Search Results for agency_names:"Centers for Medicare

The Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor has announced updates to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for temporary nonimmigrant foreign workers (H-2A workers) involved in herding or livestock production on the range. AEWRs are the minimum wages that must be offered to ensure that U.S. workers in similar jobs are not negatively impacted. Starting January 1, 2025, employers must pay H-2A workers at least $2,058.31 per month, based on a 3.8% increase reflected by the Employment Cost Index from September 2023 to September 2024. This notice ensures that wage levels keep up with inflation and maintain fair compensation for these workers.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted a proposed extension for the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for Petroleum Refineries according to the Paperwork Reduction Act, aiming to ensure continued compliance and monitoring of environmental standards. The public has until January 9, 2025, to submit comments, and the submission details are found in the EPA's official notice. This extension will continue requiring petroleum refineries to provide periodic reports and maintain records to demonstrate adherence to these standards, with an estimated annual cost of $2.83 million including maintenance. There is no change in burden from the last approved estimate, although costs have been adjusted for inflation.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is requesting a 3-year extension for the Administration for Native Americans Project Outcome Assessment Survey. This survey aids in reporting on performance measures and fulfilling statutory requirements. ACF invites public comments and suggestions on the proposed information collection until February 12, 2025. Those interested can provide feedback via the specified online platform or email.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) related to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for site remediation. The request seeks to extend the approval of these standards, which mandate compliance for facilities dealing with hazardous air pollutants. It involves regular reports and record-keeping from affected facilities to ensure adherence to environmental regulations. The EPA is accepting public comments on this request until March 31, 2025, which reflects an increase in the estimated burden due to more facilities now being subject to these rules.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request about the modification of secondary treatment requirements for discharges into marine waters to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. This request involves public comments that had previously been called for in August 2020, with an additional 30 days now open for further comments. The Clean Water Act section 301(h) allows specific wastewater treatment facilities to receive permits waiving some treatment requirements if they meet strict environmental criteria. The information collected will help ensure these facilities are operating within legal limits to protect water quality and habitats.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has issued a notice through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) seeking public comments on the paperwork and burden related to U.S. Income Tax Return Forms for individual taxpayers, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The notice invites individuals and federal agencies to provide feedback by January 21, 2025, on the time and out-of-pocket costs associated with tax filing. The IRS estimates approximately 168.8 million respondents, with each spending an average of 12 hours and 37 minutes to comply with tax filing requirements, resulting in a total monetized burden of nearly $93.7 billion annually. The IRS will also continue offering a free e-file tax return system, known as Direct File, in the 2025 tax season.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has submitted an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This request pertains to trademark registration application forms and aims to evaluate the effectiveness of current procedures. The USPTO is welcoming public comments on the matter, extending the period for additional feedback by 30 days. This process will help ensure that filing trademarks is efficient and that unnecessary burdens on the public are minimized.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend the information collection regarding emission guidelines for municipal solid waste landfills. This extension is essential for the compliance with the EPA's regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act. Public comments on this request are invited until February 10, 2021. The proposal aims to reduce the burden on landfills over time, as many have already completed their initial compliance requirements under state and federal plans.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is seeking public comments on the renewal of an information collection, in line with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This involves a form used by state and tribal governments to request technical training courses, which helps OSMRE plan and estimate the resources needed for these courses. The public has until March 31, 2025, to provide feedback on whether this collection is necessary, how the agency could improve the process, and how the burden on respondents might be minimized. The information collection is mandatory for those who want to participate in the training courses.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), part of the Department of Transportation, announced a new study to examine how Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Keep Assist (LKA) systems help drivers respond better. They plan to collect information from up to 80 drivers and want feedback from the public by May 9, 2025. The aim is to improve safety features in cars, reducing crashes by preventing lane departures. NHTSA will later release a report with their findings.