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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has finalized a rule updating the list of select agents and toxins that could be used as biological threats, effective January 16, 2025. The changes include removing certain Brucella species from the list, updating the nomenclature for several agents, increasing the permissible limit for a specific toxin, and designating Nipah virus as a Tier 1 select agent due to its high risk of misuse. The decision to retain or modify agents like the botulinum neurotoxin-producing species of Clostridium reflects considerations of public health, security, and regulatory compliance. These adjustments aim to align with current scientific understanding and reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining necessary security measures.

The Coast Guard has issued a final rule to establish a Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) on the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio, to ensure safety during a bank stabilization construction project. Starting December 2, 2024, until July 11, 2025, vessel speeds will be limited, and access to the RNA will be restricted during construction hours unless permitted by the Captain of the Port. The rule aims to minimize risks to both vessels and construction workers, while also providing exceptions for small entities, and has been reviewed to ensure compliance with various federal regulations and executive orders.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), part of the Department of Commerce, has announced the mandatory Annual Survey of Foreign Ocean Carriers' Expenses in the United States, known as BE-29. This survey collects data to understand the expenses of foreign ocean carriers in the U.S. and measure trade in transport services, which is crucial for analyzing its impact on both the U.S. and foreign economies. Entities required to respond include U.S. agents who managed 40 or more foreign carrier port calls or had expenses of $250,000 or more. Responses must be submitted within 45 days after the calendar year ends.

The National Park Service proposes to update regulations for using personal watercraft at the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The proposal includes reducing flat wake speed zones in specific areas and officially closing certain parts of West Petit Bois Island and around the Fort Pickens ferry pier to watercraft. These changes aim to protect the natural and cultural resources of the seashore and enhance visitor safety. Public comments on this proposed rule must be submitted by March 16, 2021.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized a rule specifying the scope of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The rule clarifies that the MBTA's prohibitions on actions like pursuing, hunting, capturing, or killing migratory birds apply only to deliberate actions directed at these birds, their nests, or their eggs. It explains that the incidental harm or death of birds resulting from activities not aimed at them is not covered under this law. This decision aims to provide legal clarity and reduce regulatory uncertainty for industries and individuals.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final rule to establish Class E airspace above Transylvania Community Hospital in Brevard, NC. This airspace extends upward from 700 feet within a 6-mile radius of the hospital's heliport. The purpose of this action is to support new GPS-based navigation procedures, ensuring the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations. The rule is not expected to have a significant impact on the economy or the environment.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued new rules under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for certain chemical substances identified in premanufacture notices (PMNs). These rules, known as Significant New Use Rules (SNURs), require companies to notify the EPA 90 days before beginning to manufacture or process these chemicals in ways considered a "significant new use," giving the EPA time to evaluate potential risks. The rules include specific requirements for workplace safety, such as ventilation and protective equipment, as well as guidelines for hazard communication. This regulation aims to prevent risks to human health and the environment before these new uses of chemicals are fully developed or used commercially.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an application fee of $730 for the calendar year 2025. This fee applies to institutional providers who are enrolling in or revalidating their enrollment in Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and adding a new Medicare practice location. The fee is effective from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025. The increase in cost was determined by adjusting the previous year's fee of $709 by 3% based on inflation data.

The FAA has issued a new rule that replaces a previous directive concerning the Captain's and First Officer's seats on certain Boeing 767 airplanes. The new rule addresses reports of uncommanded movements of these seats, which could pose safety risks during critical flight phases. This rule requires inspections and actions based on specific seat part numbers and introduces guidelines for compliance. The FAA has consulted various stakeholders and made some changes based on feedback, ensuring safety without imposing significant economic burdens.

The Federal Subsistence Board has proposed new rules for wildlife hunting and trapping in Alaska for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 regulatory years. These rules would update the regulations for subsistence use, revise hunting seasons and harvest limits, and ensure that Alaska residents in rural areas have priority for taking fish and wildlife on federal lands. The proposed regulations would replace existing ones and are subject to public meetings for comments and suggestions on changes. Federal agencies, along with rural residents, are working together to manage the subsistence resources effectively.