A comprehensive summary of today’s judicial, legislative, and regulatory developments in agriculture and food. Email important additions HERE.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Mark your calendar for the next Agricultural & Food Law Consortium webinar, this Wednesday, February 21st: Agricultural Nutrient Management: State Innovations and Local Responsibility. Details available here.
LEGISLATIVE:
H.R. 4378: Nuclear Energy Research Infrastructure Act of 2017. Text for status Referred to Senate Committee (Feb 14, 2018) is now available.
H.R. 4376: Department of Energy Research Infrastructure Act of 2017. Text for status Referred to Senate Committee (Feb 14, 2018) is now available.
H.R. 4377: To direct the Secretary of Energy to carry out certain upgrades to research equipment and construct research user facilities. Text for status Referred to Senate Committee (Feb 14, 2018) is now available.
H.R. 4675: Low-Dose Radiation Research Act of 2017. Text for status Referred to Senate Committee (Feb 14, 2018) is now available.
H.R. 5015: To direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to take certain actions related to pesticides that may affect pollinators. Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
H.R. 1274: State, Tribal, and Local Species Transparency and Recovery Act. Text for status Reported by House Committee (Feb 15, 2018) is now available.
H.R. 2603: SAVES Act. Text for status Reported by House Committee (Feb 15, 2018) is now available.
H.R. 3131: Endangered Species Litigation Reasonableness Act. Text for status Reported by House Committee (Feb 15, 2018) is now available.
H.R. 3225: Oregon Tribal Economic Development Act. Text for status Reported by House Committee (Feb 15, 2018) is now available.
H.R. 3607: To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to establish fees for medical services provided in units of the National Park System. Text for status Reported by House Committee (Feb 15, 2018) is now available.
S. 2441: A bill to amend the Steel Industry American Heritage Area Act of 1996 to repeal the funding limitation. Referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
H.R. 5056: To direct the Secretary of the Interior, Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of Veterans Affairs to inventory Confederate commemorative works on certain Federal lands. Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services, House Committee on Natural Resources, and one other committee.
S. 2447: A bill to accelerate smart building development. Referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
S. 2448: A bill to provide for the issuance of a rule to advance next-generation technologies to provide alternatives to hydrofluorocarbons. Bill referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
H.R. 5055: To amend the Food Security amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to make acequias eligible for assistance. Bill referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
S. 2443: A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a new career counseling program. Bill referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
S. 2449: A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to establish the 21st Century Energy Workforce Advisory Board. Bill referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
H.R. 5048: To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 with respect to eligibility to become a third-party provider. Bill referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
H.R. 4465: Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Extension Act of 2017. Text for status Reported by House Committee (Feb 16, 2018) is now available.
REGULATORY: Includes USDA, APHIS, EPA, FWS, FDA, FNS, and NOAA rules and notices.
AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT:
Notice USDA has submitted information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review. Title: Guidelines for the Transfer of Excess Computer or Other Technical Equipment Pursuant to Section 14220 of the 2008 Farm Bill. Info here.
Notice USDA has submitted information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review. Title: Federal and Non-Federal Financial Assistance Instruments. Info here.
Notice USDA has submitted a Generic Information Collection Request (Generic ICR): “Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery” to OMB for approval. Details here.
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE: Notice APHIS will recognize Japan as being free of classical swine fever and swine vesicular disease. Info here.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY:
Rule establishes tolerances for residues of quizalofop ethyl in or on field corn forage, grain, and stover. Details here.
Rule EPA is proposing to approve a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland. Info here.
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE:
Notice FWS seeks comment on applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species. Info here.
Notice the City of San Diego has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for an incidental take permit under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act. Info here.
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION:
Notice announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the Agency. Title: Animal Food Labeling; Declaration of Certifiable Color Additives. Details here.
Notice FDA is announcing that a proposed collection of information has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Title: Export of Food and Drug Administration-Regulated Products: Export Certificates. Info here.
FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE: Notice of Request for Information to help FNS gather feedback from a wide variety of stakeholders on how FNS’ crediting system can best address today’s evolving food and nutrition environment, as well as to offer first-rate customer service to those operating and benefitting from the Child Nutrition Programs. Details here.
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION:
Rule NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). Details here.
Rule NMFS proposes some of the measures included in Framework Adjustment 29 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan that establish scallop specifications. Details here.
Notice Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information. Title: North Pacific Observer Safety and Security Survey. Info here.
Notice Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information. Title: Pacific Halibut Fisheries: Charter Permits. Details here.
Notice Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information. Title: Southeast Region Vessel and Gear Identification Requirements. Info here.
Notice that a major amendment to Permit No. 21158 has been issued to Robert Garrott, Ph.D., Montana State University, 310 Lewis Hall, Bozeman, MT 59717. Details here.