Search Results for keywords:"executive orders"

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) announced a Federal Personnel Vetting Core Doctrine to reform the process of vetting government employees. This document lays out the principles and priorities for evaluating the trustworthiness of federal workers, aiming to improve efficiency and promote mobility within the government workforce. The policy focuses on using risk management, data-driven improvements, and transparency to ensure fair and consistent vetting processes. The doctrine aligns with executive orders and will serve as a guide for government-wide and agency-specific policies.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has issued an interim rule to remove its regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) from the Code of Federal Regulations. This action follows an executive order that rescinded the previous directive requiring these regulations and raised questions about CEQ's authority to impose binding rules. CEQ invites public comments on this rule by March 27, 2025, and will consider these before finalizing the rule. The interim rule’s removal of regulations is aimed at addressing legal uncertainties and simplifying agency compliance with NEPA.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), part of the Department of Transportation, has withdrawn a proposed rule regarding the investigation of railroad accidents and incidents. The rule, initially published in October 2024, aimed to establish a standard process for information gathering and consultation with stakeholders during investigations. The decision to retract follows two negative comments criticizing insufficiencies and potential issues, including vague definitions and conflicts with existing practices. The withdrawal allows FRA to revisit the proposal and work with stakeholders to address concerns.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has updated its rules for the Veterans Legacy Grants Program (VLGP) to align with new federal award regulations and to improve the grant administration process. These updates include changes to terms and timelines for reporting by grant recipients, without significantly impacting small entities receiving grants. The rule ensures that there are no new information collections required beyond those already approved and incorporates executive orders to maximize regulatory benefits. It will be effective from January 30, 2025, and does not impose significant economic impacts or unfunded mandates.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has proposed a new rule to update its regulations on claims collection. This rule aims to comply with the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014 by requiring USAID to refer certain overdue debts to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. By revising definitions and processes and ensuring conformity with existing statues, USAID seeks to improve the effectiveness of its debt collection procedures. Public comments on the proposed rule were invited until March 31, 2021.