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TIP Minnesota Coaches Acquisition LLC, TIP MN Investments LP, and Tiger Infrastructure Partners Fund IV AIV LP are seeking the Surface Transportation Board's approval to gain control of multiple passenger motor carriers, including Marschall Line and Minnesota Coaches. These companies specialize in school and motorcoach transportation services, with operations primarily in Minnesota and extending to neighboring states. The proposed acquisition intends to maintain current services and workforce while potentially expanding the fleet. If no opposition is filed, the transaction will be finalized by February 25, 2025.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public comments on ways to reduce paperwork burdens, especially for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees, as part of its compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This request is part of the FCC’s ongoing efforts to streamline its processes and reduce the burden of information collection. Comments should be submitted through the website www.reginfo.gov by February 18, 2025. The proposal includes the evaluation of existing forms and requirements to ensure they are necessary and effectively support FCC functions.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed a consent order to address alleged anticompetitive practices by the private equity firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe. The firm was accused of violating several federal laws by consolidating anesthesia services in Texas through its company, U.S. Anesthesia Partners, Inc., which led to increased prices. The proposed order seeks to limit Welsh Carson's influence over this company and requires them to obtain FTC approval for future acquisitions in anesthesia and related medical fields to prevent similar monopolistic behavior. The public has until March 20, 2025, to submit comments on this proposed consent order.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has finalized a rule allowing non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) fixed-satellite services (FSS) to operate in the 17.3-17.8 GHz band for space-to-Earth communications. This decision, part of their Report and Order, aims to promote efficient spectrum usage by sharing the band primarily with existing geostationary satellites and allowing coexistence with terrestrial services. The FCC has also established technical safeguards, such as specific power limits, to prevent interference with current operators and ensure reliable high-speed internet services, especially in underserved areas. The changes align the U.S. frequency allocations with international standards to facilitate improved satellite telecommunications for American consumers.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is seeking public comments on the renewal of an information collection called FERC-725D, which pertains to reliability standards for facilities design, connections, and maintenance. This involves transferring specific standards (FAC-003-5 and FAC-008-5) into FERC-725D to better manage vegetation around transmission lines and ensure reliable facility ratings. The public is invited to comment on the necessity, accuracy, and methods to improve or reduce the burden of this information collection, with comments due by March 28, 2025.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is requesting public comments on the information collection known as FERC-725, which deals with electric reliability standards. This information collection includes requirements for assessing reliability, developing standards, ensuring compliance, and performing assessments. The comments are due by March 10, 2025, and can be submitted via the FERC website or through mail. There are no changes to the existing reporting requirements, and FERC is seeking a three-year extension for these requirements.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor have issued a rule to expand the discretionary review authority of the Secretary of Labor to include certain H-2B temporary labor certification cases. This rule allows the Secretary to review cases that are pending before or have been decided by the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals (BALCA). The rule is part of a broader effort to ensure that internal processes are properly supervised by the Secretary and is expected to be used mainly for cases of notable importance. Public comments are encouraged, but significant adverse comments could halt the rule's implementation.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor have jointly proposed a new rule seeking public input on extending the Secretary of Labor's review system to specific temporary labor certification cases. This rule will allow the Secretary of Labor to review decisions related to H-2B temporary labor certifications made by the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals and the Department of Labor's Administrative Review Board. The proposal includes updates to existing regulations and aims to maintain efficient handling of cases without notable disruption. The departments are encouraging public comments on this proposed rule to ensure informed decision-making.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a final rule to update its regulations by incorporating the latest standards (Version 004) for business practices and communication protocols for public utilities. These standards, developed by the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB), aim to enhance consistency in utility operations and bolster cybersecurity. FERC requires utilities to make compliance filings by June 27, 2025, and to implement cybersecurity standards by February 27, 2026, with the remaining standards by August 27, 2026. The rule ensures public utilities adhere to updated practices that support reliable and secure energy systems.

The Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service has approved a recommendation to increase the assessment rate for watermelons under the Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan. The new rate boosts the assessment from six to nine cents per hundredweight. Domestic producers with 10 acres or more and domestic handlers will each pay four and a half cents per hundredweight, while importers of 150,000 pounds or more will pay nine cents per hundredweight. This increase aims to address inflation's impact on the plan’s buying power and continues to support marketing and research efforts, benefiting the watermelon industry overall. The rule also includes administrative corrections without changing the assessment rate.