New regs for Friday: Highways, batteries, unfair labor disputes

Friday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new rules for electronically filing documents in unfair labor practice cases, transporting lithium cells and batteries, blasting operations at mines and highway funding.

Here’s what is happening:

Legal documents: The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) is moving forward with new electronic filing regulations.

The new rules will allow parties to electronically file, or “eFile,” documents in unfair labor practice proceedings before the FLRA, the agency said Thursday.

The FLRA says this will increase efficiency and reduce filing errors and processing delays.

The changes go into effect in 30 days.

Transportation: The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is delaying new rules for transporting lithium cells and batteries.

The PHMSA issued new transportation and packaging requirements for lithium batteries last year. The rules had been scheduled to go into effect this month, but the agency is pushing the deadline back to Aug. 7, 2015, at the request of industry groups.

Mining: The Department of the Interior is moving forward with new rules for blasting operations at mines.

The Interior Department’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement granted a petition from an environmental group to prohibit visible nitrogen oxide clouds during blasting operations.

The agency said it will begin developing its own regulations to address the matter.

Highways: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is proposing new asset management plans for states using federal funds to invest in transportation infrastructure.

States would be required to develop asset management plans that prioritize where and when they need to invest to preserve the condition of their highways.

The public has 60 days to comment.

Drugs: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is developing new guidelines for manufacturers to report problems with their human cells and tissues-based products.

The FDA issued draft guidance Thursday encouraging manufacturers to report adverse reactions to their products.

The public has 60 days to comment.