Bureaucracy Times

All the news fit to be declassified.

Federal Register Brief: April 13, 2026

Here are the latest updates from the Federal Register Vol. 91, No. 70

EPA – Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) Amendments

Agency Identification

  • Primary Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Sub-Bureau: Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM)

Administrative Action

  • Action Type: Proposed Rule; public hearing
  • Document ID: 2026–07061

The “Core” Fact

  • Summary: This proposal introduces a site-specific compliance pathway for CCR regulations. It allows authorities to tailor groundwater monitoring and closure requirements to a facility’s specific environment. Notably, it seeks to rescind CCR Management Unit (CCRMU) requirements and exempt “dewatering structures” to cut red tape.
  • Statutory Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6907(a), 6912(a), 6944, 6945(a) and (d)

Taxpayer & Public Impact

  • Projected Cost/Budget: A significant deregulatory shift, estimated to save $169 million to $260 million annually.
  • Public Comment Deadline: June 12, 2026

Direct Links

USDA – Revisions to Delegations of Authority

Agency Identification

  • Primary Agency: Department of Agriculture (USDA)
  • Sub-Bureau: Office of the Secretary

Administrative Action

  • Action Type: Final Rule
  • Document ID: 2026–07088

The “Core” Fact

  • Summary: The USDA is officially rescinding all DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) programs. These are being replaced by policies centered on “unity, equality, meritocracy, and color-blindness.” The rule also updates “Service First” initiative citations.
  • Statutory Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6912(a)(1); 5 U.S.C. 301

Taxpayer & Public Impact

  • Projected Cost/Budget: N/A (Internal management)
  • Public Comment Deadline: Effective April 13, 2026

Direct Links

Department of Education – Advancing AI in Education

Agency Identification

  • Primary Agency: Department of Education (ED)
  • Sub-Bureau: Office of the Secretary

Administrative Action

  • Action Type: Final priority and definitions
  • Document ID: 2026–07087

The “Core” Fact

  • Summary: This establishes a new priority to integrate Artificial Intelligence into teaching and professional development. It introduces a formal definition for AI Literacy, focusing on the technical and durable skills needed for an AI-influenced workforce.
  • Statutory Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e–3, 3474, 6301 et seq.

Taxpayer & Public Impact

  • Projected Cost/Budget: Minimal impact on grant recipients; costs covered by existing program funds.
  • Public Comment Deadline: Effective May 13, 2026

Direct Links

Treasury/IRS – Qualified Tip Income Deduction

Agency Identification

  • Primary Agency: Department of the Treasury
  • Sub-Bureau: Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Administrative Action

  • Action Type: Final Rule
  • Document ID: TD 10044

The “Core” Fact

  • Summary: Defines which occupations qualify for a new “qualified tips” income tax deduction. Eligible roles include bartenders, hairstylists, gambling dealers, and certain gas pump attendants.
  • Statutory Authority: 26 U.S.C. 224; sec. 70201(h) of Public Law 119–21

Taxpayer & Public Impact

  • Projected Cost/Budget: Over 10 million tax returns are expected to report these tips in 2026.
  • Public Comment Deadline: Effective June 12, 2026

Direct Links

Transportation/FAA – Class E Airspace: Wall, SD

Agency Identification

  • Primary Agency: Department of Transportation (DOT)
  • Sub-Bureau: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Administrative Action

  • Action Type: Final Rule
  • Document ID: 2026–07056

The “Core” Fact

  • Summary: Establishes new Class E airspace at Wall Municipal Airport to support a transition to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and new GPS-based landing procedures.
  • Statutory Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40103, 40113

Taxpayer & Public Impact

  • Projected Cost/Budget: Minimal economic impact.
  • Public Comment Deadline: Effective September 3, 2026

Direct Links

NRC – Advanced Reactor Framework Correction

Agency Identification

  • Primary Agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
  • Sub-Bureau: Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

Administrative Action

  • Action Type: Final rule; correction
  • Document ID: 2026–07090

The “Core” Fact

  • Summary: Fixes minor technical and instructional errors in the regulatory framework for commercial nuclear plants to ensure guidance remains consistent across simultaneous rulemakings.
  • Statutory Authority: Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act

Taxpayer & Public Impact

  • Projected Cost/Budget: N/A (Technical correction)
  • Public Comment Deadline: Effective April 29, 2026

Direct Links

Commerce/ITA – Steel Rebar Import Orders

Agency Identification

  • Primary Agency: Department of Commerce
  • Sub-Bureau: International Trade Administration (ITA)

Administrative Action

  • Action Type: Notice of continuation (Antidumping/Countervailing duty)
  • Document ID: 2026–07109

The “Core” Fact

  • Summary: Keeps existing duties on steel rebar from Mexico and Türkiye in place. Removing these duties was determined likely to harm U.S. industry through continued dumping.
  • Statutory Authority: Section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930

Taxpayer & Public Impact

  • Projected Cost/Budget: N/A (Duties collected by CBP)
  • Public Comment Deadline: Applicable April 8, 2026

Direct Links

DoD – STIB Advisory Committee Meetings

Agency Identification

  • Primary Agency: Department of Defense (DoD)
  • Sub-Bureau: Office of the Secretary

Administrative Action

  • Action Type: Notice of Federal Advisory Committee meeting
  • Document ID: 2026–07118

The “Core” Fact

  • Summary: The Science, Technology, and Innovation Board will hold closed sessions to review classified national security data, specifically regarding facilities at Kwajalein Atoll.
  • Statutory Authority: 5 U.S.C. 1009(d); 41 CFR 102–3.155

Taxpayer & Public Impact

  • Projected Cost/Budget: N/A (Board operations)
  • Public Comment Deadline: July 11, 2026 (Written statements)

Direct Links

Interior/FWS – Oil & Gas Refuge Operations

Agency Identification

  • Primary Agency: Department of the Interior
  • Sub-Bureau: Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)

Administrative Action

  • Action Type: Notice of information collection
  • Document ID: 2026–07078

The “Core” Fact

  • Summary: Renews the data collection process for non-Federal oil and gas drilling on Wildlife Refuge lands. This ensures operators provide financial assurances and mitigation steps for refuge resources.
  • Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.

Taxpayer & Public Impact

  • Projected Cost/Budget: $2.25 million in annual non-hour burden costs for financial assurances.
  • Public Comment Deadline: June 12, 2026

Direct Links

SEC – Exchange Port Fee Amendments

Agency Identification

  • Primary Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
  • Sub-Bureau: Division of Trading and Markets

Administrative Action

  • Action Type: Notice of filing (Immediate effectiveness)
  • Document ID: 2026–07042

The “Core” Fact

  • Summary: MIAX Emerald is updating its non-transaction fee schedule (Permit and connectivity fees) for the first time in several years to align with market competitors.
  • Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1); 17 CFR 240.19b–4

Taxpayer & Public Impact

  • Projected Cost/Budget: Cost is distributed among exchange members based on usage.
  • Public Comment Deadline: May 4, 2026

Direct Links

SBA – Surety Bond Revisions

Agency Identification

  • Primary Agency: Small Business Administration (SBA)
  • Sub-Bureau: N/A

Administrative Action

  • Action Type: 30-Day notice; request for comment
  • Document ID: 2026–07113

The “Core” Fact

  • Summary: The SBA is streamlining the Surety Bond Guarantee program by introducing new automated forms (900 and 901) to reduce the administrative burden on small businesses.
  • Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 694a et seq.

Taxpayer & Public Impact

  • Projected Cost/Budget: Estimated 9,369 hours of annual administrative burden for the public.
  • Public Comment Deadline: May 13, 2026

Direct Links

Issue Summary: Federal Register Vol. 91, No. 70

Beyond the major EPA CCR proposal, this volume highlights:

  • AI Integration: Education Dept. formally prioritizes AI literacy in grants.
  • Tip Deductions: IRS finalizes which occupations qualify for new tax breaks.
  • Policy Shifts: USDA transitions from DEIA frameworks to merit-based policies.
  • PFAS Delay: EPA pushes the recordkeeping start date to January 2027.
  • Infrastructure: FAA safety updates in South Dakota and updated housing income calculations by the Rural Housing Service.

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