Commerce Wants Comments on Better Service Feedback Plans
Published Date: 1/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Commerce is asking for public feedback on their plan to keep collecting info that helps improve how federal agencies serve you. This update supports a government-wide goal to make customer service better and easier, with no new costs or big changes. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until March 24, 2026, to speak up!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Commerce Continues Customer Feedback
The Department of Commerce will continue collecting voluntary customer feedback under OMB Circular A-11, Section 280 to help improve federal service delivery and report results on performance.gov. The notice requests public comment on the extension and accepts comments through March 24, 2026.
No Monetary Cost To Respondents
The Department estimates the total annual cost to the public of these collections is zero. The collections are described as voluntary and low-cost for respondents and the Federal Government.
Time Burden For Participants
The Department estimates 100,000 respondents and total annual burden of 13,863 hours. Individual response time may range from about 3 minutes to up to 2 hours for interviews or focus groups.
Voluntary, Limited PII, Anonymity Promised
Collections under this clearance will be voluntary, limited to non-sensitive topics, and the Department will take steps to ensure respondent anonymity; personally identifiable information (PII) will be collected only as necessary and not retained. Agencies will not ask about sensitive subjects like sexual behavior, attitudes, or religious beliefs as part of these collections.
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
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14204, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date
NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.
2026-14195, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.
2026-07536, Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America
Starting April 20, 2026, NOAA is setting new rules for companies doing geophysical surveys in the Gulf of America to protect marine mammals. These rules let companies get permission to accidentally disturb marine mammals but require them to minimize harm and report what they find. This plan lasts five years and helps balance ocean research with saving sea life.
2026-05599, Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2025-06746, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service want to remove the current definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act because it includes habitat changes that don’t match the law’s true meaning. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered species and could shift how rules are enforced. You have until May 19, 2025, to share your thoughts, and this update aims to clarify the law without adding new costs.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-01253, Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Title-Revision of Currently Approved Collection Survey: Annual Survey of Jails in Indian Country
The Department of Justice wants to update its yearly survey about jails in Indian Country to make it easier and more useful. This affects tribal jail officials who provide info, and the public can share thoughts until February 23, 2026. The goal is to keep the survey clear, quick, and helpful without costing extra time or money.
Next: 2026-01255, Deepwater Port License Application: Bluewater Texas Terminal LLC-Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Bluewater Texas Terminal wants to build a deepwater port to export U.S. crude oil overseas. The government released a new environmental report and is inviting the public to share their thoughts during a 45-day comment period. A fun open house and public meeting will happen on February 3, 2026, in Corpus Christi, Texas, so locals and others can learn more and get involved.