This Week in Federal Regulations — 2026-04-19
TITLE: This Week in Federal Regulations — Cross-Border Pipeline Permits, IRS Fee Cut, ED Workforce Pell Proposal (Week of Apr 20, 2026)
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Overview
This week's Federal Register is dominated by a block of ten Presidential permits authorizing cross-border pipeline operations between the U.S. and Canada, alongside a consequential Education Department proposed rule reshaping Title IV accountability, an IRS user fee reduction for enrolled agent examinations, and a notable State Department passport redesign notice. Compliance teams in energy, higher education, tax practice, and aviation scheduling should take note.
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Executive Office of the President
Ten Presidential permits reauthorize Enbridge- and Bakken-affiliated cross-border pipeline facilities at the U.S.–Canada boundary in North Dakota and Michigan, consolidating federal authorizations for existing (and in one case new) infrastructure.
Enbridge-related permits
- Southern Lights L.L.C. — Pembina County, ND border facilities (Doc. 2026-07731).
- Enbridge Energy, LP — St. Clair County, MI (Doc. 2026-07730).
- Enbridge Energy, LP — three existing pipelines, Pembina County, ND (Doc. 2026-07729).
- Enbridge Energy, LP — Pembina County, ND (Docs. 2026-07725, 2026-07724, 2026-07719).
- Enbridge Energy Company, Inc. — St. Clair County, MI (Doc. 2026-07718).
Bakken Pipeline Company LP
- Operate/maintain existing facilities, Burke County, ND (Doc. 2026-07717).
- Construct, connect, operate, and maintain new facilities, Burke County, ND (Doc. 2026-07716) — the only permit in the batch authorizing new construction.
Compliance note: Presidential cross-border permits typically carry conditions around PHMSA safety compliance (49 CFR Parts 192/195), environmental review, and reporting to the Department of State. Operators should confirm updated permit conditions and any revised reporting triggers.
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Treasury Department / Internal Revenue Service
IRS is cutting the Enrolled Agent Special Enrollment Examination (EA SEE) user fee from $99 to $66 per part, effective via interim final rule with a parallel proposed rule open for comment.
- Interim Final Rule (Doc. 2026-07681) — amends user fee regulations under the Independent Offices Appropriation Act authority. CFR touched: 26 CFR Part 300 (user fees).
- Companion Proposed Rule (Doc. 2026-07682) — solicits comment on the same fee reduction.
Action: Prometric candidates and EA preparation providers should update fee disclosures. Comments are invited on the proposed rule; see the document for the deadline.
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Department of Education
ED released a major Title IV proposed rule — "Accountability in Higher Education and Access Through Demand-Driven Workforce Pell" — that would establish a Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and new earnings-based accountability for institutional eligibility and the Direct Loan Program.
- Proposed Rule (Doc. 2026-07666). CFR touched: 34 CFR Parts governing institutional eligibility, general provisions, and the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program (typically Parts 600, 668, and 685). This is the operative vehicle for implementing Workforce Pell accountability; institutions should model earnings-threshold and transparency reporting impacts now.
Grant competitions (DOL-administered on ED's behalf)
- SEED Program FY 2026 competition notice (Doc. 2026-07672), Assistance Listing 84.423A.
- Charter Schools Program — Grants to State Entities competition notice (Doc. 2026-07671).
Paperwork Reduction Act
- ICR extension for the Grant Application Form for Project Objectives and Performance Measures (Doc. 2026-07668) — comment opportunity.
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Department of State
State will consolidate the U.S. passport book into a single 38-page format, retiring the current 26- and 50-page variants with the next redesign (Doc. 2026-07670). Frequent-traveler programs and corporate travel compliance policies referencing the 50-page "business" book should be updated.
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Department of Homeland Security / USCIS
- PRA notice extending, without change, the Application for Civil Surgeon Designation collection (Doc. 2026-07669). Civil surgeons supporting Form I-693 immigration medical exams should note the comment window.
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Department of the Interior — Bureau of Land Management
BLM Alaska announces the 2026 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Lease Sale for tracts in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, with bid opening procedures detailed in the notice (Doc. 2026-07667). Bidders should review tract maps, stipulations, and qualification requirements under 43 CFR Part 3130-series regulations.
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Department of Transportation — Federal Aviation Administration
FAA issued an Order establishing scheduling limits (slot controls) at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Doc. 2026-07665). Air carriers operating at ORD should review allocation and compliance procedures; implicates 14 CFR scheduling/slot policy. Operations and network-planning teams should confirm upcoming season compliance immediately.
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National Council on Disability
- Sunshine Act meeting notice (Doc. 2026-07673).
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Quick Compliance Checklist
- Pipeline operators (Enbridge, Bakken): Review new Presidential permit conditions; verify PHMSA (49 CFR 192/195) and DOS reporting alignment.
- Tax practitioners: EA SEE fee drops to $66/part; update candidate communications and comment on Doc. 2026-07682 if desired.
- Higher ed institutions: Begin gap analysis against the Workforce Pell / STATS / earnings-accountability NPRM (Doc. 2026-07666) — comment period is open.
- Air carriers at ORD: Confirm compliance with new FAA scheduling limits order (Doc. 2026-07665).
- ANWR bidders: Review BLM 2026 Coastal Plain sale tract list and stipulations (Doc. 2026-07667).
- Travel/HR policy owners: Note forthcoming single-size (38-page) U.S. passport (Doc. 2026-07670).
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*Digest based on 20 Federal Register documents published 2026-04-20. Citations are Federal Register document numbers; see federalregister.gov for full text and comment deadlines.*