# Regulatory Agenda > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A2026-16598 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Notice - **Published:** August 14, 2026 - **Citation:** 91 FR 53010 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of the Secretary 25 CFR Ch. I 30 CFR Chs. II and VII 36 CFR Ch. I 43 CFR Subtitle A and Subtitle B, Chs. I and II 48 CFR Ch. 14 50 CFR Chs. I and IV [256D0102DM; DS6CS00000; DLSN00000.00000; DX6CS25] Regulatory Agenda AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior. ACTION: Regulatory agenda. SUMMARY: This notice provides the Department of the Interior's (Department) Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Agenda). The Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 12866 require publication of the Agenda. ADDRESSES: Unless otherwise indicated, all agency contacts are located at the Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please direct all comments and inquiries about these rules to the appropriate agency contact. Please direct general comments relating to the Agenda to the Office of Executive Secretariat and Regulatory Affairs, Department of the Interior, at the address above or at (202) 513-0357. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Consistent with Executive Order 12866, the Agenda includes rules that the Department issued since the spring 2025semiannual Agenda and expects to issue between December 2025 and November 2026. The Agenda also includes a list of currently effective rules scheduled for review during that period. Simultaneously, the Department meets the requirement of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. ) to publish an Agenda in April and October of each year identifying rules that will have significant economic effects on a substantial number of small entities. The Department specifically has identified such rules in the Agenda. The complete Agenda will be published at www.reginfo.gov, in a format that offers users enhanced ability to obtain information from the Agenda database. Agenda information is also available at www.regulations.gov, the government-wide website for submission of comments on proposed regulations. In some cases, the Department has withdrawn rules that were placed on previous Agendas for which there has been no publication activity or for which a proposed or interim rule was published. There is no legal significance to the omission of an item from this Agenda. Withdrawal of a rule does not necessarily mean that the Department will not proceed with the rulemaking. Withdrawal allows the Department to assess the action further and determine whether rulemaking is appropriate. Following such an assessment, the Department may determine that certain rules listed as withdrawn under this Agenda are appropriate for promulgation. Bivan R. Patnaik, Director, Office of the Executive Secretariat and Regulatory Affairs. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement—Long-Term Actions Sequence No. Title Regulation Identifier No. 269 Revisions to Decommissioning Requirements on the OCS 1014-AA53 Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management—Proposed Rule Stage Sequence No. Title Regulation Identifier No. 270 Revisions to the Requirements for Exploratory Drilling on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf 1082-AA05 United States Fish and Wildlife Service—Proposed Rule Stage Sequence No. Title Regulation Identifier No. 271 Importation, Exportation, and Transportation of Wildlife; Updates to the Regulations 1018-BF16 United States Fish and Wildlife Service—Final Rule Stage Sequence No. Title Regulation Identifier No. 272 Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act 1018-BI38 United States Fish and Wildlife Service—Completed Actions Sequence No. Title Regulation Identifier No. 273 Migratory Bird Hunting; 2025-26 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations 1018-BH65 274 Migratory Bird Hunting; 2026-27 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations 1018-BI69 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management—Proposed Rule Stage Sequence No. Title Regulation Identifier No. 275 Risk Management and Financial Assurance for Outer Continental Shelf Lease and Grant Obligations 1010-AE26 Bureau of Land Management—Proposed Rule Stage Sequence No. Title Regulation Identifier No. 276 Broadband and Rights-of-Way Under 43 CFR 2800 1004-AF32 277 Royalty for Oil and Gas Lost from Onshore Federal and Indian Leases, Venting and Flaring Rule 1004-AF33 Department of the Interior (DOI) Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Long-Term Actions 269. REVISIONS TO DECOMMISSIONING REQUIREMENTS ON THE OCS Legal Authority: Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1331 to 1356a Relevant Executive Orders: 14154 Abstract: This rule proposes to set “topple in place” as the default decommissioning standard, on the condition that such circumstances meet U.S. Coast Guard navigational requirements. This proposed rule would also address issues that may include to (1) idle iron by adding a definition of this term to clarify that it applies to idle wells and structures on active leases; (2) abandonment in place of subsea infrastructure by adding regulations addressing when BSEE may approve decommissioning-in-place instead of removal of certain subsea equipment; (3) BSEE approval for platform or facility toppling in place; and (4) other operational considerations. Timetable: Action Date FR Cite NPRM 07/00/27 NPRM Comment Period End 10/00/27 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Agency Contact: Kirk Malstrom, Chief, Regulations and Standards Branch, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166 Phone: 703 787-1751 Fax: 703 787-1555 Email: kirk.malstrom@bsee.gov RIN: 1014-AA53 Department of the Interior (DOI) Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management (ASLM) Proposed Rule Stage 270. • REVISIONS TO THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPLORATORY DRILLING ON THE ARCTIC OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF Legal Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1331-1356a; 33 U.S.C. 2701 ch. 40 Relevant Executive Orders: 14153; 14154; 14219 Abstract: This joint BSEE/BOEM rulemaking would revise specific provisions of the joint BSEE/BOEM final Arctic Rule 81 FR 46478 (July 15, 2016) that established a regulatory framework for exploratory drilling and related operations on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) of Alaska. This proposed rule would take a similar approach to the 2020 proposed rule titled, Revisions to the Requirements for Exploratory Drilling on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf 85 FR 79266 (December 9, 2020; RIN 1082-AA01). The revisions would be based on stakeholder input from the 2016 final rule and 2020 proposed rule in accordance with Executive Order 14153, Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential 90 FR 8347 (January 20, 2025) and accompanying Secretarial Order 3422. Timetable: Action Date FR Cite NPRM 07/00/26 NPRM Comment Period End 09/00/26 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Agency Contact: Kirk Malstrom, Chief, Regulations and Standards Branch, Department of the Interior, Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166 Phone: 703 787-1751 Fax: 703 787-1555 Email: kirk.malstrom@bsee.gov RIN: 1082-AA05 Department of the Interior (DOI) United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Proposed Rule Stage 271. IMPORTATION, EXPORTATION, AND TRANSPORTATION OF WILDLIFE; UPDATES TO THE REGULATIONS Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 668; 16 U.S.C. 704; 16 U.S.C. 712; 16 U.S.C. 1382; 16 U.S.C. 1538(d)-(f); 16 U.S.C. 1540(f); 16 U.S.C. 3371 to 3378; 16 U.S.C. 4223 to 4244; 16 U.S.C. 4901 to 4916; 18 U.S.C. 42; 31 U.S.C. 42; 31 U.S.C. 9701; . . . Relevant Executive Orders: 13773; 14276; 14294 Abstract: This proposed rule would revise the FWS regulations governing the importation and exportation of wildlife. In conducting this rulemaking, FWS will review all sections of 50 CFR part 14 and propose necessary revisions. Some substantive changes that FWS is considering include clarifying and adding definitions; codifying our approach to compliance with the Freedom of Information Act; streamlining the import and export process through a unified government filing system; extending permit validity; expanding import options beyond designated ports; adding sections related to requirements for urine, feces, and synthetically derived DNA, exempt species, and international mail; clarifying language related to declaration and clearance requirements; streamlining marking requirements; and enhancing monitoring of certain wildlife shipments. Timetable: Action Date FR Cite NPRM 07/00/26 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Agency Contact: Doug Ault, Assistant Director, Office of Law Enforcement, Department of the Interior, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: LEO, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 Phone: 703 358-2290 Fax: 703 358-1947 Email: douglas_ault@fws.gov RIN: 1018-BF16 Department of the Interior (DOI) United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Final Rule Stage 272. RESCINDING THE DEFINITION OF “HARM” UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. Abstract: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (we) are proposing to rescind the regulatory definition of “harm” in our Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulations. The existing regulatory definition of “harm,” which includes habitat modification, runs contrary to the best meaning of the statutory term “take.” We are undertaking this change to adhere to the single, best meaning of the ESA. Timetable: Action Date FR Cite NPRM 04/17/25 90 FR 16102 NPRM Comment Period End 05/19/25 Final Action 07/00/26 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Agency Contact: Gina Shultz, Acting Assistant Director, Ecological Services, Department of the Interior, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: ES, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 Phone: 703 358-2171 Email: adecologicalservices@fws.gov RIN: 1018-BI38 Department of the Interior (DOI) United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Completed Actions 273. MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING; 2025-26 MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING REGULATIONS Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 742a-j Abstract: This rulemaking action establishes annual hunting regulations for certain migratory game birds. FWS annually prescribes the frameworks, or outside limits, for season lengths, bag limits, and areas for migratory game bird hunting. After these frameworks are established, States and Tribes may select season dates, bag limits, and other regulatory options for their hunting seasons. Migratory bird management is a cooperative effort of Federal, State, and Tribal governments. Timetable: Action Date FR Cite NPRM (Preliminary) 01/21/25 90 FR 7056 NPRM Comment Period End 02/20/25 Proposed Frameworks 04/23/25 90 FR 17300 Proposed Frameworks; Comment Period End 05/27/25 Final Frameworks 08/18/25 90 FR 40178 Final Frameworks Effective 08/18/25 Season Selections 08/25/25 90 FR 41306 Season Selections Effective 08/22/25 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Agency Contact: Jerome Ford, Assistant Director—Migratory Bird Program, Department of the Interior, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS-MB, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 Phone: 202 208-1050 Email: jerome_ford@fws.gov RIN: 1018-BH65 274. MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING; 2026-27 MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING REGULATIONS Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703 et seq. ; 16 U.S.C. 742a-j Abstract: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife (FWS) is withdrawing RIN 1018-BI69 as the rulemaking under RIN 1018-BI04 will establish a new process for setting annual hunting season frameworks. Timetable: Action Date FR Cite Withdrawn 03/23/26 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Agency Contact: Jerome Ford, Assistant Director—Migratory Bird Program, Department of the Interior, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS-MB, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 Phone: 202 208-1050 Email: jerome_ford@fws.gov RIN: 1018-BI69 Department of the Interior (DOI) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Proposed Rule Stage 275. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL ASSURANCE FOR OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF LEASE AND GRANT OBLIGATIONS Legal Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1331 Relevant Executive Orders: 14154; 14267 Abstract: This proposed rule would rescind BOEM's final rule “Risk Management and Financial Assurance for OCS Lease and Grant Obligations.” The proposed rule would revise the criteria for determining whether oil, gas, and sulfur lessees, right-of-use and easement grant holders, and pipeline right-of-way grant holders are required to provide financial assurance above the current minimum bonding levels to ensure compliance with their Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act obligations. This rule, if finalized, would reduce the amount of supplemental financial assurance required from oil gas, and sulfur lessees operating on the OCS and would support the goals of E.O. 14154. Timetable: Action Date FR Cite NPRM 03/09/26 91 FR 11212 NPRM Comment Period End 05/08/26 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Agency Contact: Karen Thundiyil, Director, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240 Phone: 202 742-0970 Email: karen.thundiyil@boem.gov RIN: 1010-AE26 Department of the Interior (DOI) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Proposed Rule Stage 276. BROADBAND AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY UNDER 43 CFR 2800 Legal Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1733; 43 U.S.C. 1740; 43 U.S. 1763; Public Law 116-260 Abstract: The BLM is proposing to update its regulations in 43 CFR Subpart 2800 to encourage broadband development/deployment and create other program efficiencies affecting Rights-of-Way administration. Timetable: Action Date FR Cite NPRM 07/00/26 Final Action 12/00/26 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Agency Contact: Motunrayo Kemiki, Chief, Division of Renewable Energy, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20240 Phone: 202 834-2701 Email: mkemiki@blm.gov RIN: 1004-AF32 277. ROYALTY FOR OIL AND GAS LOST FROM ONSHORE FEDERAL AND INDIAN LEASES, VENTING AND FLARING RULE Legal Authority: 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq. ; 30 U.S.C. 351 et seq. ; 30 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. ; 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. ; 25 U.S.C. 396a et seq. ; 25 U.S.C. 2102 et seq ; 25 U.S.C. 396; 30 U.S.C. 301-306; . . . Abstract: This proposed rule would rescind BLM's final rule “Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation,” consistent with the priorities identified in E.O. 14154 and SO 3418. The rule would reduce operator burdens. Timetable: Action Date FR Cite NPRM 07/00/26 Final Action 08/00/26 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Agency Contact: John Ajak, Deputy Division Chief, Division of Fluid Minerals, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20240 Phone: 505 549-9654 Email: jajak@blm.gov RIN: 1004-AF33 [FR Doc. 2026-16598 Filed 8-13-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4334-63-P --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A2026-16598. Public record. Not legal advice.