Rule2026-03303
Eliminating Obsolete Regulations Related to the Advanced Technology Program and the Technology Innovation Program
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 19, 2026
Effective
February 19, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Institute of Standards and Technology
Abstract
By this rule, NIST removes the regulations outlining the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) and the Technology Innovation Program (TIP), both of which now lack authorization and, operationally, are no longer active. This action is necessary to reflect the repeal of the underlying statutory provision and to ensure that NIST's regulations remain current and up-to-date. This action is intended to minimize the risk of confusion and/or distraction and to promote efficiency.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 33 (Thursday, February 19, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 33 (Thursday, February 19, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03303]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
15 CFR Parts 295 and 296
[Docket No. 260210-0042]
RIN 0693-AB72
Eliminating Obsolete Regulations Related to the Advanced
Technology Program and the Technology Innovation Program
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),
Department of Commerce (Department).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: By this rule, NIST removes the regulations outlining the
Advanced Technology Program (ATP) and the Technology Innovation Program
(TIP), both of which now lack authorization and, operationally, are no
longer active. This action is necessary to reflect the repeal of the
underlying statutory provision and to ensure that NIST's regulations
remain current and up-to-date. This action is intended to minimize the
risk of confusion and/or distraction and to promote efficiency.
DATES: The rule is effective February 19, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Sweeney, Senior Counsel, Office
of the General Counsel, at (202) 482-1395.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This action eliminates NIST's regulations at
15 CFR parts 295 and 296, which outline the ATP and the TIP,
respectively. The ATP and the TIP were grant programs operated by NIST
and related to the development of technology. Part 295, which outlines
the ATP, was promulgated by a final rule published on July 24, 1990 (55
FR 30145); and part 296, which outlines the TIP, was promulgated by a
final rule published on June 25, 2008 (73 FR 35915). Both parts were
promulgated pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 278n, and 15 U.S.C. 278n is their
cited statutory authority. But 15 U.S.C. 278n has since been repealed.
See Public Law 114-329, Title II, Sec. 205(a)(1), Jan. 6, 2018, 130
Stat. 3000. And neither the ATP nor the TIP is operationally active
today. The elimination of 15 CFR parts 295 and 296 is therefore
necessary to remove outdated regulatory language, minimize the
possibility of public confusion regarding the status of these programs,
and ensure that NIST's regulations remain accurate and up-to-date.
Regulatory Classifications
A. Administrative Procedure Act
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Department finds good cause to
waive the prior notice and opportunity for public participation
requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act for this final rule.
The Department considers this rule to be uncontroversial, and has
determined that prior notice and opportunity for public participation
is unnecessary, because this rule only removes two regulations that
both lack a valid statutory authorization, no longer serve any purpose,
and pose some genuine risk of confusing the public; public
participation would not justify the continued maintenance of either 15
CFR part 295 or 15 CFR part 296 under the Department's regulatory
policy. For the same reason, the Department has determined that
delaying the effectiveness of this elimination would be contrary to the
public interest. Eliminating parts 295 and 296, which are obsolete and
pose some risk of confusion, will immediately benefit the public at
little to no cost. The Department therefore finds good cause to waive
the public notice and comment period under 553(b)(B) and to waive the
30-day delay in effectiveness under 553(d).
B. Executive Orders 12866, 14192, and 13132
The Office of Management and Budget has determined this rule is not
significant pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 12866. This rule is an
E.O. 14192 deregulatory action. This rule does not contain policies
having federalism implications as the term is defined in E.O. 13132.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
Because a notice of proposed rulemaking and an opportunity for
public participation are not required to be given for this rule by 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the analytical requirements of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) are not applicable. Accordingly,
no regulatory flexibility analysis is required, and none has been
prepared.
D. Paperwork Reduction Act
This rule will not impose additional reporting or recordkeeping
requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501,
et seq.
List of Subjects for 15 CFR Parts 295 and 296
Business and industry, Grant programs--science and technology,
Inventions and patents, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
Research, Science and technology.
Alicia Chambers,
NIST Executive Secretariat.
PARTS 295 AND 296--[REMOVED AND RESERVED]
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Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above and under the authority of
15 U.S.C. 277, parts 295 and 296 of title 15 of the Code of Federal
Regulations are removed and reserved.
[FR Doc. 2026-03303 Filed 2-18-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 19, 2026.
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