📜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✈️Summary of FAA's New Falsification Regulations for Aviation
FAA is amending, restructuring, and consolidating the falsification regulations presently located throughout title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Regarding 14 CFR chapter I, this rule eliminates inconsistencies among the various falsification regulations and associated sanctions; consolidates all existing falsification regulations into one part under 14 CFR chapter I to standardize the existing falsification regulations; and ensures that falsification-related conduct not addressed by pertinent current regulations is covered. This rule also creates a falsification prohibition applicable to the regulations governing commercial space transportation.
Learn More🎓Updates to State Approving Agency Jurisdiction Rule
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) publishes a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to amend its definitions of the terms "independent study," "distance learning," and "resident learning," and to establish a new term, "standard curriculum." These proposed amendments, which distinguish distance learning from resident learning and independent study from standard curriculum, address concerns from VA stakeholders who view independent study and distance learning as having distinct and separate meanings and clarify State Approving Agency (SAA) jurisdiction over courses taken solely by distance learning.
Learn More🌫️New EPA Rules Remove Affirmative Defense for Polyether Polyols Industry
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Polyether Polyols (PEPO) Production under the Clean Air Act (CAA). Specifically, for this NESHAP, the EPA is finalizing the removal of affirmative defense provisions associated with the violation of air emission standards due to malfunctions.
Learn More⛏️Revisions to Mining Claims Regulations by Bureau of Land Management
This direct final rule (DFR) revises regulations containing general provisions related to requirements for locating, recording, and maintaining mining claims or sites under the Mining Law of 1872. This DFR updates terminology, clarifies language, and removes obsolete provisions.
Learn More🌬️Georgia Eases Air Quality Permitting Requirements for Businesses
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Georgia through the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) on June 27, 2024. The revision seeks to remove permitting requirements related to nonattainment, including nonattainment new source review (NNSR), from Georgia's SIP as obsolete, remove certain provisions related to the use of emission reduction credits (ERCs), and make other changes based upon the lack of any areas designated as nonattainment for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in Georgia. EPA is proposing to approve these changes pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).
Learn More📦Revocation of Validated End-User Authorizations in China
In this final rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to revise the existing Validated End-User (VEU) Authorizations list for the People's Republic of China (PRC) by removing Intel Semiconductor (Dalian) Ltd; Samsung China Semiconductor Co. Ltd; and SK hynix Semiconductor (China) Ltd.
Learn More⚖️New Drug Testing Regulations for Transportation Workers
The U.S. Department of Transportation (Department or DOT) proposes to amend its drug-testing program regulation, 49 CFR part 40 (part 40), to add fentanyl (a synthetic opioid) and norfentanyl (a metabolite of fentanyl) to its drug testing panels. The proposed rulemaking would harmonize part 40 with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs (Mandatory Guidelines), which DOT must follow for the minimum list of drugs for which DOT requires testing, and the comprehensive standards for laboratory drug testing per the Omnibus Employee Testing Act of 1991. Adding fentanyl and norfentanyl is also in the interest of transportation safety, given compelling information regarding the number of overdose deaths in the United States involving fentanyl. The Department also proposes to amend certain provisions of part 40 to harmonize, as appropriate, with the current HHS Mandatory Guidelines using urine (UrMG) and oral fluid (OFMG). This NPRM also proposes to clarify certain existing part 40 drug testing program provisions and to make technical amendments.
Learn More🌊Proposed Safety Zone on Charles River for Bridge Replacement
The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a safety zone on the navigable waters of the Charles River, in Boston, Massachusetts. This safety zone would protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with a bridge replacement project that is expected to last approximately eight years. During periods when it is subject to enforcement, this rule would prohibit unauthorized vessels and individuals from entering the safety zone without permission from Sector Boston's Captain of the Port, or a designated representative.
Learn More