Tipoffs: Public Comments on Proposed Federal Rules
Aiken County Urges Army Corps to Preserve Savannah River Lock & Dam Pool
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Aiken County, South Carolina, has requested the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to maintain the current water level of the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam (NSBL&D) pool, citing its critical importance to the region's economy and recreation. In a letter submitted to the Corps regarding the implementation of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, County Council Chairman Gary Bunker expressed strong concerns about any actions that could lower the pool.
The letter em
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ANSI B11 Recommends OSHA Standard Revision
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The ANSI B11 Standards Development Committee is urging the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to revise its 1989 standard on the Control of Hazardous Energy, commonly known as "Lockout/Tagout" (LOTO).
In a letter to a federal agency, the committee recommends that OSHA update its standard to allow for the use of ANSI/ASSP Z244.1-2024, The control of hazardous energy: Lockout, Tagout and Alternative Methods.
The B11 SDC strongly recommends that OSHA revise
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Arkansas DOT Urges Federal Action on BABA, NEPA, & "Burdensome" Proposed Rules
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has called on the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to address significant regulatory burdens impacting highway projects, specifically citing concerns with Build America, Buy America (BABA) provisions, the implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and several recent proposed rulemakings.
In a May 5, 2025, letter responding to a federal Request for Information on deregulation, ARDOT Director Jar
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Bottled Water Group Urges Federal Agency to Keep Regulations
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), Alexandria, Virginia, has requested that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) maintain existing federal regulations for bottled water.
In a letter submitted to the agency, IBWA emphasized the importance of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) current standards of identity, quality, and good manufacturing practices (GMPs).
According to Albert Lear, Vice President of Science and Technical Relations for IBWA, "Thes
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Business Coalition Urges Federal Agency to Ease Chemical Reporting Regulations
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- The Ad Hoc EPCRA-TSCA Reform Coalition, represented by Keller and Heckman LLP, has requested significant changes to federal regulations for reporting chemical substances under the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA).
In a letter to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the coalition outlined several key areas where they believe current and proposed regulations are "unnecessary, undu
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California Attorneys Applaud DOJ Gun Rights Restoration Move, Urge Further Action
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Jason Davis, Davis Law Firm, Temecula, California, and Donald E.J. Kilmer Jr., Law Offices of Donald Kilmer APC, Caldwell, Idaho, have jointly voiced their strong support for the Department of Justice's (DOJ) recent Interim Final Rule (IFR) aimed at overhauling the process for restoring firearm rights.
In a comment submitted to the federal agency, the firms, representing individuals impacted by gun laws in California and beyond, lauded the IFR as a "bold move" while urging
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Coin Collectors Urge U.S. to Reconsider Italian Artifact Import Restrictions
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The International Association of Professional Numismatists (IAPN) has called on the U.S. State Department's Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC) to halt the renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Italy that imposes import restrictions on cultural artifacts, particularly ancient coins. In a detailed letter submitted on January 10, 2025, IAPN Executive Director Peter K. Tompa argues that the restrictions, in place for 25 years, have outlived their purpose
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Coin Dealers Urge Delay in Cultural Property Meeting, Citing Need for New Administration Input
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The International Association of Professional Numismatists (IAPN), a nonprofit organization representing leading international numismatic firms, has formally requested another postponement of an upcoming meeting of the Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC).
In a letter submitted to the federal agency, Peter K. Tompa, the Executive Director of the IAPN, headquartered in the United States, argued that the meeting should be delayed to allow the new presidential administ
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Dermatologists Urge Federal Agency to Address Drug Shortages, IPLEDGE Burdens
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA), representing nearly 17,500 dermatologists nationwide, has called on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to address critical regulatory issues that impact patient care. In a letter to OMB Director Russell T. Vought, the AADA outlined concerns regarding ongoing drug shortages and the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program for isotretinoin (iPLEDGE).
The AADA's letter, submitted in response to the O
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Legal Expert Flags Unintended Burden of New Financial Crime Regulations
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Dungey Dougherty PLLC, Greenwich, Connecticut, has raised concerns with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) over the potential unintended consequences of its interim final rule (IFR) regarding the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA).
In a letter dated May 6, 2025, Stephen Liss, a partner admitted in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey, argued that the new regulations could place unnecessary burdens on individuals who obtained FinCEN identifiers under the previ
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Mo. Natural Resources Dept. Outlines Priorities for Water Resources Development Act
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has submitted comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regarding the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, outlining its priorities for water quantity, quality, and interstate water management within the state. The DNR's letter, signed by Dru Buntin, Chief of Water Resources, addresses several key sections of the WRDA, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive benefits, flood risk reduction, and rive
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N.Y. City Urges Clear Guidelines for Federal Water Projects
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- New York City is calling on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to establish clear timelines and procedures for reviewing water resources development projects. In a letter to the USACE regarding the implementation of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, the city's Law Department emphasized the importance of federal and non-federal cooperation in addressing the challenges of coastal municipalities.
The city's letter, signed by Leia Seereeram, Assistant C
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National Waterways Conference Urges Corps to Enhance Transparency in WRDA 2024 Implementation
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The National Waterways Conference (NWC) has called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize transparency and stakeholder engagement in implementing the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, highlighting the need for clearer communication and streamlined processes to support water infrastructure projects nationwide. In a detailed letter to Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Lee Forsgren and Director of Civil Works Edward Belk, NWC outli
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Neurology Group Urges Federal Agency to Ease Regulatory Burdens on Patient Care and Research
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The American Academy of Neurology (AAN), Minneapolis, Minnesota, representing over 40,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, has formally requested the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to consider the removal of several regulations it deems overly burdensome and detrimental to patient care and the dissemination of research. In a letter addressed to Director Russell Vought, the AAN outlined specific areas where it believes deregulation would align with the Pre
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Numismatic Society Voices Concerns Over Proposed Import Restrictions on Vietnamese Coins
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The Oriental Numismatic Society (ONS), Reseda, California, has expressed its concerns regarding a proposed renewal that may impact the right of its members to import coins for numismatic studies and research. The concerns were raised in a letter to the Cultural Property Advisory Committee.
The letter, submitted on behalf of the Oriental Numismatic Society North America Region, addresses a request from the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam seeking import restr
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Numismatists Challenge U.S. Import Restrictions on Moroccan Coins
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The International Association of Professional Numismatists (IAPN) has raised significant concerns over the proposed renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United States and Morocco, which imposes import restrictions on historical coins. In a detailed letter submitted on January 8, 2025, to the Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC) at the U.S. Department of State, IAPN Executive Director Peter K. Tompa criticized the current restrictions as overly b
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Numismatists Group Seeks Exclusion of Coins From Import Restrictions
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The International Association of Professional Numismatists (IAPN), a non-profit organization, has formally requested that the U.S. Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC) exclude Spanish Colonial and Chilean coins from any renewed import restrictions related to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Republic of Chile.
In a letter submitted to the federal agency, Peter K. Tompa, Executive Director of the IAPN, argued that these coins do not meet the legal criteria
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Numismatists Oppose Proposed U.S. Import Restrictions on Vietnamese Coins
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The International Association of Professional Numismatists (IAPN) has urged the U.S. Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC) to reject proposed import restrictions on coins as part of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. In a letter submitted on January 8, 2025, IAPN Executive Director Peter K. Tompa argued that such restrictions would be confusing, legally questionable, and detrimental to Vietnamese-American collectors, partic
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Opioid Treatment Advocates Warn Against Deregulating Methadone Prescribing
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The Advocates for Opioid Addiction Treatment (AOAT), a coalition of over 700 opioid treatment providers is urging the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to exercise extreme caution regarding proposals that could loosen regulations on prescribing methadone for opioid use disorder (OUD).
In a letter to the OMB, the AOAT expressed concerns that special interest groups are attempting to leverage a request for information on deregulation to push for changes that would underm
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Palm Beach Property Owners Urge Immediate Sand Placement
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The Gunster law firm, representing The Breakers Palm Beach, Inc., Flagler Drive Holdings, LLC, and South Ocean Boulevard, LLC, is calling on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to expedite sand placement projects in the Mid-Town area. In a letter to the Corps, attorney Deborah K. Madden argues that further delays are unnecessary and endanger public safety.
The letter asserts that coastal system resiliency in the Mid-Town Project Area relies on periodic sand placement,
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Ports Seek Clarity on Federal Water Law Implementation for Columbia River
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Non-federal sponsors of the Lower Columbia River federal navigation channel (LCR FNC) have submitted comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regarding the implementation guidance for the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 2024). The ports, who are dedicated partners in maintaining the critical waterway, are seeking specific guidance on one key area of the new legislation while stating that other sections impacting the LCR FNC are str
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San Luis Obispo County Urges Swift Action on Salinas Dam Conveyance
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- San Luis Obispo County, California, is calling on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to expedite the transfer of ownership of Salinas Dam and Reservoir, a crucial component of the county's water supply. In a letter to Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) Robyn S. Colosimo, County Director of Public Works John Diodati outlined the county's priorities regarding the implementation of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024.
The county's primar
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Savannah/Hilton Head Airport Urges FAA to Cut Red Tape, Allow "Common Sense" in Regulations
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, Georgia is calling for significant deregulation and a more "common sense" approach from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), arguing that current regulatory processes are often obsolete, unnecessary, and overly burdensome.
In a May 5, 2025, letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, Airport Executive Director Gregory B. Kelly, A.A.E., provided several examples of what he termed "nonsensical reviews" and inef
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Seafood Group Urges FDA to Revise Labeling Rules
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Pacific Seafood Group, Clackamas, Oregon, is calling on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to update its labeling regulations, arguing that current rules stifle American businesses and give foreign competitors an unfair advantage. In a letter to the Office of Management and Budget, the seafood company urges the FDA to allow certain U.S.-caught fish to be labeled as "Pacific Snapper."
The letter focuses on Sebastes species harvested from the U.S. West Coast Groundfish F
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Thoracic Surgeons Urge Rescission of FDA Guidance
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), Chicago, Illinois, is calling on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to rescind two Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance documents, citing potential harm to patients. In a letter to OMB Director Russell Vought, STS President Dr. Joseph F. Sabik III expressed concerns about the guidance related to reducing the risk of disease transmission from human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products.
The STS, a not-fo
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Tribal Organization Urges Changes to Water Resources Act Implementation
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The United South and Eastern Tribes Sovereignty Protection Fund (USET SPF), representing 33 federally recognized Tribal Nations, has submitted comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regarding the implementation of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. The organization expresses both appreciation for certain provisions and concerns about others, urging the Corps to uphold its trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations.
USET SPF acknowledges t
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U.S. Lumber Coalition Urges Crackdown on Foreign Subsidies Hurting American Forestry
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The U.S. Lumber Coalition (USLC) has called on the U.S. Department of Commerce to address foreign subsidies that it claims unfairly disadvantage American softwood lumber producers. In a detailed letter submitted on May 9, 2025, to Deputy Assistant Secretary Christopher Abbott, the coalition outlined subsidy programs in Canada, Sweden, and Germany that it argues distort markets and harm U.S. workers and businesses in the forestry sector.
The USLC, representing large and sma
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Valero Seeks Extension for Deregulation Comments
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Valero Companies, San Antonio, Texas, the world's largest independent refining company, has requested an extension to the comment period for the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) request for information on deregulation. In a letter to OMB, Valero's Director of Regulatory Affairs, Matthew H. Hodges, cited the "record-breaking level of regulatory activity of the prior administration" as the reason for needing more time.
The OMB had initially set a 30-day comment period
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Water Supply Group Urges Stronger USACE Focus
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The National Water Supply Alliance (NWSA), in Austin, Texas, is calling on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to elevate the importance of water supply in its operations and policies. In a letter to Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works D. Lee Forsgren, NWSA Executive Director Dave Mitamura emphasized that USACE policies must be updated to address the nation's growing water supply challenges.
The NWSA, representing entities that contract with USACE f
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Williams Urges Modernization of Pipeline Safety Regulations, Cites Burdens & Inefficiencies
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The Williams Companies, Tulsa, Oklahoma, a major U.S. energy infrastructure provider, is calling on the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to modernize federal pipeline regulations, arguing that current rules can be burdensome, costly, and slow to adapt to technological advancements.
In a May 5, 2025, letter responding to a DOT Request for Information on deregulation, Williams outlined concerns and prop
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