Regulation Digest, March 24

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule incorporating SAE International standards for motor vehicle air conditioning system servicing. Effective April 23.

Affidavit of Support on Behalf of Immigrants

The Dept. of Homeland Security issued a withdrawal of an October 2 proposed rule, see Mark Febrizio's public interest comment on the NPRM.

Relatedly, the Employment & Training Administration issued a proposed delay of a Dept. of Labor rule "Strengthening Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain Aliens," comments due April 21. Also, DHS and the Executive Office for Immigration Review issued an interim final rule further extending the effective date delay for a DHS & DOJ final rule -- Security Bars rule -- and are seeking public comment on "whether that rule represents an effective way to protect public health while reducing barriers for noncitizens seeking forms of protection in the US, or whether the Security Bars rule should be revised or revoked," comments due April 21.

Access to Life-Saving Medications Delay

The Dept. of Health & Human Services issued a further delay of a December 23 final rule “Implementation of Executive Order on Access to Affordable Life-saving Medications" from March 22 to July 20.

Protect Communications from Nat'l Security Threats

The Federal Communications Commission issued a proposed rule to modify its Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program rules to help protect the safety and security of U.S. communications networks. Comments due April 12.

Energy Guidance Documents Delay

The Dept. of Energy delayed the effective date of a final rule establishing procedures for the issuance of DOE guidance documents. Effective January 6.

Prohibition on Abusive Acts or Practices Rescission

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rescinded a statement of policy regarding the prohibition on abusive acts or practices by service providers.

The Opinion Section

Susan Dudley: Seismic Shift In The Regulatory Tide

Brandon Dorfman: Extending Telehealth Bupe Past the Pandemic Wouldn’t Require Congress

Greg Ip: Carbon Tax Sidelined in Biden’s Push on Climate, Taxes

Scott Gottlieb: Where’s the Science Behind CDC’s 6-Foot Social-Distance Decree?

WSJ Editorial: The Securities & Politics Commission and Biden’s ‘BackDoor’ Climate Plan

WaPo Editorial: The Danger of Climate Change is Imminent. The Senate Must Approve a Strong Policy.

Mark Jamison: Adam Smith’s Advice to President Biden

James Capretta: The Next Health Care Battles

Matt Stoller & Pat Garofalo: States Are Right to Rebel Against Big Tech

Paul Roderick Gregory: Getting the Facts Right On Operation Warp Speed

Sharon Treat: Will New NAFTA Block Biden's Progressive Regulatory Policies?

Gerald George: Here's the Deal: Predicting the Path of Biden Regulatory Policy

Katherine Sheriff & David Gossett: Automated Driving Regulation: Three Big Issues Going Forward

Sebastian Seiguer: How to Let Consumer Demand Drive Innovation of Healthcare Delivery

In the News

Congress & Regulatory Reform

Deadline is Approaching to Repeal Trump Rules Using ‘Obscure’ Law, Government Executive
Democrats Seek to Undo Trump EEOC Rule Using Congressional Review Act, Government Executive
Trump Worker Bias Rule Gets Rare Challenge From Hill Democrats, Bloomberg
Senate committee advances two Biden environment nominees, The Hill

Financial Markets & Housing

Biden administration wants the financial sector to face up to climate risk, Washington Post
ESG Disclosure Rules From Europe Challenge U.S. Fund Managers, Wall Street Journal
CFTC Creates Climate Risk Unit to Review Futures, Options, Wall Street Journal
A Return to Wall Street’s Low-Rent District, New York Times
SEC adopts measure aimed at cracking down on Chinese firms from US exchanges, The Hill
Fed to form committee focused on climate risks to financial system, The Hill
Fed allows COVID-19 capital requirement exemption to lapse, The Hill

Energy & Environment

Why is Biden halting federal oil and gas sales?, Associated Press
Plastic Straws That Quickly Biodegrade in the Ocean? Not Quite, Scientists Say, Wall Street Journal
Regan Says EPA Will Look Again at Science Advisory Committees, Bloomberg
Biden’s Recovery Plan Bets Big on Clean Energy, New York Times
Democrats reintroduce measure to address racial disparities in environmental impacts, The Hill
Biden expected to seek 50% carbon cut by 2030, E&E News

Health & Safety

Hospitals Hide Pricing Data From Search Results, Wall Street Journal
Big Tech Helps Set Standards for Covid-19 Vaccine Verification, Wall Street Journal
Regulatory changes in store for meat industry under Biden administration, Capital Press
NTSB Pushing for Stricter FAA Safety Rules for Certain Flights after B17 Crash, NBC

Business

PPP Loan Changes Came Too Late for Smallest Businesses, Wall Street Journal

Technology

FCC Chief in Charge of America’s 5G Rollout Confronts a Long To-Do List, Wall Street Journal
Tesla’s Autopilot Technology Faces Fresh Scrutiny, New York Times
Lina Khan is just the first step toward tougher US tech regulation, The Verge

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