2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are proposing to amend the regulations governing the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP). These amendments would, among other things, condition indemnity for low pathogenicity avian influenza on adherence to biosecurity plans, clarify existing provisions of the regulations, fix editorial errors, and align the regulations more closely with current producer practices. These proposed changes were voted on and approved by the voting delegates at the NPIP's 2022 National Plan Conference.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is correcting formatting and entry designations in a final rule that was published in the Federal Register on April 26, 2024. The rule finalized National Primary Drinking Water Regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act for five individual per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA, commonly known as GenX Chemicals). The rule finalized a NPDWR for two or more mixtures of PFNA, PFHXs, HFPO-DA and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS). This document corrects formatting and entry designations in the final regulation.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain International Aero Engines, AG (IAE AG) Model V2500 engines. This AD was prompted by an analysis of an event involving an International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE LLC) Model PW1127GA-JM engine, which experienced a high-pressure compressor (HPC) 7th-stage integrally bladed rotor (IBR-7) separation that resulted in an aborted takeoff. This AD requires performing an angled ultrasonic inspection (AUSI) of certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage hubs and HPT 2nd-stage hubs for cracks and replacing if necessary. This AD also requires accelerated replacement of certain HPT 1st-stage hubs and HPT 2nd-stage hubs. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a request submitted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) on February 28, 2024, to revise the Michigan state implementation plan (SIP). The revision is updating the SIP for clarity by removing a redundant definition for "used oil."

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) revises the pro forma Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) to remedy deficiencies in the Commission's existing regional and local transmission planning and cost allocation requirements. In this final order, the Commission requires transmission providers to conduct Long- Term Regional Transmission Planning that will ensure the identification, evaluation, and selection, as well as the allocation of the costs, of more efficient or cost-effective regional transmission solutions to address Long-Term Transmission Needs. The Commission also directs other reforms to improve coordination of regional transmission planning and generator interconnection processes, require consideration of certain alternative transmission technologies in regional transmission planning processes, and improve transparency of local transmission planning processes and coordination between regional and local transmission planning processes. These reforms are intended to ensure that existing regional and local transmission planning and cost allocation requirements are just, reasonable, and not unduly discriminatory or preferential.

This final rule amends the regulations of the Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service (Treasury), regarding the corporate Federal surety bond program (the program). Treasury is amending its regulations to allow for recognition of additional companies as reinsurers. Treasury is also amending its regulations to incorporate requirements, previously published in supplemental guidance documents, for surety companies to submit information that Treasury uses to perform financial analysis of these companies. Treasury is also reorganizing the existing regulations to modernize and improve their structure.

The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is publishing one general license (GL) issued pursuant to the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations: GL 28, which was previously made available on OFAC's website.

The National Park Service (NPS) proposes to revise regulations governing the application, processing, and issuance of right-of-way (ROW) permits for lands and waters administered by the NPS. A ROW permit authorizes the use of such lands and waters for the operation and maintenance of infrastructure associated with utilities such as fiber, water lines, power lines, and cellular antennas. The proposed changes would align NPS processes more closely with those of other Department of the Interior (DOI) bureaus by allowing for a pre- application meeting, identifying a common standard application form, and broadening methods the NPS can use to determine fair market value. The proposed rule would clarify the process for permitting construction related to a ROW permit, make updates that reflect current technology and standard practices, and integrate applicable laws that have been implemented since the regulations were first promulgated in 1980.

The Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") is issuing a final rule revising its regulations implementing the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA"). These revisions update OMB's regulations to reflect changes in OMB's current organizational structure and best practices. The revisions also ensure consistency between the access to records procedures in OMB's Privacy Act regulations and OMB's FOIA regulations, and with applicable law and policies that were enacted after OMB originally issued its Privacy Act regulations in 1976. Finally, the revisions align OMB's regulations with those of other agencies.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the East Passage, Narragansett Bay, RI. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near East Passage, Narragansett Bay, RI, during a sailboat race. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Southeastern New England or a designated representative.

The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is publishing three general licenses (GLs) issued pursuant to the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations: GLs 95, 96, and 97, each of which was previously made available on OFAC's website.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Commission or CFTC) is proposing amendments to its rules concerning event contracts in certain excluded commodities. The Commission is proposing amendments to further specify types of event contracts that fall within the scope of section 5c(c)(5)(C) of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA or the Act) and are contrary to the public interest, such that they may not be listed for trading or accepted for clearing on or through a CFTC-registered entity. Among other things, the Commission proposes to further specify the types of event contracts that involve "gaming." The Commission also proposes to amend certain language in its event contract rules to further align with statutory text, and to make certain technical changes to its event contract rules in order to enhance clarity and organization.

This is a notification that the Drug Enforcement Administration has stayed the June 10, 2024 hearing on the proposed placement of two phenethylamine hallucinogens, as identified in the proposed rule, in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement regulatory changes made by the Small Business Administration to add incentives for certain United States territories under the Small Business Administration mentor- prot[eacute]g[eacute] program.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement a final rule published by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain waters of Ludington Harbor in Ludington, MI. This rule is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with a light show by restricting persons and vessels within the safety zone. At no time during the effective period may vessels transit the waters of Ludington Harbor, MI, in the vicinity of a triangular shaped safety zone enclosed by the following three coordinates: 43[deg]57.213 N, 086[deg]28.336 W to 43[deg]57.177 N, 086[deg]27.808 W to 43[deg]57.558 N, 086[deg]27.730 W then back to the starting point. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVII-G500 and GVII-G600 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a failed rear engine mount discovered during a preflight walk-around due to visible engine misalignment. This AD requires inspecting the left and right engine mount points within the pylons and engine nacelles for non-conforming hardware installation, repairing the engine mount points if necessary, and revising the existing aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) to include revised procedures for engine removal and installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, we, or the Agency) is amending the regulations for food additives permitted in feed and drinking water of animals to provide for the safe use of ethyl cellulose as a matrix scaffolding for tracers, and the ethyl cellulose shall not exceed 80 percent of the tracer. This action is in response to a food additive petition filed by Micro-Tracers, Inc.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is amending an exclusion for Shell Oil Company, Deer Park, Texas facility to reflect changes in ownership and name.

In accordance with subsections (j)(2) and (k)(2) of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (the Privacy Act or the Act), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS or Department) is proposing to exempt a new system of records maintained by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), System No. 09-25-0224, "NIH Police Records," from certain requirements of the Act. The new system of records will cover criminal and non-criminal law enforcement investigatory material maintained by the NIH Division of Police, a component of NIH which performs criminal law enforcement as its principal function. The exemptions are necessary and appropriate to protect the integrity of law enforcement proceedings and records compiled in the course of NIH Division of Police activities, prevent disclosure of investigative techniques, and protect the identity of confidential sources involved in those activities. Elsewhere in the Federal Register, HHS/NIH has published a System of Records Notice (SORN) for System No. 09-25-0224 for public notice and comment which describes the new system of records in more detail.

Pursuant to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) is denying the Alabama Department of Environmental Management's (ADEM) Application for approval of the Alabama coal combustion residuals (CCR) permit program (Application). After reviewing the State CCR permit program Application submitted by ADEM on December 29, 2021, additional relevant materials, including permits issued by ADEM, and comments submitted on the Proposed Denial, EPA has determined that Alabama's CCR permit program does not meet the standard for approval under RCRA.

This action amends Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-48, V-52, V-216, and V-434, and revokes VOR Federal Airway V-206. The FAA is taking this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Ottumwa, IA (OTM), VOR/ Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Ottumwa VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is providing notification that due to funding constraints it is rescinding one of the waivers being tested under the Section 504 Home Repair Loans and Grants in a Presidentially Declared Disaster Areas (PDDAs) pilot program, as published in the Federal Register on July 18, 2023.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain navigable waters of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, in the Corpus Christi Bay, TX, near mile marker 546. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a broken gas pipeline which is leaking methane, and to facilitate repairs. Entry of vessels or persons into this temporary safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi or a designated representative.

NHTSA received requests to extend the comment period for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding fuel system integrity of hydrogen vehicles and compressed hydrogen storage system integrity that NHTSA published on April 17, 2024. The comment period for the NPRM was scheduled to end on June 17, 2024. NHTSA is extending the comment period for the NPRM by 30 days.