82_FR_48831 82 FR 48630 - Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance-Coverage Amendment

82 FR 48630 - Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance-Coverage Amendment

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 201 (October 19, 2017)

Page Range48630-48632
FR Document2017-22667

This document amends Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regulations governing the Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) program in order to provide VMLI-eligible individuals the option to lower their premiums by purchasing less than the minimum coverage amount required under current VA regulations. The final rule also amends current VA regulations to reflect that the statutory maximum amount of coverage available under the VMLI program was previously increased to $200,000, to define the term ``eligible individual,'' and to clarify that eligibility for VMLI coverage has been extended to include servicemembers as well as veterans.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 201 (Thursday, October 19, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 201 (Thursday, October 19, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48630-48632]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22667]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

38 CFR Part 8a

RIN 2900-AP49


Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance--Coverage Amendment

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document amends Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 
regulations governing the Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) 
program in order to provide VMLI-eligible individuals the option to 
lower their premiums by purchasing less than the minimum coverage 
amount required under current VA regulations. The final rule also 
amends current VA regulations to reflect that the statutory maximum 
amount of coverage available under the VMLI program was previously 
increased to $200,000, to define the term ``eligible individual,'' and 
to clarify that eligibility for VMLI coverage has been extended to 
include servicemembers as well as veterans.

DATES: Effective October 19, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeanne King, Department of Veterans 
Affairs Regional Office and Insurance Center (310/290B), 5000 
Wissahickon Avenue, P.O. Box 8079, Philadelphia, PA 19101, (215) 842-
2000, ext. 4839 (this is not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) 
program was established in 1971, to provide mortgage protection 
insurance to service-disabled veterans who receive Specially Adapted 
Housing Grants from VA. Section 2106(g) of title 38 of the United 
States Code mandates that the amount of VMLI in force shall be the 
amount necessary to pay the covered mortgage indebtedness in full, 
except as limited by section 2106(b) or ``regulations prescribed by the 
Secretary under this section.'' Section 2106(b) currently limits the 
amount of VMLI available to $200,000. VA has prescribed a regulation to 
reduce the amount of VMLI coverage required. Until VA exercised this 
regulatory authority, program participants were required to carry an 
amount of insurance equal to the lesser of $200,000 or the unpaid 
principal of their mortgage. This requirement caused some eligible 
individuals to forego any VMLI protection. Therefore, VA amended its 
regulations to permit program participants to carry VMLI in an amount 
less than both the $200,000 statutory maximum and the amount necessary 
to pay the covered mortgage indebtedness in full.
    The comment period for the proposed rule ended on December 19, 
2016, and VA received one comment. The commenter recommended that VA 
mandate a minimum amount of coverage that insureds should be required 
to purchase, in order to decrease the likelihood that the balance of 
the mortgage still owed after death would be burdensome for the 
insured's survivors. VA believes that it is preferable for veterans to 
participate in the VMLI program to the extent they can financially, 
rather than potentially foregoing coverage entirely because they cannot 
afford the mandatory-minimum amount required by VA. If an eligible 
individual opts out of the program because the cost to carry a mandated 
minimum amount of coverage was too costly, his or her survivors could 
ultimately be forced to assume an even greater indebtedness than if the 
individual carried some VMLI coverage. Therefore, the final rule is 
being adopted as is without any changes, and provides that VMLI 
insureds may select a level of coverage that is most appropriate in 
addressing their own unique financial circumstances.
    The final rule amends the regulations to reflect that the maximum 
coverage amount is currently $200,000. It also provides a definition 
for the term ``eligible individual'' and clarifies that both 
servicemembers and veterans are entitled to apply for coverage under 
the program. Additionally, the final rule provides for one technical 
change to 38 CFR 8a.2(b)(8).

Unfunded Mandates

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C. 
1532, that agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and 
benefits before issuing any rule that may result in an expenditure by 
State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the 
private sector, of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for 
inflation) in any one year. This final rule would have no such effect 
on State, local, and tribal governments or on the private sector.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This final rule contains no provisions constituting a collection of 
information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-
3521).

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, when 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, and other advantages; distributive impacts; 
and equity). Executive Order 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory 
Review) emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility. 
Executive Order 12886 (Regulatory Planning and Review) defines a 
``significant regulatory action,'' which requires

[[Page 48631]]

review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), unless OMB waives 
such review, as ``any regulatory action that is likely to result in a 
rule that may: (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million 
or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of 
the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public 
health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or 
communities; (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere 
with an action taken or planned by another agency; (3) Materially alter 
the budgetary impact of entitlements, 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 set forth in this Executive 
Order.''
    The economic, interagency, budgetary, legal, and policy 
implications of this regulatory action have been examined, and it has 
been determined not to be a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866. VA's impact analysis can be found as a 
supporting document at www.regulations.gov, usually within 48 hours 
after the rulemaking document is published. Additionally, a copy of the 
rulemaking and its impact analysis are available on VA's Web site at 
www.va.gov/orpm/, by following the link for ``VA Regulations Published 
From FY 2004 Through Fiscal Year to Date.''

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs hereby certifies that this final 
rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities as they are defined in the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612. This final rule would directly 
affect only individuals and would not directly affect any small 
entities. Therefore, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), this rulemaking is 
exempt from the initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis 
requirements of sections 603 and 604.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number and title for the 
program affected by this document is 64.103, Life Insurance for 
Veterans.

List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 8a

    Life insurance, Mortgage insurance, Veterans.

Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Gina S. 
Farrisee, Deputy Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, 
approved this document on August 24, 2017, for publication.

    Dated: October 16, 2017.
Michael Shores,
Director, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of the 
Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, VA amends 38 CFR part 8a as 
set forth below:

PART 8a--VETERANS MORTGAGE LIFE INSURANCE

0
1. The authority citation for part 8a continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  38 U.S.C. 501, and 2101 through 2106, unless 
otherwise noted.

0
2. Amend Sec.  8a.1 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (a), remove ``veteran'' each place it appears and add 
in its place ``individual'';
0
b. In paragraph (b), remove ``veterans'' the second time it appears and 
add in its place ``individuals'';
0
c. Revise paragraph (c);
0
d. In paragraph (d) and paragraph (e) introductory text, remove 
``veteran'' and add in its place ``individual'';
0
e. Add paragraph (f); and
0
f. Add an authority citation to the end of the section.
    The revision and additions read as follows:


Sec.  8a.1  Definitions.

* * * * *
    (c) The term initial amount of insurance means the amount of 
insurance selected by the insured, which may be less than the statutory 
maximum of $200,000 and less than the amount necessary to pay the 
mortgage indebtedness in full.
* * * * *
    (f) The term eligible individual means a person who has been 
determined by the Secretary to be eligible for benefits pursuant to 38 
U.S.C. chapter 21.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101, 2101A, 2106)


0
3. Amend Sec.  8a.2 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (a), remove ``veteran'' each place it appears and add 
in its place ``individual''; add ``an initial amount of insurance'' 
between ``authorized'' and ``up''; and remove ``$90,000'' and add in 
its place ``$200,000''.
0
b. Revise paragraph (b)(1);
0
c. In paragraphs (b)(2) through (6), remove ``veteran'' each place it 
appears and add in its place ``individual'';
0
d. In paragraph (b)(7), remove ``veterans'' each place it appears and 
add in its place ``individuals'';
0
e. In paragraph (b)(8), remove ``veterans'' and add in its place 
``individuals''; remove ``(date of final publication)'' and add in its 
place ``December 24, 1987''; and remove ``veteran'' and add in its 
place ``individual''.
0
f. In paragraph (c), remove ``veteran'' and add in its place 
``individual''; and
0
g. Revise the authority citation at the end of section.
    The revision reads as follows:


Sec.  8a.2  Maximum amount of insurance.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) $200,000.
* * * * *

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101, 2101A, 2106)


0
4. Amend Sec.  8a.3 as follows:
0
a. In paragraphs (a) and (b), remove ``veteran'' each place it appears 
and add in its place ``individual'';
0
b. In paragraph (c), remove ``a veteran'' and add in its place ``an 
individual'', and remove ``the veteran'' each place it appears and add 
in its place ``the individual'';
0
c. In paragraphs (d) and (e), remove ``veteran'' each place it appears 
and add in its place ``individual''; and
0
d. Add an authority citation to the end of the section.
    The addition reads as follows:


Sec.  8a.3  Effective date.

* * * * *

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101, 2101A, 2106)


0
5. Amend Sec.  8a.4 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (b), remove ``$90,000'' each place it appears and add 
in its place ``$200,000''; remove ``available to'' each place it 
appears and add in its place ``selected by''; and remove ``veteran'' 
each place it appears and add in its place ``individual'';
0
b. In paragraph (c), remove ``$90,000'' and add in its place 
``$200,000''; remove ``available to'' and add in its place ``selected 
by''; remove ``eligible veteran'' each place it appears and add in its 
place ``eligible individual''; and remove ``a veteran'' and add in its 
place ``an individual''; and
0
c. Revise the authority citation at the end of section.
    The revision reads as follows:


Sec.  8a.4  Coverage.

* * * * *

[[Page 48632]]


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101, 2101A, 2106)


[FR Doc. 2017-22667 Filed 10-18-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P



                                             48630            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 201 / Thursday, October 19, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                             group’s income, deductions, gain, loss,                 regulations governing the Veterans’                   the VMLI program to the extent they can
                                             basis, or other items.                                  Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI)                        financially, rather than potentially
                                                (3) Manner of making election. An                    program in order to provide VMLI-                     foregoing coverage entirely because they
                                             Institution or consolidated group makes                 eligible individuals the option to lower              cannot afford the mandatory-minimum
                                             the election provided by this paragraph                 their premiums by purchasing less than                amount required by VA. If an eligible
                                             (c) by including a written statement as                 the minimum coverage amount required                  individual opts out of the program
                                             a part of the taxpayer’s or consolidated                under current VA regulations. The final               because the cost to carry a mandated
                                             group’s first annual federal income tax                 rule also amends current VA regulations               minimum amount of coverage was too
                                             return filed on or after October 19, 2017.              to reflect that the statutory maximum                 costly, his or her survivors could
                                             The statement must contain the                          amount of coverage available under the                ultimately be forced to assume an even
                                             following legend at the top of the page:                VMLI program was previously increased                 greater indebtedness than if the
                                             ‘‘THIS IS AN ELECTION UNDER                             to $200,000, to define the term ‘‘eligible            individual carried some VMLI coverage.
                                             § 1.597–7(c),’’ and must contain the                    individual,’’ and to clarify that                     Therefore, the final rule is being
                                             name, address, and taxpayer                             eligibility for VMLI coverage has been                adopted as is without any changes, and
                                             identification number of the taxpayer or                extended to include servicemembers as                 provides that VMLI insureds may select
                                             agent for the group making the election.                well as veterans.                                     a level of coverage that is most
                                             The statement must include a                            DATES: Effective October 19, 2017.                    appropriate in addressing their own
                                             declaration that ‘‘TAXPAYER AGREES                      FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      unique financial circumstances.
                                             TO EXTEND THE STATUTE OF                                Jeanne King, Department of Veterans                      The final rule amends the regulations
                                             LIMITATIONS ON ASSESSMENT FOR                           Affairs Regional Office and Insurance                 to reflect that the maximum coverage
                                             THREE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF                            Center (310/290B), 5000 Wissahickon                   amount is currently $200,000. It also
                                             THE FILING OF THIS ELECTION                             Avenue, P.O. Box 8079, Philadelphia,                  provides a definition for the term
                                             UNDER § 1.597–7(c), IF THE                              PA 19101, (215) 842–2000, ext. 4839                   ‘‘eligible individual’’ and clarifies that
                                             LIMITATIONS PERIOD WOULD                                (this is not a toll-free number).                     both servicemembers and veterans are
                                             EXPIRE EARLIER WITHOUT SUCH                                                                                   entitled to apply for coverage under the
                                                                                                     SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
                                             EXTENSION, FOR ANY ITEMS                                                                                      program. Additionally, the final rule
                                                                                                     Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance
                                             AFFECTED IN ANY TAXABLE YEAR                                                                                  provides for one technical change to 38
                                                                                                     (VMLI) program was established in
                                             BY THE FILING OF THIS ELECTION,’’                                                                             CFR 8a.2(b)(8).
                                                                                                     1971, to provide mortgage protection
                                             and a declaration that either                           insurance to service-disabled veterans                Unfunded Mandates
                                             ‘‘AMENDED RETURNS WILL BE FILED                         who receive Specially Adapted Housing
                                             FOR ALL TAXABLE YEARS AFFECTED                                                                                   The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
                                                                                                     Grants from VA. Section 2106(g) of title              of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C. 1532, that
                                             BY THE FILING OF THIS ELECTION                          38 of the United States Code mandates
                                             WITHIN 180 DAYS OF MAKING THIS                                                                                agencies prepare an assessment of
                                                                                                     that the amount of VMLI in force shall                anticipated costs and benefits before
                                             STATEMENT, UNLESS SUCH                                  be the amount necessary to pay the
                                             REQUIREMENT IS WAIVED IN                                                                                      issuing any rule that may result in an
                                                                                                     covered mortgage indebtedness in full,                expenditure by State, local, and tribal
                                             WRITING BY THE INTERNAL                                 except as limited by section 2106(b) or
                                             REVENUE SERVICE’’ or ‘‘ALL                                                                                    governments, in the aggregate, or by the
                                                                                                     ‘‘regulations prescribed by the Secretary             private sector, of $100 million or more
                                             RETURNS PREVIOUSLY FILED ARE                            under this section.’’ Section 2106(b)
                                             CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS                                                                                (adjusted annually for inflation) in any
                                                                                                     currently limits the amount of VMLI                   one year. This final rule would have no
                                             OF §§ 1.597–1 THROUGH 1.597–6.’’ An                     available to $200,000. VA has
                                             election with respect to a consolidated                                                                       such effect on State, local, and tribal
                                                                                                     prescribed a regulation to reduce the                 governments or on the private sector.
                                             group must be made by the agent for the                 amount of VMLI coverage required.
                                             group, not an Agency, and applies to all                Until VA exercised this regulatory                    Paperwork Reduction Act
                                             members of the group.                                   authority, program participants were                    This final rule contains no provisions
                                             Kirsten Wielobob,                                       required to carry an amount of                        constituting a collection of information
                                             Deputy Commissioner for Services and                    insurance equal to the lesser of $200,000             under the Paperwork Reduction Act of
                                             Enforcement.                                            or the unpaid principal of their                      1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–3521).
                                               Approved: August 22, 2017.                            mortgage. This requirement caused
                                                                                                     some eligible individuals to forego any               Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
                                             David J. Kautter,
                                             Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy.                     VMLI protection. Therefore, VA                           Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
                                                                                                     amended its regulations to permit                     direct agencies to assess all costs and
                                             [FR Doc. 2017–21129 Filed 10–18–17; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                     program participants to carry VMLI in                 benefits of available regulatory
                                             BILLING CODE 4830–01–P
                                                                                                     an amount less than both the $200,000                 alternatives and, when regulation is
                                                                                                     statutory maximum and the amount                      necessary, to select regulatory
                                                                                                     necessary to pay the covered mortgage                 approaches that maximize net benefits
                                             DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS                                  indebtedness in full.                                 (including potential economic,
                                             AFFAIRS                                                    The comment period for the proposed                environmental, public health and safety
                                                                                                     rule ended on December 19, 2016, and                  effects, and other advantages;
                                             38 CFR Part 8a
                                                                                                     VA received one comment. The                          distributive impacts; and equity).
                                             RIN 2900–AP49                                           commenter recommended that VA                         Executive Order 13563 (Improving
                                                                                                     mandate a minimum amount of                           Regulation and Regulatory Review)
                                             Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance—
rmajette on DSKBCKNHB2PROD with RULES




                                                                                                     coverage that insureds should be                      emphasizes the importance of
                                             Coverage Amendment                                      required to purchase, in order to                     quantifying both costs and benefits,
                                             AGENCY:    Department of Veterans Affairs.              decrease the likelihood that the balance              reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and
                                             ACTION:   Final rule.                                   of the mortgage still owed after death                promoting flexibility. Executive Order
                                                                                                     would be burdensome for the insured’s                 12886 (Regulatory Planning and
                                             SUMMARY:This document amends                            survivors. VA believes that it is                     Review) defines a ‘‘significant
                                             Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)                     preferable for veterans to participate in             regulatory action,’’ which requires


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                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 201 / Thursday, October 19, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                           48631

                                             review by the Office of Management and                  submit the document to the Office of the              ■  d. In paragraph (b)(7), remove
                                             Budget (OMB), unless OMB waives such                    Federal Register for publication                      ‘‘veterans’’ each place it appears and
                                             review, as ‘‘any regulatory action that is              electronically as an official document of             add in its place ‘‘individuals’’;
                                             likely to result in a rule that may: (1)                the Department of Veterans Affairs. Gina              ■ e. In paragraph (b)(8), remove
                                             Have an annual effect on the economy                    S. Farrisee, Deputy Chief of Staff,                   ‘‘veterans’’ and add in its place
                                             of $100 million or more or adversely                    Department of Veterans Affairs,                       ‘‘individuals’’; remove ‘‘(date of final
                                             affect in a material way the economy, a                 approved this document on August 24,                  publication)’’ and add in its place
                                             sector of the economy, productivity,                    2017, for publication.                                ‘‘December 24, 1987’’; and remove
                                             competition, jobs, the environment,                       Dated: October 16, 2017.                            ‘‘veteran’’ and add in its place
                                             public health or safety, or State, local,               Michael Shores,                                       ‘‘individual’’.
                                             or tribal governments or communities;                   Director, Office of Regulation Policy &               ■ f. In paragraph (c), remove ‘‘veteran’’
                                             (2) Create a serious inconsistency or                   Management, Office of the Secretary,                  and add in its place ‘‘individual’’; and
                                             otherwise interfere with an action taken                Department of Veterans Affairs.                       ■ g. Revise the authority citation at the
                                             or planned by another agency; (3)                         For the reasons stated in the                       end of section.
                                             Materially alter the budgetary impact of                preamble, VA amends 38 CFR part 8a as
                                             entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan                                                                         The revision reads as follows:
                                                                                                     set forth below:
                                             programs or the rights and obligations of                                                                     § 8a.2       Maximum amount of insurance.
                                             recipients thereof; or (4) Raise novel                  PART 8a—VETERANS MORTGAGE                             *     *    *    *              *
                                             legal or policy issues arising out of legal             LIFE INSURANCE
                                             mandates, the President’s priorities, or                                                                        (b) * * *
                                             the principles set forth in this Executive              ■ 1. The authority citation for part 8a                 (1) $200,000.
                                             Order.’’                                                continues to read as follows:                         *     *    *    *              *
                                                The economic, interagency,                             Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, and 2101                  (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101, 2101A,
                                             budgetary, legal, and policy                            through 2106, unless otherwise noted.                 2106)
                                             implications of this regulatory action                  ■  2. Amend § 8a.1 as follows:
                                             have been examined, and it has been                     ■  a. In paragraph (a), remove ‘‘veteran’’            ■  4. Amend § 8a.3 as follows:
                                             determined not to be a significant                      each place it appears and add in its                  ■  a. In paragraphs (a) and (b), remove
                                             regulatory action under Executive Order                 place ‘‘individual’’;                                 ‘‘veteran’’ each place it appears and add
                                             12866. VA’s impact analysis can be                      ■ b. In paragraph (b), remove ‘‘veterans’’            in its place ‘‘individual’’;
                                             found as a supporting document at                       the second time it appears and add in                 ■ b. In paragraph (c), remove ‘‘a
                                             www.regulations.gov, usually within 48                  its place ‘‘individuals’’;                            veteran’’ and add in its place ‘‘an
                                             hours after the rulemaking document is                  ■ c. Revise paragraph (c);                            individual’’, and remove ‘‘the veteran’’
                                             published. Additionally, a copy of the                  ■ d. In paragraph (d) and paragraph (e)               each place it appears and add in its
                                             rulemaking and its impact analysis are                  introductory text, remove ‘‘veteran’’ and             place ‘‘the individual’’;
                                             available on VA’s Web site at                           add in its place ‘‘individual’’;                      ■ c. In paragraphs (d) and (e), remove
                                             www.va.gov/orpm/, by following the                      ■ e. Add paragraph (f); and
                                                                                                                                                           ‘‘veteran’’ each place it appears and add
                                             link for ‘‘VA Regulations Published                     ■ f. Add an authority citation to the end
                                                                                                                                                           in its place ‘‘individual’’; and
                                             From FY 2004 Through Fiscal Year to                     of the section.
                                                                                                        The revision and additions read as                 ■ d. Add an authority citation to the end
                                             Date.’’                                                                                                       of the section.
                                                                                                     follows:
                                             Regulatory Flexibility Act                                                                                       The addition reads as follows:
                                                                                                     § 8a.1   Definitions.
                                                The Secretary of Veterans Affairs                                                                          § 8a.3       Effective date.
                                                                                                     *     *     *    *     *
                                             hereby certifies that this final rule                     (c) The term initial amount of                      *        *       *       *     *
                                             would not have a significant economic                   insurance means the amount of
                                             impact on a substantial number of small                                                                       (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101, 2101A,
                                                                                                     insurance selected by the insured,                    2106)
                                             entities as they are defined in the                     which may be less than the statutory
                                             Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601–               maximum of $200,000 and less than the                 ■  5. Amend § 8a.4 as follows:
                                             612. This final rule would directly affect              amount necessary to pay the mortgage                  ■  a. In paragraph (b), remove ‘‘$90,000’’
                                             only individuals and would not directly                 indebtedness in full.                                 each place it appears and add in its
                                             affect any small entities. Therefore,                                                                         place ‘‘$200,000’’; remove ‘‘available to’’
                                                                                                     *     *     *    *     *
                                             pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), this                                                                             each place it appears and add in its
                                                                                                       (f) The term eligible individual means
                                             rulemaking is exempt from the initial                   a person who has been determined by                   place ‘‘selected by’’; and remove
                                             and final regulatory flexibility analysis               the Secretary to be eligible for benefits             ‘‘veteran’’ each place it appears and add
                                             requirements of sections 603 and 604.                   pursuant to 38 U.S.C. chapter 21.                     in its place ‘‘individual’’;
                                             Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance                                                                        ■ b. In paragraph (c), remove ‘‘$90,000’’
                                                                                                     (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101, 2101A,
                                                                                                     2106)                                                 and add in its place ‘‘$200,000’’; remove
                                               The Catalog of Federal Domestic
                                                                                                     ■  3. Amend § 8a.2 as follows:                        ‘‘available to’’ and add in its place
                                             Assistance number and title for the
                                                                                                     ■  a. In paragraph (a), remove ‘‘veteran’’            ‘‘selected by’’; remove ‘‘eligible veteran’’
                                             program affected by this document is
                                                                                                     each place it appears and add in its                  each place it appears and add in its
                                             64.103, Life Insurance for Veterans.
                                                                                                     place ‘‘individual’’; add ‘‘an initial                place ‘‘eligible individual’’; and remove
                                             List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 8a                      amount of insurance’’ between                         ‘‘a veteran’’ and add in its place ‘‘an
rmajette on DSKBCKNHB2PROD with RULES




                                               Life insurance, Mortgage insurance,                   ‘‘authorized’’ and ‘‘up’’; and remove                 individual’’; and
                                             Veterans.                                               ‘‘$90,000’’ and add in its place                      ■ c. Revise the authority citation at the
                                                                                                     ‘‘$200,000’’.                                         end of section.
                                             Signing Authority                                       ■ b. Revise paragraph (b)(1);                            The revision reads as follows:
                                               The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or                 ■ c. In paragraphs (b)(2) through (6),
                                             designee, approved this document and                    remove ‘‘veteran’’ each place it appears              § 8a.4       Coverage.
                                             authorized the undersigned to sign and                  and add in its place ‘‘individual’’;                  *        *       *       *     *


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                                             48632            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 201 / Thursday, October 19, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                             (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101, 2101A,                 Mail Contract 339 (MC2017–167 and                     Priority Mail & First-Class Package
                                             2106)                                                   CP2017–260); August 17, 2017, Priority                Service Contract 56 (MC2017–198 and
                                             [FR Doc. 2017–22667 Filed 10–18–17; 8:45 am]            Mail Express, Priority Mail & First-Class             CP2017–299); September 22, 2017,
                                             BILLING CODE 8320–01–P
                                                                                                     Package Service Contract 21 (MC2017–                  Priority Mail Contract 356 (MC2017–199
                                                                                                     168 and CP2017–261); August 18, 2017,                 and CP2017–302); September 22, 2017,
                                                                                                     Priority Mail Contract 340 (MC2017–169                Priority Mail Contract 357 (MC2017–200
                                                                                                     and CP2017–262); August 29, 2017,                     and CP2017–303); September 22, 2017,
                                             POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
                                                                                                     Priority Mail Contract 341 (MC2017–171                Priority Mail & First-Class Package
                                             39 CFR Part 3020                                        and CP2017–272); August 29, 2017,                     Service Contract 57 (MC2017–201 and
                                                                                                     First-Class Package Service Contract 78               CP2017–304); September 22, 2017,
                                             [Docket Nos. MC2010–21 and CP2010–36]                   (MC2017–172 and CP2017–273); August                   Priority Mail Express & Priority Mail
                                                                                                     29, 2017, Priority Mail & Frist-Class                 Contract 51 (MC2017–202 and CP2017–
                                             Update to Product Lists
                                                                                                     Package Service Contract 51 (MC2017–                  305); September 26, 2017, First-Class
                                             AGENCY:    Postal Regulatory Commission.                173 and CP2017–274); August 30, 2017,                 Package Service Contract 81 (MC2017–
                                             ACTION:   Final rule.                                   Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail &                203 and CP2017–310); September 27,
                                                                                                     First-Class Package Service Contract 22               2017, Global Expedited Package
                                             SUMMARY:  The Commission is updating                    (MC2017–177 and CP2017–278); August                   Services 8 (MC2017–183 and CP2017–
                                             the product lists. This action reflects a               30, 2017, Priority Mail & First-Class                 284).
                                             publication policy adopted by                           Package Service Contract 52 (MC2017–                    This document identifies updates to
                                             Commission order. The referenced                        174 and CP2017–275); August 30, 2017,                 the market dominant and the
                                             policy assumes periodic updates. The                    Priority Mail & First-Class Package                   competitive product lists, which appear
                                             updates are identified in the body of                   Service Contract 53 (MC2017–175 and                   as 39 CFR Appendix A to Subpart A of
                                             this document. The product lists, which                 CP2017–276); August 30, 2017, Priority                Part 3020—Market Dominant Product
                                             are re-published in its entirety, include               Mail Contract 342 (MC2017–176 and                     List and 39 CFR Appendix B to Subpart
                                             these updates.                                          CP2017–277); August 31, 2017, Priority                A of Part 3020—Competitive Product
                                             DATES: Effective date: October 19, 2017.                Mail Contract 343 (MC2017–178 and                     List, respectively. Publication of the
                                               For applicability dates, see                          CP2017–279); August 31, 2017, Priority                updated product lists in the Federal
                                             SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.                              Mail Contract 344 (MC2017–179 and                     Register is addressed in the Postal
                                             FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        CP2017–280); September 8, 2017,                       Accountability and Enhancement Act
                                             David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at                  Priority Mail Contract 345 (MC2017–180                (PAEA) of 2006.
                                             202–789–6800.                                           and CP2017–281); September 8, 2017,                     Authorization. The Commission
                                                                                                     Priority Mail Contract 346 (MC2017–181                process for periodic publication of
                                             SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                     and CP2017–282); September 8, 2017,                   updates was established in Docket Nos.
                                             Applicability Dates                                     Priority Mail Contract 347 (MC2017–182                MC2010–21 and CP2010–36, Order No.
                                               July 13, 2017, Priority Mail & First-                 and CP2017–283); September 19, 2017,                  445, April 22, 2010, at 8.
                                             Class Package Service Contract 47                       Priority Mail Contract 348 (MC2017–184                  Changes. The product lists are being
                                             (MC2017–154 and CP2017–218); July                       and CP2017–285); September 19, 2017,                  updated by publishing replacements in
                                             17, 2017, Parcel Select Contract 22                     Priority Mail Contract 349 (MC2017–185                their entirety of 39 CFR Appendix A to
                                             (MC2017–155 and CP2017–219); July                       and CP2017–286); September 19, 2017,                  Subpart A of Part 3020—Market
                                             19, 2017, Priority Mail Contract 332                    Priority Mail Contract 350 (MC2017–186                Dominant Product List and 39 CFR
                                             (MC2017–156 and CP2017–220); July                       and CP2017–287); September 19, 2017,                  Appendix B to Subpart A of Part 3020—
                                             20, 2017, Priority Mail Contract 333                    Priority Mail Contract 351 (MC2017–187                Competitive Product List. The following
                                             (MC2017–157 and CP2017–221); July                       and CP2017–288); September 19, 2017,                  products are being added, removed, or
                                             20, 2017, Transferring First-Class Mail                 Priority Mail Contract 352 (MC2017–188                moved within the product lists:
                                             Parcels to the Competitive Product List                 and CP2017–289); September 20, 2017,                  Market Dominant Product List
                                             (MC2015–7); July 24, 2017, Priority Mail                Priority Mail & First-Class Package                     1. Transferring First-Class Mail
                                             Contract 334 (MC2017–158 and                            Service Contract 54 (MC2017–192 and                   Parcels to the Competitive Product List
                                             CP2017–222); July 31, 2017, Priority                    CP2017–293); September 20, 2017, First-               (MC2015–7) (Order No. 4009), moved
                                             Mail Express, Priority Mail & First-Class               Class Package Service Contract 79                     July 20, 2017.
                                             Package Service Contract 20 (MC2017–                    (MC2017–193 and CP2017–294);
                                             159 and CP2017–223); August 7, 2017,                    September 20, 2017, Priority Mail                     Competitive Product List
                                             Priority Mail Contract 335 (MC2017–161                  Contract 353 (MC2017–189 and                            1. Priority Mail & First-Class Package
                                             and CP2017–226); August 7, 2017,                        CP2017–290); September 20, 2017,                      Service Contract 47 (MC2017–154 and
                                             Priority Mail & First Class Package                     Priority Mail Express Contract 50                     CP2017–218) (Order No. 3998), added
                                             Service Contract 48 (MC2017–160 and                     (MC2017–190 and CP2017–291);                          July 13, 2017.
                                             CP2017–225); August 8, 2017, Priority                   September 20, 2017, Priority Mail                       2. Parcel Select Contract 22 (MC2017–
                                             Mail Contract 337 (MC2017–163 and                       Express & Priority Mail Contract 50                   155 and CP2017–219) (Order No. 4004),
                                             CP2017–228); August 8, 2017, Priority                   (MC2017–191 and CP2017–292);                          added July 17, 2017.
                                             Mail & First-Class Package Service                      September 21, 2017, First-Class Package                 3. Priority Mail Contract 332
                                             Contract 49 (MC2017–164 and CP2017–                     Service Contract 80 (MC2017–194 and                   (MC2017–156 and CP2017–220) (Order
                                             229); August 14, 2017, Priority Mail                    CP2017–295); September 21, 2017,                      No. 4007), added July 19, 2017.
rmajette on DSKBCKNHB2PROD with RULES




                                             Contract 338 (MC2017–166 and                            Priority Mail & First-Class Package                     4. Priority Mail Contract 333
                                             CP2017–246); August 14, 2017, Priority                  Service Contract 55 (MC2017–195 and                   (MC2017–157 and CP2017–221) (Order
                                             Mail & First-Class Package Service                      CP2017–296); September 21, 2017,                      No. 4008), added July 20, 2017.
                                             Contract 50 (MC2017–165 and CP2017–                     Priority Mail Contract 354 (MC2017–196                  5. Transferring First-Class Mail
                                             245); August 15, 2017, Priority Mail                    and CP2017–297); September 21, 2017,                  Parcels to the Competitive Product List
                                             Contract 336 (MC2017–162 and                            Priority Mail Contract 355 (MC2017–197                (MC2015–7) (Order No. 4009), moved
                                             CP2017–227); August 17, 2017, Priority                  and CP2017–298); September 21, 2017,                  July 20, 2017.


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Document Created: 2017-10-19 02:56:32
Document Modified: 2017-10-19 02:56:32
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesEffective October 19, 2017.
ContactJeanne King, Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office and Insurance Center (310/290B), 5000 Wissahickon Avenue, P.O. Box 8079, Philadelphia, PA 19101, (215) 842- 2000, ext. 4839 (this is not a toll-free number).
FR Citation82 FR 48630 
RIN Number2900-AP49
CFR AssociatedLife Insurance; Mortgage Insurance and Veterans

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