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Natural Gas and LNG Capacity Presidential Determination Under Defense Production Act

The President has determined, pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act, that natural gas and LNG capacity including pipelines, processing plants, underground storage, LNG liquefaction, export facilities, and critical distribution infrastructure constitute industrial resources essential to national defense. The determination finds that US industry cannot provide these capabilities in a timely manner due to financing constraints, long-lead equipment schedules, permitting delays, and infrastructure bottlenecks. The President has waived the standard requirements of Section 303(a)(1)-(a)(6) to expedite expansion of domestic natural gas and LNG capability.

Presidential Determination on Energy Infrastructure Under Defense Production Act

President Trump issued a Presidential Determination under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, finding that development, manufacturing, and deployment of large-scale energy and energy-related infrastructure are industrial resources and critical technology items essential to national defense. The determination finds that domestic industry cannot reasonably provide these capabilities due to financing risks, regulatory delays, and market barriers. The President waived the standard requirements of Section 303(a)(1)-(a)(6) to enable expedited federal action to expand domestic energy infrastructure capability.

Presidential Determination on Domestic Petroleum Production, Refining, and Logistics Under Defense Production Act Section 303

President Trump issued a Presidential Determination under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act designating domestic petroleum production, refining, and logistics capacity—including exploration, pipelines, storage, and marine terminals—as industrial resources essential to national defense. The determination cites constrained financing, permitting bottlenecks, long lead times, and supply chain limitations as reasons industry cannot provide these capabilities timely without federal action. The Secretary of Energy is authorized to make purchases, commitments, and provide financial support to expand domestic petroleum capability, with Section 303(a)(1)-(a)(6) requirements waived under the Section 303(a)(7) national defense waiver authority.

Presidential Determination on Grid Infrastructure Critical Technology Under Defense Production Act

The President has issued a determination pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act finding that grid infrastructure—including transformers, high-voltage transmission components, substations, power electronics, conductors, and associated supply chains—is an industrial resource and critical technology item essential to national defense. The determination cites limited domestic production capacity, extended procurement timelines, foreign supply dependence, and insufficient capital investment as justification for Presidential action. The Secretary of Energy is authorized to make purchases, commitments, and provide financial support to develop domestic manufacturing capabilities for grid infrastructure and is directed to publish this determination in the Federal Register.

Presidential Determination Exempting Air Force Jet Training from Water Pollution Rules

President Trump has issued a Presidential Determination exempting Air Force jet fighter training operations in Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada from Federal, State, interstate, and local water pollution control requirements for a 1-year period beginning April 20, 2026. The exemption is made pursuant to section 313 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1323(a)) and does not extend to 33 U.S.C. 1316 and 1317. The exemption is connected to ongoing litigation in Oregon Natural Desert Ass'n v. Meink, Case No. 2:23-cv-01898 (D. Or.).

Presidential Determination on Coal Supply Chains and Baseload Power Generation Under DPA Section 303

President Trump issued a determination under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act finding that coal supply chains and baseload power generation capacity are essential to national defense. The determination covers coal mining, rail and barge logistics, export and domestic terminals, generating unit availability, on-site stockpiles, and associated reliability updates. A Section 303(a)(7) waiver was invoked to bypass standard DPA procedural requirements. The Secretary of Energy is authorized to make purchases, commitments, and financial instruments to expand domestic coal supply chain capacity.

FAA Establishes Restricted Airspace Camp Lejeune Cherry Point NC

The FAA has established six new restricted areas (R-5305A, R-5305B, R-5305C at Camp Lejeune and R-5307A, R-5307B, R-5307C at Cherry Point, NC). The areas connect existing restricted area complexes R-5003, R-5004, and R-5306 to create contiguous airspace for hazardous U.S. Marine Corps training activities including weapon deployment, laser use, and artillery. The rule takes effect July 9, 2026 at 0901 UTC.

OSHA Revokes House Falls in Marine Terminals Standard

OSHA has finalized the revocation of 29 CFR 1917.41, the House Falls in Marine Terminals Standard, effective April 17, 2026. The standard, originally adopted in 1983 to protect workers from hazards associated with house falls equipment used in cargo loading and unloading, is being removed because OSHA has no record of any citations for violations and the marine terminals industry no longer employs house falls as cargo has become largely containerized. This is a deregulatory action under Executive Order 14192.

Pollock Fishery Closure, Statistical Area 610, Gulf of Alaska

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska effective April 17, 2026. The closure, which runs through September 1, 2026, was triggered when catch data indicated the 2026 A season allowance of 4,109 metric tons of pollock TAC was being reached. The Regional Administrator established a directed fishing allowance of 3,959 metric tons and set aside 150 metric tons as incidental catch to support other groundfish fisheries.

Annual Update to Fee Schedule for Use of Government Lands by Hydropower Licensees

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued its annual update to the fee schedule in 18 CFR Part 11, Appendix A, establishing per-acre rental fees for hydropower licensees occupying government lands for Fiscal Year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). The updated schedule lists fees by county across all U.S. states, with fees ranging from $1.95/acre/year (Alaska Aleutian Islands) to $97.83/acre/year (Arkansas Benton). The rule is effective April 21, 2026 and applies to all hydropower licensees operating on federal lands under Part I of the Federal Power Act.

Osage Cooperative Elevator UAS Exemption Petition for 55 lb+ Commercial Agricultural Operations

The FAA received a petition from Osage Cooperative Elevator requesting an exemption under 49 U.S.C. § 44807 and 14 C.F.R. Part 11 to conduct commercial agricultural UAS operations with unmanned aircraft weighing 55 pounds or more. The petition seeks authorization for up to 3 simultaneous UAS operations by a single pilot in command, without visual observers, during night visual line of sight operations in visual meteorological conditions.

OSHA DOE Addendum: Regulatory Authority Transfer at Nuclear Sites

OSHA published a notice of an addendum to the 1992 interagency MOU between DOL and DOE, confirming the transfer of occupational safety and health regulatory authority for specific parcels of DOE-owned land leased to private entities for energy projects. DOE will not exercise statutory authority over occupational safety at the identified Project Parcels. The transfer takes effect April 17, 2026. Private-sector employers at the Idaho National Laboratory site fall under federal OSHA jurisdiction; employers at Hanford (Washington), Nevada National Security Site, and Savannah River (South Carolina) fall under their respective OSHA-approved State Plans.

Dierberg Entities Seek FB Corporation Bank Control Under Change in Bank Control Act

The Federal Reserve published a notice of applications under the Change in Bank Control Act (12 U.S.C. 1817(j)) and 12 CFR 225.41. The Dierberg Milne Foundation, Ellen D. Milne, the Dierberg Family Foundation, and Michael J. and JiaMin L. Dierberg seek to join the Dierberg Family Control Group to acquire voting shares of FB Corporation, indirectly acquiring voting shares of The San Francisco Company and First Bank, all based in Creve Coeur, Missouri. The public may submit comments on the applications through the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis or the Board of Governors by May 6, 2026.

51st U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting, Comment Period Open

NOAA and the Department of the Interior announce the 51st meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, to be held May 5, 2026, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The meeting is open to the public and includes a 90-minute window for oral comments on coral reef conservation issues. Written comments must be submitted by May 1, 2026.

University of Illinois Nuclear Construction Permit Application

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission published notice of receipt of a construction permit application from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for a single-unit research reactor designated the KRONOS Micro Modular Reactor. The application includes a preliminary safety analysis report and environmental report pursuant to 10 CFR Part 50 and Part 51. The NRC staff is conducting its acceptance review; if the application is accepted for docketing, subsequent Federal Register notices will address public participation in the permitting process.

Rajanikanth et al v. Edlow et al

The United States District Court for the Northern District of California docketed Rajanikanth et al v. Edlow et al (Case No. 5:26-cv-00660-EKL), a civil case concerning other immigration actions filed by private plaintiffs against Joseph B. Edlow and USCIS. Judge Eumi K. Lee is assigned to the San Jose Division. The most recent filing dated April 21, 2026 is a reply brief in support of a motion to dismiss filed by the defendants.

Biomechanical Muscle Properties and Balance in Children With Spastic Hemiplegia

The National Institutes of Health has registered a new observational clinical trial, NCT07538297, titled 'Biomechanical Muscle Properties and Balance in Children With Spastic Hemiplegia.' The study will investigate the relationship between muscle tone, dynamic stiffness, balance control, and postural stability in children diagnosed with spastic hemiplegia compared to a typically developing control group. This is a registration entry for an observational study; no regulatory compliance obligations are created.

USCIS Fee Waiver Collection Extension, Paperwork Reduction Act

DHS/USCIS has published a 60-day Paperwork Reduction Act notice seeking public comment on extending OMB Control No. 1615-0116 for Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) without change. The collection covers five instrument types with an estimated 602,528 total annual respondents and 653,435 total annual burden hours. Estimated annual cost burden is $2,009,461. Comments are due June 22, 2026 via regulations.gov.

Supporting Material for Coast Guard Regulatory Proceeding

The Coast Guard published supporting material associated with a regulatory proceeding (USCG-2026-0226) on regulations.gov. The document consists of a PDF file available for download. No substantive regulatory text, rule text, or compliance obligations are contained in the source metadata.

Screen Time Before Sleep and Posture Disorders NCT07541963

NIH registered NCT07541963, an observational study examining whether pre-sleep screen exposure contributes to poor posture, musculoskeletal problems, and balance deficits. The study assesses forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and neuromuscular performance related to screen use before sleep.

Anticholinergic Agents Patent US12606549B2, Rezubio Pharma

The USPTO granted US Patent 12606549B2 to Rezubio Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd covering muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist compounds (including M3 antagonists) and pharmaceutical compositions for treating hyperhidrosis. The patent contains 19 claims and names Yusheng Xiong and Hongping Guan as inventors.

CAPE Phase 1 for IEEPA Tariff Refunds Is Live

U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced activation of Phase 1 of its Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) system for processing tariff refunds under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Phase 1 eligibility is limited to certain unliquidated entries and entries within 80 days of liquidation. Filers must submit a CSV file listing entry numbers for which refunds are requested and attest to the accuracy of the information submitted.

CAPE Goes Live for IEEPA Tariff Refunds, 63% Coverage, Exclusions Apply

CBP launched Phase 1 of its Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) capability within the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) on April 20, 2026. Phase 1 covers approximately 63% of entries that had IEEPA tariffs imposed, with refunds expected within 60-90 days of acceptance. Phase 1 excludes entries on reconciliation, drawback claims, open protests, non-ACE filings, and AD/CVD-suspended entries representing approximately $2.9 billion in IEEPA duties that will require manual processing.

G.H. v. Sotomayor - School Board Employees' Demurrer Affirmed

The Virginia Court of Appeals affirmed the Circuit Court of the City of Virginia Beach's judgment sustaining demurrer to G.H.'s second amended complaint. The court found the claims for gross negligence and violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983 legally insufficient. Regarding gross negligence, the actions of bus driver assistant Avila were not reasonably foreseeable such that liability could attach to the employee defendants. Regarding the § 1983 claim, the court found the defendants were not deliberately indifferent to G.H.'s Fourteenth Amendment rights. This is a non-precedential memorandum opinion.

Federal Circuit Upholds Anti-CGRP Antibody Method Claims Against Eli Lilly

The Federal Circuit reversed a district court's judgment as a matter of law in Teva Pharmaceuticals International GmbH v. Eli Lilly & Co., No. 2024-1094, upholding method-of-treatment patents directed to using anti-CGRP antagonist antibodies to treat headaches. The court held that written description and enablement requirements under 35 U.S.C. § 112 may be satisfied for method claims even when the claims recite a broad genus of antibodies defined by binding target without amino acid sequences. The decision distinguishes method-of-treatment claims from composition claims, finding the invention is the use of antibodies to treat headache rather than the antibodies themselves.

NCT07541612 NIRS Spinal Cord Ischemia Observational Study

ClinicalTrials.gov registered observational study NCT07541612 evaluating near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring of paraspinal muscles as a surrogate marker for spinal cord perfusion in patients undergoing major noncardiac aortic surgery. The prospective study will enroll adult patients undergoing major surgery requiring advanced hemodynamic monitoring, placing NIRS sensors over paraspinal regions to continuously record regional tissue oxygen saturation values throughout the perioperative period.

Hip and Ankle Mobility Rehabilitation for Soccer Players With Patellofemoral Pain

NIH registered a new randomized controlled trial (NCT07542236) evaluating whether a 6-week hip- and ankle-mobility-based rehabilitation program, performed 3 times per week in addition to regular soccer training, improves pain, knee-related function, neuromuscular coordination, and physical performance in male soccer players with patellofemoral pain. The study compares an intervention group receiving the mobility program against a control group continuing regular training alone. This is a study registration announcement with no direct compliance implications.

ELEVIDYS Phase 4 DMD Post-Marketing Safety Study

NIH registered a Phase 4 clinical trial (NCT07542314) on ClinicalTrials.gov evaluating acute liver injury rates in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients receiving ELEVIDYS gene therapy with sirolimus added as adjunct prophylactic immunosuppression. The study lists ELEVIDYS, sirolimus, glucocorticoids, and antibiotics as interventions.

Endoscopic Assessment of Schneiderian Membrane Perforation During Osseodensification-Mediated Transcrestal Sinus Floor Elevation

The National Institutes of Health registered a pilot clinical trial (NCT07542275) on ClinicalTrials.gov evaluating Schneiderian membrane perforation rates during osseodensification-mediated transcrestal sinus floor elevation with simultaneous graftless implant placement. The study will monitor membrane response and assess effects of Densah burs on membrane distention under sinuscopic control.

Early Partial Weight-bearing After Pelvic Fixation Surgeries, NCT07538726

NIH registered a randomized clinical trial (NCT07538726) comparing immediate partial weight-bearing versus delayed weight-bearing in individuals who underwent pelvic fixation surgeries. The study will evaluate functional recovery, pain, gait, reduction quality, muscle strength, and quality of life outcomes. The trial is registered as an observational study entry with no compliance obligations.

Observational ICU Diaphragm Physiotherapy Trial NCT07538102

The NIH registered an observational clinical trial (NCT07538102) on April 20, 2026, evaluating whether respiratory physiotherapy protects diaphragm muscle structure in patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the ICU. The study compares standard ICU physiotherapy against neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) as interventions, using ultrasonography to measure changes in diaphragm thickness. No compliance obligations are created by this trial registration.

Phase 2 Peiyuan Guben Tongluo Ointment for Elderly Sarcopenia NCT07538674

The NIH ClinicalTrials.gov registry has published a Phase 2 clinical trial (NCT07538674) evaluating Peiyuan Guben Tongluo Ointment (Ejiao concentrated formula) for treatment of sarcopenia in elderly patients. The randomized, parallel-group study enrolls elderly sarcopenia patients and measures DXA-measured limb muscle mass increase from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment. The trial uses an agarose concentrating group as parallel control and includes exercise and nutritional intervention as co-interventions.

The Effect of Coffee Consumption on Balance, University Students

NIH registered an observational study (NCT07540559) investigating the effects of daily coffee consumption on balance performance in healthy university students. Participants will be categorized by habitual caffeine intake and assessed using standardized clinical balance tests. The study focuses on whether caffeine influences neuromuscular control, reaction time, and postural stability.

Muscadet PDO Specification Amendment, France

The European Commission published communication PUB/2026/112 regarding approved standard amendments to the Muscadet PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) wine specification in France. The amendments include labelling changes (using 'Vin de Loire' instead of 'Val de Loire'), addition of agri-environmental provisions, harvest proclamation abolition, extended racking dates, reclassification provisions, deletion of trellising height requirements, and geographic code updates. The changes are standard amendments under Regulation (EU) 2024/1143, approved by the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.

Codifies User Fee Exemption and Non-Display Usage Definition in Fee Schedule

Cboe EDGX Exchange filed a proposed rule change (SR-CboeEDGX-2026-027) with the SEC to amend its Fee Schedule, codifying two market data provisions previously governed by Cboe Global Markets North American Data Policies. First, the Exchange codifies a User Fee exemption for Controlled Distributors using Data Products exclusively for Permitted Purposes (software development, QA, testing, sales support for redistribution, or technical monitoring). Second, the Exchange codifies the amended definition of 'Non-Display Usage' to capture access by machines or automated devices for purposes not solely in support of human display. The prior definition only required that a display not be used by a natural person; the new definition focuses on the purpose of machine access.

WISE Trial: Therapist-Supervised Wrist Exercise vs Usual Care for Fracture Recovery

NIH registered Clinical Trial NCT07538323, the WISE (Wrist Injury Strengthening Exercise) study, a randomized controlled trial comparing therapist-supervised exercise therapy against usual care self-management advice for adults aged 50 and older recovering from wrist fractures. The trial will measure pain and functional improvement using the Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation questionnaire at 6 months post-injury. Participants receive either supervised therapy sessions (one 60-minute session plus two 30-minute sessions) plus usual-care advice, or usual-care advice alone.

Stark Law and False Claims Act Compliance in Physician Deals

Husch Blackwell LLP published a podcast episode discussing best practices for structuring physician compensation arrangements under Stark Law and False Claims Act requirements. The discussion covers compliance pitfalls in physician deals, including guidance on transparent compensation methodologies, risks of opaque 'black box' arrangements, and private equity investment considerations in healthcare.

EO 14395 Establishes Task Force, Intensifies Healthcare Fraud Enforcement

Executive Order 14395 establishes a White House Task Force chaired by the Vice President to eliminate fraud across federally funded benefit programs. The interagency body, including DOJ, HHS, Treasury, and other departments, must within 30 days identify fraud-susceptible transactions, within 60 days develop minimum anti-fraud requirements, and within 90 days submit implementation plans. For healthcare providers billing Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal programs, the Order signals heightened pre-payment review, enhanced eligibility verification, and coordinated federal-state data sharing that may increase both enforcement activity and qui tam litigation.

Documentation as Defense: Healthcare Compliance Best Practices

Husch Blackwell LLP published an analysis article on documentation practices as a regulatory compliance tool for physician organizations. The article examines governance gaps, contemporaneous documentation standards, performance tracking requirements, and conflict of interest management practices. It emphasizes that disciplined documentation supports defensible decisions under regulatory scrutiny.

Economic Outlook and the Labor Market

Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip N. Jefferson delivered a speech at the University of Detroit Mercy on April 7, 2026, presenting his economic outlook. Jefferson indicated the U.S. economy is growing at approximately 2 percent annually, led by consumer spending and business investment, with inflation remaining above the Fed's 2 percent target. He characterized the labor market as roughly in balance but susceptible to adverse shocks, with risks to both sides of the Fed's dual mandate of maximum employment and stable prices.