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The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking public comments on its information collection for the Patents for Humanity Program and Trademarks for Humanity Program, which are initiatives aimed at encouraging the use of patents and trademarks to address humanitarian issues. The Patents for Humanity Program incentivizes patent holders to distribute technology for humanitarian purposes, offering award certificates that can accelerate patent matters. In 2023, the USPTO introduced the Trademarks for Humanity Program, which recognizes brand owners using trademarks to tackle societal challenges. Public comments are invited on these programs to help the USPTO assess and reduce reporting burdens.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new rule that updates the process for requesting special flight authorizations for supersonic aircraft in the U.S. This rule simplifies the application procedure for testing these aircrafts at speeds over Mach 1, mainly for purposes like checking airworthiness and reducing sonic boom impacts. While the rule streamlines administrative requirements, it does not change the long-standing general ban on routine overland supersonic flight. The FAA still heavily focuses on ensuring these tests consider potential environmental impacts, following regulations like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) plans to submit an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as part of their compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This request concerns the regulation for Liquidity and Contingency Funding Plans, which is intended to ensure that federally insured credit unions manage liquidity risks effectively. The NCUA's rule, codified in 12 CFR 741.12, creates a tiered system based on asset size that requires various levels of planning and preparation among credit unions. Public comments on this submission are welcome until March 15, 2021.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a final rule to adjust civil monetary penalties for inflation, effective January 2, 2025. These adjustments are in line with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 and guidance from the Office of Management and Budget. This rule increases penalty amounts for violations occurring after November 2, 2015, and applies to various DHS components like the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Coast Guard. The updated penalty amounts are designed to maintain their deterrent effect and comply with mandatory legislative requirements.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) has issued a final rule to adjust the maximum civil penalties for inflation, as required by federal law. These adjustments, effective January 13, 2021, apply to penalties related to failure to provide certain required notices under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The maximum penalty under ERISA section 4071 is now $2,259, and the maximum under section 4302 is $301. This change is part of an annual process to ensure penalties keep pace with inflation.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has requested an extension from the Office of Management and Budget for approval of collecting information as outlined in Rule 17f-2(d). This rule mandates that entities like brokers and dealers keep fingerprint records of their employees to help identify security risks and prevent hiring individuals with criminal records. The records must be retained for at least three years after employment ends. Approximately 3,900 entities are subject to these requirements, maintaining a combined total of about 8,840 hours of recordkeeping each year, with an estimated annual cost of $39,000 in storage fees.

The Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and NASA are seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend a requirement for subcontracting plans as part of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. These plans ensure that large contracts provide opportunities for small businesses, including those owned by veterans, women, or disadvantaged groups. Contractors must report their subcontracting activities annually in the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System. Despite public comment suggesting that the requirement is burdensome, it remains necessary under current law.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued a final rule that amends its existing Buy America requirements. This rule terminates the general waiver for manufactured products and applies new requirements to products used in Federal-aid highway projects, aligning with the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA). These requirements mandate that manufactured products must be assembled in the U.S., and beginning October 2026, at least 55% of their components by cost must also be of U.S. origin. The rule aims to bolster domestic manufacturing and create a more resilient supply chain.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is inviting public comments on their request to collect information from businesses seeking financial assistance through the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Targeted Advance program. This initiative aims to support eligible small businesses in low-income communities impacted by the pandemic by providing financial aid. Public feedback is sought on several aspects, including the necessity of the information collection and ways to enhance its quality and reduce the burden on respondents. Comments should be submitted by April 26, 2021.

The United States Sentencing Commission is proposing changes to the federal sentencing guidelines. They aim to simplify the sentencing process by eliminating certain departure provisions and combining the three-step sentencing process into two steps, focusing more on the factors courts consider under the law. The Commission is also addressing circuit court conflicts regarding specific sentencing enhancements, such as those involving firearms and robbery offenses. They are seeking public comments and may hold a hearing on these proposed amendments.