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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering a new rule to allow geostationary satellites in the fixed-satellite service (FSS) to use the 17.3-17.8 GHz band in a space-to-Earth direction, which could improve satellite communications in the U.S. The proposal includes technical safeguards to prevent interference with existing services, like broadcasting and fixed services. The FCC is also suggesting updates to relevant rules, defining an extended Ka-band, and easing the licensing process for satellite operations in these frequencies. They invite comments from the public and industry stakeholders to ensure that the changes balance innovation with protecting current users of the spectrum.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a final rule to adjust civil penalty amounts for inflation, fulfilling the requirements under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act. These adjustments ensure that penalties continue to serve as a deterrent and encourage compliance with the law. The new penalty amounts will take effect on January 15, 2025, and apply to violations occurring after November 2, 2015. This rulemaking process does not require public notice or comment due to its technical nature and statutory obligations.

The Health and Human Services Department has released a final rule aimed at enhancing access to electronic health information while addressing concerns about privacy and legal implications for patients and providers, especially concerning reproductive health care. This rule refines existing information blocking exceptions and introduces a new "Protecting Care Access Exception," allowing health care providers to withhold certain sensitive information to avoid potential legal risks related to seeking, obtaining, or providing lawful reproductive health care. The rule aims to protect patient trust and ensure that health care providers continue to use digital records, thus avoiding a return to paper methods that could hinder patient care and health IT advancements. Additionally, it emphasizes that if any part of this rule is legally challenged, the remaining provisions will still stand.

The final regulations in the Federal Register address the rules around Passive Foreign Investment Companies (PFICs) and the conditions under which a foreign corporation can be considered a Qualified Insurance Corporation (QIC). These regulations, which provide clarity on the treatment of income and assets for PFICs, introduce specific tests such as the 25% test for qualifying as a QIC. They emphasize that a corporation's insurance liabilities must exceed a certain percentage of its total assets to qualify for certain exceptions. The regulations also aim to prevent tax avoidance strategies and increase compliance by setting out guidelines for how passive income and insurance assets should be evaluated.

In this proposed rulemaking, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking feedback on updating rules for the auctioning of licenses in the AWS-3 spectrum bands. This includes revising eligibility criteria for small business bidding credits to align with the Small Business Act, proposing updates to competitive bidding rules, and considering a Tribal licensing window to allow Tribal entities access to spectrum licenses. The goal is to ensure small businesses and rural service providers have opportunities to participate in providing 5G services, as well as to clarify rules to match current practices.

The Department of Commerce is inviting public comments on the necessity and impact of collecting economic data from Gulf and South Atlantic shrimp fishers who hold federal permits. This data collection is part of a larger effort to meet the goals of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The collected information includes shrimp fishers’ revenues, costs, and investments, which will be used to analyze their response to federal regulations. The deadline for submitting comments is May 19, 2025, and the data will be gathered via a mail survey to about 650 participants.

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have issued final regulations concerning taxes imposed on gifts and bequests received by U.S. citizens or residents from individuals who were once U.S. citizens or residents but have given up their status, known as "covered expatriates." These new rules clarify how the tax is calculated, who is responsible for paying it, and which gifts or bequests are exempt. Trusts, both foreign and domestic, are specifically addressed, with detailed guidance on compliance and election procedures for foreign trusts wishing to be treated as domestic for tax purposes. Additionally, the regulations outline the recordkeeping and reporting requirements to ensure proper tax administration. These regulations take effect on January 14, 2025.

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 airworthiness directive for Boeing 737 models, prompted by incidents where engine components detached and caused aircraft damage. This rule requires replacing or inspecting specific parts, updating maintenance programs, and addressing potential engine nacelle maintenance errors by using redesigned components and high-visibility paints. The changes aim to prevent conditions that could lead to an aircraft losing control or excessive drag during flight. Compliance is required by April 8, 2025, with the costs estimated at $7,650 per operator for updating programs.

DoD, GSA, and NASA have issued a final rule to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) in order to implement an Executive Order that promotes the use of American-made goods in government procurement. This rule increases domestic content requirements for products, especially focusing on iron and steel, and raises the price preference for domestic goods from 6% to 20% for large businesses and from 12% to 30% for small businesses. Additionally, certain aspects of the Buy American statute are retained, such as waivers for Commercially Available Off-The-Shelf (COTS) items, although exceptions apply for products predominantly made of iron or steel. The rule is intended to boost economic growth, job creation, and national security by encouraging the use of U.S.-manufactured products.