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The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has updated its regulations for testing and approving electric motor-driven equipment in gassy mines. The new rules allow manufacturers to use eight ANSI-approved standards for safety, which can replace some specific MSHA requirements but offer flexibility while maintaining safety. These changes are intended to encourage the use of innovative technology in mines and make the approval process more efficient for manufacturers. The rule becomes effective on January 9, 2025.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes changes to its life insurance regulations to make it easier for terminally ill service members and their families to access benefits. Typically, a terminally ill person must apply for their Accelerated Benefit, which allows them to receive part of their insurance payout early. However, the rule change would allow an alternate applicant, like someone with power of attorney, to apply if the insured person cannot do so themselves because of medical reasons. This update would also make it clear who qualifies as a dependent for insurance coverage and aligns VA's practices with industry standards.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is implementing a temporary closure for commercial fishing of Atlantic cobia in federal waters from Georgia to New York. This closure will start on December 18, 2024, because the commercial quota for Atlantic cobia is expected to be reached by that date. The closure will last until the end of the fishing year on December 31, 2024, to help protect the cobia population. During this period, harvesting, selling, or trading Atlantic cobia will not be allowed, except for those already harvested, landed, and sold before the closure date.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced a notice for an application regarding certain exemptions under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This application seeks to allow some registered closed-end investment companies to issue multiple share classes and charge early withdrawal fees, along with asset-based distribution and service fees. The application was submitted by the Capital Group KKR Multi-Sector+, Capital Group KKR Core Plus+, and Capital Research and Management Company on November 7, 2024. Public comments or requests for a hearing on this application must be submitted to the SEC by January 3, 2025.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to clarify the scope of export controls on certain vaccines and medical products. These changes are based on decisions from the Australia Group's June 2019 Plenary meeting. The aim is to ensure greater consistency and harmonization of international export controls, enhancing national security by preventing dual-use items from contributing to the development of chemical or biological weapons. The rule modifies controls on vaccines containing specific biological agents to only require licenses for export to a limited number of countries of concern.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), part of the Department of Transportation, announced the minimum random drug and alcohol testing rates for certain railroad employees for 2025. The rates will remain the same as in 2024, with covered service and maintenance-of-way employees facing a 25% drug testing rate and a 10% alcohol testing rate. Mechanical employees, who have only been tested since March 2022, will continue with a 50% drug and 25% alcohol testing rate. The FRA sets these rates based on data from the previous two years but may adjust them after evaluating other factors.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a notice which informs federal agencies about the laboratories and facilities certified to conduct drug testing using urine and oral fluid as per the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs. As of now, there are no labs certified for oral fluid testing, but several are certified for urine testing, including those in Canada, which are overseen by the standards of the Department of Transportation (DOT). The list includes details about each certified laboratory and highlights a facility that is withdrawing from the certification program.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a notice listing laboratories and Instrumented Initial Testing Facilities (IITFs) certified for drug testing federal employees, as per the Mandatory Guidelines. These guidelines cover tests using urine and oral fluids, though currently, no labs are certified for oral fluid testing. Laboratories must meet strict standards and undergo regular inspections to stay certified. The notice includes a detailed list of certified facilities approved to test urine samples, ensuring they meet the necessary criteria for thorough and accurate testing.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) releases a notice informing federal agencies about laboratories and Instrumented Initial Testing Facilities (IITFs) certified to handle urine and oral fluid drug testing. The notice outlines that the certified labs meet the standards required for federal workplace drug testing. No laboratories are currently approved to conduct drug testing on oral fluid samples. The document lists various laboratories that are certified to perform drug tests on urine samples and describes the certification process for these testing facilities.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an updated list of laboratories and Instrumented Initial Testing Facilities (IITFs) certified to comply with federal drug testing standards for urine and oral fluid samples. Currently, there are no certified laboratories for oral fluid testing, and the list includes details of facilities certified for urine testing. For a lab to be certified, it must undergo stringent performance tests and inspections, and HHS releases these updates in the Federal Register monthly. Additionally, it mentions that Quest Diagnostics in Tucker, GA, is voluntarily withdrawing from the certification program as of March 15, 2021.