New regs for Wednesday: Waivers for trucking standards

Transportation: 
Due to summer heat, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is temporarily allowing truckers carrying livestock to waive a requirement for 30-minute rest breaks during their shift. 

{mosads}The rule was brought to the agency’s attention by livestock industry groups, which “raised concerns about the risks to the health of animals from rising temperatures inside livestock trucks during drivers’ mandatory 30-minute break, especially in light of long-range weather forecasts for above-normal temperatures for July, August and September 2013,” according to the agency’s notice.

The exemption will be in place for 90 days.

Healthcare:

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is proposing changes to a series of payment systems and a fee schedule.

A new proposal would adjust payment policies for physicians and other areas of Medicare for health services for 2014. The 652-page draft rule lays out values for a series of medical codes and updates the payment system “to reflect changes in medical practice and the relative value of service” as well as changes in the law. 

The agency is also proposing to update payment systems for outpatient hospital and surgery treatment for next year. The rule would also update reporting and purchasing programs. 

Exports and imports:
Federal import rules are being adjusted to allow shipments of fresh citrus fruits to be brought to the United States from Uruguay. 

The fruits will need to be monitored for pests, and importers will have to follow specific procedures.

Export rules are also being adjusted to allow shipments from the U.S. to two facilities in China. 

Fishing:

Fishing for a type of flounder in the Bering Sea will be temporarily prohibited under a new rule to prevent overfishing. 

Consumer products:

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is changing its rules for manufacturers and importers to have their products excluded from limits on lead. 

Endangered species:

The Fish and Wildlife Service wants to list two types of snakes as threatened species.

The agency’s proposal to add the northern Mexican garter snake and the narrow-headed garter snake to its list of protected species is being accompanied by draft rules to designate areas of New Mexico and Arizona for the species. 

Communications:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is finalizing a change in policy for granting licenses to foreign-owned radio stations, which the agency says will reduce cost and burdens on the companies. 

The FCC is also proposing that a band of the spectrum be used for mobile broadband Internet service. 

Energy efficiency:
The Department of Energy is adopting a new mechanism to calculate the energy efficiency of furnaces and boilers in some instances. 

The department is also proposing to change the test procedures for refrigerators and freezers and extending the comment period for a document on vending machine energy conservation standards. 

Use of federal meeting rooms:

The National Archives is revising its rules to clarify when fees may be charged for using federally owned buildings in and around Washington. 

Mergers:

The Federal Trade Commission is changing rules for some mergers and acquisitions. 

Postal:

The Postal Service is proposing new features for Collect on Delivery (COD) mail, which will allow it to accept new payment methods and shorten the length of time items are held if unclaimed by the receiver. 

Housing:

Regulations on the Federal Housing Administration’s mortgage insurance programs are being amended by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The new proposal would require excess bond funds to be returned to the agency after debts are paid off.