Search Results for keywords:"CNMI Economic Vitality

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized rules regarding salamanders to protect U.S. ecosystems from the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). These rules affirm the 2016 interim rule that listed 20 genera of salamanders as injurious and add 16 more genera to the list. The regulation prohibits the import and transport of these genera among certain U.S. jurisdictions, with exceptions for purposes like scientific research. This action aims to prevent the introduction and spread of Bsal, which can have devastating effects on native salamander populations.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed new regulations to implement conservation measures for tropical tuna fishing in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, following international agreements made by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) for the years 2025-2026. These rules include fishing restrictions for U.S. vessels involved in catching bigeye, yellowfin, and skipjack tuna, which are necessary to maintain sustainable fish populations and meet international obligations. Key measures involve closure days for purse seine vessels exceeding specific catch limits and restrictions on the use of fish aggregating devices. Public comments on the proposal are invited until January 6, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is proposing a temporary change to its drug testing rules. Currently, rules require oral fluid tests in some situations, but because the necessary laboratories are not certified, these tests can't be performed yet. The new rule aims to temporarily allow directly observed urine tests instead until oral fluid testing becomes available. This interim rule will only be in place until the required facilities and procedures for oral fluid testing are established.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has proposed an amendment to its existing agreement with Nepal to provide an additional $50 million. This funding aims to address increased costs and continue the Electricity Transmission Project, which is part of a larger plan to boost electricity use and reliability in Nepal. The amendment results from past delays and cost escalations due to global inflation and procurement challenges. This additional funding is expected to help the project meet its goals without further delays while maintaining high economic returns.

The National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) proposed a rule change to modify its fee structure, specifically the Clearing Fund Maintenance Fee. The change aims to exclude cash deposits from Securities Financing Transaction (SFT) accounts from this fee, to encourage broader participation in the SFT clearing service by reducing economic burdens. This proposal is expected to have minimal financial impact on Members while fostering greater access to NSCC's services. The amendment is planned to take effect on January 1, 2025, pending further comments and approval.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to designate critical habitats for four species of freshwater mussels: the rayed bean, sheepnose, snuffbox, and spectaclecase. These designations spread across 17 states in the United States, covering approximately 3,974 river miles. The critical habitats are aimed at protecting key environmental features essential for the mussels' survival, such as suitable water flow, quality, and host fish presence. The agency is inviting comments on this proposal until February 11, 2025, and has also released an economic analysis regarding the designations.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a final rule to update the civil penalties for certain violations based on the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 2015. As of January 16, 2025, the maximum penalty has been increased from $2,058 to $2,111, reflecting adjustments for inflation. The adjustment is calculated using the Consumer Price Index and is applied automatically each year. This rule is not anticipated to have a significant economic impact and follows federal guidelines to ensure compliance and reduce burdens.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is asking the public for comments on reports from oil pipeline companies, known as FERC Forms 6 and 6-Q. These forms help FERC ensure that oil transportation rates are fair and keep track of oil pipelines' financial health. FERC is collecting comments to make improvements to their reporting process and to extend the requirement for these forms for another three years. People who want to share their thoughts need to send in their comments by May 27, 2025.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), via the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has amended a regulation regarding clinical trials. This change updates the web address in the regulation concerning where to find information about submitting trial data to ClinicalTrials.gov. The new rule removes the old URL https://prsinfo.clinicaltrials.gov and replaces it with https://clinicaltrials.gov or a future site, modernizing and centralizing information access. This amendment is technical and does not add new requirements for affected parties.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has proposed a new rule introducing liquidity and funding requirements for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, addressing weaknesses revealed during the 2008 financial crisis. These requirements aim to ensure the companies have enough liquid assets to cover short-term and long-term financial needs, reducing the risk that they will require taxpayer bailouts. The rule also includes reporting obligations for the companies, mandating that their liquidity positions and management strategies be shared with FHFA and the public. The proposal invites public comments and suggests adjustments to liquidity requirements during economic stress.