Search Results for keywords:"modernization"

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released criteria to help evaluate and modernize its health care facilities as required by the MISSION Act of 2018. These criteria are designed to ensure that Veterans have access to high-quality, cost-effective, and sustainable health care. The evaluation process will consider factors such as Veterans' needs, accessibility, and resource management, while ensuring compliance with the VA's missions, including education and research. Interested parties are invited to submit comments by May 1, 2021, through the regulations.gov website.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is hosting a virtual public meeting on March 6, 2025, to discuss modernizing regulations for pilot schools, with an open call for public comments until March 21, 2025. This initiative seeks to update regulations to improve safety, adapt to new technologies, and provide better training environments for pilots. The FAA encourages feedback and ideas from the public and the flight training industry to help shape new, innovative standards. Additional future public meetings and resources will be announced as needed.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a final rule to close Lockbox 979089, which was used for collecting fees for various media services, and now requires electronic filing and payment instead. This change is meant to modernize the FCC's procedures and reduce costs by eliminating manual processing of payments. While the option for manual fee payments will still be available temporarily for 90 days, after that period, payments must be made online using the FCC's Fee Filer system. The new rule, effective March 26, 2021, is expected to ease the process with little impact on FCC users.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has updated the regulations for its Office of Environmental Quality Management Fund. These updates are intended to clarify the regulations' meanings, modernize them to align with CEQ's current practices, and remove outdated provisions. The regulations now include new definitions for key terms and improve the explanation of policies and procedures related to environmental projects and study contracts. CEQ has determined that these changes will not have a significant impact on small entities or require an environmental impact statement.

The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), part of the U.S. Department of Justice, is updating a system of records called JUSTICE/EOIR-004 to modernize the Recognition and Accreditation Program. This program helps provide legal immigration representation for low-income and indigent individuals by recognizing certain non-profit organizations and accrediting their representatives. The update includes an electronic system for easier application and management of records. Public comments can be submitted until May 19, 2025.

The Department of Defense has issued a final rule to modernize how food benefits are provided under the WIC Overseas Program, a program for military personnel and their families stationed overseas. Previously, benefits were issued as paper vouchers, known as "drafts," which had to be used all at once. The new rule allows these drafts to also be in electronic forms, like benefit cards, which offer more flexibility and convenience for participants. The change is considered a minor update and was made without public notice or a comment period, due to its technical nature.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is organizing virtual listening sessions to gather feedback from veterans and other stakeholders on their experiences with VA health care and their preferences for future care delivery. These sessions are part of the VA MISSION Act of 2018, aimed at modernizing or realigning VHA facilities. Insights from these sessions will inform recommendations to the Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission. The meetings will be accessible to the public and held as WebEx events, with details available via a dedicated email contact.

The General Services Administration (GSA), along with other federal agencies, has released the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed modernization of the Bridge of the Americas Land Port of Entry in El Paso, Texas. This modernization aims to improve the capacity and functionality of the port to accommodate future demand and enhance safety and security. Two action alternatives and a no-action alternative were considered, with potential impacts evaluated on various aspects, including socioeconomics, traffic, and air quality. The EIS outlines steps to mitigate any adverse effects identified.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has made amendments to its rules to modernize and make more efficient the delegation of authority to its staff. These changes involve updating responsibilities and delegating tasks such as updating taxonomies for structured data, managing security-based swap authority, and regulating municipal securities. Additionally, the SEC is eliminating some outdated delegations and shifting responsibilities within its divisions to improve resource management and operational efficiency. Importantly, these adjustments aim to streamline internal operations without significantly affecting the rights of non-agency parties.