Search Results for keywords:"transparency and accountability"

The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences will hold a series of closed meetings from April 22 to April 24, 2025, to review cooperative agreement applications. These meetings are closed to protect confidential information such as trade secrets and personal details. The discussions will happen via video conference. For more details, individuals can contact Dr. M. Lourdes Ponce at the National Institutes of Health.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has proposed a new rule to modify a system of records called the "Defense Sexual Assault Incident Database," which is intended to collect data related to sexual assault cases involving members of the Armed Forces. The rule seeks to exempt certain records within this database from parts of the Privacy Act to allow for better handling of legal actions or investigations without interference. The rule also invites the public to submit comments before it becomes final, and it explains that it won't significantly affect small businesses or impose compliance costs on state, local, or Tribal governments. The proposal is primarily focused on maintaining the privacy and integrity of ongoing investigations and ensuring a streamlined process for handling reports of sexual assault.

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is notifying the public about several Federal agency requests to dispose of records they no longer require for business purposes. These notifications, published in the Federal Register and on regulations.gov, invite the public to comment on the proposed schedules for record disposal. People can submit their comments by March 11, 2021, through the Federal eRulemaking Portal or by mail. NARA emphasizes that these record schedules determine whether certain records should be preserved or destroyed, depending on their long-term value.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has submitted a proposed information collection requirement to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, allowing for 30 more days of public comment. This collection involves the Housing Counseling Program, which provides guidance to homebuyers, homeowners, and renters to help them make informed decisions and avoid predatory lending practices. HUD aims to ensure that these services are offered by approved agencies that meet its standards. The public is invited to comment on whether the information collected is necessary, accurate, and efficient.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) has scheduled several meetings to discuss grant applications and cooperative agreements. These meetings are part of a review process and will be closed to the public to protect confidential and personal information. The meetings, occurring from April 1 to April 4, 2025, will be conducted virtually. Contact information for the scientific review officers overseeing each meeting is also provided.

The United States Postal Service has announced that it has filed a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission. This request is to add a new domestic shipping services contract to the Competitive Products List in the Mail Classification Schedule. The contract involves Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage services. More details can be found at the postal regulatory website under specific docket numbers.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a final rule regarding the "NIH Police Records" system, which contains law enforcement records maintained by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Police Division. This rule establishes exemptions from certain requirements of the Privacy Act, allowing the NIH to withhold access to specific investigatory records to protect law enforcement procedures and sources. The exemptions apply to both criminal and non-criminal investigatory materials to prevent interference with ongoing investigations and safeguard the integrity of investigatory techniques. The rule is set to become effective on February 18, 2025, and it has been determined that it will not have significant economic impacts on small entities or impose significant expenses on state or local governments.

The Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) has announced their meeting schedule for 2025. Meetings will take place on six different dates: February 25-26, April 22-23, June 17-18, August 19-20, October 21-22, and December 9-10. These meetings will cover a range of topics, including financial reporting on government land, climate-related reporting, and public-private partnerships. Portions of these meetings, particularly those relating to personnel matters, may be closed to the public.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that a permit has been issued under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This permit was granted without needing an environmental assessment due to its exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act. For further details, the permit and related documents can be reviewed by requesting them via email. The official announcement and related actions are documented in the Federal Register.

The U.S. Department of Education has decided to withdraw a proposed rule change that would have affected regulations regarding religious student organizations at public colleges and universities. Initially, the Department planned to rescind certain rules related to these organizations, but after receiving around 58,000 public comments, they've chosen not to proceed. This decision was influenced by the concerns presented in the comments, the upcoming change in administration, and the resources required to address all the feedback. The existing rules will continue to be in place for now, but the Department will not actively investigate possible rule violations unless directed by a court decision.