Search Results for keywords:"regulations"

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has issued a final rule to adjust the maximum amount of civil monetary penalties (CMPs) for inflation under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA). This annual adjustment is required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended, and ensures that penalties maintain their deterrent effect over time. The rule applies to penalties assessed after January 15, 2021, and is based on the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index. This adjustment process is exempt from the typical notice and comment procedures under the Administrative Procedure Act.

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have finalized rules for reporting digital asset transactions performed by brokers. These new regulations, effective January 1, 2027, require brokers who regularly facilitate digital asset sales, like those in decentralized finance (DeFi), to provide forms reporting gross proceeds from these transactions. The rules primarily apply to trading front-end service providers, who are best positioned to report on such transactions due to their close interaction with customers. The regulations aim to enhance tax compliance by ensuring digital asset transactions are reported similarly to traditional financial trades.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has finalized new regulations for the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act, reflecting updates from the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016. These revisions aim to make the regulations easier to understand and use, improving public access to government records and information. The final rules also incorporated public feedback, with changes ensuring transparency and a presumption of openness while also addressing how requests and appeals are processed. Additionally, the CEQ has updated administrative procedures, including the handling of fees and how appeals are managed, to align with current policies and practices.

The National Park Service is proposing changes to how the U.S. participates in the World Heritage Convention. These updates aim to align U.S. regulations with the latest guidelines from UNESCO regarding cultural and natural heritage sites. The proposal includes refining procedures for nominating U.S. sites to the World Heritage List, ensuring adequate legal protection for nominated sites, and encouraging public involvement in heritage preservation. The public is invited to comment on these proposed rules, with feedback due by February 3, 2025.

The Department of Education has issued final regulations for the Professional Development program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The rules aim to support the retention of effective educators in schools serving Indian students by establishing priorities and requirements for program participants. These changes include incentives for retaining educators and addressing payback obligations for students receiving training. The regulations, effective February 18, 2025, emphasize benefits over minimal costs and include measures to support educator retention and better meet the program's educational goals.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has finalized a rule updating its regulations for floating cabins on the Tennessee River System. These rules require that all existing floating cabins comply with safety and environmental standards and submit a permit application by October 1, 2029. The rule also clarifies electrical and wastewater standards, stating that floating cabin owners must follow all federal, state, and local regulations. If a cabin does not meet these standards, TVA may revoke the permit and require its removal from the river system.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a final rule, effective March 16, 2021, for the operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), such as drones, over people and at night under certain conditions. The rule introduces four categories of operations based on the risk of injury to people, allowing drones to fly over people without a waiver if they meet specific safety standards. It also requires drones flying at night to have anti-collision lights and operators to undergo training that covers night operations. Additionally, the rule allows drones to fly over moving vehicles, provided specific conditions are met to ensure safety.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued significant new use rules (SNURs) for certain chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). These rules require companies to notify the EPA 90 days before manufacturing or processing these chemicals for any newly designated significant uses. The purpose is to allow the EPA to assess potential risks and take necessary actions before these activities start. Businesses that want to use these chemicals in a significant new way must submit a Significant New Use Notice (SNUN) and wait for EPA review and approval.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a notice inviting public comments on a proposed information collection to reduce paperwork burdens. The FCC aims to specifically gather input on how to alleviate this burden on small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. The notice outlines various sections of regulations and the obligations imposed on entities concerning station identification, pay-per-call services, competitive networks, and technical support. The FCC seeks feedback on whether these requirements are necessary and suggestions to improve them, ensuring transparency and compliance with existing laws.

The Department of Education published a correction to a previous regulation related to income-driven repayment for student loans. This document addresses a technical error regarding the exclusion of periods in in-school deferment from counting toward loan forgiveness, which was previously explained but omitted from the regulatory text. The correction is intended to align the regulations with what was originally stated in the preamble, without introducing any new rules. The amendment is effective immediately as of its publication date on December 31, 2024.