2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of erratic electrical system status on the push button annunciators (PBAs) and the engine instrument and crew alerting system (EICAS). This proposed AD would require revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) and applicable corresponding operational procedures to incorporate procedures to be applied during erroneous electrical status indication conditions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends 14 CFR part 71 relating to airspace designations to reflect the approval by the Director of the Federal Register of the incorporation by reference of FAA Order JO 7400.11F Airspace Designations and Reporting Points (the Order). This action also explains the procedures the FAA will use to amend the listings of Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas; air traffic service routes; and reporting points incorporated by reference.

Under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) administers the public charge ground of inadmissibility as it pertains to applicants for admission and adjustment of status. DHS is publishing this advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to seek broad public feedback on the public charge ground of inadmissibility that will inform its development of a future regulatory proposal. DHS intends to propose a rule that will be fully consistent with law; that will reflect empirical evidence to the extent relevant and available; that will be clear, fair, and comprehensible for officers as well as for noncitizens and their families; that will lead to fair and consistent adjudications and thus avoid unequal treatment of the similarly situated; and that will not otherwise unduly impose barriers on noncitizens seeking admission to or adjustment of status in the United States. DHS also intends to ensure that its regulatory proposal does not cause undue fear among immigrant communities or present other obstacles to immigrants and their families accessing public services available to them, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting long-term public health and economic impacts in the United States. DHS welcomes input from individuals, organizations, government entities and agencies, and all other interested members of the public. Comments will be most helpful if they clearly identify the questions to which they are responding, offer concrete proposals, and/or articulate support or opposition to current or prior DHS public charge policies, and cite to relevant laws, regulations, data, and/or studies. DHS is also providing notice of public virtual listening sessions on the public charge ground of inadmissibility and this ANPRM.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve certain elements of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission from the State of Iowa addressing the applicable requirements of section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the 2015 Ozone (O3) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). Section 110 requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP revision to support the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each new or revised NAAQS promulgated by the EPA. These SIPs are commonly referred to as ``infrastructure'' SIPs. The infrastructure requirements are designed to ensure that the structural components of each state's air quality management program are adequate to meet the state's responsibilities under the CAA.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a limited approval and limited disapproval of a revision to the Amador Air District's (AAD or ``District'') portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This revision governs the District's issuance of permits for stationary sources, and focuses on the preconstruction review and permitting of major sources and major modifications under part D of title I of the Clean Air Act (CAA or ``the Act''). We are taking comments on this proposal and plan to follow with a final action.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopts rules to modify the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program (Reimbursement Program) consistent with the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019, as modified by the Congressional Appropriations Act, 2021.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109C, A109K2, A109E, A109S, and AW109SP helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack on the tail rotor (TR) mast. This AD requires an inspection of certain TR sleeve assemblies for discrepancies, an inspection of certain TR shaft assemblies for discrepancies, a repetitive measurement of the position of the bushing of the TR sleeve assembly in relation to the pitch change slider assembly, and 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 Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters of the Ohio River extending the entire width of the river, from mile marker (MM) 777.3 to MM 778.3. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Newburgh, Indiana during the City of Newburgh fireworks display on September 4, 2021. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley or a designated representative.

On February 8, 2019, the Department of Labor (Department) published in the Federal Register a final rule that revised its regulations governing its responsibilities under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000, as amended (EEOICPA). However, the final rule as published inadvertently omitted amendatory instructions to retain two subordinate paragraphs. This document corrects the error.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

On January 14, 2021, NHTSA published an interim final rule in response to a petition for rulemaking from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (Alliance). The interim final rule provided that an inflation adjustment to the civil penalty rate applicable to automobile manufacturers that violate applicable corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards would apply beginning with vehicle Model Year 2022. The interim final rule also requested comment. In light of a subsequent Executive Order and the agency's review of comments, NHTSA is reviewing and reconsidering that interim final rule. Accordingly, NHTSA is issuing this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to consider the appropriate path forward and to allow interested parties sufficient time to provide comments.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a left-hand (LH) side stairway door that inadvertently opened in flight and tore off from its attachment fittings. This AD requires inspecting the locking safety mechanism of the LH side stairway door handle and depending on the results, corrective action. This AD also requires modifying that locking safety mechanism 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 Department of Justice (``DOJ'') and the Department of Homeland Security (``DHS'') (collectively, ``the Departments'') are proposing to amend the regulations governing the determination of certain protection claims raised by individuals subject to expedited removal and found to have a credible fear of persecution or torture. Under the proposed rule, such individuals could have their claims for asylum, withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (``INA'' or ``the Act'') (``statutory withholding of removal''), or protection under the regulations issued pursuant to the legislation implementing U.S. obligations under Article 3 of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (``CAT'') initially adjudicated by an asylum officer within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (``USCIS''). Such individuals who are granted relief by the asylum officer would be entitled to asylum, withholding of removal, or protection under CAT, as appropriate. Such individuals who are denied protection would be able to seek prompt, de novo review with an immigration judge (``IJ'') in the DOJ Executive Office for Immigration Review (``EOIR''), with appeal available to the Board of Immigration Appeals (``BIA''). These changes are intended to improve the Departments' ability to consider the asylum claims of individuals encountered at or near the border more promptly while ensuring fundamental fairness. In addition, among other changes to the asylum process, the Departments are proposing to return to the regulatory framework governing the credible fear screening process in place before various regulatory changes made from the end of 2018 through the end of 2020, so as to apply once more the longstanding ``significant possibility'' screening standard to all protection claims, but not to apply the mandatory bars to asylum and withholding of removal (with limited exception) at this initial screening stage.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on all navigable waters in the Lake of the Ozarks extending 420 feet in all directions around a fireworks barge at mile marker 7, located approximately 500 feet west of Shady Gators. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Upper Mississippi River or a designated representative.

In this document, the Federal Communication Commission (the FCC or Commission), implements section 9201 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, improving the way the public receives emergency alerts from the nation's Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts System (WEA) on their mobile phones, televisions, and radios. The Commission adopts rules to ensure that more people receive relevant emergency alerts, to enable EAS and WEA participants to report false alerts when they occur, and to improve the way states plan for emergency alerts.

The Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone located in federal regulations for the annual D-Day Conneaut event. This action is necessary and intended for the safety of life and property on navigable waters during this event. During each enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the safety zone without the permission of the Captain of the Port Buffalo.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain navigable waters on the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by cross-channel repair work on the submarine cables and removal of concrete cable mats on the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge in Portsmouth, NH. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Northern New England (COTP) or a Designated Representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of New York Upper Bay, Pierhead Channel, and Port Jersey Channel within 100 yards of the Bayonne Peninsula bulkhead. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by two building demolitions on shore. When enforced, entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port of New York or a designated representative.

DoD is amending its NISPOM regulation to extend the implementation date for those contractors under DoD security cognizance to report and obtain pre-approval of unofficial foreign travel to the Department of Defense.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X, FALCON 900EX, and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an improper heat treatment process applied during the manufacturing of certain titanium screws. This proposed AD would require replacement of certain titanium screws, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

On January 23, 2020, the Department of Commerce published a final rule in conjunction with a Department of State final rule to revise Categories I (firearms, close assault weapons and combat shotguns), II (guns and armaments), and III (ammunition/ordnance) of the United States Munitions List (USML) and transfer items that no longer warrant control on the USML in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to the Commerce Control List (CCL). This final rule makes corrections and clarifications to the January 23 rule. The changes made in this final rule are intended to make the requirements easier to understand, interpreted consistently, and in accordance with the intent of the Commerce January 23 rule.

On January 19, 2017, the U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') published two final rules adopting revised definitions of general service lamp (``GSL'') and general service incandescent lamp (``GSIL''), and other supplemental definitions, to go into effect January 1, 2020. Prior to that effective date, on September 5, 2019, DOE withdrew the revised definitions of GSL, GSIL, and the other supplemental definitions. Upon further review and consideration, in this notice of proposed rulemaking (``NOPR''), DOE proposes to adopt the definitions of GSL and GSIL and the associated supplemental definitions set forth in the January 2017 final rules. This document also announces a public meeting to receive comment on these proposed definitions.

In this document, the Commission proposes to revise the Commission's rules to provide expanded operational flexibility to unlicensed field disturbance sensor (FDS) devices (e.g., radars) that operate in the 57-64 GHz band (60 GHz band). The Commission's proposal recognizes the increasing practicality of using mobile radar devices in the 60 GHz band to perform innovative and life-saving functions, including gesture control, detection of unattended children in vehicles, and monitoring of vulnerable medical patients, and it is designed to stimulate the development of new products and services in a wide variety of areas to include, for example, personal safety, autonomous vehicles, home automation, environmental control, and healthcare monitoring, while also ensuring coexistence among unlicensed FDS devices and current and future unlicensed communications devices in the 60 GHz band.

The Commission proposes to revise rules related to its equipment authorization processes to prohibit authorization of any ``covered'' equipment on the recently established Covered List. The Commission also seeks comment on whether to require additional certification relating to national security from applicants who wish to participate in the Commission's competitive bidding auctions. This action explores steps the Commission can take to further its goal of protecting communications networks from communications equipment and services that pose a national security risk.

The Coast Guard is establishing a special local regulation on the waters of the Wando River, Cooper River, and Charleston Harbor in Charleston, SC. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the Low Country Splash Open Water Swim. This rulemaking would restrict persons and vessels from entering certain waters of the Wando River, Cooper River, and Charleston Harbor, unless authorized by Sector Charleston Captain of the Port or a designated representative.