September 15, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education announces priorities, requirements, and definitions for the Open Textbooks Pilot (OTP) program conducted under the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), CFDA number 84.116T. The Assistant Secretary may use one or more of 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 the creation of new open textbooks (as defined in this notice) and to expand the use of open textbooks in courses that are part of a degree- granting program, particularly those with high enrollments. We intend this action to further develop and identify programs and practices that improve instruction and student learning outcomes, as well as increase access, affordability, and completion rates, for students seeking postsecondary education degrees through the development, enhancement, and use of open textbooks.

FinCEN is issuing a final rule implementing sections 352, 326 and 312 of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (``USA PATRIOT Act'') and removing the anti-money laundering program exemption for banks that lack a Federal functional regulator, including, but not limited to, private banks, non-federally insured credit unions, and certain trust companies. The Final Rule requires minimum standards for anti-money laundering programs for banks without a Federal functional regulator to ensure that all banks, regardless of whether they are subject to Federal regulation and oversight, are required to establish and implement anti-money laundering programs, and extends customer identification program requirements and beneficial ownership requirements to those banks not already subject to these requirements.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Torrington Municipal Airport, Torrington, WY, to accommodate new area navigation (RNAV) procedures. This action ensures the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System.

This action modifies the Class E surface area airspace and the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet and 1,200 feet above the surface of the earth at Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport, Cordova, AK, eliminates references to the Glacier River Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) and updates the Airport's geographic coordinates to match the FAA's current aeronautical database. This action supports Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations under standard instrument approach and departure procedures in the National Airspace System.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Saab AB, Support and Services Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes; and Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that certain nose landing gear (NLG) door attachment bolts are susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement. This proposed AD would require replacing certain NLG door attachment bolts with serviceable bolts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which will be incorporated by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulations on Benefits Payable in Terminated Single- Employer Plans and Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans to prescribe certain interest assumptions under the benefit payments regulation for plans with valuation dates in October 2020 and interest assumptions under the asset allocation regulation for plans with valuation dates in the fourth quarter of 2020. These interest assumptions are used for valuing benefits and paying certain benefits under terminating single-employer plans covered by the pension insurance system administered by PBGC.

The Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'' or ``Commission'') requests public comment on its Duties of Users of Consumer Reports Regarding Address Discrepancies Rule (``Address Discrepancy Rule'') as part of its systematic review of all current Commission regulations and guides. The FTC also proposes to amend the Rule to accord with changes made to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (``FCRA'') by the Dodd-Frank Act.

The Board is issuing a final rule revising its rules regarding availability of information. The revisions clarify and update the Board's regulations implementing the Freedom of Information Act and the rules governing the disclosure of confidential supervisory information and other nonpublic information of the Board.

This final rule modifies certain provisions in the regulations of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States that implement section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended by the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018. Specifically, the rule modifies the mandatory declaration provision for certain foreign investment transactions involving a U.S. business that produces, designs, tests, manufactures, fabricates, or develops one or more critical technologies. It also makes amendments to the definition of the term ``substantial interest'' and a related provision, and makes one technical revision.

This action finalizes amendments to the new source performance standards (NSPS) for the oil and natural gas sector. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted reconsideration on the fugitive emissions requirements, well site pneumatic pump standards, requirements for certification of closed vent systems (CVS) by a professional engineer (PE), and the provisions to apply for the use of an alternative means of emission limitation (AMEL). This final action includes amendments as a result of the EPA's reconsideration of the issues associated with the above mentioned four subject areas and other issues raised in the reconsideration petitions for the NSPS, as well as amendments to streamline the implementation of the rule. This action also includes technical corrections and additional clarifying language in the regulatory text and/or preamble where the EPA concludes further clarification is warranted.

The Department of the Army proposes to amend this regulation in order to revise eligibility criteria for interment (in ground) and inurnment (above ground) at Arlington National Cemetery. This rule does not affect veterans' burial benefits or eligibility at Department of Veterans Affairs' national cemeteries.

Nationwide Permits (NWPs) authorize certain activities under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is proposing to reissue its existing NWPs and associated general conditions and definitions, with some modifications. We are also proposing to issue five new NWPs. Two of those proposed new NWPs would authorize certain categories of mariculture activities (i.e., seaweed and finfish mariculture) that are not authorized by NWP 48. We are proposing to divide the current NWP that authorizes utility line activities (NWP 12) into three separate NWPs that address the differences in how different linear projects are constructed, the substances they convey, and the different standards and best management practices that help ensure those NWPs authorize only those activities that have no more than minimal adverse environmental effects. Specifically, we are proposing to modify the current utility line NWP 12 to authorize only oil and natural gas pipeline activities. Two proposed new NWPs would authorize activities associated with the construction, maintenance, repair, and removal of electric utility lines/telecommunication lines and utility lines that convey water, sewage, and other substances. The fifth proposed new NWP would authorize discharges of dredged or fill material into jurisdictional waters for the construction, expansion, and maintenance of water reuse and reclamation facilities. We are proposing these modifications to simplify and clarify the NWPs, reduce burdens on the regulated public, and continue to comply with the statutory requirement that these NWPs authorize only activities with no more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects. The Corps is requesting comment on all aspects of these proposed nationwide permits.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (the ``Commission'') is adopting amendments to its rules under the Investment Company Act of 1940 to establish an expedited review procedure for applications that are substantially identical to recent precedent as well as a rule to establish an internal timeframe for review of applications outside of such expedited procedure. In addition, the Commission is adopting an amendment to its rules under the Investment Company Act of 1940 to deem an application outside of expedited review withdrawn when the applicant does not respond in writing to comments within 120 days.