Search Results for type:"Rule"

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection issued a final rule revising Regulation F, which enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This rule requires debt collectors to provide clear information to consumers at the start of collection efforts and prohibits legal action on outdated debts. It also establishes guidelines for reporting debts to consumer agencies only after contacting the consumer. The rule aims to protect consumer rights and prevent abusive debt collection practices.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new rule that enables it to accept air operator certificates from Regional Safety Oversight Organizations (RSOOs) for foreign air carriers, as long as the State of the Operator is a member of that organization. This change eases the process for foreign airlines to gain operational specifications for flying to and from the United States. While some industry groups expressed concerns about safety and legal issues, the FAA assures that it will review and validate these certificates to ensure they meet international safety standards. The rule will become effective on January 16, 2025.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has updated the amounts for civil monetary penalties to adjust for inflation, as required by law. These adjustments are for penalties related to violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act and other related laws. The new penalty amounts, which are calculated using a specified formula, apply to assessments made after January 11, 2021. The adjustments ensure that penalties retain their deterrent effect over time, reflecting changes in the consumer price index.

The Department of Justice has updated its regulations to better describe the current functions of the Office of Legal Policy (OLP). This rule simplifies certain sections by removing outdated references to a non-existing entity and details the responsibilities of the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the OLP. It is considered an internal matter, so it does not require public comment or a delayed start and will not significantly impact state governments or federal-state relations. The changes take effect on January 17, 2025.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public input on two petitions that challenge the compensation rates set for Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS). The current rates are $1.42 per minute from December 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, and $1.30 per minute starting July 1, 2021. IDT Telecom believes the FCC should have lowered the contribution factor to the Telecommunications Relay Services Fund when it reduced the compensation rates. T-Mobile USA argues that the FCC's decision to adopt a single rate didn't consider all costs and lacked a proper basis. Public responses are due by March 9, 2021, with replies due by March 19, 2021.

On January 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had planned to implement updates to the HOME Investment Partnerships Program on February 5, 2025. However, following a presidential directive for regulatory review, HUD initially delayed this to April 20, 2025. HUD now announces further delays for certain parts of the program: one key provision is delayed until October 30, 2025, while another is withdrawn, with other sections remaining scheduled for the original April date. These changes are meant to allow more time for public input and to ensure compliance with existing laws.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is implementing a new rule, titled Rule 2a-5, under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This rule sets requirements for how investment companies should determine the fair value of their investments. Key elements include the management of valuation risks, specification of suitable fair value methodologies, and supervision of pricing services used to assess investment value. Additionally, the rule allows investment companies to designate a valuation expert to handle these assessments, provided they remain under the company's board's oversight. Furthermore, a new accompanying Rule 31a-4 mandates recordkeeping requirements to support these fair value determinations.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has amended regulations for educational assistance programs involving veterans, implementing acts such as the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 and others. Under these updates, the VA has refined how benefits and eligibility are managed, specifically focusing on criteria for receiving Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, enhancing the clarity of rules for on-site and online courses, and addressing overpayment policies. Additionally, the amendments adjust various educational and training benefit programs while emphasizing the importance of timely certification and managing eligibility for veterans and their dependents.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued a final rule that amends its existing Buy America requirements. This rule terminates the general waiver for manufactured products and applies new requirements to products used in Federal-aid highway projects, aligning with the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA). These requirements mandate that manufactured products must be assembled in the U.S., and beginning October 2026, at least 55% of their components by cost must also be of U.S. origin. The rule aims to bolster domestic manufacturing and create a more resilient supply chain.

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.