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The U.S. Department of Transportation is hosting the annual Combating Human Trafficking in Transportation Impact Award, which aims to encourage creative and effective ways to raise awareness and prevent human trafficking in the transportation industry. Open to individuals and various organizations, including NGOs and government bodies, the award offers a cash prize of up to $50,000 for the most impactful project. Participants must be U.S. citizens or entities based in the U.S., and submissions are due by March 1, 2021. Winners will be judged based on factors such as technical merit, originality, impact, and practicality.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking public comments on its plan to collect information regarding the fit and comfort of motorcycle safety gear, such as helmets, gloves, and jackets, from riders across different motorcycle events. This collection aims to gather opinions on how comfortable and protective their gear is, contributing to improved motorcycle safety programs. Participants will include 625 motorcyclists who will provide data by using tablets and engaging with researchers at events. The public is invited to comment on various aspects of this information collection, including its necessity and potential ways to reduce the burden on those participating.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) proposes a rule to update brake system safety standards for trains that use an electronic air brake slip (eABS) system. This new system would allow certain rail cars to travel longer distances between brake tests, specifically up to 2,500 miles rather than the current 1,500 miles, provided the cars meet specific criteria. The proposal includes maintaining extended records of the cars' brake tests and allowing the swapping of blocks of cars in trains without additional tests. This initiative aims to improve efficiency and reduce employee injury risks while still ensuring train safety.

The Department of Education has issued final regulations aimed at improving program integrity and institutional quality for programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. These regulations focus on two key areas: distance education and the return of Title IV funds. They introduce new requirements for institutions to report the enrollment status of students in distance and correspondence courses and streamline the process for returning unearned Title IV funds when a student withdraws. These changes, effective July 1, 2026, seek to enhance data collection and oversight while simplifying administrative procedures for educational institutions.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), as requested by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), has issued regulations to allow the oil and gas industry to unintentionally take marine mammals during geophysical survey activities in the Gulf of Mexico over the next five years. This means that companies can get special permissions to conduct surveys that might disturb marine mammals, as long as they follow guidelines to minimize the impact on these animals and their habitats. This includes using monitoring and reporting methods to ensure compliance with the rules, and taking measures like stopping activities to avoid harming the animals. These regulations aim to balance industrial activities with the protection of marine life.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is requesting feedback on the development of Child Nutrition Programs Tribal Pilot Projects. These projects, authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, will allow Tribes and Tribal organizations to take on roles traditionally held by State agencies in administering school meal programs. The USDA is seeking input from Tribes, Tribal organizations, State agencies, and others on topics like eligibility criteria and the selection process for these pilot projects. Written comments are being accepted until March 24, 2025, to help shape the application process and evaluate potential challenges and support needs.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is hosting the Combating Human Trafficking in Transportation Impact Award to encourage the development of innovative solutions to stop human trafficking. This award is open to U.S.-based individuals and organizations like NGOs and government bodies, offering a cash prize of up to $50,000 for the most impactful submission. Participants are encouraged to design creative tools, initiatives, or technologies that could have a significant impact against human trafficking within the transportation industry. Submissions are accepted from January 6, 2025, to March 7, 2025, and the winners will be selected based on factors such as technical merit, originality, impact, practicality, and scalability.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seeking public comments on the extension of an information collection under Regulation S-ID, which aims to safeguard investors against identity theft risks. This regulation mandates SEC-regulated financial institutions and creditors to create programs to detect and address "red flags" of identity theft and communicate with cardholders about address changes. Annually, these entities must assess their accounts and report to their boards, incurring additional costs and time. Comments on this proposal are open until May 27, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Energy has determined that the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) will improve energy efficiency in residential buildings compared to the 2021 edition. This results in national savings of around 7.80% in site energy, 6.80% in source energy, and 6.60% in energy costs. Under federal law, each state must review and potentially update their building codes to meet or surpass the new 2024 IECC standards by December 30, 2026. The DOE provides guidance and technical assistance to support states in this process.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced a waiver of the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act's requirements for certain natural gas products like gas service risers, meters, and regulators because these are not available in large enough quantities domestically. This waiver, which applies to projects funded by the Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization (NGDISM) Grant Program, aims to ensure timely project completion while maintaining safety. It is based on public feedback indicating supply issues and will last for three years starting January 22, 2025. PHMSA has emphasized the importance of having enough compliant products to avoid delaying critical safety construction projects.