2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its regulations to authorize VA Regional Office (RO) Veteran Readiness and Employment Officers (VREO) to delegate their concurrence authority to extend a Veteran's entitlement to a rehabilitation program. The inability to delegate can delay the delivery of services if a VREO is unexpectedly out of the office for an extended period. A delegation of authority for entitlement extensions would follow other established procedures that allow for delegation of authority to a designee.

These special conditions are issued for the Textron Model 560XL airplane. This airplane 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 hydrophobic windshield coatings to maintain a clear view. 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.

This agenda provides summary descriptions of regulations being developed by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council in compliance with Executive Order 12866 "Regulatory Planning and Review, as reaffirmed and amended in Executive Order 13563, "Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review," and Executive Order 14094, "Modernizing Regulatory Review." This agenda is being published to allow interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process. Additionally, members of the public can track the progress of any open and pending FAR rule via the "Open FAR Cases" report, which is publicly available at https://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/far_case_status.html. The Regulatory Secretariat Division 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 that are not included in this agenda. There is no legal significance to the omission of an item from this listing. Also, the dates shown for the steps of each action are estimated and are not commitments to act on or by the dates shown. Published proposed rules may be reviewed in their entirety at the Government's rulemaking website at https://www.regulations.gov.

NASA's regulatory agenda describes those regulations being considered for development or amendment by NASA, the need and legal basis for the actions being considered, the name and telephone number of the knowledgeable official, whether a regulatory analysis is required, and the status of regulations previously reported.

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 (RFA).

The Regulatory Agenda is a semiannual summary of all current and projected rulemakings, reviews of existing regulations, and completed actions of the Department of Transportation. The Agenda provides the public information about the Department of Transportation's planned regulatory activity for the next 12 months. This information enables the public to participate in DOT's regulatory process. The public is encouraged to submit comments on any aspect of this Agenda.

The Department of Justice is publishing its spring 2024 regulatory agenda pursuant to Executive Order 12866, "Regulatory Planning and Review," 58 FR 51735, and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 to 612 (1988).

With this final rule, the Department of Labor (DOL) is revising the Department of Labor Acquisition Regulation (DOLAR) to remove provisions from the regulation that were redundant or obsolete. The final rule also codifies the use of certain contractual provisions that DOL has developed and deployed in recent years. Those newly codified contractual provisions address a range of matters, including government property, continuity of operations, system requirements, records management, telework policy for contractor personnel, submission of invoices, mandatory training for contractors, organizational conflicts of interest, and notification of changes to the scope of a contract. The final rule also includes revisions intended for greater clarity. Finally, the final rule removes provisions from the prior regulation that were DOL internal operating procedures.

This agenda announces the proposed regulatory actions that GSA plans for the next 12 months and those that were completed since the fall 2023 edition. This agenda was developed under the guidelines of Executive Orders 12866, "Regulatory Planning and Review," Executive Order 13563, "Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review" and Executive Order 14094, "Modernizing 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. The public may provide comments on rules via. https://www.regulations.gov. The Unified Agenda, including previous versions, are available 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), GSA'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 available in the Unified Agenda. In addition, for fall editions of the agenda, the entire Regulatory Plan will continue to be printed in the Federal Register, as in past years, including GSA's regulatory plan.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is publishing the Chair's agenda of rulemaking actions pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (Pub. L. 96-354, 94 Stat. 1164) (Sept. 19, 1980). The items listed in the Regulatory Flexibility Agenda for Spring 2024 reflect only the priorities of the Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and do not necessarily reflect the views and priorities of any individual Commissioner. Information in the agenda was accurate on May 1, 2024, the date on which the Commission's staff completed compilation of the data. To the extent possible, rulemaking actions by the Commission since that date have been reflected in the agenda. The Commission invites questions and public comment on the agenda and on the individual agenda entries. The Commission is now printing in the Federal Register, along with our preamble, only those agenda entries for which we have indicated that preparation of an RFA analysis is required. The Commission's complete RFA agenda will be available online at www.reginfo.gov.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) is publishing its semiannual regulatory agenda in accordance with section 22(d)(1) of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. 57b-3(d)(1) and the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601 to 612, as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. The Commission's agenda follows guidelines and procedures issued February 20, 2024, by the Office of Management and Budget in accordance with the provisions of Executive Order 12866, "Regulatory Planning and Review," of September 30, 1993, 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 4, 1993). The Government-wide Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions includes a list of all regulatory actions under development or review and is scheduled for publication in its entirety on www.reginfo.gov and www.regulations.gov in a format that offers users a greatly enhanced ability to obtain information from the agenda database. The RFA requires publication in the Federal Register of agenda entries for rules that are likely to have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities (5 U.S.C. 602) and any such rules that the agency has identified for periodic review under section 610 of the RFA. For spring 2024, the Commission has one rule, the newly issued Non-Compete Clause Rule which will be codified at 16 CFR 910, that meets the RFA's publication requirements. In addition, the Commission has three rules or rulemakings that would be a "significant regulatory action" under the definition in Executive Order 12866: the proposed amendments to the Premerger Notification Rules and Report Form, found at 16 CFR 801-803 and relating to substantive HSR form changes, including implementing congressionally-mandated reporting requirements on foreign subsidies; the recently promulgated Combating Auto Retail Scams Trade Regulation Rule, which will be codified at 16 CFR 463; and the newly issued Non-Compete Clause Rule, which will be codified at 16 CFR 910. The Commission has identified rulemakings that are likely to have some impact on small entities, but do not meet the RFA's publication requirements. The current rulemakings that are likely to have some impact on small entities are: (1) the Energy Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 305; (2) the Alternative Fuels Rule, 16 CFR 309; (3) the Telemarketing Sales Rule, 16 CFR 310; (3) the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule, 16 CFR 312; (4) the Safeguards Rule, 16 CFR 314; (5) the Health Breach Notification Rule, 16 CFR 318; (6) the Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423; (7) the Negative Option Rule, 16 CFR 425; (8) the Cooling-Off Rule, 16 CFR 429; (9) the Amplifier Rule, 16 CFR 432; (10) the Franchise Rule, 16 CFR 436; (11) the Business Opportunity Rule, 16 CFR 437; (12) the Funeral Rule, 16 CFR 453; (13) the Eyeglass Rule, 16 CFR 456; (14) the newly promulgated Trade Regulation Rule on Impersonation of Government and Businesses 16 CFR 461; (15) the newly promulgated Combating Auto Retail Scams Trade Regulation Rule, 16 CFR 463; (16) the Identity Theft Rules, 16 CFR 681; (17) the newly issued Non-Compete Clause Rule, to be codified at 16 CFR 910; (18) the newly proposed Trade Regulation Rule on Earnings Claims; (19) the potential Trade Regulation Rule on Commercial Surveillance; (20) the newly proposed Trade Regulation Rule Concerning Reviews and Endorsements; and (21) the newly proposed Trade Regulation Rule on Unfair and Deceptive Fees. The Commission's rulemaking review process carefully considers regulatory burdens and streamlines rules when feasible and appropriate. The majority of the rulemakings listed in the agenda are being conducted as part of the Commission's systematic review of all of its regulations and guides on a rotating basis. Under the Commission's program, rules are reviewed on a 10-year schedule. In each rule review, the Commission requests public comments on, among other things, the economic impact and benefits of the rule; possible conflict between the rule and state, local, or other federal laws or regulations; and the effect on the rule of any technological, economic, or other industry changes. These reviews incorporate and expand upon the review required by the RFA and regulatory reform initiatives directing agencies to conduct a review of all regulations and eliminate or revise those that are outdated or otherwise in need of reform. Except for notice of completed actions, the information in this agenda represents the judgment of Commission staff, based upon information now available. Each projected date of action reflects FTC staff's assessment that the specified event will occur this year. No final determination by the staff or the Commission respecting the need for or the substance of a rule should be inferred from the notation of projected events in this agenda. In most instances, the dates of future events are listed by month, not by a specific day. The information in this agenda may change as new information, changes of circumstances, or changes in the law occur.

In this document, the Commission publishes its semiannual regulatory flexibility agenda. In addition, this document includes an agenda of regulations that the Commission expects to develop or review during the next 12 months. This document meets the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 12866. Information in this agenda was accurate as of May 2024 when the Commission prepared this agenda.

The Postal Service is amending Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) to simplify the parcel processing categories.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Agency, or we) is classifying the device to detect and identify nucleic acid targets in respiratory specimens from microbial agents that cause the SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infection and other microbial agents when in a multi-target test into class II (special controls). The special controls that apply to the device type are identified in this order and will be part of the codified language for the device to detect and identify nucleic acid targets in respiratory specimens from microbial agents that cause the SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infection and other microbial agents when in a multi-target test's classification. We are taking this action because we have determined that classifying the device into class II (special controls) will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. We believe this action will also enhance patients' access to beneficial innovative devices.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are approving an amendment to the Pennsylvania Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Plan (Pennsylvania Plan or Plan) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Pennsylvania proposed to modify its Plan by adding Reclamation Plan Amendment No. 3 to allow the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) to administer a State Emergency Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program (Program). The amendment to the Pennsylvania Plan covers coordination of emergency reclamation work between Pennsylvania and OSMRE as well as procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act and other Pennsylvania procedures.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC" or "Commission") is withdrawing its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ("NPRM") to amend its regulation addressing official time for Federal agency employees who represent co-workers during the EEO complaint process.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is revising our December 14, 2020 action that fully approved two state implementation plan (SIP) revisions, both submitted to EPA on August 13, 2018 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). Those SIP revisions addressed reasonably available control technology (RACT) requirements for the 2008 ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS), including those related to control techniques guidelines (CTGs) for volatile organic compounds (VOC) and the addition of regulations controlling VOC emissions from industrial cleaning solvents. The SIP revisions also included certain clarifying amendments to Pennsylvania code related to major source RACT regulations. Upon reconsideration, EPA is revising our prior action to partially approve and partially disapprove the August 13, 2018 submittals. Specifically, EPA is approving certain clarifying amendments as well as a negative declaration submitted by PADEP. EPA is disapproving the remainder of both SIP submittals related to CTGs and control of VOC emissions from industrial cleaning solvents. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Department of Energy (DOE) has prepared and is making available its portion of the semi-annual Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Agenda) pursuant to Executive Order 12866, "Regulatory Planning and Review," and the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

This agenda provides summary descriptions of significant and not significant regulations being developed in agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in conformance with Executive Orders 12866, "Regulatory Planning and Review," 13563, "Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review," and 14094, "Modernizing Regulatory Review." The agenda also describes regulations affecting small entities as required by section 602 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, Public Law 96-354. This agenda also identifies regulatory actions that are being reviewed in compliance with section 610(c) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. We invite public comment on those actions as well as any regulation consistent with Executive Order 13563. USDA has attempted to list all regulations and regulatory reviews pending at the time of publication except for minor and routine or repetitive actions, but some may have been inadvertently missed. There is no legal significance to the omission of an item from this listing. Also, the dates shown for the steps of each action are estimated and are not commitments to act on or by the date shown. USDA's complete regulatory agenda is 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), USDA's printed agenda entries include only: (1) Rules that are likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities; and (2) Rules identified for periodic review under section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

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 publication of the Fall 2023 Unified 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 Commerce's regulatory process. Commerce's Spring 2024 Unified Agenda includes regulatory activities that are expected to be conducted during the period July 1, 2024, through June 31, 2024.

The Board is issuing this agenda under the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the Board's Statement of Policy Regarding Expanded Rulemaking Procedures. The Board anticipates having under consideration regulatory matters as indicated below during the period July 2024 through December 2024. The next agenda will be published in fall 2024.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Delaware. This SIP revision consists of Delaware's amendments to its ambient air quality standards for ground level ozone, amendments to citations to the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) dates for all ambient air quality standards in Delaware's regulations, and Delaware's amendment removing the sulfur dioxide (SO2) 24-hour and annual primary standards that have been revoked by EPA. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

This rule is being issued pursuant to the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which requires the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to extend the period of time manufacturers of motor vehicles, child restraint systems, and tires must retain records concerning malfunctions that may be related to motor vehicle safety under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Safety Act). Section 24403 of the FAST Act directs the Secretary to issue a rule increasing the record retention period to not less than 10 years, instead of 5 years, as presently required under the regulatory provisions. Pursuant to its delegated authority, NHTSA is updating its regulations in accordance with this mandate to extend the time that manufacturers are required to retain certain records that may be related to motor vehicle safety to 10 years.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-21-06, which applies to certain Embraer S.A. (Embraer) Model EMB- 505 airplanes. AD 2023-21-06 requires installing structural reinforcements on certain monuments and replacing certain floor support rivets. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-21-06, the FAA has determined that certain airplanes need to be re-assigned to a different group and certain re-identified floor support part numbers need to be corrected. This proposed AD would require installing structural reinforcements on monuments and replacing fasteners on the floor support, as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.