Semiannual Regulatory Agenda, Spring 2025

Summary

This agenda provides summary descriptions of significant and not significant regulations being developed in agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in conformance with Executive Orders (E.O.) 12866, "Regulatory Planning and Review," 13563, "Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review," 14192, "Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation," and 14219, "Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Deregulatory Initiative." The agenda also describes regulations affecting small entities as required by section 602 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, Public Law 96-354. This agenda also identifies regulatory actions that are being reviewed in compliance with section 610(c) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. We invite public comments on those actions as well as any regulation consistent with Executive Order 13563.

USDA has attempted to list all regulations and regulatory reviews pending at the time of publication except for minor and routine or repetitive actions, but some may have been inadvertently missed. There is no legal significance to the omission of an item from this listing. Also, the dates shown for the steps of each action are estimated and are not commitments to act on or by the date shown.

USDA's complete regulatory agenda is available online at reginfo.gov. Because publication in the Federal Register is mandated for the regulatory flexibility agendas required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 USC 602), USDA's printed agenda entries include only:

1. Rules that are likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities; and
2. Rules identified for periodic review under section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Food and Nutrition Service - Proposed Rule Stage

Food and Nutrition Service - Final Rule Stage

13. Strengthening Integrity and Reducing Retailer Fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Legal Authority: PL 113-79; PL 115-334

Abstract: 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.

Timetable: Action - NPRM; Date - 02/00/26

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

RIN: 0584-AE71

14. Updated Staple Food Stocking Standards for Retailers in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Legal Authority: PL 113-79; 7 USC 2011 to 2036

Abstract: 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 proposed 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.

Timetable: Action - NPRM; Date- 02/00/26

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

RIN: 0584-AF12

15. 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

Legal Authority: PL 111-296

Abstract: 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.

Timetable:

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

RIN: 0584-AE85