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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a final rule that requires its regulations to be reviewed periodically, with most regulations set to expire automatically every ten years unless reviewed. This is intended to ensure that regulations stay up-to-date and relevant. The final rule also includes processes for public comments and specifies the criteria for reviews, which include assessing whether the regulations significantly impact small entities, and if they are still necessary or need amendments. Certain regulations, such as those mandated by federal law and the annual Medicare payment update rules, are exempt from these reviews.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has introduced new rules for evaluating water resources projects, offering specific procedures to implement principles from federal guidelines established for such investments. This rule aims to maximize public benefits by balancing economic, environmental, and social considerations while prioritizing collaboration and public engagement, including with Tribal Nations. The rule will apply to new and significant projects and does not impose new mandates on small entities or Tribal governments. It emphasizes transparency, public participation, and the consideration of climate change and environmental justice in decision-making processes.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a new rule to add all species of Asian pond mussels (Sinanodonta), golden mussels (Limnoperna), and marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis) to the list of injurious wildlife. This action aims to prohibit the importation and transport of these species within certain U.S. jurisdictions due to their potential to harm native ecosystems by competing for resources, spreading quickly, and carrying pathogens. The proposed listings are part of efforts to protect U.S. interests by preventing these invasive species from establishing themselves and causing ecological damage. Public comments on the proposal are invited until March 11, 2025.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is proposing a new rule that would allow states to waive the hazardous materials endorsement requirement for drivers with a Class A commercial driver's license who transport up to 1,000 gallons of aviation jet fuel for agricultural operations. This change aims to help agricultural aviation companies, especially those in remote areas, by making it easier to find drivers to deliver jet fuel, thus supporting these businesses' efficiency. The proposal may lead to cost savings for both drivers and agricultural operators, without reducing safety, as these operations typically occur in low-traffic rural areas. Public comments on the proposal are being accepted until February 3, 2025.

The document discusses the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) response to certain comments about the Good Neighbor Plan, which aims to address air pollution impacting downwind states. The EPA explains why each state's obligations under this plan are separate and can function independently even if other states are not participating. The agency clarifies its approach, emphasizing that the plan sets uniform pollution control standards across states to ensure each contributing state reduces emissions effectively, without depending on the involvement of other states. This ensures the plan remains effective and fair, providing consistent pollution reduction regardless of how many states are involved.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a final rule aimed at protecting consumers in Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing, a program that lets property owners fund energy-efficient home improvements through tax assessments. This rule ensures that consumers' ability to repay is considered before PACE loans are approved and includes new disclosure requirements to help consumers better understand their financial obligations. The rule includes adjustments specific to PACE loans to address their unique nature and excludes PACE loans from qualifying as "qualified mortgages," which typically have regulatory protections. The changes are meant to standardize practices across states, improve consumer understanding, and ultimately prevent unaffordable loans that could lead to financial difficulties.

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 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has updated the asset-size exemption threshold for banks, savings associations, and credit unions under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) to $58 million for 2025, based on an average 2.9% increase in the Consumer Price Index. This change means that institutions with assets of $58 million or less as of December 31, 2024, will not have to collect certain data in 2025. The amendment, which eliminates the need for public comment due to its technical and non-discretionary nature, will take effect on January 1, 2025.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under the Department of the Treasury has issued a final rule to adjust civil monetary penalties for inflation, as required by law. This adjustment aims to maintain the deterrent effect of these penalties by reflecting changes in the cost of living. The updated penalties apply across various statutes like the Trading With the Enemy Act, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and others. The rule will be effective beginning January 15, 2025, and does not require prior public notice or comment.

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.