[Federal Register: April 19, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 75)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 20830-20831]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19ap04-16]
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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
45 CFR Part 2553
RIN 3045-AA29
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program; Amendments
AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: These amendments to the regulations governing the Retired and
Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) modify provisions concerning the
allowability of certain volunteer expense items. The specific
amendments are as follows: Sec. Sec. 2553.43 and 2553.73(d) are
modified to allow project funds, including the required non-Federal
share, to be used to reimburse volunteers for expenses, including
transportation costs, incurred while performing volunteer assignments,
and for purchase of equipment or supplies for volunteers on assignment.
DATES: These amendments are effective as of April 19, 2004.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter L. Boynton, 202-606-5000, ext.
499.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corporation published a notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for the Retired and Senior Volunteer
Program, 45 CFR part 2553, in the Federal Register at 69 FR 6228, dated
February 10, 2004.
Summary of Main Comments
In response to the Corporation's invitation in the notice of
proposed rulemaking, the Corporation received 12 responses addressing
the proposed amendments to the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
rules. 11 responses expressed support for the proposed amendments, and
one expressed partial support. Reasons for favoring the amendments
included: (a) The need for flexibility for an RSVP project to run its
own programs; (b) creation of more options for volunteer placement; (c)
improved ability to meet certain community needs; and (d)
transportation needs and costs in rural areas. Related comments and the
Corporation's responses follow:
[[Page 20831]]
Comment: Grantees should not be allowed to use project funds to pay
for assignment-related equipment and supplies used by volunteers; these
should remain the responsibility of the volunteer station.
Response: Under the modified regulation, grantees are free to
establish their own policies regarding which assignment-related
expenses volunteer stations must be responsible under the memorandum of
understanding between the grantee and the volunteer station.
Comment: The requirement to specify each expense in the Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) may impose additional administrative burden on
the grantee and the volunteer station.
Response: Since the MOU is the document that defines the respective
responsibilities of the grantee and the volunteer station, the
Corporation believes it is the appropriate document in which to
describe the expenses for which each party to the MOU is responsible.
Impact of Various Acts and Executive Orders
After carefully reviewing the changes implemented by this
amendment, and after coordination with the Office of Management and
Budget, it was determined that:
(1) This was a significant regulatory action under section 3(f)(4)
of Executive Order 12866 ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' and
required a review by the Office of Management and Budget;
(2) The Corporation hereby certifies that the Regulatory
Flexibility Act does not apply because there is no ``significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities'';
(3) That the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. chapter
25, subchapter II) does not apply because the amendment does not result
in any annual expenditures of $100 million by State, local, Indian
tribal governments or the private sector;
(4) That the Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the
amendments do not impose any additional reporting or record-keeping
requirements;
(5) That the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of
1996 does not apply because it is not a major rule as defined by
section 251 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
of 1996, and would not result in an annual effect on the economy of
$100 million or more; result in an increase in cost or prices; or have
significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment,
productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based
companies to compete with foreign-based companies in domestic and
export markets; and
(6) That Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism'' does not apply
because it would not have substantial direct effects on the States or
the relationship between the national government and the States.
List of Subjects in 45 CFR Part 2553
Aged, Grant programs--social programs, Volunteers.
0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Corporation for National
and Community Service amends 45 CFR part 2553 as follows:
PART 2553--THE RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
0
1. The authority citation for part 2553 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4950 et seq.
0
2. In Sec. 2553.43, add a new paragraph (e) to read as follows:
Sec. 2553.43 What cost reimbursements are provided to RSVP
volunteers?
* * * * *
(e) Other volunteer expenses. RSVP volunteers may be reimbursed for
expenses incurred while performing their volunteer assignments provided
these expenses are described in the Memorandum of Understanding
negotiated with the volunteer station to which the volunteer is
assigned.
Sec. 2553.73 [Amended]
0
3. In Sec. 2553.73, remove paragraph (d) and redesignate paragraphs
(e) through (i) as paragraphs (d) through (h).
Dated: April 7, 2004.
Tess Scannell,
Director, National Senior Service Corps.
[FR Doc. 04-8403 Filed 4-16-04; 8:45 am]