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The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced an arms sales notification involving the sale of military equipment to the Government of Italy. This sale includes 21 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and other military hardware. The total estimated cost of the program is $400 million. The sale aims to strengthen Italy's defense capabilities and enhance interoperability with the U.S. and other allies, without affecting U.S. defense readiness.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a correction for a previously published rule regarding air quality standards for particulate matter, particularly focusing on PM2.5 standards. The final rule, originally published in March 2024, had errors in its text about deadlines for state plans and technical descriptions for air quality monitors. The EPA clarified that states must submit implementation plans within three years of the standards' announcement, not their effective date. Additionally, several technical corrections were made, such as updating measurement methods and fixing typographical errors, all of which don't change the rule's substance.

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.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service are proposing amendments to the consultation regulations under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. These changes pertain to land management plans by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. The proposed revisions aim to make it clear that when new information emerges which could affect species or habitats in ways not previously considered, reinitiating consultation won't always be necessary, as long as a separate action-specific consultation is conducted for any related actions. The goal is to improve the efficiency and consistency of interagency cooperation procedures.

The executive order titled "Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections" focuses on enhancing the security and fairness of federal elections in the United States. It mandates stricter enforcement of laws that prevent counting mail-in ballots received after Election Day and prohibits non-citizens from voting. The order also requires documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration, updates voting guidelines to ensure voter verifiable records, and emphasizes the need to avoid foreign interference in elections. Additionally, it revokes a previous order that aimed to promote access to voting.

The Department of Defense has announced an arms sales notification involving the Government of Jordan's request to purchase an F-16 Air Combat Training Center, which includes various training devices and support services. The proposed sale, valued at approximately $60 million, aims to enhance Jordan's military training capabilities and strengthen its partnership with the United States. Lockheed Martin Corporation is the main contractor, and the sale is expected to support U.S. foreign policy by contributing to the stability and security of a key ally in the Middle East. The transaction will not alter the military balance in the region and requires the presence of two U.S. contractors in Jordan for two years.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve updates to Florida's regional haze state implementation plan (SIP), addressing pollution that affects visibility in national parks and wilderness areas. These updates, submitted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) in 2021 and 2024, comply with the Clean Air Act and EPA's Regional Haze Rule requirements for the second planning period. The plan focuses on reducing pollutants like sulfur dioxide from major sources in Florida and includes cooperative efforts with neighboring states to address cross-border pollution effects. If approved, the updates will become enforceable under federal law.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an extension of the comment period for an information collection request related to reduced fees, allowing public comments until February 16, 2021. This extension follows legal challenges that halted a final rule which would have changed the fee schedule and eliminated the reduced fee form, Form I-942. The notice invites public feedback concerning the necessity, accuracy, and impact of collecting this information. The form is used to assess eligibility for reduced fees for immigration benefits, impacting individuals or households, and estimates suggest 4,491 respondents with a total burden cost of $19,087.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is proposing to place the substance 4-chloromethcathinone (4-CMC) in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This move aims to impose strict regulations similar to other highly controlled drugs, as 4-CMC is known to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use in the U.S. The decision also helps the United States comply with international agreements on psychotropic substances. Public comments on this proposal are accepted until January 29, 2025.

On January 7, 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a final rule concerning the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) which aimed to exclude incidental take of migratory birds from prohibited activities. However, the rule's effective date, initially set for February 8, 2021, has been delayed to March 8, 2021. This decision follows the Congressional Review Act, ongoing litigation, and concerns from the Canadian government. The delay allows for further review and public comment on whether the rule should be amended, further delayed, or rescinded entirely.