2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 1,001 - 1,050 of 4,918
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer From Maine to Massachusetts
NMFS announces that the State of Maine is transferring a portion of its 2024 commercial summer flounder quota to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This adjustment to the 2024 fishing year quota is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised 2024 commercial quotas for Maine and Massachusetts.
Revised Reporting Requirements Due to Catastrophic Conditions for Federal Seafood Dealers, Individual Fishing Quota Dealers, and Charter Vessels and Headboats in Portions of Florida
In accordance with the regulations implementing the individual fishing quota (IFQ) program, Federal dealer reporting, and Federal charter vessel and headboat (for-hire vessel) reporting specific to the reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf), coastal migratory pelagic (CMP) fisheries in the Gulf and Atlantic, snapper-grouper fishery in the South Atlantic, and dolphin and wahoo fishery in the Atlantic, the Regional Administrator (RA), NMFS Southeast Region, has determined that Hurricane Milton has caused catastrophic conditions in the Gulf and the Atlantic for certain Florida counties. This temporary rule authorizes, in the affected area described in this temporary rule, any Federal dealer or for-hire electronic reporting program participant who does not have access to electronic reporting to delay reporting, and any IFQ dealer to use paper-based forms, if necessary, for basic required administrative functions, e.g., landing transactions. This temporary rule is intended to facilitate continuation of IFQ and electronic reporting operations during the period of catastrophic conditions.
Regulations Implementing the Change in Bank Control Act; Extension of Comment Period
On August 19, 2024, the FDIC published in the Federal Register a proposed rule that would amend its filing requirements and processing procedures for notices filed under the Change in Bank Control Act (CBCA). The proposed rule provided for a 60-day comment period, which closes on October 18, 2024. The FDIC has determined that an extension of the comment period until November 18, 2024, is appropriate. This action will allow interested parties additional time to analyze the proposal and prepare comments.
Safety Zone; NAS Jax Air Show; St. John's River, Jacksonville, FL
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain navigable waters within St. John's River in Jacksonville, FL. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters during the Naval Air Station Jacksonville Air Show. Entry of vessels or persons into this safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorize by the Captain of the Port Sector Jacksonville or a designated representative.
Safety Zone; Gallagher Station, Ohio River, New Albany, IN
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters from mile marker 607 to 612 of the Ohio River in New Albany, IN. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the demolition at Duke Energy Gallagher Station. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Ohio Valley.
Regulatory Hearing Before the Food and Drug Administration; General Provisions; Amendments; Correction
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Agency, or we) is correcting a final rule entitled "Regulatory Hearing Before the Food and Drug Administration; General Provisions; Amendments" that appeared in the Federal Register of September 20, 2024. The final rule inadvertently omitted the effective date for a provision in the regulatory text. This document corrects the error in the DATES portion.
Office of Inspector General Exemptions to the Privacy Act
The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (Committee, U.S. AbilityOne Commission, Commission), Office of Inspector General (OIG) is finalizing without change its Privacy Act exemption regulations for the system of records OIG's AbilityOne/OIG-001 Case Management System which were published as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on June 22, 2023. This Final Rule makes the OIG's AbilityOne/OIG-001 Case Management System, system of records be exempt from certain sections of the Privacy Act of 1974 pursuant to the general and specific exemptions listed in the act. The law enforcement and investigatory nature of the system of records makes it inappropriate to allow individual access to records under the Privacy Act.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: NAC International, Inc. MAGNASTOR® Storage System, Certificate of Compliance No. 1031, Amendment No. 13
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of November 19, 2024, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on September 5, 2024. This direct final rule amended the NAC International, Inc. MAGNASTOR[supreg] Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 13 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1031.
Update to the Public Utility Exemption Under the Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Rule
FinCEN is publishing this final rule to clarify an exemption under the beneficial ownership information reporting rule that FinCEN published on September 30, 2022. This rule modifies the language exempting certain public utilities from the definition of "reporting company" in the beneficial ownership information reporting rule to more clearly implement the language of the exemption found in the Corporate Transparency Act.
Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Furnace Fans
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended ("EPCA"), prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including consumer furnace fans. EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") to periodically review its existing standards to determine whether more-stringent, amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in significant energy savings. In this final determination, DOE has determined the energy conservation standards for consumer furnace fans do not need to be amended.
Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Oil, Electric, and Weatherized Gas Consumer Furnaces
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended ("EPCA"), prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including non- weatherized oil-fired furnaces ("NWOFs"), mobile home oil-fired furnaces ("MHOFs"), weatherized gas furnaces ("WGFs"), weatherized oil-fired furnaces ("WOFs"), and electric furnaces ("EFs"). EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") to periodically review its existing standards to determine whether more-stringent, amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in significant energy savings. In this final determination, DOE has determined that the energy conservation standards for EFs, NWOFs, MHOFs, WOFs, and WGFs do not need to be amended.
State Safety Oversight
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is publishing a final rule for State Safety Oversight (SSO). This final rule implements new requirements of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)), removes outdated references, and simplifies notification requirements.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Holtec International HI-STORM 100 Cask System, Certificate of Compliance No. 1014, Renewed Amendment No. 18
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of November 19, 2024, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on September 5, 2024. The direct final rule amended its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the Holtec International HI-STORM 100 Cask System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks," to include Renewed Amendment No. 18 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1014.
Update of Regulations Regarding Payment of Tax by Commercially Acceptable Means; Hearing
This document provides a notice of public hearing on the proposed rule (REG-120137-19) that was published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. The proposed regulations relate to the payment of tax by commercially acceptable means and reflect changes to the law made by the Taxpayer First Act that would allow the IRS to directly accept payments of tax by credit or debit card, without having to connect taxpayers to third-party payment processors.
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Highlands, NC
This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, Highlands, NC, as new instrument approach procedures have been designed for Highlands- Cashiers Hospital. This action also updates the coordinates for Highland-Cashiers Hospital. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.
Wireless Microphones in the TV Bands, 600 MHz Guard Band, 600 MHz Duplex Gap, and the 941.5-944 MHz, 944-952 MHz, 952.850-956.250 MHz, 956.45-959.85 MHz, 1435-1525 MHz, 6875-6900 MHz and 7100-7125 MHz Bands
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) revises the technical rules for low-power auxiliary station (LPAS) devices to permit a recently developed type of wireless microphone system, termed herein as a Wireless Multichannel Audio System (WMAS), to operate in the broadcast television (TV) bands and other LPAS frequency bands on a licensed basis. The Commission adopts technical rules for licensed WMAS operations in specific frequency bands under our LPAS rules and also permits WMAS to operate on an unlicensed basis under the rules in the TV bands and 600 MHz duplex gap. The Commission updates its existing LPAS and technical rules for wireless microphones, which already rely on certain European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) standards, to incorporate the latest version of that standard where appropriate. Finally, the Commission updates the wireless microphone rules to reflect the end of the post-Incentive Auction transition period. The Commission's goal in the FCC document is to increase wireless microphone spectral efficiency and enable more intensive use in the spectrum available for such operations.
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Tallahassee, FL
This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Tallahassee, FL, as new instrument approach procedures have been designed for Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Heliport, Tallahassee, FL. Additionally, this action corrects the Tallahassee International Airport name along with correcting coordinates for Tallahassee International Airport and Quincy Municipal Airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.
Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments
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.
Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments
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.
Hazardous Waste Management System; Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)is taking final action to remove an existing exclusion from the list of Federal hazardous waste (delisting) issued to Samsung Austin Semiconductor (Samsung) under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. This removal of the exclusion is based on correspondence EPA received from Samsung on August 22, 2024, in which Samsung indicated that the facility has ceased the process creating the delisted waste.
Procedures for Abatement of Highway Traffic Noise and Construction Noise
The FHWA proposes to revise the Federal regulations on the Procedures for Abatement of Highway Traffic Noise and Construction Noise. The proposed rule would clarify certain definitions, the applicability of this rulemaking, certain analysis requirements, and the eligibility of funds made available under the Highways title of the United States Code (U.S.C.) to provide noise abatement measures and to improve the analytical procedures. The FHWA also proposes changes and clarifications of factors used to determine the effectiveness of noise abatement measures. In addition, the proposed rule would include exemptions to Type I projects and allow screening analysis that would focus on the projects most likely to cause a traffic noise impact to improve efficiency. The proposed rule would make several changes that are intended to increase the pool of eligible participants in the noise study and mitigation decision processes to ensure everyone receives due consideration for impacts and the possibility of receiving abatement on a given project.
Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Dishwashers
The U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") published a direct final rule to establish new energy conservation standards for dishwashers in the Federal Register on April 24, 2024. DOE has determined that the comments received in response to the direct final rule do not provide a reasonable basis for withdrawing the direct final rule. Therefore, DOE provides this document confirming the effective and compliance dates of those standards. This document also clarifies the introductory notes to the appendices for the dishwasher test procedure to conform with the amended standards promulgated by direct final rule published on April 24, 2024. This document also corrects an error in the amended regulatory text as it appeared in the direct final rule published on April 24, 2024.
Special Local Regulations; Marine Events Within the Fifth Coast Guard District
The Coast Guard will enforce a special local regulation for the Manasquan Inlet Intracoastal Tug on October 13, 2024, with a rain date of October 19, 2024, to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways during this event. Our regulation for marine events within the Fifth Coast Guard District identifies the regulated area for this event in Manasquan, NJ and Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. During the enforcement periods, the operator of any vessel in the regulated area must comply with directions from the Patrol Commander or any Official Patrol displaying a Coast Guard ensign.
Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska-Subpart B, Federal Subsistence Board Membership
Based on requests during joint consultations with Alaska Native Tribes and others, the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture (Departments) revise the regulations concerning the composition of the Federal Subsistence Board (Board), which has authority to administer the subsistence taking and uses of fish and wildlife on public lands in Alaska, subject to the Department's oversight. The Departments add three public members nominated or recommended by federally recognized Tribal governments, require that those nominees have certain knowledge and experience, define requirements used to select the Board Chair, and affirm the Secretaries' authority to replace Board members and the Secretaries' responsibility and oversight regarding Board decisions. These regulatory revisions are responsive to the primary requests made to the Departments during the consultations.
Special Conditions: Northwest Aerospace Technologies, Inc (NAT), Boeing Model 787-9 Airplane; Installation of High Wall Suites
These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 787-9 series airplanes. These airplanes, as modified by NAT, will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. This design feature is the installation of high wall suites in the passenger cabin. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.
Permits for Incidental Take of Eagles and Eagle Nests; Correction and Technical Amendment
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, correct and amend a final rule that revised the regulations for the issuance of permits for eagle incidental take and eagle nest take. A provision of the regulations in the final rule specifies eligibility criteria for general permits for wind energy projects based on eagle relative abundance and proximity to eagle nests. We have become aware of confusion on the part of some general permit applicants regarding this provision in the regulations. Accordingly, this document revises the regulatory text of the final rule to ensure clarity. In addition, the final rule inadvertently resulted in errors regarding footnotes to a table. This document corrects those errors. For the convenience of the public, we also provide information to access the Service's online mapping tool for general permit eligibility.
Arrival Restrictions Applicable to Flights Carrying Persons Who Have Recently Traveled From or Were Otherwise Present Within Rwanda
This document announces the decision of the Secretary of Homeland Security to direct all flights to the United States carrying persons who have recently traveled from, or were otherwise present within, Rwanda to arrive at one of the U.S. airports where the U.S. government is focusing public health resources to implement enhanced public health measures. For purposes of this document, a person has recently traveled from Rwanda if that person has departed from, or was otherwise present within, Rwanda within 21 days of the date of the person's entry or attempted entry into the United States. Also, for purposes of this document, crew and flights carrying only cargo (i.e., no passengers or non-crew) are excluded from the measures herein.
Facilitating Implementation of Next Generation 911 Services (NG911); Location-Based Routing for Wireless 911 Calls; Correction
This document corrects an error by deleting an incorrect sentence in the Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis section of a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on September 24, 2024, regarding the implementation of Next Generation 911.
Administrative and Enforcement Provisions; Correction
On September 16, 2024, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a final rule amending administrative and enforcement provisions in the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The rule contained an error in an amendatory instruction. This document corrects that error.
Periodic Reporting
The Commission is acknowledging a recent Postal Service filing requesting the Commission initiate a rulemaking proceeding to consider changes to analytical principles relating to periodic reports (Proposal Five). This document informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps.
Implementation of HAVANA Act of 2021
This document reopens the comment period for the interim final rule titled "Implementation of HAVANA Act of 2021" that appeared in the April 19, 2024, issue of the Federal Register.
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Townsend Gut, Southport, ME
The Coast Guard is temporarily revising the operating schedule that governs the Southport (SR27) Bridge at mile 0.7 across Townsend Gut between Boothbay Harbor and Southport, ME. This action is necessary to allow Maine Department of Transportation (ME DOT) to conduct rehabilitation of the bridge. During the effective period, the bridge will be unable to open to marine traffic due to an operational imbalance while the work is being conducted.
Establishment of the Crystal Springs of Napa Valley Viticultural Area; Modification of the Calistoga Viticultural Area
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) establishes the approximately 4,000-acre "Crystal Springs of Napa Valley" American viticultural area (AVA) in Napa County, California. The newly- established AVA is located entirely within the existing North Coast and Napa Valley viticultural areas. TTB also is modifying the existing Calistoga AVA in response to comments received during the comment period. TTB designates viticultural areas to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase.
Revisions to the Unverified List
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by adding eight persons to the Unverified List (UVL). Of the eight persons being added, three are under the destination of China, People's Republic of (China); two are under the destination of Germany; one is under the destination of Pakistan; and two are under the destination of T[uuml]rkiye. BIS is also amending the EAR by removing two persons from the UVL. Of the two persons being removed, one is under the destination of Saudi Arabia, and the other is under the destination of China.
Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary
NOAA is designating Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (CHNMS) in the waters along and offshore of the coast of central California to recognize the national significance of the area's ecological, historical, archaeological, and cultural resources and to manage this special place as part of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The sanctuary boundary encompasses 4,543 square miles (mi\2\) (3,431 square nautical miles (nmi\2\)) of submerged lands and marine waters from approximately two miles southeast of the marina at Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County to Naples along the Gaviota Coast in Santa Barbara County. NOAA is establishing the terms of designation for CHNMS and the regulations to implement the national marine sanctuary designation. NOAA has also published a final environmental impact statement (final EIS), final management plan, and Record of Decision.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; 2025 Specifications for the Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Bluefish Fisheries
NMFS proposes 2025 specifications for the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish fisheries. The implementing regulations for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan and the Bluefish Fishery Management Plan require us to publish specifications for the upcoming fishing year for each of these species and to provide an opportunity for public comment. The proposed specifications establish allowable harvest levels for these species that will prevent overfishing, consistent with the most recent scientific information.
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, EC225LP, SA-365N, and SA-365N1 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an unintentional activation of the hoist shear-button (shear-button) on the collective pitch handle during a night flight. This proposed AD would require checking the operation of the shear-button safety-cap on each applicable collective pitch handle and prohibit installing certain part-numbered collective pitch handles or collective sticks with those part-numbered collective pitch handles installed unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Formulas for Calculating Hourly and Unit Fees for FGIS Services; Correction
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS or Service) published a proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register of October 8, 2024, concerning amendments to its user fee regulations to establish standardized formulas the agency would use to calculate hourly and unit fees. This document will correct the Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) used in the proposed rule.
Extension of the Prohibition Against Certain Flights in the Baghdad Flight Information Region (FIR) (ORBB)
This action extends the prohibition against certain flight operations in the Baghdad Flight Information Region (FIR) (ORBB) at altitudes below Flight Level (FL) 320 by all: U.S. air carriers; U.S. commercial operators; persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except when the operator of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier, for an additional three years, from October 26, 2024, to October 26, 2027. The FAA finds this action necessary to address the unacceptable level of risk to the safety of U.S. civil aviation operations in the Baghdad FIR (ORBB) at altitudes below FL320 from Iranian-aligned militia groups' (IAMGs') activities and third-party military operations that are not likely to be effectively deconflicted with civil aviation. The FAA also republishes the approval process and exemption information for this Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR), consistent with other recently published flight prohibition SFARs.
Updated License Exception Implemented Export Controls (IEC) Eligible Items and Destinations
This rule revises the version date for the License Exception Implemented Export Controls (IEC) table posted on the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) website and replaces the long URL address for the table to a shorter and simpler URL address. BIS posted an updated table on September 17, 2024, that updated the eligible countries for License Exception IEC by adding Denmark, Finland, and Japan to appropriate items in the table.
Amendment of Jet Route J-211 and Revocation of VOR Federal Airway V-41; Youngstown, OH
This action delays the effective date of a final rule published in the Federal Register on August 19, 2024, corrected September 30, 2024, amending Jet Route J-211 and revoking Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-41. The FAA is delaying the effective date to allow sufficient time for completing the update of all the Instrument Approach Procedures (IAP) into Pittsburgh International Airport that are affected by the revocation of V-41.
Air Plan Approval; Montana; Missoula, Montana Oxygenated Fuels Program Removal, Carbon Monoxide, Limited Maintenance Plan
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ or "the State"), on January 30, 2024, requesting to change the status of gasoline requirements (the "oxygenated fuels" or "oxyfuels" program") in the Missoula, Montana, Carbon Monoxide (CO) limited maintenance plan (LMP) area from an active control measure to a contingency measure. The SIP revision contains a non-interference demonstration under the Clean Air Act (CAA), which concludes that converting the oxygenated gasoline program from a control measure to a contingency measure in the Missoula CO LMP would not interfere with attainment or maintenance of the CO National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The EPA is proposing to approve Montana's SIP submittal pursuant to CAA.
Revisions to the Federal Implementation Plan for the Billings/Laurel, Montana, Sulfur Dioxide Area
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to revise a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) applicable to sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from several sources located in Billings and Laurel, Montana. Specifically, the EPA is proposing to revise a portion of the FIP promulgated by the EPA in 2008 (2008 Billings/Laurel SO2 FIP) by removing a provision which contained an affirmative defense for exceedances of flare emission limits during malfunctions, startups, and shutdowns. The EPA is proposing this action pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA).
Electronic Signatures, Forms and Storage for Drug and Alcohol Testing Records
The Department of Transportation (DOT or Department) proposes to amend its regulations for conducting workplace drug and alcohol testing for the federally regulated transportation industry to allow, but not require, electronic signatures on documents required to be created and utilized under the regulations, the use of electronic versions of forms, and the electronic storage of forms and data. The regulatory changes would apply to DOT-regulated employers and their contractors ("service agents") who administer their DOT-regulated drug and alcohol testing programs. Currently, employers and their service agents must use, sign and store paper documents exclusively, unless the employer is utilizing a laboratory's electronic Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form (electronic CCF) system that has been approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). DOT is required by statute to amend its regulations to authorize, to the extent practicable, the use of electronic signatures or digital signatures executed to electronic forms instead of traditional handwritten signatures executed on paper forms. This rulemaking also responds to an April 2, 2020, petition for rulemaking from DISA Global Solutions, Inc. (DISA), requesting that DOT regulations be amended to allow the use of an electronic version of the alcohol testing form (ATF) for DOT-authorized alcohol testing. The proposed regulatory amendments are expected to provide additional flexibility and reduced costs for the industry while maintaining the integrity and confidentiality requirements of the drug and alcohol testing regulations. In addition, DOT proposes to amend the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) regulation for conformity and to make other miscellaneous technical changes and corrections.
Air Quality State Implementation Plans; Partial Approval, Partial Disapproval and Promulgation; Texas; Regional Haze
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to partially approve and partially disapprove the regional haze State implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by Texas on July 20, 2021, under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and EPA's Regional Haze Rule (RHR) for the program's second implementation period. Texas's SIP submission addresses the requirement that states must periodically revise their long-term strategies for making reasonable progress towards the national goal of preventing any future, and remedying any existing, anthropogenic impairment of visibility, including regional haze, in mandatory Class I Federal areas. The SIP submission also addresses other applicable requirements for the second implementation period of the regional haze program. The EPA is taking this action pursuant to sections 110 and 169A of the Clean Air Act.
Appraisals for Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans Exemption Threshold
The OCC, the Board, and the CFPB are finalizing amendments to the official interpretations for their regulations that implement section 129H of the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). Section 129H of TILA establishes special appraisal requirements for "higher-risk mortgages," termed "higher-priced mortgage loans" or "HPMLs" in the agencies' regulations. A December 2013 rulemaking exempted transactions of $25,000 or less and required that this loan amount be adjusted annually based on any annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI- W). Based on the CPI-W in effect as of June 1, 2024, the exemption threshold will increase from $32,400 to $33,500, effective January 1, 2025.
Consumer Leasing (Regulation M)
The Board and the CFPB (collectively, Agencies) are finalizing amendments to the official interpretations for the Agencies' regulations that implement the Consumer Leasing Act (CLA). The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) amended the CLA by requiring that the dollar threshold for exempt consumer leases be adjusted annually by the annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Based on the annual percentage increase in the CPI-W as of June 1, 2024, the exemption threshold will increase from $69,500 to $71,900 effective January 1, 2025. Because the Dodd-Frank Act also requires similar adjustments in the Truth in Lending Act's threshold for exempt consumer credit transactions, the Agencies are making similar amendments to each of their respective regulations implementing the Truth in Lending Act elsewhere in the Rules section of this issue of the Federal Register.
Truth in Lending (Regulation Z)
The Board and the CFPB (collectively, Agencies) are publishing final rules amending the official interpretations for the Agencies' regulations that implement the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). The Dodd- Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) amended TILA by requiring that the dollar threshold for exempt consumer credit transactions be adjusted annually by the annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Based on the annual percentage increase in the CPI-W as of June 1, 2024, the exemption threshold will increase from $69,500 to $71,900 effective January 1, 2025. Because the Dodd- Frank Act also requires similar adjustments in the Consumer Leasing Act's threshold for exempt consumer leases, the Agencies are making similar amendments to each of their respective regulations implementing the Consumer Leasing Act elsewhere in the Rules section of this issue of the Federal Register.
Medicare Program: Appeal Rights for Certain Changes in Patient Status
This final rule implements an order from the Federal district court for the District of Connecticut in Alexander v. Azar that requires HHS to establish appeals processes for certain Medicare beneficiaries who are initially admitted as hospital inpatients but are subsequently reclassified as outpatients receiving observation services during their hospital stay and meet other eligibility criteria.
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