Search Results for type:"Notice"

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed a consent order to address alleged anticompetitive practices by the private equity firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe. The firm was accused of violating several federal laws by consolidating anesthesia services in Texas through its company, U.S. Anesthesia Partners, Inc., which led to increased prices. The proposed order seeks to limit Welsh Carson's influence over this company and requires them to obtain FTC approval for future acquisitions in anesthesia and related medical fields to prevent similar monopolistic behavior. The public has until March 20, 2025, to submit comments on this proposed consent order.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is revising its information collection activities related to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC®) Program. This notice outlines efforts to streamline the process, including the introduction of online renewals and fee reductions for certain applicants, which aim to reduce both cost and time burdens on applicants. TSA collects biographic and biometric information to conduct security threat assessments (STAs) for TWIC applicants and holders. Comments on the proposed changes can be submitted by March 26, 2021, as part of their review under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

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 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted a request to extend the information collection for the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, specifically focusing on shipbuilding and ship repair facilities' surface coating operations. This request, approved through February 2025, aims to ensure compliance with air quality standards by gathering data from affected facilities. Public comments are open until March 31, 2025, and can be submitted via www.regulations.gov or mail. The facilities involved in this process are required to provide initial notifications, performance tests, and periodic reports to ensure they meet the necessary standards.

Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. has proposed a rule change to update its fee schedule for certain market data feeds. The proposed changes aim to waive External Distribution and Data Consolidation fees for new Uncontrolled External Distributors of specific data feeds, like BZX Top and Cboe One Summary, until they gain users. This is intended to encourage vendors to adopt these feeds and broaden distribution without immediate costs. The proposal is meant to promote fair competition and is part of Cboe's efforts to minimize business costs for distributors.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a new information collection request to support its Construction Material Opportunities to Reduce Emissions (C-MORE) Program, which focuses on low embodied carbon construction materials. This initiative involves gathering data from state and local agencies, architectural firms, and other entities about the types and amounts of materials like concrete and steel they use, to help set thresholds for labeling products that have reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Public comments on the collection process can be submitted until February 18, 2025. The program aims to understand and potentially lower the emissions associated with construction materials through enhanced data analysis and reporting.

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced a notice regarding an application from the Esoterica Thematic Trust and Esoterica Capital LLC. They are seeking an exemption to allow modifications of subadvisory agreements without shareholder approval and relief from certain disclosure rules about fees. The requested exemption would enable more efficient operations by allowing the Adviser to select and amend agreements with subadvisers, subject to approval by the board of trustees, without the need for shareholder meetings. This is intended to streamline processes while ensuring transparency through aggregated fee disclosures.

The Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. has proposed a rule change to adjust its fee structure for Lead Market Makers (LMMs) on its equities trading platform. The new fee schedule aims to provide better incentives for LMMs who meet specific performance standards, particularly those handling lower daily auction volumes of securities. The proposed changes include reducing payments for high-volume securities while increasing incentives for securities with lower trading volumes. The Exchange believes these adjustments will help remain competitive in the market and enhance the quality of the trading environment for exchange-traded products (ETPs) listed on Cboe BZX.

The NYSE American LLC has filed a proposed rule with the Securities and Exchange Commission to list and trade options on the iShares Ethereum Trust ETF and the Fidelity Ethereum Fund. These funds, referred to as Ether Funds, aim to reflect the performance of ether, providing investors with a way to engage in the ether market without handling the cryptocurrency directly. The proposed rule change suggests setting position and exercise limits at 25,000 contracts for these options, similar to limits for bitcoin-related options, to help prevent market manipulation. The proposed rule has already been approved for similar listings by other exchanges like Nasdaq ISE and Cboe.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS), part of the USDA, has announced a funding opportunity under the Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program for 2024. This program will help lenders provide loans to entities looking to build or improve sawmills and wood processing facilities near priority U.S. Forest Service lands. Over $200 million will be available starting in 2025, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The goal is to support ecological restoration efforts by using byproducts from these projects and to advance rural economic opportunities, while prioritizing climate change mitigation and racial equity.