Interior Department Fixes Its Own Rulebook Typos
Published Date: 5/21/2026
Rule
Summary
The Department of the Interior just made final updates to the rules about how people work with its Office of Hearings and Appeals. These changes clear up confusing parts, fix typos, and respond to public feedback. The new rules officially start on May 21, 2026, and anyone dealing with the department should get ready for smoother, clearer procedures—no extra costs announced.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Option to File Documents Electronically
If you are a party in a Department of the Interior Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) proceeding, you now have the option to file and serve documents electronically and OHA authorizes use of OHA Standing Orders for contract information and electronic filing procedures.
BLM Must Produce Grazing Records Quickly
For grazing appeals, BLM must produce its entire administrative record for the grazing decision automatically within 45 days of receiving the notice of appeal.
Stay Petitions: Public Interest and Immediacy Restored
The final rule restores the four-criteria test for petitions for stays (including the public interest criterion and the requirement that harm be 'immediate and irreparable') and clarifies that the 45-day time frame for resolving petitions for stay applies only to petitions filed at the same time as a notice of appeal.
New OMB Information Collection (1094-New)
The rule includes an information collection identified as OMB Control Number 1094-New; the Department invites comments on the collection by June 22, 2026, and estimates a Total Estimated Annual Non-hour Burden Cost of $584.
Parties Pay for Hearing Transcripts
OHA will not furnish free verbatim transcripts for hearings; parties generally bear transcript costs. OHA will endeavor to contract so the per-page transcript cost is the same for the Department and parties and will disclose the contract amount in advance of any hearing.
No Significant Economic Effect on Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Department certifies that this final rule 'will not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities' and that it will not change current funding requirements or impose economic effects on small businesses.
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