Short Takes – 12-31-24

Payment of Indemnity and Compensation for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Federal Register APHIS Interim Final Rule. Summary: “We are amending the regulations pertaining to conditions for payment of indemnity for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Specifically, we are requiring commercial poultry premises to successfully pass a biosecurity audit prior to restocking if they were previously HPAI-infected and wish to be eligible for indemnity for the restocked poultry. We are also requiring a biosecurity audit for commercial poultry premises in the buffer zone prior to movement of poultry onto the premises, if the premises wishes to be eligible for indemnity for the poultry moved onto the premises. We are also revising the regulations to preclude indemnity payments for poultry moved onto premises in infected zones if the poultry become infected with HPAI within 14 days following the dissolution of the control area in which the infected zone is located. This action is necessary on an immediate basis in order to ensure that commercial poultry producers who receive indemnity payments for HPAI are taking measures to preclude the introduction and spread of HPAI, and avoiding actions that contribute to its spread. This action amends the regulations to condition indemnity for HPAI accordingly.” Nothing to do with compensation for affected cattle/dairy producers.

Preliminary Lists Identifying Manufacturers Subject to Fee Obligations for Five Chemical Substances Undergoing EPA-Initiated Risk Evaluations Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Notice of Availability and Request for Comment. Federal Register EPA notice of proposed rulemaking. Summary: “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is announcing the availability of and soliciting comment on the preliminary lists of manufacturers (including importers) of five chemical substances that have been designated as High-Priority Substances for risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and for which fees will be charged. As required by TSCA, EPA established fees to defray a portion of the costs associated with administering certain provisions of TSCA. The comment period provides an opportunity for the public to provide comments, self-identify, or correct errors on the preliminary lists. In addition, manufacturers (including importers) are required to self-identify as a manufacturer (or importer) of one or more the five identified High-Priority Substances irrespective of whether they are included on the preliminary lists, and may use this period to do so. Where appropriate, entities may also avoid or reduce fee obligations by making certain certifications consistent with the TSCA Fees Rule. EPA expects to publish final lists of manufacturers (including importers) subject to fees no later than concurrently with the publication of the final scope documents for risk evaluations of these five High-Priority Substances. Manufacturers (including importers) identified on the final lists will be subject to the applicable fees.” Comments due: March 3^rd, 2025.

India aims for space milestone with first docking mission. EuropeSays.com article. Pull quote: “Docking technology is critical for space operations that require coordination between multiple launches, enabling components to meet and connect in orbit. Mastery of this capability is essential for complex future endeavors, such as assembling and maintaining space infrastructure.”

2025 CONGRESSIONAL CALENDAR. RollCall.com calendar. Combines both the House and Senate schedule for Washington into one document.

Office for Bombing Prevention Bulletin #13. Content.GovDelivery.com bulletin. Contents:

• Over 400 People Gather for EOD Technology and Bombing Prevention Summit

• CISA OBP, Partners Execute Full-Scale Awareness Exercise

• Air Force Leaders Gain Insights on Bomb Threats, Resources

• Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) Honored During National Police Week

• CISA OBP and Churchill Downs Team Up on Security Before 150th Kentucky Derby

• CISA OBP Shares Overview of Bomb Making Materials Awareness Program (BMAP) at National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASM) Forum

• Diogenes Ayala Receives Outstanding Partnership Award

• CISA Kicks Off Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience (CISR) Month 2024

Will 2025 be the year of Starship? SpaceX's megarocket is growing up. Space.com article. Pull quote: “Because Starship is fully reusable, the vehicle could eventually deliver such power numbers for just $2 million to $3 million per flight, Musk has said. That would be incredibly cheap; SpaceX currently sells Falcon 9 missions for about $67 million.”

The Speakership Election in the 119th Congress. MattGlassman.Substack.com article. Very detailed look at the possible issues that could arise with the January 3^rd, 2025 House Speaker election. Pull quote: “We may not even have a contested election on the floor Friday. One thing largely overlooked during the runup to the 118th fight is that virtually all would-be Speakers bargain with their caucus/conference over rules, committee slots, agendas, and specific policies. In some sense, that’s what the Speakership election is—a party collectively deciding power and agenda dynamics among its factions. Most of the time, the Speaker-nominee successfully accomplishes this in November/December, People forget, but Pelosi had to explicitly do this in the leadup to the 116th Congress, when a faction of Democrats holding the balance of power wrote a letter threatening not to vote for her. She had to buy them up, but did so long before the voting began. McCarthy wasn’t able to do that in 2023.”