2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions to the Washington State Implementation Plan (SIP) that were submitted by the Department of Ecology (Ecology) in coordination with the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency (SRCAA). In 2021, the EPA approved a comprehensive update to the SRCAA general air quality regulations in the SIP, which include new source review permitting requirements as well as other general requirements for sources regulated under SRCAA's jurisdiction. In this action, the EPA proposes to approve additional updates to the SRCAA general air quality regulations promulgated since our comprehensive approval in 2021.

The Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) was originally written in title and narrative format. The entire FTR has since been re-written in question and answer format to align with plain language standards. This final rule removes the remaining references to the defunct title and narrative format, clarifies the applicability of the FTR, and clarifies multiple provisions regarding relocation authorization and allowances. Finally, the final rule makes various editorial changes to better align the regulatory question with its corresponding answer.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Faith, SD. The FAA is proposing this action due to the development of new public instrument procedures at Faith Municipal Airport, Faith, SD, and to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations.

The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture are correcting an amendatory instruction in the final rule that published in the Federal Register on October 17, 2024. That rule revises the regulations concerning the composition of the Federal Subsistence Board, which has authority to administer the subsistence taking and uses of fish and wildlife on public lands in Alaska.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adopts as final, with changes, an interim final rule (IFR) to implement a new authority requiring VA to award grants to eligible entities that will provide certain legal services for homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is proposing to amend its regulations governing risk-based Asset Management Plans (AMP). State departments of transportation (State DOT) are required to develop and implement a risk-based AMP for the National Highway System (NHS) to improve or preserve the condition of the assets and the performance of the NHS. Through this notice, FHWA is proposing to amend its AMP regulations to add and revise definitions in the rule and update the processes State DOTs are required to use in developing an AMP, the required content of the AMP, procedures for State DOTs to submit AMPs to FHWA to ensure that State DOTs are implementing AMPs consistent with law, and procedures for State DOTs to recertify their processes for developing the AMP. The FHWA is proposing these revisions to implement changes in law, advance current policies, and increase the flexibility for State DOTs to comply with AMP regulations. The FHWA is also making minor technical corrections and changes to the rule to improve readability. Finally, FHWA proposes to remove obsolete regulations governing transportation management and monitoring systems.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission ("Commission") adopts a 100% hearing aid compatibility requirement that applies to all future wireless handset models offered for sale or use in the United States and implementation provisions related to this 100% requirement, including a Bluetooth coupling requirement.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPS) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure procedures (ODPs) 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 safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This action amends the Class E airspace at Zanesville, OH. This action is the result of an airspace review conducted due to the decommissioning of the Zanesville very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The geographic coordinates of the Zanesville Municipal Airport, Zanesville, OH, and the name of Genesis Health Care Heliport, Zanesville, OH, are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action brings the airspace into compliance with FAA orders and supports instrument flight rule (IFR) procedures and operations.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend the portion of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD or Rating Schedule) that addresses neurological conditions and convulsive disorders. The purpose of these changes is to incorporate medical advancements that have occurred since the last revision, update current medical terminology, and provide clear evaluation criteria. The proposed rule reflects advances in medical knowledge and recommendations contained in the report from the Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Sciences, titled "A 21st Century System for Evaluating Veterans for Disability Benefits," National Academies Press, 2007.

As part of EPA's high-priority efforts to reduce childhood lead exposure, and in accordance with a U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 2021 opinion, EPA is finalizing its proposal to lower the dust-lead hazard standards to any reportable level as analyzed by a laboratory recognized by EPA's National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP). EPA's lead-based paint (LBP) regulations do not compel property owners or occupants to evaluate their property for LBP hazards or to take control actions, but if a LBP activity such as an abatement is performed, then EPA's regulations set requirements for doing so. EPA is also finalizing changes to lower the post-abatement dust-lead clearance levels to 5 micrograms per square foot ([micro]g/ft\2\), 40 [micro]g/ft\2\, and 100 [micro]g/ft\2\ for floors, window sills and troughs respectively, the current levels in New York City. Due to feedback from public comments, EPA is also finalizing changes to the nomenclature to adopt the terms dust-lead reportable levels (DLRL) and dust-lead action levels (DLAL). Given the decoupling of the action levels from the reportable levels, EPA is finalizing revisions to the definition of abatement so that the recommendation for action based on dust-lead applies when dust-lead loadings are at or above the action levels, rather than the hazard standards, as has been the case historically. The dust-lead hazard standards will be described as DLRL moving forward (i.e., after publication of this final rule) and the dust-lead clearance levels will be described as DLAL. Additionally, EPA is finalizing several other amendments, including revising the definition of target housing to conform with the statute.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-01-02, which applies to certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes. AD 2022-01-02 requires inspecting for corrosion of the nacelle to wing rear spar attachment pins, and the nacelle to landing gear attachment pins, and doing all applicable corrective actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2022- 01-02, it was discovered that some operators were unable to identify the airplanes subject to each requirement. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions specified in AD 2022-01-02, clarify the affected airplanes for each required action, and revise the applicability by removing Model DHC-8-400 airplanes, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). This proposed AD would also revise a certain compliance time. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-21- 02, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series, A330-200 Freighter series, A330-300 series, A330-800 series, and A330-900 series airplanes. AD 2023-21-02 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD continues to require certain actions in AD 2023- 21-02 and requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, 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 FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that the baggage bay discharge push-button annunciator (PBA) switch was making contact but was not fully engaged, and the tabs were not fully locked. This AD requires a verification of the baggage bay discharge PBA functionality and tab installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published in the Federal Register on February 16, 2023, a final rule to amend its beneficiary travel regulations to establish a new payment methodology for special modes of transportation available through the VA beneficiary travel program. The preamble of that final rule stated the effective date was February 16, 2024. VA published in the Federal Register on December 29, 2023, a final rule to delay the effective date for the rule from February 16, 2024, to February 16, 2025. This rulemaking further delays the effective date of February 16, 2025, to February 16, 2029.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopted a Third Report and Order that requires wireless providers to implement a georouting solution for calls to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline or Lifeline) to facilitate access to critical local intervention services. The majority of calls to the 988 Lifeline are made from wireless phones. However, the 988 Lifeline's system was originally designed to route calls to crisis centers based on a caller's area code and exchange, which may not correspond to the caller's physical location. With georouting data, the 988 Lifeline will be able to route wireless calls to local crisis centers based on the geographic area where the handset is located at the time the 988 call is initiated while maintaining privacy by not identifying the caller's precise location. The Third Report and Order also revises the Commission's existing 988 voice and texting rules to permit routing to the 988 Lifeline without translation to a toll free access number, giving wireless providers flexibility in implementing georouting solutions.

This document is issued under the joint authority of DoD, GSA, and NASA. This Small Entity Compliance Guide has been prepared in accordance with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. It consists of a summary of the rules appearing in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2025-01, which amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Interested parties may obtain further information regarding these rules by referring to FAC 2025-01, which precedes this document.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing an interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement a prohibition on the procurement and operation of unmanned aircraft systems manufactured or assembled by an American Security Drone Act-covered foreign entity.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Roanoke Rapids, NC, by adding airspace for Halifax Regional Medical Center Heliport, Roanoke Rapids, NC. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain International Aero Engines (IAE AG) Model V2522-A5, V2524- A5, V2525-D5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2528-D5, V2530-A5, V2531-E5, and V2533-A5 engines. This proposed AD was prompted by further analysis of an event involving an IAE AG Model V2533-A5 engine that had an uncontained failure of a high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st- stage hub that resulted in high-energy debris penetrating the engine cowling. This proposed AD would require revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to include new inspections of certain critical rotating parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible almond growers to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of almonds grown in California.

This document provides a notice of public hearing on the proposed rule (REG-105128-23) that was published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, August 7, 2024. The proposed regulations relate to certain issues arising under the dual consolidated loss rules, including the effect of intercompany transactions and items arising from stock ownership in calculating a dual consolidated loss. The proposed regulations also address the application of the dual consolidated loss rules to certain foreign taxes that are intended to ensure that multinational enterprises pay a minimum level of tax, including exceptions to the application of the dual consolidated loss rules with respect to such foreign taxes. Finally, the proposed regulations include rules regarding certain disregarded payments that give rise to losses for foreign tax purposes.

The Department of Veterans Affairs proposes to amend the time period that a debtor has to request a waiver from 180 days to one year. This action is necessary because the Cleland Dole Act, which was signed into law December of 2022, gives a debtor up to one year to request a waiver. This rulemaking would go into effect December 2024 in accordance with section 254 of the Cleland Dole Act.

This document announces the extension of certain timeframes under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code for group health plans, disability and other welfare plans, pension plans, and participants, beneficiaries, qualified beneficiaries, and claimants of these plans affected by Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Helene, or Hurricane Milton.

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of fluindapyr in or on soybean, forage; soybean, hay; soybean, hulls; and soybean, seed. FMC Corporation requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).