Search Results for type:"Rule"

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new rule that updates the process for requesting special flight authorizations for supersonic aircraft in the U.S. This rule simplifies the application procedure for testing these aircrafts at speeds over Mach 1, mainly for purposes like checking airworthiness and reducing sonic boom impacts. While the rule streamlines administrative requirements, it does not change the long-standing general ban on routine overland supersonic flight. The FAA still heavily focuses on ensuring these tests consider potential environmental impacts, following regulations like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The Department of State is updating the International Traffic in Arms Regulations by revising the U.S. Munitions List (USML) to include or remove items and clarify certain entries. These changes aim to better control defense articles and services, ensuring they continue to provide a critical military or intelligence advantage. While the new rules are set to take effect on September 15, 2025, the department is also seeking public comments by March 18, 2025, to further refine the regulations.

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.

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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a final rule, effective March 16, 2021, for the operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), such as drones, over people and at night under certain conditions. The rule introduces four categories of operations based on the risk of injury to people, allowing drones to fly over people without a waiver if they meet specific safety standards. It also requires drones flying at night to have anti-collision lights and operators to undergo training that covers night operations. Additionally, the rule allows drones to fly over moving vehicles, provided specific conditions are met to ensure safety.

The National Indian Gaming Commission is updating its rules to adjust civil monetary penalties for inflation, as required by a 2015 federal law. This adjustment aims to keep penalties effective and ensure they still act as a deterrent. The new penalty amount of $65,655 will apply starting January 15, 2025. The adjustments are routine, and the rule change won't significantly impact small businesses or other major aspects of the economy or government operations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new rule updating an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B due to concerns about the axial play of the rotating scissors spherical bearings. This updated directive requires additional inspections, extends the list of affected helicopter parts, and outlines reporting requirements for inspection outcomes. This rule is essential for maintaining helicopter safety, with the new compliance measures coming into effect on April 25, 2025. The FAA has made these changes in response to updates from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, ensuring alignment with international safety standards.

The final regulations from the Treasury Department and the IRS provide guidelines for claiming tax credits under section 45Q of the Internal Revenue Code, which encourages carbon oxide sequestration. They clarify how the capture, storage, and utilization of carbon oxide must be conducted and verified to qualify for credits. The regulations also define key terms, explain the process for credit recapture if captured carbon oxide leaks, and specify the documentation and reporting requirements necessary for compliance. The aim is to foster innovation and investment in technologies that reduce carbon emissions and assist in capturing carbon oxide effectively.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced updates to the rules for managing lead and copper in drinking water to better protect public health. These changes include improved methods to detect high levels of lead, enhance sampling reliability, and increase public awareness on the risks of lead exposure. For the first time, community water systems are required to test lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. The rule also aims to speed up the replacement of lead service lines and close existing regulatory gaps to ensure safer drinking water.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has implemented a final rule to remove outdated and duplicative regulations related to "Prompt Corrective Action" that were inherited from the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS). The goal is to streamline regulations and ensure clarity by consolidating these rules into existing FDIC regulations. This change affects state savings associations, making it clear that all FDIC-supervised institutions will follow the same regulations. These adjustments are not expected to have substantial impacts on small entities, as the rules remain consistent with existing FDIC standards.