Farm Regs Roadmap: USDA's Crystal Ball Routine
Published Date: 8/14/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
Publication of the 2026 Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions represents a key component of the regulatory planning mechanism prescribed in Executive Order ("E.O.") 12866, "Regulatory Planning and Review," (58 FR 51735, as amended) and reaffirmed in E.O. 13563, "Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review," (76 FR 3821) and E.O. 14192, "Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation." The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires that agencies publish semiannual regulatory agendas in the Federal Register describing regulatory actions they are developing that may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities (5 U.S.C. 602). The Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Unified Agenda) helps agencies fulfill all of these requirements. All Federal regulatory agencies have chosen to publish their regulatory agendas as part of this publication. The complete publication of the 2026 Unified Agenda contains 78 Federal agency regulatory agendas available to the public at www.reginfo.gov. The 2026 Unified Agenda publication appearing in the Federal Register includes the agency Regulatory Flexibility Agendas, in accordance with the publication requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Agency Regulatory Flexibility Agendas contain only those Agenda entries for rules that are likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and entries that have been selected for periodic review under section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Analyzed Economic Effects
13 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.
SNAP: Work Requirement Changes
The Department of Agriculture lists a proposed rule called "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Modification to Work Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults." If you are an able-bodied adult receiving SNAP, the agency plans changes to work requirements that could affect your eligibility or reporting.
SNAP: Reduce Retailer Fraud
The Department of Agriculture is proposing a rule titled "Strengthening Integrity and Reducing Retailer Fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)." If you use SNAP or operate a store that accepts SNAP, this rulemaking is intended to change how retailer fraud is addressed in the program.
EBT Card Security Enhancements
The Department of Agriculture lists a proposed rule called "Enhancing Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card Security Measures." If you receive benefits on an EBT card, the agency plans rulemaking to change security measures for those cards.
SNAP: Reforming Categorical Eligibility
The Department of Agriculture is working on a proposed rule titled "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Reforming Categorical Eligibility." This rulemaking targets how categorical eligibility is applied for SNAP benefits.
SNAP: What Counts as 'Eligible Food'
The Department of Agriculture lists a proposed rule titled "Amendment of definition of 'eligible food' in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)." If you use SNAP benefits, this rule could change which items you can buy with SNAP.
SNAP: Alien Eligibility Rules
The Department of Agriculture has a proposed rule titled "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Alien Eligibility." If you are a noncitizen, this rulemaking concerns whether and how aliens are eligible for SNAP benefits.
WIC: Integrity and Online Ordering
The Department of Agriculture includes two WIC items: "Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program Integrity" and "WIC Online Ordering and Transactions and Food Delivery Revisions." These address program integrity and allow online ordering and delivery changes for WIC.
Retailer Stocking Standards for SNAP
The Department of Agriculture lists a final rule stage item titled "Updated Staple Food Stocking Standards for Retailers in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program." This concerns what retailers must stock to participate in SNAP.
Poultry and Swine Line Speeds
The Department of Agriculture lists proposed rules titled "Maximum Line Speed Rates for Young Chicken and Turkey Establishments Operating Under the New Poultry Inspection System" and "Maximum Line Speed under the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System (NSIS)." These rulemakings concern permitted processing line speeds for poultry and swine establishments.
HPAI Indemnity Payment Conditions
The Department of Agriculture includes a final rule stage item titled "Revise Conditions for Payment of Indemnity and Compensation for HPAI." This concerns how indemnity and compensation are paid for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza losses.
Summer Meals: Non‑Congregate Service Integrity
The Department of Agriculture lists a proposed rule called "Enhancing Integrity in Non-Congregate Meal Service in the Summer Meal Programs." If you rely on school or summer meal programs for children, this rule concerns how non-congregate (grab-and-go or delivered) meals are served and monitored.
Child & Adult Care Food Program Fraud Fight
The Department of Agriculture proposes a rule titled "Combating Fraud in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program." This action targets fraud controls in those nutrition programs.
Nutrition Labels for Meat and Poultry
The Department of Agriculture has a final rule stage item titled "Revision of the Nutrition Facts Labels for Meat and Poultry Products and Updating Certain Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed." If you buy meat or poultry, nutrition labels and reference serving amounts may change.
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Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-09137, Updated Staple Food Stocking Standards for Retailers in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Starting July 7, 2026, SNAP retailers must stock more types of staple foods—at least seven varieties in each of four categories, with more perishable options too. This change helps make sure folks using SNAP have better access to fresh, healthy foods. Retailers need to follow these new rules by November 4, 2026, so everyone can enjoy tastier, more nutritious choices without breaking the bank.
2026-06537, National Environmental Policy Act
The USDA just made final some updated rules about how they check the environment before starting projects, following changes from higher-up government orders and court decisions. These new rules affect anyone involved in USDA projects by simplifying the process and removing old regulations, aiming to speed things up without losing environmental care. The changes kick in on April 3, 2026, and could save time and money while keeping nature safe.
2026-06173, Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program-Income Producing Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Provisions
The USDA’s Rural Housing Service wants to update its loan program so people can get loans to buy homes with one or more income-producing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). This means homeowners can finance properties that include rental units or spaces for home-based work. If you’re interested, make sure to send your comments by June 1, 2026!
2026-05387, Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program
The USDA’s Rural Housing Service is updating its Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program to let approved lenders use automated systems for making loans and getting guarantees after closing. This change helps speed up the loan process for folks buying homes in rural areas. The new rules kick in June 17, 2026, with full use starting September 28, 2028, making it easier and faster for lenders and homebuyers alike.
2026-04531, Supplemental Disaster Relief Program and Dairy Margin Coverage Program; Correction
The USDA fixed some important rules for farmers in the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program and the Dairy Margin Coverage Program. These changes help sugar beet growers and certain crop insurance holders get the right disaster payments, and clarify who dairy farmers can qualify if they stopped milk production. The updates take effect March 9, 2026, making sure payments and eligibility are fair and clear.
2025-23089, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Implementation of the Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022 and Related Provisions; Correcting Amendments
This update fixes small mistakes in the WIC program rules that were made when new baby formula laws kicked in February 2024. It affects families using WIC benefits by making sure the rules are clear and correct, so they get the support they need without confusion. These corrections take effect December 17, 2025, keeping the program running smoothly and fairly.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-16602, Regulatory Agenda
Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605) and Executive Order 12866, the Institute of Museum and Library Services publishes this regulatory agenda describing Agency regulations under development or review. The complete Unified Agenda is available at www.reginfo.gov.
Next: 2026-16605, Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions
This regulatory agenda is a summary of projected regulations, existing regulations, and completed actions of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its components. This agenda provides the public with information about DHS's regulatory and deregulatory activity. DHS expects that this information will enable the public to be more aware of, and effectively participate in, the Department's regulatory and deregulatory activity. DHS invites the public to submit comments on any aspect of this agenda.