The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is amending its regulations governing the critical position pay (CPP) authority to establish level I of the Executive Schedule as the default maximum critical pay rate, with higher rates subject to written approval by the Director of OPM. The final rule eliminates non-statutory caps and approval criteria; addresses the use of service agreements; clarifies that reductions or terminations of CPP are not adverse actions or subject to grievance or appeal rights; and clarifies the treatment of critical pay rates as basic pay. This final rule simplifies and better aligns OPM's regulations with governing law and delegated authority.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issues this final rule to incorporate classification changes adopted by the Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (Nice Agreement). These changes are listed in the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (13th ed., ver. 2027) (Nice Classification), which is published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and will become effective on January 1, 2027.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing to reclassify digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) systems, product code OTE, which are postamendments class III devices, from class III (premarket approval) into class II (special controls), subject to premarket notification. FDA is also proposing a new device classification regulation with the name "Digital Breast Tomosynthesis System," to identify these devices along with special controls that FDA believes are necessary to provide a reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of these devices.

This notice announces changes in the interest rates to be paid on debentures issued with respect to a loan or mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration under the provisions of the National Housing Act (the Act). The interest rate for debentures issued under Section 221(g)(4) of the Act during the 6-month period beginning January 1, 2026, is 4 percent. The interest rate for debentures issued under any other provision of the Act is the rate in effect on the date that the commitment to insure the loan or mortgage was issued, or the date that the loan or mortgage was endorsed (or initially endorsed if there are two or more endorsements) for insurance, whichever rate is higher. The interest rate for debentures issued under these other provisions with respect to a loan or mortgage committed or endorsed during the 6-month period beginning January 1, 2026, is 4\3/4\ percent.

The Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") is proposing new rules to create a tailored offering regime for certain investment contracts involving crypto assets. The proposed offering regime is intended to facilitate capital formation and accommodate innovation within the crypto asset markets while, at the same time, ensuring that investors are adequately protected and provided with the information they need to make informed investment decisions. The proposed rules would be set forth in a new regulation titled "Regulation Crypto Assets" and would include two exemptions from the registration requirements of section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933. The first exemption would permit offerings of up to $5 million during a four-year period. The second exemption would permit offerings of up to $75 million during each 12-month period. Under both exemptions, issuers would be required to make certain principles-based narrative disclosures available to their investors. In addition, issuers under the second exemption would be required to provide financial statements and would be subject to ongoing reporting requirements. Issuers that rely on these exemptions would remain subject to the antifraud and antimanipulation provisions of the Federal securities laws. The proposed rules also would include a conditional safe harbor from the term "investment contract" in the definitions of "security" in the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If the conditions of that proposed safe harbor are satisfied, then a crypto asset would be deemed not to be subject to an investment contract for purposes of those definitions of "security."

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC" or "Commission") is seeking public responses to this Request for Comment to better inform its understanding and oversight of derivatives markets in compute.

The Department proposes to revise the existing accrediting agency recognition regulations at 34 CFR part 602 to implement the directives set forth in Executive Order 14279, Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education, and other Administration priorities, align the regulations more closely with statute, and reduce regulatory burden.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL or the Department) is removing the requirement that States use State merit staff to provide Wagner-Peyser Employment Service (ES) services. This final rule allows States to use the staffing model that provides the required services with the most efficient and cost-effective model for their State.

The Department of Justice ("the Department") is implementing criteria to guide determinations for granting relief from disabilities imposed by federal laws with respect to the acquisition, receipt, transfer, shipment, transportation, or possession of firearms. The criteria are designed to ensure that the fundamental right of the people to keep and bear arms is not unduly infringed, that those people granted relief are not likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety, and that granting such relief would not be contrary to the public interest.

The NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB) is the only Federal Advisory Committee with responsibility to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on long- and short-range strategies for research, education and the application of science to resource management and environmental assessment and prediction. The Science Advisory Board is called upon to provide advice to NOAA on a wide variety of topics important to the agency. Because of the breadth of subject matter that the group addresses, they frequently consult with additional experts on specific topics. Certain topics are deemed to be of long-term interest for NOAA and the standing working groups (WGs) were established under the SAB to consult on a regular basis. The SAB WGs consist of experts with whom the SAB consults on a regular basis to address NOAA scientific priorities.

The Department of Labor's (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is soliciting comments concerning a proposed new information collection request (ICR) titled, "Registered Apprenticeship National Public Awareness Campaign." This comment request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

The NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB) is the only Federal Advisory Committee with responsibility to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on long- and short-range strategies for research, education and the application of science to resource management and environmental assessment and prediction. NOAA seeks candidates with expertise in areas relevant to its mission, including Federal, State, and local government; social and behavioral sciences; artificial intelligence and machine learning; high performance computing; data management, including open access and accessibility; uncrewed systems; whale research and conservation; aircraft systems and modernization; and economic analysis, including cost-benefit evaluation of observing systems. NOAA also encourages nominations of qualified mid-career scientists and engineers.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act and following consultation with the Committee Management Secretariat, General Services Administration, notice is hereby given that the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board (SEAB) will be renewed for a two-year period beginning on August 26, 2026. The Committee provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Energy on energy policies; the Department's basic and applied research and developmental activities; economic and national security policy; and on any other activities and operations of the Department of Energy.

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, that the Maryland Advisory Committee (Committee) to the Commission will hold a public meeting via Zoom. The purpose is for the committee to continue The purpose is for the committee to continue briefing planning on the chosen topic of artificial intelligence and its application in voting administration.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is easing export controls on certain Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or drones) and related parts, components, accessories, attachments, technology, and software under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Specifically, this rule: eliminates wind gust tolerance as a parameter for determining UAV controls under the EAR; increases the threshold for national security controls on certain UAVs from an endurance of 30 minutes to an endurance of 3 hours; makes conforming changes to remove national security controls on software and technology associated with UAVs with an endurance less than 3 hours; maintains military end-use and end-user controls on those lower endurance drones and associated software and technology; clarifies Commerce Control List (CCL) controls for certain UAVs specially designed for military use; and removes national security controls on certain specially designed parts, components, accessories, and attachments for such UAVs as they do not provide any significant military or intelligence capabilities.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) is seeking information to consider regarding the selection of locations for one or more community outreach offices (COOs) in the agency's Southwest Region, which comprises Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the Agency, or we) is issuing a final order reclassifying in situ hybridization (ISH) test systems indicated for use with a corresponding approved oncology therapeutic product (product codes NYQ, MVD, OWE, and PNK), all postamendments class III (premarket approval) devices, into class II (special controls), subject to premarket notification. FDA is also establishing a new device classification regulation, along with the special controls that are necessary to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of this device type.

Publication of the 2026 Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions represents a key component of the regulatory planning mechanism prescribed in Executive Order ("E.O.") 12866, "Regulatory Planning and Review," (58 FR 51735, as amended) and reaffirmed in E.O. 13563, "Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review," (76 FR 3821) and E.O. 14192, "Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation." The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires that agencies publish semiannual regulatory agendas in the Federal Register describing regulatory actions they are developing that may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities (5 U.S.C. 602). The Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Unified Agenda) helps agencies fulfill all of these requirements. All Federal regulatory agencies have chosen to publish their regulatory agendas as part of this publication. The complete publication of the 2026 Unified Agenda contains 78 Federal agency regulatory agendas available to the public at www.reginfo.gov. The 2026 Unified Agenda publication appearing in the Federal Register includes the agency Regulatory Flexibility Agendas, in accordance with the publication requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Agency Regulatory Flexibility Agendas contain only those Agenda entries for rules that are likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and entries that have been selected for periodic review under section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review (Sep. 30, 1993), requires each agency to publish a regulatory agenda (Agenda) of regulations under development or review during the next year which will be included in the Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Unified Agenda). 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 4, 1993). The Agenda required by Executive Order 12866 must include all regulations the agency expects to develop or review during the next 12 months, regardless of whether they may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Executive Order 12866 provides that agencies may combine this agenda with the regulatory flexibility agenda required under the RFA. To help keep the public informed of significant rulemaking proceedings and meet its obligations under the RFA and Executive Order 12866, the Commission has prepared Agenda entries providing a brief description and summary of each regulatory activity that is currently planned for the 12 months, subject to revision, including the objectives and legal basis for each, and the name and telephone number of an agency official who is knowledgeable about items in the agenda. The Commission's Agenda entries published in the Federal Register are only those entries for rules that are likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities pursuant to the RFA. The Commission's complete list of regulatory and deregulatory actions for the Unified Agenda will be published on the internet in a searchable format at www.reginfo.gov.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks comment on measures the Commission can take to better protect children when using E-Rate-funded networks, the Commission's progress in ensuring affordable access to high-speed broadband to and within schools and libraries, and whether the Commission's current interpretation of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is the best reading of the statute. The Commission also proposes actions to strengthen E-Rate program integrity and streamline program administration.