Search Results for keywords:"Regulatory Flexibility Act"

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced a list of rules they plan to review as part of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The aim of this review is to determine if these rules should stay the same, be changed, or removed to lessen their economic impact on small businesses. The public is encouraged to provide feedback on these rules by January 9, 2025, to help the SEC make informed decisions. This includes important rulings such as those related to crowdfunding and small business exemptions under securities law.

The Department of Education has issued final regulations to adjust civil monetary penalties (CMPs) for inflation, as required by law. This adjustment is based on the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 and affects penalties related to higher education, violations by lenders, and improper lobbying, among others. The new penalty amounts are calculated using a specific multiplier from the Office of Management and Budget, ensuring they retain their deterrent effect. These updates apply to violations occurring after November 2, 2015, and penalties assessed after February 3, 2021.

The Federal Maritime Commission issued a final rule to adjust for inflation the civil monetary penalties they assess, following the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. This rule requires agencies to announce these adjustments by January 15 every year and is based on changes in the consumer price index. The adjustment process is not required to follow certain procedural steps like public notice or comment, and the rule will not have significant economic impacts. Additionally, the rule doesn’t involve any new collection of information from the public.

The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled has announced the deletion of certain products from the Procurement List. These products, previously supplied by nonprofit agencies that employ individuals who are blind or have severe disabilities, will not be purchased by the Federal Government after March 14, 2021. The decision comes after a review and determination that these products are no longer suitable for procurement. The Committee ensured that this action will not significantly impact small businesses and might create opportunities for other entities to supply these products.

The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled has decided to remove certain products and services from their Procurement List. This means items like paper bowls from The Lighthouse for the Blind in New Orleans, Inc. and services like medical transcription and switchboard operations, often provided by nonprofit agencies, can now be sourced from other suppliers. The removal is effective from May 11, 2025, and is not expected to heavily impact small businesses. This decision allows more variety in who can supply these products and services to government agencies.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a final rule that requires its regulations to be reviewed periodically, with most regulations set to expire automatically every ten years unless reviewed. This is intended to ensure that regulations stay up-to-date and relevant. The final rule also includes processes for public comments and specifies the criteria for reviews, which include assessing whether the regulations significantly impact small entities, and if they are still necessary or need amendments. Certain regulations, such as those mandated by federal law and the annual Medicare payment update rules, are exempt from these reviews.

The Coast Guard is establishing a new anchorage ground near Port Westward on the Columbia River, aiming to enhance the safety of navigation by providing more anchorage options for commercial vessels. This rule, effective from January 3, 2025, was developed in response to increased vessel traffic and size, and it has received supportive feedback from stakeholders during the comment periods. According to the Coast Guard, the impact on small businesses and routine navigation is expected to be minimal. The rule has been carefully evaluated under various legal frameworks, including the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, ensuring compliance with federal standards.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is proposing changes to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to better align it with international guidelines, specifically the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), Revision 7. This proposed rule aims to improve how chemical hazards are communicated to employers and employees, ensuring greater consistency and effectiveness. The updates included in the rule cover how hazards are classified, how labels are created, and technical updates to safety data sheets, among others. The public is invited to submit comments on these proposed changes by April 19, 2021.

The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled announced the removal of certain products and services from the Procurement List. These items and services were previously supplied by nonprofits that employ people with severe disabilities. The committee concluded these items are no longer suitable for federal procurement under the relevant laws and regulations. This change may allow small entities the opportunity to supply these products and services to the government; it is not expected to impose additional requirements on them.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final rule amending Class E airspace at Elkhart-Morton County Airport in Kansas. This change is due to the removal of an important navigation beacon that was decommissioned. The amendment adjusts airspace regulations to aid in the safe movement of aircraft and effective use of the airspace. This rule is a routine technical update with minimal impact and does not significantly affect the environment.