How Federal Register Keeps Printing During a Government Shutdown Hiatus
Published Date: 3/13/2025
Notice
Summary
When the government runs out of money temporarily, the Office of the Federal Register (OFR) only publishes urgent documents that protect people or property, or those tied to funded programs that can’t wait. Agencies must prove their documents qualify for this special treatment—OFR won’t decide for them. This keeps important info flowing during funding gaps without breaking any rules or spending extra cash.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Federal Register limits publications during lapses
During a funding lapse, the Office of the Federal Register will publish only documents that are directly related to addressing imminent threats to the safety of human life or protection of property, or documents for funded programs if delaying publication would prevent or significantly damage funded functions at the agency. The OFR is prohibited by law from publishing any other agency documents and will not publish routine or normal agency documents during the lapse.
Publication timing may be delayed with limited staff
At the start of a funding lapse, the OFR may suspend its regular 3-day publication schedule and use a limited number of exempt personnel to process only excepted documents. That may change when and how quickly even allowed documents appear in the Federal Register during the lapse.
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Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-02066, Publication Procedures for Federal Register Documents During a Funding Hiatus
When the government runs out of money temporarily, only certain important documents can still be published in the Federal Register. Agencies must send a special letter explaining why their document is urgent and allowed under the rules. This keeps critical info flowing without spending extra money or breaking the law during funding gaps.
2025-19060, Publication Procedures for Federal Register Documents During a Funding Hiatus
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