2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to withdraw from EPA regulation and management two designated ocean dredged material disposal sites, the Nome East and Nome West Sites (Sites), located near Nome, Alaska, pursuant to the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), as amended. The EPA is taking this action because the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has not used the Sites for disposal of dredged material since 2009, has no plans to use the Sites for any future disposal of dredged material, and the Sites are no longer suitable for USACE's needs. This action will withdraw these sites from the regulations.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain navigable waters of the Gulf of Mexico in Panama City, FL. The safety zone is needed to protect mariners from the hazards associated with the 2024 Gulf Coast Salute Airshow. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Mobile (COTP) or a designated representative.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is proposing a rule to remove Denver County, CO, from the Arapahoe-Denver, CO, nonappropriated fund (NAF) Federal Wage System (FWS) wage area. In addition, OPM proposes to change the name of the Arapahoe-Denver NAF FWS wage area to Arapahoe. These changes are necessary because no NAF FWS employment has been reported in Denver County since 2018.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters within a 500-yard radius of the vessels Ugle Duckling and Streak. The safety zone is necessary to protect vessels while a HAUV/ROV survey is conducted of the Enbridge Line 5 pipelines. Entry of vessels into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Northern Great Lakes (COTP).

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopted a Fourth Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration that reinstitutes the collection of workforce composition data for television and radio broadcasters on FCC Form 395- B, as statutorily required.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) is finalizing amendments to the procedural framework rule for conducting risk evaluations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The purpose of risk evaluations under TSCA is to determine whether a chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, without consideration of costs or non-risk factors, including unreasonable risk to potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations identified as relevant to the risk evaluation by EPA, under the conditions of use. EPA reconsidered the procedural framework rule for conducting such risk evaluations and is revising certain aspects of that framework to better align with the statutory text and applicable court decisions, to reflect the Agency's experience implementing the risk evaluation program following enactment of the 2016 TSCA amendments, and to allow for consideration of future scientific advances in the risk evaluation process without need to further amend the Agency's procedural rule.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making an interim final determination that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has submitted a revised rule and has also submitted revised rules on behalf of the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District (SJVUAPCD), Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD), and South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) that correct deficiencies in its Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) state implementation plan (SIP) provisions concerning ozone nonattainment requirements for controlling volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at crude oil and natural gas facilities. This determination is based on a proposed approval and conditional approval, published elsewhere in this Federal Register, of a California statewide rule, six California air districts rules, and associated reasonably available control technology (RACT) determinations for that source category. The effect of this interim final determination is to defer the imposition of sanctions that was triggered by EPA's previous disapproval. If the EPA finalizes its proposed approval of CARB's submission, relief from these sanctions will become permanent.

This rule proposes to remove existing general information about the professional responsibility requirements of attorneys practicing under the cognizance and supervision of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) and includes a new requirement for all non-U.S. Government attorneys to file a notice of appearance before appearing in any matter for which the JAG is charged with supervising the provision of legal services. It also proposes to remove existing content relating to the Rules of Professional Conduct and replaces it with complaint processing procedures.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS or the Department) is issuing this final rule to repromulgate and revise certain regulatory provisions of the HHS, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards, previously set forth in a final rule published in the Federal Register on December 12, 2016 (2016 Rule).

DoD, GSA, and NASA are considering amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement paragraphs (a), (b), and (h) in section 5949 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 that prohibits executive agencies from procuring or obtaining certain products and services that include covered semiconductor products or services effective December 23, 2027.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on July 14, 2023, which added a diisononyl phthalates (DINP) category to the list of toxic chemicals subject to the reporting requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA). However, the amendment could not be incorporated into the regulation due to an inaccurate amendatory instruction. This document corrects the amendatory instructions.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain ATRGIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of an electrical contactor that failed with contacts in the intermediate position, causing the airplane to lose power to multiple electrical systems. This AD requires repetitive operational tests of the affected part, and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action, 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 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is amending its Microloan Program regulations to reflect statutory changes to the Microloan Program contained in the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act. The changes increase the total amount an Intermediary may borrow under the Microloan Program per year and in aggregate, expand eligibility for Intermediaries to receive a bonus grant and add the necessary definitions, and revise the eligible base grant award amount for Intermediaries under certain circumstances. This direct final rule conforms the regulations to the Act by adopting the new statutory requirements without change.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation for certain waters of the Bush River and Otter Point Creek, in Maryland. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters located at Edgewood, MD during a high-speed power boat race on May 11, 2024, and May 12, 2024. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels (other than those already at berth at the time the regulation takes effect) from being in the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Maryland-National Capital Region (COTP), or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters within a 500-yard radius of Tug Nancy Anne, Tug Champion, Tug General, Tug WM. Boyd, Tug Shirley Ann, crew boat Timmy V., barges Koko II, Koko III, Koko IV, MM 141, MM 142, D Barge 2002, D Barge 2006, and D Barge 2007. The safety zone is needed to protect the vessels while laying stones to protect exposed sections of 138kV Submarine Power Cables in the Straits of Mackinac, MI. Entry of vessels into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Northern Great Lakes.

The Coast Guard will enforce a special local regulation for the Miami Beach Air and Sea Show event from May 25 and 26, 2024, to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways during this event. Our regulation for marine events within the Captain of the Port Miami identifies the regulated area for this event in Miami Beach, FL. During the enforcement periods, no person or vessel may enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the regulated area unless authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander or a designated representative.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-20- 08, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, A321, A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A330-800, A330-900, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, A340-600, and A380-800 series airplanes. AD 2021- 20-08 required replacing certain nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries with serviceable Ni-Cd batteries. This AD was prompted by a report that repetitive disconnection and reconnection of certain Ni-Cd batteries during airplane parking or storage could lead to a reduction in capacity of those batteries. This AD adds airplanes to the applicability and requires replacement of certain affected parts with serviceable parts as a precondition for return to service of airplanes from storage or parking, 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 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500- 1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a design review that identified the fixed emergency locator transmitter (ELT) lithium batteries would not be sufficiently cooled by the outside air in the event of a thermal runaway event. This AD requires replacing the ELT with a new ELT with redesigned batteries, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

NMFS proposes to modify the regulations for Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) section 104 permits, including scientific research, enhancement, photography, and public display permits and Letters of Confirmation (LOCs). The modification would remove the 5- year regulatory limitation on the duration of section 104 permits and LOCs. This would give NMFS the discretion to issue these permits for longer than 5 years where such a duration would be appropriate. This proposed rule would apply only to permits and authorizations issued under section 104 of the MMPA.

Congress enacted the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016, which amends the Freedom of Information Act, as relevant here, to require Federal agencies to change how certain records and documents are made available for public inspection. The Commission is amending its regulations to implement this statutory mandate. The Commission is accepting comments on these revisions to its regulations, and any comments received may be addressed in a subsequent rulemaking document.

The Postal Service is amending Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) to clarify Commercial Mail Receiving Agencies (CMRA) notary responsibilities for the addressee's signature.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS), Rural Housing Service (RHS), and Rural Utilities Services (RUS), agencies in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) Mission area, are issuing a final rule to update RD program regulations by removing references to the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) numbers and replacing them with the new Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) as the primary means of identifying entities registered for Federal awards government-wide in the System for Award Management (SAM).

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) announces that we are extending the Kodiak Island Roaded Area experimental season for subsistence migratory bird hunting and egg gathering by registration permit for 1 year (through the spring-summer subsistence harvest season [hereafter, "season"] in 2024). As set forth in a 2021 final rule, this experimental season began in the 2021 season and was set to terminate at the end of the 2023 season. However, we are extending the experimental season to provide subsistence harvest opportunity for an additional year while an evaluation of harvest data from the first 3 years of the experimental season is completed and a long-term plan is developed. Extending the experimental season requires no revision of the regulations pertaining to subsistence harvest of migratory birds in Alaska; we are issuing this document solely for the purpose of public information.

The Department of State (the Department) proposes to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to support the goals of the AUKUS partnership, the enhanced trilateral security partnership among Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This exemption is designed to foster defense trade and cooperation between and among the United States and two of its closest allies. It is reflective of our nations' collective commitment to implement shared security standards on protecting defense technology and sensitive military know-how. To achieve this, the Department proposes to amend the ITAR to include an exemption to the requirement to obtain a license or other approval from the Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) prior to any export, reexport, retransfer, or temporary import of defense articles; the performance of defense services; or engagement in brokering activities between or among authorized users within Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Department also proposes to add a list of defense articles and defense services excluded from eligibility for transfer under the proposed new exemption; add to the scope of the exemption for intra-company, intra- organization, and intra-governmental transfers to allow for the transfer of classified defense articles to certain dual nationals who are authorized users or regular employees of an authorized user within the United Kingdom and Australia; and revise the section on expediting license review applications by referencing new processes for Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is finalizing its "Bipartisan Permitting Reform Implementation Rule" to revise its regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), including the recent amendments to NEPA in the Fiscal Responsibility Act. CEQ is making these revisions to provide for an effective environmental review process; ensure full and fair public engagement; enhance efficiency and regulatory certainty; and promote sound Federal agency decision making that is grounded in science, including consideration of relevant environmental, climate change, and environmental justice effects. These changes are grounded in NEPA's statutory text and purpose, including making decisions informed by science; CEQ's extensive experience implementing NEPA; CEQ's perspective on how NEPA can best inform agency decision making; longstanding Federal agency experience and practice; and case law interpreting NEPA's requirements.