Rule2026-05228
Removing Certain Redundant Language From Regulations Governing Planning Investments and Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies
Primary source
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Published
March 17, 2026
Effective
March 17, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentEconomic Development Administration
Abstract
By this rule, EDA amends its regulations governing planning investments and comprehensive economic development strategies by removing certain redundant language. Specifically, this rule removes a section pertaining to eligible administrative expenses on the basis that it is redundant with the government-wide cost principles set forth elsewhere in the Code of Federal Regulations. This action is intended to streamline EDA's regulations by eliminating unnecessary regulatory text, and thereby promote administrative efficiency, without diminishing any substantive obligation or entitlement related to planning investments and comprehensive economic development strategies.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 51 (Tuesday, March 17, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 17, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12676-12677]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05228]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economic Development Administration
13 CFR Part 303
[Docket No. 260311-0079]
RIN 0610-AA74
Removing Certain Redundant Language From Regulations Governing
Planning Investments and Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies
AGENCY: Economic Development Administration (EDA), Department of
Commerce (Department).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: By this rule, EDA amends its regulations governing planning
investments and comprehensive economic development strategies by
removing certain redundant language. Specifically, this rule removes a
section pertaining to eligible administrative expenses on the basis
that it is redundant with the government-wide
[[Page 12677]]
cost principles set forth elsewhere in the Code of Federal Regulations.
This action is intended to streamline EDA's regulations by eliminating
unnecessary regulatory text, and thereby promote administrative
efficiency, without diminishing any substantive obligation or
entitlement related to planning investments and comprehensive economic
development strategies.
DATES: The rule is effective March 17, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Roberson, Chief Counsel,
Economic Development Administration, at (202) 779-0563.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By this rule, the Department amends the
regulations at 13 CFR part 303, which govern planning investments and
comprehensive economic development strategies. Specifically, this rule
removes Sec. 303.5, which addresses eligible administrative expenses
and states that, ``[i]n accordance with applicable Federal cost
principles, Planning Investments may be used to pay the direct and
indirect costs incurred by a Planning Organization in the development,
implementation, revision or replacement of a CEDS and for related
short-term planning activities.'' 13 CFR 303.5. The eligibility of the
expenses described in Sec. 303.5, however, is already adequately
established by the government-wide, uniform cost principles set forth
in 2 CFR part 200. Section 303.5 is thus redundant and appropriate for
removal. The Department has determined that the removal of Sec. 303.5
will streamline part 303 without diminishing any substantive obligation
or entitlement related to planning investments and comprehensive
economic development strategies.
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 redundant regulatory
language and does not affect any substantive obligation or entitlement.
Indeed, because the section being removed by this rule is redundant and
not required by statute, public participation could not justify its
continued maintenance under the Department's broader deregulatory
policies. For the same reasons, the Department has determined that
delaying the effectiveness of these amendments would be contrary to the
public interest. The section being removed by this rule adds
unnecessary length and complexity to part 303; its removal will
immediately streamline part 303, thereby promoting administrative
efficiency and benefiting 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, 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 13 CFR Part 303
Planning, Award and application requirements, Comprehensive
economic development strategy, State plans, Short-term planning
investments.
Dated: March 13, 2026.
Benjamin Page,
Deputy Assistant Secretary and Chief Operating Officer.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, EDA amends 13 CFR part
303 as follows:
PART 303--PLANNING INVESTMENTS AND COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
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1. The authority citation for part 303 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3143; 42 U.S.C. 3162; 42 U.S.C. 3174; 42
U.S.C. 3211; Department of Commerce Organization Order 10-4.
Sec. 303.5 [Removed and Reserved]
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2. Remove and reserve Sec. 303.5.
[FR Doc. 2026-05228 Filed 3-16-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-24-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on March 17, 2026.
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