Overnight Regulation: Hubbub over hoverboards

Welcome to Overnight Regulation, your daily rundown of news from Capitol Hill and beyond. It’s Tuesday evening here in Washington and we’re starting to think we’re never going to see this government spending bill. It could be as late as 9 p.m. before anything is released. Here’s the latest:

 

THE BIG STORY 

This year’s hot holiday toy has created quite an uproar. Apparently, catching fire is not a product feature hover board manufacturers intended. 

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has launched an investigation into the safety of the self-balancing, two-wheel, motorized scooters after receiving 10 reports from consumers in nine states of the product catching fire, and more than 29 reports of consumers having to visit an emergency room after falling off of them.

On Tuesday, Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) called on the Department of Energy to conduct research on the safety of the lithium batteries used to power hoverboards.

{mosads}”The numerous fires and exploding hoverboards caused by lithium-ion batteries overheating is why I am calling on the DOE to immediately direct existing funding to research the safety of lithium-ion batteries in hoverboards this holiday season,” Israel said in a statement.

Earlier this week, some of the nation’s largest airlines and online retailers took matters into their own hands.

Delta, United and American Airlines banned hoverboards from all flights and Amazon announced that it’s removing some hoverboard brands from its website. Overstock.com, meanwhile, has pulled the products altogether.

Overstock.com said it contacted the customers who had already purchased a hoverboard and gave them the option to return it for a full refund.

 

TOMORROW’S REGS TODAY

The Obama administration will publish 172 new regulations, proposed rules, notices and other administrative actions in Wednesday’s edition of the Federal Register.

—The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will formally publish new registration requirements for unmanned aircraft, better known as drones.

The FAA will require both commercial and recreational drone users to register their aircraft with the government.

The drone registration fee will cost $5. The registration begins Dec. 21.

The FAA announced the rules Monday, but is now formally publishing them in the Federal Register. http://bit.ly/1QmJTJh

—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will propose new safety standards for semi-trucks.

Trucks will be required to use rear impact guards that are strong enough to protect passengers in a car that collides with a truck at a speeds up to 35 miles per hour.

The rules stem from a petition by safety advocates.

The public has 60 days to comment. http://bit.ly/1NRKIXT

—The Department of Defense (DOD) will look to maintain records of sex offenders living on Army installations.

The Defense Department is submitting a request for approval to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget. http://bit.ly/1lMC6aM

 

NEWS RIGHT NOW

Billionaire climate activist targets GOP presidential candidates. http://bit.ly/224XecE

Critics assail FAA ‘drone tax.’ http://bit.ly/1QK71Qe

Gun control activists press for state action. http://bit.ly/1lMDx9g

Court refuses to overturn air pollution rule despite Supreme Court defeat. http://bit.ly/1NRLBzO

Dems call on Labor Department to investigate grocery chain. http://bit.ly/1I71wd7

Trumka urges Fed against rate hike. http://bit.ly/1RmW4pd

Senators jockey over ban on Internet taxes. http://bit.ly/1NRMDMh

Senate approves bill protecting negative online reviews. http://bit.ly/1ISMDLD

 

BY THE NUMBER

28: The number of executive actions on gun control proposed by a left-leaning think tank. http://bit.ly/1NvIidX

 

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Make no mistake: unmanned aircraft enthusiasts are aviators, and with that title comes a great deal of responsibility,” Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement. http://bit.ly/1QK71Qe

 

We’ll work to stay on top of these and other stories throughout the week, so check The Hill’s Regulation page (http://digital-release.thehill.com/regulation) early and often for the latest. And send any comments, complaints or regulatory news tips our way, tdevaney@digital-release.thehill.com or lwheeler@digital-release.thehill.com. And follow us at @timdevaney and @wheelerlydia.

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