Management and Budget Office March 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Secretary of Education (Secretary) is authorized to modify the terms and conditions of loans made to the following four institutions affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita under the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Capital Financing Program: Dillard University, Southern University at New Orleans, Tougaloo College, and Xavier University. The loan modifications are required by statute to be on such terms as the Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) jointly determine are in the best interests of both the United States and the borrowers and necessary to mitigate the economic effects of the hurricanes, provided that the modifications do not result in any net cost to the Federal Government. This notice (1) establishes the terms and conditions of the loan modifications, (2) outlines the methodology undertaken and factors considered in evaluating the loan modifications, and (3) describes how the loan modifications do not result in any net cost to the Federal Government.

The theft of trade secrets from U.S. corporations can impact national security, undermine U.S. global competitiveness, diminish U.S. export prospects, and put American jobs at risk. Trade secrets play a crucial role in maintaining America's global competitiveness. The Administration will continue to act vigorously to combat the theft of American trade secrets that could be used by foreign companies or foreign governments to gain an unfair commercial advantage over U.S. companies. We need to ensure that our laws are as effective as possible. Therefore, the Administration is reviewing applicable Federal law related to enforcement against economic espionage and trade secret theft. This review is pursuant to the Administration Strategy on Mitigating the Theft of U.S. Trade Secrets issued on February 20, 2013. The strategy is available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/ files/omb/IPEC/admin_strategy_on_mitigating_the_theft_of_u.s. _ trade_secrets.pdf http:/www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/ IPEC/admin_strategy_on_mitigating_the_theft_of_u.s._trade_ secrets.pdf. A related OMB blog post is available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ blog/2013/02/19/launch-administration-s-strategy-mitigate-the ft-us- trade-secrets. And video of the rollout event is available at: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwgYahyQ754&feature=youtu.be. In the strategy, the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC) committed to a review of existing laws related to the enforcement of trade secrets to determine if legislative changes are needed to enhance enforcement. IPEC invites public input and participation in shaping the Administration's review. Specifically, we are requesting any recommendations for legislative changes that would enhance enforcement against, or reduce the risk of, the misappropriation of trade secrets for the benefit of foreign competitors or foreign governments.