Search Results for keywords:"interim final rule"

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued an interim final rule that allows current and former Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees to appeal the recoupment of awards, bonuses, or relocation expenses. This regulation, which stems from the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, establishes procedures for these appeals to be made to the Director of OPM if the VA requires repayment, possibly due to misconduct or errors in payment authorization. OPM's review is limited to ensuring the VA followed its recoupment policies and relevant legal procedures, without evaluating the underlying disciplinary actions. The rule aims to provide clarity and fairness in the appeal process and is open for public comment until March 17, 2025.

The document outlines an interim final rule by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), under the Homeland Security and Treasury Departments, to implement regulations for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This rule amends existing regulations to provide guidance on preferential tariff treatment and related customs measures for various goods, including textiles and automotive products. It establishes certification requirements for importers and manufacturers, recordkeeping responsibilities, and procedures for protests and verifications. The rule aims to ensure compliance with the new trade agreement and streamline the process for benefiting from the preferential treatment under the USMCA.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is making changes to ensure swap dealers and major swap participants can continue to reconcile their swap portfolios without disruption. This comes after recent amendments to swap data regulations that would have otherwise impacted the reconciliation process. The CFTC has introduced an interim final rule that involves technical adjustments to maintain the current requirements for these reconciliations, ensuring that swap dealers can keep operating as they have been. The public is invited to comment on these changes until March 8, 2021.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released an interim final rule to manage the handling of retaliation complaints under the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (AMLA), as part of anti-retaliation efforts. This rule outlines procedures for filing complaints, the investigation process, and the resolution, including possible appeals and judicial review, in cases of alleged retaliation against whistleblowers. The interim final rule is effective from January 14, 2025, and comments are invited until March 17, 2025, to refine these guidelines. The document ensures whistleblowers are protected when they report actions they reasonably believe to be violations of law, though it excludes employees of federally insured banks and credit unions, which are protected under different statutes.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalized a rule allowing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to send immigration bond-related notices electronically, provided obligors agree to this method of communication. Although no significant changes were made from an earlier interim rule, this final rule clarifies text, updates terminology, and fixes typographical errors. Commenters raised concerns about technical issues, accessibility, and fairness, particularly regarding the new Cash Electronic Bonds Online System (CeBONDS), but the rule aims to make processes more efficient and reduce mail costs. This transition to electronic service is optional, and obligors can still opt for traditional mail service.

The Bureau of Industry and Security, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is updating the Export Administration Regulations to impose new restrictions on certain biotechnology equipment. This interim final rule targets equipment, such as flow cytometers and mass spectrometers, used in advanced biotechnology, which could pose national security risks if misused. These regulations come into effect on January 16, 2025, and they also invite the public to comment on the new measures by March 17, 2025. The rule aims to prevent these technologies from being used in ways that could threaten U.S. security while still allowing for their beneficial use in fields like health and environmental science.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued a correction to an earlier rule published on February 25, 2025. This correction updates the words used in the rule regarding the removal of CEQ's regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act from the Code of Federal Regulations. The change clarifies the authority under which the amendments are made, referencing specific U.S. Code sections and an executive order. These updates become effective on April 11, 2025.

The Department of Justice has issued an interim final rule removing outdated regulations about how the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) handles requests for exceptions to certain federal firearms restrictions. These regulations pertained to how individuals could apply for relief from disabilities imposed by firearms laws, but since 1992, funding has been blocked for processing these individual requests. The rule also withdraws the delegation given to ATF to oversee these applications, clearing the way for a new approach in the future. Interested parties are invited to submit comments on the changes until June 18, 2025.

The Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) of the Department of the Interior is making changes to its regulations to improve the hearings and appeals process. These updates aim to make procedures more efficient, reflect changes in the law, and incorporate modern technology like electronic filing and case management systems. They are meant to help both the people involved in these cases and the department work more effectively, ensuring that decisions are reviewed quickly and fairly. The new regulations will be effective from February 10, 2025, and public comments on these changes can be submitted until March 11, 2025.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a correcting amendment to fix a typographical error in the 2021 Physician Fee Schedule final rule. The error involved an incorrect reference in the regulation instructions, which has now been accurately revised. The amendment ensures that the rule properly reflects intended policies without making any substantive changes. CMS determined that regular notice and comment procedures were unnecessary for this correction, as it is purely technical and aligns with previously finalized policies.