2025-12312: Elimination of Supplementary Grant Regulation

Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 125 (Wednesday, July 2, 2025) [Federal Register Volume 90, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 2, 2025)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 28878-28879] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2025-12312] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Economic Development Administration 13 CFR Part 301 [Docket No.: 250623-0111] RIN 0610-AA77 Elimination of Supplementary Grant Regulation

Agency

Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Action

Final rule. -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary

Through this final rule, the Economic Development Administration (EDA), U.S. Department of Commerce, is eliminating the regulations on supplementary investment assistance. The regulation is confusing and does not provide any guidance in addition to what is already in section 205 of EDA's enabling statute, the Public Works, and Economic Development Act of 1965.

Dates

This rule is effective July 2, 2025.

For Further Information Contact

Jeffrey Roberson, Chief Counsel, Office of the Chief Counsel, Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Suite 72023, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-1315; email: [email protected].

Supplementary Information

Background EDA's enabling statute is the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA) and EDA's regulations are codified at 13 CFR Chapter III. 13 CFR 301.6 is intended to implement Section 205 of PWEDA which provides that, pursuant to a request by an eligible applicant, EDA may supplement a grant awarded by another ``designated federal grant program,'' provided the eligible applicant qualifies for financial assistance under such program but is unable to supply the required matching share because of its economic situation. However, this regulation has proved to be confusing to the public because it does not provide guidance beyond what is in the law itself. Therefore, EDA is eliminating the superfluous regulation located at 13 CFR 301.6 as it is unnecessary and burdensome to have the public try to ascertain the intent of the regulation, when in fact there is none. Classification Administrative Procedure Act and Regulatory Flexibility Act Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice and comment are unnecessary. This rule removes a superfluous regulation that does not provide any additional guidance beyond what is already in section 205 of PWEDA. Therefore, public comment would serve no purpose and is unnecessary. There is also good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness as this rule does not alter the rights or responsibilities of any party, and delaying implementation of this rule and keeping the superfluous regulation may continue to cause confusion. Because prior notice and an opportunity for public comment are not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other law, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) are inapplicable. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis has not been prepared. Executive Orders No. 12866, 13563, and 14192 This final rule was drafted in accordance with Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 14192. OMB has determined that this rule is not significant for purposes of Executive Orders 12866 and 13563. This final rule is deregulatory pursuant to Executive Order 14192. Congressional Review Act This final rule is not major under the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.). Executive Order No. 13132 This final rule does not contain policies that have federalism implications. Paperwork Reduction Act This final rule contains no information collection requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. List of Subjects in 13 CFR Part 301.6 Community development, Grant programs-housing and community development. For the reasons discussed above, EDA amends 13 CFR part 301 as follows: [[Page 28879]] PART 301--ELIGIBILITY, INVESTMENT RATE AND APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 0