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The Department of Commerce is inviting public comments on the necessity and impact of collecting economic data from Gulf and South Atlantic shrimp fishers who hold federal permits. This data collection is part of a larger effort to meet the goals of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The collected information includes shrimp fishers’ revenues, costs, and investments, which will be used to analyze their response to federal regulations. The deadline for submitting comments is May 19, 2025, and the data will be gathered via a mail survey to about 650 participants.

The Rural Housing Service, part of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), announced that it is accepting applications for the 2021 Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grant Program. This program aims to help organizations in rural areas access funding for essential community services. Applications must be submitted by March 29, 2021, for paper copies, and by March 22, 2021, for electronic submissions. The grants will focus on projects that strengthen rural communities, particularly those tackling issues like opioid misuse, under the USDA's efforts to boost rural economic prosperity and quality of life.

The final rule from the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services allows Veterans Affairs (VA) practitioners to prescribe controlled substances to VA patients via telemedicine without needing an in-person medical evaluation by the prescribing practitioner. This is permissible if another VA practitioner has conducted an in-person evaluation. This change provides greater access to care for veterans, especially those in rural or underserved areas, while still implementing safeguards against the misuse of controlled substances. The rule includes requirements for reviewing the patient's electronic health record and state prescription drug monitoring program data before prescribing.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is inviting comments on the proposed renewal of an information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. This involves a revision of their annual stress test reporting template for financial institutions with assets of $250 billion or more, under the Dodd-Frank Act. The proposed updates aim to align with existing Federal Reserve reporting forms and exclude outdated or unnecessary components. Public comments are encouraged and can be submitted by various methods outlined in the notice until March 7, 2025.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, plans to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Odessa Subarea Special Study Project in Washington State. This project aims to evaluate changes to a proposed irrigation system, which will involve installing a buried pipeline not previously considered and requiring blasting. The goal is to replace declining groundwater used for irrigation with surface water from the Columbia Basin Project to maintain the economic viability of local agriculture. NRCS seeks public comments on the proposed actions and potential alternatives by February 21, 2025.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new rule that updates and replaces a previous directive concerning the safety of certain airplane and helicopter seatbelt buckles. This change is in response to new information about manufacturing issues that could cause buckles to crack, potentially preventing passengers from unbuckling during an emergency. The rule requires inspections of these buckles, provides guidance for corrective actions, and includes exemption criteria such as buckles made of metal or marked with a blue logo. This action aims to ensure passenger safety by addressing weaknesses in the affected buckle systems.

The Coast Guard has established a temporary safety zone in the Humboldt Bay Bar Channel and the Humboldt Bay Entrance Channel in Eureka, CA, following the wreckage of a fishing vessel. This rule, effective January 26, 2021, through February 10, 2021, prohibits unauthorized piloted vessels from the safety zone to ensure safe navigation and protect the maritime environment. The decision was made without prior public notice due to the urgency of the situation. Authorized vessels can enter the zone only with permission from the Captain of the Port or a designated Coast Guard representative.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced a request for public comments on an existing information collection for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC®) Program. This program, done in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, involves collecting biographic and biometric data to conduct security threat assessments required for access to secure maritime areas. The TSA is proposing an extension of this information collection and is reviewing feedback on the necessity, utility, and burden of the data collection process. Comments are invited until February 10, 2025, and further details can be found on https://www.reginfo.gov.

The Department of Commerce is inviting the public and other federal agencies to comment on the Chinook Salmon Economic Data Report (EDR) Program managed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). This program collects data to help assess how well measures to reduce bycatch of Chinook salmon in the Bering Sea pollock fishery are working. They are renewing the information collection process which includes three forms: the Compensated Transfer Report, Vessel Fuel Survey, and Vessel Master Survey. Public comments are open for 60 days, and the information gathered will aid in enhancing the quality and utility of the data collected while minimizing reporting burdens.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of Labor (DOL), is introducing a temporary rule to help U.S. businesses struggling from a lack of workers by increasing the number of H-2B visas available for Fiscal Year 2025 by up to 64,716. These visas will be distributed over the fiscal year in four allocations, with a portion reserved specifically for nationals of certain countries including Guatemala, El Salvador, and Haiti. The rule also allows greater job flexibility for H-2B workers already in the U.S. by letting them change employers more easily. Businesses must attest they are facing severe loss without these workers for their applications to be considered.