Search Results for agency_names:"Centers for Medicare

The Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation (FCSIC) has issued a final rule to update the civil money penalties they can impose, adjusting them for inflation. This adjustment is required by a 2015 law that aims to keep penalties effective by considering inflation. The regulation specifies that for any violations related to the Farm Credit Act, fines can increase to a maximum of $217 per day. The new penalty rates will apply to violations assessed on or after January 15, 2021, for conduct dating back to November 2, 2015.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) published a proposed rule on December 23, 2020, aimed at implementing new reporting and recordkeeping requirements for transactions involving convertible virtual currency (CVC) and legal tender digital assets (LTDA). These requirements are part of efforts to address illicit financial activities such as money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The proposal includes mandatory reporting for transactions over $10,000 involving these assets, as well as maintaining records for transactions over $3,000. In response to public feedback, FinCEN has reopened the comment period to gather more input on these proposals and their implications for financial institutions, technology, and regulatory compliance.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is seeking public comments on continuing the use of the "Claim for Medical Reimbursement Form." This effort aims to reduce paperwork and the burden placed on respondents, in line with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The form, also known as OWCP-915, is used for claiming reimbursement for medical expenses, and the DOL wants feedback on the necessity, accuracy, and effectiveness of this information collection. Comments are accepted until April 12, 2021, and interested individuals are encouraged to submit their opinions to the DOL's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) has issued a final rule that amends regulations concerning the allocation of unfunded vested benefits to employers that withdraw from multiemployer pension plans. This rule, in response to changes made by the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act of 2014, simplifies how employers' withdrawal liabilities are calculated, especially when a pension plan has reduced benefits or adjusted contributions. The changes aim to make it easier for plan sponsors to comply with statutory requirements while reducing administrative burdens. The new rules apply to employer withdrawals that occur in plan years starting on or after February 8, 2021.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) updated its rule for over-the-air reception devices to include hub and relay antennas used to distribute broadband-only wireless services, expanding their previous constraints. This modification aims to facilitate the deployment of faster and more efficient Internet services, especially in rural and underserved communities, by removing barriers related to the installation and use of these antennas. The FCC maintains certain conditions, such as property ownership requirements and size restrictions of the antennas, to ensure minimal visual impact and compliance with existing safety and historical preservation regulations. This change seeks to level the playing field for broadband providers and increase competition in the fixed wireless market.

On December 23, 2020, FinCEN proposed new rules for banks and money services businesses about how they handle transactions with virtual currencies or digital assets that have legal tender status. These rules focus on transactions over $10,000 and involve specific types of digital wallets. Initially, feedback was allowed until January 7, 2021, but the comment period was reopened for more input. This document further extends the deadline for comments to March 29, 2021, allowing more time for feedback on the proposed rules.

The U.S. Department of Education has announced the timeline and application process for the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) program grants for fiscal year 2021. These grants are aimed at helping rural school districts with unique challenges by providing funds on a formula basis to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs). Eligible LEAs must submit their applications electronically by April 16, 2021, using the OMB Max Survey platform. The Department will ensure that eligible LEAs receive the necessary application links and instructions by February 10, 2021, and emphasizes the importance of submitting applications on time to ensure funding.

The Department of Education has announced that it is accepting applications for the Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Program for fiscal year 2021. This program provides grants to doctoral candidates to support dissertation research conducted abroad in modern foreign languages and area studies. Eligible institutions of higher education must compile and submit applications through the G5 system. The total estimated funding available is $4,274,500, with approximately 90 awards ranging from $15,000 to $60,000 expected to be made. Applications must be submitted electronically unless an exception is granted.

The Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have issued a notice about extending a requirement related to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 9. This rule involves various regulations that contractors must comply with when engaging in federal contracts, such as providing information about their qualifications, corporate responsibility, and any history of legal issues. Comments on this notice are open until April 14, 2025, and the public is encouraged to submit feedback for review. The information collected helps assess if contractors are eligible for federal contract awards.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing updates to the fees charged under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for fiscal years 2022 to 2024. This proposal aims to adjust existing fees and introduce new fee categories to ensure the fees offset a portion of the costs of the EPA's responsibilities under TSCA. New exemptions are also proposed for certain manufacturers to reduce the burden on smaller entities and those engaged in specific activities, like research and development. EPA seeks to redistribute the fees more equitably among manufacturers based on production volume, aiming to refine the fee process from previous implementations and ensure industries that contribute to chemical manufacturing support EPA's oversight and evaluation efforts.