Census Bureau Tests Survey Questions for Better Data
Published Date: 12/30/2025
Notice
Summary
The Census Bureau is asking for approval to keep testing survey questions to make sure they work well before using them in big surveys. This affects about 5,500 people or businesses each year who volunteer about an hour to help improve data quality. They’re giving the public 30 more days to share thoughts, with no changes to the current process or extra costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Census Pretest: 5,500 Volunteers Needed
You may be asked to help the Census Bureau test survey questions: about 5,500 people or businesses are expected to volunteer each year and each response takes about 1 hour (5,500 burden hours annually). Participation is voluntary and the agency is requesting an extension of the currently approved clearance (OMB Control Number 0607-0725) without changes.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14513, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories and Orders (M3) Survey
The Census Bureau wants to keep collecting monthly info from U.S. manufacturers about their shipments, inventories, and orders through the M3 survey. They’re asking the public to share thoughts by September 18, 2026, before they get final approval. This helps keep the data flowing without adding extra hassle or cost to businesses.
2026-14554, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Generic Clearance for Internet Panel Pretesting and Qualitative Survey Methods Testing
The Census Bureau wants to keep testing online surveys and internet panels to make sure their questions work well and don’t waste your time. They’re asking for your thoughts by September 18, 2026, before getting final approval. This helps keep surveys smart, quick, and less annoying for everyone involved, with no extra cost or big time changes.
2026-14512, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Survey of Housing Starts, Sales, and Completions
The Census Bureau wants to keep running its Survey of Housing Starts, Sales, and Completions for three more years and is asking the public to share their thoughts by September 18, 2026. This survey helps track new home building and sales, affecting builders, buyers, and policymakers. No big changes or costs are planned, just a smooth continuation to keep housing data fresh and useful.
2026-13801, Age Search Fee Structure
Starting August 7, 2026, the Census Bureau is raising the Age Search fee from $65 to $155 and the rush fee from $20 to $50. This service helps people get official proof of their age from old census records, especially if they don’t have a birth certificate. These changes cover the real costs of processing requests, which haven’t been updated since 2004.
2026-11886, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; DOC-Census Workforce Development Collection
The Census Bureau wants your thoughts on a new survey about workforce training programs run by the Department of Commerce. This survey will help improve how they track and support people in these programs, with no cost to participants. You’ve got until August 11, 2026, to share your feedback before the survey gets the green light from the Office of Management and Budget.
2026-11293, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS)
The Census Bureau is asking to keep collecting housing vacancy info every month without changes. About 59,000 landlords, rental agents, and neighbors help by sharing quick updates on empty homes, which helps everyone understand the housing market better. This survey keeps running smoothly with no extra cost or time burden, and you’ve got 30 days to share your thoughts!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-23978, Application for Final Commitment for a Long-Term Loan or Financial Guarantee in Excess of $100 Million: AP300117XX-USA
The Export-Import Bank is reviewing a big loan request over $100 million to help U.S. companies keep their factories running and supply chains strong. This loan supports jobs and manufacturing right here at home. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by January 26, 2026, before the bank’s board makes a final decision.
Next: 2025-23980, Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod From Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Moldova, and Trinidad and Tobago; Scheduling of Expedited Five-Year Reviews
The U.S. International Trade Commission is speeding up reviews to decide if special taxes on steel wire rod from Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Moldova, and Trinidad and Tobago should stay or go. These taxes help protect American steel makers from unfair foreign competition. The decision will be made soon, affecting importers and possibly prices in the steel market.