Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; High-Frequency Surveys Program/Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS)
Published Date: 6/4/2026
Notice
Summary
The Census Bureau plans to run quick surveys in July, September, and November 2026 to gather up-to-date info on household trends and current events. These surveys help government agencies, researchers, and the public understand social and economic changes fast. If you’re part of a household, you might get asked to share your experiences, and the data will be ready soon after each survey to keep everyone informed.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Household Survey Invitations and Time Burden
You may be mailed an invitation to take a Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey starting on or about July 1, 2026 (additional collections on or about September 2, 2026 and October 28, 2026). The Census plans about 13,564 respondents per monthly collection (162,768 annually); each response averages 0.333 hours (20 minutes), the activity is voluntary, mainly internet self-response, and telephone interviewing (CATI) is available for those without internet. The Census estimates 4,517 burden hours per collection (54,202 annually).
Fast Public Release of Survey Data
The Census will quickly produce public-use data files and detailed data tables from the HTOPS collections so federal, state, and local agencies, researchers, the media, and the public can see near real-time information on social and economic changes. These data products will be released soon after each monthly collection to inform understanding of current events.
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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: 2026-11171, Notice of Interest Rate on Overdue Debts
If you owe money to the Department of Health and Human Services and it’s overdue, you’ll be charged interest rates that change every few months. Right now, the rates are around 11%, and they’ll apply until new rates are announced. This update helps keep things fair and clear for anyone with unpaid debts to the department.
Next: 2026-11173, Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Reinstatement, With Change, of a Previously Approved Collection for Which Approval Has Expired: Census of Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies (CTLEA)
The Department of Justice is bringing back the Census of Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies to gather updated info on tribal police staffing, duties, and training. Tribal law enforcement agencies will be asked to share their data electronically, making it easier and faster. Comments on this plan are open until August 3, 2026, and the goal is to keep the process smooth and useful without costing extra time or money.