⛽Approval of Minnesota’s Underground Storage Tank Program Revisions
Pursuant to the Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965, as amended (commonly known as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the State of Minnesota's Underground Storage Tank (UST) program submitted by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. This action also codifies EPA's approval of Minnesota's state program and incorporates by reference those provisions of Minnesota's statutes and regulations that EPA has determined meet the requirements for approval. The provisions will be subject to EPA's inspection and enforcement authorities under RCRA Subtitle I and other applicable statutory and regulatory provisions.
Learn More⛽Maryland Underground Storage Tank Program Revisions Approved by EPA
Pursuant to the Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965, as amended (commonly known as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the State of Maryland's Underground Storage Tank (UST) program submitted by Maryland (Maryland or State). This action also codifies EPA's approval of Maryland's state program and incorporates by reference (IBR) those provisions of Maryland's regulations and statutes that EPA has determined meet the requirements for approval. The provisions will be subject to EPA's inspection and enforcement authorities under sections 9005 and 9006 of RCRA Subtitle I and other applicable statutory and regulatory provisions.
Learn More🏇Proposed Modifications to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rules
As required by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020, the Federal Trade Commission publishes a proposed modification of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's rules addressing horseracing in the United States. The proposed rule modification would amend the Rule 8000 Series, the Enforcement Rule, which establishes specified violations, sanctions applicable to violations of rules in both the Rule 2000 and Rule 8000 Series, a comprehensive set of procedures for the adjudication of alleged violations, and rules applicable to the exercise of the Authority's investigatory powers. This document publicizes the Authority's proposed rule modification's text and explanation, and it seeks public comment on whether the Commission should approve the proposed rule modification.
Learn More⚖️USMCA Correcting Amendments
On January 17, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register amending the CBP regulations to add implementing regulations for the preferential tariff treatment and related customs provisions of the Agreement Between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA) related to general definitions, drawback and duty- deferral programs, textile and apparel goods, and automotive goods, among others. Errant amendatory instructions resulted in the inadvertent omission of two conforming amendments and the removal of two paragraphs that were unrelated to the USMCA amendments. This action corrects those errors.
Learn More⚓Proposed Changes to Great Lakes Pilotage Rates for 2026
The Coast Guard is proposing new base Great Lakes pilotage rates for the 2026 shipping season while facilitating commerce and supply chains. The Coast Guard estimates that this proposed rule would result in an approximately 7-percent decrease in operating costs compared to the 2025 season. The Coast Guard is also proposing one change to the ratemaking methodology: the removal of Step 5 regarding the working capital fund. In accordance with the requirement to conduct a full ratemaking at least every 5 years, we are conducting a full ratemaking for 2026 and accepting comments on the Great Lakes pilotage ratemaking methodology.
Learn More🧪Massachusetts Hazardous Waste Program Revisions Authorized by EPA
Massachusetts has applied to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for final authorization of revisions to its hazardous waste program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as amended. The EPA has reviewed Massachusetts' application and has determined that these revisions satisfy all requirements needed to qualify for final authorization. Therefore, we are taking direct final action to authorize the State's changes. In the "Proposed Rules" section of this Federal Register, EPA is also publishing a separate document that serves as the proposal to authorize these revisions. Unless EPA receives written comments that oppose this authorization during the comment period, the decision to authorize Massachusetts' revisions to its hazardous waste program will take effect.
Learn More📜IRS Withdraws Proposed Rule on Passport Tax Debt Disclosure
This document withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking that has been determined to be unnecessary. The notice of proposed rulemaking proposed to authorize the Department of State (State Department) to disclose returns and return information to its contractors who assist the State Department in carrying out certain responsibilities related to revoking or denying a passport of any individual certified to have a seriously delinquent tax debt.
Learn More📊New BE-13 Survey Regulations for Foreign Investment Reporting
This final rule amends regulations of the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) to set forth the reporting requirements for the BE-13, Survey of New Foreign Direct Investment in the United States ("BE-13 survey"). The BE-13 survey collects information on the acquisition or establishment of U.S. business enterprises by foreign investors, and information on expansions by existing U.S. affiliates of foreign companies. The data collected through the survey are used to measure the amount of new foreign direct investment in the United States and ensure complete coverage of BEA's other foreign direct investment statistics. BEA will change the reporting requirements of the survey to reduce respondent burden, simplify reporting, and increase the efficiency of the data collection. This mandatory BE-13 survey is required from persons subject to the reporting requirements, whether or not they are contacted by BEA.
Learn More🎓Proposed Changes to Nonimmigrant Admissions Impacting Businesses
Unlike most nonimmigrant classifications, which are admitted for a fixed time period, aliens in the F (academic student), J (exchange visitor), and most I (representatives of foreign information media) classifications, with limited exceptions, are currently admitted into the United States for the period of time that they are complying with the terms and conditions of their nonimmigrant classification ("duration of status"). The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to amend its regulations by changing the admission period in the F, J, and I classifications from duration of status to an admission for a fixed time period.
Learn More📜Delegation of Authority on Substance Use Records Regulation
The Department of Health and Human Services has delegated authority to the Office for Civil Rights to enforce regulations regarding the confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records. This includes the ability to impose penalties for noncompliance, enter resolution agreements, and issue subpoenas related to compliance reviews. This delegation supersedes prior delegations and can be redelegated.
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