Browse regulations

This regulation establishes the authority structure and delegation framework within the United States Postal Service, defining who can exercise postal powers, make personnel decisions, administer oaths, and perform notarial functions. It creates a hierarchical system of delegated authority from the Postmaster General through corporate officers to various employees, while also granting specific notarial powers to postmasters in Alaska and certain postal employees.

Americans would be worse off if this regulation was deleted because it provides the essential governance structure for the Postal Service to function effectively. Without clear delegation authority, postal operations would grind to a halt - no one could make personnel decisions, settle claims, or administer oaths needed for investigations and legal processes. The hierarchical framework ensures accountability while allowing efficient day-to-day operations across the vast postal network. While some may argue for privatization, the current structure enables the Postal Service to deliver universal mail service across all American communities, including rural areas where private carriers won't operate profitably.

This regulation establishes the organizational structure of the United States Postal Service (USPS) as an independent establishment, detailing the composition and responsibilities of the Board of Governors, the Office of Inspector General, corporate officers, area and district offices, and the emblem trademark requirements.

USPS government monopoly imposes massive direct costs (over $10B annual taxpayer subsidies), distorts the delivery market, stifles private competition and innovation, and creates barriers to entry. Unseen effects include misallocation of capital and talent into bureaucratic management, suppressed development of a vibrant private logistics sector, and reduced consumer choice and service quality that would otherwise emerge from competitive market forces.

The regulation incorporates the USPS International Mail Manual into the CFR by reference, making its provisions binding federal law while avoiding full publication in the CFR and enabling easy updates without standard rulemaking procedures.

Incorporation by reference expands regulatory reach without full notice-and-comment, undermining transparency and accountability; the administrative convenience is outweighed by the erosion of democratic control and the hidden tax of compliance with ever-changing rules.

Copyright Office procedures for handling legal process, testimony, and ex parte communications in copyright matters

Creates unnecessary bureaucratic barriers to legal proceedings and document access that burden courts and litigants without meaningful benefit to copyright administration

Part 41 governs appeals and interferences before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, establishing procedures for patent appeals, administrative procedures, and fee structures for patent-related proceedings.

Americans would be worse off if this regulation was deleted because it provides essential due process for patent appeals, ensuring inventors can challenge examiner decisions through a structured administrative process. The system prevents arbitrary patent rejections and protects intellectual property rights, which are crucial for innovation and economic growth.

This regulation governs the registration, ethical conduct, and discipline of patent attorneys, trademark attorneys, patent agents, and design patent practitioners who practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). It establishes requirements for registration including good moral character, technical qualifications, and passing a registration examination. The rule defines who may practice before the Office, the scope of permissible activities, the structure and duties of the Office of Enrollment and Discipline (OED), and procedures for disciplinary investigations and petitions.

This occupational licensing regime creates artificial barriers to entry that restrict competition, raise prices for patent and trademark services, and disproportionately harm small businesses and solo practitioners. The vague 'good moral character' standard invites arbitrary enforcement and regulatory capture by established bar members. The patent system itself is a government-granted monopoly; restricting who may navigate it compounds the distortion. Market mechanisms—voluntary certification, reputation systems, and professional liability—can ensure quality without federal licensing. The $2 trillion cost of federal regulations includes these hidden compliance costs that burden inventors and innovation.

This regulation establishes policies for the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) regarding the exhibition of materials, specifically addressing when NARA will accept privately-owned documents or objects for display. It outlines conditions including relevance to NARA's institutional history, availability of appropriate exhibition space and resources, and requirements for title verification and authenticity. The regulation also covers lending of NARA documents for external exhibitions with specific security and environmental control requirements.

This regulation serves a legitimate public interest by preserving historical documents and artifacts while maintaining professional standards for their exhibition. Without these policies, private lenders could overwhelm NARA's limited resources, potentially compromising the care of its own collections. The requirements for security, environmental controls, and authentication protect irreplaceable historical materials from damage or loss. The regulation enables public access to privately-owned historical items that might otherwise remain unseen, advancing NARA's educational mission while ensuring taxpayer resources are used responsibly and collections are properly preserved.

Regulation governs access to federal archival records and donated historical materials, including procedures for FOIA requests, restrictions on sensitive information, and appeal processes for access denials.

The regulation imposes excessive compliance costs, restricts access to historical materials, and creates a complex, burdening system for researchers. Its focus on privacy and security overrides the public's right to know, and its application to donated materials is unnecessary under the Tenth Amendment.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) provides public access to federal records and historical materials through research facilities, requiring registration and following specific handling procedures. The agency preserves records from all three branches of government and makes them available for research unless restricted by law, donor agreements, or preservation concerns.

Americans would be worse off if this regulation was deleted because it ensures public access to vital historical records, preserves national heritage, and maintains transparency in government operations. The regulation provides structured procedures that protect fragile documents while enabling research, which would be difficult to replicate through market mechanisms alone.

Establishes accessibility standards for buildings and facilities under ADA and ABA, covering design requirements for disabled access including routes, entrances, restrooms, parking, and various building elements.

Federal accessibility mandates impose substantial compliance costs on businesses and property owners, distort market incentives, and federalize what should be state/local matters. While well-intentioned, these regulations create unintended consequences like reduced housing supply and higher construction costs that disproportionately harm the very people they aim to help.

Implements the American Television and Radio Archives Act by authorizing the Library of Congress to reproduce, compile, and distribute television and radio news broadcasts for research purposes. It sets procedures for recording, preservation, compilation by subject, and controlled loan to researchers or qualifying libraries.

Duplicates private news archives, wastes taxpayer resources, and represents unnecessary federal overreach. Research access to news can be efficiently provided by the private sector without federal funding and compulsory collection of broadcast content.

Regulates behavior and activities on Library of Congress premises, including conduct, prohibited activities, demonstrations, photography, gambling, weapons, food, inspections, penalties, and solicitation.

The regulation imposes excessive restrictions on public behavior and activities, creating a burdensome environment for visitors and potentially infringing on First Amendment rights. The costs of enforcement and the chilling effect on free expression outweigh any benefits. Many of these rules could be handled by existing laws and local regulations, reducing the need for federal oversight.

Library of Congress internal administrative regulations governing media relations, gift acceptance, material disposition, logo usage, and accessibility services for the blind/visually impaired, plus standard federal contracting clauses for software licenses and copyright compliance.

These regulations are internal administrative procedures for a single federal agency that could be managed through standard agency policies without federal codification. The extensive detail on media relations, gift acceptance procedures, and logo usage represents regulatory overreach - these are operational matters that should be handled through agency discretion rather than binding federal rules. The software license clauses, while attempting to protect federal interests, create unnecessary legal complexity and could be addressed through simpler procurement guidelines.

This regulation implements restrictions on U.S. vessels departing U.S. territorial waters and entering Cuban territorial waters, requiring permits and imposing penalties for non-compliance. It establishes Coast Guard authority to control vessel movement, board vessels, and enforce compliance with permit requirements and verbal assurances against entering Cuban waters.

This regulation imposes significant compliance costs and bureaucratic burdens on maritime commerce, restricts freedom of movement, and represents federal overreach into what should be matters of international navigation and private property rights. The $25,000 daily civil penalties and potential vessel seizure create severe financial risks for small vessel operators, while the permit system creates unnecessary delays and costs for legitimate maritime activities. These restrictions distort market incentives, protect incumbent shipping interests from competition, and violate principles of limited government by federalizing what are essentially international navigation matters.

Federal regulation implementing procedures for processing and settling personnel and general claims under various statutes, covering DoD and non-DoD components with appeal and reconsideration processes.

Creates unnecessary bureaucratic complexity and costs for processing claims that could be handled more efficiently through simpler administrative procedures or existing court systems. The multi-tiered appeal process with multiple agencies adds overhead without improving outcomes for claimants.