Search Results for keywords:"interim final rule"

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued a correction to an earlier rule published on February 25, 2025. This correction updates the words used in the rule regarding the removal of CEQ's regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act from the Code of Federal Regulations. The change clarifies the authority under which the amendments are made, referencing specific U.S. Code sections and an executive order. These updates become effective on April 11, 2025.

The National Marine Fisheries Service, part of the NOAA, has released an interim final rule to lower the 2025 Atlantic herring fishing limits across four management areas. This adjustment is based on new scientific studies showing the herring stock is overfished and aims to prevent overfishing and support the rebuilding of the herring population by 2028. To ensure the reduced limits are in place at the start of the 2025 fishing season, NMFS is bypassing the usual public comment period. The overall catch limits for 2025 have been significantly reduced to protect the fishery from further decline.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued an interim final rule allowing certain businesses in the 8(a) Business Development program to extend their participation by one year due to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This extension applies to companies in the program on March 13, 2020, as authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, and the National Defense Authorization Act 2021. Firms that have left the program since March 13, 2020, can also be readmitted if they notify the SBA and confirm they still meet eligibility criteria. The rule is effective immediately, although the public can comment on the rule until March 15, 2021.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued an interim final rule to update and relocate regulations regarding other transaction (OT) agreements, which allow for flexible partnerships beyond traditional contracts. This action simplifies existing regulations by removing outdated provisions and clarifying policies, aiming to enhance the use of OT agreements for research, development, and demonstration projects. The changes seek to make it easier for nontraditional government partners, like small businesses, to participate in DOE projects. Public comments on these regulatory adjustments are invited until March 4, 2025.

The Bureau of Industry and Security, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is updating the Export Administration Regulations to impose new restrictions on certain biotechnology equipment. This interim final rule targets equipment, such as flow cytometers and mass spectrometers, used in advanced biotechnology, which could pose national security risks if misused. These regulations come into effect on January 16, 2025, and they also invite the public to comment on the new measures by March 17, 2025. The rule aims to prevent these technologies from being used in ways that could threaten U.S. security while still allowing for their beneficial use in fields like health and environmental science.

The document outlines an interim final rule by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), under the Homeland Security and Treasury Departments, to implement regulations for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This rule amends existing regulations to provide guidance on preferential tariff treatment and related customs measures for various goods, including textiles and automotive products. It establishes certification requirements for importers and manufacturers, recordkeeping responsibilities, and procedures for protests and verifications. The rule aims to ensure compliance with the new trade agreement and streamline the process for benefiting from the preferential treatment under the USMCA.

The Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) of the Department of the Interior is making changes to its regulations to improve the hearings and appeals process. These updates aim to make procedures more efficient, reflect changes in the law, and incorporate modern technology like electronic filing and case management systems. They are meant to help both the people involved in these cases and the department work more effectively, ensuring that decisions are reviewed quickly and fairly. The new regulations will be effective from February 10, 2025, and public comments on these changes can be submitted until March 11, 2025.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has issued an interim rule to remove its regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) from the Code of Federal Regulations. This action follows an executive order that rescinded the previous directive requiring these regulations and raised questions about CEQ's authority to impose binding rules. CEQ invites public comments on this rule by March 27, 2025, and will consider these before finalizing the rule. The interim rule’s removal of regulations is aimed at addressing legal uncertainties and simplifying agency compliance with NEPA.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is making changes to ensure swap dealers and major swap participants can continue to reconcile their swap portfolios without disruption. This comes after recent amendments to swap data regulations that would have otherwise impacted the reconciliation process. The CFTC has introduced an interim final rule that involves technical adjustments to maintain the current requirements for these reconciliations, ensuring that swap dealers can keep operating as they have been. The public is invited to comment on these changes until March 8, 2021.

The Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review issued an interim final rule to clarify the responsibilities of immigration judges when reviewing asylum officers' credible fear and reasonable fear determinations. This rule ensures that judges consider any asylum bars applied by asylum officers as defined by Department of Homeland Security regulations. The changes seek to prevent misunderstandings and maintain consistency with existing legal requirements and processes. Public feedback is requested by January 27, 2025, and the rule takes effect on December 27, 2024.