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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is making changes to its Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP) that allows carriers and drivers to request reviews of commercial motor vehicle crashes to determine if they were preventable. These updates include new crash types eligible for review, such as crashes with video evidence, and changes to existing categories. While public comments largely supported these updates, some commenters expressed concerns about process fairness, video privacy, and the time taken for determinations, which FMCSA addressed by maintaining certain program requirements and emphasizing the voluntary nature of CPDP. The new changes and crash types will be effective for incidents occurring on or after December 1, 2024.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accepted a proposed consent agreement to address anticompetitive practices by Guardian Service Industries, Inc. The company was found to have used "No-Hire Agreements" that prevented other businesses from hiring its employees, which the FTC claims are unfair methods of competition under federal law. The proposed consent order will make these agreements void and includes measures to inform affected parties. Some FTC commissioners have expressed dissent, arguing that there was insufficient evidence of antitrust violations. The public can submit comments on this proposed agreement until January 6, 2025.

The Bureau of the Fiscal Service, part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, is implementing new regulations under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. These regulations require the Treasury to provide states with information about unredeemed U.S. savings bonds to help locate their owners. However, the information can only be used for locating bond owners, not for claiming ownership through state escheatment laws, which attempt to take control of unclaimed property. The regulations also include privacy protections and prevent states from publicly sharing the information without Treasury's consent to avoid fraud and misuse.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing new rules to limit emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) from five taconite facilities in Michigan and Minnesota. These rules are meant to improve air quality and visibility by following procedures outlined in a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) and applying the best available control technologies. The proposal includes plans for public comments and hearings, and it aims to comply with environmental justice policies to not disproportionately affect communities with environmental concerns. The changes focus on refining previous emission estimates based on real-time data collected from these facilities.

The Department of Education is inviting applications for the Charter Schools Program's Charter Management Organization (CMO) Grants for fiscal year 2025. These grants aim to help charter management organizations replicate or expand high-quality charter schools that can support a diverse student body, including underserved students. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with traditional public schools and offer programs that promote multilingualism. Applications are due by April 21, 2025, and further details are available on the Department's website. Applications will be evaluated based on criteria like the quality of the applicant, the project design, evaluation plan, and management plan.

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) has proposed new rules requiring audit firms to disclose more information to improve transparency and oversight. These rules include reporting on financial and governance details, special events, and cybersecurity issues. The changes aim to enhance investor confidence and the PCAOB's regulatory functions. To ease the transition, the new requirements will be implemented in phases, with larger firms required to comply first.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has amended Regulation Z, which implements the Truth in Lending Act, to introduce a new exemption so certain depository institutions and credit unions no longer need to create escrow accounts for higher-priced mortgage loans. To qualify for this exemption, institutions must have assets of $10 billion or less and fewer than 1,000 such loans from the previous year, and meet other criteria like operating in rural or underserved areas. The final rule, effective February 17, 2021, aims to reduce regulatory burdens on smaller institutions while maintaining consumer protection standards.

The Department of Education is inviting applications for the 2025 fiscal year for Charter School Program (CSP) Grants to State Entities. These grants are designed to support and expand high-quality charter schools across the U.S. by helping state entities open new charter schools, replicate successful ones, and provide necessary resources and technical assistance. Applications open on January 21, 2025, with a submission deadline of April 21, 2025, and a review deadline of June 20, 2025. The initiative aligns with the Department’s goal to improve educational opportunities and outcomes, particularly for underserved students.

The Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), under the Department of Energy, has issued a notice confirming and approving new Provisional Formula Rates for various services associated with the Central Valley Project. These rates, effective from March 25, 2021, to December 2024, cover Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) Services, Sale of Surplus Products, and updates to existing Energy Imbalance and Generator Imbalance services. The new rates aim to align WAPA’s practices with broader energy markets, manage costs efficiently, and ensure fair pricing for energy services in the Sierra Nevada Region.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a final rule to implement measures for minimizing salmon bycatch in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. These measures aim to reduce the incidental catch of Endangered Species Act-listed Chinook and coho salmon. The rule introduces new management tools, including specific area closures and gear requirements, and establishes conditions under which fishery participants can access a Chinook salmon bycatch reserve. The rule also allows for the creation of Salmon Mitigation Plans (SMPs) by groups of fishing vessels to help manage bycatch while providing certain flexibilities to the industry.