Department of Homeland Security October 28, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

TSA is extending the exemption from Renewal of the Hazardous Materials Endorsement Security Threat Assessment for Certain Individuals that TSA published on July 31, 2020 which was scheduled to expire on October 30, 2020, through December 31, 2020. Under this exemption, states may extend the expiration date of hazardous materials endorsements (HMEs) that expire on or after March 1, 2020, for 180 days, due to restrictions and business closures in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If a state grants an extension, the individual with an expired HME must initiate the process of renewing his or her security threat assessment (STA) for the HME no later than 60 days before the end of the state-granted extension. Federal partners, state licensing agencies and related associations report ongoing difficulties in timely renewal of expiring HMEs and asked TSA to consider extending the exemption until the end of calendar year 2020. TSA has determined it is in the public interest to extend the exemption through December 31, 2020, which aligns with similar waivers issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation. TSA may extend this exemption at a future date depending on the status of the COVID-19 crisis.

The Coast Guard is announcing the availability of CG-OES Policy Letter 02-20, Commercial Diving OperationsEquivalent Levels of Safety. This policy letter provides guidance on Coast Guard acceptance of certain industry-recognized standards for commercial diving operations as providing a level of safety that is equivalent to the requirements contained in Coast Guard regulations.

This document provides notice to customs brokers that the annual user fee that is assessed for each permit held by a broker, whether it may be an individual, partnership, association, or corporation, is due by January 29, 2021. Pursuant to fee adjustments required by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST ACT) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations, the annual user fee payable for calendar year 2021 will be $150.33.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of the Menominee River in Marinette, WI and Menominee, MI between the Highway 41 bridge and Ogden Street Bridge. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the launching of a vessel at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine Shipyard. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or a designated representative.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is considering the amendment of its regulations to mandate continuing education for licensed customs brokers. CBP is seeking comments on a potential framework of continuing education requirements for licensed customs brokers in order to assess the current situation among members of the customs broker industry and analyze the potential impact of such a framework on customs brokers.