# 2026-19597: FTC Updates Rules for Faster Case Processing and Records

2026-19597, Rules of Practice, is a Federal Register rule from Federal Trade Commission published 2026-09-24, effective 2026-09-24; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19597
- As of: 2026-10-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-19597
- Title: Rules of Practice
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Federal Trade Commission
- Citation: 91 FR 60514
- Published: 2026-09-24
- Effective: 2026-09-24
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 3084-AB85
- Last updated: 2026-10-01

## In one line

FTC Updates Rules for Faster Case Processing and Records

## Summary

The FTC is updating its rules to make things clearer and smoother for everyone involved. These changes affect how staff handle information requests, assign judges, and manage public records, with some new deadlines and procedures starting September 24, 2026. No big money changes here—just smarter, faster government work for businesses and the public.

## Abstract

The Federal Trade Commission ("Commission" or "FTC") is amending its rules of practice to revise the description of the FTC's EEO Office and Regional Offices and to update the list of current control numbers assigned by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") to the Commission's information collection requirements. The Commission is also amending its rules of practice to clarify that FTC staff may consider a variety of relevant issues when modifying a Second Request--i.e., a request for additional information or documentary material relevant to an acquisition the Commission is investigating. In addition, the Commission is amending its rules of practice to clarify the procedures by which Administrative Law Judges ("ALJs") are assigned to administrative adjudicative proceedings and to restore previously deleted language that provided a page limit for opening briefs. Finally, the Commission is amending its rules of practice to update the list of documents that are part of the Commission's public record; to revise and clarify the methods for submitting FOIA requests; to clarify how the Commission calculates a quorum under its quorum rule; and to add several requirements to the procedures governing motions seeking disqualification of Commissioners.

## Effects PRIA read

- More flexible Second Requests in mergers: benefit, medium. If your company is subject to a Hart-Scott-Rodino "Second Request" during a merger review, the FTC clarified that staff may consider six specific factors when deciding to modify that request: timing agreement negotiations; the competitive issues involved; how the recipient maintains information and…
- Breach reporting when 500+ customer records lost: cost, medium. If you run a financial institution, the FTC's updated table confirms the Safeguards Rule requires reporting to the Commission when unencrypted customer information involving 500 or more consumers is acquired without authorization. That information collection is now reflected by OMB Control No. 3084…
- Eyeglass prescriptions: signed receipt and records: benefit, low. If you give eyeglass prescriptions, the FTC's updated entry for the Ophthalmic Practice Rules (OMB Control No. 3084-0174) reflects that covered entities must obtain a signed confirmation that the patient received their prescription after receiving a copy and must retain records demonstrating compli…
- Ticket and short-stay fee price transparency: benefit, low. If you buy live-event tickets or short-term lodging, the FTC confirms that sellers must disclose the total price, any fee or charge excluded from that total price, and the final amount of payment for the transaction. That disclosure requirement is reflected in OMB Control No. 3084-0176 for the Rule…
- FOIA requests must use portals or mail: benefit, low. You can submit Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to the FTC using the FTC's online FOIA portal on www.ftc.gov, the government-wide National FOIA Portal at www.foia.gov, or by mail to Freedom of Information Act Request, Office of the General Counsel, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvan…

## Related documents

- [2026-20143](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20143): Rule on Impersonation of Government and Businesses, 2026-10-01
- [2026-20078](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20078): Petition for Rulemaking of Malik Tony Singleton, 2026-09-30
- [2026-19598](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19598): Rules of Practice, 2026-09-24
- [2026-19289](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19289): FleetCor Technologies; Analysis of Proposed Consent Order To Aid Public Comment, 2026-09-22
- [2026-18853](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18853): Civil Penalty Inflation Adjustments, 2026-09-15
- [2026-18505](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18505): Horseracing Integrity And Safety Authority Proposed 2027 Budget, 2026-09-10

## Sources
- [2026-19597 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/24/2026-19597/rules-of-practice)
- [2026-19597 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-24/pdf/2026-19597.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-19566, Air Plan Approval; Alabama; Transportation Conformity](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19566)
- [Next: 2026-19598, Rules of Practice](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19598)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19597 (as of 2026-10-01).