[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 75 (Monday, April 19, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20830-20831]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8403]


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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]
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