Southwestern Power Administration August 4, 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking nominees to be considered for membership on the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans (Committee) for the 2015 membership cycle. The Committee is authorized by 38 U.S.C. 542 (the statute), to provide advice to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) on the administration of VA's benefits and services (health care, rehabilitation benefits, compensation, outreach, and other relevant programs) for women Veterans. In accordance with the statute and the Committee's current charter, the majority of the membership shall consist of non-Federal employees appointed by the Secretary from the general public, serving as special government employees. The Committee provides a Congressionally-mandated report to the Secretary each even-numbered year, which includes: An assessment of the needs of women Veterans, with respect to compensation, health care, rehabilitation, outreach, and other benefits and programs administered by VA; a review of the programs and activities of VA designed to meet such needs; and other recommendations (including recommendations for administrative and legislative action), as the Committee considers appropriate. The Committee reports to the Secretary, through the Director of the Center for Women Veterans. The Secretary appoints Committee members, and determines the length of terms in which Committee members serve. A term of service for any member may not exceed 3 years. The Secretary can reappoint members for additional terms. Each year, there are several vacancies on the Committee, as members' terms expire. Self-nominations and nominations of non-Veterans are accepted. Any letters of nomination from organizations or other individuals should accompany the package when it is submitted. In accordance with OMB guidance, federally registered lobbyists may not serve on Federal advisory committees in their individual capacity. Additional information regarding this issue can be found at www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/08/13/2014-19140/revise d- guidance-on-appointment-of-lobbyists-to-federal-advisory-comm ittees- boards-and-commissions.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its medical regulation that governs Vet Center services. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (the 2013 Act) requires Vet Centers to provide readjustment counseling services to broader groups of veterans, members of the Armed Forces, including a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces, and family members of such veterans and members. This interim final rule amends regulatory criteria to conform to the 2013 Act, to include new and revised definitions.