Search Results for type:"Rule"

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), known as AmeriCorps, revised its rules for the National Service Criminal History Check (NSCHC), effective May 1, 2021. The new regulations aim to simplify and clarify the process and require grant recipients to conduct checks on individuals in specific positions. The rule does not mandate using CNCS-approved vendors, although it is recommended. Also, the revised rule includes waivers for individuals under 18 and new positions starting after November 1, 2021, ensuring checks are consistent and conducted before starting work or service.

The National Park Service has issued a new rule allowing bicycles on approximately 20.6 miles of trails in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, effective January 22, 2025. This decision came after a public feedback process and an environmental assessment that concluded the expansion of trails for bicycles would not harm the area’s natural resources. The amendments designate specific trails for bicycle use and give the Superintendent authority to manage bicycle access if needed. The changes aim to enhance visitor experiences while ensuring the trails are sustainable and environmentally friendly.

This final rule, implemented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fulfills requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act. It offers rewards to whistleblowers who provide original information regarding motor vehicle defects, noncompliance, or violations that might lead to severe injury or death, if this information aids in successfully resolving enforcement actions. The rule details procedures for submitting information, eligibility for awards, maintaining confidentiality, and factors in award determination. It aims to motivate employees of car manufacturers, part suppliers, and dealerships to report serious safety issues by clarifying protections and ensuring confidentiality.

The U.S. Department of Energy is implementing a new rule that exempts certain records from the Privacy Act of 1974 because those records contain classified information. This new system, known as DOE-85, involves research, technology, and economic security reviews and aims to manage risks related to national security and foreign policy. The rule is effective January 16, 2025, and is tailored to protect classified information while allowing DOE to coordinate effectively with other agencies. Despite public concerns, the DOE maintains that these exemptions are necessary and do not violate laws like the Freedom of Information Act.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a final rule to update the civil penalties for certain violations based on the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 2015. As of January 16, 2025, the maximum penalty has been increased from $2,058 to $2,111, reflecting adjustments for inflation. The adjustment is calculated using the Consumer Price Index and is applied automatically each year. This rule is not anticipated to have a significant economic impact and follows federal guidelines to ensure compliance and reduce burdens.

The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, part of the Department of Education, has released final priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria for the Promise Neighborhoods (PN) Program. These guidelines are meant to improve academic outcomes in distressed communities by ensuring children have access to quality services and educational success. The Assistant Secretary has clarified various aspects, such as requirements for evidence-based activities and the application process for grants, which are applicable for the fiscal year 2021 and beyond. The document emphasizes collaboration with community organizations to address issues like opioid abuse prevention and crime reduction through community-level efforts.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued a final rule that permits mortgage companies to disburse up to 1% of a mortgage amount before using all of the funds provided by the borrower. This rule is meant to simplify the process of combining mortgages into mortgage-backed securities and help ensure interest rates for FHA-insured mortgages remain competitive. Public comments suggested more flexibility in disbursement limits, but HUD maintained the 1% limit to manage risks effectively. This final rule also makes minor organizational changes to existing regulations.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is updating the test procedures for compressors to correct errors and ensure calculations are accurate across different conditions, such as altitude. These changes include fixing formulas for efficiency calculations and updating the definition of "air compressor" to clarify that multiple compression elements are included. The updates align DOE procedures with industry standards and are designed to be more precise without adding extra testing burdens on manufacturers. The updated rules will be effective April 2, 2025, and mandatory for product testing by July 16, 2025.

The Coast Guard has established a temporary safety zone on the Lower Mississippi River, covering mile markers 364.4 to 365.5 near Natchez, MS, in response to a fireworks display scheduled for December 31, 2024. This one-hour safety zone, effective from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., is intended to minimize hazards to people, vessels, and the environment. Entry into the zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Coast Guard, and the public will be informed via marine broadcasts. This rule is deemed necessary to ensure safety and has been issued without prior notice due to time constraints related to public safety.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented a new rule that removes the requirement for non-geostationary-satellite orbit, fixed-satellite service (NGSO FSS) systems to provide continuous coverage across the entire United States. This change is intended to offer more flexibility and encourage the development of innovative satellite systems. The decision aims to allow satellite operators to focus on serving underserved areas, such as Alaska and remote islands, without mandating nationwide coverage. The FCC believes this elimination of the domestic coverage rule will enhance connectivity and promote efficient use of satellite technology.