Search Results for keywords:"transparency and accountability"

The U.S. Department of Education has decided to withdraw a proposed rule change that would have affected regulations regarding religious student organizations at public colleges and universities. Initially, the Department planned to rescind certain rules related to these organizations, but after receiving around 58,000 public comments, they've chosen not to proceed. This decision was influenced by the concerns presented in the comments, the upcoming change in administration, and the resources required to address all the feedback. The existing rules will continue to be in place for now, but the Department will not actively investigate possible rule violations unless directed by a court decision.

The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences will hold a series of closed meetings from April 22 to April 24, 2025, to review cooperative agreement applications. These meetings are closed to protect confidential information such as trade secrets and personal details. The discussions will happen via video conference. For more details, individuals can contact Dr. M. Lourdes Ponce at the National Institutes of Health.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is inviting the public and federal agencies to comment on a proposed revision to the information collections for the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinics Grant Application Package, as part of efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The revision involves changes to Form 13424-M and the introduction of Form 13424-R, which are expected to significantly reduce the time required for completion. Comments must be submitted by May 20, 2025, and will be publicly recorded. The IRS encourages feedback on various aspects of the information collection process, including the necessity, accuracy, and potential for burden reduction.

The Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) has announced their meeting schedule for 2025. Meetings will take place on six different dates: February 25-26, April 22-23, June 17-18, August 19-20, October 21-22, and December 9-10. These meetings will cover a range of topics, including financial reporting on government land, climate-related reporting, and public-private partnerships. Portions of these meetings, particularly those relating to personnel matters, may be closed to the public.

The State Department has approved the use of up to $16 million for foreign assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. This money will support countries participating in the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti. The decision, authorized by Deputy Secretary of State Richard R. Verma, was made possible by overriding other legal provisions. This determination will be reported to Congress and published in the Federal Register.

The United States Postal Service has announced that it has filed a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission. This request is to add a new domestic shipping services contract to the Competitive Products List in the Mail Classification Schedule. The contract involves Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage services. More details can be found at the postal regulatory website under specific docket numbers.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has received a petition for rulemaking from the Central Office of Reform and Efficiency. This petition seeks to amend existing regulations to create clear timelines for acknowledging and responding to rulemaking petitions to improve transparency and accountability. The FTC is welcoming public comments on this petition and will review all feedback before deciding whether to take action. Comments must be submitted by March 3, 2025, and they should not contain sensitive or confidential information.