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The U.S. Department of Labor is proposing to stop issuing certificates that allow employers to pay subminimum wages to workers with disabilities under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Section 14(c). This decision is based on the conclusion that such wages are no longer necessary due to improved employment opportunities and legal protections for individuals with disabilities. If enacted, the proposal would phase out new certificates immediately and existing ones over three years, ensuring that all affected workers transition to being paid at least the regular minimum wage. The Department believes that this change reflects broader societal shifts towards equality and inclusion for workers with disabilities.

The proposed rule requires banking organizations to notify their primary federal regulator within 36 hours of determining in good faith that a "computer-security incident" has occurred that could cause significant disruptions to operations. A "notification incident" is an incident deemed serious enough to impact banking services or financial stability. Additionally, bank service providers must alert at least two individuals at affected banking organization customers immediately upon experiencing a significant disruption lasting four or more hours. This rule aims to ensure timely and effective responses to potential cybersecurity threats impacting the banking sector.

The Department of Education has announced the opening of applications for the 2025 fiscal year Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) program. This program aims to fund projects that enhance educator skills through evidence-based practices, focusing on increasing educator diversity and providing quality professional development. Applicants, including institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations, need to demonstrate a 25% cost match from non-federal sources and will be assessed based on their project's design, significance, management plan, and evaluation methods. The grants range between $1,000,000 and $6,000,000 annually, with applications due by March 18, 2025.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), as requested by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), has issued regulations to allow the oil and gas industry to unintentionally take marine mammals during geophysical survey activities in the Gulf of Mexico over the next five years. This means that companies can get special permissions to conduct surveys that might disturb marine mammals, as long as they follow guidelines to minimize the impact on these animals and their habitats. This includes using monitoring and reporting methods to ensure compliance with the rules, and taking measures like stopping activities to avoid harming the animals. These regulations aim to balance industrial activities with the protection of marine life.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is proposing changes to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to better align it with international guidelines, specifically the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), Revision 7. This proposed rule aims to improve how chemical hazards are communicated to employers and employees, ensuring greater consistency and effectiveness. The updates included in the rule cover how hazards are classified, how labels are created, and technical updates to safety data sheets, among others. The public is invited to submit comments on these proposed changes by April 19, 2021.

The Coast Guard, part of the Department of Homeland Security, has proposed a change to the operating schedule for two bridges over the Savannah River: the Houlihan Bridge in Georgia and the Seaboard System Railroad Bridge near Hardeeville, South Carolina. This change would require a 24-hour advance notice for bridge openings, up from the current three hours, due to fewer opening requests and to allow maintenance crews to be on-site. The proposed rule aims to improve response times for maintenance while still accommodating vessels that do not require the bridges to open. Public comments on the proposal are invited until April 12, 2021.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has proposed a new order for promoting natural grass sod products. This initiative, called the Natural Grass Sod Promotion, Research, and Information Order, aims to support the natural grass sod industry by funding market expansion and research activities through fees collected from sod producers. A key aspect of the proposal is a referendum where natural grass sod producers can vote on whether to adopt this program. If approved, the program will be financed by a small assessment on the sale of sod, with the goal of supporting industry education, promotion, and research efforts.

The Cboe Exchange, Inc. has announced a proposal to change its rules to allow the exchange to list options on the iShares Ethereum Trust. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seeking public comments on this proposal, which is intended to offer investors a cost-effective way to gain exposure to ether, as well as provide a hedging tool. The proposed options will be similar to those available for other commodity ETFs like gold and silver. To facilitate this change, various rules about trading, listing criteria, and position limits will apply to ensure market integrity and investor protection.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a rule to improve air quality standards for facilities that work with flexible polyurethane foam, as required by the Clean Air Act. This proposal focuses on reducing emissions of hazardous air pollutants by setting new standards for certain operations, like flame laminators and loop slitters, and updating reporting requirements to be fully electronic. These changes aim to provide better monitoring and compliance without significantly changing the current emission levels, ensuring both environmental protection and the continuation of existing industry practices. The proposal also eliminates exemptions during events such as startup and shutdown, meaning that emission standards will apply at all times.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed changes to the HIPAA Privacy Rule to improve care coordination and individual engagement. These changes aim to facilitate better communication among healthcare providers, payors, and individuals, reducing unnecessary barriers and maintaining patient privacy. The proposed modifications include new definitions for terms like "electronic health record" and adjustments to individual rights for accessing their health information. HHS seeks public comments on these proposals by March 22, 2021, to ensure that the regulations support the shift to value-based healthcare.