On February 27, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice that the state of California has requested the EPA to authorize its In-Use Locomotive Regulation. The In-Use Locomotive regulation would place multiple new regulatory requirements on railroads within California. The Clean Air Act allows other states to implement California’s standards once they […]
Author: Office of Advocacy
Posted: April 23, 2024, 3:36 pm
On April 19, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice in the Federal Register requesting comments on the draft human health and ecological risk assessments for the registration review of formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde. Registration review pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is EPA’s periodic review of pesticide registrations […]
Author: Office of Advocacy
Posted: April 22, 2024, 3:59 pm
On April 16, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice in the Federal Register requesting comments on the “Draft Risk Evaluation for Asbestos Part 2: Supplemental Evaluation Including Legacy Uses and Associated Disposals of Asbestos.” The draft risk evaluation covers legacy uses and associated disposals of chrysotile asbestos, 5 additional fiber types, […]
Author: Office of Advocacy
Posted: April 18, 2024, 6:52 pm
The next U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy Small Business Telecommunications and Technology Policy Roundtable will be held virtually on May 16, 2024, at 1:00 PM ET on Microsoft Teams. The discussion will focus on recent and upcoming regulatory actions proposed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). To register for this roundtable, complete the […]
Author: Office of Advocacy
Posted: April 16, 2024, 5:05 pm
The next Office of Advocacy and USPTO Trademark Office Roundtable will be held virtually on May 2, 2024, at 1:00 PM ET on the Microsoft Teams platform. The discussion will first focus on the proposed trademark fee rule and the second half of the roundtable will focus on the patent fee rule. The roundtable’s purpose […]
Author: Office of Advocacy
Posted: April 16, 2024, 4:37 pm
On April 15, 2024, the Office of Advocacy submitted comments on the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC) proposed rule on Business Combinations Under the Bank Merger Act. The proposed rule would amend the procedures and would add an appendix outlining a policy statement that summarizes the principles the OCC uses when it […]
Author: Office of Advocacy
Posted: April 16, 2024, 4:19 pm
Family-owned businesses are central to the U.S. economy. The Office of Advocacy has released a fact sheet outlining recent data about these businesses. Review the recent trends in family-owned business employment and learn more about the common characteristics of family-owned businesses in this newest release. Document Fact Sheet, Small Business Facts: Characteristics of Family-Owned Businesses […]
Author: Office of Advocacy
Posted: April 16, 2024, 1:00 pm
On March 15, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice of availability for the draft risk assessment and peer review by the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) for formaldehyde. Due to concerns, the Office of Advocacy is recommending EPA extend the comment period for an additional 60 days. For more information, […]
Author: Office of Advocacy
Posted: April 9, 2024, 7:15 pm
On April 3, 2024, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (UPSTO) announced a proposed rule to change the fee structure for patent applications. Similar to the recently proposed trademark rule, the proposed rule aims to 1) promote innovation strategies; 2) align fees with the full cost of trademark services; 3) set fees to facilitate the […]
Author: Office of Advocacy
Posted: April 9, 2024, 3:31 pm
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced the agenda for its April 25, 2024, Open Commission Meeting. Please follow the links below to view the draft documents in circulation at the FCC: The FCC has previously passed Net Neutrality rules that were rescinded in 2017. The Commission is seeking to reestablish its authority to protect […]
Author: Office of Advocacy
Posted: April 9, 2024, 3:16 pm
