New regs for Monday: Wireless companies looking at disclosure rules

New notices will be published on Monday opening the door to new restrictions for wireless companies and providing victims of human trafficking with a new way to stay in the country.

Here’s what’s going on in the Federal Register:

Wireless:

The Federal Communications Commission is beginning the process of issuing new rules to “promote the resiliency and transparency of mobile wireless networks.”

The agency wants the public to comment on a potential requirement that wireless network providers publicly disclose whether their cell sites are operational during major disasters on a daily basis.

Those disclosures would give consumers a “yardstick” to compare different service providers, the agency said in its notice.

“Also, by holding providers accountable for their performance, such disclosures could spur improvements to mobile wireless networks to enhance their resiliency.”

Visas:

The State Department is creating a new visa classification symbol, as result of the Violence Against Women Act.

The new visa is eligible to people who have been involved in human trafficking and face “a present danger of retaliation” due to their escape or cooperation with law enforcement.

The Department of Homeland Security will be responsible for determining whether granting the visa is warranted. 

Agriculture:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is amending its rules to create a new optional procedure for classifying cotton futures. 

The option comes in response to requests from the U.S. cotton industry and a commodities exchange, the department said, and should be available early next year.

Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration is extending the public comment period for its notice to prepare an environmental impact statement on new standards for growing and handling produce. 

Finance:

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is adopting new regulations to enhance the way it identifies traders in the futures and swaps market. 

Education:

As part of its review of all current rules and guides, the Federal Trade Commission has finished its analysis of its instructions for private vocational and distance education schools.

Fish:

The National Marine Fisheries Service has determined that the pinto abalone, a type of sea snail, deserves further analysis to see if it should be added to the endangered species list.

“To ensure that the status review is comprehensive, we are soliciting scientific and commercial information pertaining to this species from any interested party,” the agency said. 

The fishing regulator is also publishing dates, times and areas for catching Fraser River salmon. 

Acquisition:

The Defense Department is removing some coverage for contractors performing private security, letting itself consider the impacts certain procurements have on the supply chain and adding new rules to protect some unclassified technical information in its acquisition rules.

Federal workers:

The Office of Personnel Management is adopting new regulations allowing it to take advantage of electronic forms when processing retirement data and other records.