2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) plans to authorize various contractors to access information which is submitted to us under the Clean Air Act and which may be claimed as, or may be determined to be, confidential business information (CBI). The information is related to the registration of fuels and fuel additives under 40 CFR part 79 and to various compositional and performance standards for reformulated gasoline, conventional gasoline, diesel fuel, detergents, and the renewable fuel standard (RFS) under 40 CFR part 80.

With certain exceptions, Regulation Z requires creditors to make a reasonable, good faith determination of a consumer's ability to repay any residential mortgage loan, and loans that meet Regulation Z's requirements for ``qualified mortgages'' (QMs) obtain certain protections from liability. One category of QMs consists of loans that are eligible for purchase or guarantee by either the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) (collectively, government-sponsored enterprises, or GSEs), while operating under the conservatorship or receivership of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). The GSEs are currently under Federal conservatorship. In 2013, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) established this category of QMs (Temporary GSE QM loans) as a temporary measure that would expire with respect to each GSE on the date that GSE exits conservatorship, or on January 10, 2021, whichever comes first. In this final rule, the Bureau amends Regulation Z to replace the January 10, 2021 sunset date of the Temporary GSE QM loan definition with a provision stating that the Temporary GSE QM loan definition will be available only for covered transactions for which the creditor receives the consumer's application before the mandatory compliance date of final amendments to the General QM loan definition in Regulation Z. This final rule does not amend the provision stating that the Temporary GSE QM loan definition expires with respect to a GSE when that GSE exits conservatorship.

In order to streamline Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) regulations, the FDIC proposes to rescind and remove from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) regulations entitled Subordinate Organizations that were transferred to the FDIC from the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) on July 21, 2011, in connection with the implementation of Title III of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act). The proposed rule would rescind and remove the transferred regulations because the FDIC has determined that the requirements for State savings association subordinate organizations included therein are substantially similar to the requirements for State savings associations and their subsidiaries set forth by certain sections of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDI Act) and its implementing regulations. Therefore, the FDIC is proposing to remove the transferred regulations and proposes to use certain substantially similar FDIC regulations, as applicable, to achieve substantially similar supervisory results for State savings associations and their subsidiaries as could be obtained through the application of the transferred regulations.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Sikorsky Aircraft Model S-61L, S-61N, S-61NM, and S-61R helicopters and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-61A, S-61D, S- 61E, and S-61V restricted category helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by the manufacturer determining that there may be arm assemblies in service that have accumulated 15,000 or more hours time- in-service (TIS), which exceeds the service life limit for this component. This proposed AD would require reviewing the mixer unit component log card or equivalent record and, depending on the number of hours TIS, calculating the remaining life of the arm assembly or removing the arm assembly from service. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This final rule adopts, with minor changes, an interim rule published in the Federal Register on December 17, 2019, that made changes to the NRCS's Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The changes were made to be consistent with the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill) and implemented administrative improvements and clarifications. NRCS received input from 197 commenters who provided 598 comments in response to the interim rule. This final rule makes permanent those changes appearing in the interim rule, responds to comments, and makes further adjustments in response to some of the comments received.

This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-5 and V-178 in the vicinity of New Hope, KY, and removes V- 513 in its entirety. The amendments are due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the New Hope, KY (EWO), VOR/ Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid (NAVAID) which provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected airways. The New Hope VOR is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that certain retaining rings could cause damage to frame forks, brackets and edge frames, and their surface protection; subsequent investigation showed that the depth of the frame fork spotfacing on structural parts is inadequate to accommodate the retaining ring. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of certain areas of each cargo door for damage and corrective action. This proposed AD would also provide an optional terminating modification, 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 ``Security Training for Surface Transportation Employees'' (Security Training) final rule (published March 23, 2020, and amended May 1, 2020) to extend the compliance dates by which certain requirements must be completed. TSA is aware that many owner/operators within the scope of this rule's applicability may be unable to meet the compliance deadline for submission of the required security training programs to TSA for approval because of the impact of COVID-19 as well as actions taken at various levels of government to address this public health crisis. In response, TSA is extending the compliance deadline for submission of the required security training program to no later than March 22, 2021. Should TSA determine that an additional extension of time is necessary based upon the impact of the COVID-19 public health crisis, TSA will publish a document in the Federal Register announcing an updated compliance date for this requirement.

The Danny Keysar Child Product Safety Notification Act, section 104 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), requires the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to promulgate consumer product safety standards for durable infant or toddler products. These standards are to be ``substantially the same as'' the applicable voluntary standard, or more stringent than the voluntary standard, if the Commission determines that more stringent requirements would further reduce the risk of injury associated with the product. The Commission is proposing a safety standard for crib mattresses. The scope of the proposed rule includes full-size and non-full-size crib mattresses, as well as after-market mattresses for play yards and non-full-size cribs. The Commission is also proposing to amend CPSC's consumer registration requirements to identify crib mattresses within the scope of the proposed rule as durable infant or toddler products, and proposing to amend CPSC's list of notice of requirements (NORs) to include such crib mattresses.

By this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is announcing a reopening of the period to submit comments to the initial comments (or reply comments) to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued in the Federal Register on July 29, 2020. On October 5, 2020, the NLRB issued a press release indicating the Board was extending the comment period for replies to initial comments from October 13, 2020 to October 27, 2020.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of New Hampshire that addresses the infrastructure requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act), excluding the interstate transport provisions, for the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). We are also granting the state an exemption from the infrastructure SIP contingency plan obligation for ozone and are conditionally approving several elements of New Hampshire's submittal relating to air-quality modeling requirements. In addition, we are correcting errors in our previous approval of an infrastructure SIP submission from New Hampshire for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS and conditionally approving several elements of that submittal. The infrastructure requirements are designed to ensure that the structural components of each state's air-quality management program, including provisions prohibiting emissions that will have certain adverse air-quality effects in other states, are adequate to meet the state's responsibilities under the CAA. This action is being taken in accordance with the Clean Air Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving the State of South Dakota's January 15, 2020, State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission that addresses infrastructure requirements for the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Additionally, in this action, we are approving a SIP revision submitted by the State of South Dakota on January 3, 2020, that revises the Administrative Rules of South Dakota (ARSD), Air Pollution Control Program, updating the date of incorporation by reference of federal rules in ARSD chapters pertaining to definitions, ambient air quality, air quality episodes, Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD), new source review, performance testing, control of visible emissions, continuous emission monitoring systems, State facilities in Rapid City area, construction permits and regional haze program administrative rules. The EPA is taking this action pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA).

In light of recent disruptions in economic conditions caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and strains in U.S. financial markets, some insured depository institutions (IDIs) have experienced increases to their consolidated total assets as a result of large cash inflows resulting from participation in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (MMLF), the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (PPPLF), and the effects of other government stimulus efforts. Since these inflows may be temporary, but are significant and unpredictable, the FDIC is issuing an interim final rule (IFR) that will allow IDIs to determine the applicability of part 363 of the FDIC's regulations, Annual Independent Audits and Reporting Requirements, for fiscal years ending in 2021 based on the lesser of their consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2019, or consolidated total assets as of the beginning of their fiscal years ending 2021. Notwithstanding any temporary relief provided by this IFR, an IDI would continue to be subject to any otherwise applicable statutory and regulatory audit and reporting requirements. The IFR also reserves the authority to require an IDI to comply with one or more requirements of part 363 if the FDIC determines that asset growth was related to a merger or acquisition.

The Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Access to Electronic Data for the Purpose of Countering Serious Crime (the ``U.S.-U.K. CLOUD Agreement'' or ``Agreement'') defines ``Designated Authority'' for the United States as the government entity designated by the Attorney General and assigns certain responsibilities to the Designated Authority. This notice designates the Criminal Division as the Designated Authority for purposes of the Agreement.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) John Day- Snake Resource Advisory Council (RAC) Planning Subcommittee and John Day-Snake RAC will meet as indicated below.

The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 requires that appointments of individual members to the Performance Review Board (PRB) be published in the Federal Register. The performance review function for the SES in NASA is being performed by the NASA PRB.

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.

NMFS has determined that twenty exempted fishing permit (EFP) applications warrant further consideration and is requesting public comment on the applications. All EFP applicants request an exemption from a single prohibition (the use of unauthorized gear to harvest highly migratory species (HMS)) under the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (HMS FMP) to test the effects and efficacy of using deep-set buoy gear (DSBG), and/ or deep-set linked buoy gear (DSLBG), and/or night-set buoy gear (NSBG) to harvest swordfish and other HMS off of the U.S. West Coast.

The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on the extension and revision of an existing information collection: 0651-0054 (Substantive Submissions Made During Prosecution of the Trademark Application). The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment preceding submission of the information collection to OMB.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is announcing the availability of a final guidance for industry entitled ``Wholesale Distributor Verification Requirement for Saleable Returned Drug Product and Dispenser Verification Requirements When Investigating a Suspect or Illegitimate ProductCompliance Policies.'' This guidance explains that FDA intends to extend the delay in enforcement described in the guidance entitled ``Wholesale Distributor Verification Requirement for Saleable Returned Drug ProductCompliance Policy,'' published in the Federal Register on September 24, 2019 (the 2019 Compliance Policy), which relates to Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) provisions requiring wholesale distributors to verify the product identifier prior to further distributing returned product beginning on November 27, 2019. In addition, this guidance announces FDA's intended enforcement policy with respect to DSCSA provisions requiring dispensers to verify the product identifier for suspect or illegitimate product in the dispenser's possession or control beginning on November 27, 2020.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on the extension and revision of an existing information collection: 0651-0042 (Patent Examiner Employment Application). The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment preceding submission of the information collection to OMB.

The plats of survey of lands described in this notice are scheduled to be officially filed in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Alaska State Office, Anchorage, Alaska. The surveys, which were executed at the request of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and BLM, are necessary for the management of these lands.