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The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has adopted a final rule under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to improve transparency in the extraction industry. This rule requires companies involved in the extraction of oil, natural gas, or minerals to report payments made to foreign governments or the U.S. federal government for resource development. Companies must include details about the type and amount of payments, and this information must be presented publicly in a specific electronic format. The rule aims to deter corruption and promote accountability, although some exemptions and delayed reporting options are available to reduce the compliance burden on smaller companies.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing new hunting regulations for migratory game birds for the 2025-26 season. These regulations are part of an annual process where they set general guidelines, called frameworks, within which individual states can decide specifics like hunting season dates. The proposal includes various regulatory alternatives, particularly for duck hunting, and potential changes to the system of zones and split seasons. The Service is also exploring a new administrative process to streamline regulation, aiming to increase efficiency and save costs while maintaining conservation goals. Public comments are encouraged on all aspects of the proposal.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced the allocation of $85,291,000 in Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery funds to aid in long-term recovery efforts from major disasters that occurred in 2018 and 2019. This funding builds on previous allocations and includes provisions for additional activities, such as mitigation efforts for 2018 disasters. The notice also provides guidance on using these funds, including the need for an action plan detailing fund usage. Special waivers and alternative requirements are outlined to assist affected areas, particularly the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, in their recovery and planning.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions to Maine's State Implementation Plan (SIP) addressing the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) under the Clean Air Act. This proposal includes implementing infrastructure requirements, converting past conditional approvals to full approvals, and confirming Maine's determination that no sites in the state are subject to certain oil and gas industry control guidelines. Public comments on this proposal are invited before a decision is made.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued the 2021 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for stormwater discharges from industrial activities. This permit replaces the expired 2015 MSGP and covers eligible operators in areas where the EPA is the permitting authority, including states, Indian country lands, and U.S. territories. The new permit introduces changes such as streamlined language, public signs for permit coverage, and new monitoring requirements. It will be effective from March 1, 2021, and lasts for five years, aiming to ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made changes to rules about aerosol sprays to reduce pollution that contributes to smog. These new amendments focus on using less reactive compounds in aerosol products, and they update testing methods, reporting requirements, and compliance dates for the industry. Companies that make or sell these aerosol products, especially those not operating in California, need to comply by mid-2025, but they can start using the new standards earlier if they choose. The EPA believes these changes won't harm the environment and will help align national and state regulations.

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service have issued final regulations about deductions under section 162(f) of the Internal Revenue Code. These rules clarify when taxpayers can deduct fines, penalties, or settlement payments related to law violations. Under these new regulations, businesses generally cannot deduct payments to government entities made because they violated a law, but exceptions exist for certain restitution and remediation payments. Additionally, section 6050X introduces information reporting requirements for governments when payments exceed $50,000, aiming to ensure proper tax reporting and compliance while minimizing burdens on small entities.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a new rule to add all species of Asian pond mussels (Sinanodonta), golden mussels (Limnoperna), and marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis) to the list of injurious wildlife. This action aims to prohibit the importation and transport of these species within certain U.S. jurisdictions due to their potential to harm native ecosystems by competing for resources, spreading quickly, and carrying pathogens. The proposed listings are part of efforts to protect U.S. interests by preventing these invasive species from establishing themselves and causing ecological damage. Public comments on the proposal are invited until March 11, 2025.

The final rule, published by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) within the Department of Agriculture, solidifies the interim rule from February 13, 2020, which was brought about by the 2018 Farm Bill. This rule involves changes to the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), making the provisions of the interim rule permanent and addressing public comments received. It involves various amendments concerning partnerships, funding, land eligibility, and program expectations aimed at enhancing conservation efforts across agricultural and forest lands. The rule also aims to ensure effective participation and support for historically underserved producers and guarantees that conservation projects are efficiently implemented and monitored.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has finalized a rule that allows settlement agreements to include payments or loans to non-governmental third parties who are not part of the dispute, under certain conditions. This rule revokes a 2020 regulation that prohibited such payments. Despite some public concerns about fairness and legality, the DOJ maintains this new rule will enable more effective settlements by compensating victims and addressing harms. The rule also includes guidelines such as ensuring a strong connection between the payment and the violation and restricting government involvement after the settlement.