Census Bureau Ditches Duplicate Rule on Public Info Disclosure
Published Date: 1/23/2026
Rule
Summary
The Census Bureau is cleaning house by removing an old, unnecessary rule that just pointed to another set of rules about sharing information. This change affects anyone interested in accessing Census records but won’t change any rights or costs. The update kicks in on January 23, 2026, making the rules simpler and less cluttered without any extra hassle or expense.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Census removes redundant disclosure rule
If you request Census Bureau records, the agency has removed 15 CFR part 60 (Sec. 60.1) and will rely on the Department-wide FOIA rules at 15 CFR part 4 instead. This change takes effect January 23, 2026, and the Bureau says it does not change any substantive rights, obligations, fees, or costs for accessing records.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-18481, Decennial Census of the Population of Americans; Proposed Residence Criteria and Proposed Regulations for Demographic Questions
The Census Bureau is proposing to add two new parts to the Code of Federal Regulations governing the decennial census of population and housing. First, the Census Bureau is proposing to add a part outlining the residence criteria used for identifying each person's "usual residence," as needed to determine whether and where to count them in the census of the population throughout the United States. Second, the Census Bureau is proposing to add a part establishing standards and restrictions for the inclusion of certain demographic questions on the decennial census short-form questionnaire and any other questionnaire used for the enumeration of the population. The Census Bureau is considering these two additions to better prioritize and fulfill its Constitutional mandate to count for apportionment the "whole number of persons in each State" based on the concept of "usual residence"--a process that factors in an element of allegiance but otherwise should be colorblind and should not be distorted in any way by questions about immaterial personal characteristics, such as race. Although these two parts are somewhat related and complementary, each is being proposed independently based on its own merits. These proposals are intended to ensure fidelity to the Constitution, improve and protect the core decennial census data, and promote efficiency.
2026-18304, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Business Trends and Outlook Survey
2026-18176, Current Mandatory Business Surveys
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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
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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
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-01242, Eliminating Regulations Contemplating Collaboration With USAID To Train Foreign Participants in Census Procedures and General Statistics
The Census Bureau is wiping away old rules about training foreign folks in census and stats work with USAID. This cleanup removes outdated stuff, clears up confusion, and focuses on American priorities. The change kicks in on January 23, 2026, with no extra costs or hassles for anyone.
Next: 2026-01244, Eliminating Unnecessary and Overly-Restrictive Regulations Related to the Release of Decennial Census Population Information
The Census Bureau is ditching old, unnecessary rules about sharing population numbers from the decennial census. This change helps the Secretary of Commerce work faster and smarter without being slowed down by outdated red tape. It affects states and local governments who get census data, and it kicks in right away on January 23, 2026, with no extra costs involved.