New regs for Friday: Hospitals, farmers, border patrol

Friday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new regulations for hospitals disposing of hazardous waste materials, farmers growing genetically-engineered wheat and overtime rules for border patrol agents.

Here’s what is happening:

Farming: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proposing new requirements for wheat farmers.

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is looking to authorize the field testing of genetically-engineered wheat that is under permit, the agency announced Thursday.

The agency says this will “protect plant health and the environment.”

The public has 30 days to comment.

Border patrol: The Office of Personnel Management is moving forward with new overtime rules for border patrol agents.

Border patrol agents will be eligible for the new overtime pay beginning in January 2016.

Tobacco: The Food and Drug Administration is proposing new tobacco regulations.

The tobacco regulations would clarify whether a product intended for human consumption will be regulated as a drug, device or a combination product, the agency noted.

The public has 60 days to comment.

Hospitals: The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new hazardous waste regulations for hospitals.

The proposed rules will address the specific issues hospitals, pharmacies and other healthcare facilities face in disposing of pharmaceuticals.

The public has 60 days to comment.