2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the agency) to conduct a review every six years of existing national primary drinking water regulations (NPDWRs) and determine which, if any, are appropriate for revision. The purpose of the review, called the Six-Year Review, is to evaluate available information for regulated contaminants to determine if any new information on health effects, treatment technologies, analytical methods, occurrence, exposure, implementation, and/or other factors provides a basis to support a regulatory revision that would improve or strengthen public health protection. While EPA has recently completed several significant revisions to existing regulations and other regulatory revisions are currently underway, based on this periodic review of all NPDWRs, there are no additional candidates for regulatory revision at this time.

The Department of Energy (DOE) publishes a final rule to amend its regulations, which set forth the policies and procedures for resolving questions concerning eligibility for DOE access authorizations. The final rule expands the scope of the rule to include individuals applying for or in positions requiring eligibility to hold a sensitive position; updates and adds clarity, including by deleting obsolete references throughout the rule for consistency with national policies and DOE practices; and updates references to DOE officials and offices.

This final rule announces routine inseason adjustments to management measures in commercial groundfish fisheries. This action is intended to allow commercial fishing vessels to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2024 total allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Virginia. The revision consists of an amendment to the list of Virginia nonattainment areas to include a newly designated sulfur dioxide (SO2) nonattainment area. EPA is approving this revision to the Virginia SIP in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

NMFS announces inseason action for the Washington and Oregon subareas in the Pacific halibut recreational fishery in the International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC) regulatory Area 2A. Specifically, this action announces additional fishing dates in August and September for the Washington subareas and in August through October for the Oregon Central Coast subarea. This action is intended to provide opportunity for anglers to achieve the catch limit in the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) 2024 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is providing notice that the final rule published on June 6, 2023, to designate Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary (LONMS), is effective on July 22, 2024.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the waters of the Illinois River from mile markers 87.1 to 87.7. The safety zone is to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by extreme shoaling. Entry of vessels or persons into the zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Upper Mississippi River, or a designated representative.

This rulemaking proposes amendments to Marketing Order No. 930, which regulates the handling of tart cherries grown in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin. The proposed amendments would modify the basis for calculating district representation on the Cherry Industry Administrative Board ("Board"), change the starting date for the term of office for Board members, simplify the way a Board member's sales constituency is determined, clarify how the sales constituency applies to alternate Board members, change the timeframe for submitting nominations, and clarify when districts are subject to volume regulation.

In this document, the Commission renews the existing referrals to the Federal-State Joint Board on Separations, including both the 1997 and 2009 comprehensive reform referrals and the 2018 interim reform measures referral. The Commission renews these referrals in light of the substantial changes that have unfolded within the telecommunications market alongside extensive changes in federal and state regulatory frameworks since these referrals were first made. The Commission is committed to working with the Joint Board to develop an efficient, modern ratemaking system for all carriers for the longer term, as well as any interim adjustments that may be necessary while comprehensive reform remains pending.

On November 17, 2021, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published in the Federal Register a final rule amending its regulations to implement provisions of the Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 (TMA) concerning new response periods and extensions in the examination of post-registration filings. After publication of that rule, the USPTO delayed the effective date of a portion of the rule including through another final rule published on September 12, 2023. This proposed rule would withdraw these provisions that are currently delayed.

This proposed rule would amend the regulations that implement the provisions relating to real estate transactions in section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended. Specifically, the proposed rule would amend the regulations by adding, moving, and removing certain military installations on the appendix at parts 1 and 2, and making corresponding revisions to the definition of the term "military installation." The proposed rule would also make technical amendments to update the name or location information for certain military installations already listed on the appendix.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing approval of revisions to the Clean Air Act (CAA or "Act") Operating Permit Program (title V) of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD or "District") in California. Once approved by the EPA, these program revisions will modify the major source title V potential to emit (PTE) thresholds to conform with the recent reclassification of state lands within the Coachella Valley nonattainment area from "Severe-15" to "Extreme" nonattainment for the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). In the "Rules and Regulations" section of this issue of the Federal Register, we are simultaneously publishing an approval of the District's title V program revisions without a prior proposed rule. If the EPA receives no adverse comment, it will not take further action on this proposed rule.

This document sets forth final regulations relating to required minimum distributions from qualified plans; section 403(b) annuity contracts, custodial accounts, and retirement income accounts; individual retirement accounts and annuities; and certain eligible deferred compensation plans. These regulations affect administrators of, and participants in, those plans; owners of individual retirement accounts and annuities; employees for whom amounts are contributed to section 403(b) annuity contracts, custodial accounts, or retirement income accounts; and beneficiaries of those plans, contracts, accounts, and annuities.

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.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is announcing that we have filed a petition, submitted by Phytolon Ltd., proposing that the color additive regulations be amended to provide for the safe use of prickly pear yellow for the coloring of foods generally in amounts consistent with current good manufacturing practice.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus Model A321neo XLR airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the technology envisaged by the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. This design feature is an integral rear center tank (RCT). The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for fire-safety performance of fuel-tank skin or structure in a post-crash external fuel-fed ground fire. 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.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 407 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report that a certain part-numbered fuel system standpipe assembly (standpipe) may have sharp edges at the interval weld joints due to a quality escape during the manufacturing process. This AD requires inspecting certain fuel system parts and, depending on the inspection results, taking corrective actions and performing a fuel quantity gauging system calibration. Depending on the results of the fuel quantity gauging system calibration, this AD requires performing additional corrective actions and repeating the fuel quantity gauging system calibration. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-25-07, which applies to all Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 170-100 LR, - 100 STD, -100 SE, and -100 SU airplanes; and Model ERJ 170-200 LR, -200 SU, -200 STD, and -200 LL airplanes. AD 2022-25-07 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-25-07, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require all actions in AD 2022-25-07 and would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, and certain structural modifications as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This final rule implements recommendations from the Softwood Lumber Board (Board) to modify the membership by adding alternate positions for certain seats and a public member. In addition to these Board recommended changes, Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers for softwood lumber are also updated with the latest numbers from the U.S. International Trade Commission. The Board administers the Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order (Order) with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is announcing the availability of a final guidance entitled "Blood Pressure and Pulse Donor Eligibility Requirements: Compliance Policy; Guidance for Industry." The guidance document addresses certain regulatory requirements for determining donor eligibility that apply to blood establishments that collect blood and blood components for transfusion or for further manufacturing use, including Source Plasma. In a final rule dated May 22, 2015, FDA amended the regulations applicable to blood establishments for determining donor eligibility and testing blood and blood components. The revised requirements were implemented in order to assure the safety of the blood supply and to protect donor health. This guidance finalizes the draft guidance entitled "Blood Pressure and Pulse Donor Eligibility Requirements: Compliance Policy; Draft Guidance for Industry" issued on May 24, 2022.

On February 5, 2024, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued a notice and request for comment on an application submitted by the Institute of International Bankers, International Swaps and Derivatives Association, and Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association requesting that the Commission determine that registered nonbank swap dealers organized and domiciled in the United Kingdom may comply with certain capital and financial reporting requirements under the Commodity Exchange Act and Commission regulations by being subject to, and complying with, corresponding capital and financial reporting requirements of the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority. The Commission also solicited public comment on a proposed comparability determination and related order providing for the conditional availability of substituted compliance in connection with the application. The Commission is adopting the proposed order with certain modifications and clarifications to address comments. The final order provides that a nonbank swap dealer organized and domiciled in the United Kingdom may satisfy the capital requirements under the Commodity Exchange Act and Commission applicable Commission regulations and the financial reporting rules under the Commodity Exchange Act and applicable Commission regulations by complying with certain specified United Kingdom laws and regulations and conditions set forth in the order.

On August 8, 2022, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued a notice and request for comment on an application submitted by the Financial Services Agency of Japan requesting that the Commission determine that registered nonbank swap dealers organized and domiciled in Japan may comply with certain capital and financial reporting requirements under the Commodity Exchange Act and Commission regulations by being subject to, and complying with, corresponding capital and financial reporting requirements of Japan. The Commission also solicited public comment on a proposed comparability determination and related order providing for the conditional availability of substituted compliance in connection with the application. The Commission is adopting the proposed order with certain modifications and clarifications to address comments. The final order provides that a nonbank swap dealer organized and domiciled in Japan may satisfy the capital requirements under the Commodity Exchange Act and applicable Commission regulations and the financial reporting rules under the Commodity Exchange Act and applicable Commission regulations by complying with certain specified Japanese laws and regulations and conditions set forth in the order.

The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is publishing a services determination issued pursuant to an April 6, 2022 Executive Order. The determination was previously issued on OFAC's website.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving revisions to Ohio's particulate matter rules into the Ohio State Implementation Plan (SIP) under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The revisions to Ohio's particulate matter rules remove provisions for facilities or emissions units that have permanently shut down, update facility names and addresses, and make nonsubstantive revisions to the language of the rules. EPA proposed to approve this action on April 15, 2024, and received two comments.