Rule2026-11800
Removing Regulations Related to Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms
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
June 11, 2026
Effective
September 30, 2028
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentEconomic Development Administration
Abstract
By this rule, EDA removes its regulations pertaining to trade adjustment assistance for firms, effective September 30, 2028. The removal of these regulations is ultimately necessary to reflect both the lapse of the underlying statutory authorization as well as the inactive status of this assistance program, and to ensure that EDA's body of regulations remains accurate and up-to-date. This action is intended to eliminate outdated regulatory language, and thereby reduce the possibility of confusion, without altering any substantive obligation or entitlement.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 112 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 112 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35376-35377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-11800]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economic Development Administration
13 CFR Part 315
[Docket No. 260608-0136]
RIN 0610-AA76
Removing Regulations Related to Trade Adjustment Assistance for
Firms
AGENCY: Economic Development Administration (EDA), Department of
Commerce (Department).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: By this rule, EDA removes its regulations pertaining to trade
adjustment assistance for firms, effective September 30, 2028. The
removal of these regulations is ultimately necessary to reflect both
the lapse of the underlying statutory authorization as well as the
inactive status of this assistance program, and to ensure that EDA's
body of regulations remains accurate and up-to-date. This action is
intended to eliminate outdated regulatory language, and thereby reduce
the possibility of confusion, without altering any substantive
obligation or entitlement.
DATES: The rule is effective September 30, 2028.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Roberson, Chief Counsel,
Economic Development Administration, at (202) 779-0563.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By this rule, EDA removes 13 CFR part 315,
``Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms,'' effective September 30,
2028. Part 315 was promulgated via final rule (40 FR 44303) on
September 26, 1975, to implement the Trade Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-
618), and it was substantially amended via final rule (74 FR 41598) on
August 18, 2009. However, the statutory authorization for the Trade
Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program lapsed in two stages, in
2021 and 2022, pursuant to the sunset and termination provisions of the
Trade Adjustment Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2015 (Title IV of
Pub. L. 114-27). As of July 1, 2022, EDA has been unable to accept new
petitions from firms for certification of eligibility for trade
adjustment assistance through this program. Further, by September 30,
2028, all grants with EDA's Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers will
have been closed out, without the possibility of renewal. The TAAF
program will therefore no longer be active as of September 30, 2028,
and the regulations at part 315 will be obsolete.
Accordingly, part 315 is appropriate for removal, effective
September 30, 2028. Removing part 315 will properly reflect both the
lapse of the underlying statutory authorization as well as the inactive
status of this assistance program by that date. Removing part 315 will
also streamline EDA's body of regulations and ensure that it remains
accurate and up-to-date, thereby reducing the possibility of public
confusion. And the publication of this rule well in advance of the
effective date furthers the interests of government transparency and
accountability.
[[Page 35377]]
Classification
A. Administrative Procedure Act
The Department issues this final rule without prior public notice
and comment pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act's exception
for rules ``relating to agency management or personnel or to public
property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts.'' 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2).
This rule falls into that exception, as part 315 pertains to a federal
assistance program.
In addition, 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 will only remove
outdated regulations that lack a valid statutory authorization and no
longer serve any actual function as of the effective date. The
continued maintenance of these regulations would create a genuine risk
of public confusion and/or distraction; this removal will reduce that
risk and enhance clarity. The Department therefore finds good cause to
waive the public notice and comment period under 553(b)(B).
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(a) and (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 315
Administrative practice and procedure, Trade adjustment assistance,
Eligible petitioner, Firm selection, Certification requirements,
Recordkeeping and audit requirements, Adjustment proposals.
Dated: June 9, 2026.
Benjamin Page,
Deputy Assistant Secretary and Chief Operating Officer.
PART 315--[REMOVED AND RESERVED]
0
For the reasons set forth above, and under the authority of 42 U.S.C.
3211, the Department of Commerce removes and reserves 13 CFR part 315,
effective September 30, 2028.
[FR Doc. 2026-11800 Filed 6-10-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-24-P
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