Search Results for keywords:"COVID-19 pandemic"

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has received a rule change proposal from the NYSE American LLC that extends the expiration date of temporary amendments to certain rules, allowing hearings to be held via video conference due to COVID-19 public health concerns. These amendments, originally set to expire on December 31, 2020, will now be extended to April 30, 2021, aligning with similar adjustments made by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). This temporary change is intended to ensure that disciplinary hearings can continue safely and without interruption during the ongoing pandemic. The SEC is inviting public comments on this proposed rule change.

The U.S. Copyright Office has amended its regulations to allow the registration of copyright claims in secure tests via secure videoconference due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This interim rule enables remote examinations for secure tests to take place until the national emergency ends, addressing a backlog of over 1,500 pending claims. While in-person examinations are on hold, applicants must still submit necessary documents electronically, and remote videoconferencing will be utilized to review these applications. The situation will be monitored to determine future procedures once regular operations resume.

The Department of Labor is seeking public comments on an Information Collection Request (ICR) related to the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, which is submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for approval. This request is in line with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The public can comment on various aspects of the information collection, including its necessity and how it can be improved. The request also notes that the Bureau of Labor Statistics plans to implement improved methods for estimating data when employer reports are missing, due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on data accuracy. The deadline for submitting comments is March 15, 2021.

The Department of Education announced an opportunity for public agencies and private non-profits to apply for grants to operate Equity Assistance Centers. These centers will provide technical help to schools on developing desegregation plans, ensuring all students have a safe and equitable learning environment, and addressing issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The department plans to fund four centers, one in each geographic region outlined, and encourages applications from entities that have not received similar grants recently. Applying organizations must follow specific guidelines and should aim to improve knowledge, change policies, and enhance the capacity to support equal educational opportunities.

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is holding a web hearing on March 3, 2021, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. PST, organized by the Nevada Advisory Committee. The purpose of the hearing is to examine issues of equity in education through distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on students with disabilities and students of color in K-16 schools. The event is part of a series addressing this topic, and the public can participate via a toll-free call-in number or view the online meeting through a link. Meeting materials will be accessible before and after the event for those interested.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public comments on petitions asking for E-Rate program funds to be used for remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Various petitions, including those from coalitions and states like Colorado and Nevada, request flexibility in using these funds to support students and schools unable to connect to the internet from home. The FCC is exploring how to ensure cost-effective use of these funds, prevent misuse, and prioritize schools and students in greatest need. They are also examining their legal authority to adjust E-Rate funding to address these challenges.

The Executive Order 13992, issued by the President, aims to grant more flexibility to government agencies in dealing with national priorities like the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery, racial justice, and climate change. It revokes several previous executive orders that were considered obstacles to effective federal regulation. The order directs the Office of Management and Budget and heads of agencies to rescind relevant policies or rules, or at least provide exemptions, under these revoked orders. It also clarifies that the order does not create any new legal rights for individuals against the government.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is inviting the public to comment on a revised data collection initiative related to the "Survivor Sheltering Assessment." This revision aims to streamline information sharing between FEMA and State, Tribal, and territorial governments to improve emergency sheltering efforts, particularly during events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Comments must be submitted by March 26, 2021. FEMA wants to assess if the data collection is necessary, accurate, and not burdensome, while enhancing its quality and usefulness.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has published a notice regarding a proposed rule change by NYSE National, Inc. This change extends the expiration date of temporary amendments to its rules allowing hearings via video conference from December 31, 2020, to April 30, 2021. These amendments were initially made to accommodate public health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. The change aligns with similar actions taken by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and aims to ensure that hearings can proceed safely and without significant delays during the pandemic.

The Copyright Royalty Judges are proposing an amendment to their regulations to allow flexibility in how they conduct hearings. Traditionally held in person at the Library of Congress, the hearings could also take place at an alternative location or virtually, depending on the situation. This change aims to adapt to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many hearings to shift online. The Judges are inviting public comments on this proposed rule change.