⚡Updates on Energy Conservation Standards and Compliance Requirements
The U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") is publishing a final rule to amend and correct certain energy conservation standards and test procedures of consumer products and commercial and industrial equipment, as described in sections I and II of this document. The changes addressed in this document are technical in nature, and neither the errors nor the corrections in this document affect the substance of any rulemaking or any conclusions reached in support of any final rule.
Learn More📜Analysis of CEQ FOIA and Privacy Act Regulations Impact on Businesses
The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is finalizing its Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regulations to incorporate amendments to the FOIA set forth in the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016; to conform to guidance for Federal agencies from the Department of Justice; to make them easier for the public to understand and use; and to better reflect CEQ's current policy and practice. These final regulations reaffirm CEQ's commitment to providing the fullest possible disclosure of records to the public. In addition, CEQ is amending its regulations implementing the Privacy Act of 1974 (the Privacy Act) to make them easier for the public to understand and use and to better reflect CEQ's current policy and practice. These final regulations also make administrative changes, including reorganizing, renumbering, and renaming the sections of CEQ's current FOIA and Privacy Act regulations. CEQ considered all of the public comments received on its proposed rule and made changes in response in this final rule.
Learn More💼Proposed Updates to Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program
The Office for Victims of Crime ("OVC") of the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs ("OJP"), proposes this rule to amend the program regulations for the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program ("ITVERP"), to streamline program operation, more expressly reflect certain policy and procedures adopted by OVC since it began administering the program in 2006, and to adjust cost category caps.
Learn More🌊New Florida Keys Sanctuary Regulations
As part of its Restoration Blueprint initiative, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is issuing final regulations for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS or sanctuary) that will expand the boundary of the sanctuary, update sanctuary-wide regulations, update the individual marine zones and their associated regulations, and revise the sanctuary's terms of designation. NOAA is also finalizing a revised management plan and final environmental impact statement (EIS) as part of this action. The final rule describes how NOAA will work to improve the condition of resources in FKNMS through a series of regulatory measures designed to reduce threats and, where appropriate, restore coral reefs, seagrasses, and other important habitats. The intended effect of this final rule is to manage and protect the living and heritage resources of FKNMS for the benefit of the public.
Learn More🍷New Alcohol Facts Labeling Regulation
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to require disclosure of per-serving alcohol, calorie, and nutrient content information in an "Alcohol Facts" statement on all alcohol beverage labels subject to TTB's regulatory authority under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (FAA Act). This rulemaking responds to the Department of the Treasury's February 2022 report on "Competition in the Markets for Beer, Wine, and Spirits," which recommended that TTB revive or initiate rulemaking on alcohol content, nutritional content, and appropriate serving sizes for alcohol beverage labels. Pursuant to its authorities under both the FAA Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, TTB is also proposing mandatory alcohol content statements for certain types of malt beverages, beer, and wine that are not currently required to be labeled with an alcohol content statement. TTB proposes a compliance date of 5 years from the date that a final rule resulting from this proposal is published in the Federal Register.
Learn More⚓New Cybersecurity Regulations for U.S.-Flagged Vessels and Facilities
The Coast Guard is updating its maritime security regulations by establishing minimum cybersecurity requirements for U.S.-flagged vessels, Outer Continental Shelf facilities, and facilities subject to the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 regulations. This final rule addresses current and emerging cybersecurity threats in the marine transportation system by adding minimum cybersecurity requirements to help detect risks and respond to and recover from cybersecurity incidents. These include requirements to develop and maintain a Cybersecurity Plan, designate a Cybersecurity Officer, and take various measures to maintain cybersecurity within the marine transportation system. The Coast Guard is also seeking comments on a potential delay for the implementation periods for U.S.-flagged vessels.
Learn More🩺New VA Regulations on Telemedicine Prescriptions for Controlled Substances
This final rule authorizes Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) practitioners acting within the scope of their VA employment to prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine to a VA patient with whom they have not conducted an in-person medical evaluation. VA practitioners are permitted to prescribe controlled substances to VA patients if another VA practitioner has, at any time, previously conducted an in-person medical evaluation of the VA patient, subject to certain conditions.
Learn More🥗WIC Overseas Program Updates
The ASD(HA) is issuing this final rule to revise the definition of drafts, currently defined as paper instruments, within the regulation governing the WIC Overseas Program. This final rule modernizes the definition of drafts to include not only paper instruments but also other methods and processes, including electronic benefit transfers. The rule is being published as a final rule as the change to the definition of drafts involve only a minor, technical amendment to the existing regulation. The Department has determined that notice and comment would be unnecessary and contrary to public interest.
Learn More💊New DEA Regulations on Telemedicine and Special Registration
The Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 (the "Ryan Haight Act") generally requires an in-person medical evaluation prior to the issuance of a prescription of controlled substances but provides an exception to this in-person medical evaluation requirement where the practitioner is engaged in the "practice of telemedicine" within the meaning of the Ryan Haight Act. These proposed regulatory changes would establish a Special Registration framework and authorize three types of Special Registration. This proposed rulemaking also provides for heightened prescription, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements. DEA believes such changes are necessary to effectively expand patient access to controlled substance medications via telemedicine while mitigating the risks of diversion associated with such expansion. A summary of this rule may be found at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/DEA-2023-0029.
Learn More⚖️Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustments for Oil and Gas Operations
This final rule adjusts the amounts of civil monetary penalties contained in the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) regulations governing onshore oil and gas operations and coal trespass. This final rule is required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 and is consistent with applicable Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance. The adjustments made by this final rule constitute the 2025 annual inflation adjustments and account for one year of inflation spanning the period from October 2023 through October 2024.
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