Short Takes – 9-25-26 - Federal Register Edition

HSAR  

Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation, Make Personal Protective Equipment in America Act Restrictions on Foreign Acquisition (HSAR Case 2024-003). DHS final rule. Summary: “DHS is issuing a final rule to amend the Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation (HSAR) codifying how DHS complies with the requirements of the Make Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in America Act. These changes are intended to ensure the sustainment and expansion of domestic manufacturing for certain types of PPE critical to the United States' national response to a public health crisis.” 

Public Health  

Amendments To Import Requirements for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. APHIS notice of proposed rulemaking. Summary: “Current APHIS regulations specify that live birds and other avian commodities may not be exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or sourced from premises quarantined for HPAI within the 90 days immediately preceding export to the United States. We are proposing to reduce this timeframe to 28 days preceding export to the United States. This action is necessary to align APHIS regulations with international standards regarding HPAI transmission. This action would allow foreign regions to resume the export of live birds and other avian commodities to the United States sooner following an outbreak of HPAI, while still providing adequate safeguards that the importation of the birds or other avian commodities does not present a risk of disseminating HPAI within the United States.” 

Explosives Safety  

Rule Annual Notices on Explosive Materials Storage Facilities to Local Fire Authority. BATFE final rule. Summary: “The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) is amending Department of Justice (“Department”) regulations on reporting explosive materials storage. Currently, any person who stores explosive materials subject to ATF's explosives regulations must notify the authority having jurisdiction for fire safety in that locality when they begin storing explosives at that site. This rule adds a requirement to also submit written notices every 12 months thereafter and when the person ceases storing explosives at that location and to retain copies of the notices for five years. These changes are intended to increase public safety, particularly for first responders.” 

Implementing the Safe Explosives Act. BATFE final rule. Summary: “The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) is finalizing two Department of Justice (“Department”) interim final rules (“IFRs”) implementing the Safe Explosives Act. This rule formally ends those rules' interim status, responds to public comments from 2003 on the IFRs, rescinds ATF Ruling 2003-5 issued in response to IFR comments, and makes certain revisions to IFR provisions in response to the comments. They clarify when federal licensees/permittees must report changes in responsible persons and authorized employees; eliminate verifying identity of persons accepting delivery on behalf of distributees; and amend regulatory exemption language governing aspects of transporting explosive materials.” 

Short Takes – 9-22-26 - Federal Register Edition

HSAR – PPE  

Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation, Make Personal Protective Equipment in America Act Restrictions on Foreign Acquisition (HSAR Case 2024-003). DHS final rule. Summary: “DHS is issuing a final rule to amend the Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation (HSAR) codifying how DHS complies with the requirements of the Make Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in America Act. These changes are intended to ensure the sustainment and expansion of domestic manufacturing for certain types of PPE critical to the United States' national response to a public health crisis.” 

Pipeline Safety  

Pipeline Safety: Meeting of the Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee. PHMSA advisory committee meeting notice. Summary: “This notice announces a public meeting of the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, also known as the Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee (LPAC). The meeting will be held virtually to discuss the following notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRMs): “Breakout Tank Inspection,” “Remote Monitoring of Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Rectifiers,” and “Hazardous Liquid Valve Maintenance Schedule.”” 

Executive Orders  

EO 14428 - Providing Meaningful Water Quality Improvements Through Collaboration and Oversight of Federal Support. 

EO 14429 - Reinvigorating America's Hunting Heritage. 

EO 14430 - Restoring American Saltwater Angling and Recreation. 

Short Takes – 9-12-26 - Federal Register Edition

RCRA Testing  

Request for Information on Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste (SW-846), Waste Sampling and Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) Testing. EPA request for information. Summary: “EPA updates test methods and waste sampling guidance as part of routine updates according to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). To aid in the implementation of these directives, the Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR) within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requests information on SW-846 method experiences, needs, and requirements. ORCR is specifically interested in information on the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) Method 1311, including method challenges, and alternatives. Information is welcome from stakeholders involved in requesting, performing, and evaluating the results from SW-846 methods including, but not limited to, industry stakeholders, researchers, academia, state, Tribal, and local governments. This includes U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, other federal agencies, community groups, non-governmental organizations, the public, and international organizations. The EPA will use the information received in response to this request for information (RFI) to inform what action, if any, it may take.” 

Space Geek  

Name of Information Collection: Proposal Submissions and Awards Management System (ProSAMS) for the NASA Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program Solicitations. NASA 30-day new information collection request notice. Summary: “The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization.... The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) is another program that expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation research and development (R&D) arena.” 

Executive Orders  

EO 14426 - Accelerating Access to Veterans' Benefits and Employment Opportunities. 

EO 14427 - Adjusting Certain Delegations Under the Defense Production Act. 

Short Takes – 9-10-26 - Federal Register Edition

HAZMAT Safety  

Hazardous Materials: California's Reusability Mandate for Propane Cylinders. PHMSA preemption notification notice. Summary: “The Federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA), 49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq., preempts California's reusability mandate for propane cylinders in California Public Resources Code, Sections 42395-42395.2. The reusability mandate imposes localized design and manufacturing requirements on a container that is represented, marked, certified, or sold as qualified for use in the transportation of a hazardous material—specifically, propane—that are not substantively the same as the requirements in the HMR. The reusability mandate is also an obstacle to accomplishing and carrying out the HMTA. By banning a federally authorized, safety-compliant packaging based on localized waste management preferences, California creates a fragmented regulatory patchwork that undermines the primacy and uniformity of the Federal transportation safety framework.” 

Information Collection Requests  

Proposed Renewal Collection and Request for Comment; Regulation of Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic Chemicals Under TSCA Section 6(h). EPA 60-day ICR renewal notice. 

Proposed Renewal Collection and Request for Comment; User Fees for the Administration of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). EPA 60-day ICR renewal notice. 

State, Local, Tribal and Private Sector (SLTPS) Clearance Request Form (Form 9014) Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request. CISA 60-day ICR revision notice. 

Executive Orders  

EO 14424 - Promoting Fair Competition in Livestock Markets and Expanding Market Access for American Meat Producers. 

EO 14425 - Supporting America's Ranchers.