[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 13, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55192-55193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-23338]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

38 CFR Part 21

RIN 2900-AJ89


Increase in Rates Payable Under the Montgomery GI Bill--Active 
Duty

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Final rule; technical correction.

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SUMMARY: By statute, the monthly rates of basic educational assistance 
payable to veterans under the Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty must be 
adjusted each fiscal year. In a document published in the Federal 
Register on July 20, 2000 (65 FR 44979), we intended to amend the 
regulations governing rates of basic educational assistance payable 
under the Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty for fiscal year 2000 (October 
1, 1999, through September 30, 2000) to show a 1.6% increase in these 
rates in accordance with the statutory formula. Some of the published 
rates were incorrect. Accordingly, this document makes corrections to 
these rates.

DATES: Effective Date: This final rule is effective September 13, 2000.
    Applicability Date: However, the changes in rates are applied 
retroactively to conform to statutory requirements.
    For more information concerning the dates of applicability, see the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William G. Susling, Jr., Assistant 
Director for Policy and Program Development, Education Service (225C), 
Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, (202) 
273-7187.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The changes set forth in this final rule are 
effective from the date of publication, but the changes in rates are 
applied retroactively from October 1, 1999, in accordance with the 
applicable statutory provisions.
    Changes made by this final rule merely reflect statutory 
requirements and adjustments made based on previously established 
formulas. Accordingly, there is a basis for dispensing with prior 
notice and comment and delayed effective date provisions of 5 U.S.C. 
552 and 553.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs hereby certifies that this final 
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities as they are defined in the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612. This final rule directly affects 
only individuals and does not directly affect small entities. Pursuant 
to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), this final rule, therefore, is exempt from the 
initial and final regulatory flexibility analyses requirements of 
sections 603 and 604.

Unfunded Mandates

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act requires (in section 202) that 
agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and benefits before 
developing any rule that may result in an expenditure by State, local, 
or tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of 
$100 million or more in any given year. This rule would have no 
consequential

[[Page 55193]]

effect on State, local, or tribal governments.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Numbers

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for the 
program affected by this final rule is 64.124.

List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 21

    Administrative practice and procedure, Armed forces, Civil rights, 
Claims, Colleges and universities, Conflict of interests, Defense 
Department, Education, Employment, Grant programs-education, Grant 
programs-veterans, Health programs, Loan programs-education, Loan 
programs-veterans, Manpower training programs, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Schools, Travel and transportation 
expenses, Veterans, Vocational education, Vocational rehabilitation.

    Approved: September 5, 2000.
Thomas O. Gessel,
Director, Office of Regulations Management.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 38 CFR part 21, subpart K, 
is amended as follows:

PART 21--VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION

Subpart K--All Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program 
(Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty)

    1. The authority citation for part 21, subpart K continues to read 
as follows:

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), chs. 30, 36, unless otherwise 
noted.


Sec. 21.7136  [Amended]

    2. Section 21.7136 is amended by:
    A. In the chart in paragraph (b)(2), removing ``$187.50'' and 
adding, in its place, ``187.60''.
    B. In the chart in paragraph (c)(1), removing ``$216.00'' both 
places it appears and adding, in both place, ``$218.00''; and by 
removing ``$108.00'' and adding, in its place, ``109.00''.


Sec. 21.7137  [Amended]

    3. Section 21.7137 paragraph (a)(1), is amended in the chart by:
    A. Removing ``$543.00'' and adding, in its place, ``$543.50''.
    B. Removing ``$593.00'' and adding, in its place, ``$593.50''.
    C. Removing ``$395.00'' and adding, in its place, ``$395.50''.

[FR Doc. 00-23338 Filed 9-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P