September 1, 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

PHMSA, in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), is amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations to suspend authorization of liquefied natural gas (LNG) transportation in rail tank cars pursuant to a final rule published on July 24, 2020, pending the earlier of either completion of a companion rulemaking evaluating potential modifications to requirements governing rail tank car transportation of LNG, or June 30, 2025.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing final regulations governing when, during the hiring process, a hiring agency can request information typically collected during a background investigation from an applicant for Federal employment. In addition, OPM is issuing new regulations establishing the requirement for the timing of collection of criminal history information and for governing complaint procedures under which an applicant for a position in the civil service may submit a complaint, or any other information, relating to compliance by an employee of an agency in reference to the timing of collection of criminal history information. Furthermore, the final rule outlines adverse action procedures that apply when it is alleged that an agency employee has violated the requirements and appeal procedures that will be available from a determination by OPM adverse to the Federal employee. Nothing in this rule shall be read in derogation of any individual's rights under Title VII. This rule implements the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (Fair Chance Act). With some exceptions, the Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies and Federal contractors acting on their behalf from requesting that an applicant for Federal employment disclose criminal history record information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment to that applicant. The Fair Chance Act identifies some positions to which the prohibition shall not apply. It also requires OPM to establish complaint procedures under which an applicant for a position in the civil service may submit a complaint, or any other information, relating to compliance with the Fair Chance Act by an employee of an agency, establishes minimum penalties and procedures to be followed before a penalty may be assessed, and requires OPM to establish appeal procedures available in the event of a determination adverse to the Federal employee.

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) is inviting public comment on a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the Board's rule that identifies and establishes risk-based capital surcharges for global systemically important bank holding companies (GSIBs). The proposal would also amend the Systemic Risk Report (FR Y- 15), which is the source of inputs to the implementation of the GSIB framework under the capital rule. The changes set forth in the proposal would improve the precision of the GSIB surcharge and better measure systemic risk under the framework. For certain systemic indicators currently measured only as of a single date, the proposal would change to reporting of the average of daily or monthly values to reduce the effects of temporary changes to indicator values around measurement dates. To improve risk capture, the proposal would also make improvements to the measurement of some systemic indicators used in the GSIB surcharge framework and the framework for determining prudential standards for large banking organizations. In addition, the proposal would reduce cliff effects and enhance the sensitivity of the surcharge to changes in the method 2 score by calculating surcharges based on narrower score band ranges. Finally, the proposal would make several amendments to the FR Y-15 to improve the consistency of data reporting and systemic indicator measurement.

The Commission hereby gives notice that it has instituted a review pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930 (``the Act''), as amended, to determine whether revocation of the antidumping duty order on stainless steel bar from India would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury. Pursuant to the Act, interested parties are requested to respond to this notice by submitting the information specified below to the Commission.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of North Carolina through the North Carolina Division of Air Quality (NCDAQ) via a letter dated April 13, 2021. The SIP revision seeks to modify the State's emission control standards by amending several air quality rules and removing a redundant rule for electric utility boilers. EPA is proposing to approve these changes pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Rhode Island. This SIP amendment consists of revisions to the Rhode Island Air Pollution Control Regulation No. 36 Control of Emissions from Organic Solvent Cleaning. The SIP revisions include minor regulatory changes to provide consistency with federal regulations for National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Halogenated Solvent Cleaning. This action is being taken in accordance with the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Department of Defense (Department or DoD) is giving concurrent notice of a new Department-wide system of records pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 for the DoD-0019, ``Information Technology Access and Audit Records,'' system of records and this proposed rulemaking. In this proposed rulemaking, the Department proposes to exempt portions of this system of records from certain provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, because of national security requirements and to avoid interference during the conduct of criminal, civil, or administrative actions or investigations.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) adopts rules to establish the enhanced discounts available for monthly broadband services provided in high-cost areas by participants in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

Life sciences research is vital for improving health outcomes and protecting the Nation from infectious disease threats, but a small subset of this research could potentially pose risk of accidents or misuse that could harm human health. It is important to regularly evaluate and update biosafety and biosecurity oversight policies to keep pace with new technological developments and the evolving risk landscape. The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) invites comments on potential changes to the Policies for Federal and Institutional Oversight of Life Sciences Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) and Recommended Policy Guidance for Departmental Development of Review Mechanisms for Potential Pandemic Pathogen Care and Oversight (P3CO). These policies establish frameworks for review and oversight requirements for certain categories of life sciences research, namely research with certain pathogens and toxins, including at institutions that accept Federal funding for such research. These requirements are intended to complement activities under existing Federal regulations or guidelines such as the Federal Select Agent Program. OSTP requests comments on how potential changes to these research oversight policies could mitigate risks associated with DURC and research with enhanced potential pandemic pathogens (ePPP) while minimizing undue burden on institutions. The public input provided through this Request for Information (RFI) will inform policy evaluations and issuance of a revised policy (Revised Policy).

Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade Commission (``Commission'') has determined to review in part an Initial Determination (``ID'') (Order No. 31) of the presiding administrative law judge (``ALJ''), granting a motion for summary determination of violation of section 337 and on review, to vacate part of the ID and to take no position on certain findings in the ID. The Commission requests written submissions from the parties, interested government agencies, and other interested persons on the issues of remedy, the public interest, and bonding, under the schedule set forth below.

The Millennium Challenge Act of 2003, as amended, requires the Millennium Challenge Corporation to publish a report that identifies countries that are ``candidate countries'' for Millennium Challenge Account assistance during Fiscal Year 2024. The report is set forth in full below.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public to take this opportunity to comment on a new information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning the training needs of National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Floodplain Administrators (FPAs) throughout the United States.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public to take this opportunity to comment on an extension, without change, of a currently approved information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning FEMA's Requests for Special Priorities Assistance, FEMA Form FF-112-FY-23-100 (009-0-142).

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. Model DA 62 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of baggage nets installed with defective buckles, which may result in failure of the baggage net to restrain the baggage or cargo, which could lead to injury to the occupants in the case of an emergency landing. This proposed AD would require identifying and replacing the affected part. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the purchase of electricity generated by the proposed Hillsboro III Solar Project in Lawrence County, Alabama. The EIS will assess the potential environmental effects of constructing, operating, and maintaining the proposed 200- megawatt (MW) alternating current (AC) solar facility. The proposed 200 MW AC solar facility would occupy approximately 1,500 acres of the 3,761-acre Project Study Area. Public comments are invited concerning the scope of the EIS, alternatives being considered, and environmental issues that should be addressed as a part of this EIS. TVA is also requesting data, information, and analysis relevant to the proposed action from the public; affected federal, state, tribal, and local governments, agencies, and offices; the scientific community; industry; or any other interested party.

As part of the rulemaking process for the 2023-2024 season for migratory game bird hunting, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter, Service or we) has revised the process for establishing regulations for certain Tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off- reservation trust lands, and ceded lands. The Service recognizes Tribal treaty rights and the reserved hunting rights and management authority of Indian Tribes and seeks to strengthen Tribal sovereignty. We will no longer require that Tribes annually submit a proposal to the Service for our review and approval and no longer publish in the Federal Register the annual Tribal migratory bird hunting regulations. Instead, the regulations now include elements of our current guidelines for establishing migratory game bird hunting regulations on Federal Indian reservations (including off-reservation trust lands) and ceded lands. Since 1985, Tribal migratory bird harvest has been small with negligible impact to bird population status, and we anticipate that Tribal hunting of migratory birds will continue to have similar negligible impacts to bird populations in the future. This rule will reduce administrative burdens on both the Tribes and the Service while continuing to sustain healthy migratory game bird populations for future generations.

The Department of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a document in the Federal Register of August 28, 2023, a rescindment of a systems of records notice concerning the Integrated Real Estate Management System (iREMS). The document did not contain a comment closing date. This notice establishes a due date of September 27, 2023.

This Notice is a Request for Information (RFI) inviting feedback on a proposed update to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) mission statement. As the largest public funder of biomedical and behavioral research in the world, NIH works to turn scientific discoveries into better health for all. This RFI will inform NIH's efforts to update its mission statement to ensure that it reflects the NIH mission as accurately as possible. Review of this entire RFI notice is encouraged to ensure your response is comprehensive and to have a full understanding of how it will be used.

In June 2023, the Commission published a notice of proposed policy priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2024. After reviewing public comment received pursuant to the notice of proposed priorities, the Commission has identified its policy priorities for the upcoming amendment cycle and hereby gives notice of these policy priorities.