[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 176 (Monday, September 11, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54790-54791]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-23167]


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AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

22 CFR Part 203


Registration of Agencies for Voluntary Foreign Aid

AGENCY: United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule amends USAID regulations on Registration of 
Agencies for Voluntary Foreign Aid. Registration is required for U.S. 
private and voluntary organizations (PVO) to become eligible for most 
USAID grant funds. The final rule clarifies registration conditions by 
adding an express criterion for denying or withdrawing registration.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 11, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Newton, Registrar, Office of 
Private and Voluntary Cooperation, USAID, telephone 202-712-4747; 
telefax (202) 216-3041.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Agency for International 
Development's registration process identifies PVOs engaged in foreign 
assistance operations and determines whether they meet established 
criteria to be eligible for resources intended for PVOs. Registration 
is the initial criterion of eligibility for U.S. PVOs to compete for 
most forms of USAID assistance. Registration is not required for 
organizations working under contract with USAID. The regulation at 22 
CFR Part 203 was published as a final rule January 21, 1983 (48 FR 
2760). After operating under the regulation for a number of years it 
has been determined that part 203 needs revision and clarification. 
Under its required procedures, the Agency has conducted a review of the 
PVO registration process and determined that the final rule is 
necessary to ensure the Agency identifies suitable, qualified PVOs for 
registration. The final rule will clarify the Conditions of 
Registration and Documentation Requirements to identify which U.S.-
based PVOs are eligible for USAID resources. USAID has determined that 
the final rule will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, 
on the relationship between the national Government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government. Therefore, it is determined that this proposal 
would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. 
USAID has determined also that 5 U.S.C. 553 and Executive Order 12866 
are not applicable to this final rule because its subject matter 
involves foreign affairs functions of the United States. This final 
rule will have no significant economic impact on a substantial number 
of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, nor does it 
establish any collection of information as contemplated by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act.

List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 203

    Foreign aid, Nonprofit organizations, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    Accordingly 22 CFR Part 203 is amended as follows:

PART 203--REGISTRATION OF AGENCIES FOR VOLUNTARY FOREIGN AID

    1. The authority citation for Part 203 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: Sec. 621, Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended 
(22 U.S.C. 2381).

    2. Section 203.2 is amended by adding new paragraph (i) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 203.2  Conditions of registration and documentation requirements 
for U.S. private and voluntary organizations.

* * * * *
    (i) Condition and documentation requirement no. 9--(1) Condition. 
That the applicant is not:

[[Page 54791]]

    (i) Suspended or debarred by an agency of the United States 
Government;
    (ii) Designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the 
Secretary of State pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act, as amended; or
    (iii) The subject of a decision by the Department of State to the 
effect that registration, or a financial relationship between USAID and 
the organization, is contrary to the national defense, national 
security, or foreign policy interests of the United States.
    (2) Documentation requirement. None.

    Dated: September 5, 2000.
Hugh Q. Parmer,
Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Humanitarian Response, United 
States Agency for International Development.
[FR Doc. 00-23167 Filed 9-8-00; 8:45 am]
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