New regs for Friday: Drugs and nuclear power

A handful of new rules will come out in the Federal Register on Friday.

Here’s a look at what’s happening to drugs, nuclear plants, fish and more:

Drugs and chemicals:

The Drug Enforcement Administration is listing three synthetic drugs as Schedule 1 substances.

{mosads}The new classification means that the phenethylamines will be treated like heroin or LSD, and tough penalties will be imposed on people who try to sell or distribute the drugs.

According to the drug agency, the drugs are often sold as hallucinogens like LSD, and can cause severe toxic reactions and death.

Separately, the Environmental Protection Agency is setting tolerances for residues of the pesticide tebuconazole on some vegetables.

Mine safety:

The Mine Safety and Health Administration is asking for comments about hands-on training for coal miners to use underground refuges. 

The agency’s action comes in response to a federal appeals court’s decision that required it to explain the basis for requiring hands-on and other training annually, rather than quarterly. 

Nuclear power:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is releasing draft language to strengthen emergency response capabilities.

The release is part of the agency’s plan to periodically update the public about its effort to modernize safety rules.

“The availability of these documents provides increased awareness to interested stakeholders and provides preparatory material for future public meetings,” it said.

Cargo:

The Coast Guard is proposing to require new manuals for securing cargo on large vessels making international trips. 

The regulations would explain when and how lost cargo should be reported, and would allow authorities to review the ships’ manuals.

Transportation:

The Transportation Department is making “clarifying changes” to the way that seating positions are measured on cars, trucks and buses. 

Environment:

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is publish regulations to codify changes to its policy for actions on wetlands. The agency said that the rule formalizes a practice it already uses.

Finance:

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission wants to modify rules on some position limits for agricultural commodity futures and options contracts.

The amendments would seek to replace parts of the agency’s rules that were wiped out by a 2012 court order. 

Taxes:

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is changing the rules for “safe harbor” contributions to some 401(k) arrangements. 

The agency is also proposing rules for the income received as a result of Native American fishing rights. 

“These regulations would affect sponsors of, and participants in, employee benefit plans of Indian tribal governments,” the IRS said.

Patents:

The Federal Trade Commission is amending its rules about the transfer of biologic and pharmaceutical patents. 

Medical devices:

The Food and Drug Administration is classifying a type of medical device used to close incisions during some surgical procedures. 

Fishing:

The Commerce Department is modifying the reporting requirements for ships fishing for migratory species in the Atlantic and making changes to a catch sharing program in the Pacific. 

Pensions:

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., which protects private-sector pension plans, is issuing interest assumptions for benefits coming due in December.