🦏Rescinding "Harm" Definition in Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (collectively referred to as the Services or we) are proposing to rescind the regulatory definition of "harm" in our Endangered Species Act (ESA or the Act) regulations. The existing regulatory definition of "harm," which includes habitat modification, runs contrary to the best meaning of the statutory term "take." We are undertaking this change to adhere to the single, best meaning of the ESA.
Learn More🌬️Ohio EPA Approves Stricter VOC Limits Affecting Local Businesses
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a September 28, 2023, State Implementation Plan (SIP) submittal from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA). The SIP submittal consists of a source-specific volatile organic compound (VOC) limitation for a flexographic printing line cold cleaner at the Valgroup company's plastic extrusion plant in Findlay, Ohio. The source-specific limitation reflects the technological differences between the facility's new control unit and cold cleaner requirements currently established in Ohio's SIP. Ohio EPA has determined that the source-specific VOC limitation for the cold cleaner is more stringent than existing cold cleaner limits in the Ohio SIP. EPA proposed to approve this action on October 7, 2024, and received no adverse comments.
Learn More🏠HUD Delays HOME Investment Program Regulation Effective Dates
On January 6, 2025, HUD published the HOME Investment Partnerships Program: Program Updates and Streamlining final rule (HOME Final Rule) in the Federal Register, which was scheduled to take effect on February 5, 2025. On February 3, 2025, HUD delayed the effective date of the HOME Final Rule until April 20, 2025, consistent with the President's January 20, 2025, memorandum titled "Regulatory Freeze Pending Review." This publication announces that HUD is further delaying the effective or compliance dates for certain provisions of the HOME Final Rule. The provisions of the HOME Final Rule that are not further delayed by this publication are effective as of April 20, 2025.
Learn More🚁FAA Special Conditions for Airbus EC175B Helicopter
These special conditions are issued for the Airbus Helicopters (Airbus) Model EC175B helicopter. This model helicopter will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category helicopters. This design feature is a 30-minute all engines operating (AEO) power rating. This rating will be used for hovering at increased power for search and rescue missions. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.
Learn More🌬️Spokane Air Quality Regulation Updates and Business Implications
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving revisions to the Washington State Implementation Plan (SIP) that were submitted by the Department of Ecology (Ecology) in coordination with the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency (SRCAA). In 2021, the EPA approved a comprehensive update to the SRCAA general air quality regulations in the SIP, which include new source review permitting requirements as well as other general requirements for sources regulated under SRCAA's jurisdiction. In this action, the EPA is approving additional updates to the SRCAA general air quality regulations promulgated since our comprehensive approval in 2021.
Learn More💊Key Medicare and Medicaid Regulatory Changes for 2026
This final rule revises the Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D), Medicare cost plan, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) regulations to implement changes related to prescription drug coverage, the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, dual eligible special needs plans (D-SNPs), Part C and D Star Ratings, and other programmatic areas, including the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. This final rule also codifies existing sub-regulatory guidance in the Part C and Part D programs.
Learn More📉Treasury Direct Final Rule on Eliminating Unnecessary Regulations
Pursuant to an Executive order, the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) is conducting a review of existing regulations, with the goal of reducing regulatory burden by revoking or revising existing regulations that meet the criteria set forth in the Executive order. In support of that objective, this direct final rule streamlines titles 12 and 31 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) by removing regulations that are no longer necessary or no longer have any current or future applicability.
Learn More🚤Coast Guard Proposes Special Regulations for Neuse and Trent Rivers
The Coast Guard is proposing to establish special local regulations (SLR) to provide for the safety of human life on certain waters of the Neuse and Trent Rivers during raft races to be held annually in New Bern, NC on select Saturdays in June. This proposed rulemaking would restrict non-participant access within the designated race area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP), Sector North Carolina or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.
Learn More⛵New Temporary Regulation for Bush River Boat Race Safety
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation for certain waters of the Bush River and Otter Point Creek, in Maryland. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters, located at Edgewood, MD, during a high-speed power boat race on May 3, 2025, and May 4, 2025. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels (other than those already at berth at the time the regulation takes effect) from being in the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Maryland-National Capital Region (COTP), or a designated representative.
Learn More🐚Removal of Marine Archaeology Protection Rule
Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress passed, and the President signed, a joint resolution disapproving the final "Protection of Marine Archaeology Resources" rule published by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on September 3, 2024. That rule required lessees and operators to submit an archaeological report with any oil and gas exploration or development plan they submit to BOEM for approval of proposed activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Under the joint resolution and by operation of the Congressional Review Act, the "Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources" rule has no force or effect.
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