Census Bureau Declutters Its Sacred Seal Regulations Overnight
Published Date: 1/23/2026
Rule
Summary
The Census Bureau is cleaning up its rules about the official seal by removing extra, confusing language and putting everything into one clear rule. This change affects anyone who uses or manages the seal and takes effect right away on January 23, 2026. It won’t cost extra money but will make the rules easier to understand and follow.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Census Seal Rules Simplified
The Census Bureau consolidated and clarified the official seal rules by removing 15 CFR 100.1 and 100.3 and revising 15 CFR 100.2 to be the single, approved description of the seal. You (and anyone who uses or manages the seal) are affected by this change, which takes effect January 23, 2026.
No New Paperwork or Costs
The Census Bureau states this rule will not impose additional reporting or recordkeeping requirements and will not cause extra costs. The Bureau also waived prior notice and comment and made the rule effective January 23, 2026.
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
2026-20249, Notice of Data Sharing Activity
Starting October 2, 2026, the Census Bureau will share some business survey data with the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) to help make U.S. economic stats more accurate and efficient. This affects businesses that voluntarily provide info in Census surveys, with no legal pressure to share. Only trusted BEA staff sworn to keep data secret will see the info, and there’s no cost impact for businesses.
2026-20155, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD)
The Census Bureau wants to keep collecting data for the Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) program, which helps track jobs and workers over time. They’re asking the public to comment by November 30, 2026, before they get final approval from the Office of Management and Budget. This keeps the data flowing without adding extra hassle or cost to businesses and workers.
2026-20167, 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 is asking for approval to collect info from 230 workforce training groups linked to Manufacturing USA and two grant programs. This new data will help track how well these training programs work by connecting participant info with Census data. The goal? To make smarter decisions about future workforce investments without adding too much extra work—each group spends just 1-2 hours a year on this.
2026-20153, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Quarterly Services Survey (QSS)
The U.S. Census Bureau wants to keep running the Quarterly Services Survey for three more years without changes. This survey asks certain U.S. service businesses for info to help track the economy. If you’re involved, you can comment by November 30, 2026, but there’s no new cost or extra paperwork planned.
2026-19301, Proposed Data Sharing Activity
The Census Bureau wants to share some business data with the Bureau of Economic Analysis to help improve economic reports. This change affects businesses whose data is collected and aims to make government info more useful without extra costs. People have until November 23, 2026, to share their thoughts on this plan.
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.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-01293, Establishment of Class E Airspace; Washburn, ND
The FAA is creating new Class E airspace around Washburn Municipal Airport in North Dakota to support safer flying with new instrument procedures. This change helps pilots fly using instruments, especially in bad weather, starting May 14, 2026. Local pilots and air traffic controllers will benefit, and there’s no cost impact for the public.
Next: 2026-01316, Safety Zone; St. Clair River, St. Clair, MI
On January 24, 2026, from 6 to 7 p.m., the Coast Guard is setting up a temporary safety zone around a fireworks show on the St. Clair River in St. Clair, MI. Boats and people can’t enter this 50-yard zone unless they get special permission. This quick move keeps everyone safe from fireworks hazards without causing any fees or long-term changes.