Agency Information Collection Activity: State Approving Agency Reports and Notices, 23139 [2020-08678]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 80 (Friday, April 24, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 23139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08678]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0051]


Agency Information Collection Activity: State Approving Agency 
Reports and Notices

AGENCY:  Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VBA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment 
on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are 
required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each 
proposed collection of information, including each proposed revision of 
a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment 
in response to the notice.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before June 23, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov 
or to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M33), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 
20420 or email to [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control 
No. 2900-0051'' in any correspondence. During the comment period, 
comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Danny S. Green at (202) 421-1354.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995, Federal agencies must 
obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each 
collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for 
comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VBA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VBA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Authority: 38 CFR 21.4154, 21.4250(b), 21.4258, 21.4259: 38 CFR 
21.4154 which, addresses reporting SAA activities (38 U.S.C. 3674(c)), 
38 CFR 21.4250(b) which addresses notices of approvals, suspension of 
approvals, and disapprovals (38 U.S.C. 3678, 3679), 38 CFR 21.4258 
which addresses notices of approvals, and 38 CFR 21.4259 which 
addresses notices of suspension or disapproval.
    Title: State Approving Agency Reports and Notices.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0051.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Information collected under 38 CFR 21.4154--The SAA 
reports its activities to VA quarterly. The SAA does so electronically 
by completing a web-based screen. VA uses the information in the 
reports to support the reimbursement of activities of the SAA. 
Information collected under 38 CFR 21.4250(b), 21.4258, and 21.4259--
The SAA prepares notices of approval to inform educational 
institutions, training establishments, and organizations or entities 
that their courses, training, or tests are not approved or the approval 
of previously approved courses, training, or tests is suspended. The 
SAA must also send VA a copy of each of these notices. There are 57 
SAAs, each with its own jurisdiction for approval of courses, training, 
or tests. Some States have more than one SAA because one internal 
agency is responsible for schools, another for workplace training. 
Additionally, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin 
Islands have authorized SAA jurisdictions.
    The SAA approves, disapproves, or suspends program approval based 
on the criteria in 38 U.S.C. chapter 36. Some of the criteria used in 
these determinations include site visits; and review of course 
materials, training programs, instructors' credentials, or review of 
tests for licensure and certification.
    VA uses the approval notice information (or lack thereof) to 
determine if payment of educational assistance is appropriate. Under 38 
U.S.C. 3680, VA may not provide educational assistance to any eligible 
veteran or eligible person if his or her educational program or 
training program does not meet the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 3670 et 
seq. Without these notices, VA would not know which programs the SAA 
determined met the criteria in 38 U.S.C. chapter 36. Without 
disapproval notices, or notices of suspended approval, VA would make 
inappropriate payments to Veterans and their dependents. 38 CFR 
21.4258(a) requires the SAA list individual programs approved in the 
notice. This requirement is needed since not all courses/programs an 
educational institution provides are approvable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 
36. For example, some schools offer courses that are recreational in 
nature. Payment for recreational courses is prohibited under 38 U.S.C. 
3680A. Listing approved courses in the notice ensures VA pays 
educational assistance for only those courses/programs approved.
    Affected Public: Individuals and households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 68,043 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 15 hours.
    Frequency of Response: Once Quarterly.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,578.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Danny S. Green,
VA PRA Clearance Officer, Office of Quality, Performance and Risk, 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2020-08678 Filed 4-23-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P