2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard issues this final rule amending its regulations concerning waterfront facilities handling liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied hazardous gas (LHG). The final rule makes the following three changes. First, the final rule revises the Coast Guard's existing regulations to allow waterfront facilities handling LNG as fuel to conduct an operational risk assessment instead of a waterway suitability assessment (WSA) without first obtaining Captain of the Port (COTP) approval. Second, the final rule revises existing regulations to update incorporated technical standards to reflect the most recent published editions. These updated industry standards only apply to waterfront facilities handling LNG and LHG that are constructed, expanded, or modified under a contract awarded after the implementation date of the final rule. Third, for waterfront facilities handling LNG that must comply with the WSA requirements, the final rule requires these facilities to provide information to the Coast Guard regarding the nation of registry for vessels transporting natural gas that are reasonably anticipated to be servicing the facilities, and the nationality or citizenship of officers and crew serving on board those vessels.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (Department or DOT) is amending its regulations regarding the hearing procedures that are available when the Department proposes a discretionary aviation consumer protection rulemaking declaring a practice to be unfair or deceptive. This final rule simplifies the hearing procedures and allows the Department greater flexibility to conduct a hearing in a manner that would not unduly delay the aviation consumer protection rulemaking.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amends its regulations around the conditions by which VA benefits debts or medical debts are reported to consumer reporting agencies (CRA). The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 provides the Secretary authority to prescribe regulations that establish the minimum amount of a benefits or medical debt that the Secretary will report to the CRA. This change will establish the methodology for determining a minimum threshold for debts reported to CRA.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing modifications of certain compliance dates under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. First, EPA is extending the RFS compliance reporting deadline and the associated attest engagement reporting deadline for the 2019 compliance year for small refineries only. Second, EPA is extending the RFS compliance reporting deadline and the associated attest engagement reporting deadline for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 compliance years for all obligated parties. Finally, EPA is changing the way in which future RFS compliance and attest engagement reporting deadlines are determined.

This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain LAS02 in or on all food commodities when used in accordance with label directions and good agricultural practices. Lesaffre Yeast Corporation (c/o Wagner Regulatory Associates, Inc.) submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain LAS02 under FFDCA when used in accordance with this exemption.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are correcting an erroneous acreage amount presented twice in the preamble of our July 22, 2021, final rule that was issued to comply with a court order concerning the critical habitat designation for the jaguar (Panthera onca) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS or the Department) finalizes its proposed regulation amending the Department's Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement, the HHS Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR), to support the HHS Electronic Invoicing Implementation Project and HHS's transition to the Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform. This complies with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memorandum M-15-19, Improving Government Efficiency and Saving Taxpayer Dollars Through Electronic Invoicing, issued on July 17, 2015.

Illinois has applied to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for final authorization of changes to its hazardous waste program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as amended. EPA has reviewed Illinois' application and has determined that these changes satisfy all requirements needed to qualify for final authorization. Therefore, we are proposing to authorize the State's changes. EPA seeks public comment prior to taking final action.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Lansing Island Bridge across Grand Canal, mile 0.7 at Indian Harbour Beach, FL. A request was made to the Coast Guard to allow the drawbridge to remain closed to navigation and untended during the overnight hours due to a lack of requested openings. This deviation will test a change to the drawbridge operation schedule to determine whether a permanent change to the schedule is needed. The Coast Guard is seeking comments from the public regarding these temporary changes.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) proposes to revise its regulations regarding the filing of complaints and disclosures with OSC, to update the prohibited personnel practice provisions, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provisions, Privacy Act provisions, provisions concerning nondiscrimination based on disability, and to make other technical revisions. These revisions are intended to streamline OSC's filing procedures and reflect changes in law.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a special local regulation for a recurring marine event on Lake Washington the first Satruday of May each year. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters during the marine event. This proposed rulemaking would restrict vessel traffic in the designated area during the event unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Puget Sound or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to find that the Manitowoc, Wisconsin area is attaining the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or standard) and to act in accordance with a request from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) to redesignate the area to attainment for the 2015 ozone NAAQS, because the request meets the statutory requirements for redesignation under the Clean Air Act (CAA). Also, EPA is proposing to approve WDNR's certification that its stationary annual emissions statement regulation, which has been previously approved by EPA under a prior ozone standard, satisfies the CAA emission statement rule requirement for the 2015 ozone standard. WDNR submitted these requests on August 3, 2020 and October 29, 2021. EPA is also proposing to approve, as a revision to the Wisconsin State Implementation Plan (SIP), the State's plan for maintaining the 2015 ozone NAAQS through 2033 in the Manitowoc area. EPA also finds adequate and is proposing to approve Wisconsin's 2025 and 2033 volatile organic compound (VOC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOX) Motor Vehicle Emission Budgets (MVEBs) for the Manitowoc area. Finally, these revisions satisfy the emissions inventory requirements for the partial Manitowoc area under the 2015 ozone NAAQS. The CAA requires emission inventories for all areas that were designated nonattainment.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes; Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes); and Airbus SAS Model A310 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of incorrect installation of the fire shut-off valves (FSOV) actuator, which was found to rotate around its pivot axis. This AD requires a one-time detailed inspection of the FSOV actuator for rotation around its pivot axis, and replacement 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 Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (the Commission) is adopting revised rules as final rules implementing the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in light of the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016, its experience under the rules, the need to update its fee schedule, and the need to update and clarify a number of its FOIA procedures. These revised rules will ensure rapid and effective procedures for requesting information and processing requests under the FOIA. The Commission published a notice of proposed rulemaking that permitted public comment on the rules. The Commission has determined that it will make two changes to its proposed rules in light of comments received and that it will adopt those rules as final.

The National Park Service amends its special regulations for Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore to clarify where snowmobiles may be used within the boundaries of the Lakeshore by naming several snowmobile routes that are not currently identified. The rule replaces general language allowing snowmobiles on unplowed roads and the shoulders of plowed roads with a comprehensive list of designated snowmobile routes. The changes will provide greater certainty to the public by removing ambiguity in the current regulations about where snowmobiles are allowed. The use of snowmobiles within areas of the National Park System is prohibited except on routes and water surfaces designated by special regulation.

In compliance with Executive Order 12866, entitled ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended, the Department of Commerce (Commerce), in the spring and fall of each year, publishes in the Federal Register an agenda of regulations under development or review over the next 12 months. Rulemaking actions are grouped according to pre-rulemaking, proposed rules, final rules, long-term actions, and rulemaking actions completed since the spring 2021 agenda. The purpose of the Agenda is to provide information to the public on regulations that are currently under review, being proposed, or recently issued by Commerce. It is expected that this information will enable the public to participate more effectively in the Department's regulatory process. Commerce's fall 2021 regulatory agenda includes regulatory activities that are expected to be conducted during the period November 1, 2021, through October 31, 2022.

This regulatory agenda is a semiannual summary of projected regulations, existing regulations, and completed actions of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its components. This agenda provides the public with information about DHS's regulatory and deregulatory activity. DHS expects that this information will enable the public to be more aware of, and effectively participate in, the Department's regulatory and deregulatory activity. DHS invites the public to submit comments on any aspect of this agenda.

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) is publishing this agenda as part of the Fall 2021 Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. The Bureau reasonably anticipates having the regulatory matters identified below under consideration during the period from November 1, 2021 to October 31, 2022. The next agenda will be published in Spring 2022 and will update this agenda through Spring 2023. Publication of this agenda is in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes the Semiannual Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions online at https://www.reginfo.gov to periodically update the public. This document contains information about: Regulations in the Semiannual Agenda that are under development, completed, or canceled since the last agenda; and Reviews of regulations with small business impacts under Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

This agenda announces the regulatory actions the Department of Defense (DoD) plans to take in the next 12 months and those regulatory actions completed since the publication of the spring 2021 Unified Agenda. It was developed under the guidelines of Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' and Executive Order 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review.'' This agenda includes regulatory actions that support or impact the Secretary of Defense's top priorities along with those of the National Defense Strategy to defend the Nation by taking care of our people, building a more lethal force, succeeding through teamwork, reforming business practices, and address the current worldwide pandemic. These include efforts to ensure TRICARE beneficiaries have access to the most up-to-date care required for the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. Members of the public may submit comments on individual proposed and interim final rulemakings at www.regulations.gov during the comment period that follows publication in the Federal Register. This agenda updates the report published on July 30, 2021, and includes regulations expected to be issued and under review over the next 12 months. The next agenda will publish in the spring of 2022. The complete Unified Agenda will be available online at www.reginfo.gov. Because publication in the Federal Register is mandated for the regulatory flexibility agendas required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 602), the Department of Defense's printed agenda entries include only: (1) Rules that are in the Agency's regulatory flexibility agenda, in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, because they are likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities; and (2) Any rules that the Agency has identified for periodic review under section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Printing of these entries is limited to fields that contain information required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act's agenda requirements. Additional information on these entries is in the Unified Agenda available online.

Publication of the Fall 2021 Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions represents a key component of the regulatory planning mechanism prescribed in Executive Order (``E.O.'') 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' (58 FR 51735) and reaffirmed in E.O. 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review,'' (76 FR 3821). The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires that agencies publish semiannual regulatory agendas in the Federal Register describing regulatory actions they are developing that may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities (5 U.S.C. 602). The Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Unified Agenda), published in the fall and spring, helps agencies fulfill all of these requirements. All federal regulatory agencies have chosen to publish their regulatory agendas as part of this publication. The complete Unified Agenda and Regulatory Plan can be found online at www.reginfo.gov and a reduced print version can be found in the Federal Register. Information regarding obtaining printed copies can also be found on the Reginfo.gov website (or below, VI. How Can Users Get Copies of the Plan and the Agenda?). The Fall 2021 Unified Agenda publication appearing in the Federal Register includes the Regulatory Plan and agency regulatory flexibility agendas, in accordance with the publication requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Agency regulatory flexibility agendas contain only those Agenda entries for rules that are likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and entries that have been selected for periodic review under section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The complete Fall 2021 Unified Agenda contains the Regulatory Plans of 27 Federal agencies and 67 Federal agency regulatory agendas.

This agenda announces the proposed regulatory actions that the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (Committee) plans for the next 12 months. This agenda is issued in accordance with Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review'', as amended, E.O. 13771, ``Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs'', and E.O. 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review''. The Committee's purpose for publishing this agenda is to allow interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process. The Committee has attempted to list all regulations pending at the time of publication, except for minor and routine or repetitive actions, however, unanticipated requirements may result in the issuance of regulations not included in this agenda.

The following Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulations are scheduled for development or review during the next year. This agenda carries out OPM's responsibilities to publish a semiannual agenda under Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' and the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6). This publication does not impose a binding obligation on OPM with regard to any specific item on the agenda. Regulatory action in addition to the items listed is not precluded.

This agenda provides summary descriptions of regulations being developed by GSA in accordance with Executive Order 12866 ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' and Executive Order 13563 ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review.'' GSA's purpose in publishing this agenda is to allow interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process. GSA also invites interested persons to recommend existing significant regulations for review to determine whether they should be modified or eliminated. Published proposed rules may be reviewed in their entirety at the Government's rulemaking website at https://www.regulations.gov. Additional information on these entries may be reviewed in their entirety at the Government's rulemaking website at https:// www.regulations.gov and will continue to be printed in the Federal Register.

The Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board is publishing the Regulatory Flexibility Agenda for fall 2021.