Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; High-Frequency Surveys Program/Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS)
Published Date: 2/9/2026
Notice
Summary
The Census Bureau plans to run quick surveys in March and May 2026 to gather up-to-date info on household trends and current events, like health and economic changes. These surveys help government agencies, researchers, and the public get fast, useful data without costing extra money. If you’re part of the public, your input could shape important decisions, so keep an eye out for these surveys!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Households May Be Asked to Spend 20 Minutes
The Census Bureau will run Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS) collections beginning on or about March 3, 2026 and May 5, 2026. Households recruited from the Census Master Address File will receive mailed invitations and can respond mainly online (with a phone option if needed); the average response time is 0.333 hours (20 minutes). The notice lists 13,564 respondents per collection (162,768 annually) and total burden hours of 4,517 per collection (54,202 annually); participation is voluntary.
Quick Public Data for Urgent Decisions
HTOPS will produce near real-time public-use data files and detailed tables that federal, state, and local agencies, academics, non-government organizations, the media, and the public can use to understand the effects of health, social, or economic events. The program is explicitly intended to provide frequent data products to inform the public in urgent circumstances.
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
2026-06133 — Streamlining the Census Bureau's Foreign Trade Regulations
Starting March 30, 2026, the Census Bureau is making its foreign trade rules simpler and easier to follow by cutting out extra references and combining similar sections. This change helps businesses and officials save time and money without changing any actual trade responsibilities. If you deal with U.S. export controls or customs, these updates will make your job smoother and clearer!
2026-05796 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; National Survey of Children's Health
The Census Bureau is updating its National Survey of Children's Health, which asks families about their kids' health and well-being. Around 127,000 households will take part, spending about 40 minutes each. This update helps keep the survey fresh and useful, with a 30-day public comment period open now—no extra costs for families, just a little time to share their stories!
2026-04382 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Current Population Survey (CPS) 2026 Field Test
The Census Bureau is asking for public feedback on a test version of the 2026 Current Population Survey, which helps gather important info about people’s jobs and living situations. This test will update how they collect data to make it easier and less time-consuming for everyone involved. Comments are open until May 4, 2026, and this process helps keep surveys smooth without costing extra money or time.
2025-05804 — Geographically Updated Population Certification Program
The Census Bureau is changing its Geographically Updated Population Certification Program by removing the fast-track option for updated population and housing counts tied to new government boundaries. This fee-based service, restarted in January 2024, helps governments get fresh 2020 Census data when boundaries change after the census. If you’re a local government, expect standard processing times and plan accordingly—no more speedy updates!
2026-06322 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Survey of State Government Research and Development
The Census Bureau is asking for approval to keep running its Survey of State Government Research and Development, which collects info from governors, mayors, and state agencies about their R&D activities. This survey helps the government understand how states invest in science and tech, with no changes to the process or extra costs. If you’re involved in state government, you might be asked to share data soon, and there’s a 30-day window to send in your comments.
2026-03980 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) Operation; Correction
The Census Bureau fixed a mistake about when the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) review happens—it’s actually from October 2027 to March 2028, not 2028-2029. This update affects communities helping to check and update address lists for the 2030 Census. If you want to comment, you’ve got 60 days to share your thoughts, but no new costs or big changes are involved.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-02458 — Sevita and BrightSpring; Analysis of Proposed Agreement Containing Consent Orders To Aid Public Comment
The Federal Trade Commission is reviewing a deal between Sevita and BrightSpring to stop unfair competition. This agreement affects both companies and aims to keep the market fair without raising prices or cutting services. People have until March 9, 2026, to share their thoughts before the deal is finalized.
Next: 2026-02460 — Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting
The Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee is meeting virtually on March 6, 2026, to give advice to NASA, NSF, and DOE about space science projects. This open meeting helps guide important decisions about astronomy research and funding. Anyone interested can join online and learn about the latest plans shaping our understanding of the universe.
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in