New regs for Thursday: Tires, electronic payments, freight ships

Thursday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new rules for tire manufacturers, federal agencies that use the Automated Clearing House to process credit and debit card payments, hydropower companies, and freight ships.

Here’s what is happening:

Tires: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is considering changes to the tire identification number, a system that is used to track tires back to their manufacturers and issue recalls when necessary.

The NHTSA proposed Wednesday expanding the system to account for the growing number of tire manufacturers. 

The public has 30 days to comment.

Electronic payments: The Treasury Department is revising the rules for federal agencies that use the Automated Clearing House (ACH), an electronic network that processes financial transactions such as credit and debit card payments.

The federal government and businesses both use ACH, which is governed by the National Automated Clearing House Association. The NACHA recently updated its rules, so the Treasury Department is reflecting those changes in its regulations for federal agencies.

The new rules go into effect in 30 days.

Maps: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is updating the regulations for hydropower applicants and licensees to reflect advancements in technology that the agency says will make the rules easier to comply with.

These companies previously had to submit project maps and drawings with outdated technology, such as in microfilm format on aperture cards. But the new rules remove this requirement, among other changes.

“These amendments modernize the regulations to reflect technological advances and relieve burdens placed on applicants and licensees,” FERC wrote.

The new rules go into effect in 45 days.

ObamaCare: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is correcting mistakes in an ObamaCare regulation it issued two months ago. 

The ObamaCare rule governing the exchange and insurance markets for 2015 and beyond will be changed to correct minor grammatical errors, the agency said.

Ocean: The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is revising the rules for freight ships that carry cargo and dispatch shipments overseas. 

Also known as ocean transportation intermediaries, these ships will be subject to new licensing and financial responsibility requirements, the agency said.

The new rules go into effect on Sept. 22. The public has until Aug. 22 to comment.