Search Results for type:"Rule"

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented the 5G Fund for Rural America, aimed at expanding 5G mobile wireless broadband in rural areas. This plan builds on improved data from the National Broadband Map to identify areas lacking high-speed mobile service, ensuring that efforts are targeted to the most underserved regions. The 5G Fund Phase I budget has been increased to $9 billion, with adjustments for Tribal lands, and includes timelines for transitioning away from legacy support systems to this more modern structure. Furthermore, recipients of this fund will need to implement cybersecurity and supply chain risk management plans, and there are incentives for integrating Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) technologies into the supported networks.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has implemented a final rule to remove outdated and duplicative regulations related to "Prompt Corrective Action" that were inherited from the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS). The goal is to streamline regulations and ensure clarity by consolidating these rules into existing FDIC regulations. This change affects state savings associations, making it clear that all FDIC-supervised institutions will follow the same regulations. These adjustments are not expected to have substantial impacts on small entities, as the rules remain consistent with existing FDIC standards.

The FAA has issued a new rule replacing previous airworthiness directives for ATR72 airplanes. This rule mandates incorporating updated airworthiness limitations to prevent fatigue cracking that could compromise the airplane's structure. The updated limitations are based on European Union Aviation Safety Agency guidelines and apply to certain ATR72 models, excluding those with certificates issued after December 12, 2019. The new requirements must be implemented by March 31, 2021, with specified compliance details and options for alternative approaches.

The Coast Guard, under the Department of Homeland Security, issued a final rule to rename the "Gulf of Mexico" as the "Gulf of America" in its regulations. This change follows Executive Order 14172, titled "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness," and aims to ensure consistency across federal government references. No notice of proposed rulemaking was required for this rule as it makes no substantive changes impacting public rights or obligations. The renaming is effective March 17, 2025, and involves technical amendments with no additional costs to the public.

The U.S. Copyright Office issued a final rule under the Music Modernization Act (MMA) to address how digital music providers should handle and report accrued royalties for unmatched musical works. This rule aims to clarify the processes for transferring royalties to the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) while ensuring accurate payments to songwriters and copyright owners. It addresses the necessity of estimates and adjustments to royalties due to unknown factors, like the pending final determination of royalty rates. The rule also considers previous private agreements to prevent double payments while ensuring that unmatched royalties are correctly transferred and accounted for.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various Airbus SAS aircraft models, including the A319, A320, and A321 series. This directive addresses a safety concern involving the nose landing gear (NLG) repairs in aircraft approved for operation in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Due to different runway standards in the CIS, certain parts may require repair or replacement to prevent damage, failure, and potential safety risks. Effective March 7, 2025, this rule requires compliance with repair and replacement guidelines specified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a final rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to limit the use of pentachlorothiophenol (PCTP), a chemical identified as persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic. The rule prohibits manufacturing, processing, and distributing PCTP and PCTP-containing products if the concentration exceeds 1% by weight. This restriction aims to lower the availability and exposure of PCTP, thereby reducing the potential risks to human health and the environment. By enforcing these limits, the EPA encourages the use of safer alternatives and reduces environmental and human exposure to PCTP.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a final rule that modifies work requirements and exemptions for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in response to the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. This rule expands work requirements to include adults aged 50 to 54, but also provides new exemptions for homeless individuals, veterans, and young adults who have aged out of foster care. These changes are expected to affect federal spending and administrative processes while impacting SNAP eligibility for some participants. The rule will take effect on January 16, 2025, with certain provisions expiring on October 1, 2030.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued a final rule revising the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS). This rule mandates that state Title IV-E agencies collect and report more detailed data related to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) for children in foster care. The aim is to better understand the experiences and outcomes for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children and to improve culturally responsive care. States are given a three-year timeframe to implement these changes, which will take effect on October 1, 2028.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has finalized amendments to its rules about margin requirements for certain swaps. These changes update how entities determine if they fall under the requirement to exchange initial margin for swaps that aren't centrally cleared. The amendments align the CFTC rules with international standards set by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and the International Organization of Securities Commissions. In addition, it allows certain swap dealers to use a risk-based model from other registered swap dealers to calculate necessary initial margins, making compliance more practical and internationally consistent.