Notice of Establishment of Emergency Relief Docket for Calendar Year 2026
Published Date: 1/30/2026
Notice
Summary
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is setting up a special Emergency Relief Docket for 2026. This lets transit groups ask for temporary breaks from rules if a big emergency or disaster hits. If that happens, affected groups can quickly request help, making it easier to respond without getting stuck in paperwork.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Emergency Relief Docket Established for 2026
If you are an FTA grantee or subgrantee, the Federal Transit Administration has opened an Emergency Relief Docket for calendar year 2026 (docket FTA-2026-0001). This lets grantees and subgrantees request temporary relief from FTA administrative and statutory requirements when a national or regional emergency or disaster occurs or is anticipated.
Three-Day Conditional Administrative Relief
For administrative requirements, a petition posted to the Emergency Relief Docket is conditionally granted for three business days from submission while FTA reviews it. If FTA does not respond within three business days, the grantee or subgrantee may assume the petition is granted for a period not to exceed three months unless FTA states otherwise.
Buy America Waivers Not Granted Here
Requests for Buy America waivers will not be granted through the Emergency Relief Docket. Grantees seeking Buy America relief must follow the procedures in 49 CFR 661.7 and 661.9 instead.
Evacuation Assistance Allowed Without Petition (45 Days)
Under FTA's Charter Rule, grantees and subgrantees may assist with evacuations or emergency movements of people that would otherwise be charter service without submitting a petition if the emergency is declared by the President, governor, or mayor, or requires immediate action prior to formal declaration. If the emergency lasts more than 45 calendar days and the grantee continues charter-like service, they must follow the Emergency Relief Docket procedures.
Statutory Waivers Require Written Decision
A petition seeking a waiver of statutory requirements will not be conditionally granted and requires a written decision from the FTA Administrator. Grantees must await that written decision before the statutory waiver takes effect.
What Petitions Must Include and Time Limits
A petition for relief must include the agency name and docket number FTA-2026-0001; identify the grantee/subgrantee and its location; identify the legal or policy provision for relief; explain how the requirement limits emergency response; and state whether relief is one-time or ongoing. If ongoing, the requested period may not exceed three months, though additional time can be requested via a second petition.
Multiple Submission Options and Help for Access
Grantees may submit petitions via regulations.gov, email, fax, U.S. mail, or hand delivery to specified FTA or DOT addresses. If a grantee lacks electronic access and needs immediate relief, it may contact any FTA regional office or headquarters and ask FTA staff to submit the petition on its behalf.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-08144 — Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures
The Department of Transportation is bringing back and improving its rules for making new policies, giving guidance, and enforcing laws. This affects anyone involved in transportation regulations, making the process clearer and more consistent. These changes kick in on May 27, 2026, aiming to save time and avoid confusion without adding extra costs.
2026-10103 — Notice of Withdrawal of Guidance Circular 4704.1A
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is officially ending its old rules about workplace fairness for transit groups that get federal money. If you’re a transit agency with 50+ employees, you no longer have to send detailed reports about your equal opportunity efforts because the job now belongs to bigger agencies like the EEOC. This change starts May 20, 2026, and should save time and hassle without affecting funding.
2026-09309 — FY 2026 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning
The Federal Transit Administration is offering nearly $28.5 million in grants for 2026 to help communities plan smart, walkable neighborhoods near transit stops. Cities and local groups can apply by July 10, 2026, to get funding that supports better transit-oriented development. This is a great chance to make public transit easier and neighborhoods more connected and fun!
2026-07966 — Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP)
The Federal Transit Administration is asking for public feedback on a new info collection for the All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP), which helps make transit stations easier for everyone to use. This affects transit agencies that will need to share info to improve accessibility. Comments are due by May 26, 2026, and the goal is to keep the process smooth without extra costs or hassle.
2026-06680 — FY 2026 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Passenger Ferry Program, Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program, and Ferry Service for Rural Communities Competitive Programs
The Federal Transit Administration is offering about $657 million in grants for ferry projects in 2026. This money supports passenger ferries, electric or low-emission ferry pilots, and ferry services in rural areas. If you want to apply, get your proposals in by May 11, 2026, to join the race for funding that can boost cleaner, better ferry rides.
2026-05918 — Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Buses and Bus Facilities Formula and Competitive Programs and Low or No Emission Program
The Federal Transit Administration wants to keep collecting info for its bus and clean energy bus programs without changing anything. This affects transit agencies that get funding to improve buses and bus facilities, especially those focusing on low or no emission vehicles. If you have thoughts, send them in by May 26, 2026, so the government can keep supporting cleaner, better bus rides.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-01890 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Extension: Rule 10b-10
The SEC is asking to keep Rule 10b-10 going, which makes sure brokers give customers clear details about their stock trades, like dates, prices, and fees. This rule affects anyone buying or selling stocks through a broker and helps keep things transparent without adding new costs or deadlines. It’s all about making sure you get the info you need to understand your investments better!
Next: 2026-01892 — Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 102 Notification of Proposed Production Activity; BASF Agricultural Solutions US LLC; (Agricultural Fungicide and Herbicide Products); Fenton/Palmyra, Missouri
BASF Agricultural Solutions wants to make two special farm chemicals—REVYSOL Fungicide and KIXOR Herbicide—at their Missouri plants inside a Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ 102). This means they can bring in certain imported materials with lower or delayed taxes, saving money and speeding up production. Public comments are open until March 11, 2026, so folks can share their thoughts before the plan moves forward.