Removing Outdated Language From Regulatory Definitions of “United States”

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 73 (Thursday, April 16, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20333-20334]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07427]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

15 CFR Parts 8 and 20

[Docket No. 260107-0012]
RIN 0605-AA76


Removing Outdated Language From Regulatory Definitions of 
``United States''

AGENCY: Office of Civil Rights, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: By this rule, the Department of Commerce (Department) amends 
the definition of the term ``United States'' set forth in two of its 
regulations. Specifically, this rule removes references to ``the Canal 
Zone,'' which is no longer part of the United States, and makes other 
minor edits to ensure that the two definitions are identical. This 
action is necessary to ensure that the Department's regulations are 
accurate, up-to-date, and consistent. The intended effect is to 
eliminate outdated language, reduce inconsistencies across the 
Department's regulations, and minimize the possibility of confusion.

DATES: Effective April 16, 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Sweeney, Senior Counsel, Office 
of the General Counsel, at (202) 482-1395.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Department originally published the regulations at 15 CFR part 
8 and 15 CFR part 20 in final rules on July 5, 1973 (38 FR 17938), and 
August 13, 1986 (51 FR 28926), respectively. The regulations at 15 CFR 
part 8 were promulgated to effectuate Section 602 of the Civil Rights 
Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d-1), which directs each Federal department 
and agency to issue regulations implementing the statutory prohibition 
on discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin. 
Similarly, the regulations at 15 CFR part 20 were promulgated to 
effectuate the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended (42 U.S.C. 
6101 et seq.), and the corresponding government-wide regulations at 45 
CFR part 90, which establish a general prohibition against 
discrimination on the basis of age. Both 15 CFR part 8 and 15 CFR part 
20 include a regulation defining the term ``United States'' to include 
``the Canal Zone''--a reference to the Panama Canal Zone. See 15 CFR 
8.3(c); 15 CFR 20.3(o). As relevant for 15 CFR part 20, the government-
wide regulations at 45 CFR part 90 likewise set forth a definition of 
``United States'' that includes ``the Canal Zone.'' 45 CFR part 90.4.
    The Panama Canal Zone was an exclusive concession of the United 
States from 1903 to 1979. Thereafter, the Canal was jointly controlled 
by the United States and the country of Panama until 1999. Then, on 
December 31, 1999, the United States officially transferred full 
control of the Canal to Panama. The regulatory definitions of the term 
``United States'' set forth in 15 CFR 8.3(c) and 15 CFR 20.3(o) have 
not been updated to reflect these historical developments and still 
indicate that the Canal Zone is part of the United States.

II. Discussion

    By this rule, the Department is updating the definitions of the 
term ``United States'' set forth in 15 CFR 8.3(c) and 15 CFR 20.3(o) to 
accurately reflect the current scope of the United States and its 
territories and possessions. In particular, the Department is removing 
from both Sec. Sec.  8.3(c) and 20.3(o) references to the Panama Canal 
Zone, as that Zone is no longer considered part of the United States. 
This removal will promote not only accuracy but also consistency across 
the Department's regulations, as 15 CFR 801.2(a), for instance, does 
not define ``United States'' to include the Canal Zone. See 15 CFR 
801.2(a) (defining the term ``United States, ``when used in a 
geographic sense,'' to mean ``the several States, the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and all territories and 
possessions of the United States.''). This removal will, however, 
create some inconsistency between the Department's age discrimination 
regulations (15 CFR part 20) and the government-wide age discrimination 
regulations (45 CFR part 90), since ``United States'' is defined in 45 
CFR 90.4 to include the Canal Zone. The Department nevertheless finds 
it appropriate to amend Sec. Sec.  8.3(c) and 20.3(o) to ensure the 
accuracy of--and consistency throughout--the Department's own 
regulations.
    The Department also finds it appropriate to make two other minor 
amendments to ensure that Sec. Sec.  8.3(c) and 20.3(o) are identical. 
Specifically, the Department is (i) ensuring that both definitions 
explicitly mention the

[[Page 20334]]

Northern Mariana Islands, and (ii) adopting uniform language for the 
reference to the States (``the fifty States'').

III. Classification

A. Administrative Procedure Act

    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2), the provisions of the APA requiring 
notice of proposed rulemaking and the opportunity for public 
participation are inapplicable to this rule because it relates to 
``agency management or personnel or to public property, loans, grants, 
benefits, or contracts.'' This rule modifies definitions set forth in 
15 CFR parts 8 and 20, both of which establish nondiscrimination 
requirements in connection with Federal assistance. Additionally, 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Department finds good cause to 
waive notice of proposed rulemaking and the opportunity for public 
participation because public participation would be unnecessary. This 
rule only removes an outdated definition of the United States that no 
longer aligns with its current boundaries and territories. Public 
participation would not affect the legal and accurate definition of the 
United States.

B. Executive Orders 12866, 14192, 13132

    The Office of Management and Budget has determined this rule is not 
significant pursuant to E.O. 12866. This rule is an E.O. 14192 
deregulatory action. This rule does not contain policies having 
federalism implications as the term is defined in E.O. 13132.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Because a notice of proposed rulemaking and an opportunity for 
public participation are not required to be given for this rule by 5 
U.S.C. 553(a)(2), the analytical requirements of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) are not applicable. Accordingly, 
no regulatory flexibility analysis is required, and none has been 
prepared.

D. Executive Order 12250

    Pursuant to Executive Order 12250, the Department of Justice has 
the responsibility to ``review . . . proposed rules . . . of the 
Executive agencies'' implementing nondiscrimination statutes such as 
Title VI in order to identify those which are inadequate, unclear or 
unnecessarily inconsistent.'' The Department of Justice has reviewed 
and approved this rule.

E. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule will not impose additional reporting or recordkeeping 
requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501, 
et seq.

List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 8

    Administrative practice and procedure, Civil rights, Equal 
employment opportunity, Government contracts, Grant programs, Grants 
administration.

15 CFR Part 20

    Administrative practice and procedure, Civil rights, Grant 
programs, Public assistance programs.

    Dated: April 13, 2026.
Paul Dabbar,
Deputy Secretary of Commerce.

    Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above, parts 8 and 20 of 
title 15 of the Code of Federal Regulations are amended as follows:

PART 8--NONDISCRIMINATION IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE--EFFECTUATION OF TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL 
RIGHTS ACT OF 1964

0
1. The authority citation for part 8 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Sec. 602, Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d-
1).


0
2. Amend Sec.  8.3 by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  8.3   Definitions

* * * * *
    (c) United States means the fifty States, the District of Columbia, 
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Wake Island, the 
Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories and possessions of the 
United States.
* * * * *

PART 20--NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF AGE IN PROGRAMS OR 
ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

0
3. The authority citation for part 20 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 
6101 et seq. and the government-wide regulations implementing the 
Act, 45 CFR part 90.


0
4. Amend Sec.  20.3 by revising paragraph (o) to read as follows:


Sec.  20.3  Definitions.

* * * * *
    (o) United States means the fifty States, the District of Columbia, 
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Wake Island, the 
Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories and possessions of the 
United States.

[FR Doc. 2026-07427 Filed 4-15-26; 8:45 am]
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