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The Office of the Federal Register has updated the subject matter of title 2 in the Code of Federal Regulations. Previously titled “Grants and Agreements,” it will now be called “Federal Financial Assistance.” This change aims to better reflect the content and purpose of the regulations under this section, and it takes effect on December 16, 2024.

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 jointly proposed a new rule seeking public input on extending the Secretary of Labor's review system to specific temporary labor certification cases. This rule will allow the Secretary of Labor to review decisions related to H-2B temporary labor certifications made by the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals and the Department of Labor's Administrative Review Board. The proposal includes updates to existing regulations and aims to maintain efficient handling of cases without notable disruption. The departments are encouraging public comments on this proposed rule to ensure informed decision-making.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued a final rule that permits mortgage companies to disburse up to 1% of a mortgage amount before using all of the funds provided by the borrower. This rule is meant to simplify the process of combining mortgages into mortgage-backed securities and help ensure interest rates for FHA-insured mortgages remain competitive. Public comments suggested more flexibility in disbursement limits, but HUD maintained the 1% limit to manage risks effectively. This final rule also makes minor organizational changes to existing regulations.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published a supplemental notice requesting public comments on proposed changes to a rule that prohibits impersonating government and business entities. This notice included the option for interested parties to voice their opinions at an informal hearing, which focuses on whether to broaden the rule to also ban the impersonation of individuals. Nine organizations have been given the opportunity to present their statements at the upcoming hearing on January 17, 2025. The FTC has chosen not to move forward with a proposal that would hold parties accountable if their goods or services are used in impersonation schemes.

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 Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. has submitted a proposed change to its fee schedule. The changes would modify footnote 14 to include fee code AN and allow Lead Market Makers to have free continuous book executions during the Opening and Closing Auctions. Individuals are invited to submit comments on this proposed rule change, which is available for review on both the Cboe and SEC websites. The deadline for submitting comments is March 19, 2025.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has proposed changes to its arbitration process to enhance the fairness and efficiency of selecting arbitrators. The new rules would give non-chair-qualified public arbitrators more opportunities to be selected and improve the list selection process's transparency. The proposal also introduces clear timelines for removing arbitrators and aligns rules with existing practices, ensuring better protection of investors and public interest by making the arbitration process more predictable and equitable. The Securities and Exchange Commission is inviting the public to comment on these proposed changes.

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.

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.