September 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On August 28, 2020, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) published in the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Seasoned QM Proposal) proposing to create a new category of qualified mortgages in Regulation Z for first-lien, fixed- rate covered transactions that have met certain performance requirements over a 36-month seasoning period, are held in portfolio until the end of the seasoning period, comply with general restrictions on product features and points and fees, and meet certain underwriting requirements. The 30-day comment period for the Seasoned QM Proposal is counted from the date of publication, which was August 28. Thus, the 30-day comment period was set to close on September 28, 2020, which this year is the date on which the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur falls. In response to a request that we change the due date in light of the holiday, the Bureau is extending the comment period for the Seasoned QM Proposal until October 1, 2020.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, is proposing to revise its directives to update and clarify guidance on management of electric bicycle (e-bike) use on National Forest System (NFS) lands. E-bikes have become increasingly popular nationwide among outdoor recreationists on NFS and other federal lands. E-bikes expand recreational opportunities for many people, particularly the elderly and disabled, enabling them to enjoy the outdoors and associated health benefits. Currently e-bike use is not allowed on NFS roads, on NFS trails, and in areas on NFS lands that are not designated for motor vehicle use. To promote designation of NFS roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands for e-bike use, the proposed revisions include new definitions for an e-bike and a Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e- bike, as well as guidance and criteria for designating e-bike use on NFS roads, on NFS trails, and in areas on NFS lands.

The following remote public hearing on proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure has been canceled: Appellate Rules Hearing on October 19, 2020.

The FAA is adopting a policy for the prompt settlement of legal enforcement actions against individuals who have violated FAA regulations proscribing any: Fraudulent or intentionally false statement on an application for a medical certificate or other document used to show compliance with any requirement for a medical certificate; reproduction of a medical certificate for fraudulent purposes; or alteration of a medical certificate. The policy is expected to afford eligible individuals who hold an airman or ground instructor certificate and who are the subject of such a legal enforcement action the opportunity to apply for a new airman or ground instructor certificate sooner than in the absence of this policy.

EPA has received applications to register pesticide products containing active ingredients not included in any currently registered pesticide products. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on these applications.

Pursuant to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regulatory restrictions on joint bidding, the Director of BOEM is publishing a List of Restricted Joint Bidders. Each entity within one of the following groups is restricted from bidding with any entity in any of the other following groups at Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas lease sales to be held during the bidding period November 1, 2020, through April 30, 2021.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected costs and burdens.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information (including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information) and to allow 60 days for public comment on the proposed action. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding our burden estimates or any other aspect of this collection of information, including the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has received petitions for certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance from the firms listed below. Accordingly, EDA has initiated investigations to determine whether increased imports into the United States of articles like or directly competitive with those produced by each of the firms contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of the firms' workers, or threat thereof, and to a decrease in sales or production of each petitioning firm.

NMFS announces the availability of Draft Amendment 14 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Draft Amendment 14 is being undertaken to revise the mechanism or ``framework'' used in establishing quotas and related management measures for Atlantic shark fisheries. The current framework was established in Amendment 3 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS FMP. The revised framework would modify the procedures followed in establishing the acceptable biological catch (ABC) and annual catch limits (ACLs) for Atlantic sharks and the process used to account for carryover or underharvests of quotas. It would also allow the option to phase-in ABC catch control rules and to adopt multi-year overfishing status determination criteria in some circumstances. Amendment 14 will not make changes to the current quotas or other management measures. Such changes would be adopted through subsequent rulemaking.

The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is amending the Cuban Assets Control Regulations to further implement portions of the President's foreign policy toward Cuba to deny the Cuban regime sources of revenue. Specifically, this rule: Adds a new prohibition for persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction regarding lodging and related transactions at certain properties in Cuba identified on a new list maintained by the State Department, and amends an interpretive provision and several general licenses to incorporate this new prohibition; amends four general licenses to restrict the importation into the United States of Cuban-origin alcohol and tobacco products; amends a general license to remove the authorization for persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction to attend or organize professional meetings or conferences in Cuba; and removes a general license that authorizes persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction to participate in or organize certain public performances, clinics, workshops, other athletic or non-athletic competitions, and exhibitions, and replaces it with a specific licensing policy. OFAC is also making a number of technical and conforming changes.

The Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Art & Culture, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the cultural items listed in this notice meet the definition of either unassociated funerary objects or objects of cultural patrimony. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim these cultural items should submit a written request to the Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Art & Culture. If no additional claimants come forward, transfer of control of the cultural items to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

The Oshkosh Public Museum, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the cultural item listed in this notice meets the definition of object of cultural patrimony. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim this cultural item should submit a written request to the Oshkosh Public Museum. If no additional claimants come forward, transfer of control of the cultural item to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

The plats of survey for the lands described in this notice are scheduled to be officially filed 30 calendar days after the date of this publication in the BLM Montana State Office, Billings, Montana. The surveys, which were executed at the request of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Rocky Mountain Region, Pablo, Montana, are necessary for the management of these lands.

The OCC, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the renewal of an information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a respondent is not required to respond to, an information collection unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The OCC is soliciting comment concerning renewal of its information collection titled, ``Risk-Based Capital Standards.''

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is proposing a new information collection.