Bureaucracy Times

All the news fit to be declassified.

Tag: DOJ

  • Federal Register Brief: April 13, 2026

    Here are the latest updates from the Federal Register Vol. 91, No. 70

    EPA – Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) Amendments

    Agency Identification

    • Primary Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
    • Sub-Bureau: Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM)

    Administrative Action

    • Action Type: Proposed Rule; public hearing
    • Document ID: 2026–07061

    The “Core” Fact

    • Summary: This proposal introduces a site-specific compliance pathway for CCR regulations. It allows authorities to tailor groundwater monitoring and closure requirements to a facility’s specific environment. Notably, it seeks to rescind CCR Management Unit (CCRMU) requirements and exempt “dewatering structures” to cut red tape.
    • Statutory Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6907(a), 6912(a), 6944, 6945(a) and (d)

    Taxpayer & Public Impact

    • Projected Cost/Budget: A significant deregulatory shift, estimated to save $169 million to $260 million annually.
    • Public Comment Deadline: June 12, 2026

    Direct Links

    USDA – Revisions to Delegations of Authority

    Agency Identification

    • Primary Agency: Department of Agriculture (USDA)
    • Sub-Bureau: Office of the Secretary

    Administrative Action

    • Action Type: Final Rule
    • Document ID: 2026–07088

    The “Core” Fact

    • Summary: The USDA is officially rescinding all DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) programs. These are being replaced by policies centered on “unity, equality, meritocracy, and color-blindness.” The rule also updates “Service First” initiative citations.
    • Statutory Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6912(a)(1); 5 U.S.C. 301

    Taxpayer & Public Impact

    • Projected Cost/Budget: N/A (Internal management)
    • Public Comment Deadline: Effective April 13, 2026

    Direct Links

    Department of Education – Advancing AI in Education

    Agency Identification

    • Primary Agency: Department of Education (ED)
    • Sub-Bureau: Office of the Secretary

    Administrative Action

    • Action Type: Final priority and definitions
    • Document ID: 2026–07087

    The “Core” Fact

    • Summary: This establishes a new priority to integrate Artificial Intelligence into teaching and professional development. It introduces a formal definition for AI Literacy, focusing on the technical and durable skills needed for an AI-influenced workforce.
    • Statutory Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e–3, 3474, 6301 et seq.

    Taxpayer & Public Impact

    • Projected Cost/Budget: Minimal impact on grant recipients; costs covered by existing program funds.
    • Public Comment Deadline: Effective May 13, 2026

    Direct Links

    Treasury/IRS – Qualified Tip Income Deduction

    Agency Identification

    • Primary Agency: Department of the Treasury
    • Sub-Bureau: Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

    Administrative Action

    • Action Type: Final Rule
    • Document ID: TD 10044

    The “Core” Fact

    • Summary: Defines which occupations qualify for a new “qualified tips” income tax deduction. Eligible roles include bartenders, hairstylists, gambling dealers, and certain gas pump attendants.
    • Statutory Authority: 26 U.S.C. 224; sec. 70201(h) of Public Law 119–21

    Taxpayer & Public Impact

    • Projected Cost/Budget: Over 10 million tax returns are expected to report these tips in 2026.
    • Public Comment Deadline: Effective June 12, 2026

    Direct Links

    Transportation/FAA – Class E Airspace: Wall, SD

    Agency Identification

    • Primary Agency: Department of Transportation (DOT)
    • Sub-Bureau: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

    Administrative Action

    • Action Type: Final Rule
    • Document ID: 2026–07056

    The “Core” Fact

    • Summary: Establishes new Class E airspace at Wall Municipal Airport to support a transition to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and new GPS-based landing procedures.
    • Statutory Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40103, 40113

    Taxpayer & Public Impact

    • Projected Cost/Budget: Minimal economic impact.
    • Public Comment Deadline: Effective September 3, 2026

    Direct Links

    NRC – Advanced Reactor Framework Correction

    Agency Identification

    • Primary Agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
    • Sub-Bureau: Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

    Administrative Action

    • Action Type: Final rule; correction
    • Document ID: 2026–07090

    The “Core” Fact

    • Summary: Fixes minor technical and instructional errors in the regulatory framework for commercial nuclear plants to ensure guidance remains consistent across simultaneous rulemakings.
    • Statutory Authority: Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act

    Taxpayer & Public Impact

    • Projected Cost/Budget: N/A (Technical correction)
    • Public Comment Deadline: Effective April 29, 2026

    Direct Links

    Commerce/ITA – Steel Rebar Import Orders

    Agency Identification

    • Primary Agency: Department of Commerce
    • Sub-Bureau: International Trade Administration (ITA)

    Administrative Action

    • Action Type: Notice of continuation (Antidumping/Countervailing duty)
    • Document ID: 2026–07109

    The “Core” Fact

    • Summary: Keeps existing duties on steel rebar from Mexico and Türkiye in place. Removing these duties was determined likely to harm U.S. industry through continued dumping.
    • Statutory Authority: Section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930

    Taxpayer & Public Impact

    • Projected Cost/Budget: N/A (Duties collected by CBP)
    • Public Comment Deadline: Applicable April 8, 2026

    Direct Links

    DoD – STIB Advisory Committee Meetings

    Agency Identification

    • Primary Agency: Department of Defense (DoD)
    • Sub-Bureau: Office of the Secretary

    Administrative Action

    • Action Type: Notice of Federal Advisory Committee meeting
    • Document ID: 2026–07118

    The “Core” Fact

    • Summary: The Science, Technology, and Innovation Board will hold closed sessions to review classified national security data, specifically regarding facilities at Kwajalein Atoll.
    • Statutory Authority: 5 U.S.C. 1009(d); 41 CFR 102–3.155

    Taxpayer & Public Impact

    • Projected Cost/Budget: N/A (Board operations)
    • Public Comment Deadline: July 11, 2026 (Written statements)

    Direct Links

    Interior/FWS – Oil & Gas Refuge Operations

    Agency Identification

    • Primary Agency: Department of the Interior
    • Sub-Bureau: Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)

    Administrative Action

    • Action Type: Notice of information collection
    • Document ID: 2026–07078

    The “Core” Fact

    • Summary: Renews the data collection process for non-Federal oil and gas drilling on Wildlife Refuge lands. This ensures operators provide financial assurances and mitigation steps for refuge resources.
    • Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.

    Taxpayer & Public Impact

    • Projected Cost/Budget: $2.25 million in annual non-hour burden costs for financial assurances.
    • Public Comment Deadline: June 12, 2026

    Direct Links

    SEC – Exchange Port Fee Amendments

    Agency Identification

    • Primary Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
    • Sub-Bureau: Division of Trading and Markets

    Administrative Action

    • Action Type: Notice of filing (Immediate effectiveness)
    • Document ID: 2026–07042

    The “Core” Fact

    • Summary: MIAX Emerald is updating its non-transaction fee schedule (Permit and connectivity fees) for the first time in several years to align with market competitors.
    • Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1); 17 CFR 240.19b–4

    Taxpayer & Public Impact

    • Projected Cost/Budget: Cost is distributed among exchange members based on usage.
    • Public Comment Deadline: May 4, 2026

    Direct Links

    SBA – Surety Bond Revisions

    Agency Identification

    • Primary Agency: Small Business Administration (SBA)
    • Sub-Bureau: N/A

    Administrative Action

    • Action Type: 30-Day notice; request for comment
    • Document ID: 2026–07113

    The “Core” Fact

    • Summary: The SBA is streamlining the Surety Bond Guarantee program by introducing new automated forms (900 and 901) to reduce the administrative burden on small businesses.
    • Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 694a et seq.

    Taxpayer & Public Impact

    • Projected Cost/Budget: Estimated 9,369 hours of annual administrative burden for the public.
    • Public Comment Deadline: May 13, 2026

    Direct Links

    Issue Summary: Federal Register Vol. 91, No. 70

    Beyond the major EPA CCR proposal, this volume highlights:

    • AI Integration: Education Dept. formally prioritizes AI literacy in grants.
    • Tip Deductions: IRS finalizes which occupations qualify for new tax breaks.
    • Policy Shifts: USDA transitions from DEIA frameworks to merit-based policies.
    • PFAS Delay: EPA pushes the recordkeeping start date to January 2027.
    • Infrastructure: FAA safety updates in South Dakota and updated housing income calculations by the Rural Housing Service.