WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- A coalition of 17 manufacturing, service industries, and civil society organizations, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) requesting a 30-day extension on the deadline for comments regarding the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) related to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). The current deadline for submitting comments is set for November 17, 2025, and the organizations are advocating for an extension until December more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- Five state financial officers expressed concerns regarding the U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) interim final rule issued on Oct. 3, 2025, which alters the disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) and airport concession disadvantaged business enterprise (ACDBE) programs. These officials argue that such changes could have detrimental effects on state budgets and the local economies reliant on these initiatives, which play a crucial role in supporting small, disadva more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- Five trade associations submitted a public comment letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in support of proposed amendments to the medical evaluation requirements in the Respiratory Protection Standard. The trade organizations represent a diverse group of stakeholders within the construction and transportation sectors, emphasizing that safety remains a top priority while also advocating for flexibility in regulatory practices. The associations  more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- Five trade associations issued a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Department of Energy, and Department of the Treasury expressing alarm over the far-reaching consequences of the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). The entities appreciated past administration efforts, including communication regarding implications for energy supplies and liquefied natural gas exports. They noted that an Omnibus legislative propo more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The Advanced Medical Technology Association has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Trade Representative expressing concerns regarding trade barriers affecting U.S. medical technology products in Brazil. The industry group emphasized the importance of addressing these challenges to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. medtech exports. In its communication, AdvaMed highlighted the vital role the U.S. medical technology industry plays, supporting millions of jobs an more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) has issued a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Labor opposing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) proposal to eliminate recordkeeping and reporting requirements related to occupational exposure to COVID-19 in healthcare settings. The AFL-CIO represents 63 national and international labor unions, advocating for over 15 million working individuals across va more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), representing the largest group of public transit workers in the U.S., submitted a public comment letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on the General Duty Clause and its implications for inherently risky professional activities. With members engaged in various roles within passenger transportation, the union argues that the proposed regulatory changes could c more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The Arizona Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America Inc. has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation expressing support for ongoing reforms to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program. The organization praises the agency's efforts in modernizing the program but raises concerns about the lack of guidance regarding projects that commenced before October 3, 2025, and remain active. In its letter, AZAGC highlights the ne more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- Building Science Institute Ltd. Co., Geronimo, Texas, has submitted a public comment letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) urging the agency to investigate restrictive practices within the home energy rating industry. The organization, acknowledged by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy, expressed concern over the prevalence of noncompete and non-disparagement agreements that inhibit professional mobility and industry transparency.  more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- In a public comment letter submitted to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Business Roundtable (BRT), representing over 200 chief executive officers from various sectors of the U.S. economy, emphasized the validity of reasonable noncompete agreements in various business contexts. BRT's feedback comes in response to the agency's Request for Information regarding employer noncompete agreements and signals a potential path for discussions regarding the future enforcement more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The recent public comment letter submitted to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) emphasizes the urgent need to maintain the mandatory reporting of COVID infections within healthcare settings. The communication expresses concern over the potential removal of such reporting requirements, warning that this move could jeopardize the safety of both patients and healthcare workers. The letter highlights the dangers faced by individuals with compromised immu more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- Caudill Seed Co. has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Trade Representative advocating for the revival of American mung bean production as a strategic opportunity to enhance trade relations with China and India. The letter, from P. Lee Smith, the company's outside counsel at Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell and Berkowitz PC, outlines the detrimental trade barriers impacting the U.S. mung bean market and urges immediate action to rectify the trade imbalance. I more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The Conservative Political Action Coalition Foundation (CPAC Foundation) has issued a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Labor regarding its proposed rule on "Occupational Exposure to COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings." The letter expresses strong support for the removal of previously established COVID-19-related obligations from the federal regulations governing occupational safety and health. These remarks come in response to a proposed change published in the more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has submitted a public comment letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) expressing concerns regarding proposed rule changes for State Highway Safety Grant Programs. The agency is currently reviewing input on Docket No. NHTSA-2025-0061, which outlines uniform procedures for the allocation of safety grants to state programs. In its correspondence, CTDOT emphasized that overly prescriptive requir more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- Ruspini Management Solutions, an 8(a), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certified firm, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) advocating for updates to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) rules. The organization's owner emphasized the barriers that many qualified firms face i more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- Engine Advocacy, a non-profit technology policy organization, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, expressing concerns about the effects of noncompete agreements on the startup ecosystem. The organization highlights that such restrictive employment agreements can hinder worker mobility and ultimately stifle innovation within the technology sector. In its letter, Engine emphasizes the significance of recruiting high-skilled talent for  more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- McGuireWoods LLP and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP submitted a public comment letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) addressing the agency's Request for Information regarding employer noncompete agreements. The letter, focusing on "forfeiture-for-competition" clauses, argues that these provisions are crucial to maintaining a competitive and fair financial services industry. The comment letter asserts that forfeiture-for-competition clauses allow employees, par more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The American Action Forum recently submitted a public comment letter to the Federal Trade Commission regarding its request for information concerning employee noncompete agreements. This letter highlights the complexities surrounding noncompetes, particularly in light of the Commission's ongoing efforts to regulate these agreements under U.S. law. Historically, noncompete agreements restrict employees from engaging in various post-employment activities, including working f more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The Federation of Women Contractors (FWC) has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) expressing concerns over the recent Interim Final Rule (IFR) related to Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concessions DBE (ACDBE) certification standards. The FWC's letter, which must be submitted by November 3, 2025, outlines several critical issues that could undermine the integrity of the DBE program. According to FWC, while  more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The Illinois Corn Growers Association has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the proposed permit for Marquis Carbon Injection LLC allowing for underground carbon dioxide injections in Putnam County, Illinois. Representing over 50,000 farmers and more than 11 million acres of corn in the state, the ICGA expressed strong support for the initiative that could significantly benefit both farmers and the environment. The lette more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) has voiced strong opposition to a proposed change by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding the application of the General Duty Clause, which could significantly impact labor protections for workers in high-risk industries. The public comment letter submitted by the Teamsters highlights concerns that the proposed rule may incentivize employers to eliminate crucial safety standards, potentially enda more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) has submitted a public comment letter to the Federal Trade Commission, advocating for the inclusion of a sale-of-business exception to employee non-compete agreements. The ICCFA, which represents over 10,000 businesses involved in funeral and memorial services, emphasizes that maintaining this exception is crucial for protecting the value of businesses within the sector. In the letter, the ICCFA argues t more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), representing nearly 100,000 workers in the finishing trades of the construction industry, recently submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) expressing strong opposition to a proposed interpretation of the General Duty Clause. The letter outlines concerns that the proposal to exclude known hazards inherent to professional activities would undermine crucial more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The National Safety Council (NSC) has submitted a public comment letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), urging the agency to resist any deregulatory actions that could compromise workplace safety standards. The organization expressed concern that narrowing OSHA's regulatory authority could hinder its ability to protect employees from various occupational hazards. In its letter, the NSC emphasized the importance of OSHA's role in overseeing work more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- A recent public comment letter addressed to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has spurred concern over the agency's proposal to remove COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard provisions. The letter highlights significant objections raised by a retired epidemiologist who served 31 years at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The proposed deregulation has raised alarms regarding the ongoing health implications of COVID-19 within healthcare setting more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- Philip Morris Products SA, a subsidiary of Philip Morris International Inc., has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Trade Representative highlighting various foreign trade barriers impacting U.S. exports for the upcoming 2026 National Trade Estimate Report. The comments came in response to USTR's request for insights on key barriers faced by American businesses in several international markets. In its submission, PMI outlined specific concerns regarding trade re more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- Premier Occupational Health Services, a key contractor for the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), has submitted a public comment letter expressing deep concerns regarding proposed amendments to the medical evaluation requirements for respirator use. The suggestions point out a potential weakening of worker protections and call for significant reevaluation of the standards currently in place. The organization highlighted the cri more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- A public comment letter submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation expresses strong support for the agency's decision to eliminate race and gender goals from public contracts as outlined in interim final rule DOT-OST-2025-0897. The author of the letter argues for the complete cancellation of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, claiming it has failed to deliver on its intended objectives and has had adverse effects on the business landscape. The let more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The Texas General Land Office has submitted a public comment letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding its proposed financial reporting demonstration. The GLO expressed interest in improving reporting processes while highlighting key considerations that must be addressed to avoid unnecessary complications for various communities across the state and beyond. The GLO emphasized that each Texas community has unique disaster recovery needs, which coul more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- Inari, a U.S. biotechnology company, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Trade Representative urging the agency to address significant foreign trade barriers that hinder U.S. agricultural innovation and competitiveness. The letter highlights how regulatory obstacles, particularly in China, are obstructing the adoption of advanced breeding technologies essential for improving crop yields and efficiency. The organization's letter details numerous foreign regula more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The USA Poultry & Egg Export Council submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Trade Representative detailing extensive trade barriers faced by the U.S. poultry and egg export industry. This national trade association, based in Tucker, Georgia, represents approximately 230 member companies and highlights that the U.S. poultry and egg sector is a vital part of the country's export economy, with annual exports valued at over $5.8 billion. In their letter, USAPEEC stresse more ST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The Digital Power Network has issued a public comment letter to the U.S. Trade Representative addressing significant foreign trade barriers that hinder U.S. exports, particularly concerning China. The organization emphasizes the detrimental effects of China's import policies and restrictions on critical materials, which impact domestic manufacturing and high-tech sectors. According to DPN, China currently dominates global steel and semiconductor production, in addition to  more ST