FR 2024-31079

General Summary

The document from the Federal Register announces the removal of Chapter XL of Title 5 from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). This Chapter contained the ethical conduct standards for employees of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), which was abolished on December 29, 1995, with its functions terminating officially as of January 1, 1996. The removal is set to be effective on December 26, 2024. This action is part of an ongoing effort to maintain an orderly and updated system of regulations under the authority of the Director of the Office of the Federal Register.

Significant Issues or Concerns

While the removal of a chapter related to a long-defunct agency might seem straightforward, this action raises a few issues. Firstly, the document does not provide an abstract, which could help readers quickly understand the context or purpose of the regulation removal. Additionally, it does not explain why this removal is occurring nearly three decades after the abolition of the ICC. This delay is not clarified, which might lead to questions about procedural or administrative lag.

Moreover, the language in this document includes technical references to specific sections of the U.S. Code and CFR, which may not be easily understood without legal training or familiarity with governmental processes. Finally, no information has been provided regarding the implications for current or former employees related to this removal or if there are any new regulations or updates that replace the ones removed.

Impact on the Public

Removing outdated regulations may simplify the CFR, thereby helping to streamline federal regulations and reduce unnecessary complexity, which can be beneficial for anyone navigating federal rules. For the general public, this specific removal is unlikely to have a direct impact, given the ICC has been non-operational for many years.

For certain individuals or businesses historically tied to the ICC, this change might hold symbolic significance, underscoring the full transition from ICC-era regulations. However, for most people, particularly new generations or those outside of the regulatory or transport sectors, this change is more of a background administrative update and carries no immediate practical implications.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For stakeholders directly affected by the actions of the now-defunct ICC, such as regulatory historians, legal professionals, or institutions involved in interstate commerce regulation, the update might offer a point of reference in understanding the evolution and current state of federal regulatory frameworks.

However, the absence of clear details about any transitional impacts—especially for former ICC employees or related entities—means there are gaps in understanding how, if at all, these updates translate to practical changes or adaptations required by specific stakeholder groups. The text does not specify if there are any new ethical standards that replace those removed, leading to potential ambiguity in understanding any new codified changes affecting federal employees in similar roles.