Unified Agenda
Department of Agriculture: 2026 Regulatory Agenda
Every rulemaking the USDA has on its regulatory agenda in the 2026 Unified Agenda. Proposed rules, final rules, and long-term actions, each with the agency's own summary and its latest status.
Source: the 2026 Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda, published by OIRA on July 3, 2026 (reginfo.gov). The USDA lists 139 active actions plus 32 completed this cycle. Refreshed as the agenda changes.
Regulatory Plan marks the agency’s most significant planned actions, singled out by OIRA in the Regulatory Plan that accompanies this edition.
What changed since the Spring 2025 agenda
Between editions, the USDA added 53 new rules, changed the stage on 59, and dropped 59 from the agenda. The official agenda only shows you today’s snapshot. We keep the history, so you can see what actually moved.
- New this edition. 7 CFR Part 3550 Implementation of Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) of Single Family Housing (SFH) Direct Programs (entered the Proposed Rule stage)
- Moved. 7 CFR 1530 The Refined Sugar Re-Export Program, the Sugar Containing Products Re-Export Program, and the Polyhydric Alcohol Program (Proposed Rule to Completed)
- Moved. 7 CFR 1924, Planning, Procuring and Performing Construction (Proposed Rule to Long-Term)
and 168 more changes this edition, including 59 rules that dropped off the agenda entirely.
Track the USDA agenda freeSignificant, priority, and finalized rules are shown in full below. Routine actions are condensed to a line, with full summaries for every rule on the dashboard.
Slated for a final rule. Several have already published in the Federal Register, which we mark on each; the rest are still pending.
Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers
This rule will announce assistance for producers of commodities not covered by the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, such as specialty crops and sugar, in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on June 11, 2026
Supplemental Disaster Assistance Programs, Marketing Assistance Loans, and Sugar Provisions
This rule makes changes to the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP), Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), Tree Assistance Program (TAP), Marketing Assistance Loans, and sugar provisions to implement changes in the OBBBA (Pub. L. 119-21).
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on July 9, 2026
7 CFR 3560, Subparts A, B, and C -Changes Related to Insurance Requirements in Multi-Family Housing (MFH) and Farm Labor Housing (FLH) Direct Loan
Under the authority of the Housing Act of 1949, (42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.), as amended, the Multifamily Housing (MFH) Direct Loan and Grant Programs make direct loans or grants to provide affordable multi-family rental housing for low income, elderly, disabled individuals and families, or domestic farm workers in eligible rural areas. The program is implemented under 7 CFR 3560. Borrowers are required to purchase and maintain property insurance on all buildings included as security for an Agency loan. Borrowers must also furnish fidelity coverage, liability insurance and various other insurance coverage required by the Agency to protect the security of the asset. Insurance protects the asset against loss or damage. Failure to maintain adequate insurance coverage may lead to a non-monetary loan default. The Rural Housing Service (RHS) published a proposed rule on 10/25/2023 with the comment period ending on 12/26/2023 to amend 7 CFR 3560.4; 7 CFR 3560.62; and 7 CFR 3560.105 to implement changes related to insurance requirements for the MFH Direct Loan and Grant programs. These proposed changes to 7 CFR 3560 subparts A, B and C are intended to align insurance coverage types, amounts and deductibles with affordable housing industry standards, as well as simplify the coverage amounts and deductible limits. The intended outcome of these proposed changes is to simplify insurance coverage amounts and deductible limits, which is expected to reduce Agency staff review time of insurance requirements and improve overall efficiency in managing the assets in the multi-family housing portfolio. Simplifying the coverage amounts and deductible limits will also provide a more positive customer experience.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on April 20, 2026
Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Loan Program
This program provides loan guarantees up to $250 million to assist in the development, construction, and retrofitting of new and emerging technologies. These technologies are: advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals and biobased products. Collectively, Rural Development's guaranteed loan programs work to assist in building and maintaining sustainable rural communities. The Agency has identified areas for revision or clarification and our plan is to issue a final rule with comment to make amendments to the regulation. This Section 9003 program final rule with comment incorporates revisions intended to clarify, improve, expand and enhance the delivery of the loan guarantee program.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on July 9, 2026
Expanding Access to Risk Protection (EARP)
FCIC is implementing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into the regulations and making numerous changes to reduce regulatory and administrative burdens.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on November 28, 2025
Expanding Fluid Milk Options in Child Nutrition Programs
This interim final rule expands fluid milk options by allowing schools and child and adult care providers participating in Child Nutrition Programs to offer whole and reduced-fat milk to participants two years older. This rule codifies milk-fat requirements following enactment of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and supports the statutory requirements for meals to align with the goals of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. By removing previous fluid milk-fat-content restrictions, this deregulatory rule restores flexibility to program operators, allowing them to offer a greater variety of fluid milk options, including whole and reduced-fat milk, to meet the nutrition needs and preferences of the children and adults they serve.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on May 8, 2026
Implementation of HAVANA Act of 2021
This rule implements the HAVANA Act of 2021 for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Act provides the authority for the Secretary of Agriculture and other agency heads to provide payments to certain individuals who have incurred qualifying injuries to the brain. The rule covers current and former USDA employees and dependents of current or former employees.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on November 20, 2024
Import Regulations for Horses; Pre-Export Examination
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is removing the requirement that horses offered for importation into the United States be accompanied by documentation of pre-export examination occurring within 48 hours of departure from the port of embarkation endorsed by a salaried veterinary medical officer.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on April 10, 2026
Organic Certification Cost Share Program
This rule establishes the provisions for administration of OCCSP for cost share of organic certification expenses paid by producers and handlers in 2025 through 2031, through OBBBA (Pub. L. 119-21).
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on July 6, 2026
Payment Limitation and Payment Eligibility, and Other Program Changes
This rule makes changes to FSA payment eligibility and payment limitation provisions for multiple programs to implement changes in the OBBBA and update and clarify current policy (Pub. L. 119-21). It also includes discretionary changes for supplemental disaster assistance programs and common program provisions to clarify program policy and improve program integrity.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on June 2, 2026
Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems; Delay of Effective Date
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to delay the effective date of the "Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems" final rule. This final rule was originally published in the Federal Register on January 16, 2025, with an effective date of July 1, 2026. AMS is proposing to postpone the effective date to December 31, 2027. The purpose of this delay is to allow the Agency additional time for thorough consideration of the estimated costs, policy implications, and legal issues associated with the final rule, particularly considering Congressional direction and the significant estimated costs and unquantifiable benefits identified in the original analysis.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on June 1, 2026
Removal of Standard of Identity for Canned "Tripe with Milk"
FSIS proposed to remove the standard of identity for canned Tripe with Milk. Although some establishments may continue to produce canned tripe with milk products, FSIS has determined that the existing standard for the finished canned article is unnecessary.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on May 4, 2026
Removing Outdated and Unnecessary Provisions
USDA is removing unnecessary and outdated regulations at 7 CFR Part 15f pertaining to the adjudications of alleged non-employment related discrimination that occurred between January 1, 1981, adnd December 31, 1996.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on April 17, 2026
Rescinding Portions of the Department of Agriculture's Title VI Regulations to Implement EO 14281 and to conform more closely with the statutory text and the Department of Justice's Regulations.
USDA's amendments would remove its regulatory provisions that currently treat practices producing disparate impacts as unlawful under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Specifically, USDA is rescinding portions of its regulations promulgated pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to more closely align its regulations to the language that Congress enacted in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibiting intentionally discriminatory conduct.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on June 17, 2026
Revise Conditions for Payment of Indemnity and Compensation for HPAI
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) amended the regulations pertaining to conditions for payment of indemnity for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) to require commercial poultry premises to successfully pass a biosecurity audit for HPAI-infected premises intending to restock and for buffer zone (uninfected) premises that wish to request that poultry be moved onto the premises.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on March 14, 2025
Revision of the Nutrition Facts Labels for Meat and Poultry Products and Updating Certain Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed
Consistent with the changes that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending the Federal meat and poultry products inspection regulations to update and revise the nutrition labeling requirements for meat and poultry products to reflect recent scientific research and dietary recommendations and to improve the presentation of nutrition information to assist consumers in maintaining healthy dietary practices.
Status: Proposed rule published on January 19, 2017
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC): WIC Online Ordering and Transactions and Food Delivery Revisions to Meet the Needs of a Modern, Data-Driven Program
This "final rule with comment" addresses key regulatory barriers to online ordering in the WIC Program by making changes to the provisions that prevent online transactions and types of online capable stores from participating in the Program. This rule will also allow FNS to modernize WIC vendor regulations that do not reflect current technology and facilitate the Program's transition to Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT). The final rule is responsive to prior proposed rule public comments from WIC state, public and private industry stakeholders to ensure that the final rule reflects their substantive feedback as online shopping and FNS' modernization efforts are made permanent.
Status: Proposed rule published on February 23, 2023
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages; Delay of Vitamin D in Yogurt Implementation Date and Technical Corrections.
On April 18, 2024, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published a final rule that revised regulations to the WIC food packages. The final rule contained incorrect table entries. This document corrects the final regulation. In addition to the regulatory corrections, this document extends the implementation date for the provision of a minimum vitamin D amount in yogurt by 36 months. The extension is due to concerns addressed in the Supplementary Information
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2026
Streamlining the Community Facilities Regulation, 7 CFR 3570, Subpart E (Servicing)
The Community Facilities (CF) Program currently utilizes seven existing regulations to service the CF Direct Loans (7 CFR part 1951, subparts E, F, and 0; 7 CFR part 1955, subparts A, B, and C; and 7 CFR part 1956, subpart C). The CF Program will be removed from the existing seven regulations. The Agency will place all regulations for servicing the loans and grants of the CF program into one streamlined regulation; that regulation will apply solely to the CF Program. While this proposed regulation consolidates seven existing regulations, it does not remove any of the servicing options currently available. All authorities authorized in the Consolidated Farm and Agricultural Act are included in this proposed regulation. The proposed regulation will provide internal and external users with a single regulation to implement all authorities available, providing more streamlined service.
Agenda status: Final Rule With Comment (planned)
Technical Guidelines for the Production of Regenerative Agricultural Biofuel Feedstocks
USDA previously issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) before the start of this Administration to establish new regulations that will set requirements for the quantification, reporting, and verification of low-carbon, domestic agricultural biofuel feedstocks. The rule may create additional opportunities to produce low-carbon agricultural feedstocks sourcing biofuels, and may provide added-value market opportunities for farmers producing biofuel feedstock crops. In addition, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21) includes and extends the 45Z tax credit, administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury. This rule can inform this tax policy in ways that will support the agricultural economy.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on June 29, 2026
Updated Staple Food Stocking Standards for Retailers in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
The Agricultural Act of 2014 amended the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to increase the requirement that certain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) authorized retail food stores have available on a continuous basis at least three varieties of items in each of food staple food categories, to a mandatory minimum of seven varieties. This final rule would provide some retailers participating in SNAP as authorized food stores with more flexibility in meeting the enhanced SNAP eligibility requirements while also simplifying the criteria.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on May 8, 2026
Visual Post-Mortem Inspection in Swine Slaughter Establishments
FSIS proposed to remove requirements for the incision of mandibular lymph nodes (lymph nodes) and the palpation of viscera in swine slaughter establishments. Specifically, FSIS proposed to amend its regulations at 9 CFR 310.26(b) to remove requirements for lymph nodes incision and viscera palpation in swine slaughter establishments operating under the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System (NSIS). FSIS also proposed to amend the post-mortem inspection staffing standards in 9 CFR 310.1 to state that the listed number of inspectors per station (i.e., the head, viscera, and carcass stations) is the maximum number of inspectors required by the staffing standards. Inspection data support that mandatory lymph nodes incision and viscera palpation during post-mortem swine slaughter inspection is not needed for food safety because condemnation rates for defects found at head and viscera inspection are low, condemnable defects can be detected visually, and condemnable defects can be detected visually, and research demonstrates that lymph nodes incision and viscera palpation are risk factors for cross-contamination. FSIS is currently reviewing public comments on the proposed rule.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on May 21, 2026
Other actions in this stage
Rules open for, or headed toward, public comment.
Maximum Line Speed Rates for Young Chicken and Turkey Establishments Operating Under the New Poultry Inspection System
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to amend the regulations that prescribe the maximum line speed rates under the New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS) to allow NPIS young chicken and turkey establishments to operate at more efficient line speeds.
Status: Proposed rule published on February 19, 2026
Maximum Line Speed under the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System (NSIS)
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to amend the pork products inspection regulations to eliminate line speed limits for NSIS establishments and allow NSIS establishments to determine their line speeds based on their ability to maintain process control. FSIS intends to republish 9 CFR 310.26(c) (previously struck down by the U.S. District Court of the District of Minnesota) to eliminate the existing maximum line speed of 1,106 head per hour (hph) for NSIS establishments. The worker safety study found that line speed is not a leading factor for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in swine slaughter establishments.
Status: Proposed rule published on February 19, 2026
Strengthening Integrity and Reducing Retailer Fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
This proposed rule would implement statutory provisions of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill), the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill), and other language intended to deter retailer fraud, abuse, and non-compliance in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Stakeholders are SNAP retailers and communities in which SNAP retailers provide SNAP participants access to food, other Programs that require SNAP authorization or where reciprocal actions impact participation, and SNAP participants.
Agenda status: NPRM (planned)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Benefit Matching Requirements for State Governments
This proposed rule implements provisions of Public Law 119-21 that require certain States to fund a portion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits they issue based on their payment accuracy rate.
Agenda status: NPRM (planned)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Changes in Federal-State Administrative Cost Sharing
This proposed rule implements provisions of Public Law 119-21 that increase the proportion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) administrative expenses to be funded by State governments from 50 percent to 75 percent.
Status: Proposed rule published on June 24, 2026
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Modification to Work Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults
This proposed rule codifies provisions of Public Law 119-21. These changes include modifying the list of exceptions from the time limit; updating requirements for areas to qualify for waivers for the time limit; and adding the temporary good faith exemptions in Alaska and Hawaii. Additionally, this rule would strengthen requirements for requesting waivers of the time limit.
Agenda status: NPRM (planned)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Reforming Categorical Eligibility
Under section 5(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, households in which all members receive benefits under a State program funded by the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program are categorically eligible to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This proposal would change the regulations at 7 CFR 273.2(j)(2) pertaining to categorically eligible TANF households by limiting categorical eligibility to certain households that receive cash TANF or other substantial assistance from TANF. The proposed revisions would create a clearer and more consistent nationwide policy that ensures categorical eligibility is extended only to households that have sufficiently demonstrated eligibility by qualifying for ongoing and substantial benefits from TANF-funded programs designed to assist households and move them towards self-sufficiency.
Agenda status: NPRM (planned)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Revisions to Standard Utility Allowances and Treatment of Energy Assistance Payments
This proposed rule implements provisions of Public Law 119-21 that change the requirements for standard utility allowances and treatment of energy assistance payments. These changes include a restriction on including internet costs in standard utility allowances and limiting which households may use a standard utility allowance based on receipt of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program payments. The rule also proposes to revise other provisions of USDA's Final Rule, "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Standardization of State Heating and Cooling Standard Utility Allowances" impacting development of standard utility allowances.
Agenda status: NPRM (planned)
Amendment of definition of "eligible food" in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Food and Nutrition Service is proposing to amend the definition of "eligible foods" in SNAP to align with the program's purpose of assisting low-income households in obtaining a more nutritious diet and advance USDA's goal to "Make America Healthy Again."
Agenda status: NPRM (planned)
Combating Fraud in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program
This rulemaking proposes changes to minimize false and fraudulent claims in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The proposed changes are intended to provide State agencies and sponsoring organizations with additional tools needed to effectively and efficiently identify and remove fraudulent operators and protect taxpayer dollars in CACFP and SFSP. As an additional integrity measure, this rule also proposes to apply reciprocal disqualification procedures to school meal programs, CACFP, and SFSP as required by Section 12(r) of the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) (42 U.S.C. 1760(r)). Finally, this rule proposes changes to the monitoring of day care homes and modifies recordkeeping requirements.
Agenda status: Final Action (planned)
Enhancing Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card Security Measures
This proposed rule implements Division HH, title IV, section 501(a)(2) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. Under section 501(a)(2), the Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is instructed to promulgate regulations through the notice and comment process that require State agencies to implement new card security measures to protect against card skimming, card cloning, and other similar fraudulent means.
Agenda status: NPRM (planned)
Enhancing Integrity in Non-Congregate Meal Service in the Summer Meal Programs
This rulemaking proposes changes to streamline program operations and enhance program integrity related to non-congregate meal service operations under the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the National School Lunch Program's Seamless Summer Option (SSO). These updates are intended to assist State and local Program operators overcome operational challenges that limit their ability to manage these Programs efficiently and effectively. The proposed rule also includes provisions to strengthen oversight controls and ensure that summer non-congregate meal service is operated by sponsors who are best equipped to maintain program integrity.
Agenda status: Final Action (planned)
Modernization of Beef Slaughter Inspection
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) intends to propose amendments to the Federal meat inspection regulations to create an optional new inspection system for beef slaughter establishments. The system is expected to help FSIS use its resources more efficiently while still providing a level of public health protection equivalent to the current inspection system. It would also remove unnecessary regulatory obstacles to innovation. Establishments that do not opt in would continue under their current inspection system. FSIS also intends to propose changes that would apply to all beef slaughter establishments, giving them more flexibility to design sampling plans that fit their operations and improve how they monitor process control.
Agenda status: NPRM (planned)
Special Areas: Roadless Area Conservation Repeal
The rulemaking would repeal 36 CFR 294 subpart B, which established prohibitions on road construction, road reconstruction, and timber harvesting in inventoried roadless areas on National Forest System lands. With the repeal, management requirements for inventoried roadless areas would be guided by individual land management plans. This rulemaking is in accordance with Executive Order 14153, Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential , section 3(c), which directs the Secretary of Agriculture to reinstate the 2020 Alaska Roadless Rule (85 FR 68688). By removing the nationwide roadless standard under the 2001 Roadless Rule, a Tongass National Forest exemption under the 2020 Alaska Roadless Rule is no longer needed.
Agenda status: NPRM (planned)
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program Integrity
The proposed rule would modernize vendor integrity requirements by reflecting the WIC program's nationwide implementation of electronic benefits transfer (EBT) and its move away from paper-based processes. It would advance security requirements to protect WIC participants' personal information and taxpayers in a modern marketplace. Further, it would enhance requirements regarding State agency vendor selection criteria and investigation techniques to reduce vendor fraud, abuse, and waste. The rule would also strengthen vendor investigation, violation, and sanction regulatory requirements.
Agenda status: Final Action (planned)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Alien Eligibility
Federal law and regulations limit eligibility for SNAP benefits to U.S. citizens and certain lawfully present aliens. This proposed rule implements provisions of Public Law 119-21 which changes alien eligibility.
Agenda status: NPRM (planned)
Other actions in this stage
Early-stage actions: reviews and advance notices that come before a formal proposal.
On the agenda, but not expected to move within the next 12 months.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Requirement for Interstate Data Matching
The interim final rule implemented sections 4009 and 4011 of the 2018 Farm Bill, which amended the Food and Nutrition Act to require the establishment of an interstate data matching system, to be known as the National Accuracy Clearinghouse (NAC), that State agencies will use to prevent multiple issuances of SNAP benefits to an individual by more than one State agency simultaneously.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on November 15, 2022
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
The final rule would finalize changes made by the interim rule, which had made the minor changes to existing the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) regulation, which were required to implement the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) mandated changes to CRP. CRP is a Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) program administered by FSA. There were 63 comments submitted in response to the interim rule. The final rule will address the issues raised in the comments.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on December 6, 2019
Elimination of the State Ameliorative Action Reporting Requirement for NSLP Verification Process
This rule proposes to rescind an unnecessary reporting requirement for the school meals application verification process, without changing requirements for review and verification of school meals applications.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on August 8, 2025
Miscellaneous Conservation Provisions
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) mandated changes, which were fully implemented by the interim rule, to several conservation programs and related requirements, including State Technical Committee, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention, Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP), Technical Service Provider (TSP) Assistance, and Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP). The changes include: (1) adding to the membership of the State Technical Committee; (2) waiving the requirement for watershed plans under certain circumstances under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention; (3) expanding the purposes of HFRP; (4) authorizing that certification of TSPs be through a qualified non-federal entity; and (5) including as a criteria for evaluation of VPA-HIP bids whether the land is enrolled in the Wetlands Reserve Easement component of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. The final rule will address issues raised in the comments in the interim rule, and finalize changes made by the interim rule making minor changes to existing NRCS regulations.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on May 6, 2019
National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard; Text Message Disclosures
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) plans to publish a proposed rule that would amend the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard to align with the outcome of the legal challenge brought by Natural Grocers decided by the District Court. The amendments would remove the standalone text message disclosure option found at 7 CFR 66.108 and address the issue of an additional and comparable option to the electronic or digital disclosure option found at 7 CFR 66.106. A Request for Information was issued in April 2024.
Agenda status: Proposed Rule – TBD (planned)
Rescinding National Organic Program; Market Development for Mushrooms and Pet Food (AMS-NOP-22-0063)
This action would rescind the rule and regulations issued on December 23, 2024, titled, "National Organic Program; Market Development for Mushrooms and Pet Food." Amendments made to the USDA organic regulations were intended to clarify production and handling requirements for a) organic pet food standards and b) organic mushrooms.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on February 10, 2025
Other actions in this stage
Actions the agency reports as completed this cycle. The official agenda rule list files these separately from the active pipeline.
Agricultural Disaster Indemnity Programs
This rule will implement 3 programs authorized by the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2025 (Division B of the American Relief Act, 2025 Pub. L. 118-158). Stage 2 of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) will provide payments for uninsured and uncovered crop losses (shallow losses), including quality losses, and losses of trees, bushes, and vines due to eligible adverse weather events occurring in the 2023 or 2024 calendar year. The On-Farm Stored Commodity Loss Program will provide payments to eligible producers who suffered uncompensated losses of harvested commodities stored in farm structures as a result of qualifying disaster events in the 2023 and 2024 calendar years. The Milk Loss Program will provide payments to eligible dairy operations for milk that was dumped or removed without compensation from the commercial milk market due to qualifying events that occurred in the 2023 and 2024 calendar years.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on March 9, 2026
Changes to Agriculture Risk Coverage, Price Loss Coverage, and Dairy Margin Coverage Programs
This rule revises the provisions of the Agriculture Risk Coverage, Price Loss Coverage, and Dairy Margin Coverage programs to conform with provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) (Pub. L. 119-21).
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on January 12, 2026
Emergency Livestock Relief Programs
This rule implements the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire to provide assistance to producers for losses due to increased supplemental feed costs as a result of flooding and on wildfires on non-federally managed land in the 2023 or 2024 calendar years, authorized by the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2025 (Division B of the American Relief Act, 2025 Pub. L. 118-158).
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on September 26, 2025
Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program
This rule announces the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, which provides broad relief to United States row crop farmers who produce barley, chickpeas, corn, cotton, lentils, oats, peanuts, peas, rice, sorghum, soybeans, wheat, canola, crambe, flax, mustard, rapeseed, safflower, sesame, and sunflower. The FBA Program will help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and market losses from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impede exports.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on March 4, 2026
7 CFR 3550 and 3555, Update to Manufactured Housing Provisions
The SFH section 502 Direct and section 504 Programs are implemented under 7 CFR 3550 and the SFH Guaranteed Loan Program is implemented under 7 CFR 3555. Both programs are authorized, by sections 502 and 504 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 1472 and 1474). The section 502 Direct Loan Program is implemented under 7 CFR 3550 and authorized by section 502 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 1472 and 1474). The purpose of the program is to assist low- and very low-income applicants who currently do not own adequate housing and cannot obtain other credit, the opportunity to acquire, build, rehabilitate, improve, or relocate dwellings in rural areas. The section 504 Loan and Grant Program is implemented under 7 CFR 3550 and is authorized by section 504 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 1472 and 1474). This program offers loans to very low-income homeowners who cannot obtain other credit to repair or rehabilitate their properties. The section 504 program also offers grants to homeowners aged 62 or older who cannot obtain a loan to correct health and safety hazards or to make the unit accessible to household members with disabilities. The section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program is implemented under 7 CFR 3555 and is authorized by section 502 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 1472 and 1474). The purpose of the program is to assist low- and moderate-income applicants the opportunity to acquire, build, rehabilitate, improve, or relocate dwellings in rural areas. The Agency considered expansion of manufactured housing options to deploy new financing mechanisms to build and preserve more housing where housing gaps exist. There is special emphasis on supporting production and availability of manufactured housing through improved loan rates and terms making this type of home ownership more attainable and affordable. RHS is proposing to reduce the regulatory burdens in 7 CFR parts 3550 and 3555 specifically related to manufactured housing requirements, enhance program delivery and customer service, promote consistency between the direct and guaranteed SFH loan programs where feasible, and reflect current housing market conditions and mortgage loan practices. A manufactured home is defined as a structure that is transportable in one or more sections on a permanent chassis, constructed for permanent occupancy, and placed on a permanent foundation. RHS will continue to require all new and existing manufactured homes to be constructed and placed on a permanent foundation in accordance with the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (FMHCSS), established by HUD and found in 24 CFR part 3280. The Agency published a proposed rule on 8/16/2023 [88 FR 55601] in the Federal Register outlining these changes that support new financing mechanisms to build and preserve more housing where housing gaps exist. The public comment period ending on 10/16/2023. The proposed updates are expected to include clarifying language addressing the following issues: (1) the ability for borrowers under the direct and guaranteed loan programs to purchase existing manufactured homes constructed in conformance with standards and on or after a specified date; (2) the Agency's consideration of a land-lease with an unexpired term that is at least two years longer than the mortgage term for new energy efficient manufactured and modular home financing in land-lease communities operating on a nonprofit basis; and (3) the need for Agency approval of manufactured housing dealers. These revisions are expected to allow the Agency to responsibly and effectively utilize funds appropriated by Congress through allowing borrowers more purchase options within a competitive market and thereby increasing the likelihood of finding adequate housing which increases program impact.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on March 4, 2025
Additional Payment II Program (ADD PAY II)
FCIC is amending the regulations for the 2022 and 2023 reinsurance years. ADD PAY II is a one time payment to AIPs administering eligible crop insurance contracts for specialty crops for the 2022 and 2023 reinsurance years.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on August 11, 2025
Child and Adult Care Food Program: Rescission of Obsolete Data Collection Requirements
The rule removes an obsolete requirement for State agencies administering the Child and Adult Care Food Program to collect and report data related to participating institutions.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on May 12, 2025
Commercial Film Permitting
This final rule with technical changes would amend commercial filming regulations at 36 CFR 251 by updating the definition of commercial filming and still photography to be consistent with the EXPLORE Act (Act). The Act lowers the threshold for what requires a permit for commercial filming and photography. Revising this rule to be more consistent with current statute is also in accordance with Executive Order 14219, Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Deregulatory Initiative . This rule will also reduce bureaucratic delays and expand access to public lands for content creation, thereby supporting implementation of EO 14313 on Establishing the President's Make America Beautiful Again Commission .
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on March 19, 2026
Economic Adjustment Assistance for Textile Mills – Payment Rate
The Economic Adjustment Assistance for Textile Mills Program provides qualified domestic users of upland cotton financial assistance that can be used to acquire, construct, install, modernize, develop, convert, or expand land, plant, buildings, equipment, facilities, or machinery used in the manufacture of final cotton products. Payments for such assistance are issued by the Commodity Credit Corporation. Recipients must use these funds within a certain timeframe and must maintain and provide to program administrators records related to their use of upland cotton and allowable capital expenditures under the program. Current regulation lists a payment rate of three cents per pound. The rule will increase the payment rate to five cents per pound, as provided for in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on February 24, 2026
Miscellaneous Amendments to the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) Regulations and Related Provisions
This document amends the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) regulations at title 9, Code of Federal Regulations (9 CFR) parts 145, 146, and 147. The NPIP is a long-standing, voluntary industry-State-Federal cooperative program governed by a Federal Advisory Committee. Part 145 contains the regulations for breeding poultry NPIP participation and part 146 contains the regulations for commercial poultry NPIP participation. These parts address classification programs for certain diseases which allow APHIS to provide certification for poultry and poultry products being shipped interstate as well as internationally. Part 147, the auxiliary provisions, contains the procedures to make changes to the NPIP program. We are also revising the indemnity regulations governing low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) in 9 CFR part 56. On a biennial basis, the Committee votes on recommended changes to the NPIP regulations and related provisions (in this case, LPAI indemnity). We are revising the regulations based on the recommendations approved by voting delegates at the NPIP 2022 Biennial Conference.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on September 30, 2025
Oil and Gas Resource Revision
The Forest Service plays a role in the leasing and development of Federally owned oil and natural gas found on National Forest System lands in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Updating these regulations will afford an opportunity to modernize and streamline analytical and procedural requirements and help provide a more consistent approach to oil and gas management across the National Forest System. The revisions of the existing regulations clarify processes for leasing consent and surface use permitting decisions, improve coordination with the Bureau of Land Management, provide clear direction on oil and gas operators' responsibility to protect natural resources and the environment, and update procedures to reflect existing agency practices and better reflect requirements of law. A proposed rule was published on 9/1/2020 (85 FR 46458) for a 60-day comment period. This rule would meet the Administration's priorities outlined in Executive Orders 14154 Unleashing American Energy, 14153 Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential and 14219, Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Deregulatory Initiative.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on January 28, 2026
Reauthorization of Dairy Forward Pricing Program
This final rule reauthorizes the Dairy Forward Pricing Program (DFPP) in accordance with the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 (Continuing Extensions Act). The DFPP allows milk handlers to pay producers and cooperative associations of producers a negotiated price for producer milk rather than the Federal Milk Marketing Order minimum blend price for non-fluid classes of milk (Classes II, III, and IV under the Federal Milk Marketing Order system). Establishing new contracts under the DFPP was prohibited between the expiration of the program on September 30, 2025, and publication of this final rule.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on February 27, 2026
Removal of 7 CFR 1930
Rural Development (RD), a mission area within the Department of Agriculture consisting of RHS, RBCS, and RUS, is in the process of reviewing all regulations within its purview to reduce regulatory burdens and costs. Pursuant to this review, RD has identified the provisions in 7 CFR 1930 as obsolete, unnecessary, and outdated due to lack of substantive material. RD is removing these provisions to streamline and clarify the dictates of title 7.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on August 18, 2025
Removal of Obsolete Regulations
The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation is updating its regulations to remove obsolete, unnecessary, and outdated provisions in title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on August 14, 2025
Removal of Obsolete Regulations for Crop Insurance Provisions
The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation is updating its regulations to remove obsolete regulations for Texas citrus tree crop insurance provisions in 7 CFR 457.106, Sugarcane crop insurance provisions in 7 CFR 457.116, Macadamia tree crop insurance provisions in 7 CFR 457.130, Peanut crop insurance provisions in 7 CFR 457.134, Nursery crop insurance provisions in 7 CFR 457.162, Nursery peak inventory endorsement in 7 CFR 457.163, and Nursery rehabilitation endorsement in 7 CFR 457.164. These obsolete insurance policies have been replaced by alternate policies, approved under 7 USC 1508(h) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act, that are not in the CFR. Removing these policies that are no longer in effect will reduce regulatory burden and costs for farmers and insurance personnel.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on August 27, 2025
Removal of Regulatory Overreach and Federal Crop Insurance Policy Provisions
The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) is issuing this final rule to align its regulations with Executive Order 14219 (Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Deregulatory Initiative) and the statutory limits of 7 U.S.C. 1506(r). This rule amends 7 CFR 400.766(b)(2) by striking language that purported to make Final Agency Determinations (FADs) and employee testimony legally binding on third-party adjudicators, including arbitrators, mediators, judges, and the National Appeals Division (NAD). This change ensures that while FADs remain a vital tool for program consistency, they will function as persuasive guidance for parties not involved in the original FAD request, rather than an unlawful restriction on judicial and quasi-judicial independence. Additionally, this action modernizes program administration by discontinuing the practice of codifying detailed insurance contracts within the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Federal crop insurance policy provisions will be removed from the CFR; however, policy terms will continue to be published through official program materials and remains accessible on the Risk Management Agency (RMA) website. These administrative updates do not affect the statutory authority of the FCIC or the availability of crop insurance coverage for producers.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on April 1, 2026
Rescinding 30-Day Notification Requirements Related to Eviction Based on Nonpayment of Rent in Multi-Family Housing Direct Properties
The final rule would rescind the requirements of the minimum 30-day notice for nonpayment of rent before the start of eviction proceedings in RHS Section 515 and 514 MFH properties, and the requirement to provide Federal emergency funding information during a Federally declared national emergency. The Final Rule, 30-Day Notification of Nonpayment of Rent in Multi-Family Housing Direct Loan Programs, (30-Day Notice Final Rule) effective on April 24, 2024, introduced additional regulatory oversight for RHS MFH properties with the addition of provisions from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), that are now being removed. Additionally, the requirement for the Agency to disseminate information on Federal funding available during a Presidentially declared National emergency will be removed. During the COVID-19 crisis, RHS informed each tenant of the Federal funding programs available via direct mailing without the regulatory requirement in place. Due to the existing tenant protection requirements on RHS MFH properties, RHS has determined these additional regulatory provisions to be unnecessary and unduly burdensome.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on February 25, 2026
Single Family Housing Guaranteed Rural Housing Programs–Delegated Approval Authority and Strengthening Management Oversight – Final Rule
The Rural Housing Service (RHS) published a proposed rule on August 4, 2022 [87 FR 47646] to amend the Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) regulation found in 7 CFR part 3555. A 60-day comment period was provided for the proposed rule, which closed on October 3, 2022. RHS received comments from 41 respondents, of which one of the comments was not applicable to the contents of the rule. Of the comments received, 30 were from mortgage lenders, one was from a public assistance agency, and ten were from other members of the public. As a result of the comments received, the Agency will also add 7 CFR 3555.55 to grant Delegated Lenders the authority to approve and execute loan guarantees with limited to no involvement of Agency staff. The provisions include the following: (1) The Agency may grant Delegated Lenders the authority to approve loans and obtain Loan Note Guarantees with limited to no involvement of Agency staff. (2) The Agency would reserve the right to suspend or terminate any lender's delegated status for reasons including, but not limited to, underwriting loans which do not meet Agency guidelines, providing data to the Agency's automated underwriting system which is not supported by documentation retained by the lender, maintaining a portfolio that does not meet the established delinquency, loss claim, and default rate performance metrics, and other criteria described in Agency loan program requirements in 7 CFR 3555, and any other regulatory guidance issued. (3) Delegated Lenders would be required to use the Agency's automated underwriting system as described in 3555.107(b) Automated underwriting." (4) The Agency would monitor ongoing delegated authority (DA) eligibility using regular collection and analysis of loan level data and performance, as well as through lender oversight reviews/examinations. The Agency anticipates including in the Final Rule the opportunity for Delegated Lenders to submit files to the Agency for review and approval, in some circumstances. In addition, the Agency will consider the recommendations on oversight sample size and the roll-out timeframe in development of the final rule. The changes to 7 CFR 3555 are expected to improve the efficiency of the delivery of the SFHGLP, align Agency practices with industry standards, and provide the public, specifically low- and moderate-income households, with faster and better service by eliminating Agency intervention at loan origination through closing.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on March 19, 2026
Ski Area Definition
This final rule would codify a nondiscretionary provision of the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011 (Pub. L. 112-46) by amending the definition of a ski area to state that other natural resource-based, seasonal, and year-round recreational uses and facilities may be authorized, provided that the primary purpose of the site remains skiing and other snow sports. The final rule would also remove the revenue test, bringing the regulation into alignment with statute and reducing regulatory burden on the ski industry and on the agency.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on March 25, 2026
The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) Revisions to the Calculation of Annual Household Income and Net Family Assets.
This rulemaking is required by statute. The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) was signed into law on July 29, 2016 (Pub. L. 114201, 130 Stat.782), which made numerous changes to statutes governing the determination of household income in Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) programs. RHS Multifamily Housing programs implemented under 7 CFR 3560, are required by the Housing Act of 1949 statute to be aligned with certain provisions of HOTMA in 24 CFR 5.609. HOTMA changed the requirements for determining household income and net family assets. Currently the RHS regulation found at 7 CFR 3560.153(a) requires that annual income be calculated in accordance with HUD's regulation at 24 CFR 5.609, as required by the Housing Act 1949. The effective date of HOTMA was January 1, 2024, with a full compliance date not later than January 1, 2025. The Agency expects to publish a proposed rule and then a final rule. RHS will comply with the HOTMA requirements as required by the Housing Act of 1949. An Administrator's Exception, under the authority granted in 7 CFR 3560.8, has been approved for RHS to exclude 24 CFR 5.609(c) from 7 CFR 3560.153(a) until the final rule is published.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on April 13, 2026
Tobacco Grading and Inspections Services – Removal of Obsolete Quota Provisions
This rule identifies and removes regulations that reference tobacco quota provision. The Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004 repealed the tobacco quota program yet current regulations still contain language that reference and account for the provisions of the tobacco quota program.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on May 29, 2025
Tobacco Grading and Inspections Services–Removal of Obsolete Price Support Provisions
This rule identifies and removes regulations that reference tobacco price support programs. The Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004 repealed all tobacco price support programs yet current regulations still contain language that reference price support services.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on June 3, 2025
Updates to 7 CFR Part 1767, Subpart B, Uniform System of Accounts
The RUS Electric Program provides leadership and capital to maintain, expand, upgrade, and modernize America's vast rural electric infrastructure. Under the authority of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, the Electric Program makes direct loans and loan guarantees (Federal Financing Bank), as well as grants and other energy project financing to electric utilities (wholesale and retail providers of electricity) that serve customers in rural areas. The Agency plans to issue a final rule with comment to update 7 CFR 1767, subpart B to add new accounts to the System of Accounts (USoA) for electric borrowers, delete obsolete accounts, and clarify instructions and definitions. The changes will also add new accounts and general instructions for partially extinguished or forgiven debt. The Agency, stakeholders, and RUS Awardees will benefit from this final rule with comments. The changes proposed will provide additional guidance and clarity for the Agency, RUS Awardees and Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firms. These changes will better align the RUS USoA with the FERC USoA, providing consistent accounting treatment for Awardees subject to FERC or RUS. This update will enable greater accuracy in reporting by developing three (3) new production plant categories and a new category for energy storage. Additionally, the revision will provide specific accounts and guidance on accounting for extinguished or forgiven debt. Although this rulemaking is administrative, there will be an opportunity for public input.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on September 24, 2025
USDA NEPA Amending Regulations
USDA interim rule based on CEQ rescission of its longstanding NEPA regulations that became effective on April 11, 2025.
Status: Final rule published in the Federal Register on July 2, 2026
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Create a free accountCompiled from the 2026 Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda (reginfo.gov), cross-referenced against Federal Register publications. Regulation Roundup tracks all 171 USDA actions and refreshes as the agenda changes.