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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 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has issued a notice about its systems of records, as required by the Privacy Act of 1974. This update outlines changes in record systems and introduces new routine uses for the stored data, aiming to ensure that individuals can request information with accuracy and precision. The document also details various systems related to grants, personnel, finances, and complaint case files, specifying how these records are stored, accessed, and maintained. The changes reflect the adoption of electronic technology and administrative updates within the agency.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reached a proposed consent agreement with Tapjoy, Inc. to resolve allegations of deceitful practices in its mobile gaming advertising platform. The FTC claims Tapjoy misled consumers by promoting false offers of in-app rewards that were often not delivered, causing harm to both gamers and game developers. The proposed order requires Tapjoy to prevent such deceptive practices by ensuring accurate reward representations and providing a clear method for consumers to report issues. The Commission has invited public comments on this proposal until February 12, 2021.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an order permanently banning Jerrod Nichols Smith from providing services related to drug product applications. This decision follows his conviction on multiple felony counts of mail fraud and obstruction of justice, connected with the unlawful distribution and misrepresentation of prescription drugs. Smith's company, Cumberland Distribution, was involved in distributing drugs illegally obtained from unlicensed sources, leading to significant profit from falsified documents and drug mislabeling. After being notified, Smith did not respond or request a hearing, resulting in his debarment which prohibits him from engaging in drug product services.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued final regulations to address uncertainties regarding the supervisory approval of penalties. These rules are meant to clarify when and how the IRS must obtain supervisor approval for penalty assessments, ensuring penalties are imposed correctly and consistently. Public comments were reviewed, but proposed changes to the timing and definitions related to these approvals were not adopted, as they conflicted with existing laws and policies. The rules will take effect on December 23, 2024, and are designed to prevent improper use of penalties while making the process more transparent for taxpayers.

The U.S. Copyright Office has issued a final rule to improve the process of recording notices of termination to enhance efficiency. This update clarifies timeliness rules for such notices and expands permissible methods for serving them, including reputable courier services and email if the recipient consents. It also broadens the definition of "harmless errors" to cover minor mistakes in compliance, which do not materially impact the notice. Additionally, the Office plans to explore the development of a directory for digital communication and public comments regarding form templates for these notices.

In Executive Order 14216, the President addresses the issue of infertility, which affects many couples in the United States. The order emphasizes the importance of providing affordable and accessible in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments to help families overcome fertility challenges. It directs the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy to recommend strategies for reducing the costs associated with IVF and ensuring easier access. The order aims to support family formation while acknowledging legal and budgetary limitations.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension to collect information related to Rule 30b1-8 and Form N-CR. This rule requires money market funds to report important events to the SEC, which helps them oversee these funds and keep investors informed. The reporting process is estimated to take about 8.5 hours and cost $1018.5 per report, with six reports expected annually. Public comments on this information collection are invited and should be submitted within 30 days of the notice's publication.

The Department of Labor is proposing changes to rules regarding filing and service in proceedings involving the Administrative Review Board. The new rules aim to make electronic filing (e-filing) and electronic service (e-service) mandatory for attorneys and representatives, while self-represented individuals will have the choice of using electronic or traditional methods. The proposed changes include updates to existing regulations, aiming for improved efficiency and reduced processing time by transitioning to electronic case files. Public comments on the proposed rulemaking are being solicited until February 10, 2021.

The Federal Communications Commission's Enforcement Bureau has suspended Issa Asad from the federal Lifeline program and other federal universal service support mechanisms due to fraud. Asad, the CEO of Q Link Wireless, admitted to defrauding the Lifeline program by submitting false claims, leading to him and his company benefiting unlawfully. Following his conviction, the Bureau will begin proceedings to debar Asad from future participation in these programs for at least three years. Anyone wishing to oppose this suspension can submit documentation within 30 days of receiving the notification.