Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 25 / Monday, February 7, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 5785

Navigation Canal, mile 4.5, at New

Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana to

remain closed to navigation daily from

7 a.m. until noon and from 1 p.m. until

6 p.m. from Monday, March 6, 2000

through Wednesday, April 19, 2000.

The draw shall open on signal at any

time for a vessel in distress.

Dated: January 12, 2000.

Paul J. Pluta,

Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander,

Eighth Coast Guard District.

[FR Doc. 00–2678 Filed 2–4–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–15–M

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS

AFFAIRS

38 CFR PART 21

RIN 2900–AI63

Eligibility Criteria for the Montgomery

GI Bill—Active Duty and Other

Miscellaneous Issues

AGENCIES: Department of Defense,

Department of Transportation (Coast

Guard), and Department of Veterans

Affairs.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This document amends the

educational assistance and educational

benefit regulations of the Department of

Veterans Affairs (VA). The amendments

reflect statutory changes which set forth

new eligibility criteria that will allow

additional individuals to establish

eligibility for educational assistance

under the Montgomery GI Bill—Active

Duty (MGIB); and also reflect statutory

provisions concerning the approval of

courses leading to alternative teacher

certification. This document also makes

changes for the purpose of clarification.

DATES: Effective date: February 7, 2000.

Dates of application:

October 1, 1996: 38 CFR

21.7020(b)(1); new § 21.7042(f)(3);

and newly redesignated

§ 21.7042(f)(4).

October 9, 1996: §§ 21.4135(b);

21.5021(d)(3); 21.5058(b);

21.5130(d); 21.7020(b)(29); all

changes to § 21.7042 except new

§ 21.7042(f)(3) and newly

redesignated § 21.7042(f)(4);

§§ 21.7045; 21.7050; 21.7131;

21.7520(b); and 21.7635.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

William G. Susling, Jr., Education

Advisor, Education Service, Veterans

Benefits Administration, Department of

Veterans Affairs, 202–273–7187.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the

Federal Register of November 12, 1998

(63 FR 63253), the Department of

Defense (DOD), the Department of

Transportation (Coast Guard), and the

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

proposed amending subparts D, G, K,

and L of 38 CFR part 21, as set forth in

the SUMMARY portion of this

document.

DOD, the Department of

Transportation (Coast Guard), and VA

gave interested persons 60 days to

submit comments. VA received one

letter from a service organization. The

organization noted that the amendments

would be beneficial for veterans and

concurred in them.

Based on the rationale stated in this

document and the proposed rule, we are

adopting the provisions of the proposed

rule as a final rule without change

except to the authority citations for

subparts D, G, and L.

DOD is issuing this final rule jointly

with VA insofar as it relates to VEAP.

DOD funds this program and VA

administers it. DOD, the Department of

Transportation (Coast Guard), and VA

are jointly issuing this final rule insofar

as it relates to the Montgomery GI Bill—

Selected Reserve. DOD and the Coast

Guard fund this program, and VA

administers it. The remainder of this

final rule is issued solely by VA.

Administrative Procedure Act

Under 5 U.S.C. 553, there is a basis for

dispensing with a 30-day delay of the

effective date since the changes made by

this final rule are restatements of

statute, interpretive rules, and

nonsubstantive changes for the purpose

of clarity.

Paperwork Reduction Act

The Office of Management and Budget

(OMB) has approved the information

collection and recordkeeping

requirements associated with this final

rule concerning 38 CFR 21.7131(l) and

(m) under the provisions of the

Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.

3501–3520). The proposed rule

provided an opportunity to comment to

OMB and VA on those requirements,

but no comments were received on

them. OMB has assigned OMB control

number 2900–0607 to those information

collection and recordkeeping

requirements. Under the collection of

information provisions in § 21.7131(l)

and (m), a veteran may be required to

submit evidence to show that the

veteran’s election to receive educational

assistance under the MGIB was a valid

one, and the date of VA’s receipt of the

evidence may have an effect on the

effective date of an award of educational

assistance.

OMB assigns a control number to each

collection of information it approves.

VA may not conduct or sponsor, and a

person is not required to respond to, a

collection of information unless it

displays a currently valid OMB control

number. We are displaying the OMB

control number assigned to the

collection of information in this final

rule at the end of § 21.7131.

Executive Order 12866

This final rule has been reviewed by

the Office of Management and Budget

under Executive Order 12866.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Secretary of Defense,

Commandant of the Coast Guard, and

the Secretary of Veterans Affairs hereby

certify that this final rule will not have

a significant economic impact on a

substantial number of small entities as

they are defined in the Regulatory

Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601–612. This

final rule will not cause educational

institutions to make changes in their

activities and has minuscule monetary

effects, if any. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

605(b), this final rule, therefore, is

exempt from the initial and final

regulatory flexibility analyses

requirements of sections 603 and 604.

The Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance numbers for programs that

this final rule affects are 64.117, 64.120,

and 64.124. This final rule also affects

the Montgomery GI Bill—Selected

Reserve program, which has no Catalog

of Federal Domestic Assistance number.

List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 21

Administrative practice and

procedure, Armed forces, Civil rights,

Claims, Colleges and universities,

Conflict of interests, Defense

Department, Education, Employment,

Grant programs-education, Grant

programs-veterans, Loan programseducation, Loan programs-veterans,

Manpower training programs, Reporting

and recordkeeping requirements,

Schools, Travel and transportation

expenses, Veterans, Vocational

education, Vocational rehabilitation.

5786 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 25 / Monday, February 7, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

Approved: May 28, 1999.

Togo D. West, Jr.,

Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Approved: July 13, 1999.

P.A., Tracey,

Vice Admiral, USN Deputy Assistant

Secretary (Military Personnel Policy)

Department of Defense.

Approved: October 18, 1999.

F.L. Ames,

Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant

Commander for Human Resources.

For the reasons set forth above, 38

CFR part 21 (subparts D, G, K, and L)

is amended as follows:

PART 21—VOCATIONAL

REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION

Subpart D—Administration of

Educational Assistance Programs

1. The authority citation for part 21,

subpart D is revised to read as follows:

Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2141 note, ch. 1606;

38 U.S.C. 501(a), chs. 30, 32, 34, 35, 36,

unless otherwise noted.

2. In § 21.4135, paragraph (b) is added

to read as follows:

§ 21.4135 Discontinuance dates.

* * * * *

(b) Election to receive educational

assistance under the Montgomery GI

Bill—Active Duty. If a veteran makes a

valid election, as provided in

§ 21.7045(d), to receive educational

assistance under the Montgomery GI

Bill—Active Duty in lieu of educational

assistance under the Post-Vietnam Era

Veterans’ Educational Assistance

Program, the discontinuance date of

educational assistance under the PostVietnam Era Veterans’ Educational

Assistance Program shall be the date on

which the election was made pursuant

to procedures described in

§ 21.7045(d)(2).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018C(c)(1))

* * * * *

Subpart G—Post-Vietnam Era

Veterans’ Educational Assistance

Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 32

3. The authority citation for part 21,

subpart G continues to read as follows:

Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), chs. 32, 36,

unless otherwise noted.

§ 21.5021 [Amended]

4. In § 21.5021, paragraph (d)(3) is

amended by removing ‘‘during the

period beginning on November 2, 1994,

and ending on September 30, 1996,’’.

5. In § 21.5058, the authority citation

for paragraph (b) is revised to read as

follows:

§ 21.5058 Resumption of participation.

* * * * *

(b) * * *

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018A, 3018B, 3018C,

3202(l), 3222)

§ 21.5130 [Amended]

6. In § 21.5130, paragraph (b) is

amended by removing ‘‘(except

paragraph (b))’’.

Subpart K—All Volunteer Force

Educational Assistance Program

(Montgomery GI Bill—Active Duty)

7. The authority citation for part 21,

subpart K continues to read as follows:

Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), chs. 30, 36,

unless otherwise noted.

8. In § 21.7020, paragraph (b)(29)(iii)

is amended by removing ‘‘during the

period beginning on November 2, 1994,

and ending on September 30, 1996,’’;

the authority citation for paragraph

(b)(29) is revised; paragraph (b)(1)(iv) is

added immediately after the authority

citation for paragraph (b)(1)(iii); and

paragraph (b)(44) is added immediately

after the authority citation for paragraph

(b)(43), to read as follows:

§ 21.7020 Definitions.

* * * * *

(b) * * *

(1) * * *

(iv) When referring to individuals

who, before June 30, 1985, had never

served on active duty (as that term is

defined by § 3.6(b) of this chapter) and

who made the election described in

§ 21.7042(a)(7) or (b)(10), the term active

duty when used in this subpart includes

full-time National Guard duty under

title 32, U.S. Code first performed after

June 30, 1985, by a member of the Army

National Guard of the United States or

the Air National Guard of the United

States for the purpose of organizing,

administering, recruiting, instructing, or

training the National Guard.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(7); sec. 107, Pub.

L. 104–275, 110 Stat. 3329–3330)

* * * * *

(29) * * *

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(8), 3452(c))

* * * * *

(44) Date of election. The term date of

election means:

(i) For an election that must be made

in the form and manner determined by

the Secretary of Defense, the date

determined by the Secretary of Defense;

and

(ii) For an election that must be

submitted to VA, the date VA receives

the written election.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018C(a)(5); sec. 107(b),

Pub. L. 104–275, 110 Stat. 3329–3330)

9. In § 21.7042, paragraph (f)(3) is

redesignated as paragraph (f)(4); newly

redesignated paragraph (f)(4) is

amended by removing ‘‘Paragraph (f)(2)

of this section does’’ and adding, in its

place, ‘‘Paragraphs (f)(2) and (f)(3) of

this section do’’, by removing ‘‘Coast’’

and adding, in its place, ‘‘United States

Coast’’, and by removing ‘‘Reserve’’ and

adding, in its place, ‘‘Senior Reserve’’;

paragraph (a)(7) is added immediately

after the authority citation for paragraph

(a)(6); paragraph (b)(10) is added

immediately after the authority citation

for paragraph (b)(9); new paragraph

(f)(3) and paragraph (g)(5) are added;

and paragraphs (f)(2), (g)(1), and (g)(4)

are revised to read as follows:

§ 21.7042 Basic eligibility requirements.

* * * * *

(a) * * *

(7) An individual whose active duty

meets the definition of that term found

in § 21.7020(b)(1)(iv), and who wishes

to become entitled to basic educational

assistance, must have elected to do so

before July 9, 1997. For an individual

electing while on active duty, this

election must have been made in the

manner prescribed by the Secretary of

Defense. For individuals not on active

duty, this election must have been

submitted in writing to VA.

(Authority: Sec. 107(b), Pub. L. 104–275, 110

Stat. 3329–3330)

* * * * *

(b) * * *

(10) An individual whose active duty

meets the definition of that term found

in § 21.7020(b)(1)(iv), and who wishes

to become entitled to basic educational

assistance, must have elected to do so

before July 9, 1997. For an individual

electing while on active duty, this

election must have been made in the

manner prescribed by the Secretary of

Defense. For individuals not on active

duty, this election must have been

submitted in writing to VA.

(Authority: Sec. 107(b), Pub. L. 104–275, 110

Stat. 3329–3330)

* * * * *

(f) * * *

(2) Except as provided in paragraph

(f)(4) of this section, an individual is not

eligible for educational assistance under

38 U.S.C. chapter 30 if after December

31, 1976, he or she receives a

commission as an officer in the Armed

Forces upon graduation from:

(i) The United States Military

Academy;

(ii) The United States Naval Academy;

(iii) The United States Air Force

Academy; or

(iv) The United States Coast Guard

Academy.

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 25 / Monday, February 7, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 5787

(3) Except as provided in paragraph

(f)(4) of this section, an individual who

after December 31, 1976, receives a

commission as an officer in the Armed

Forces upon completion of a program of

educational assistance under 10 U.S.C.

2107 is not eligible for educational

assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, if

the individual enters on active duty—

(i) Before October 1, 1996; or

(ii) After September 30, 1996, and

while participating in that program

received more than $2,000 for each year

of participation.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011(c), 3012(d))

* * * * *

(g) Reduction in basic pay. (1) Except

as elsewhere provided in this paragraph,

the basic pay of any individual

described in paragraph (a), (b), or (c) of

this section shall be reduced by $100 for

each of the first 12 months that the

individual is entitled to basic pay. If the

individual does not serve 12 months, it

shall be reduced by $100 for each month

that the individual is entitled to basic

pay.

* * * * *

(4) The individual who makes the

election described in either paragraph

(a)(7) or (b)(10) of this section shall have

his or her basic pay reduced by $1,200

in a manner prescribed by the Secretary

of Defense. To the extent that basic pay

is not so reduced before the individual’s

discharge or release from active duty,

VA will collect from the individual an

amount equal to the difference between

$1,200 and the total amount of the

reductions described in this paragraph.

If the basic pay of an individual is not

reduced and/or VA does not collect

from the individual an amount equal to

the difference between $1,200 and the

total amount of the pay reductions, that

individual is ineligible for educational

assistance.

(Authority: Sec. 107(b)(3), Pub. L. 104–275,

110 Stat. 3329–3330)

(5) If through administrative error, or

other reason—

(i) The basic pay of an individual

described in paragraph (a)(1) through

(a)(6), (b)(1) through (b)(9), (c), or (d) of

this section is not reduced as provided

in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this

section, the failure to make the

reduction will have no effect on his or

her eligibility, but will negate or reduce

the individual’s entitlement to

educational assistance under 38 U.S.C.

chapter 30 determined as provided in

§ 21.7073 for an individual described in

paragraph (c) of this section;

(ii) The basic pay of an individual,

described in paragraph (a)(7) or (b)(10)

of this section, is not reduced as

described in paragraph (g)(4) of this

section and/or VA does not collect from

the individual an amount equal to the

difference between $1,200 and the total

amount of the pay reductions described

in paragraph (g)(4) of this section, that

individual is ineligible for educational

assistance. If the failure to reduce the

individual’s basic pay and/or the failure

to collect from the individual was due

to administrative error on the part of the

Federal government or any of its

employees, the individual may be

considered for equitable relief

depending on the facts and

circumstances of the case. See § 2.7 of

this chapter.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002, 3011, 3012, 3018)

10. In § 21.7045, the heading and

introductory text are revised; and

paragraph (d) is added, to read as

follows:

§ 21.7045 Eligibility based on involuntary

separation, voluntary separation, or

participation in the Post-Vietnam Era

Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program.

An individual who fails to meet the

eligibility requirements found in

§ 21.7042 or § 21.7044 nevertheless will

be eligible for educational assistance as

provided in this subpart if he or she

meets the requirements of paragraphs (a)

and (b) of this section; paragraphs (a)

and (c) of this section; or paragraph (d)

of this section.

* * * * *

(d) Alternate eligibility requirements

for participants in the Post-Vietnam Era

Veterans’ Educational Assistance

Program.—(1) Making an election. To

receive educational assistance under the

authority of paragraph (d) of this

section, a veteran or servicemember

must—

(i) Have elected to do so before

October 9, 1997;

(ii) Have been a participant (as that

term is defined in § 21.5021(e)) in the

Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational

Assistance Program on October 9, 1996;

(iii) Have been on active duty on

October 9, 1996; and

(iv) Receive an honorable discharge.

(2) Election. The election to receive

educational assistance payable under

this subpart in lieu of educational

assistance payable under the PostVietnam Era Veterans’ Educational

Assistance Program is irrevocable. The

election must have been made before

October 9, 1997, pursuant to procedures

provided by the Secretary of the military

department concerned in accordance

with regulations prescribed by the

Secretary of Defense or provided by the

Secretary of Transportation with respect

to the Coast Guard when it is not

operating as a service in the Navy.

(3) $1,200 collection. An individual

who has made the election described in

paragraph (d)(2) of this section shall

have his or her basic pay reduced by

$1,200 in a manner prescribed by the

Secretary of Defense. To the extent that

basic pay is not so reduced before the

individual’s discharge or release from

active duty, VA will collect from the

individual an amount equal to the

difference between $1,200 and the total

amount of the reductions. Reduction in

basic pay by $1,200 or collection of

$1,200 is a precondition to establishing

eligibility.

(4) Educational requirement. Before

applying for benefits that may be

payable as the result of making a valid

election, an individual must have—

(i) Completed the requirements of a

secondary school diploma (or

equivalency certificate); or

(ii) Successfully completed the

equivalent of 12 semester hours in a

program of education leading to a

standard college degree.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018C)

11. In § 21.7050, paragraph (a)(1) is

amended by removing ‘‘paragraph (b)’’

and adding, in its place, ‘‘paragraphs (b)

and (c)’’, and by removing ‘‘of this part’’;

paragraphs (c) and (d) are redesignated

as paragraphs (d) and (e), respectively;

the authority citation for paragraph (b)

is revised; and a new paragraph (c) is

added to read as follows:

§ 21.7050 Ending dates of eligibility.

* * * * *

(b) * * *

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3031(e))

(c) Time limit for some members of

the Army and Air National Guard. (1) If

a veteran or servicemember establishes

eligibility for the educational assistance

payable under this subpart by making

the election described in § 21.7042(a)(7)

or (b)(10), VA will not provide basic

educational assistance or supplemental

educational assistance to that veteran or

servicemember beyond 10 years from

the later of:

(i) The date determined by paragraph

(a) or (b) of this section, as appropriate;

or

(ii) The effective date of the election

described in § 21.7042(a)(7) or (b)(10), as

appropriate.

(2) The effective date of election is the

date on which the election is made

pursuant to the procedures described in

§ 21.7045(d)(2).

(Authority: Sec. 107(b)(3), Pub. L. 104–275,

110 Stat. 3329–3330)

* * * * *

12. In § 21.7131, paragraphs (l) and

(m) are added to read as follows:

5788 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 25 / Monday, February 7, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

§ 21.7131 Commencing dates.

* * * * *

(l) Eligibility established under

§ 21.7042 (a)(7) or (b)(10). This

paragraph must be used to establish the

effective date of an award of educational

assistance when the veteran or

servicemember has established

eligibility under either § 21.7042 (a)(7)

or (b)(10). The commencing date of an

award of educational assistance for such

a veteran or servicemember is the latest

of the following:

(1) The commencing date as

determined by paragraphs (a) through

(c) and (f) through (j) of this section;

(2) The date of election provided

that—

(i) The servicemember initiated the

$1,200 reduction in basic pay required

by § 21.7042(g)(4) and the full $1,200

was collected through that pay

reduction;

(ii) Within one year of the date of

election VA both collected from the

veteran $1,200 or the difference between

$1,200 and the amount collected

through a reduction in the veteran’s

military pay, as provided in

§ 21.7042(g)(4), and received from the

veteran any other evidence necessary to

establish a valid election; or

(iii) VA received from the veteran

$1,200 or the difference between $1,200

and the amount collected through a

reduction in the veteran’s military pay

and any other evidence necessary to

establish a valid election within one

year of the date VA requested the money

and/or the evidence.

(3) If applicable, the date VA collected

the difference between $1,200 and the

amount by which the servicemember’s

military pay was reduced, if the

provisions of paragraph (l)(2)(ii) or

(l)(2)(iii) of this section are not met; or

(4) If applicable, the date VA collected

$1,200, if the provisions of paragraph

(l)(2)(ii) or (l)(2)(iii) of this section are

not met.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5113; sec. 107, Pub. L.

104–275, 110 Stat. 3329–3330)

(m) Eligibility established under

21.7045(d). This paragraph must be

used to establish the effective date of an

award of educational assistance when

the veteran or servicemember has

established eligibility under

§ 21.7045(d). The commencing date of

an award of educational assistance for

such a veteran or servicemember is the

latest of the following:

(1) The commencing date as

determined by paragraphs (a) through

(c) and (f) through (j) of this section;

(2) The date of election provided

that—

(i) The servicemember initiated the

$1,200 reduction in basic pay required

by § 21.7045(d)(3) and the full $1,200

was collected through that pay

reduction;

(ii) Within one year of the date of

election VA both collected from the

veteran $1,200 or the difference between

$1,200 and the amount collected

through a reduction in the veteran’s

military pay, as provided in

§ 21.7045(d)(3), and received from the

veteran any other evidence necessary to

establish a valid election; or

(iii) VA received from the veteran

$1,200 or the difference between $1,200

and the amount collected through a

reduction in the veteran’s military pay

and any other evidence necessary to

establish a valid election within one

year of the date VA requested the money

and/or the evidence.

(3) If applicable, the date VA collected

the difference between $1,200 and the

amount by which the servicemember’s

military pay was reduced, if the

provisions of paragraph (m)(2)(ii) or

(m)(2)(iii) of this section are not met; or

(4) If applicable, the date VA collected

$1,200, if the provisions of paragraph

(m)(2)(ii) or (m)(2)(iii) of this section are

not met.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018C(a), (b), 5113)

(The Office of Management and Budget has

approved information collection

requirements in this section under control

number 2900–0607.)

Subpart L—Educational Assistance for

Members of the Selected Reserve

13. The authority citation for part 21,

subpart L is revised to read as follows:

Authority: 10 U.S.C. ch. 1606; 38 U.S.C.

501(a), 512, ch. 36, unless otherwise noted.

14. In § 21.7520, paragraph (b)(23)(iv)

is amended by removing ‘‘during the

period beginning on November 2, 1994,

and ending on September 30, 1996,’’;

and the authority citation for paragraph

(b)(23) is revised to read as follows:

§ 21.7520 Definitions.

* * * * *

(b) * * *

(23) * * *

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(a), (c); 38 U.S.C.

3002, 3452)

* * * * *

15. In § 21.7635, paragraph (y) is

redesignated as paragraph (z); and a new

paragraph (y) is added, to read as

follows:

§ 21.7635 Discontinuance dates.

* * * * *

(y) Election to receive educational

assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30.

VA shall terminate educational

assistance effective the first date for

which the reservist received educational

assistance when—

(1) The service that formed a basis for

establishing eligibility for educational

assistance under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606

included a period of active duty as

described in § 21.7020(b)(1)(iv); and

(2) The reservist subsequently made

an election, as described in

§ 21.7042(a)(7) or (b)(10), to become

entitled to basic educational assistance

under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30.

(Authority: Sec. 107, Pub. L. 104–275, 110

Stat. 3329–3330)

* * * * *

[FR Doc. 00–2637 Filed 2–4–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8320–01–P

POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111

Domestic Mail Manual Changes to

Processing Instructions for

Nonautomation Mail and Revisions to

Letter Tray Labels

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY: This final rule revises

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) sections

M130 and M610 with amendments to

optional processing instructions for

nonautomation mail. New standards

provide a means for mailers to exclude

their letter-size mail from any

automated processing involved with

initial distribution of mail, including

tabbing and labeling machines, barcode

sorters, and optical character readers.

This final rule also revises DMM section

M013, with inclusion of an optional

endorsement line, ‘‘MANUAL ONLY,’’

and section M032, with changes to the

second line of tray labels for Presorted

First-Class Mail letters and Presorted

Standard Mail (A) letters.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 1, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jamie Gallagher, (202) 268–4031.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On

October 25, 1999, the Postal Service

published for public comment in the

Federal Register a proposed rule (FR 64

57419–57421) that expanded provisions

for mailers who wanted nonautomated

(manual) processsing and revised Line 2

of letter tray labels for First-Class Mail

and Standard Mail (A). The Postal

Service also invited comments on the

proposed rule from interested parties

and accepted comments until December

9, 1999. This final rule contains the

DMM standards adopted by the Postal