83 FR 15740 - Repeal of Benefits for Hostages in Iraq, Kuwait, or Lebanon

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 71 (April 12, 2018)

In accordance with Executive Order 13771 of January 30, 2017, which addresses agency review of existing regulations, including those that may be outmoded or ineffective, the State Department is repealing the regulations on Benefits for Hostages in Iraq, Kuwait, or Lebanon. The current regulations, which relate to hostage benefits for U.S. nationals in Iraq, Kuwait, or Lebanon were established in 1990, and are outdated as the program funding has been eliminated.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 71 (Thursday, April 12, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15740-15741]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07074]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

22 CFR Part 193

[Public Notice: 10381]
RIN 1400-AD31


Repeal of Benefits for Hostages in Iraq, Kuwait, or Lebanon

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Executive Order 13771 of January 30, 2017, 
which addresses agency review of existing regulations, including those 
that may be outmoded or ineffective, the State Department is repealing 
the regulations on Benefits for Hostages in Iraq, Kuwait, or Lebanon. 
The current regulations, which relate to hostage benefits for U.S. 
nationals in Iraq, Kuwait, or Lebanon were established in 1990, and are 
outdated as the program funding has been eliminated.

DATES: This rule is effective on April 12, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colleen Flood, Office of Legal 
Affairs, Overseas Citizen Services, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C. 
Street NW, SA-17A, Washington, DC 20520, (202) 485-6070, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule removes 22 CFR part 193 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations, which relates to limited monetary payments 
and federal life and health insurance benefits as a humanitarian 
gesture to certain U.S. nationals held hostage in Kuwait, Iraq, or 
Lebanon, and to the family members thereof, subject to specified 
funding and other limitations. The authorization to obligate funds 
under Section 599C of

[[Page 15741]]

Public Law 101-513 expired on May 5, 1991.
    The 1992-1993 Foreign Relations Authorization Act amended the 
Hostage Relief Act of 1990 to extend both the period of time during 
which the benefits were available and the eligibility criteria. In 
addition, section 302 contained two additional changes with respect to 
hostages captured in Lebanon. Section 302(a)(3) provided that health 
and life insurance benefits were available under certain circumstances 
for the period of the individual's hostage status, plus a 60-month 
period following the termination of hostage status. Previously, these 
benefits expired 12 months after the termination of hostage status, 
which remained the law with respect to hostages held in Iraq and 
Kuwait.
    Title 22 CFR part 193 implemented these statutes, and described the 
classes of persons who could apply for benefits under the Act and the 
procedures according to which such applications will be processed by 
the Department of State.
    The funds allocated for the benefits have been depleted; in 
addition, given the way the beneficiaries are defined, no one is able 
to qualify for these benefits any longer. Therefore, the Department of 
State is repealing part 193.

Regulatory Analysis and Notices

Administrative Procedure Act

    This action is being taken as a final rule pursuant to the ``good 
cause'' provision of 5 U.S.C. 553(b). It is the position of the 
Department that notice and comment are not necessary in light of the 
fact that part 193 is obsolete. There is no authority for these rules.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    It is hereby certified that the repeal of these regulations will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 
605(b), because the issues addressed are not of an economic nature. In 
addition, the repeal of this regulation does not have federalism 
implications under E.O. 13132.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 
1532, generally requires agencies to prepare a statement before 
proposing any rule that may result in an annual expenditure of $100 
million or more by State, local, or tribal governments, or by the 
private sector. This rule will not result in any such expenditure, nor 
will it significantly or uniquely affect small governments.

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    The Department of State has reviewed this rule to ensure its 
consistency with the regulatory philosophy and principles set forth in 
Executive Order 12866 and has determined that the benefits of this 
regulation justify its costs. The Department does not consider this 
rule to be an economically significant action within the scope of 
section 3(f)(1) of the Executive Order since it is not likely to have 
an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or to adversely 
affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, 
competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, 
local or tribal governments or communities. This rule is not an E.O. 
13771 regulatory action because this rule is not significant under E.O. 
12866.

Federalism

    This regulation will not have substantial direct effects on the 
States, on the relationship between the national government and the 
States, or the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government. Nor will the rule have federalism 
implications warranting the application of Executive Orders 12372 and 
No. 13132.

Civil Justice Reform

    The Department has reviewed the regulations in light of sections 
3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988 to eliminate ambiguity, 
minimize litigation, establish clear legal standards, and reduce 
burden.

Consultations With Tribal Governments

    The Department has determined that this rulemaking will not have 
Tribal implications, will not impose substantial direct compliance 
costs on Indian Tribal governments, and will not pre-empt Tribal law. 
Accordingly, the requirements of Executive Order 13175 do not apply to 
this rulemaking.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule does not impose information collection requirements under 
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

PART 193--[REMOVED]

0
Accordingly, under the authority of 22 U.S.C. 2651a(a)(4) and Executive 
Orders 13563, 13771 and 13777, 22 CFR part 193 is removed.;

Carl C. Risch,
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2018-07074 Filed 4-11-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4710-06-P