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The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a final rule amending its regulations on recordkeeping and reporting under various federal acts. This rule delegates the authority to decide on hardship exemption applications to the Chief Data Officer and provides a set process and criteria for applying for these exemptions. The rule doesn’t create additional paperwork burdens and is not expected to significantly impact small entities' finances. It is also not considered a significant regulatory action under Executive Orders or the Congressional Review Act.

The Center for Scientific Review within the National Institutes of Health announced two upcoming meetings for the review of grant applications related to infectious diseases and immunology. These meetings, scheduled for March 27-28 and April 2-3, 2025, will be held virtually and are not open to the public to protect confidential information. The meetings are closed in line with federal regulations to prevent the disclosure of sensitive commercial and personal details. The contact details for the respective meeting organizers, Dr. Diana Maria Ortiz-Garcia and Seyhan Boyoglu-Barnum, are provided for further inquiries.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is collecting public comments on a proposal to gather information from applicants wishing to participate in a 5G Fund auction. This effort is part of a broader initiative to reduce paperwork burdens, particularly for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC aims to ensure that applicants are legally, technically, and financially qualified to participate by using the new FCC Form 184. The public is encouraged to submit their views by January 3, 2025, through the specified government website and email addresses.

The Executive Order 14192 is an effort by the U.S. President to reduce the number of federal regulations, aiming to stimulate economic growth. For every new regulation introduced, at least 10 existing regulations must be removed, with the goal of ensuring the total cost of regulations is reduced each year. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget is tasked with overseeing and guiding this process, and exceptions can be made for regulations related to national security, military, or very low-cost areas. The order also stipulates that regulations must be accounted for in the regulatory plans and agendas presented during the presidential budget process.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a notice acknowledging the application from The Joint Commission (TJC) for continued approval as a national accrediting body for hospitals involved in Medicare or Medicaid. The Joint Commission's current approval expires on July 15, 2025, and they are seeking renewal to ensure hospitals accredited by them meet or exceed Medicare standards. CMS invites public comments on TJC’s standards and survey processes by March 13, 2025, as part of the decision-making process to grant or deny the continuation of their approval.

The Coast Guard is proposing to remove a security zone regulation for Rattlesnake, Tampa, FL, because the Chemical Formulators Chlorine Facility there is no longer operating. This change would lift existing restrictions on vessel movement in the area. The public is invited to share their comments on the proposal by April 14, 2025, through the Federal Decision-Making Portal. The proposal aims to update the security measures to reflect current needs, with no significant economic impact expected on small entities.

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) updated its rules to recognize more types of medical professionals as acceptable sources of evidence in disability claims. This change aligns with updates from the Social Security Administration and reflects changes in how healthcare is delivered. New additions include licensed school psychologists, podiatrists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants/associates. Public comments generally supported these updates, and the RRB made adjustments based on feedback, like recognizing both "physician assistant" and "physician associate" titles.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)'s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division announced its intent to submit a request for an information collection regarding the FBI Expungement and Sealing Form (FD-1114) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This request is intended to ensure information accuracy within the FBI's systems and is required by federal regulations. The public has until April 28, 2025, to provide comments on the proposed collection. The information collection targets state, local, tribal, and federal governments, with an estimated 147,610 respondents and a total annual burden of 8,611 hours.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of NOAA has announced that Rhode Island's 2024 commercial quota for summer flounder has been fully harvested. From December 5, 2024, federally permitted vessels are prohibited from landing summer flounder in Rhode Island unless additional quota is acquired from another state. This temporary closure aligns Rhode Island with federal conservation measures to prevent overfishing and maintain sustainable fishery practices. The closure is enacted immediately to ensure the state's commercial quota is not exceeded before the year ends.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is asking for public input on which regulations should be eliminated to reduce unnecessary barriers for businesses and foster innovation. People can suggest which rules to get rid of and explain why they think these rules are problematic. Comments need to be submitted by May 12, 2025, via the regulations.gov website. It's important to note that any comments submitted could be posted publicly.