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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have issued a final rule regarding the enforcement of REAL ID requirements for driver's licenses and identification cards used for federal purposes. Starting May 7, 2025, federal agencies must begin enforcing these requirements but can do so using a phased approach until May 5, 2027, if they consider factors like security, operational feasibility, and public impact. This rule aims to provide flexibility for a smoother transition since not all individuals currently possess REAL ID-compliant IDs. Agencies that choose phased enforcement must coordinate with DHS and publicly share their plans.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to approve Idaho's updated regional haze State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the period from 2018 to 2028. Idaho's plan aims to make progress toward improving visibility caused by air pollution in national parks and wilderness areas. The plan includes specific strategies and rules for sources of air pollution, such as factories, to reduce emissions of harmful substances like nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. The EPA found Idaho’s plan to be consistent with federal requirements and intends to incorporate the plan's measures into the state’s legally enforceable air quality rules.

The United States Sentencing Commission is considering changes to the federal sentencing guidelines, and they are seeking public comments through March 2025. The proposed amendments aim to provide courts with more flexibility in making sentencing decisions, including changes to supervised release terms and drug offense guidelines. These include updating how drug quantities and roles in drug trafficking are assessed, altering the approach to methamphetamine cases, and revising enhancements related to machineguns and fentanyl distribution. The Commission is actively seeking feedback on various aspects of these proposals to better tailor federal sentencing guidelines to current needs.

The Department of Justice has proposed changes to the regulations of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to comply with the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022. The proposal includes adding new definitions and procedures to incorporate local and Tribal firearms prohibitions alongside existing federal and state laws. It also covers enhanced background checks for firearm buyers under 21, introduces denial notifications to law enforcement when a gun sale is denied, and suggests improvements like identifying agencies that can't share certain records due to state laws. The Department seeks public comments on these proposed changes to refine and ensure their effectiveness in preventing prohibited individuals from acquiring firearms.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) has partly approved and partly denied amendments to Montana's regulatory program regarding surface mining, which sought to alter the definition of "material damage" and change permit requirements for hydrologic information. These amendments were proposed following legislation passed by the Montana Legislature. OSMRE disapproved the changes related to how material damage is defined concerning hydrologic balance and subsidence but approved the definition regarding alluvial valley floors and the restructuring of a prior definition. The action reflects careful consideration to ensure state regulations align with the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act and federal regulations.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has finalized changes to its Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regulations to align with the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016. These updates aim to make procedures for accessing information more accessible and clearly outlined for public understanding. The new rule reorganizes SSA's FOIA guidelines, clarifies terms like "commercial interest," and provides extensive details on processing requests, fees, and exemptions. The SSA hopes these changes will improve transparency and efficiency for both the agency and the public.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has proposed a new rule to allow healthcare practitioners to prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine, without needing an in-person exam, through a Special Registration framework. This framework permits three types of special registrations: Telemedicine Prescribing Registration for Schedule III-V drugs, Advanced Telemedicine Prescribing Registration for Schedule II-V drugs for certain specialists, and Telemedicine Platform Registration for online platforms to dispense these drugs. These changes, which aim to expand patient access while safeguarding against drug abuse, also require practitioners to perform additional prescription checks and comply with detailed reporting and recordkeeping. Public comments on this proposal are welcome before final implementation.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule amending its Uniform Administrative Requirements to realign with statutory nondiscrimination provisions stated by Congress, thus significantly altering previous regulations. This rule focuses on requiring recipients of HHS awards to adhere to applicable federal statutory nondiscrimination laws and ensures compliance with relevant Supreme Court decisions. The action also addresses concerns that previous rules might violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) by causing undue burdens on religious organizations. This change aims to provide clarity and stability for grantees, while planning to avoid issues related to RFRA compliance.

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have finalized rules for reporting digital asset transactions performed by brokers. These new regulations, effective January 1, 2027, require brokers who regularly facilitate digital asset sales, like those in decentralized finance (DeFi), to provide forms reporting gross proceeds from these transactions. The rules primarily apply to trading front-end service providers, who are best positioned to report on such transactions due to their close interaction with customers. The regulations aim to enhance tax compliance by ensuring digital asset transactions are reported similarly to traditional financial trades.

The final regulations clarify the application of excise taxes on payments made for air transportation services. Specifically, they address the exemption for payments made for certain aircraft management services, including maintenance and support of an aircraft owner's plane, ensuring that the tax does not apply to amounts paid for these services. The regulations also discuss rules related to aircraft charters and the responsibilities of various parties in collecting the air transportation taxes. These changes aim to incorporate statutory updates and simplify compliance for taxpayers and IRS examiners.