Federal Register Roundup: DPRK Passport Ban Extended, Lamb Meat Trade Probe Launched

DPRK Passport Restriction Extended Through August 2027

The Department of State has extended its restriction declaring all U.S. passports invalid for travel to, in, or through the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The restriction, which was first declared on September 1, 2017, pursuant to the authority of 22 U.S.C. 211a and Executive Order 11295 and in accordance with 22 CFR 51.63(a)(3), has been renewed on September 1 in each year from 2018 through 2025. Without this latest renewal, it would have expired on August 31, 2026.

The extension, signed on July 2, 2026 by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, takes effect September 1, 2026 and expires August 31, 2027, unless extended or revoked by the Secretary of State. The Department of State states its determination that there continues to be serious risk to U.S. citizens and nationals of arrest and long-term detention constituting imminent danger to their physical safety, as defined in 22 CFR 51.63(a)(3). Travel may still be undertaken if a passport is specially validated for such travel under the authority of the Secretary of State.

ITC Launches Lamb Meat Import Investigation

The U.S. International Trade Commission has instituted Investigation No. TA-201-80 following a request filed on July 13, 2026 by the United States Trade Representative. The investigation, conducted under section 202 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2252), will determine whether lamb meat is being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury, or the threat thereof, to the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with the imported article.

The Commission has designated the investigation "extraordinarily complicated" within the meaning of section 202(b)(2)(B) of the Act, citing the complexity of the investigation including the need to collect data and other information from a large number of firms involved in the domestic production, processing, and/or marketing of lamb meat. The statute ordinarily requires the Commission to make its injury determination within 120 days after the petition was filed, or by November 10, 2026; the extraordinarily complicated designation permits up to 30 additional days, and the Commission states it intends to take three extra days, making its injury determination by November 13, 2026. The Commission must then submit its report to the President no later than 180 days after the date on which the USTR requested the investigation, or by January 11, 2027.

The imported articles covered by the investigation are defined as fresh, chilled, or frozen lamb meat. Imports of live lambs and sheep and meat of mature sheep (mutton) are excluded from scope. Imports may enter under twelve specified HTSUS subheadings, though the Commission states the written description of the scope is dispositive. A public hearing on the injury phase is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. EST on October 16, 2026, at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC. Persons wishing to participate as parties must file an entry of appearance with the Commission's Secretary no later than 21 days after publication of the notice, and all filings must be made electronically through the Commission's Electronic Document Information System (EDIS).

UCR Plan Board Seeks Nominations for Industry Vacancy

The Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors is soliciting nominations for a vacancy among the five directors representing the motor carrier industry, specifically the seat designated for a representative of "a national trade association representing the general motor carrier of property industry," as required by 49 U.S.C. 14504a(d)(1)(B). The appointment authority lies with the Secretary of Transportation, delegated to FMCSA.

The UCR Plan is defined in 49 U.S.C. 14504a(a)(9) as the organization of State, Federal, and industry representatives responsible for developing, implementing, and administering the UCR Agreement, under which motor carriers, motor private carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies involved in interstate transportation must register with a State and pay certain fees. The Board issues rules and regulations to govern the UCR Agreement and recommends to the Secretary of Transportation annual registration fees to be assessed against covered entities. The selected individual will fill the vacancy for a term beginning immediately on appointment and expiring on May 31, 2027. All nominations and expressions of interest, accompanied by a current resume, must be received by the UCR Plan Board on or before August 28, 2026.

Delaware River Basin Commission and IACC Public Meetings

The Delaware River Basin Commission will hold a virtual public hearing on August 5, 2026, commencing at 1:30 p.m., covering draft dockets for withdrawals, discharges, and other projects that could have a substantial effect on the basin's water resources, as well as a resolution to reauthorize the Water Quality Advisory Committee. Written comments on matters scheduled for the August 5 hearing will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026. A follow-on business meeting will be held in person on September 2, 2026, at the Washington Crossing Historic Park Visitor's Center, 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, 18977, beginning no earlier than 11:00 a.m.

Separately, the National Institutes of Health has amended the notice for the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee meeting scheduled for July 31, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, at the National Institutes of Mental Health Neuroscience Center, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852. The amendment extends the public comment period from July 17, 2026, through July 24, 2026.

What to Watch

• July 24, 2026 — Extended public comment deadline for the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee meeting (NIH/NIMH).
• July 31, 2026 — IACC meeting at NIMH Neuroscience Center, Rockville, MD.
• August 5, 2026 — Delaware River Basin Commission virtual public hearing on basin water resource projects.
• August 10, 2026 — Written comment deadline for Delaware River Basin Commission August 5 hearing items.
• August 28, 2026 — Deadline for UCR Plan Board of Directors nominations and expressions of interest to be received.
• September 1, 2026 — DPRK passport travel restriction extension takes effect.
• September 2, 2026 — Delaware River Basin Commission in-person business meeting, Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania.
• October 16, 2026 — ITC public hearing on injury phase of lamb meat investigation (Investigation No. TA-201-80).
• November 13, 2026 — ITC injury determination deadline for lamb meat investigation.
• January 11, 2027 — ITC report due to the President on lamb meat investigation.

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