VA Navigator Recognition, OPM Accountability Rule, OFAC Sanctions, ND Disaster Aid, and Pacific Halibut Fishing Season

VA Seeks Input on Navigator Recognition Process for Veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs is requesting public comments on a proposed process to recognize organizations and individuals who assist veterans, family members, and caregivers in navigating Veterans Health Administration programs and services, as required by section 129 of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (Dole Act), Pub. L. 118-210. Comments are due by October 15, 2026.

The document explains that section 129(a) of the Dole Act requires VA to establish a recognition process; section 129(b) requires VA to solicit feedback from relevant organizations in creating that process; and section 129(c) prohibits VA from recognizing any organization or individual unless that entity has certified that no fee or compensation of any nature will be charged to any individual for services rendered. The notice states that currently there is no established process for VA to recognize such organizations and individuals.

According to the notice, VA developed its proposed implementation framework with initial feedback from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the Independence Fund, the National Resource Directory, Operation Homefront, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network, and the Wounded Warrior Project. The document notes that the proposed recognition process would be distinct from VA's existing accreditation framework under 38 U.S.C. 5901–5904 and 38 CFR parts 14.628–14.630, which governs recognition for the purpose of preparing, presenting, and prosecuting veterans' benefits claims. The notice states that VA believes assistance in navigating VHA health programs could include guidance to overcome barriers and facilitate timely, high-quality, patient-centered care, as well as logistical and emotional support.

OPM Reopens Comment Period on Federal Employee Accountability Rule

The Office of Personnel Management is reopening the public comment period on the proposed rule titled "Promoting Employee Accountability," originally published jointly by OPM and the Merit Systems Protection Board on July 2, 2026. The reopened comment period closes September 29, 2026. The proposed rule governs performance-based reduction in grade and removal actions, non-disciplinary separations, and adverse actions, along with MSPB review of those actions, and proposes improved and additional training for supervisors. The affected regulations are 5 CFR parts 412, 432, 715, and 752.

OPM states it is reopening the comment period specifically to invite public reaction to newly released agency data and a report published by the nongovernmental organization We the Doers on August 27, 2026. The notice explains that OPM data from its Enterprise Human Resources Integration (EHRI) system on separations and terminations covers fiscal years 2019 through 2025, with additional data from fiscal year 2026 through June 2026. According to the notice, the data shows that despite changes to how federal agencies address poor performance and misconduct, the federal government has not seen significant increases in performance-based and adverse actions in Fiscal Year 2026, and that the number and types of actions taken in Fiscal Year 2026 appear consistent with Fiscal Year 2025 levels. The document states that OPM views this data as support for making structural changes necessary to appropriately incentivize supervisors to take action to address poor performance and misconduct. The original comment period had closed August 3, 2026; OPM states it is now reopened for two weeks.

OFAC Adds Persons to SDN List Under E.O. 13224 and E.O. 13902

The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control determined on September 8, 2026, that the property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of one or more persons are blocked, and added those persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. The action was taken under Executive Order 13224, as amended, and Executive Order 13902. The notice states that all property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of these persons are blocked and that U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.

North Dakota Disaster Declaration Activates SBA Loan Programs

The Small Business Administration published notice of a Presidential major disaster declaration for the state of North Dakota (FEMA-4934-DR), dated September 1, 2026, covering severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes. The declaration covers the primary counties of Bottineau, Burke, Divide, McLean, Mercer, Oliver, and Williams. Under the declaration, Private Non-Profit organizations providing essential services of a governmental nature may file disaster loan applications through the MySBA Loan Portal or in person at locally announced locations. The notice sets interest rates of 3.625 percent for physical damage and 3.625 percent for economic injury for Private Non-Profit organizations. The disaster numbers assigned are 21861B for physical damage and 218620 for economic injury.

NMFS Opens Sixth Halibut Fishing Period in Area 2A

The National Marine Fisheries Service implemented an inseason action effective September 15, 2026, at 8 a.m. Pacific daylight time, opening a sixth fishing period for the 2026 Pacific halibut non-Tribal directed commercial fishery in International Pacific Halibut Commission regulatory Area 2A, operating south of Point Chehalis, WA. The period closes September 17, 2026, at 6 p.m. PDT. The fishing period catch limit is 5,000 lb (2.27 metric tons) per vessel, dressed weight, for all vessel size classes.

The document explains that the 2026 Area 2A non-Tribal directed commercial fishery allocation is 261,211 lb (118 mt) net weight, and that as of September 10, 2026, approximately 223,761 lb (101 mt) net weight had been harvested — representing 86 percent of the allocation — leaving 37,450 lb (17 mt) remaining. NMFS states it determined that sufficient allocation remains to warrant a sixth fishing period without exceeding the allocation. The action was taken under regulatory authority at 50 CFR 300.63(e)(1)(iii). Prior fishing periods in 2026 included initial periods on June 23–25 and July 7–9, with additional inseason periods on July 21–23, August 18–20, and September 1–3.

What to Watch

• September 29, 2026 — Deadline for comments on OPM's reopened "Promoting Employee Accountability" proposed rule (5 CFR parts 412, 432, 715, 752).
• October 15, 2026 — Deadline for comments on VA's proposed process to recognize VHA navigator organizations and individuals under section 129 of the Dole Act.

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