September 17, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Maritime Commission is seeking public comment on its interpretation of the Shipping Act prohibition against failing to establish, observe, and enforce just and reasonable regulations and practices relating to or connected with receiving, handling, storing, or delivering property with respect to demurrage and detention. Specifically, the Commission is providing guidance as to what it will consider in assessing whether a demurrage or detention practice is unjust or unreasonable.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) proposes to designate the precursor chemical, N-phenyl-N-(piperidin-4- yl)propionamide (norfentanyl) as an immediate precursor for the schedule II controlled substance fentanyl. Furthermore, the DEA proposes to control norfentanyl as a schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Norfentanyl is the immediate chemical intermediary in a synthesis process currently used by clandestine laboratory operators for the illicit manufacture of the schedule II controlled substance fentanyl. The distribution of illicitly manufactured fentanyl has caused an unprecedented outbreak of thousands of fentanyl-related overdoses in the United States in recent years. The DEA believes that the control of norfentanyl as a schedule II controlled substance is necessary to prevent its diversion as an immediate chemical intermediary for the illicit production of fentanyl.

The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) was enacted on July 29, 2016. This proposed rule would revise HUD regulations to put sections 102, 103, and 104 of HOTMA into effect. These sections make sweeping changes to the United States Housing Act of 1937, particularly those affecting income calculation and reviews. Section 102 changes requirements pertaining to income reviews for public housing and HUD's Section 8 programs. Section 103 modifies the continued occupancy standards of public housing residents whose income has grown above the threshold for initial eligibility. Section 104 sets maximum limits on the assets that families residing in public housing and Section 8 assisted housing may have. Additionally, section 104 provides that HUD must direct public housing agencies to require that all applicants for and recipients of assistance through HUD's public housing or Section 8 programs provide authorization for public housing agencies to obtain financial records needed for eligibility determinations. In addition to amending regulations for HUD's public housing and Section 8 programs, this proposed rule would change regulations of other HUD programs that, for consistency, adopted regulations of programs that are based on statutory provisions amended by sections 102 and 104. Therefore, this rule makes changes that affect HUD's HOME Investment Partnerships, Housing Trust Fund, and Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS programs, as well as HUD's public housing and Section 8 programs.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing proposed regulations governing probation on initial appointment to a competitive position, performance-based reduction in grade and removal actions, and adverse actions. The proposed rule will effect a revision of OPM's regulations to make procedures relating to these subjects more efficient and effective. The proposed rule also amends the regulations to incorporate other statutory changes and technical revisions.