April 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is issuing this final rule to adjust certain civil monetary penalties for inflation pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 and the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015.

The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services proposes priorities, requirements, and definitions to fund a Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Quality Management (VRTAC-QM) and a Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Quality Employment (VRTAC-QE), Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers 84.264J and 84.264K. The Assistant Secretary may use these priorities, requirements, and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2020 and later years. We take this action to focus Federal financial assistance on identified national needs and to improve employment outcomes under the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program and raise expectations for all people with disabilities. We intend the VRTAC-QM to provide training and technical assistance to State VR agencies that will better enable VR personnel to manage available resources, improve effective service delivery, and increase the number and quality of employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. We intend the VRTAC-QE to provide training and technical assistance to State VR agencies that will better enable VR personnel, especially VR counselors, to implement innovative and effective VR and employment strategies and practices to increase the number and quality of employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

On March 27, 2020, the NCUA Board (Board) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register requesting comment on the Board's proposal to amend the NCUA's corporate credit union regulation (proposed rule). The proposed rule would update, clarify, and simplify several provisions of the NCUA's corporate credit union regulation. The proposed rule provided a 60-day comment period that was set to close on May 26, 2020. To allow interested persons more time to consider and submit their comments, the Board has determined that an extension of the comment period for an additional 60 days is appropriate.

In accordance with the Great Lakes Pilotage Act of 1960, the Coast Guard is establishing new base pilotage rates for the 2020 shipping season. This final rule will adjust the pilotage rates to account for changes in district operating expenses, an increase in the number of pilots, and anticipated inflation. The Coast Guard estimates that this final rule will result in a 1 percent net increase in pilotage costs, compared to the 2019 season. In addition, the Coast Guard is clarifying the rules related to the working capital fund.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (``Commission'' or ``CFTC'') is adopting amendments to the margin requirements for uncleared swaps for swap dealers (``SD'') and major swap participants (``MSP'') for which there is no prudential regulator (the ``CFTC Margin Rule''). Specifically, the Commission is adopting an amendment, along with certain conforming, technical changes, to extend the compliance schedule for the posting and collection of initial margin (``IM'') under the CFTC Margin Rule to September 1, 2021, for entities with smaller average daily aggregate notional amounts of swaps and certain other financial products (``Final Rule''). The compliance schedule currently extends from September 1, 2016 to September 1, 2020. The revised compliance schedule mitigates the potential of a market disruption, which could be triggered by the large number of entities that would come into the scope of the IM requirements at the end of the current compliance schedule on September 1, 2020.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to open, for the first time, eight National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) that are currently closed to hunting and sport fishing. In addition, we propose to open or expand hunting and sport fishing at 89 other NWRs, and add pertinent station-specific regulations for other NWRs that pertain to migratory game bird hunting, upland game hunting, big game hunting, and sport fishing for the 2020-2021 season. We also propose to open hunting or sport fishing on nine units of the National Fish Hatchery System (NFHs). We also propose to add pertinent station- specific regulations that pertain to migratory game bird hunting, upland game hunting, big game hunting, and sport fishing at these nine NFHs for the 2020-2021 season. Further, we propose to open 41 limited- interest easement NWRs in North Dakota for upland game and big game hunting, and sport fishing in accordance with State regulations. Access to these NWRs is controlled by the current landowners, and, therefore, they are not fully open to the public unless authorized by the landowner. We also propose to make regulatory changes to existing station-specific regulations in order to reduce the regulatory burden on the public, increase access for hunters and anglers on Service lands and waters, and comply with a Presidential mandate for plain language standards. Lastly, we propose to prohibit domestic sheep, goat, and camelid pack animals on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

EPA is amending the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) regulations by extending the submission deadline for 2020 reports from September 30, 2020, to November 30, 2020. This is a one-time extension for the 2020 submission period only. The CDR regulations require manufacturers (including importers) of certain chemical substances included on the TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory (TSCA Inventory) to report data on the manufacturing, processing, and use of the chemical substances.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a mechanical deformation found on the protective cover of the ``SHEAR'' control pushbutton installed on a copilot collective stick. This proposed AD would require modification of the helicopter by replacing the protective cover and re-identifying the part number (P/N) of the pilot and copilot collective sticks. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0100 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack found in the inboard boom of the left- hand frame at fuselage station (STA) 17011. This AD requires a detailed inspection of the fuselage at STA 17011 for any cracking, repair if necessary, and a reporting requirement, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

On February 10, 2020, the FDIC published in the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) entitled ``Unsafe and Unsound Banking Practices: Brokered Deposits Restrictions,'' proposing revisions to its regulations relating to the brokered deposits restrictions that apply to less than well capitalized insured depository institutions. The NPR provided for a 60-day comment period, which would have closed on April 10, 2020. The FDIC has determined that an extension of the comment period until June 9, 2020, is appropriate. This action will allow interested parties additional time to analyze the proposal and prepare comments.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary special local regulation for certain waters of the Milwaukee Harbor. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters within the Lake Shore State Park Lagoon during a triathlon swim event taking place from August 7, 2020 through August 9, 2020. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The National Park Service proposes regulations governing the use of electric bicycles, or e-bikes, within the National Park System. This rule would define the term ``electric bicycle'' and establish rules for how electric bicycles may be used. This rule would implement Secretary of the Interior Order 3376, ``Increasing Recreational Opportunities through the use of Electric Bikes,'' on lands administered by the National Park Service.

The Coast Guard authorizes the Canadian National Railroad Bridge, mile 85.0, across the Rainy River to operate remotely. The bridge owner made the request. This temporary deviation will test the remote operations with tenders onsite, and will not change the operating schedule of the bridge.

DoD is making needed technical amendments to update the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).

DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to remove internal agency guidance and a clause that is no longer necessary, pursuant to action taken by the Regulatory Reform Task Force.

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to modify the text of an existing DFARS clause to include the text of another DFARS clause on the same subject in an effort to streamline contract terms and conditions for contractors, pursuant to action taken by the Regulatory Reform Task Force.

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 that provides for accelerated payments to small business contractors and subcontractors.

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to modify the text of an existing DFARS clause to include the text of another DFARS clause on the same subject, in an effort to streamline contract terms and conditions for contractors, pursuant to action taken by the Regulatory Reform Task Force.

This rule revises the reporting requirements prescribed under the Federal marketing order regulating the handling of pecans. This action reduces the number of monthly reporting requirements, revises the requirements for inter-handler transfers, and makes other conforming changes to the reporting requirements.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve a revision to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the State of Missouri for two rules related to emissions from aerospace manufacture and rework facilities in the Kansas City and St. Louis areas. This final action will amend the SIP to include adding incorporations by reference, revising unnecessarily restrictive language, and making other administrative wording changes. The EPA's approval of these rule revisions is being done in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

This document contains proposed regulations that adjust hybrid deduction accounts to take into account earnings and profits of a controlled foreign corporation that are included in income by a United States shareholder. This document also contains proposed regulations that address, for purposes of the conduit financing rules, arrangements involving equity interests that give rise to deductions (or similar benefits) under foreign law. Further, this document contains proposed regulations relating to the treatment of certain payments under the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) provisions. The proposed regulations affect United States shareholders of foreign corporations and persons that make payments in connection with certain hybrid arrangements.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A320-271N airplanes and Model A321-271N, - 271NX, and -272N airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a gap found on an engine pylon nose fire seal during an inspection of an in- production airplane. This AD requires a one-time detailed inspection of certain engine pylon nose fire seals for correct installation, and applicable corrective actions if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Commission is revising its regulations to delegate authority to the Director of the Office of Energy Policy and Innovation, or the Director's designee, to take appropriate action on motions for extension of time to file, or requests or petitions for waiver of the requirements of, FERC Form No. 552 (Annual Report of Natural Gas Transactions) and FERC-730 (Report of Transmission Investment Activity).

This action corrects a final rule published by the FAA in the Federal Register on March 24, 2020, that amends area navigation (RNAV) routes in the southeastern United States in support of the Florida Metroplex Project. This action makes an editorial correction to the order of points listed in the description of RNAV route Q-110.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain model McCauley Propeller Systems (McCauley) governors installed on airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of an unapproved variant McCauley idler gear bearing, part number (P/N) A- 20028, that could be installed in the affected governors. This proposed AD would require replacing the governor with a governor that is eligible for installation. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.