OVERNIGHT REGULATION: Health group steps up for school lunch rules

Welcome to OVERNIGHT REGULATION, your daily rundown of news from Capitol Hill and beyond. It’s Monday evening here in Washington and we’re getting anxious for the Supreme Court to release its rulings on same-sex marriage and ObamaCare. The court had a relatively low-key day today, but more decisions are due out Thursday. Here’s the latest:

 

THE BIG STORY

The American Heart Association (AHA) will formally launch a petition Tuesday to keep first lady Michelle Obama’s school lunch regulations in place.

The health group is fighting back against school administrators and other interest groups that are lobbying Congress to roll back requirements that force schools to serve 100 percent whole grain products, further reduce sodium content by 2017 and make students take a half-cup of fruits or vegetables with each meal.

The petition, which is already up on www.change.org, will officially go live Tuesday as the House Education and the Workforce Committee discusses whether the rules of the 2010 Healthy Hunger-free Kids Act are serving the best interests of schools and families. Congress is considering whether to reauthorize the legislation that’s set to expire on Sept. 30.

{mosads}In its petition, AHA said 95 percent of schools are meeting the requirements of the Healthy Hunger-free Kids Act and students are eating 16 percent more vegetables and 23 percent more fruit, all while getting less salt, fats, and sugar.

“With many children getting 50 percent or more of their daily calories in school, making sure these foods are nutritious is critical, and studies show that kids who eat healthy do better in the classroom,” the petition says.

But members of the School Nutrition Association (SNA), which represents school districts, says student participation in their lunch programs has declined and more food is going to waste as a result of the provisions.

In some districts, administrators say menu changes are pushing students to order fast food and run to 7-Eleven for Big Gulps at the end of the school day.

“We’re asking for just some sensible flexibility around a few things that were included in the act,” Lynn Harvey, chief of school nutrition services at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, said in a Congressional staff briefing hosted by SNA last week. http://bit.ly/1FXwnli

 

ON TAP FOR TUESDAY

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will hold a hearing to discuss federal real property reform and how better management and cutting red tape could achieve billions in savings. http://1.usa.gov/1KTkToE

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will hold a hearing to discuss what the Health and Human Services Department can do to improve the user experience with electronic health records. http://1.usa.gov/1JNbwG1

The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law will hold a hearing to discuss “The Standard Merger and Acquisition Reviews Through Equal Rules Act 2015.” http://1.usa.gov/1Ig8GFq

The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee and Energy and Power Subcommittee will hold a hearing to discuss the Environmental Protection Agency’s Proposed Ozone Rule and its potential impacts on manufacturing. http://1.usa.gov/1BboZ9I

The House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee will hold a hearing to discuss progress toward a nationwide public safety broadband network. http://1.usa.gov/1GoqOyG

 

TOMORROW’S REGS TODAY

The Obama administration will publish 211 new regulations, proposed rules, notices and other administrative actions in Tuesday’s edition of the Federal Register.

Here’s what to watch for:

–Federal agencies will issue new ObamaCare disclosure rules for health insurance coverage.

The Internal Revenue Service, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are issuing new rules that will affect the summary of benefits and coverage for group and individual health insurance plans.

The new disclosure requirements will help “individuals better understand their health coverage, as well as gain a better understanding of other coverage options for comparison,” the agencies wrote.

The public has 60 days to comment. http://bit.ly/1Bc121B

–The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will propose new training requirements for pilots.

The proposed flight simulation standards would “relieve burdens on pilots seeking to obtain aeronautical experience, training, and certification by increasing the allowed use of aviation training devices,” the agency wrote.

The public has 30 days to comment. http://bit.ly/1C9sOHe

—The FAA will also consider new safety requirements for certain aircraft known as gliders that do not have engines or motors.

Gliders would be required to use transponders to identify their position in the air under the advance notice of proposed rulemaking from the FAA. Proponents of the rule say it would increase airspace safety.

The rules come at the request of members of Congress following a collision between an airplane and a glider.

The public has 60 days to comment. http://bit.ly/1IG0oJI

–The Department of Homeland Security will issue new rules for releasing alleged illegal immigrants on immigration bonds during their court proceedings.

The new rules would affect the interest paid on cash bond deposits.

“Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may release certain aliens from detention during removal proceedings after a custody determination has been made,” the agency wrote. “As a condition of his/her release from custody, an alien may be required to post an immigration bond.” 

The rules go into effect in 60 days. http://bit.ly/1eiulWq

 

NEWS RIGHT NOW

Pot: Companies can fire employees for using marijuana, even in states where it is legal, a court ruled Monday. http://bit.ly/1G9aHSr

Handguns: The National Rifle Association (NRA) and other gun-rights advocates are assailing an attempt by Democrats to restrict access to handguns. http://bit.ly/1Sg8HQO

More guns: A House Democrat is looking to prohibit guns from being carried in airports, even before security checkpoints. http://bit.ly/1Beog7J

Airports: A Senate Democrat is pushing airlines to lower baggage fees if they plan to reduce the size of carry-on bags passengers can bring on board. http://bit.ly/1LcCVAj

School lunch regs: The American Heart Association is looking to save first lady Michelle Obama’s school lunch regulations. http://bit.ly/1FXwnli

Affirmative action: Colleges would be required to report how much they weigh a prospective student’s race when considering them for admission to the school under new Republican legislation. http://bit.ly/1C9uqRe

 

BY THE NUMBERS

21: The minimum age to own a handgun under new legislation from Democrats.

$3.5 billion: The money collected by airlines for baggage fees in 2014. 

 

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Sorry about that, Ruth,” Justice Antonin Scalia at the Supreme Court Monday after he goofed and referred to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by the wrong name. http://bit.ly/1IgGHWj

 

We’ll work to stay on top of these and other stories throughout the week, so check The Hill’s Regulation page (http://digital-staging.thehill.com/regulation) early and often for the latest. And send any comments, complaints or regulatory news tips our way, tdevaney@digital-staging.thehill.com or lwheeler@digital-staging.thehill.com. And follow us at @timdevaney and@wheelerlydia.

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