New regs for Thursday: Hunting and fishing, drug-free workplaces, efficiency

Thursday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new rules for hunting and fishing, drug-free workplace requirements, and energy efficiency standards for buildings.

Here’s what is happening:

Hunting: The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is proposing new hunting and fishing regulations.

The new rules would increase the number of hunting and fishing activities available at more than a dozen national wildlife refuges around the country, the agency says.

The public has 30 days to comment.

Efficiency: The Department of Energy is recommending states move forward with new energy efficiency rules from the International Energy Conservation Code.

The Energy Department issued a determination that the international code’s latest standards for 2015 would save slightly more energy than those issued in 2012.

States will be encouraged to adopt the new energy efficiency rules for certain buildings.

States have two years to respond.

Drug-free workplace: The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is moving forward with new drug-free workplace requirements.

The new drug-free workplace requirements for financial assistance stem from guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and are an attempt to streamline and consolidate similar rules among federal agencies.

The rule goes into effect immediately.

Bed rails: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is looking into safety standards for portable bed rails.

The agency announced Wednesday it is extending an information collection request for portable bed rails.

The public has 30 days to comment.