2026 Administrative Law Conference | | | | |
The American Bar Association Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice Section will present the Annual Fall Virtual CLE Conference on December 3-4, 2026.
TRG's own Andrew Emery is a co-chair for the event, and he will be leading panel discussions on Rulemaking 101 as well as AI in Rulemaking. Don't miss the discussions on the most pressing issues in administrative law.
Register for the fully virtual event here.
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52 Years of the Privacy Act
On November 21, 1974, the Senate passed the Privacy Act of 1974 that was signed into law on December 31st the same year. Fifty-two years later, this law governing how agencies collect, maintain, use, and disseminate information about individuals remains central to protecting privacy in federal record keeping, even as the technology behind those records continues to change.
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"Protecting privacy is fundamental in preserving the public's trust in government."
-Federal Privacy Council
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What does the Privacy Act do?
- Restricts information federal agencies can disclose about individuals.
- Allows individuals the right to access and request corrections to records federal agencies keep about them.
- Establishes fair information practices for how agencies collect, maintain, use, and share personal information.
- Provides mechanisms for enforcement.
The Privacy Act and rulemaking
The Privacy Act is closely tied to the regulatory process. Before an agency creates or significantly changes a system of records, it must publish a System of Records Notice in the Federal Register and give the public a chance to comment on how private information will be used. New databases, data-sharing arrangements, or digital services that handle personally identifiable information trigger these notification requirements.
Who oversees the Privacy Act?
Congress assigned implementation responsibilities to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which issues guidance to help agencies apply the Act as technology evolves. Within OMB, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) assists agencies on privacy matters, develops federal privacy policy, and oversees agency compliance.
The Privacy Act and technology
When the Act was written, most records were paper files. The core principles are still applicable in the digital age. As agencies adopt new technology and tools, OMB provides guidance and requirements to establish the highest privacy standards for collecting, maintaining, using, and sharing personal information in modern practice.
Learn more with TRG courses, including Regulatory Drafting & Process.
| | What's New in DocketScope? | Join the upcoming webinar or request a demo of DocketScope for your team today! | | |
Over 30 federal agencies use DocketScope® subscriptions so their staff can analyze public comments in-house, improving their rulemakings and saving time and money. Join our webinar to learn about the latest improvements in DocketScope.
DocketScope software for comments analysis harnesses data, workflow, and AI to make analyzing public comments faster, more precise, and less resource intensive. Its flexible, thoughtful design makes any project easier. Agencies report saving hundreds of hours, all while improving the notice-and-comment process. With an unmatched return on investment, DocketScope equips agencies with The Essential Tool for Efficiently Analyzing Public Comments, so they can confidently satisfy the Administrative Procedure Act and be prepared for judicial review.
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What's New in DocketScope?
November 18, 2026
12:00 PM ET
| | Did you know TRG offers training sessions exclusively for your agency staff? If you are interested in TRG's training courses (see below), TRG's GSA schedule provides incredible group discounts. Contact the TRG office for more information. | | | Training for Up To 25 Attendees* | GSA Discount | | One-Day Courses | 41% Off | | Two--Day Courses | 39% Off | | | *Virtual or in-person in the Washington, DC area. For in-person trainings outside the Washington, DC area, additional travel expenses will apply. | | TRG's courses provide practical, real-world explanations of how the regulatory process functions. Register individually and learn alongside professionals from government, industry, and advocacy groups. | |
TRG is offering a 10% discount off open enrollment course registrations for a limited time.
Register by November 30, 2026.
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- December 1-2, 2026
- January 12-13, 2027
- February 8-9, 2027
- March 8-9, 2027
- April 8-9, 2027
- May 10-11, 2027
- June 7-8, 2027
- July 14-15, 2027
- August 16-17, 2027
- September 13-14, 2027
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Commenter's Guide to
Notice & Comment Rulemaking
Wedesday, January 20, 2027
1:00-4:15 PM
This seminar focuses on writing useful comments and understanding the role of public comments in rulemaking. This seminar will help citizens and regulated entities effectively advocate for their views and impact important government policies. Read more on our website.
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Group discounts available!
Contact us at TRG@reg-group.com or (703) 224-9000 for more information.
| | Earn Continuing Legal Education Credit | | Our courses are currently approved in Pennsylvania and Virginia for the following CLE credits: | | |
3 CLE Credits:
- Commenter's Guide to Notice & Comment Rulemaking
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11 CLE Credits:
- Regulatory Drafting and Process
- Advanced Regulation Drafting
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5.5 CLE Credits:
- Agency Guidance
- Paperwork Reduction Act Compliance
- Federal Administrative Process
- Economic Analysis of Rulemaking
- Analyzing Public Comments
| | | | TRG offers consulting services for regulatory projects of all sizes. Whether you need help writing internal policies, drafting regulations, or analyzing public comments, we're here to assist. | | Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up for our newsletter to receive our updates. | | | | |
