ACUS Seeks Public Input on Federal Rulemaking

The government agency is collecting feedback to improve how federal departments process public comments.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Government

Isometric editorial illustration of a brass stamp resting on a thick file folder, representing federal administrative rulemaking review. — The Administrative Conference of the United States is collecting public feedback to evaluate and improve federal agency rulemaking and comment processes. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should federal agencies update their processes for receiving and responding to public comments on new rules?

The Administrative Conference of the United States has issued a request for public comments on how federal agencies handle feedback regarding proposed rules. The study aims to evaluate current processes and establish refined best practices for government rulemaking.

Why it matters

The initiative seeks to identify successful and ineffective agency practices to ensure the public comment process is as efficient and transparent as possible. Improved procedures will provide federal agencies with clearer guidance on how to manage and address input from citizens.

The Administrative Conference of the United States issued this formal request on October 26, 2026. Written comments must be submitted to the agency by 10:00 am ET on December 28, 2026.

The players

Administrative Conference of the United States

This independent federal agency provides nonpartisan advice and recommendations to improve the efficiency and fairness of federal administrative processes.

The details

ACUS is examining the specific tools that federal agencies currently use to process and review public submissions. The agency hopes to identify both successful and unsuccessful aspects of current procedures to improve future rulemaking efficiency.

ACUS issued a recommendation regarding public participation in 2018.
The request for public comments was issued on October 26, 2026.
The deadline for submitting written comments is 10:00 am ET on December 28, 2026.

Political Context

This study updates the standards previously established by the 2018 ACUS recommendation on public participation in rulemaking. It follows a pattern set by the agency to periodically refine administrative procedures to ensure they remain functional and responsive.

Citizens and stakeholders have until December 28, 2026, to submit their experiences with federal comment processes via email. This feedback directly informs how agencies may change the way they solicit and handle future public input on federal regulations.

The takeaway

Public participation is a central pillar of federal rulemaking that requires clear agency processes to function effectively. Stakeholders who engage with proposed federal rules can help shape the administrative landscape by identifying procedural hurdles directly to oversight agencies.