⚛️NRC Proposes Rule to Extend Nuclear Design Certifications to 40 Years
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations to revise the duration of design certifications (DCs). Specifically, this proposed rule would replace the 15-year duration for DCs with a 40-year duration period, both for existing DCs currently in effect and generically for future DCs, including renewals. This proposed rule would not change the date of issuance or renewal for existing DCs (i.e., the start date by which an existing DC may be referenced would remain unchanged). The proposed rule would also incorporate a minor editorial correction.
Learn More🏭EPA Revises Compliance Deadline for Aerosol Coatings Emission Standards
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking interim final action to revise the compliance deadline in recent amendments to the National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Aerosol Coatings under Clean Air Act (CAA) section 183(e). Specifically, the EPA is revising the compliance date for requirements amended in January 17, 2025, from July 17, 2025, to January 17, 2027. The EPA seeks comments on this targeted revision to the compliance date and will respond and update this interim final action as appropriate.
Learn More📜Proposed Removal of Non-Binding Interpretive Rules for Labor Regulations
The Department of Labor (Department) proposes to remove parts located in Title 29, Chapter V, Subchapter B of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that were not originally issued, or subsequently amended, through notice-and-comment rulemaking. Because these parts consist of interpretive rules and policy statements regarding the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) which do not carry the force and effect of law, the Department believes that these parts, to the extent that they have not benefitted from public comment, should be repurposed as sub- regulatory guidance. The Department seeks comment on what provisions in Subchapter B should be retained in the CFR, as well as what kind of sub-regulatory guidance the Department should use to preserve interpretive rules and policy statements that are removed from the CFR. This summary can be found at https://www.regulations.gov by searching by the RIN: 1235-AA52.
Learn More🏗️NRC Revises Nuclear Design Certification Duration to 40 Years
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations to revise the duration of design certifications (DCs). Specifically, this direct final rule replaces the 15-year duration for DCs with a 40-year duration period, both for existing DCs currently in effect and generically for future DCs, including renewals. This direct final rule does not change the date of issuance or renewal for existing DCs (i.e., the start date by which an existing DC may be referenced remains unchanged). This direct final rule also incorporates a minor editorial correction.
Learn More🏥Medicare and Medicaid Proposed Rule on Home Health Payment Updates
This proposed rule would set forth routine updates to the Medicare home health payment rates in accordance with existing statutory and regulatory requirements. In addition, this proposed rule proposes permanent and temporary behavior adjustments and proposes to recalibrate the case-mix weights and update the functional impairment levels; comorbidity subgroups; and low-utilization payment adjustment (LUPA) thresholds for CY 2026. Lastly, this proposed rule proposes policy changes to the face-to-face encounter policy. It also proposes changes to the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP) and the expanded Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model requirements. In addition, it would update the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). Lastly it proposes: a technical change to the HH conditions of participation; updates to DMEPOS supplier conditions of payment; updates to provider and supplier enrollment requirements; and changes to DMEPOS accreditation requirements.
Learn More🏠Energy Conservation Standards Compliance Date Amendments Explained
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is publishing this rule to amend the compliance date for its manufactured housing energy conservation standards. Previously, manufacturers had to comply with these standards on and after July 1, 2025, for Tier 2 homes and 60 days after the issuance of enforcement procedures for Tier 1 homes. DOE is delaying the Tier 2 compliance date to allow DOE more time to consider the proposed enforcement procedures and comments submitted, and to evaluate appropriate next steps that provide clarity for manufacturers and other stakeholders.
Learn More🛠️Proposed Rule to Simplify Apprenticeship Discrimination Requirements
The Department of Labor (DOL or the Department) is issuing this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to remove undue regulatory burdens on registered apprenticeship program sponsors. The Department's proposal would rescind certain regulatory provisions that it believes are unlawful. It also includes conforming, technical changes to the Department's regulation that addresses Labor Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship Programs. This proposed rule would streamline and simplify sponsors' obligations, while maintaining broad and effective nondiscrimination protections for apprentices and those seeking entry into apprenticeship programs. A brief summer of this document may be found at regulations.gov by searching by the RIN 1205- AC21.
Learn More💰Proposed Updates to ESRD Payment System Impacting Business
This proposed rule would update and revise the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System for calendar year 2026. This rule also proposes to update the payment rate for renal dialysis services furnished by an ESRD facility to individuals with acute kidney injury. In addition, this rule proposes to update requirements for the ESRD Quality Incentive Program and to terminate and modify requirements for the ESRD Treatment Choices Model.
Learn More🌾Proposed Rule to Rescind H-2A Labor Regulation Requirements
The Department of Labor (Department or DOL) is proposing to amend its regulations governing the certification of agricultural labor or services to be performed by temporary foreign workers in H-2A nonimmigrant status (H-2A workers) and enforcement of the contractual obligations applicable to employers of such nonimmigrant workers. This notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM or proposed rule) that would rescind provisions contained within a final rule published by the Department on April 29, 2024, which adopted a number of unnecessary, burdensome, and costly requirements on employers. Specifically, these provisions include, but are not limited to, substantial new requirements associated with the material terms and conditions offered by employers to H-2A workers that are not commonly provided to other U.S. workers, including progressive discipline policies for cause-based employment terminations, anti-retaliation measures for certain workers engaged in self-organization and other concerted activities, and expanding the authority and scope for a State Workforce Agency (SWA) to discontinue employment services to employers, which prevents those employers from accessing the H-2A program, while eliminating employers' option to request a hearing prior to the SWA's final determination. Further, the final rule imposed extensive highly-sensitive data collection requirements on employers related to their use of foreign labor recruiters, including personal names and physical addresses abroad, as well as detailed personal information associated with all owners of the employers, operators of the place(s) of employment, and supervisor(s) and manager(s) of workers employed under the terms of the work contract, with very limited or no practical utility to the agency's statutory decision making. A brief summary of this rulemaking can be found at www.regulations.gov by searching by the RIN: 1205-AC25.
Learn More⚓MARAD Proposes Regulatory Revisions on Seamen's Claims Process
MARAD is proposing to revise its regulations pertaining to the filing of claims and the administrative allowance or disallowance of claims filed by officers or members of crew employed on vessels owned, operated, or chartered by MARAD. The rule is intended (1) to correct numerous citations in accordance with the codification of Title 46 of the United States Code; (2) to improve accessibility by modernizing text and updating agency contact information; and (3) to remove obsolete references.
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