Today’s Business Briefing

Dec 12, 2025

🌊 EPA/Army Corps — WOTUS Proposed Rule & Comment Deadlines

  • What happened: The EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a revised “Waters of the United States (WOTUS)” proposed rule, triggering a 45‑day comment period and announcing additional public hearings beyond the one in Bismarck on Dec. 12, 2025 (virtual and in‑person meetings). Office of Advocacy+1

  • Why it matters: WOTUS defines which waters are federally regulated under the Clean Water Act; changes can dramatically affect farmers, ranchers, construction, real estate, infrastructure, and natural‑resource businesses by altering permitting and compliance requirements. Stites & Harbison PLLC

  • Who’s affected: Agriculture and commodity producers, construction and development firms, landowners, utilities, and supply‑chain businesses with operations near regulated waters.

  • Dates/Deadlines:

    • Jan. 5, 2026 — Public comments due on the proposed rule.

    • Upcoming public meetings (one in Pittsburgh, and virtual meeting Dec. 16, 2025).

  • Source: SBA Office of Advocacy regulatory notice. Office of Advocacy

🍽️ Federal Executive Action — Food Supply Chain Task Forces

  • What happened: President Trump signed an executive order establishing food supply chain task forces within the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) aimed at investigating anti‑competitive practices and potential price‑fixing risks in the food supply chain. Reuters

  • Why it matters: This initiative could lead to increased enforcement actions or regulatory scrutiny related to pricing, competition, and market conduct affecting agriculture, food processors, and retail supply chains — relevant for North Dakota’s farm output markets and associated businesses. Reuters

  • Who’s affected: Farmers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, agribusinesses, and related logistics firms.

  • Dates/Deadlines: Task forces are established immediately; future enforcement actions may follow in early 2026.

  • Source: Reuters. Reuters

📑 Federal Register — Multiple New Notices & Rules

  • What happened: The Federal Register listing updated on Dec. 11, 2025 shows numerous scheduled publications dated Dec. 12, 2025 — including notices from the USDA Rural Utilities Service, the Internal Revenue Service, Energy/FERC, and multiple procurement and compliance‑related notices. Federal Register

  • Why it matters: While many filings are routine, several could influence business compliance obligations, access to federal financing programs (e.g., Rural Utilities Service loan guarantees), and tax reporting and trade remedies. Federal Register

  • Who’s affected: Business owners across agriculture, energy, transportation, federal contractors, and finance sectors monitoring regulatory notices and potential program changes.

  • Dates/Deadlines: Varies by notice — many scheduled for Dec. 12, 2025 publication. Federal Register

📆 Federal Tax & Compliance — December 2025 Deadlines

  • What happened: Federal business tax deadlines include the fourth quarter estimated tax payments and key reporting dates approaching mid‑December 2025. Brown Graham & Company, P.C. –

  • Why it matters: Missing federal tax deadlines can result in penalties and interest — critical for corporations, sole proprietorships, freelancers, and small business owners closing their 2025 books. Brown Graham & Company, P.C. –

  • Who’s affected: Corporations, partnerships, self‑employed individuals, gig workers, freelancers, and e‑commerce sellers.

  • Dates/Deadlines: Dec. 15, 2025 — Fourth quarter estimated tax payments and employment tax liabilities due. Brown Graham & Company, P.C. –

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