The Census Bureau announced amendments to its rules for furnishing personal census data from historical population records, with changes taking effect January 23, 2026. The Bureau said the amendments removed “two unnecessary sections that merely restate underlying statutory language.”
These rules (15 CFR part 80) “set forth requirements, restrictions, and procedures for obtaining personal information from historical population records maintained by the Bureau. Such regulations specify who is eligible to request personal information, outline the application process, and identify the conditions under which data may be released.”
Those two sections considered redundant were:
- Section 80.5, “Detrimental use of information,” which cited and quoted 13 U.S.C. 8(c), stating that “[i]n no case shall information furnished under this section be used to the detriment of any respondent or other person to whom such information relates”; and
- Section 80.6, “False statements,” which stated that “[a]ny false statement or forgery on the application or supporting papers required to obtain Census information is punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment pursuant to section 1001 of Title 18 of the United States Code.”
The Census Bureau concluded that, “Specifically, § 80.5 directly quotes 13 U.S.C. 8(c), which is self-executing and does not require any implementing regulation to be effective; and § 80.6 references and restates 18 U.S.C. 1001, a criminal law of general applicability that, like 13 U.S.C. 8(c), does not require any implementing regulation. Accordingly, neither § 80.5 nor § 80.6 serves any independent function; both simply call attention to statutory provisions that the public is already presumed to be aware of.”
- Removing Redundant Language From the Regulations Governing the Furnishing of Personal Census Data https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/23/2026-01245/removing-redundant-language-from-the-regulations-governing-the-furnishing-of-personal-census-data
