privacy Note: The Department's policy is to make all comments received from members of the public available for public viewing in their entirety on the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov. Therefore, commenters should be careful to include in their comments only information that they wish to make publicly available. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reha Mallory. Telephone: (202) 453- 7502 or by email: [email protected]. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf or a text telephone, call the Federal Relay Service, toll free, at 1-800-877- 8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Invitation to Comment: We invite you to submit comments regarding this notice. To ensure that your comments have maximum effect in developing the notice of final priorities and definitions, we urge you to identify clearly the specific proposed priority or definition that each comment addresses. We invite you to assist us in complying with the specific requirements of Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 and their overall requirement of reducing regulatory burden that might result from these proposed priorities and definitions. Please let us know of any further ways we could reduce potential costs or increase potential benefits while preserving the effective and efficient administration of the program. During and after the comment period, you may inspect all public comments about this notice by accessing Regulations.gov. You may also inspect the comments in room 3E203, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20202, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, Monday through Friday of each week except Federal holidays. Please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities in Reviewing the Rulemaking Record: On request we will provide an appropriate accommodation or auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability who needs assistance to [[Page 12623]] review the comments or other documents in the public rulemaking record for this notice. If you want to schedule an appointment for this type of accommodation or auxiliary aid, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Purpose of Program: The Fulbright-Hays GPA Program supports short- term and long-term overseas projects in training, research, and curriculum development in modern foreign languages and area studies for groups of teachers, undergraduate and graduate students, and faculty engaged in a common endeavor. Fulbright-Hays GPA short-term projects (GPA short-term projects) may include seminars, curriculum development, or group research or study. Fulbright-Hays GPA long-term projects (GPA long-term projects) support advanced overseas intensive programs that focus on the humanities, social sciences, or languages. Program Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2452(b)(6). Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR parts 662 and 664. PROPOSED PRIORITIES: This notice contains two proposed priorities, one for GPA short- term projects and one for GPA long-term projects. Background: The U.S. Department of Education administers the Fulbright-Hays GPA Program under the authority of section 102(b)(6) of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (Fulbright-Hays Act), 22 U.S.C. 2452(b)(6). The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, which is presidentially appointed, sets policies and procedures for administering the program and exercises final approval over the selection of grantees and fellows for GPA short-term projects and GPA long-term projects. The objective of the Fulbright-Hays GPA Program is the promotion, improvement, and development of modern foreign languages and area studies at varying levels of education. To help achieve this objective, the program provides opportunities for faculty, teachers, and undergraduate and graduate students to conduct individual and group projects overseas to carry out research and study in the fields of modern foreign languages and area studies. There are three types of GPA short-term projects: (1) Short-term seminar projects of four to six weeks in length designed to increase the linguistic or cultural competency of U.S. students and educators by focusing on a particular aspect of area study, such as the culture of an area or country of study (34 CFR 664.11); (2) curriculum development projects of four to eight weeks in length that provide participants an opportunity to acquire resource materials for curriculum development in modern foreign language and area studies for use and dissemination in the United States (34 CFR 664.12); and (3) group research or study projects of three to twelve months in duration designed to give participants the opportunity to undertake research or study in a foreign country (34 CFR 664.13). GPA long-term projects are advanced overseas intensive language projects ranging in duration from eight weeks to four years. GPA long- term projects are designed to take advantage of the opportunities present in the foreign country that are not present in the United States when providing intensive advanced foreign language training (34 CFR 664.14). The Department's International Strategy for FY 2012-16, ``Succeeding Globally Through International Education and Engagement,'' available at http://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/internationaled/international-strategy-2012-16.html (U.S. Department of Education, 2012), reflects our commitment to preparing students for a more globalized world, and to engaging with the international community in order to improve education. The International Strategy's first objective is to ``increase the global competencies of all U.S. students, including those from traditionally disadvantaged groups.'' (U.S. Department of Education, 2012, p.5). Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) and community colleges are heavily populated by students from traditionally disadvantaged groups. Twenty-five percent or more of all high school graduates of color, who often are first- generation college attendees, enroll in community colleges as a way to begin their foray into higher education (Edsource, 2008). Research data indicate that minority students are less likely to have access to, or consider, academic programs that provide the requisite training for careers in international service, including study abroad and area studies (Tillman, 2010). Among the barriers preventing these students from pursuing international studies are a lack of exposure to international opportunities and a lack of access to information, including information about international careers (Belyavina and Bhandari, 2011). In addition, traditionally disadvantaged students often have the idea that study abroad is not for them and is a privilege for rich students (Martinez, Ranjeet, and Marx, 2009). Accordingly, the proposed priority for GPA short-term projects is intended to increase the number of applications from MSIs, community colleges, and new applicant institutions to provide access to life- changing opportunities that will prepare traditionally disadvantaged students for today's global economy. The proposed priority is designed to increase the number and types of students that benefit from these projects. By increasing applications from MSIs and community colleges, we expect these projects to benefit greater numbers of traditionally disadvantaged students. To further support the Department's objective of increasing the global competencies of all U.S. students, the proposed priority would expand the reach of the GPA short-term and long-term overseas projects by encouraging applications from new applicant institutions--that is, institutions or entities that have not previously been awarded either a GPA short-term or long-term project grant. Over the years, the Fulbright-Hays GPA Program has received applications from the same pool of applicants. This priority is an attempt to encourage applications from institutions that have not been awarded a GPA grant. The proposed priority for GPA short-term projects is intended to promote applications from State educational agencies (SEAs) in order to increase international learning opportunities for teachers and administrators from the corresponding State, who would work together on a research or curriculum development project that would benefit greater numbers of K-12 students. Historically, only a small number of SEAs have applied for GPA grants. Furthermore, while existing programs provide some individual educators with opportunities for foreign language learning, study abroad, and other international studies, there are few systemic opportunities for groups of K-12 educators and administrators from a State or local district to work together on a research or curriculum development project intended to build global competencies in their students. The proposed priority for GPA long-term projects is designed to increase the number of MSIs that become grantees under these projects, in order to increase their students' access to academic coursework, instructional activities, and training that would better prepare them for the 21st-century global economy, careers in international service, and for lifelong engagement [[Page 12624]] with the diverse communities in which they live, whether at home or abroad. Proposed Priorities: Proposed Priority 1--Applications for GPA Short-term Projects from Selected Institutions and Organizations. Applications for GPA short-term projects from the following types of institutions and organizations: [cir] Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) [cir] Community colleges [cir] New applicants [cir] State educational agencies (SEAs) Proposed Priority 2--Applications for GPA Long-term Projects from Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). Applications for GPA long-term advanced overseas intensive language training projects from MSIs. Types of Priorities: When inviting applications for a competition using one or more priorities, we designate the type of each priority as absolute, competitive preference, or invitational through a notice in the Federal Register. The effect of each type of priority follows: Absolute priority: Under an absolute priority, we consider only applications that meet the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(3)). Competitive preference priority: Under a competitive preference priority, we give competitive preference to an application by (1) awarding additional points, depending on the extent to which the application meets the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i)); or (2) selecting an application that meets the priority over an application of comparable merit that does not meet the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(ii)). Invitational priority: Under an invitational priority, we are particularly interested in applications that meet the priority. However, we do not give an application that meets the priority a preference over other applications (34 CFR 5.105(c)(1)). PROPOSED DEFINITIONS: The Assistant Secretary proposes the following definitions for this program. We may apply one or more of these definitions in any year in which this program is in effect. Background: We propose the following definitions to provide clarity for applicants addressing the proposed priorities. The proposed definitions for ``community colleges,'' ``MSIs,'' and ``SEAs'' are from section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA); sections 316 through 320 of part A of title III of the HEA; and 34 CFR 77.1, respectively. These proposed definitions will provide consistency across Department programs and will be familiar to applicants. For purposes of Proposed Priority 1, the proposed definition for ``new applicant'' is similar to the definition used in previous years and is designed to expand the reach of the GPA short-term projects to include institutions and entities that have not previously received a GPA grant. Definitions: Community college means an institution that meets the definition in section 312(f) of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1058(f)); or an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1001)) that awards degrees and certificates, more than 50 percent of which are not bachelor's degrees (or an equivalent). Minority-serving institution (MSI) means an institution that is eligible to receive assistance under sections 316 through 320 of part A of title III, under part B of title III, or under title V of the HEA. New applicant means any applicant that has not received a discretionary grant from the Department of Education under the Fulbright-Hays Act prior to the deadline date for applications under this program. State educational agency (SEA) means the State board of education or other agency or officer primarily responsible for the supervision of public elementary and secondary schools in a State. In the absence of this officer or agency, it is an officer or agency designated by the Governor or State law. Final Priorities and Definitions: We will announce the final priorities and definitions in a notice in the Federal Register. We will determine the final priorities and definitions after considering responses to this notice and other information available to the Department. This notice does not preclude us from proposing additional priorities, requirements, definitions, or selection criteria, subject to meeting applicable rulemaking requirements. Note: This notice does not solicit applications. In any year in which we choose to use one or more of these priorities and definitions, we invite applications through a notice in the Federal Register. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 Regulatory Impact Analysis Under Executive Order 12866, the Secretary must determine whether this proposed regulatory action is ``significant'' and, therefore, subject to the requirements of the Executive order and subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 defines a ``significant regulatory action'' as an action likely to result in a rule that may-- (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more, or adversely affect a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities in a material way (also referred to as an ``economically significant'' rule); (2) Create serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency; (3) Materially alter the budgetary impacts of entitlement grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles stated in the Executive order. This proposed regulatory action is not a significant regulatory action subject to review by OMB under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866. We have also reviewed this proposed regulatory action under Executive Order 13563, which supplements and explicitly reaffirms the principles, structures, and definitions governing regulatory review established in Executive Order 12866. To the extent permitted by law, Executive Order 13563 requires that an agency-- (1) Propose or adopt regulations only upon a reasoned determination that their benefits justify their costs (recognizing that some benefits and costs are difficult to quantify); (2) Tailor its regulations to impose the least burden on society, consistent with obtaining regulatory objectives and taking into account--among other things and to the extent practicable--the costs of cumulative regulations; (3) In choosing among alternative regulatory approaches, select those approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety, and other advantages; distributive impacts; and equity); (4) To the extent feasible, specify performance objectives, rather than the behavior or manner of compliance a regulated entity must adopt; and (5) Identify and assess available alternatives to direct regulation, including economic incentives--such as user fees or marketable permits--to encourage the desired behavior, or provide information that enables the public to make choices. Executive Order 13563 also requires an agency ``to use the best available techniques to quantify anticipated present and future benefits and costs as accurately as possible.'' The Office of [[Page 12625]] Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB has emphasized that these techniques may include ``identifying changing future compliance costs that might result from technological innovation or anticipated behavioral changes.'' We are issuing these proposed priorities and definitions only on a reasoned determination that their benefits would justify their costs. In choosing among alternative regulatory approaches, we selected those approaches that would maximize net benefits. Based on the analysis that follows, the Department believes that this regulatory action is consistent with the principles in Executive Order 13563. We also have determined that this regulatory action would not unduly interfere with State, local, and tribal governments in the exercise of their governmental functions. In accordance with both Executive orders, the Department has assessed the potential costs and benefits, both quantitative and qualitative, of this regulatory action. The potential costs are those resulting from statutory requirements and those we have determined as necessary for administering the Department's programs and activities. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, the Department provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This helps ensure that: the public understands the Department's collection instructions, respondents can provide the requested data in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the Department can properly assess the impact of collection requirements on respondents. The application package associated with Proposed Priority 1-- Applications for GPA Short-term Projects from Selected Institutions and Organizations--was previously approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB control number 1840-0792. Proposed Priority 1 and the proposed definitions will not change the currently approved application package, or the approved burden for the application package associated with the short-term projects. However, the application package associated with Proposed Priority 2--Applications for GPA Long- term Projects from Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs)--does not have a current OMB control number, and therefore, it will require OMB approval under 1840-xxxx. As required by the PRA, the Department is submitting to OMB, under OMB control number 1840-xxxx, an information collection clearance concurrently with the publication of this notice of proposed priorities and definition for long-term projects under CFDA number 84.021B. We estimate that each applicant would spend approximately 100 hours of staff time to address the proposed priorities and definitions, prepare the application, and obtain necessary clearances. The total number of hours for all applicants will vary based on the number of applications. Based on the number of applications the Department received in response to the February 23, 2012 notice inviting applications, we expect to receive approximately 150 applications. We expect each applicant to require 100 hours to complete a GPA long-term project application. Accordingly, the total number of hours for all expected applicants is an estimated 15,000 hours. We estimate the total cost per hour of the staff who carry out this work to be $80.00 per hour. The total estimated cost for all applicants would be $1,200,000.00. We have prepared an Information Collection Request (ICR) for this collection (1840-XXXX). If you want to review and comment on the ICR, please follow the instructions in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. Note: The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in OMB and the Department of Education review all comments posted at www.regulations.gov. In preparing your comments you may want to review the ICR, including the supporting materials, in www.regulations.gov by using the Docket ID number specified in this notice. This proposed collection is identified as proposed collection 1840-XXXX. We consider your comments on this proposed collection of information in-- Deciding whether the proposed collection is necessary for the proper performance of our functions, including whether the information will have practical use; Evaluating the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the proposed collection, including the validity of our methodology and assumptions; Enhancing the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information we collect; and Minimizing the burden on those who must respond. This includes exploring the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques. Between 30 and 60 days after publication of this document in the Federal Register, OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection of information contained in these proposed priorities and definitions. Therefore, to ensure that OMB gives your comments full consideration, it is important that OMB receives your comments on this ICR by April 11, 2016. This does not affect the deadline for your comments to us on the proposed priorities and definitions. If your comments relate to the ICR for these proposed priorities and definitions, please specify the Docket ID number and indicate ``Information Collection Comments'' on the top of your comments. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. One of the objectives of the Executive order is to foster an intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened federalism. The Executive order relies on processes developed by State and local governments for coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance. This document provides early notification of our specific plans and actions for this program. Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital System at: www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site. You may also access documents of the Department published in the Federal Register by using the article search feature at: www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department. [[Page 12626]] Dated: March 4, 2016. Lynn B. Mahaffie, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning and Innovation, Delegated the Duties of Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education. [FR Doc. 2016-05412 Filed 3-9-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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regarding officers, employees, and b. Remove items 14a and 14a. These items instructions for accessing agency
agents shall be identified, and are no longer required. documents, submitting comments, and
maintained by the entity, and shall be Part II. No changes are required. viewing the docket, is available on the
Part III. a. Change current item 26 to reflect
deemed to have been filed with FinCEN site under the ‘‘Help’’ tab.
two checkboxes to indicate ‘‘Individual’’ or
Form 114. Such records shall be ‘‘Entity’’ that applies to the information • Postal Mail, Commercial Delivery,
retained for a period of 5 years. entered in item 26a. or Hand Delivery: If you mail or deliver
* * * * * b. Rename the current item 26 to 26a ‘‘Last your comments about these proposed
■ 4. Revise § 1010.420 to read as
name or organization name of principal joint regulations, address them to Reha
follows:
owner. Mallory, Office of Postsecondary
Part IV. a. Change current item 34 to reflect Education, U.S. Department of
§ 1010.420 Records to be made and two checkboxes to indicate ‘‘Individual’’ or Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW.,
retained by persons having financial ‘‘Entity’’ that applies to the information Room 3E213, Washington, DC 20202.
interests in foreign financial accounts. entered in item 26a.
b. Rename the current item 34 to 34a ‘‘Last
Privacy Note: The Department’s
Records of accounts required by name or organization name of account owner. policy is to make all comments received
§ 1010.350 to be reported to the Part V. No changes are required. from members of the public available for
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network [FR Doc. 2016–04880 Filed 3–9–16; 8:45 am]
public viewing in their entirety on the
and the Commissioner of Internal Federal eRulemaking Portal at
BILLING CODE 4810–02–P
Revenue shall be retained by each www.regulations.gov. Therefore,
person having a financial interest in or commenters should be careful to
signature or other authority over any include in their comments only
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION information that they wish to make
such account. Such records shall
contain the name in which each such 34 CFR Chapter VI publicly available.
account is maintained, the number or FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
other designation of such account, the [Docket ID ED–2015–OPE–0134] Reha Mallory. Telephone: (202) 453–
name and address of the foreign 7502 or by email: reha.mallory@ed.gov.
Proposed Priorities and Definitions—
financial institution, or other foreign If you use a telecommunications
Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad
person engaged in the business of a device for the deaf or a text telephone,
Program—Short-Term Projects and
financial institution, with whom such call the Federal Relay Service, toll free,
Long-Term Projects
account is maintained, the type of such at 1–800–877–8339.
account, and the maximum value of CFDA Numbers: 84.021A and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
each such account during the reporting 84.021B. Invitation to Comment:
period. Such records shall be retained AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary We invite you to submit comments
for a period of 5 years and shall be kept Education, Department of Education. regarding this notice. To ensure that
at all times available for inspection as ACTION: Proposed priorities and your comments have maximum effect in
authorized by law. In the computation definitions. developing the notice of final priorities
of the period of 5 years, there shall be and definitions, we urge you to identify
disregarded any period beginning with SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for clearly the specific proposed priority or
a date on which the taxpayer is indicted Postsecondary Education proposes definition that each comment addresses.
or information instituted on account of priorities and definitions under the We invite you to assist us in
a willful attempt to evade or defeat Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad complying with the specific
Federal income tax, the filing of a false (Fulbright-Hays GPA) Program. The requirements of Executive Orders 12866
or fraudulent Federal income tax return, Assistant Secretary may use these and 13563 and their overall requirement
or failing to file a Federal income tax priorities and definitions for of reducing regulatory burden that
return, and ending with the date on competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2016 might result from these proposed
which final disposition is made of the and later years. We take this action to priorities and definitions. Please let us
criminal proceeding. focus Federal financial assistance on an know of any further ways we could
identified national need. We intend the reduce potential costs or increase
Jennifer Shasky Calvery, priorities to address a gap in the types potential benefits while preserving the
Director, Financial Crimes Enforcement of institutions, faculty, and students that effective and efficient administration of
Network. have historically benefitted from the program.
Note: The following appendix will not international education opportunities. During and after the comment period,
appear in the Code of Federal Regulations. DATES: We must receive your comments you may inspect all public comments
on or before April 11, 2016. about this notice by accessing
Appendix ADDRESSES: Submit your comments Regulations.gov. You may also inspect
The following changes to the current through the Federal eRulemaking Portal the comments in room 3E203, 400
Report of Foreign Bank and Financial or via postal mail, commercial delivery, Maryland Avenue SW., Washington, DC
Account(s) (FBAR), FinCEN 114, report are or hand delivery. We will not accept 20202, between the hours of 8:30 a.m.
required in order to implement the proposed comments submitted by fax or by email and 4:00 p.m., Washington, DC time,
changes outlined in the above Notice of or those submitted after the comment Monday through Friday of each week
Proposed Rule Making (NPRM). Comments to period. To ensure that we do not receive except Federal holidays. Please contact
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
the proposed changes are welcome. Please
duplicate copies, please submit your the person listed under FOR FURTHER
identify them separately from comments
comments only once. In addition, please INFORMATION CONTACT.
regarding the NPRM.
include the Docket ID at the top of your Assistance to Individuals with
Part I. a. Filer Information; Add item 2g
Primary Federal Regulator (this will be a comments. Disabilities in Reviewing the
dropdown box containing a list of primary • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to Rulemaking Record: On request we will
Federal Regulators). This item is required www.regulations.gov to submit your provide an appropriate accommodation
when item 2e ‘‘Fiduciary or other—Enter comments electronically. Information or auxiliary aid to an individual with a
type’’ is completed. on using Regulations.gov, including disability who needs assistance to
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Dated: March 4, 2016. populations who are geographically and monitoring of accredited
Lynn B. Mahaffie, isolated from existing recognized representatives, to ensure proper
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Veterans Service Organizations or who handling of claims. VA is seeking
Planning and Innovation, Delegated the may not be utilizing other recognized comment on the amount of time and the
Duties of Assistant Secretary for Veterans Service Organizations due to costs of persons’ time to show that the
Postsecondary Education. cultural barriers or lack of familiarity organization meets these requirements.
[FR Doc. 2016–05412 Filed 3–9–16; 8:45 am] with those organizations. VA’s Office of the General Counsel
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P First, the proposed rulemaking would accepts recognition requests via mail,
allow the Secretary of Veterans Affairs fax, or email.
to recognize Tribal organizations in a Signing Authority: The Secretary of
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS similar manner as the Secretary Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved
AFFAIRS recognizes State organizations. this document and authorized the
Specifically, the proposed rulemaking undersigned to sign and submit the
38 CFR Part 14 would consider applications from a document to the Office of the Federal
Tribal organization that is established Register for publication electronically as
Recognition of Tribal Organizations for and funded by one or more Tribal an official document of the Department
Representation of VA Claimants governments to be recognized for the of Veterans Affairs. Robert D. Snyder,
purpose of providing assistance on VA Interim Chief of Staff, approved this
AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.
benefit claims. In addition, the proposed document on March 3, 2016, for
ACTION: Notice of Tribal consultation. rulemaking would allow an employee of publication.
a Tribal government to become
SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Approved: March 3, 2016.
accredited through a recognized State
Affairs (VA) is considering issuing a William F. Russo,
organization in a similar manner as a
proposed rulemaking to amend its Director, Office of Regulation Policy &
county veterans’ service officer may
regulations concerning recognition of Management, Department of Veterans Affairs.
become accredited through a recognized
certain national, State, and regional or [FR Doc. 2016–05163 Filed 3–9–16; 8:45 am]
State organization. Finally, the proposed
local organizations for purposes of VA
rulemaking would extend office space BILLING CODE 8320–01–P
claims representation. Specifically, the
opportunities already granted to
proposed rulemaking would amend employees of State organizations who
VA’s regulations to expressly provide are accredited to national organizations
for the VA recognition of Tribal to similar employees of Tribal ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
organizations so that representatives of organizations. The intended effect of AGENCY
Tribal organizations may assist Native this proposed rule would be to improve
American claimants in the preparation, 40 CFR Part 52
access of Native American veterans to
presentation, and prosecution of their VA-recognized organizations and VA-
VA benefit claims. In addition, the [EPA–R05–OAR–2014–0658; FRL–9943–45–
accredited individuals who may assist Region 5]
proposed rule would allow an employee them on their benefit claims. The
of a Tribal government to become proposed rulemaking would not Air Plan Approval; Ohio; Base Year
accredited through a recognized State preempt Tribal law. This Tribal Emission Inventories for the 2008 8-
organization. consultation is seeking input from Hour Ozone Standard
DATES: Comments must be received by Tribal governments regarding VA’s
VA on or before April 11, 2016. consideration of the issuance of such AGENCY: Environmental Protection
proposed rulemaking. VA is also Agency (EPA).
ADDRESSES: Written comments should
be submitted by email at seeking comment on the potential ACTION: Proposed rule.
Tribalgovernmentconsultation@va.gov, compliance costs.
In order to become accredited as a SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection
by fax at 202–273–5716, or by mail at Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Tribal organization, the organization
must show that it meets the under the Clean Air Act (CAA), a State
Suite 915E, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Implementation Plan (SIP) revision
Washington, DC 20420. requirements in 38 CFR 14.628(d).
Pursuant to § 14.628(d), an organization submitted by the Ohio Environmental
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clay requesting recognition must have as a Protection Agency (OEPA) on July 18,
Ward, VA Office of Tribal Government primary purpose serving veterans; 2014, to address emission inventory
Relations at (202) 461–7445 (this is not demonstrate a substantial service requirements for the Cleveland-Akron-
a toll-free number), or by email at commitment to veterans either by Loraine, Ohio (OH) and Columbus, OH
Tribalgovernmentconsultation@va.gov, showing a sizable organizational ozone nonattainment areas and for the
or by mail at Suite 915B, 810 Vermont membership or by showing performance Ohio portion of the Cincinnati, Ohio-
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420. of veterans’ services to a sizable number Kentucky-Indiana ozone nonattainment
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VA is of veterans; commit a significant portion area under the 2008 ozone national
considering issuing a proposed of its assets to veterans’ services and ambient air quality standard. The CAA
rulemaking that would amend part 14 of have adequate funding to properly requires emission inventories for all
title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, to perform those services; maintain a ozone nonattainment areas. The
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
provide for the recognition of Tribal policy and capability of providing emission inventories contained in
organizations so that representatives of complete claims service to each Ohio’s July 18, 2014, submission meet
the organizations may assist Native claimant requesting representation or this CAA requirement. EPA is also
American claimants in the preparation, give written notice of any limitation in proposing to confirm that the state of
presentation, and prosecution of their its claims service with advice Ohio has acceptable stationary source
VA benefit claims. The purpose of the concerning the availability of alternative annual emission statement regulations,
proposed rulemaking would be to sources of claims service; and take which have been previously approved
address the needs of Native American affirmative action, including training by the EPA.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:18 Mar 09, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\10MRP1.SGM 10MRP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_12669/page/5.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-02 15:11:38
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 15:11:38
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Proposed Rules | |
| Action | Proposed priorities and definitions. | |
| Dates | We must receive your comments on or before April 11, 2016. | |
| Contact | Reha Mallory. Telephone: (202) 453- 7502 or by email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 12622 |
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