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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), specifically the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), announced that it is extending the collection of information for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program without any changes. This notice, published in the Federal Register, allows an additional 30 days for the public to comment on this extension. The document outlines that comments can focus on the necessity and efficiency of the data collection and suggests that individuals limit the personal information they share in their submissions, as these will be made public. Additionally, it provides estimates of the number of respondents and the public's time and cost burden associated with this information collection.

The U.S. Office of Government Ethics has issued a final rule to adjust the civil monetary penalties related to the Ethics in Government Act, following the guidelines of the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. This rule updates the penalty amounts based on inflation, using a specific formula, to maintain their deterrent effect. The penalties for various violations have been increased slightly, such as those related to financial disclosures and breaches of trust, and these changes apply to penalties assessed after January 15, 2021. The adjustments help ensure that monetary penalties keep up with the cost of living over time.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced new energy conservation standards for walk-in coolers and freezers. These revised standards aim to save energy, are feasible with current technology, and are economically justified. The updated rules will take effect on February 21, 2025, with compliance dates for specific components set for 2027 and 2028. The DOE's decision was based on a careful evaluation of the benefits and costs to consumers and the impact on manufacturers.

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.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final rule allowing for the electronic issuance of aircraft registration and dealer certificates, moving away from the traditional method of printing and mailing paper certificates. This change aims to improve efficiency and reduce costs related to printing, mailing, and handling paper certificates. The electronic certificates can be delivered almost instantly via email, while paper copies may still be requested. The move is part of the broader CARES system upgrade initiative, which aims to modernize the FAA’s registry system using digital technology.

The Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) of the Department of the Interior is making changes to its regulations to improve the hearings and appeals process. These updates aim to make procedures more efficient, reflect changes in the law, and incorporate modern technology like electronic filing and case management systems. They are meant to help both the people involved in these cases and the department work more effectively, ensuring that decisions are reviewed quickly and fairly. The new regulations will be effective from February 10, 2025, and public comments on these changes can be submitted until March 11, 2025.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office, part of the Department of Commerce, is requesting comments on the information collection for the admission and roster of registered patent attorneys and agents. This process involves a series of forms required for registration, reinstatement, and practice before the USPTO. The estimated total annual burden for respondents is 18,188 hours, with an additional non-hour cost of $875,706. The submissions help the USPTO assess the qualifications of individuals wishing to represent applicants in patent processes.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to revise its Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). Key changes include redefining eligibility criteria, expanding definitions, and removing certain requirements like "need for supervision, protection, or instruction." The proposal aims to make the program more flexible during emergencies and ensure fairer stipend calculations based on the amount and degree of caregiving needed. Additionally, the proposal suggests extending the transition period for legacy applicants and participants to allow more time for reassessments under new criteria.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor have jointly proposed a new rule seeking public input on extending the Secretary of Labor's review system to specific temporary labor certification cases. This rule will allow the Secretary of Labor to review decisions related to H-2B temporary labor certifications made by the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals and the Department of Labor's Administrative Review Board. The proposal includes updates to existing regulations and aims to maintain efficient handling of cases without notable disruption. The departments are encouraging public comments on this proposed rule to ensure informed decision-making.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor have issued a rule to expand the discretionary review authority of the Secretary of Labor to include certain H-2B temporary labor certification cases. This rule allows the Secretary to review cases that are pending before or have been decided by the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals (BALCA). The rule is part of a broader effort to ensure that internal processes are properly supervised by the Secretary and is expected to be used mainly for cases of notable importance. Public comments are encouraged, but significant adverse comments could halt the rule's implementation.