News and reports from the Department of Commerce.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has lauded the full implementation of California’s Proposition 12. This ballot measure, approved in 2018, enforces stringent restrictions on food products derived from animals kept in cruel confinement.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has disclosed in a report that the U.S. Outdoor Recreation Economy amassed over $1 trillion during 2022, reflecting an upward trend in expenditure on hotels, restaurants, and transportation.

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has expressed approval for the initial semiconductor manufacturing incentives introduced by the U.S. Department of Commerce, as part of the CHIPS and Science Act. The association indicated that the legislation has already spurred investment and anticipates further projects to commence soon.

Prior to the discussion of U.S. Ocean Innovation at the Conference of Parties for the United Nations Framework Convention (COP), the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere penned a blog elaborating on the impact that the "Blue Economy" has on the United States and its citizens. The convention is aimed at addressing climate change.

Blue Star Families, the largest national non-profit dedicated to supporting military families, has joined forces with the Hiring Our Heroes Program to combat high unemployment rates among military spouses. The Hiring Our Heroes Program is a renowned initiative that assists transitioning service members in finding meaningful careers.

Recently, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines have voiced strong opposition to the Credit Card Competition Act of 2023 (S. 1838). The two industry leaders have raised concerns that the proposed legislation could significantly limit cardmembers' ability to earn travel rewards, thereby potentially disrupting key aspects of airline business models.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has made a plea to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, urging them to maintain the standard 90-day comment period for a proposed rule aimed at reducing debit card interchange fees. The request was articulated in a letter submitted by Austen Jensen, RILA's Executive Vice President of Government Affairs, on December 2, 2023. Jensen strongly encouraged the board to dismiss any requests for extensions from major banks and dominant card networks in order to keep the proposal's timeline on track.

On November 29, Curtis LeGeyt, President and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), participated in the Senate AI Insight Forum titled "Transparency, Explainability, Intellectual Property and Copyright." He expressed to Senate members the concerns that the broadcast news industry harbors regarding the unchecked advancement of artificial intelligence (AI).

The inaugural meeting of the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience took place on November 27th, aiming to address potential shortages and bottlenecks in the supply chain that have significantly impacted the US economy during the pandemic.

The Center for Democracy and Technology has joined a coalition that has been addressing concerns about free expression and privacy threats that might come with the Protecting Kids on Social Media Act.

An organization representing major credit card companies issued a strong rebuke of claims made against the industry in a video by the New York Times.

Sam Altman is set to return as OpenAI's CEO after a long weekend of leadership upheaval. The decision follows employee unrest and Microsoft's job offer to Altman. OpenAI announced on Twitter late Friday night the agreement for Altman's return and a new board.

``` U.S. Secretary of Commerce announced a substantial conclusion of negotiations of the Clean Economy Agreement and the Fair Economy Agreement of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), and signed the Pillar II Supply Chain Agreement on November 16th. This significant move is intended to strengthen economic ties and address shared challenges within the Indo-Pacific region.

As the opportunities and risks surrounding the development of artificial intelligence (AI) accelerate, key global entities from government bodies to industry leaders are converging around the need for a comprehensive international framework for AI governance. This shift is in response to AI's rapid technological advancements in the past year and its growing impact across various sectors.

Google announced its AI Opportunity Agenda, presenting policy recommendations for governments worldwide that they believe ensure the broadest possible distribution of artificial intelligence's advantages. The company's outline aims to serve as a framework for governments worldwide in developing and managing AI technology.