VA Gets Tough: New Rules to Snitch on Rule-Breakers
Published Date: 7/31/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of Veterans Affairs is stepping up to catch and report serious rule-breakers who might be breaking the law. This new guidance helps VA staff know when and how to send these cases to the right folks for criminal enforcement. If you work with or rely on VA rules, expect clearer actions soon—no extra costs, just smarter enforcement!
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
VA Guidance on Criminal Referrals
The Department of Veterans Affairs issued a notice that it will give VA staff guidance on when and how to refer possible criminal regulatory offenses to law enforcement. The notice says this implements an executive order about overcriminalization and states there will be no extra costs from the guidance. If you work with or rely on VA rules, expect clearer referral and enforcement steps going forward.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2025-21242 — Extending Deadline for Debtor To Request a Waiver
The VA is giving veterans more time—up to one year instead of 180 days—to ask for a waiver on debts related to benefits. This change, effective January 26, 2026, helps reduce stress by giving veterans extra breathing room to handle their debt issues. It doesn’t cost veterans extra money but makes the process friendlier and fairer.
2025-18827 — Extension of Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Eligibility for Legacy Participants and Legacy Applicants
The VA is giving family caregivers of veterans more time to stay in their special support program by extending the deadline from 2025 to 2028. This means caregivers and veterans who joined the program earlier (the legacy group) can keep getting help for three more years. No changes to money or benefits, just extra time to enjoy the support they deserve!
2025-14687 — Reproductive Health Services
The VA is planning to stop covering abortions and abortion counseling again, reversing a 2022 change. This affects veterans and their families who use VA and CHAMPVA health benefits. The change aims to focus VA services on what they consider essential care, with no new costs or timing details shared yet.
2026-06004 — Notice of Exception to Date of Receipt Rule
Because of a big Canadian postal strike from November 15 to December 17, 2024, mail to and from Canada was seriously delayed. To help veterans and claimants in Canada, the VA is making a temporary rule change so late mail won’t hurt their benefits or claims. This exception started after mail service fully resumed on January 6, 2025, making sure no one loses out because of the strike delays.
2026-05982 — Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Application for High-Technology Veterans Education, Training and Skills (VET TEC 2.0) Program
The VA is rolling out a new application for the VET TEC 2.0 program, helping veterans get training in cool tech jobs outside traditional college paths. Veterans under 62 with at least 3 years of service can apply, and the program runs through September 2027. Comments on the application process are open until April 27, 2026, so now’s the time to weigh in!
2026-05740 — Agency Information Collection Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR)-Information Security and Privacy Contract Clauses
The Department of Veterans Affairs is updating rules to keep veterans' information safe when contractors work with their computer systems. These changes affect companies that provide IT services or develop and host VA information systems. Comments on these updates are open until April 24, 2026, and the goal is to make sure everyone handles data securely without adding extra costs.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-14455 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Royalty and Production Reporting
The Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) wants to keep collecting info to make sure oil, gas, and geothermal royalties from Federal and Indian lands are reported and paid right. This renewal means companies involved will keep filling out forms to help ONRR check and manage payments. No big changes or new costs, just keeping the system running smoothly.
Next: 2025-14457 — Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Kingston Ferry Trestle Seismic Retrofit Project in Kingston, WA
The Washington Department of Transportation got the green light to safely work on the Kingston Ferry Terminal in Washington without harming marine mammals. This means some marine animals might be disturbed a bit during construction, but all rules to protect them will be followed. The project will happen soon and keeps both ferry riders and sea life in mind!
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in