WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service has announced that it is increasing its fees for grain inspection and weighing services for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. These fees are charged for services performed under the U.S. Grain Standards Act. This move comes after an annual review of the fees showed that current rates are not enough to cover the costs of providing the services. The price hike is meant to offset rising operational costs and   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has withdrawn its plans to prepare environmental impact statements for two petitions involving genetically engineered organisms. The decision is a direct consequence of a program update issued by APHIS on July 9, 2025. The agency will no longer conduct an environmental analysis as part of its review for petitions seeking nonregulated status for genetically engineered organisms. Instead,   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSFR) -- After an administrative error led to the removal of a key exemption, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has restored a fee waiver for small commercial aircraft. The change, which takes effect on August 15, 2025, means that commercial passenger planes with 64 or fewer seats will not be charged the agricultural quarantine and inspection (AQI) user fee, provided they meet certain conditions. The issue stems from a May 7, 202  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Transportation has ended a proceeding aimed at creating a toll-free hotline for air travelers. The rulemaking entitled "Notifying Air Travelers of DOT's Aviation Consumer Hotline" was withdrawn after legislative changes made the hotline unnecessary. Initially, a 2012 law mandated the Secretary of Transportation to establish a complaint hotline. That legislation required airlines to display the hotline number on their websites and at airport   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSFR) -- Helicopter Consultants of Maui dba Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, Honolulu, has asked the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration for permission to seek relief from a rule that requires aircraft to maintain a 1,500-foot minimum altitude above the ground in certain areas. The company argues that flying lower, specifically in areas with Razor Back ridge crossings on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Hawaii (the Big Island), would be a safe  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (TNSFR) -- The Federal Communications Commission is seeking public comment on a proposal to streamline its environmental review process for infrastructure projects. The plan aims to make the review quicker and more efficient by leveraging modern technology and clarifying rules that govern when a full environmental impact study is required. The changes are intended to help the agency better respond to evolving environmental considerations and improve its interactions with the   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (TNSFR) -- The Federal Communications Commission has put into effect a final rule that strengthens requirements for caller identification authentication. This action builds upon the "Call Authentication Trust Anchor" framework, establishing clear practices for telecommunications providers who use other companies to help them with their Stir/Shaken implementation duties. The rule became effective on September 18, 2025. Under the new regulations, providers who are required to   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service is moving to modernize the way it conducts post-slaughter inspections of pigs, proposing a shift away from a hands-on approach. The agency believes the move will allow its inspectors to more efficiently protect public health while maintaining food safety standards. According to a document published on August 19, 2025, the agency is seeking public comment on its plan to adopt visual inspection pr  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service has put forth proposals aimed at easing the information reporting requirements for partnerships. The proposed rules would revise existing obligations concerning the sale or exchange of certain partnership interests that involve inventory or unrealized receivables. The goal is to remove a requirement that has proven burdensome for many businesses. Under current rules, partnerships must furnish a complete   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Justice has announced its intention to establish an advisory committee focused on countering anti-Semitism. The group, called the Anti-Semitism Advisory Committee (ASAC), will provide recommendations to the Attorney General and the DOJ on efforts to address anti-Semitism nationwide. According to the announcement, the committee's purpose is to promote coordinated and effective responses to acts of anti-Semitism. Its work will align with the n  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Labor is confirming the effective date of September 2, 2025, for a rule that removes outdated grant and contract regulations. This action clears away rules from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), specifically parts 95, 96, 97 and 99 of title 29. These regulations had become obsolete. The Department had already adopted and given regulatory effect to the Office of Management and Budget's Guidance for Grants and Agreements back in 2014. Si  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSFR) -- Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City, has filed a petition with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration to gain relief from regulations on rail car markings. The museum aims to keep the historical appearance of three of its pieces of equipment: WP 2711, OR&N 3505 and UP 25428. The petition, submitted to the Department of Transportation, requests a special approval for the three cars, all of which are over 50 years old. The railw  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSFR) -- The Small Business Administration will hold a tribal consultation meeting in Wayland, Michigan, to gather comments on its programs. The event, scheduled for September 17, 2025, is part of a broader effort to ensure the agency's initiatives are accessible and efficient for tribally-owned small businesses. Attendees are invited to offer suggestions on how the SBA can enhance its financial assistance, contracting, business counseling, and technical aid. The agency is  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is eliminating an obsolete set of rules as part of a larger government-wide effort to reduce regulatory burdens. A directive from the President's office tasked all agencies with reviewing their regulations and rescinding those that are unneeded or outdated. The provisions within 7 CFR part 1930 were identified as outmoded, unnecessary, and lacking substantive material. By removing these provisions, RD aims to make its regulatory   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Trade Representative is asking for public comments to help prepare its yearly report to Congress on China's adherence to its World Trade Organization commitments. This request includes a call for written comments and a public hearing to gather feedback. China joined the WTO on December 11, 2001. Since then, USTR has been required by law to provide an annual report on whether China is meeting the promises it made upon joining. These include multilateral co  more