New regs for Friday: ObamaCare program methodology

New regulations for the finance sector, ObamaCare and people with disabilities are coming out on Friday.

Here’s a look:

ObamaCare:

Federal officials are proposing the methodology for determining how much money states should get to set up a subsidy program for some poor Americans.

{mosads}Under ObamaCare, states can chose to establish a Basic Health Program to give subsidies for some people with low incomes to buy insurance on new insurance marketplaces. The federal government helps support those programs, which would be available to people who are not eligible for Medicaid or insurance through their work.

Finance:

Six federal financial regulators are publishing a regulation requiring appraisals for some mortgages with high annual percentage rates.

The new rule supplements a regulation issued in January by incorporating amendments first proposed in July.

“Specifically, the Agencies proposed exemptions from the rules for transactions secured by existing manufactured homes and not land; certain streamlined refinancings; and transactions of $25,000 or less,” they said in the final regulation.

The six agencies are the Federal Reserve, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the National Credit Union Administration and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

Additionally, the Fed is implementing rules for financial institutions that have been dubbed “systemically important.” 

Communications:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is adopting regulations requiring TV programming guidance and menus be accessible to people with disabilities. 

The rule is one of the final efforts under the agency’s effort to implement a 2010 law designed to bring make more video and phone services available to people who are blind or deaf.

In addition to that final rule, the FCC is also looking for clarification about some terms in the law. 

Additionally, the agency wants a new geographic area to license a band of the spectrum. 

The Federal Trade Commission is also ending an effort to reform its telemarketing rules and asking the public to weigh in on a method of obtaining parents’ consent online. 

Water:

The Agriculture Department wants to modify its rules for making grants for water systems in rural Native Alaskan villages. 

Government functioning:

The White House’s Office of Management and Budget is modifying the requirements for managing grants with new guidance. 

Endangered species:

The Fish and Wildlife Service is designating protected habitat for a type of plant and affirming that two other species are considered threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

The agency is also extending the public comment period for proposals on a sage grouse. 

Ships:

The Coast Guard is looking for the public to comment on a request that it issue new rules to prevent some accidents.

Energy:

The Department of Energy is proposing to adopt new definitions for some air conditioners and heat pumps. 

Chemicals:

The Environmental Protection Agency is setting and deleting limits for various uses of the pesticide mandipropamid. 

Copyright:

The Copyright Royalty Board is making a minor change to its rules on ringtone and music bundle rates. 

Fishing:

Commercial fishing regulators are proposing limits for Pacific Island fish in 2014 and implementing quotas for Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog for 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Acquisitions:

The Pentagon is amending its acquisition rules to for photovoltaic devices.