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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 Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the USDA has issued a final rule revising the fee structure for Section 8e import inspections of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other products. Inspections will now be charged on a per-pound basis instead of a per-carlot basis, with a significant reduction in additional sublot fees by 50%. This change aims to better reflect the actual inspection costs and reduce financial impact on smaller shipments. The rule is expected to result in equal or lower fees for about 77% of the inspections conducted over recent years and is designed to avoid disproportionately burdening small businesses.

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) has finalized a rule, without changes, that updates how they calculate the earnings and losses for court-ordered payments involving Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) participants. This rule affects payments to spouses, former spouses, children, or dependents when a court order is issued. The new methodology aligns with industry standards, calculating earnings through an internal rate of return that considers how cash flows like contributions or loans affect investment performance. This ensures that the final payout is based on both the award amount and the actual investment earnings from the relevant period.

The Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service has approved a recommendation to increase the assessment rate for watermelons under the Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan. The new rate boosts the assessment from six to nine cents per hundredweight. Domestic producers with 10 acres or more and domestic handlers will each pay four and a half cents per hundredweight, while importers of 150,000 pounds or more will pay nine cents per hundredweight. This increase aims to address inflation's impact on the plan’s buying power and continues to support marketing and research efforts, benefiting the watermelon industry overall. The rule also includes administrative corrections without changing the assessment rate.

The Coast Guard has decided to remove a regulated navigation area in Sparkman Channel, Tampa, Florida. Initially, the area restricted vessel drafts to protect navigation due to an underwater pipeline, but advancements in technology have rendered these restrictions unnecessary. The change, effective March 4, 2021, aims to eliminate these outdated limitations, and the Coast Guard sees no significant impact on small businesses or the environment. This action is being taken under the authority granted by U.S. law, and no new rules or navigational hurdles are being introduced by this change.

The Federal Reserve Board is updating its rules to adjust the fines known as civil money penalties for inflation, as required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. This adjustment ensures that penalties retain their deterrent effect by accounting for changes in the economy. The new penalty amounts will apply starting January 13, 2025, for violations occurring after November 2, 2015. The rule is implemented without the usual notice and comment process because of specific provisions in the law.

The FDIC has issued a final rule to simplify its regulations by rescinding outdated and redundant policies regarding nondiscrimination. It is removing a regulation known as "Nondiscrimination Requirements" and updating the "Fair Housing" regulation to also cover State savings associations. This change ensures all FDIC-supervised banks follow the same nondiscrimination rules, aligning with federal laws like the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Fair Housing Act. The rule will take effect on March 5, 2021, with additional compliance deadlines set for February 3, 2022.

The Department of Justice has updated its regulations to better describe the current functions of the Office of Legal Policy (OLP). This rule simplifies certain sections by removing outdated references to a non-existing entity and details the responsibilities of the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the OLP. It is considered an internal matter, so it does not require public comment or a delayed start and will not significantly impact state governments or federal-state relations. The changes take effect on January 17, 2025.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a final rule to adjust civil penalty amounts for inflation, fulfilling the requirements under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act. These adjustments ensure that penalties continue to serve as a deterrent and encourage compliance with the law. The new penalty amounts will take effect on January 15, 2025, and apply to violations occurring after November 2, 2015. This rulemaking process does not require public notice or comment due to its technical nature and statutory obligations.

The Department of State has issued a final rule to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), specifically adjusting the fees required for registration with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC). The updated rule increases the registration fees for the first time in fifteen years, necessary to cover rising operational costs and prevent budget deficits. Responses to public comments were considered, particularly concerning the impact on small businesses, leading to the introduction of a discounted fee for qualifying Tier 1 registrants. The changes aim to maintain DDTC operations while ensuring fair distribution of costs among registrants.