SBA Loan News
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12 results in Policy Changes
Advocacy Supports NMFS Effort to Modernize Vessel Speed Rule
On March 4, 2026, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) on modernizing the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule (Vessel Speed Rule). The Vessel Speed Rule was first implemented by NMFS in 2008. It imposes a seasonal, mandatory vessel speed limit of 10 knots on boats […]
FWS Designates Critical Habitat in Six States for the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
What: On June 1, 2026, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) published a final rule in the Federal Register designating critical habitat for the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis), a bumble bee historically found across the eastern United States. Why: One way the Endangered Species Act (ESA) protects species is by designating areas […]
Fishing Regulations Are Sinking Small Businesses: Advocacy Is Fighting Back
BLOG Fishing Regulations Are Sinking Small Businesses: Advocacy Is Fighting Back PUBLISHED: May 28, 2026 Commercial fishing is woven into the fabric of American life. It feeds our communities, supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, and strengthens our national food security by reducing dependence on foreign-sourced seafood. Small, owner-operated vessels and processors are the backbone […]
EPA Reopens Comment Period for Proposed 2020 Coal Ash Permit Program
What: On May 28, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it would reopen the comment period on a 2020 proposed rule to establish a federal coal combustion residuals (CCR) disposal permit program. Why: In 2020, the EPA proposed a rule establishing requirements and procedures to issue federal permits for CCR disposal management. The […]
EPA Proposes Exempting Transport Refrigeration Units from HFC Regulations
What: On May 26, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed exempting road and intermodal container transport refrigeration units (TRUs) from the leak repair requirements established under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. Why: A TRU is a type of integrated refrigeration appliance installed on a vehicle or intermodal container to regulate the […]
EPA Finalizes Changes to Hydrofluorocarbon Regulations
What: On May 26, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized changes to regulations that restrict the use of particular hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Technology Transitions section of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020. Why: The rule makes the following changes to existing HFC regulations: Action: The final rule becomes effective on […]
NMFS Proposes Electronic Reporting Requirement for Commercial Fishing Logbooks
What: On May 26, 2026, the National Marine Fisheries Service proposed regulations requiring the electronic submission of commercial fishing logbooks. Why: Commercial fishing logbooks are used to collect basic fishing effort and catch-related data, including species and weights of landed fish, fishing location and depth of water, and the type of gear used to fish. […]
FWS Proposes Expanded Hunting and Fishing Opportunities
What: On May 27, 2026, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to open or expand hunting opportunities on 111 field stations, including 107 units of the National Wildlife Refuges System and 4 units of the National Fish Hatchery System. Why: The FWS proposed rule would open or expand more than 1,450 opportunities for hunting […]