Rule2026-07427
Removing Outdated Language From Regulatory Definitions of “United States”
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
April 16, 2026
Effective
April 16, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce Department
Abstract
By this rule, the Department of Commerce (Department) amends the definition of the term "United States" set forth in two of its regulations. Specifically, this rule removes references to "the Canal Zone," which is no longer part of the United States, and makes other minor edits to ensure that the two definitions are identical. This action is necessary to ensure that the Department's regulations are accurate, up-to-date, and consistent. The intended effect is to eliminate outdated language, reduce inconsistencies across the Department's regulations, and minimize the possibility of confusion.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 73 (Thursday, April 16, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 73 (Thursday, April 16, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20333-20334]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07427]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
15 CFR Parts 8 and 20
[Docket No. 260107-0012]
RIN 0605-AA76
Removing Outdated Language From Regulatory Definitions of
``United States''
AGENCY: Office of Civil Rights, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: By this rule, the Department of Commerce (Department) amends
the definition of the term ``United States'' set forth in two of its
regulations. Specifically, this rule removes references to ``the Canal
Zone,'' which is no longer part of the United States, and makes other
minor edits to ensure that the two definitions are identical. This
action is necessary to ensure that the Department's regulations are
accurate, up-to-date, and consistent. The intended effect is to
eliminate outdated language, reduce inconsistencies across the
Department's regulations, and minimize the possibility of confusion.
DATES: Effective April 16, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Sweeney, Senior Counsel, Office
of the General Counsel, at (202) 482-1395.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Department originally published the regulations at 15 CFR part
8 and 15 CFR part 20 in final rules on July 5, 1973 (38 FR 17938), and
August 13, 1986 (51 FR 28926), respectively. The regulations at 15 CFR
part 8 were promulgated to effectuate Section 602 of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d-1), which directs each Federal department
and agency to issue regulations implementing the statutory prohibition
on discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin.
Similarly, the regulations at 15 CFR part 20 were promulgated to
effectuate the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended (42 U.S.C.
6101 et seq.), and the corresponding government-wide regulations at 45
CFR part 90, which establish a general prohibition against
discrimination on the basis of age. Both 15 CFR part 8 and 15 CFR part
20 include a regulation defining the term ``United States'' to include
``the Canal Zone''--a reference to the Panama Canal Zone. See 15 CFR
8.3(c); 15 CFR 20.3(o). As relevant for 15 CFR part 20, the government-
wide regulations at 45 CFR part 90 likewise set forth a definition of
``United States'' that includes ``the Canal Zone.'' 45 CFR part 90.4.
The Panama Canal Zone was an exclusive concession of the United
States from 1903 to 1979. Thereafter, the Canal was jointly controlled
by the United States and the country of Panama until 1999. Then, on
December 31, 1999, the United States officially transferred full
control of the Canal to Panama. The regulatory definitions of the term
``United States'' set forth in 15 CFR 8.3(c) and 15 CFR 20.3(o) have
not been updated to reflect these historical developments and still
indicate that the Canal Zone is part of the United States.
II. Discussion
By this rule, the Department is updating the definitions of the
term ``United States'' set forth in 15 CFR 8.3(c) and 15 CFR 20.3(o) to
accurately reflect the current scope of the United States and its
territories and possessions. In particular, the Department is removing
from both Sec. Sec. 8.3(c) and 20.3(o) references to the Panama Canal
Zone, as that Zone is no longer considered part of the United States.
This removal will promote not only accuracy but also consistency across
the Department's regulations, as 15 CFR 801.2(a), for instance, does
not define ``United States'' to include the Canal Zone. See 15 CFR
801.2(a) (defining the term ``United States, ``when used in a
geographic sense,'' to mean ``the several States, the District of
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and all territories and
possessions of the United States.''). This removal will, however,
create some inconsistency between the Department's age discrimination
regulations (15 CFR part 20) and the government-wide age discrimination
regulations (45 CFR part 90), since ``United States'' is defined in 45
CFR 90.4 to include the Canal Zone. The Department nevertheless finds
it appropriate to amend Sec. Sec. 8.3(c) and 20.3(o) to ensure the
accuracy of--and consistency throughout--the Department's own
regulations.
The Department also finds it appropriate to make two other minor
amendments to ensure that Sec. Sec. 8.3(c) and 20.3(o) are identical.
Specifically, the Department is (i) ensuring that both definitions
explicitly mention the
[[Page 20334]]
Northern Mariana Islands, and (ii) adopting uniform language for the
reference to the States (``the fifty States'').
III. Classification
A. Administrative Procedure Act
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2), the provisions of the APA requiring
notice of proposed rulemaking and the opportunity for public
participation are inapplicable to this rule because it relates to
``agency management or personnel or to public property, loans, grants,
benefits, or contracts.'' This rule modifies definitions set forth in
15 CFR parts 8 and 20, both of which establish nondiscrimination
requirements in connection with Federal assistance. Additionally,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Department finds good cause to
waive notice of proposed rulemaking and the opportunity for public
participation because public participation would be unnecessary. This
rule only removes an outdated definition of the United States that no
longer aligns with its current boundaries and territories. Public
participation would not affect the legal and accurate definition of the
United States.
B. Executive Orders 12866, 14192, 13132
The Office of Management and Budget has determined this rule is not
significant pursuant to 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(a)(2), 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. Executive Order 12250
Pursuant to Executive Order 12250, the Department of Justice has
the responsibility to ``review . . . proposed rules . . . of the
Executive agencies'' implementing nondiscrimination statutes such as
Title VI in order to identify those which are inadequate, unclear or
unnecessarily inconsistent.'' The Department of Justice has reviewed
and approved this rule.
E. 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 8
Administrative practice and procedure, Civil rights, Equal
employment opportunity, Government contracts, Grant programs, Grants
administration.
15 CFR Part 20
Administrative practice and procedure, Civil rights, Grant
programs, Public assistance programs.
Dated: April 13, 2026.
Paul Dabbar,
Deputy Secretary of Commerce.
Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above, parts 8 and 20 of
title 15 of the Code of Federal Regulations are amended as follows:
PART 8--NONDISCRIMINATION IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE--EFFECTUATION OF TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL
RIGHTS ACT OF 1964
0
1. The authority citation for part 8 continues to read as follows:
Authority: Sec. 602, Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d-
1).
0
2. Amend Sec. 8.3 by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:
Sec. 8.3 Definitions
* * * * *
(c) United States means the fifty States, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Wake Island, the
Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories and possessions of the
United States.
* * * * *
PART 20--NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF AGE IN PROGRAMS OR
ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
0
3. The authority citation for part 20 continues to read as follows:
Authority: Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, 42 U.S.C.
6101 et seq. and the government-wide regulations implementing the
Act, 45 CFR part 90.
0
4. Amend Sec. 20.3 by revising paragraph (o) to read as follows:
Sec. 20.3 Definitions.
* * * * *
(o) United States means the fifty States, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Wake Island, the
Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories and possessions of the
United States.
[FR Doc. 2026-07427 Filed 4-15-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-BP-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 16, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.