U.S. Department of Agriculture Removes Obsolete Civil Rights Adjudication Regulation to Streamline Federal Code

The United States Department of Agriculture's Office of the Secretary (OSEC) has finalized a significant administrative action, removing 7 CFR Part 15f from the Code of Federal Regulations. This move, effective April 17, 2026, streamlines federal code by eliminating a regulation deemed obsolete and unnecessary. It represents a concrete step in the ongoing federal effort to reduce regulatory burdens and costs across agencies.

Context of Regulatory Review

This final rule stems from a broader directive outlined in Executive Order 14219, "Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Deregulatory Initiative." Issued by President Trump, this executive order and subsequent memoranda instructed federal agencies to review their existing regulations and rescind those found to be unlawful or no longer serving a pertinent purpose. OSEC's action aligns directly with this mandate, reflecting a methodical approach to evaluating the extensive federal regulatory landscape.

The Specifics of 7 CFR Part 15f

The regulation in question, 7 CFR Part 15f, previously governed adjudications under Section 741. Critically, these provisions applied exclusively to requests for Section 741 hearings filed by October 21, 2000. Furthermore, these hearings specifically addressed allegations of non-employment discrimination that occurred between January 1, 1981, and December 31, 1996.

The USDA's rationale for removal is straightforward: the regulation has become entirely obsolete. Given that the last possible filing date for a Section 741 hearing request was nearly 25 years ago, the provisions of Part 15f no longer apply to any active or potential cases. Maintaining such a regulation would only contribute to an unwieldy and potentially confusing federal code without any practical benefit.

Regulatory Impact and Certifications

In its assessment, OSEC confirmed that this final rule does not meet the criteria for a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, which mandates regulatory planning and review for economically impactful rules.

Furthermore, the agency found no federalism or tribal implications. The removal of Part 15f will not impose substantial unreimbursed compliance costs on states, local governments, or Indian tribal governments. This means that impact statements typically required under Executive Order 13132 for federalism concerns and Executive Order 13175 for tribal consultation are not necessary.

From an environmental standpoint, the rule will have no significant effect on the human environment. Consequently, no environmental assessment or impact statement is required. The rule also does not contain reporting or recordkeeping requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980. These certifications underscore the administrative nature of the rule's removal, emphasizing its focus on internal regulatory efficiency rather than external programmatic changes.

Implications of Regulatory Housekeeping

The removal of 7 CFR Part 15f is a micro-level example of a macro-level governmental objective: to ensure that the Code of Federal Regulations remains relevant, efficient, and free of unnecessary provisions. While this particular rule addresses a very specific and aged set of circumstances, its removal signals an agency-wide commitment to regulatory hygiene. Agencies are tasked with regularly reviewing their regulatory frameworks to identify and eliminate provisions that no longer serve their intended purpose. This process aims to reduce potential confusion, lighten administrative loads, and ensure that the regulatory environment is as clear and concise as possible for all stakeholders. The USDA did not request comments on this action, citing the clear obsolescence of the provision.