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The U.S. Department of Commerce and key Argentine lemon juice exporters signed an amendment to a previous agreement that pauses an investigation into potential unfair pricing of lemon juice imports from Argentina. This amendment updates how pricing is set and introduces better monitoring and enforcement to prevent price undercutting in the U.S. market. The document outlines specific requirements for compliance from exporters and details of how these prices can change over time. It aims to eliminate harmful effects on U.S. lemon juice producers while keeping the agreement effective and in the public interest.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a final rule to implement measures for minimizing salmon bycatch in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. These measures aim to reduce the incidental catch of Endangered Species Act-listed Chinook and coho salmon. The rule introduces new management tools, including specific area closures and gear requirements, and establishes conditions under which fishery participants can access a Chinook salmon bycatch reserve. The rule also allows for the creation of Salmon Mitigation Plans (SMPs) by groups of fishing vessels to help manage bycatch while providing certain flexibilities to the industry.

On January 22, 2025, Jefferson Partners, L.P., which operates as Jefferson Lines, applied to acquire the assets of Karst Stage, Inc., another passenger bus company. The Surface Transportation Board is tentatively approving this move, allowing Jefferson to continue its operations under a new company, Karst Stage, LLC, while maintaining separate identities but sharing management tasks. The approval is contingent on no opposing comments being filed by April 28, 2025. Jefferson argues this transaction will improve service and efficiency without harming competition or employee interests.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking public comments on its plan to continue collecting data for the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) COVID-19 Testing Program. This program helps monitor the use of $225 million in federal funds provided to support COVID-19 testing in rural areas. Funded clinics report on their testing activities, the number of patients tested, and positive results. Comments and suggestions about the data collection process are invited to ensure the information gathering is efficient and useful.

The U.S. Department of Defense has announced its intention to sell military equipment to Chile. This sale includes up to 16 Standard Missile-2 Block IIIA missiles and other support equipment, valued at approximately $85 million. The sale aims to improve Chile's defense capabilities and aligns with U.S. foreign policy and national security goals by strengthening ties with a strategic partner in South America. Raytheon Missiles and Defense, based in Tucson, Arizona, will be the primary contractor, and no U.S. defense readiness will be impacted by this sale.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a final rule aimed at protecting consumers in Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing, a program that lets property owners fund energy-efficient home improvements through tax assessments. This rule ensures that consumers' ability to repay is considered before PACE loans are approved and includes new disclosure requirements to help consumers better understand their financial obligations. The rule includes adjustments specific to PACE loans to address their unique nature and excludes PACE loans from qualifying as "qualified mortgages," which typically have regulatory protections. The changes are meant to standardize practices across states, improve consumer understanding, and ultimately prevent unaffordable loans that could lead to financial difficulties.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a rule to designate critical habitat for four distinct population segments of the foothill yellow-legged frog in California under the Endangered Species Act. This proposal outlines the locations and features necessary for the conservation of this frog species, covering around 760,071 acres. The proposal also considers potential impacts on land use, such as economic and national security concerns, as well as existing conservation plans. Public comments are invited until March 17, 2025, with requests for a public hearing due by February 28, 2025.

The Department of Defense published a notice about an arms sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO). The proposed $75 million sale involves various communication and data security equipment, including GPS receivers, without any major defense equipment. This sale aims to support Taiwan in modernizing its military and maintaining regional security while ensuring there is no significant shift in the military balance. The transaction requires U.S. personnel for technical support but will not affect U.S. defense readiness.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced a proposed arms sale to Japan, detailing plans to supply 44 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missiles and 29 training missiles, among other logistical and technical support. The sale, valued at $59.03 million, aims to bolster U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening Japan’s defense capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. The principal contractor for this deal is RTX Corporation, and the necessary measures are in place to protect the sensitive technology involved. This sale will not affect the U.S. defense readiness.

The Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has issued a final rule updating the regulations for the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) Research Endowment Programs. This rule expands eligibility for research endowment awards to include certain Health Resources and Services Administration and NIMHD centers of excellence, following the enactment of Public Law 117-104. It also changes the program's name to honor John Lewis and revises outdated regulatory references. The changes aim to improve research capacity in minority health and address health disparities while adhering to current laws and guidelines.