Search Results for keywords:"waivers"

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a notice to extend the comment period for a proposed rule by 15 days, now ending on January 15, 2025. The rule aims to update FRA’s procedures on waivers and safety-related proceedings, focusing on what it means to be "in the public interest" and "consistent with railroad safety." This extension comes after requests from railroad associations, who needed more time to review the changes due to resource constraints and the holiday schedule. Comments can be submitted online through regulations.gov.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced a total of $12.07 billion in funding through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. This funding is aimed at aiding areas significantly affected by disasters in 2023 and 2024, with specific allocations for housing recovery, infrastructure restoration, and economic revitalization. Eligible entities, including certain counties and cities, must use the majority of these funds to address unmet disaster needs and can apply for additional waivers if needed. The funds are available until fully used, and grantees have up to six years to disburse them properly.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has decided to withdraw a proposed rule from October 29, 2024, concerning updates to procedures for waivers and safety-related proceedings. These updates aimed to clarify what is meant by "in the public interest" and "consistent with railroad safety" in the waiver standards. The FRA cited resource constraints and existing guidance on the topic as reasons for the withdrawal but emphasized their commitment to engaging with stakeholders on rail safety issues. The FRA may consider similar regulations in the future and appreciates the input received from stakeholders during this process.

Executive Order 13989 mandates that all new executive agency appointees, appointed on or after January 20, 2021, sign an ethics pledge. This pledge requires them to avoid conflicts of interest by not accepting gifts from lobbyists, not participating in matters related to former employers for two years, and committing to ethical conduct. It also includes provisions to prevent the sharing of confidential information for private gain and sets post-employment restrictions on lobbying. The order outlines enforcement procedures and allows for waivers in certain circumstances, ensuring commitment to public trust and integrity in the government's day-to-day operations.