Rule2026-03384
Streamlining the Regulations Governing Requests for Special Census Services and Studies
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 20, 2026
Effective
February 20, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentCensus Bureau
Abstract
By this rule, the Census Bureau is amending its regulations governing requests and establishing fee structures for special census services and studies. This action is necessary to eliminate obsolete provision and streamline the Census Bureau's regulations. This action is intended to promote simplicity and efficiency and to reduce the possibility of public confusion.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 34 (Friday, February 20, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 34 (Friday, February 20, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8070-8071]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03384]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
15 CFR Part 50
[Docket No. 260213-0046]
RIN 0607-AA73
Streamlining the Regulations Governing Requests for Special
Census Services and Studies
AGENCY: Census Bureau, Department of Commerce (Department).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: By this rule, the Census Bureau is amending its regulations
governing requests and establishing fee structures for special census
services and studies. This action is necessary to eliminate obsolete
provision and streamline the Census Bureau's regulations. This action
is intended to promote simplicity and efficiency and to reduce the
possibility of public confusion.
DATES: The rule is effective February 20, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Sweeney, Senior Counsel, Office
of the General Counsel, at (202) 482-1395.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This action amends the Census Bureau's
regulations at 15 CFR part 50, which
[[Page 8071]]
govern requests and establish fee structures for special census
services and studies. The regulations at part 50 purport to implement
15 U.S.C. 1525, which generally authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to
perform special services and furnish special records ``upon the payment
of the actual or estimated cost of such special work,'' and 13 U.S.C.
8, which similarly authorizes the Secretary to furnish transcripts or
copies of reports in connection with surveys and censuses ``upon
payment of the actual or estimated cost of searching the records and
furnishing such transcripts or copies.'' The regulatory framework
established by part 50 was first promulgated by final rule on January
4, 1963 (28 FR 120), and was subsequently amended several times between
then and 2004 (January 20, 1971, 36 FR 905; February 1, 1984, 49 FR
3980; July 29, 1991, 56 FR 35815; July 18, 2003, 68 FR 42586; July 30,
2004, 69 FR 45580). This action amends part 50 again in three ways.
First, this action removes Sec. 50.1(a). That subsection currently
reads as follows: ``Fee structure for age search and citizenship
service, special population censuses, and for foreign trade and
shipping statistics.'' Upon review, the Department has determined that
this incomplete introductory sentence creates a risk of confusion and
also is unnecessary, given the sufficiently explanatory contents of
Sec. 50.1(b) and other subsequent sections.
Second, this action removes Sec. 50.30. That section established a
fee structure for foreign trade and shipping statistics. However, that
section is now obsolete, as the Census Bureau no longer charges fees
for such services. The removal of Sec. 50.30 will therefore ensure
that the Census Bureau's regulations are accurate and up-to-date.
Third, this action removes Sec. 50.40. That section established a
fee structure for statistics for city blocks for the 1980 census of
population and housing. That section is now plainly obsolete and no
longer serves any meaningful purpose. The removal of Sec. 50.40 will
simplify part 50 and reduce the possibility of unnecessary confusion
and/or distraction.
Overall, these three changes will simplify and streamline part 50
and reduce the possibility of public confusion--thereby promoting
efficiency--without substantively altering any obligations of the
Census Bureau or public rights.
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 has determined that prior notice and opportunity for
public participation is unnecessary because this rule only removes
regulatory language that is not required by statute and that is plainly
obsolete and/or clearly poses an unnecessary risk of public confusion;
the obsolete and unnecessary nature of the regulatory language at issue
will not be cured by any public comment. The Department has also
determined that delaying the removal of this regulatory language for
the sake of carrying out the notice and comment process would be
contrary to the public interest, as the language being removed no
longer serves any meaningful function but does pose a risk of confusion
and distraction. The Department therefore finds good cause to waive the
public notice and comment period under 553(b)(B) and, for the same
reason, to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness under 553(d).
B. Executive Orders 12866, 14192, 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 in 15 CFR Part 50
Administrative practice and procedure, Census data, Citizenship and
naturalization, Fees, Foreign trade, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, State and local governments, Statistics.
George M. Cook, Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary for Economic
Affairs, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the
Director of the Census Bureau, approved the publication of this notice
in the Federal Register.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Census Bureau amends
15 CFR part 50 to read as follows:
PART 50--SPECIAL SERVICES AND STUDIES BY THE BUREAU OF THE CENSUS
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1. The authority citation for part 50 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1525-1527 and 13 U.S.C. 3 and 8.
Sec. 50.1 [Amended]
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2. Amend Sec. 50.1 by removing and reserving paragraph (a).
Sec. 50.30 [Removed and Reserved]
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3. Remove and reserve Sec. 50.30.
Sec. 50.40 [Removed and Reserved]
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4. Remove and reserve Sec. 50.40.
Dated: February 17, 2026.
Shannon Wink,
Program Analyst, Policy Coordination Office, U.S. Census Bureau.
[FR Doc. 2026-03384 Filed 2-19-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
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