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The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (collectively known as "the agencies") are reviewing regulations affecting insured depository institutions. This review, under the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996, aims to identify rules that are outdated, unnecessary, or too burdensome. The agencies are seeking public comments on specific categories of regulations, including Rules of Procedure, Safety and Soundness, and Securities, in hopes of reducing the regulatory impact, especially on community banks. Public comments are invited until March 11, 2025, and the agencies will use these to help decide if any regulations should be adjusted or removed.

The Department of Commerce plans to submit an information collection request related to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. This request is part of their efforts to assess and improve information collection and reduce public reporting burdens. They are seeking comments from the public and other federal agencies on this proposed collection, which is primarily aimed at ensuring compliance with requirements for obtaining Economic Development Administration (EDA) investment assistance. The comment period is open for 30 days, and interested parties can view and comment on the request at www.reginfo.gov.

The United States International Trade Commission is preparing its 2025 report on the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, covering trade in 2023 and 2024. A public hearing for this report is scheduled for February 20, 2025, and will be held at the Commission's building in Washington, DC, with a remote access option via WebEx. Important deadlines include February 5 for requesting to appear at the hearing, and March 13 for submitting all other relevant written documents. These reports assess the impact of the Act on U.S. industries, consumers, and the economies of beneficiary countries.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has announced the opening of the fishing season for sablefish with fixed gear under the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program and the Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program. This season will run from March 20, 2025, to December 7, 2025, aligning with the Pacific halibut season, although the exact opening and closing hours differ. The actions are taken to promote conservation and management of fishery resources as per federal laws and regulations. This rule was issued quickly without public comment to ensure the simultaneous opening of the sablefish and halibut fisheries, which is essential for effective management and reducing bycatch.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a final rule to implement Amendment 111, which reauthorizes the Central Gulf of Alaska (CGOA) Rockfish Program. This rule aims to preserve the program's existing benefits in conservation, management, safety, and economics. Key changes include removing the expiration date for the Rockfish Program, simplifying reporting requirements for fishing participants, and adjusting regulations to improve the program's efficiency. These updates are intended to continue promoting the goals of sustainable fisheries management under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has released standard ex-vessel prices for groundfish and halibut under the North Pacific Observer Program. These prices will be used to calculate fees for landings made in 2025. This program helps fund observer coverage for the fishery, which collects data important for managing and conserving fishery resources. Shipowners and processors will receive invoices in early 2026 and must pay the fees by mid-February of the same year.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued Amendment 1 to its Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declarations for all U.S. states and territories. This amendment extends the deadline for applications related to economic injuries from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which officially started on January 31, 2020, to December 31, 2021. Businesses seeking assistance can submit their applications to the SBA's Processing and Disbursement Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Additional information can be found on the SBA's disaster assistance website or by contacting their customer service.

The Executive Order 14272 directs the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to investigate the national security impact of importing processed critical minerals and their derivative products. These materials are crucial for the economy and defense because they are used in important sectors like transportation and technology. The investigation will assess risks including the reliance on foreign sources that might be unstable, and it will explore measures like tariffs and incentives for domestic production. This action aims to ensure a resilient and secure supply chain for these vital materials.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has extended the public comment period for the 2024 LNG Export Study from 60 days to 90 days, allowing submissions until March 20, 2025. This extension provides more time for the public to review and comment on how U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports impact the economy, energy, and environment. The DOE has received a large volume of comments and believes the extended timeframe will benefit stakeholders by giving them additional opportunity to provide feedback. Comments can be submitted electronically or by mail, but electronic submissions are encouraged to ensure timely receipt.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is holding a virtual meeting of the Alaska Groundfish and Halibut Seabird Working Group. The meeting, scheduled for March 10-11, 2021, will focus on seabird and fisheries interactions, with topics including vessel collisions, strategies for monitoring and reporting these interactions, and an inquiry into whether the short-tailed albatross is two separate species. The NMFS aims to inform the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council about any recommendations that arise from the meeting concerning reducing seabird bycatch. For further participation details, one may contact Joseph Krieger.