Search Results for keywords:"regulatory changes"

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has finalized a rule that updates the State Energy Program regulations. This rule incorporates changes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, mandating states to include transmission and distribution planning support in their energy conservation plans. These changes were initially made in an interim rule released in April 2024, and as no comments were received, the interim rule is now adopted without any modifications. The final rule becomes effective on December 12, 2024.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor have decided to withdraw a rule that was published on January 4, 2021, regarding H-2B temporary labor certification cases. This decision was made because they received a significant adverse comment during the public comment period. The rule aimed to extend the Department of Labor's system for reviewing these cases, but it will no longer take effect. Any future changes or rules may consider the feedback received from the public.

On December 11, 2020, the Department of Education updated some legal rules regarding federal student financial aid programs under the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003 (HEROES Act). This document corrects the date for which some of these waivers and changes are valid, extending them until January 31, 2021. These amendments ensure that students will not accrue interest or be required to make payments on certain loans during this extended period. Additionally, the document provides information on how individuals with disabilities can request this document in accessible formats.

The Federal Communications Commission has issued a new rule that changes several unbundling and resale requirements for telecommunications services. The rule eliminates certain obligations that require incumbent local exchange carriers (LECs) to offer unbundled access to their network elements, such as loop and transport facilities, where there is sufficient evidence of competition. The rule also ends the Avoided-Cost Resale requirements, which previously allowed competitive carriers to resell services at discounted rates, except for 911/E911 databases and operations support systems used for remaining obligations. The decision aims to encourage the transition to next-generation networks and services by removing outdated regulations where competition now exists.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) under the USDA has reopened the comment period for changes to the mycotoxin test kit criteria. This extension is announced to ensure that interested individuals have sufficient time to review and comment on these proposed changes, with comments now due by March 24, 2021. This decision follows a request from four stakeholders to allow more time for feedback after the initial comment period ended on January 19, 2021. Participants are encouraged to submit their comments via the Federal e-rulemaking portal, with all submissions becoming public on the internet.

The Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and NASA are proposing updates to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to address organizational conflicts of interest (OCIs). The proposed rule focuses on defining OCIs, providing guidance for detecting them, and creating processes to mitigate potential issues. The proposal includes introducing new rules for contracting officers to identify, analyze, and resolve OCIs in federal acquisition processes, ensuring fair competition and maintaining the integrity of governmental procurement. The rule also sets forth requirements for contractors and subcontractors to disclose potential OCIs before and after a contract is awarded.

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is revising its Call Report, Form 5300, which credit unions use to submit quarterly financial and statistical data. The changes, influenced by public comments, include the removal of certain accounts and the addition of new ones to improve monitoring of credit union activities. Notable revisions involve reporting on loans to officials, assets pledged, and maturity distribution of uninsured shares, with some proposals adjusted based on feedback. The updates aim to enhance oversight while managing the reporting burden and are scheduled to be effective by March 31, 2025.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reopened the comment period for two proposed rules published on January 17, 2025, and January 21, 2025. These rules involve adding certain PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory and updating methods for analyzing contaminants under the Clean Water Act. The new deadline for submitting comments is March 24, 2025. Interested parties are encouraged to review these proposed rules and share their feedback with the EPA.

Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. has proposed changes to its rules regarding Market Makers in Derivative Securities. The proposal suggests that Market Makers should only be required to provide a list of their trading accounts upon request, rather than regularly filing them with the Exchange. Additionally, the proposal seeks to eliminate the rule preventing Market Makers from trading in accounts not reported to the Exchange. These updates aim to reduce the paperwork burden while ensuring necessary information is still accessible when required.