[Federal Register: February 14, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 31)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 6875]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14fe02-22]                         

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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

45 CFR Part 2553

RIN 3045-AA31

 
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program; Amendments

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The amendments to the Regulation governing the Retired and 
Senior Volunteer Program include: improving access of persons with 
limited English speaking proficiency; and increasing sponsor 
flexibility to use project resources as needed.

DATES: These regulations take effect February 14, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John B. Keller, 202-606-5000, ext. 
285.

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 66 FR 56793, November 13, 
2001.

Summary of Main Comments

    In response to the Corporation's invitation in the NPRM, the 
Corporation received 41 letter and/or email responses. Of these, 30 
were in full support of the proposed rule, 3 sought clarification, and 
8 opposed the proposed rule. The eight opposing the proposed rule 
voiced specific objection to the following Section:
    Section 2553.72 (e), How much of the grant must be budgeted to pay 
volunteer expenses or cost reimbursements?
    Comments: The eight opposing the proposed rule to eliminate the 
requirement that cost reimbursements for RSVP volunteers be an amount 
equal to at least 25 percent of the Corporation funds, objected because 
they feared it would permit the sponsor to use RSVP funds for purposes 
unrelated to RSVP.
    Response: The Corporation response is that all funds approved in 
the grant award must be used for purposes set forth in the grant 
application, and may not be used for purposes unrelated to RSVP.

Impact of Various Acts and Executive Orders

    After carefully reviewing the changes implemented by this 
amendment, it has been determined that (1) This is not a significant 
regulatory action under section 3(f)(4) of Executive Order 12866, 
``Regulatory Planning and Review''; and (2) The Regulatory Flexibility 
Act does not apply because there is no ``significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities''; (3) The Unfunded Mandates Act 
of 1995 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) The Paperwork Reduction Act does 
not apply because the amendments do not impose any additional reporting 
or record-keeping requirements; (5) 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) 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.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 45 CFR Part 2553 is 
revised to read as follows:

PART 2553--THE RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

    1. The authority citation for part 2553 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4950 et seq.

    2. Revise Sec. 2553.23(c)(2)(iv) to read as follows:


Sec. 2553.23  What are a sponsor's program responsibilities?

* * * * *
    (c) *  *  *
    (2) *  *  *
    (iv) That states the station assures it will not discriminate 
against RSVP volunteers or in the operation of its program on the basis 
of race; color; national origin, including individuals with limited 
English proficiency; sex; age; political affiliation; religion; or on 
the basis of disability, if the participant or member is a qualified 
individual with a disability; and
* * * * *


Sec. 2553.72  [Amended]

    3. In Sec. 2553.72, remove paragraph (e).
    4. Revise Sec. 2553.73(i) to read as follows:


Sec. 2553.73  What are grants management requirements?

* * * * *
    (i) Written Corporation State Office approval/concurrence is 
required for a change in the approved service area.

    Dated: February 8, 2002.
Tess Scannell,
Director, National Senior Service Corps.
[FR Doc. 02-3601 Filed 2-13-02; 8:45 am]
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