Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Amendments, 7230-7232 [2020-01717]

Download as PDF jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES 7230 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 26 / Friday, February 7, 2020 / Rules and Regulations abuse or violation, including an act involving the targeting of civilians through the commission of an act of violence, abduction or enforced disappearance, forced displacement, or an attack on a school, hospital, religious site, or location where civilians are seeking refuge; (G) the use or recruitment of children by armed groups or armed forces in the context of the armed conflict in Mali; (H) the illicit production or trafficking of narcotics or their precursors originating or transiting through Mali; (I) trafficking in persons, smuggling migrants, or trafficking or smuggling arms or illicitly acquired cultural property; or (J) any transaction or series of transactions involving bribery or other corruption, such as the misappropriation of Malian public assets or expropriation of private assets for personal gain or political purposes; (ii) to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order; or (iii) to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order. (b) The prohibitions in subsection (a) of this section apply except to the extent provided by statutes, or in regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this order, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the date of this order. Sec. 2. The unrestricted immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States of aliens determined to meet one or more of the criteria in section 1 of this order would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and the entry of such persons into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, is hereby suspended, except where the Secretary of State determines that the person’s entry is in the national interest of the United States, including when the Secretary so determines based on a recommendation of the Attorney General, that the person’s entry would further important United States law enforcement objectives. Such persons shall be treated as persons covered by section 1 of Proclamation 8693 of July 24, 2011 (Suspension of Entry of Aliens Subject to United Nations Security Council Travel Bans and International Emergency Economic Powers Act Sanctions). Sec. 3. I hereby determine that the making of donations of the types of articles specified in section 203(b)(2) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(2)) by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to section 1 of this order would seriously impair my ability to deal with the national emergency declared in this order, and I hereby prohibit such donations as provided by section 1 of this order. Sec. 4. The prohibitions in section 1 of this order include but are not limited to: (a) The making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:12 Feb 06, 2020 Jkt 250001 or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order; and (b) the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. Sec. 5. (a) Any transaction that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited. (b) Any conspiracy formed to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited. Sec. 6. For the purposes of this order: (a) The term ‘‘person’’ means an individual or entity; (b) the term ‘‘entity’’ means a partnership, association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group, subgroup, or other organization; and (c) the term ‘‘United States person’’ means any United States citizen, permanent resident alien, entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including foreign branches), or any person in the United States. Sec. 7. For those persons whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order who might have a constitutional presence in the United States, I find that because of the ability to transfer funds or other assets instantaneously, prior notice to such persons of measures to be taken pursuant to this order would render those measures ineffectual. I therefore determine that for these measures to be effective in addressing the national emergency declared in this order, there need be no prior notice of a listing or determination made pursuant to section 1 of this order. Sec. 8. The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including promulgating rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA and the UNPA as may be necessary to implement this order. The Secretary of the Treasury may, consistent with applicable law, redelegate any of these functions within the Department of the Treasury. All agencies of the United States Government shall take all appropriate measures within their authority to carry out the provisions of this order. Sec. 9. The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is hereby authorized to submit the recurring and final reports to the Congress on the national emergency declared in this order, consistent with section 40l(c) of the NEA (50 U.S.C. 164l(c)) and section 204(c) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1703(c)). Sec. 10. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) The authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. DONALD J. TRUMP THE WHITE HOUSE, July 26, 2019. Dated: January 30, 2020. Andrea Gacki, Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control. Approved: Dated: February 3, 2020. Justin G. Muzinich, Deputy Secretary, Department of the Treasury. [FR Doc. 2020–02441 2–6–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4810–AL–P DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 38 CFR Parts 36 and 42 RIN 2900–AQ85 Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Amendments Department of Veterans Affairs. Final rule. AGENCY: ACTION: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is providing public notice of inflationary adjustments to the maximum civil monetary penalties assessed or enforced by VA, as implemented by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, for calendar year 2020. VA may impose civil monetary penalties for false loan guaranty certifications. Also, VA may impose civil monetary penalties for fraudulent claims or written statements made in connection with VA programs generally. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, sets forth a formula that increases the maximum statutory amounts for civil monetary penalties and directs VA to give public notice of the new maximum amounts by regulation. Accordingly, VA is providing notice of the calendar year 2020 inflationary adjustments that increase maximum civil monetary penalties from $22,927 to $23,331 for false loan guaranty certifications and from $11,463 to $11,665 for fraudulent claims or written statements made in connection with VA programs generally. DATES: Effective Date: This rule is effective February 7, 2020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Li, Chief, Regulations Team, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\07FER1.SGM 07FER1 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 26 / Friday, February 7, 2020 / Rules and Regulations Loan Guaranty Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420, (202) 632– 8862. (This is not a toll-free number.) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 2, 2015, the President signed into law the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (2015 Act) (Pub. L. 114–74, sec. 701, 129 Stat. 599), which amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101– 410, 104 Stat. 890), to improve the effectiveness of civil monetary penalties and to maintain their deterrent effect. The 2015 Act was codified in a note following 28 U.S.C. 2461. The 2015 Act requires agencies to publish annual adjustments for inflation, based on the percent change between the Consumer Price Index (defined in the Act as the Consumer Price Index for all-urban consumers (CPI–U) published by the Department of Labor) for the month of October preceding the date of the adjustment and the prior year’s October CPI–U. 28 U.S.C. 2461 note, secs. 4(a) and (b) and 5(b)(1). This rule implements the 2020 calendar year inflation adjustment amounts. Under 38 U.S.C. 3710(g)(4)(B), VA is authorized to levy civil monetary penalties against private lenders that originate VA-guaranteed loans if a lender falsely certifies that they have complied with certain credit information and loan processing standards, as set forth by chapter 37, title 38 U.S.C. and part 36, title 38 CFR. Under section 3710(g)(4)(B), any lender who knowingly and willfully makes such a false certification shall be liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty equal to two times the amount of the Secretary’s loss on the loan involved or to another appropriate amount, not to exceed $10,000, whichever is greater. VA implemented the penalty amount in 38 CFR 36.4340(k)(1)(i) and (k)(3). On December 16, 2019, OMB issued Circular M–20– 05. This circular reflects that the October 2018 CPI–U was 252.855 and the October 2019 CPI–U was 257.346, resulting in an inflation adjustment multiplier of 1.01764. Accordingly, the calendar year 2020 inflation revision imposes an adjustment from $22,927 to $23,331. Under 31 U.S.C. 3802, VA can impose monetary penalties against any person who makes, presents, or submits a claim or written statement to VA that the person knows or has reason to know is false, fictitious, or fraudulent, or who engages in other covered conduct. The statute permits, in addition to any other remedy that may be prescribed by law, VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:12 Feb 06, 2020 Jkt 250001 a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each claim. 31 U.S.C. 3802(a)(1) and (2). VA implemented the penalty amount in 38 CFR 42.3(a)(1) and (b)(1). As previously noted, Circular M–20–05 reflects an inflation adjustment multiplier of 1.01764. Therefore, the calendar year 2020 inflation revision imposes an adjustment from $11,463 to $11,665. Accordingly, VA is revising 38 CFR 36.4340(k)(1)(i) and (3) and 38 CFR 42.3(a)(1) and (b)(1) to reflect the 2020 inflationary adjustments for civil monetary penalties assessed or enforced by VA. Administrative Procedure Act The Secretary of Veterans Affairs finds that there is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and (d)(3) to dispense with the opportunity for prior notice and public comment and to publish this rule with an immediate effective date. The 2015 Act requires agencies to make annual adjustments for inflation to the allowed amounts of civil monetary penalties ‘‘notwithstanding section 553 of title 5, United States Code.’’ 28 U.S.C. 2461 note, sec. 4(a) and (b). The penalty adjustments, and the methodology used to determine the adjustments, are set by the terms of the 2015 Act. VA has no discretion to make changes in those areas. Therefore, an opportunity for prior notice and public comment and a delayed effective date is unnecessary. Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 13771 Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, when regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, and other advantages; distributive impacts; and equity). Executive Order 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review) emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has determined that this rule is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. VA’s impact analysis can be found as a supporting document at https:// www.regulations.gov, usually within 48 hours after the rulemaking document is published. Additionally, a copy of the rulemaking and its impact analysis are available on VA’s website at https:// www.va.gov/orpm/, by following the link for ‘‘VA Regulations Published PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 7231 From FY 2004 Through Fiscal Year to Date.’’ This rule is not an Executive Order 13771 regulatory action because this rule is not significant under Executive Order 12866. Unfunded Mandates The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C. 1532, that agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and benefits before issuing any rule that may result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for inflation) in any one year. This final rule will have no such effect on State, local, and tribal governments, or on the private sector. Paperwork Reduction Act This final rule contains no provisions constituting a collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–3521). Regulatory Flexibility Act The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. (RFA), imposes certain requirements on Federal agency rules that are subject to the notice and comment requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. 553(b). This final rule is exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the APA because the 2015 Act directed the Department to issue the annual adjustments without regard to section 553 of the APA. Therefore, the requirements of the RFA applicable to notice and comment rulemaking do not apply to this rule. Accordingly, the Department is not required either to certify that the final rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities or to conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number and title for the program affected by this document is 64.114, Veterans Housing Guaranteed and Insured Loans. Congressional Review Act Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs designated this rule as not a major rule, as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). List of Subjects 38 CFR Part 36 Condominiums, Housing, Individuals with disabilities, Loan programs— housing and community development, Loan programs—veterans, Manufactured E:\FR\FM\07FER1.SGM 07FER1 7232 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 26 / Friday, February 7, 2020 / Rules and Regulations homes, Mortgage insurance, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Veterans. 38 CFR Part 42 Signing Authority The Secretary of Veterans Affairs approved this document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Pamela Powers, Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this document on January 14, 2020, for publication. Jeffrey M. Martin, Assistant Director, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs. For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Department of Veterans Affairs amends 38 CFR parts 36 and 42 as set forth below: PART 36—LOAN GUARANTY 1. The authority citation for part 36 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501 and 3720. [Amended] 2. In § 36.4340, amend paragraphs (k)(1)(i) introductory text and (k)(3) by removing ‘‘$22,927’’ and adding in its place ‘‘$23,331’’ ■ PART 42—STANDARDS IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAM FRAUD CIVIL REMEDIES ACT 3. The authority citation for part 42 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: Pub. L. 99–509, secs. 6101– 6104, 100 Stat. 1874, codified at 31 U.S.C. 3801–3812. § 42.3 [Amended] 4. In § 42.3, amend paragraphs (a)(1)(iv) and (b)(1)(ii) by removing ‘‘$11,463’’ and adding in its place ‘‘$11,665’’. ■ [FR Doc. 2020–01717 Filed 2–6–20; 8:45 am] jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES BILLING CODE 8320–01–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:12 Feb 06, 2020 Jkt 250001 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA–R06–OAR–2018–0770; FRL–10004– 01–Region 6] Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Fraud, Penalties. § 36.4340 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Withdrawal of Finding of Substantial Inadequacy of Implementation Plan and of Call for Texas State Implementation Plan Revision— Affirmative Defense Provisions Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Final action. AGENCY: Pursuant to the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 Regional Administrator finds that the affirmative defense provisions in the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the State of Texas applicable to excess emissions that occur during certain upset events and unplanned maintenance, startup, and shutdown activities are consistent with CAA requirements. Accordingly, EPA Region 6 is withdrawing the SIP call issued to Texas that was published on June 12, 2015. This action is limited to the SIP call issued to Texas and does not otherwise change or alter the EPA’s June 12, 2015 action. DATES: This final action is effective on March 9, 2020. ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID No. EPA–R06–OAR–2018–0770. All documents in the docket are listed on the https://www.regulations.gov website. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., Confidential Business Information or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically through https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the EPA Region 6 Office, 1201 Elm Street, Suite 500, Dallas, Texas 75270. SUMMARY: Mr. Alan Shar, EPA Region 6 Office, SO2 and Regional Haze Section (6ARSH), 1201 Elm Street, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75270, 214–665–6691, Shar.Alan@ epa.gov. To inspect the hard copy materials, please schedule an appointment with Alan Shar. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ means the EPA. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Definitions For the purpose of this document, the following definitions apply: i. The word Act or initials CAA mean or refer to the Clean Air Act. ii. The initials EPA mean or refer to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. iii. The initials MSS mean unplanned Maintenance, Startup or Shutdown activities, specific to Texas regulations. iv. The term Malfunction means a sudden and unavoidable breakdown of process or control equipment. v. The initials NAAQS mean National Ambient Air Quality Standards. vi. The initials NESHAP mean National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. vii. The initials OAQPS mean the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. viii. The initials OMB mean the Office of Management and Budget. ix. The initials PSD mean Prevention of Significant Deterioration. x. The terms EPA Region 6 and Region 6 refer to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, located in Dallas, Texas. xi. The initials RTC mean Response To Comment. xii. The initials SIP mean State Implementation Plan. xiii. The word State means the State of Texas, unless the context indicates otherwise. xiv. The initials STEERS mean the State of Texas Environmental Electronic Reporting System. xv. The term Shutdown means, generally, the cessation of operation of a source. xvi. The initials SSM mean Startup, Shutdown, or Malfunction. xvii. The term Startup means, generally, the setting in operation of a source. xviii. The initials TAC mean the Texas Administrative Code. xix. The initials TCEQ mean the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Table of Contents I. Summary of the Final Action II. Background A. Clean Air Act and the Texas SIP B. Affirmative Defense Provisions in the Texas SIP III. Evaluation of the Affirmative Defense Provisions in the Texas SIP A. Summary of Proposal B. Final Action C. Comments and Responses IV. Final Action V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews I. Summary of the Final Action In this document, Region 6 is making a finding that the affirmative defense provisions in Texas’s SIP applicable to excess emissions that occur during upsets (30 TAC 101.222(b)), unplanned events (30 TAC 101.222(c)), upsets with respect to opacity limits (30 TAC 101.222(d)), and unplanned events with respect to opacity limits (30 TAC E:\FR\FM\07FER1.SGM 07FER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7230-7232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01717]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

38 CFR Parts 36 and 42

RIN 2900-AQ85


Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Amendments

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is providing public 
notice of inflationary adjustments to the maximum civil monetary 
penalties assessed or enforced by VA, as implemented by the Federal 
Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, for 
calendar year 2020. VA may impose civil monetary penalties for false 
loan guaranty certifications. Also, VA may impose civil monetary 
penalties for fraudulent claims or written statements made in 
connection with VA programs generally. The Federal Civil Penalties 
Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Federal Civil 
Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, sets forth 
a formula that increases the maximum statutory amounts for civil 
monetary penalties and directs VA to give public notice of the new 
maximum amounts by regulation. Accordingly, VA is providing notice of 
the calendar year 2020 inflationary adjustments that increase maximum 
civil monetary penalties from $22,927 to $23,331 for false loan 
guaranty certifications and from $11,463 to $11,665 for fraudulent 
claims or written statements made in connection with VA programs 
generally.

DATES: Effective Date: This rule is effective February 7, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Li, Chief, Regulations Team,

[[Page 7231]]

Loan Guaranty Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont 
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420, (202) 632-8862. (This is not a toll-
free number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 2, 2015, the President signed 
into law the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act 
Improvements Act of 2015 (2015 Act) (Pub. L. 114-74, sec. 701, 129 
Stat. 599), which amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation 
Adjustment Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-410, 104 Stat. 890), to improve the 
effectiveness of civil monetary penalties and to maintain their 
deterrent effect. The 2015 Act was codified in a note following 28 
U.S.C. 2461. The 2015 Act requires agencies to publish annual 
adjustments for inflation, based on the percent change between the 
Consumer Price Index (defined in the Act as the Consumer Price Index 
for all-urban consumers (CPI-U) published by the Department of Labor) 
for the month of October preceding the date of the adjustment and the 
prior year's October CPI-U. 28 U.S.C. 2461 note, secs. 4(a) and (b) and 
5(b)(1). This rule implements the 2020 calendar year inflation 
adjustment amounts.
    Under 38 U.S.C. 3710(g)(4)(B), VA is authorized to levy civil 
monetary penalties against private lenders that originate VA-guaranteed 
loans if a lender falsely certifies that they have complied with 
certain credit information and loan processing standards, as set forth 
by chapter 37, title 38 U.S.C. and part 36, title 38 CFR. Under section 
3710(g)(4)(B), any lender who knowingly and willfully makes such a 
false certification shall be liable to the United States Government for 
a civil penalty equal to two times the amount of the Secretary's loss 
on the loan involved or to another appropriate amount, not to exceed 
$10,000, whichever is greater. VA implemented the penalty amount in 38 
CFR 36.4340(k)(1)(i) and (k)(3). On December 16, 2019, OMB issued 
Circular M-20-05. This circular reflects that the October 2018 CPI-U 
was 252.855 and the October 2019 CPI-U was 257.346, resulting in an 
inflation adjustment multiplier of 1.01764. Accordingly, the calendar 
year 2020 inflation revision imposes an adjustment from $22,927 to 
$23,331.
    Under 31 U.S.C. 3802, VA can impose monetary penalties against any 
person who makes, presents, or submits a claim or written statement to 
VA that the person knows or has reason to know is false, fictitious, or 
fraudulent, or who engages in other covered conduct. The statute 
permits, in addition to any other remedy that may be prescribed by law, 
a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each claim. 31 U.S.C. 
3802(a)(1) and (2). VA implemented the penalty amount in 38 CFR 
42.3(a)(1) and (b)(1). As previously noted, Circular M-20-05 reflects 
an inflation adjustment multiplier of 1.01764. Therefore, the calendar 
year 2020 inflation revision imposes an adjustment from $11,463 to 
$11,665.
    Accordingly, VA is revising 38 CFR 36.4340(k)(1)(i) and (3) and 38 
CFR 42.3(a)(1) and (b)(1) to reflect the 2020 inflationary adjustments 
for civil monetary penalties assessed or enforced by VA.

Administrative Procedure Act

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs finds that there is good cause 
under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and (d)(3) to dispense with the opportunity 
for prior notice and public comment and to publish this rule with an 
immediate effective date. The 2015 Act requires agencies to make annual 
adjustments for inflation to the allowed amounts of civil monetary 
penalties ``notwithstanding section 553 of title 5, United States 
Code.'' 28 U.S.C. 2461 note, sec. 4(a) and (b). The penalty 
adjustments, and the methodology used to determine the adjustments, are 
set by the terms of the 2015 Act. VA has no discretion to make changes 
in those areas. Therefore, an opportunity for prior notice and public 
comment and a delayed effective date is unnecessary.

Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 13771

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, when 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, and other advantages; distributive impacts; 
and equity). Executive Order 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory 
Review) emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility. 
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has determined that 
this rule is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 
12866. VA's impact analysis can be found as a supporting document at 
https://www.regulations.gov, usually within 48 hours after the 
rulemaking document is published. Additionally, a copy of the 
rulemaking and its impact analysis are available on VA's website at 
https://www.va.gov/orpm/, by following the link for ``VA Regulations 
Published From FY 2004 Through Fiscal Year to Date.'' This rule is not 
an Executive Order 13771 regulatory action because this rule is not 
significant under Executive Order 12866.

Unfunded Mandates

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C. 
1532, that agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and 
benefits before issuing any rule that may result in the expenditure by 
State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the 
private sector, of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for 
inflation) in any one year. This final rule will have no such effect on 
State, local, and tribal governments, or on the private sector.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This final rule contains no provisions constituting a collection of 
information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-
3521).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. (RFA), imposes 
certain requirements on Federal agency rules that are subject to the 
notice and comment requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act 
(APA), 5 U.S.C. 553(b). This final rule is exempt from the notice and 
comment requirements of the APA because the 2015 Act directed the 
Department to issue the annual adjustments without regard to section 
553 of the APA. Therefore, the requirements of the RFA applicable to 
notice and comment rulemaking do not apply to this rule. Accordingly, 
the Department is not required either to certify that the final rule 
would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities or to conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number and title for the 
program affected by this document is 64.114, Veterans Housing 
Guaranteed and Insured Loans.

Congressional Review Act

    Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs designated this rule 
as not a major rule, as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

List of Subjects

38 CFR Part 36

    Condominiums, Housing, Individuals with disabilities, Loan 
programs--housing and community development, Loan programs--veterans, 
Manufactured

[[Page 7232]]

homes, Mortgage insurance, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Veterans.

38 CFR Part 42

    Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Fraud, Penalties.

Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs approved this document and 
authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document to the 
Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as an 
official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Pamela Powers, 
Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this document 
on January 14, 2020, for publication.


Jeffrey M. Martin,
Assistant Director, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of 
the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Department of Veterans 
Affairs amends 38 CFR parts 36 and 42 as set forth below:

PART 36--LOAN GUARANTY

0
1. The authority citation for part 36 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501 and 3720.


Sec.  36.4340   [Amended]

0
2. In Sec.  36.4340, amend paragraphs (k)(1)(i) introductory text and 
(k)(3) by removing ``$22,927'' and adding in its place ``$23,331''

PART 42--STANDARDS IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAM FRAUD CIVIL REMEDIES 
ACT

0
3. The authority citation for part 42 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Pub. L. 99-509, secs. 6101-6104, 100 Stat. 1874, 
codified at 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812.


Sec.  42.3  [Amended]

0
4. In Sec.  42.3, amend paragraphs (a)(1)(iv) and (b)(1)(ii) by 
removing ``$11,463'' and adding in its place ``$11,665''.

[FR Doc. 2020-01717 Filed 2-6-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
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