On July 3, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) released the 2026 Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal…
On July 3, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) released the 2026 Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. Covering approximately 60 federal agencies, the agenda provides an important preview of the rulemaking and deregulatory activity that federal agencies expect to pursue in the coming months. For businesses and other regulated entities, the release offers a valuable roadmap for anticipating compliance obligations and engaging in the regulatory process at an early stage.
The 2026 agenda outlines planned actions from a broad cross-section of federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Labor (DOL), the Department of Education, and the Department of the Treasury. Collectively, these entries signal policy priorities across sectors as diverse as health care, housing, immigration, labor and employment, education, and financial services. Because the agenda reflects both regulatory and deregulatory initiatives, clients should expect a mix of new requirements alongside potential rescissions or modifications of existing rules.
Clients operating in regulated industries should treat the agenda as a strategic planning tool. Reviewing the entries relevant to your operations can help identify upcoming rulemakings that may affect products, services, workforce practices, disclosure obligations, or transactional structures. Early identification allows time to assess anticipated impacts, adjust internal compliance programs, and evaluate whether resources should be devoted to industry coalitions or trade association initiatives.
The agenda also provides an opportunity to engage directly with agencies. Once proposed rules are published, notice-and-comment periods offer a formal channel through which stakeholders can submit substantive input, share data, and advocate for workable regulatory approaches. In some cases, pre-proposal outreach to agency staff may also be appropriate. Monitoring the anticipated timelines set forth in the agenda can help clients prepare comment letters, coordinate with counsel, and align business decisions with expected regulatory milestones.
Our firm is available to help clients interpret the 2026 agenda, evaluate potential impacts, and develop engagement strategies tailored to their industries and operations.
This update is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Clients should seek tailored counsel regarding how the 2026 Unified Agenda may affect their specific circumstances.