May 11, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) proposes to revoke the final rule, titled Time-in-Grade Rule Eliminated, published in the Federal Register on November 7, 2008, pending OPM's review and consideration of additional public comments received in response to a March 9, 2009 Federal Register notice which extended the final rule's effective date. OPM also proposes to extend the final rule's effective date for an additional 90 days, from May 18, 2009 until August 16, 2009, to avoid the unnecessary expense of allowing a rule to take effect that may later be amended or revoked as a result of the rulemaking proceeding. OPM seeks comments, with a 30-day comment period, on the merits of revoking, retaining, or amending OPM's November 7, 2008 final rule. OPM also seeks comments, with a 5-day comment period, on the merits of extending the final rule's effective date pending the completion of the rulemaking proceeding.

We recently approved an amendment to the Pennsylvania regulatory program (the Pennsylvania program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). The changes related to blasting for the development of shafts for underground mines and other changes to the blasting regulations in the Pennsylvania program. After our approval of the amendment, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) requested a clarification of our findings in support of that approval. Therefore, OSM is publishing a clarification of our previous findings.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the animal drug regulations to reflect the original approval of an abbreviated new animal drug application (ANADA) filed by Norbrook Laboratories, Ltd. The ANADA provides for the veterinary prescription use of carprofen caplets in dogs.