July 16, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (``DOJ,'' ``DHS,'' or collectively, ``the Departments'') are adopting an interim final rule (``interim rule'' or ``rule'') governing asylum claims in the context of aliens who enter or attempt to enter the United States across the southern land border after failing to apply for protection from persecution or torture while in a third country through which they transited en route to the United States. Pursuant to statutory authority, the Departments are amending their respective regulations to provide that, with limited exceptions, an alien who enters or attempts to enter the United States across the southern border after failing to apply for protection in a third country outside the alien's country of citizenship, nationality, or last lawful habitual residence through which the alien transited en route to the United States is ineligible for asylum. This basis for asylum ineligibility applies only prospectively to aliens who enter or arrive in the United States on or after the effective date of this rule. In addition to establishing a new mandatory bar for asylum eligibility for aliens who enter or attempt to enter the United States across the southern border after failing to apply for protection from persecution or torture in at least one third country through which they transited en route to the United States, this rule would also require asylum officers and immigration judges to apply this new bar on asylum eligibility when administering the credible-fear screening process applicable to stowaways and aliens who are subject to expedited removal under section 235(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The new bar established by this regulation does not modify withholding or deferral of removal proceedings. Aliens who fail to apply for protection in a third country of transit may continue to apply for withholding of removal under the Immigration and Nationality Act (``INA'') and deferral of removal under regulations issued pursuant to the legislation implementing U.S. obligations under Article 3 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

This proposed notice acknowledges the receipt of an application from The Joint Commission (TJC) for initial recognition as a national accrediting organization providing home infusion therapy (HIT) services that wish to participate in the Medicare program. The statute requires that within 60 days of receipt of an organization's complete application, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) publish a notice that identifies the national accrediting body making the request, describes the nature of the request, and provides at least a 30-day public comment period.

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the general public and other Federal Agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, the FCC seeks specific comment on how it might ``further reduce the information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.'' The Commission may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid OMB control number.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Ohio River from Mile Marker (MM) 355.8 to MM 356.8. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Portsmouth, OH, during a firework display on September 1, 2019. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless otherwise authorized by the Captain of the Port Ohio Valley or designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Copyright Royalty Judges solicit comments on a motion of Allocation Phase claimants for partial distribution of 2016 and 2017 satellite royalty funds.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering issuance of an amendment to Facility Operating License NPF-58 held by FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company (FENOC, the licensee) for the operation of Perry Nuclear Power Plant (PNPP), Unit No. 1. The proposed license amendment would revise the emergency response organization (ERO) positions identified in the emergency plan for PNPP. The NRC is issuing an environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) associated with the proposed license amendment.

The Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) is proposing a data collection activity as part of the State Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Case Studies project. This study seeks to document innovative employment and training programs for low- income individuals including TANF recipients and examine the ways the programs provide or link families to wraparound services. Over a three- year period, the study will conduct up to 12 comprehensive qualitative case studies and up to 20 profiles of innovative programs to showcase promising approaches.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving the request from the District of Columbia (the District) to redesignate to attainment their respective portion of the Washington, DC-MD-VA nonattainment area (hereafter ``the Washington Area'' or ``the Area'') for the 2008 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS or standard) (also referred to as the ``2008 ozone NAAQS'') as the District's portion of the Area meets the statutory requirements for redesignation under the Clean Air Act (CAA). EPA is therefore redesignating the District of Columbia to attainment for the 2008 ozone NAAQS in accordance with the CAA.

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that Diamond Tools Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (Diamond Tools) is circumventing the antidumping duty order on diamond sawblades and parts thereof (diamond sawblades) from the People's Republic of China (China).

The Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requests Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to modify the previously approved pilot generic clearance (0970-0502) to collect data as part of rapid cycle testing and evaluation, in order to inform the design of interventions informed by behavioral science and to better understand the mechanisms and effects of such interventions. Interventions have been and will continue to be developed in the program area domains of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and child welfare, and this revision would also allow for collection of data in the Early Head Start/Head Start program area. These interventions are intended to improve outcomes for participants in these programs.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeks approval to collect descriptive information for the Early Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey 2020 (Baby FACES 2020).

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Highly Migratory Species Management Team (HMSMT) will hold a meeting, which is open to the public.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) River Herring and Shad (RH/S) Advisory Panel will hold a meeting.

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily finds that producers or exporters subject to this administrative review made sales of subject merchandise at less than normal value during the period of review (POR) May 1, 2017 through April 30, 2018. We invite interested parties to comment on these preliminary results.

This notice advises of the cause and effect of termination of Direct Endorsement (DE) approval taken by HUD's Federal Housing Administration (FHA) against HUD-approved mortgagees through the FHA Credit Watch Termination Initiative. This notice includes a list of mortgagees that have had their DE Approval terminated.

The Ketchikan Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Ketchikan, Alaska. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the committee is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with Title II of the Act. RAC information can be found at the following website: https://cloudapps-usda- gov.secure.force.com/FSSRS/RAC_Page?id=001t0000002JcvNAAS.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that removed seven voluntary U.S. grade standards and one consumer standard for fresh fruits and vegetables from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The removal will save the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) resources as the cost of printing the eight standards annually exceeds the benefits of their further inclusion in the CFR.