[Federal Register: October 7, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 195)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 52399-52400] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 34 CFR Parts 607, 608, 609, 628, 636, 637, 645, 647, 649, 650, 655, 658, 660, 661, and 669 RIN 1840-AC38 Removal of Regulations AGENCY: Department of Education. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Secretary proposes to amend the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to remove certain regulations effective September 30, 1997. The regulations proposed to be removed are 34 CFR parts 607 (Strengthening Institutions Program), 608 (Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program), 609 (Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions Program), 628 (Endowment Challenge Grant Program), 636 (Urban Community Service Program), 637 (Minority Science Improvement Program), 645 (Upward Bound Program), 647 (Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program), 649 (Patricia Roberts Harris Fellowship Program), 650 (Jacob K. Javits Fellowship Program), 655 (International Education Programs-- General Provisions), 658 (Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program), 660 (The International Research and Studies Program), 661 (Business and International Education Program), and 669 (Language Resource Centers Program). As a result of a review in accordance with the President's regulatory reinvention initiative, the Secretary has determined that these regulations will no longer be needed after September 30, 1997. DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 6, 1996. ADDRESSES: All comments concerning these proposed regulations should be addressed to Alan Schiff, Office of Postsecondary Education, U.S. Department of Education, Suite 600, Portals Bldg., 600 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Schiff, Office of Postsecondary Education, U.S. Department of Education at the address above or telephone: (202) 708-9027. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: President Clinton's memorandum of March 4, 1995, titled ``Regulatory Reinvention Initiative,'' directed heads of departments and agencies to review all existing regulations to eliminate those that are outdated and modify others to increase flexibility and reduce burden. These programs will be administered on the basis of the applicable statute, the Education Department General Administrative Regulations and, in the case of parts 658 and 660, the remaining regulations in those parts. The removal of these regulations does not alter the obligations of current recipients of federal funds. The regulations in effect when a grant or other agreement is made govern that grant or agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided. Parts 637, 658, 660, 661, and 669 were previously included in a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published on July 16, 1996 (61 FR 37184) that proposed amendments to these parts and the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) governing discretionary grant programs. The July 16 amendments proposed to establish new general EDGAR selection criteria for use by discretionary grant programs and to remove regulatory provisions made unnecessary by the amendments. No public comments were received on the proposed amendments to parts 637, 658, 660, 661, and 669. [[Page 52400]] Upon further review, the Secretary has determined that parts 637, 661, and 669 and additional sections of parts 658 and 660 can be removed. Since these changes are more extensive than the changes previously proposed, they are included in this NPRM for public comment and will not be included in final regulations based on the July 16 NPRM. The Department is continuing to review its other existing regulations thoroughly in consultation with its customers and partners. To the extent the Secretary can identify further opportunities for regulatory reinvention, the Secretary will propose appropriate amendments to revise or eliminate outdated provisions, reduce burden, and increase flexibility. Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification The Secretary certifies that these proposed regulations would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The removal of the regulations listed in this document would not have a significant economic impact on any of the entities affected. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 These regulations have been examined under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and have been found to contain no information collection requirements. Intergovernmental Review Some of the programs that would be affected by these regulations are subject to the requirements of Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. The objective of the Executive order is to foster an intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened federalism by relying on processes developed by State and local governments for coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance. In accordance with the order, this document is intended to provide early notification of the Department's specific plans and actions for these programs. Invitation To Comment Interested persons are invited to submit comments and recommendations regarding these proposed regulations. All comments submitted in response to these proposed regulations will be available for public inspection, during and after the comment period, in room 5100, FB-10, 600 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday of each week except Federal holidays. Assessment of Educational Impact The Secretary particularly requests comments on whether the proposed regulatory changes in this document would require transmission of information that is being gathered by or is available from any other agency or authority of the United States. List of Subjects 334 CFR Part 607 Colleges and universities, Grant programs--education. 34 CFR Part 608 Colleges and universities, Grant programs--education. 34 CFR Part 609 Colleges and universities, Grant programs--education. 34 CFR Part 628 Colleges and universities, Grant programs--education. 34 CFR Part 636 Colleges and universities, Grant programs--education. 34 CFR Part 637 Colleges and universities, Grant programs--education, Minority groups, Science and technology, Women. 34 CFR Part 645 Colleges and universities, Grant programs--education, Student aid. 34 CFR Part 647 Colleges and universities, Grant programs--education, Student aid. 34 CFR Part 649 Colleges and universities, Grant programs--education, Scholarships and fellowships, Student aid. 34 CFR Part 650 Colleges and universities, Grant programs--education, Scholarships and fellowships, Student aid. 34 CFR Part 655 Colleges and universities, Foreign relations, Grant programs-- education. 34 CFR Part 658 Colleges and universities, Educational study program, Foreign relations, Grant programs--education, Teachers. 34 CFR Part 660 Colleges and universities, Educational research, Foreign relations, Grant programs--education. 34 CFR Part 661 Business and industry, Colleges and universities, Exports, Foreign relations, Foreign trade, Grant programs--education. 34 CFR Part 669 Colleges and universities, Educational research, Foreign relations, Grant programs--education, Teachers. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance numbers do not apply.) Dated: September 30, 1996. David A. Longanecker, Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education. For reasons stated in the preamble, under the authority at 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3, the Secretary proposes to amend Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, chapter VI, as follows: PARTS 607, 608, 609, 628, 636, 637, 645, 647, 649, 650, 655, 661, and 669--[REMOVED] 1. Parts 607, 608, 609, 628, 636, 637, 645, 647, 649, 650, 655, 661, and 669 are removed. PART 658--UNDERGRADUATE INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAM 2. The authority citation for part 658 continues to read as follows: Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1124, unless otherwise noted. Secs. 658.1, 658.2, 658.3, 658.4, 658.10, 658.11, 658.12, 658.30, 658.31, 658.32, 658.33, 658.34, 658.35, 658.41 [Removed] 3. Part 658 is amended by removing Secs. 658.1, 658.2, 658.3, 658.4, 658.10, 658.11, 658.12, 658.30, 658.31, 658.32, 658.33, 658.34, 658.35, and 658.41 and by removing and reserving subparts A, B, and D. PART 660--THE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AND STUDIES PROGRAM 4. The authority citation for part 660 continues to read as follows: Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1125, unless otherwise noted. Secs. 660.1, 660.3, 660.4, 660.30, 660.31, 660.32, 660.33 [Removed] 5. Part 660 is amended by removing Secs. 660.1, 660.3, 660.4, 660.30, 660.31, 660.32, and 660.33. [FR Doc. 96-25440 Filed 10-04-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P