DOT Finally Kills Four-Year-Old Environmental Rule Nobody Wanted

2026-17655, Passports: Expanding Online Passport Renewal Overseas

The Department proposes to amend 22 CFR 51.21 by consolidating requirements for persons applying by mail and online in the United States and overseas. This proposed change includes expanding online passport application availability to qualified applicants located in foreign countries. In addition, the Department is proposing to remove the requirement that an applicant's most recently issued passport must have a year or less of remaining validity to qualify to submit an online passport application. Finally, the Department is proposing technical corrections to 51.8(b) to change "on-line" to read "online" for consistency.

2026-17609, Airworthiness Directives; Embraer S.A. Airplanes

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Embraer S.A. Model EMB-545 and EMB-550 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by the possibility of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) compartment door seal peeling off and becoming entangled with the RAT rotor. This proposed AD would require replacement of the RAT compartment door seal. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

2026-17641, Federal Sector Equal Employment Opportunity

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) proposes revising Federal sector EEO complaint rules to streamline processing, improve effectiveness, and implement the Cummings Act. The rule would end mandatory pre complaint counseling and remove the option to request administrative judge proceedings before a final agency decision. Complainants could seek such proceedings only on appeal, and the EEOC would order them only when necessary or efficient. The rule would bar administrative class complaint adjudication while preserving putative class assertions for exhaustion. The rule also allows joint processing of related individual complaints and updates pleading standards, mixed case procedures, attorney fee provisions, and required reports.

2026-17649, Disclosure of Information; Extension of Comment Period

The FDIC is extending the public comment period on the proposed rule "Disclosure of Information," which was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2026. FDIC is extending the public comment period from August 31, 2026, to October 5, 2026, to provide interested parties with additional time to analyze the proposal and prepare comments.

2026-17661, Special Conditions: Skyryse, Robinson Helicopter Company Model R66 Helicopter; Control Margin Awareness

This action proposes special conditions for the Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R66 helicopter. This helicopter, as modified by Skyryse, will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for normal category helicopters. This design feature replaces the mechanical flight controls with a digital fly-by-wire FBW system. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

2026-17499, Air Plan Approval; Oklahoma; Regional Haze Plan for the First Implementation Revision; Revision to State Implementation Plan and Requirements

Pursuant to the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve the State implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Oklahoma on March 12, 2026, (Oklahoma's 2026 SIP submission) for the regional haze program's first implementation (planning) period. Oklahoma's 2026 SIP submission revises previously approved source-specific requirements for the American Electric Power/Public Service of Oklahoma (AEP/PSO) Northeastern Power Station as part of the State's long-term strategy for the first planning period. The EPA is proposing to find that this SIP revision meets the requirements of the CAA and the Regional Haze Rule.

Previous: 2025-01100, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

If you own or operate Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G or SA342J, listen up! The FAA wants you to regularly check certain tail rotor parts for rust and replace them if needed to keep flying safe. Comments on this plan are open until March 3, 2025, and following these rules might cost some time and money but will keep your chopper in top shape.

Next: 2025-01210, Assateague Island National Seashore; Oversand Vehicles

If you love driving on Assateague Island’s beaches, good news! The National Park Service wants to drop old rules about vehicle size, weight, and clearance that have been around since 1976. This means more vehicles could qualify for permits, making beach drives easier and more fun. Just remember to share your thoughts by March 18, 2025, before the changes become official.