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Regulatory Roundup: January 30-February 5

By:
S.J. Steinhardt
Published Date:
Feb 5, 2024

AICPA

AICPA & CIMA® Receives Brandon Hall Group Award for Excellence in Technology
Jan 31, 2024

CBO

Cost Estimate
H.R. 5969, Improving Travel for Families Act

February 1, 2024
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on November 8, 2023

Cost Estimate
Legislation considered under suspension of the Rules of the House of Representatives during the week of February 5, 2024

February 1, 2024
The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives announces bills that will be considered under suspension of the rules in that chamber. CBO estimates the effects of those bills on direct spending and revenues.

Cost Estimate
H.R. 6245, Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act of 2023
January 31, 2024
As reported by the House Committee on Financial Services on December 19, 2023

Report 
Testimony on Federal Subsidies for Health Insurance and Policies to Reduce the Prices Paid by Commercial Insurers
January 31, 2024
Chapin White, CBO's Director of Health Analysis, testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health.

Report
Testimony on the Accuracy of CBO’s Recent Baseline Projections
January 31, 2024
CBO Director Phillip Swagel testifies before the House Committee on the Budget.

Report
Effects of No GDP Growth on Federal Deficits
January 30, 2024
CBO was asked what the effects on federal deficits would be if the economy was stagnant over two years. The agency created two scenarios with no growth of gross domestic product adjusted to remove the effects of inflation.

Cost Estimate
H.R. 1246, a bill to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land held in trust for federally recognized Indian Tribes
January 30, 2024
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on January 17, 2024

Cost Estimate
H.R. 2560, Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2023
January 30, 2024
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on October 26, 2023

Cost Estimate
H.R. 4167, Protecting America’s Distribution Transformer Supply Chain Act
January 30, 2024
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on December 5, 2023

Interactive
How Increasing the Federal Minimum Wage Could Affect Employment and Family Income
January 30, 2024
This interactive tool, updated in January 30, 2024, allows users to explore how various policies to increase the federal minimum wage would affect earnings, employment, family income, and poverty.

Cost Estimate
H.R. 6317, a bill to require the Administrator of the General Services Administration to submit a report describing a process for seeking public comment about proposed changes to mandatory design standards for public buildings, and for other purposes
January 29, 2024
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on November 15, 2023

Cost Estimate
H.R. 6408, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to terminate the tax-exempt status of terrorist supporting organizations
January 29, 2024
As reported by the House Committee on Ways and Means on
December 19, 2023

Cost Estimate
S. 1118, Evapotranspiration Data Act
January 29, 2024
As ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on December 14, 2023

FASB

FASB and the Chookaszian Accounting Research Center of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business Post Call for Papers for 2025 Academic Research Symposium
January 30, 2024

GAO

Drug Safety:
FDA Has Faced Persistent Challenges Overseeing Foreign Drug Manufacturing

GAO-24-107359
Published: Feb 6, 2024
Publicly Released: Feb 5, 2024
This testimony discusses our long-standing concerns about the Food and Drug Administration's oversight of the global pharmaceutical supply chain—an issue on our High Risk List since 2009. More than 50% of drug manufacturers supplying the U.S. market are overseas. FDA inspections of manufacturers are critical for drug safety and effectiveness. But pandemic disruptions and staff shortages led to a backlog of foreign manufacturers needing inspection...

Coast Guard:
Better Feedback Collection and Information Could Enhance Housing Program
GAO-24-106388
Published:  . Publicly Released:  .
Many Coast Guard stations are near vacation destinations or in remote areas—which can make it hard for Coast Guard service members to find affordable housing. Service members told us they've had issues finding annual rentals in some vacation areas dominated by seasonal rentals. And in remote areas, like parts of Alaska, adequate housing can mean a long commute. The Coast Guard hasn't conducted a service-wide...

Government Auditing Standards 2024 Revision
GAO-24-106786
Published: Feb 1, 2024
Publicly Released: Feb 1, 2024
Auditors around the world use our Yellow Book— Government Auditing Standards —to perform effective government audits. We maintain the Yellow Book and stay on top of domestic and international auditing standards. This update enhances how audit organizations manage audit quality. Effective quality management can reasonably assure an audit organization that its people, audits, and reports adhere to professional standards and applicable laws. Another updated area...

Cybersecurity:
National Cyber Director Needs to Take Additional Actions to Implement an Effective Strategy

GAO-24-106916
Published: Feb 1, 2024
Publicly Released: Feb 1, 2024
Cyberattacks threaten federal information systems and the nation's critical infrastructure. The Office of the National Cyber Director leads national cyber policy and strategy. The Office has a plan to implement the White House's National Cybersecurity Strategy. As of January 2024, the strategy and plan provide a good foundation, but the Office still needs to include more details in the plan to ensure that the...

Nuclear Waste:
Changing Conditions May Affect Future Management of Contamination Deposited Abroad During U.S. Cold War Activities

GAO-24-104082
Published: Jan 31, 2024
Publicly Released: Jan 31, 2024
U.S. Cold War activities caused radioactive contamination in three other countries. The contamination in Greenland—from a closed nuclear reactor—and in Spain—from an aircraft accident—is being monitored. But changing climate and economic conditions have raised concerns about future effects on local areas. In the Marshall Islands—where the U.S. tested nuclear weapons—local officials are worried that rising sea levels may impact contaminated sites. The Department of Energy...

Precision Agriculture:
Benefits and Challenges for Technology Adoption and Use

GAO-24-105962
Published: Jan 31, 2024
Publicly Released: Jan 31, 2024
Precision agriculture uses technologies such as GPS or automation to make farms more efficient. For example, farmers can use auto-steering equipment to precisely plant a field, and activity monitors can help dairy farmers collect data about their cows' health. In this Technology Assessment , we review the benefits and challenges of precision agriculture technologies. They can make farms more profitable and have environmental benefits—like reducing...

International Trade:
USTR Should Improve Coordination on New Automotive Rules of Origin

GAO-24-106330
Published: Jan 31, 2024
Publicly Released: Jan 31, 2024
In 2020, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement changed rules for the largest trade category among the partners—automobiles. The agreement, which sets import rules on where materials and labor for autos and parts come from, is expected to raise U.S. automotive prices but also support job growth. The U.S. Trade Representative chairs an interagency committee responsible for providing advice and input on implementing, enforcing, and modifying the...

Veterans Health Care:
VHA Has Taken Steps towards Improving Vet Centers

GAO-24-107170 Published: Jan 31, 2024
Publicly Released: Jan 31, 2024
This testimony discusses our prior work on the Veterans Health Administration's Vet Centers. Some combat veterans experience trauma that can lead to mental illness, substance abuse, or other challenges. Vet Centers provide eligible veterans, servicemembers, and their families with counseling services. We previously recommended that VHA develop a plan to assess whether Vet Centers' services are meeting the needs of veterans, including those that may...

Coast Guard:
Enforcement of Egress Requirements for Historic Wood Sailing Vessels

GAO-24-106644
Published: Jan 30, 2024
Publicly Released: Jan 30, 2024
In 2019, a small boat off the California coast caught fire at 3:00am, killing 34 people—partly because both exits from below-deck bunks led into the fire. In 2021, the Coast Guard required certain small boats carrying passengers overnight to comply with stricter egress requirements by December 2023. Our Q&A report looks at the evolution and enforcement of these requirements for wood sailing boats. Initially, operators...

Professional Standards Update No. 91
Published: Jan 30, 2024
Publicly Released: Jan 30, 2024

Critical Infrastructure Protection:
Agencies Need to Enhance Oversight of Ransomware Practices and Assess Federal Support

GAO-24-106221
Published: Jan 30, 2024
Publicly Released: Jan 30, 2024
Ransomware—software that makes data and systems unusable unless ransom is paid—can severely impact government operations and critical infrastructure. Such attacks have led to significant financial losses, health care disruptions, and more. Most federal agencies that lead and manage risk for 4 critical sectors—manufacturing, energy, healthcare and public health, and transportation systems—have assessed or plan to assess risks associated with ransomware. But agencies haven't fully gauged...

K-12 Education:
Education Could Enhance Oversight of School Improvement Activities

GAO-24-105648
Published: Jan 30, 2024
Publicly Released: Jan 30, 2024
Millions of K-12 students attend public schools that states designate as needing "comprehensive support and improvement." School districts can apply to receive federal funding to help these schools address education inequities and improve student outcomes. States approve school improvement plans and funding requests. The Department of Education monitors states' oversight of these plans' compliance with federal requirements. Education relies on states to select plans for...

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement:
Improvements Needed to Workforce and Expansion Plans for Unit of Native American Law Enforcement Personnel

GAO-24-106385
Published: Jan 30, 2024
Publicly Released: Jan 30, 2024
Since 1974, the Shadow Wolves—a highly trained Native American tracking unit—have used traditional and modern methods to combat smuggling from Mexico to the Tohono O'odham Nation reservation in Arizona. They're part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In 2015, ICE shifted their focus from finding smugglers and contraband to conducting investigations. But ICE didn't update the program's mission or staffing needs. ICE has since issued...

Federal Software Licenses:
Agencies Need to Take Action to Achieve Additional Savings

GAO-24-105717
Published: Jan 29, 2024
Publicly Released: Jan 29, 2024
Federal agencies buy thousands of software licenses annually. Across the 24 agencies we examined, 10 vendors accounted for the majority of the most widely used licenses. But it's unclear which products under those licenses are most widely used because of agencies' inconsistent and incomplete data. For example, multiple software products may be bundled into a single license with a vendor, and agencies may not have...

DOD Education Activity:
Civilian Payroll Remediation Continues

GAO-24-105679
Published: Jan 29, 2024
Publicly Released: Jan 29, 2024
The Department of Defense has over 12,000 civilian employees in its "Education Activity" schools around the world. These schools educate the children of service members and civilian employees on military installations. Independent public accounting firms auditing DOD's annual financial statements have reported issues related to the civilian payroll system. For example, they've found that some payroll amounts don't match supporting documentation. We found similar issues...

IASB

Join the staff—new career opportunities available
Careers
5 February 2024

Watch an overview of the forthcoming IFRS Accounting Standard—IFRS 18
Webcast
5 February  2024

Join the staff—Operations Partner
Careers
2 February  2024

January 2024 monthly news summary now available
News Summary
2 February  2024

Q4 2023 IFRS Interpretations Committee podcast now available
31 January 2024
Podcast

January 2024 ISSB podcast now available
30 January 2024
Podcast

Addendum to the November 2023 IFRIC Update now available
30 January 2024
Update

January 2024 IASB podcast now available
30 January 2024
Podcast

ISSB Standards now available in French
30 January 2024
Translated content

IFRS Foundation publishes special IASB-ISSB podcast episode
29 January 2024
Podcast

IRS

IRS: Take care when choosing a tax return professional
IR-2024-31, Feb. 01, 2024 — The Internal Revenue Service reminded taxpayers that carefully choosing a tax professional to prepare a tax return is vital to ensuring that their personal and financial information is safe and secure and treated with care.

IRS to offer an Employee Retention Credit webinar on Feb. 8; provide updates on Voluntary Disclosure Program, moratorium
IR-2024-30, Jan. 31, 2024 — As part of an ongoing process to educate and inform people about the Employee Retention Credit (ERC), the Internal Revenue Service will host a free ERC Voluntary Disclosure Program webinar on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. EST.

IRS reminder to disaster victims with extensions: File 2022 returns by Feb. 15; all or parts of 8 states and 2 territories affected
IR-2024-29, Jan. 31, 2024 — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded disaster-area taxpayers who received extensions to file their 2022 returns that these returns are due on Feb. 15, 2024.

Things to remember when filing 2023 tax returns
IR-2024-28, Jan. 30, 2024 —The Internal Revenue Service today offered a checklist to help taxpayers as they prepare to file their 2023 tax returns during filing season.

IRS: Rhode Island taxpayers impacted by storms qualify for tax relief; various deadlines postponed to June 17
IR-2024-27, Jan. 30, 2024 — The Internal Revenue Service announced today tax relief for individuals and businesses in parts of Rhode Island affected by severe storms, flooding and tornadoes that began on Sept. 10.

Filing season has begun, employer wage statement deadline nears
IR-2024-26, Jan. 29, 2024 — With the start of filing season the Internal Revenue Service today reminded employers of the Jan. 31 deadline to file Forms W-2 and other wage statements with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

NYS

CONSUMER ALERT: New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Reminds New York Taxpayers to Stay Vigilant Against Scammers During Tax Season
January 30, 2024

Governor Hochul Announces Holocaust Claims Processing Office Secured Over $183 Million For Victims And Beneficiaries
January 29, 2024

SEC

SEC Charges Founder of American Bitcoin Academy Online Crypto Course with Fraud Targeting Students 2024-13 Washington D.C., Feb. 2, 2024 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Brian Sewell and his company, Rockwell Capital Management, agreed to settle fraud charges in connection with a scheme that targeted students taking Sewell’s online crypto trading course known as the American Bitcoin Academy. The SEC alleges that the fraudulent scheme cost 15 students $1.2 million.

SEC to Host Law School Summit Highlighting Need for Investor Access to Legal Counsel
2024-12
Washington D.C., Feb. 2, 2024 — The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the date of its 2024 Investor Advocacy Clinic Summit, where law students and their professors will engage with SEC staff and invited guests about issues addressed and lessons learned while providing free legal services to underrepresented investors.

SEC Charges Founder of $1.7 Billion “HyperFund” Crypto Pyramid Scheme and Top Promoter with Fraud
2024-11 
Washington D.C., Jan. 29, 2024 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Xue Lee (aka Sam Lee) and Brenda Chunga (aka Bitcoin Beautee) for their involvement in a fraudulent crypto asset pyramid scheme known as HyperFund that raised more than $1.7 billion from investors worldwide.

TIGTA

Quarterly Snapshot: The IRS’s Inflation Reduction Act Spending Through September 30, 2023 
January 29, 2024

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