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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued an interim final rule allowing certain businesses in the 8(a) Business Development program to extend their participation by one year due to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This extension applies to companies in the program on March 13, 2020, as authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, and the National Defense Authorization Act 2021. Firms that have left the program since March 13, 2020, can also be readmitted if they notify the SBA and confirm they still meet eligibility criteria. The rule is effective immediately, although the public can comment on the rule until March 15, 2021.

The Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Rapid Response Program (RRP) is a funding initiative by the Treasury Department aimed at aiding Certified CDFIs to tackle the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, with award amounts reaching up to $5 million. The program's grants, backed by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, are intended to help CDFIs provide financial services to underserved communities, including Native Communities. The application process requires compliance with various regulatory and eligibility requirements, and selected applicants must enter into an Assistance Agreement stipulating terms for the grant use.

The Department of Commerce, through the Economic Development Administration (EDA), has issued a notice requesting public comment on a revised information collection concerning the Tech Hubs initiative. This initiative aims to enhance U.S. economic and national security by promoting regional innovation and competitiveness. The revised information collection will help ensure that investments in designated Tech Hubs are data-driven and accountable. Public comments are sought to evaluate the necessity, efficiency, and burden of this data collection to improve its effectiveness.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing an interim final rule to allow veterans who served in specific locations during and after the Gulf War to have a presumed service connection for urinary bladder, ureter, and related genitourinary cancers. This is related to exposure to fine particulate matter, particularly from burn pits, which can be hazardous to health and has been shown to have a connection to these types of cancers. This new rule is part of the effort to implement the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act), which aims to simplify the process for veterans to receive health care and benefits for conditions linked to toxic exposures during their military service. The rule is effective January 2, 2025, with comments open until March 3, 2025.

The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) of the Treasury Department is inviting applications for financial assistance and technical assistance grants under the CDFI Program for the fiscal year 2021. The program offers Financial Assistance (FA) awards up to $1 million and Technical Assistance (TA) grants up to $125,000 to eligible Community Development Financial Institutions to enhance their financial and organizational capacities. These awards prioritize low-income communities lacking access to affordable financial services. The application process requires compliance with specific federal regulations and submission deadlines via Grants.gov and the AMIS portal.

The Lake Providence Port Commission (LPPC), a non-carrier entity in Louisiana, applied to acquire a 20-mile rail line from Delta Southern Railroad. On December 11, 2020, the Board conditionally accepted the application despite missing financial details, requiring these by December 28, 2020. LPPC submitted the necessary information, including a lease agreement with North Louisiana & Arkansas Railroad, enabling the Board to proceed with a scheduling plan for reviewing the application and any competing interests. This decision was finalized to be effective immediately, with public notice to follow in the Federal Register.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published its Scientific Integrity Policy to foster a culture of scientific honesty and transparency. This Policy aims to ensure that all scientific activities within HHS are conducted without inappropriate interference, upholding principles like honesty, objectivity, and inclusivity. It outlines the responsibilities of HHS employees and provides protections for reporting violations. The Policy also covers procedures for addressing concerns, promoting open communication of scientific information, and ensuring accountability and professional development within the Department.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS), a part of the United States Department of Agriculture, is inviting applications for Section 514 Off-Farm Labor Housing loans and Section 516 Off-Farm Labor Housing grants. These funds are aimed at building new housing for domestic farm laborers, including retired or disabled ones, to boost affordable housing availability. The process involves a pre-application and final application phase, and RHS encourages applications that offer benefits to rural communities, especially those in Opportunity Zones or persistent poverty areas. Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria and the deadline for submissions is outlined in the notice.

In a final rule published on November 18, 2024, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) made corrections to its regulations by addressing two specific errors. The first correction involves handling a wrongly stayed section, with the agency providing new instructions to revise and stay that section until January 16, 2026. The second correction fixes a typographical error involving an incorrect reference in a section definition. These changes aim to improve clarity and consistency within the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is allocating over $186 million in Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funds to grantees affected by 2018 disasters. This funding, authorized by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019, is meant for mitigation activities that increase resilience and reduce risks from future disasters in most impacted and distressed areas. Grantees must submit action plans detailing the use of these funds, which must focus on identified risk areas and can be leveraged through partnerships and coordination with other federal programs. HUD will provide technical assistance to smaller grantees to enhance the effectiveness of these mitigation efforts.