Internet-based real estate brokers will have the same access to multiple listing service data as brick and mortar counterparts, subject to technology-neutral limits on displays of listings. A proposed 10-year settlement between the National Association of Realtors and the Justice Department, which requires approval by the U.S. District Court in Chicago, would end a nearly three-year-old legal battle over alleged discrimination against low-cost Internet rivals in the brokerage market. The association said the settlement protects its main goal: limiting access to MLS data to “real estate professionals.”
President Bush and Commerce Secretary Gutierrez recognized 19 U.S. organizations with 'E' and 'E-Star' Awards for their commitment to strengthening U.S.' global competitiveness by expanding their export success. 'E' recipients include Fed Ex Corporation, Johnsonville Sausage, and the Seattle University. (Commerce press release, dated 05/20/08, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_006046)
At the April 2008 National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America's Annual Conference, a Food and Drug Administration official spoke about FDA's import initiatives and its Office of Regulatory Affairs' revitalization approach, as follows:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a proposed rule to amend 19 CFR 111.13 to add three requirements that an individual must satisfy in order to take the written examination for an individual customs broker's license, as administered by CBP.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted four textile and apparel informed compliance publications that were reviewed in May 2008 with no change.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a notice announcing that the fourth tranche for the fiscal year 2008 specialty sugar tariff rate quota that opened on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 oversubscribed at opening moment. The pro rata percentage is 60.31951% or 0.6031951.
On May 19, 2008, the Federal Maritime Commission held an industry briefing with the Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association, which covered a number of current issues and concerns, including equipment shortages in the export trades and marine terminal issues. (FMC dated 05/21/08, available at http://www.fmc.gov/speeches/newsrelease.asp?SPEECH_ID=245 )
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted an updated version of its "ACE on the Road" event schedule, which includes the following events:
On May 20, 2008, the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade held a hearing on "Export Compliance: Ensuring Safety, Increasing Efficiency."
On May 15, 2008, the Los Angeles Harbor Commission approved the Clean Truck Program (CTP) Drayage Services Concession Agreement, which paves the way for the Port of Los Angeles to begin the transition to a Licensed Motor Carrier-based truck concession program beginning October 1, 2008.