Featured Stories
White House Announces 6 Bills Being Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The White House issued the following news:
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Congressional Bills H.R. 3657, H.R. 7250, S. 550, S. 603, S. 759 and S. 790 Signed into Law
September 25, 2026
On Friday, September 25, 2026, the President signed into law:
H.R. 3657, the "Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act," which requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to submit annually to the Congress a report on the status of outstanding hydropower licensing applications;
H.R. 7250, which reauthorizes appropriations for the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System;
S. 550, which grants jurisdiction
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The White House issued the following news:
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Congressional Bills H.R. 3657, H.R. 7250, S. 550, S. 603, S. 759 and S. 790 Signed into Law
September 25, 2026
On Friday, September 25, 2026, the President signed into law:
H.R. 3657, the "Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act," which requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to submit annually to the Congress a report on the status of outstanding hydropower licensing applications;
H.R. 7250, which reauthorizes appropriations for the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System;
S. 550, which grants jurisdictionfor the United States Court of Federal Claims to hear and render judgment on land claims of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma under a certain treaty;
S. 603, which designates the General George C. Marshall House, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, as an affiliated area of the National Park System;
S. 759, the "Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act," which requires the Department of Commerce to make available, on a publicly accessible website, geographic data identifying areas within the United States' exclusive economic zone that are subject to regulatory restrictions on fishing, boating, and other recreational activities; and
S. 790, which redesignates the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, Wyoming, as the Barbara L. Cubin National Historic Trails Interpretive Center.
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Original text here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2026/09/congressional-bills-h-r-3657-h-r-7250-s-550-s-603-s-759-and-s-790-signed-into-law/
Surface Transportation Board Issues Decision Involving 5E SVM Railway, Trona Railway
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Surface Transportation Board issued the following decision (Docket No. FD 36955) entitled "5E SVM Railway Co. LLC - Acquisition and Operation Exemption - Assets of Trona Railway Co. LLC":
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Digest:/1 This decision permits 5E SVM Railway Company, LLC, to acquire the rail line of Trona Railway Company LLC, Debtor, on an expedited basis.
On September 16, 2026, 5E SVM Railway Company, LLC (SVMR), a noncarrier, filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 C.F.R. Sec. 1150.31 to acquire and operate a rail line owned by Trona Railway
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Surface Transportation Board issued the following decision (Docket No. FD 36955) entitled "5E SVM Railway Co. LLC - Acquisition and Operation Exemption - Assets of Trona Railway Co. LLC":
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Digest:/1 This decision permits 5E SVM Railway Company, LLC, to acquire the rail line of Trona Railway Company LLC, Debtor, on an expedited basis.
On September 16, 2026, 5E SVM Railway Company, LLC (SVMR), a noncarrier, filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 C.F.R. Sec. 1150.31 to acquire and operate a rail line owned by Trona RailwayCompany LLC, Debtor (TRC), extending from milepost 0.0 at Searles Junction, Cal., to the end of the line at milepost 30.6 in Trona, Cal., a distance of approximately 30.6 miles. TRC provides rail service to a mining facility in Trona that is owned by TRC's parent, Searles Valley Minerals Inc. (SVM). (Pet. 1.) Notice of the exemption was published in the Federal Register on September 25, 2026 (91 Fed. Reg. 61,020).
Under 49 C.F.R. Sec. 1150.32(b) a notice of exemption will be effective 30 days after it is filed. Thus, the earliest SVMR could consummate the transaction would be October 16, 2026 (30 days after the exemption was filed).
With its notice, however, SVMR filed a petition to waive the 30-day effectiveness period to permit SVMR's notice of exemption to become effective September 30, 2026. The petition explains that both SVM and TRC have entered into bankruptcy and that SVMR's parent, 5E SVM, LLC (5E SVM), has entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with SVM, TRC, and a third SVM affiliate providing for the acquisition by 5E SVM or its designee of substantially all of the assets of SVM, including the rail assets of TRC. (Pet. 1-2.) SVMR states that it was formed as a new noncarrier subsidiary of 5E SVM to acquire the TRC assets and to provide rail service to the Trona mining operation that will be acquired by a SVMR affiliate. (Id. at 2.) SVMR indicates that it will be providing employment to all nine of TRC's employees and will assume the existing collective bargaining agreement of the TRC employees. (Id. at 3.) According to the petition, the parties intend to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement on October 1, 2026, and if the sale of the rail assets cannot close at that time, the estates of SVM and TRC would incur substantial additional professional costs and TRC's employees would experience uncertainty as they transition to SVMR. (Id. at 2.) SVMR also argues that incurring additional expenses will deplete the estates' remaining assets, thereby reducing the ultimate recovery available to creditors. (Id.)
For good cause shown, the Board will grant the unopposed petition and waive the 30-day requirement under 49 C.F.R. Sec. 1150.32(b) to permit the exemption to take effect immediately. While the Board takes seriously the requirements of 49 C.F.R. Sec. 1150.32(b), the circumstances of this case indicate that a waiver is appropriate, especially given that it is unopposed and given the negative impact that a disruption would have on TRC's employees, as well as the additional costs to the parties of the Asset Purchase Agreement.
It is ordered:
1. The petition for waiver is granted.
2. The 30-day provision under 49 C.F.R. Sec. 1150.32(b) is waived, and SVMR's notice of exemption shall become effective on the service date of this decision.
3. This decision is effective on its date of service.
By the Board, Board Members Fuchs, Hedlund, Kloster, and Schultz.
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Footnote:
1/ The digest constitutes no part of the decision of the Board but has been prepared for the convenience of the reader. It may not be cited to or relied upon as precedent. See Pol'y Statement on Plain Language Digs. in Decisions, EP 696 (STB served Sept. 2, 2010).
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Original text here: https://dcms-external.s3.amazonaws.com/DCMS_External_PROD/1790347477849/53257.pdf
FEC Issues Digest for Week of Sept. 21-25, 2026
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The Federal Election Commission issued the following weekly digest:
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Commission meetings and hearings
No open meetings or executive sessions were scheduled this week.
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Litigation
Judicial Watch, Inc. v. FEC (Case No. 26-149) On September 18, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a Minute Order dismissing the case with prejudice.
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Upcoming educational opportunities
September 30, 2026: The Commission is scheduled to host FECFile and reporting webinars for candidate committees.
October 7, 2026: The Commission is scheduled to host
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The Federal Election Commission issued the following weekly digest:
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Commission meetings and hearings
No open meetings or executive sessions were scheduled this week.
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Litigation
Judicial Watch, Inc. v. FEC (Case No. 26-149) On September 18, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a Minute Order dismissing the case with prejudice.
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Upcoming educational opportunities
September 30, 2026: The Commission is scheduled to host FECFile and reporting webinars for candidate committees.
October 7, 2026: The Commission is scheduled to hostFECFile and reporting webinars for PACs and party committees.
For more information on upcoming training opportunities, see the Commission's Trainings page.
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Upcoming reporting due dates
October 15: October Quarterly Reports are due. For more information, see the 2026 Quarterly Reporting schedule.
October 20: October Monthly Reports are due. For more information, see the 2026 Monthly Reporting schedule.
October 22: 12-Day Pre-General Election Reports are due. For more information, see the 2026 Pre- and Post-General Reporting schedule.
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Additional research materials
Contribution Limits: In addition to the current limits, the Commission has posted an archive of contribution limits that were in effect going back to the 1975-1976 election cycles.
Federal election results are available. The data was compiled from the official vote totals published by state election offices.
FEC Notify: Want to be notified by email when campaign finance reports are received by the agency? Sign up here.
The Combined Federal State Disclosure and Election Directory is available. This publication identifies the federal and state agencies responsible for the disclosure of campaign finances, lobbying, personal finances, public financing, candidates on the ballot, election results, spending on state initiatives, and other financial filings.
The Presidential Election Campaign Fund Tax Checkoff Chart provides information on balance of the Fund, monthly deposits into the Fund reported by the Department of the Treasury, payments from the Fund as certified by the FEC, and participation rates of taxpayers as reported by the Internal Revenue Service. For more information on the Presidential Public Funding Program, see the Public Funding of Presidential Elections page.
The FEC Record is available as a continuously updated online news source.
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Original text here: https://www.fec.gov/updates/week-of-september-21-25-2026/
FCC Wireline Competition Bureau Issues Public Notice: Application of Verizon to Discontinue Domestic Legacy Voice Service as Part of Technology Transition is Not Automatically Granted
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau issued the following public notice (WC Docket No. 26-227):
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On August 10, 2026, Verizon ILEC affiliates (collectively, Verizon),/1 filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) requesting authority, under section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Sec. 214, and section 63.71 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR Sec. 63.71, to discontinue residential and business legacy TDM-based voice service in portions of Arizona, Delaware, New Jersey,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau issued the following public notice (WC Docket No. 26-227):
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On August 10, 2026, Verizon ILEC affiliates (collectively, Verizon),/1 filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) requesting authority, under section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Sec. 214, and section 63.71 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR Sec. 63.71, to discontinue residential and business legacy TDM-based voice service in portions of Arizona, Delaware, New Jersey,New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia./2
On August 26, 2026, the Commission released a public notice seeking comment on the Application and stating that the Application would be automatically granted on September 26, 2026./3
The Commission requires additional time to complete its review. Accordingly, the Application as filed with the Commission will not be automatically granted./4
We emphasize that our removal of Verizon's application from the automatic grant process is not a final determination on the merits of Verizon's request for authority to discontinue service.
For further information on procedures regarding section 214 applications, please visit https://www.fcc.gov/general/domestic-section-214-discontinuance-service.
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Footnotes:
1/ Citizens Telecommunications Company of Utah d/b/a Frontier Communications of Utah; Citizens Telecommunications Company of the White Mountains, Inc. d/b/a Frontier Communications of the White Mountains; Citizens Utilities Rural Company, Inc. d/b/a Frontier Citizens Utilities Rural; Frontier Communications of the Carolinas LLC; Frontier Communications of Michigan, Inc.; Frontier Communications of the Southwest, Inc.; Frontier Communications of Virginia, Inc.; Frontier North Inc.; Navajo Communications Company, Inc.; Verizon Delaware LLC; Verizon New England Inc. d/b/a Verizon Rhode Island; Verizon New Jersey Inc.; Verizon South Inc.; and Verizon Virginia LLC (Verizon).
2/ See Section 63.71 Application of Verizon, WC Docket No. 26-227 (filed Aug. 10, 2026) (Application), https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/26110070306/1.
3/ See Comments Invited on Verizon's Section 214 Application to Discontinue Domestic Legacy Voice Service as Part of a Technology Transition, Public Notice, WC Docket No. 26-227 (WCB Aug. 26, 2026), available at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-890A1.pdf.
4/ Section 63.71(f) of the Commission's rules states, in relevant part, that such applications to discontinue, reduce, or impair service "shall be automatically granted on the 31st day... unless the Commission has notified the applicant that the grant will not be automatically effective." 47 CFR Sec. 63.71(f).
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Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1038A1.pdf
ERDC, USACE Tulsa District Work to Develop HABs Prevention Framework
VICKSBURG, Mississippi, Sept. 26 -- The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center issued the following news story:
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ERDC, USACE Tulsa District work to develop HABs prevention framework
By Justus Reed, Public Affairs Specialist
Marion Reservoir, Kansas - At Marion Reservoir, where harmful algal blooms can threaten drinking water, recreation and aquatic ecosystems for months at a time, researchers are working to give water managers something they rarely have: an opportunity to act before a bloom takes hold.
A team from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's (ERDC)
... Show Full Article
VICKSBURG, Mississippi, Sept. 26 -- The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center issued the following news story:
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ERDC, USACE Tulsa District work to develop HABs prevention framework
By Justus Reed, Public Affairs Specialist
Marion Reservoir, Kansas - At Marion Reservoir, where harmful algal blooms can threaten drinking water, recreation and aquatic ecosystems for months at a time, researchers are working to give water managers something they rarely have: an opportunity to act before a bloom takes hold.
A team from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's (ERDC)Environmental Laboratory (EL) recently collaborated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Tulsa District and several other federal, state, academic, and local partners to complete field sampling. The researchers also led a multi-agency technical workshop to establish a scientific framework for proactive HABs management at the reservoir.
Historically, HABs management has focused heavily on monitoring and responding once bloom conditions develop. Traditional measures include collecting water-quality samples, evaluating cyanobacterial abundance or toxin concentrations, communicating risks to the public, issuing recreational advisories or access restrictions when necessary, and responding to challenges experienced by drinking-water utilities. While these measures are vital, they primarily address the consequences of HABs after they've become abundant.
The preventative framework intends to complement existing monitoring and response activities by adding an early management component.
Marion Reservoir served as an ideal location because HABs are recurrent and can appear as early as May and continue into the fall, creating prolonged periods when active HABs can threaten reservoir uses.
"For drinking water utilities, cyanobacterial blooms can create treatment challenges and concerns associated with cyanotoxins, taste and odor compounds, and high concentrations of algal biomass," said Dr. Alyssa Eck, a research biologist with ERDC. "For recreational users, severe blooms can result in advisories or restrictions intended to limit human exposure. HABs can also alter water quality and ecological conditions within the reservoir."
Research at the site could give managers an edge in controlling toxins and preventing them from damaging the environment.
"These challenges are not unique to Marion Reservoir," said Eck. "Many reservoirs experience recurring cyanobacterial blooms, which makes Marion a useful case study for examining whether managers can intervene more strategically before blooms become severe."
Because other reservoirs and lakes face similar challenges, the newly developed framework is designed to guide managers of other bodies of water in their efforts to eliminate HABs.
"Although the framework is being developed around conditions at Marion Reservoir, the overall approach is intended to be transferable to other reservoirs and lakes experiencing recurring HABs," said Justin Wilkins, an ERDC research biologist. "The specific causes of blooms, dominant cyanobacteria, hydrology, nutrient sources, and management constraints will differ among water bodies, so there is unlikely to be a single treatment that works everywhere."
A universal decision-making process could make the framework ideal for all reservoir managers.
"What is transferable is the decision-making process," said Wilkins. "The framework begins by reviewing historical monitoring and research to understand when and where blooms occur, identifying areas that may disproportionately contribute to bloom initiation or public exposure, evaluating management technologies appropriate for those conditions, establishing realistic treatment goals, and monitoring whether those actions produce intended responses. This provides managers with a more structured approach."
The framework also broadens managers' awareness, enabling them to act quickly to eliminate the problem rather than only recognizing its existence.
"Instead of waiting until a bloom is fully established, preventative management seeks to reduce bloom initiation, delay bloom onset, or decrease overall bloom magnitude," said Dr. Andrew McQueen, an ERDC research biologist. "One potential strategy involves targeting areas where cyanobacteria overwinter in reservoir sediments. Some bloom-forming cyanobacteria can persist in sediments and contribute cells to the water column when environmental conditions become favorable in the spring. Early-season interventions in locations with high bloom-initiation potential could therefore reduce the number of cells available to seed subsequent blooms. Potential approaches include targeted algaecide applications, sediment capping materials, or other technologies designed to limit recruitment from sediments."
During the workshop, professionals discussed the framework's staying power and brainstormed strategies to efficiently stop HABs development.
"The workshop also considered treatment longevity and monitoring efficiency," said McQueen. "Strategies that remain effective for longer periods, reduce the need for repeated treatments, or allow managers to detect bloom development using more rapid and less labor-intensive monitoring approaches could substantially improve the long-term economics of HABs management."
The workshop's success is a testament to ERDC, the Tulsa District, and its fellow partners collaborating to achieve a common goal with hopes of strengthening the entire USACE.
"The experience partnering with the ERDC team has been outstanding and highly professional," said Eugene Goff, an operations project manager for the Kansas Office of Personnel Services (OPS). "We are pleased with the progress along with prompt responses and communications to keep the project moving forward in a positive manner."
Eck added, "The workshop allowed operational knowledge to be combined with technical expertise and helped focus the discussion on solutions that are both scientifically defensible and operationally practical."
The collective's next step is to translate the technical workshop discussions into a more defined preventative management strategy for the Marion Reservoir, with monitoring being a critical part of the process.
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Original text here: https://www.erdc.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Stories/Article/4611944/erdc-usace-tulsa-district-work-to-develop-habs-prevention-framework/
BLS Issues Report on Employee Benefits in the United States March 2026
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 (TNSLrpt) -- Employee Benefits in the United States March 2026 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics - Sept. 25, 2026 (18 pages)
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Retirement benefits were available to 72 percent of private industry workers in March 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Seventy percent of private industry workers had access to defined contribution plans and 14 percent had access to defined benefit plans. Fifty-two percent of private industry workers participated in retirement plans, 49 percent participated in defined contribution plans,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 (TNSLrpt) -- Employee Benefits in the United States March 2026 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics - Sept. 25, 2026 (18 pages)
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Retirement benefits were available to 72 percent of private industry workers in March 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Seventy percent of private industry workers had access to defined contribution plans and 14 percent had access to defined benefit plans. Fifty-two percent of private industry workers participated in retirement plans, 49 percent participated in defined contribution plans,and 9 percent participated in defined benefit plans. Among state and local government workers, 92 percent of workers had access to retirement benefits and 81 percent participated. Thirty-nine percent had access to defined contribution plans with a participation rate of 20 percent and 86 percent had access to defined benefit plans with a participation rate of 75 percent. (See chart 1 and table 1.)
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Chart 1. Access to and participation in retirement benefits by ownership, March 2026
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Fifty-nine percent of private industry workers had access to life insurance plans, 44 percent had access to short-term disability plans, and 37 percent had access to long-term disability plans. Eighty-four percent of state and local government workers had access to life insurance plans, 26 percent had access to short-term disability plans, and 41 percent had access to long-term disability plans. (See chart 2 and table 5.)
Paid vacation leave was available to 80 percent of private industry workers, 81 percent had access to paid holidays, 81 percent had access to paid sick leave, 49 percent had access to paid family and medical leave, and 51 percent had access to paid personal leave. Among state and local government workers, 61 percent had access to paid vacation, 68 percent had access to paid holidays, 93 percent had access to paid sick leave, 57 percent had access to paid family and medical leave, and 63 percent had access to paid personal leave. (See chart 3 and table 6.)
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Chart 2. Access to insurance benefits by ownership, March 2026
Chart 3. Access to selected paid leave benefits by ownership, March 2026
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Seventy-one percent of private industry workers had access to medical care plans and 46 percent of workers participated. Dental care was available to 44 percent of private industry workers with a participation rate of 32 percent. Vision care was available to 29 percent of workers with 22 percent participating. Among state and local government workers, 89 percent had access to medical care benefits with 67 percent of workers participating, 62 percent had access to dental care benefits with 50 percent of workers participating, and 39 percent had access to vision care benefits with 31 percent participating. (See chart 4 and table 2.)
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Chart 4. Access to and participation in healthcare benefits by ownership, March 2026
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Highlights of employer-sponsored benefits
Occupational group
* Among private industry workers, access to nonproduction bonuses ranged from 37 percent for service occupations to 61 percent for management, professional, and related occupations.
* Among state and local government workers, access to subsidized commuting was available for 10 percent of service occupations and 22 percent of production, transportation, and material moving occupations.
Work status
* Eighty-nine percent of full-time civilian workers and 23 percent of part-time workers had access to medical care benefits. The take-up rate was 68 percent for full-time workers and 49 percent for part-time workers.
* Ninety-nine percent of full-time state and local government workers had access to retirement benefits and 88 percent participated, while 44 percent of part-time workers had access to retirement benefits and 37 percent participated.
* In the private industry, 87 percent of full-time workers had access to medical care benefits and the take-up rate was 67 percent. Twenty-three percent of part-time workers had access to these benefits and the take-up rate was 47 percent.
Industry group
* Access to paid sick leave for private industry workers ranged from 58 percent for the leisure and hospitality industry to 98 percent for both the information industry and the finance and insurance industry.
* Among all workers, 60 percent of workers in the education and health services industry had access to defined contribution plans; 42 percent participated in money purchase pension plans and 9 percent participated in deferred profit sharing plans.
Average wage category
* Access to student loan repayment assistance ranged from 3 percent for the lowest 25 percent average wage category to 15 percent for the highest 25 percent average wage category among private industry workers.
* Access to healthcare flexible spending accounts for state and local government workers was 57 percent for the lowest 10 percent average wage category and 72 percent for the highest 10 percent average wage category.
Census regions
* Life insurance access among state and local government workers was 82 percent in the Midwest census region and 86 percent in the South census region. The take-up rate was 97 percent for Midwest census region workers and 97 percent for South census region workers.
* Access to short-term disability plans was available to 36 percent of civilian workers in the South census region with a participation rate of 35 percent. Sixty-six percent of civilian workers in the Northeast census region had access with a participation rate of 65 percent.
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TECHNICAL NOTE
Estimates in this release are from the National Compensation Survey (NCS), conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The NCS provides comprehensive measures of compensation cost levels and trends and also provides benefits incidence estimates on the percentage of workers with access to and participating in employer-provided benefit plans.
Employee Benefits data: The Employee Benefits in the United States, March 2026 includes additional details on the coverage, costs, and provisions of employer-sponsored benefits, and will be published shortly after this news release. See www.bls.gov/ebs/publications/annual-benefits-summary.htm for the latest benefits publications. Historical estimates are also accessible in XLSX format at www.bls.gov/web/ebs2/employee-benefits-in-the-us.zip and through the database query tool at www.bls.gov/ebs/data.htm.
Standard errors: Measures of reliability are available for published estimates, which provide users with a measure of the precision of an estimate, to ensure that it is within an acceptable range for their intended purpose. For further information see www.bls.gov/ebs/technical-notes/standard-errors.htm.
Comparing private and public sector data: Incidence of employee benefits in state and local government should not be directly compared to private industry. Differences between these sectors stem from factors such as variation in work activities and occupational structures. Manufacturing and sales, for example, make up a large part of private industry work activities but are rare in state and local government.
Civilian workers: Statistics for private industry and state and local government are published separately and then combined to measure the civilian economy. Excluded from the civilian economy are workers employed in federal government and quasi-federal agencies, military personnel, agricultural workers, volunteers, unpaid workers, individuals receiving long-term disability compensation, and those working overseas. In addition, private industry excludes workers in private households, the self-employed, workers who set their own pay (e.g., proprietors, owners, major stockholders, and partners in unincorporated firms), and family members paid token wages.
Leave benefits for teachers: Primary, secondary, and special education teachers typically have a contracted work schedule of 37 or 38 weeks per year. Because of this work schedule, they are generally not offered vacations or holidays. In many cases, the time off during winter and spring break during the school year are not considered vacation days for the purposes of this survey.
Medical care premiums: The estimates for medical care premiums are not based on actual decisions regarding medical coverage made by employees; instead, it is assumed that all employees in the occupation can opt for single or family coverage. Monthly premiums are collected when possible. Annual premiums are converted to monthly premiums by dividing by 12 months.
Sample rotation: One-third of the private industry sample is rotated each year except in years when the government sample is replaced. The government sample is replaced less frequently than the private industry sample. The state and local government sample was replaced in its entirety for the March 2017 reference period. An update of the state and local government sample is in progress. It will be fully replenished for the March 2027 reference period.
Classification system: The National Compensation Survey publishes estimates of compensation costs and trends as well as benefit coverage by ownership, industry group, occupational group, and geographic areas, see www.bls.gov/eci/factsheets/national-compensation-survey-classification-systemsmapping-files.htm.
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Table: Sample size: Survey establishment response1, March 2026
Table: Survey scope: Number of workers represented1, March 2026
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Average hourly wage percentiles: Estimates by worker average wage are grouped into six wage categories- the lowest 10 percent, the lowest 25 percent, the second 25 percent, the third 25 percent, the highest 25 percent, and the highest 10 percent. The categories use percentile values based on unpublished March 2026 wages and salaries from the BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation publication at www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ecec_06122026.htm.
The percentiles are computed using hourly wages and salaries along with scheduled hours of work reported for individual workers in sampled establishments. Establishments in the survey are asked to report only individual worker wages and salaries for each sampled job. For the calculation of the percentile values, the individual worker hourly wages and salaries are weighted and arrayed from lowest to highest. The values corresponding to the percentiles are:
[View table in the link at bottom.]
The lowest 10- and 25-percent wage categories include those occupations with an average hourly rate less than the 10th percentile value and 25th percentile value, respectively. The second 25-percent category includes those occupations with rates at or above the 25th percentile value but less than the 50th percentile value. The third 25-percent category includes those occupations with rates at or above the 50th percentile value but less than the 75th percentile value. Finally, the highest 25- and 10-percent wage categories include those occupations with an average hourly wage greater than or equal to the 75th percentile value and 90th percentile value, respectively.
Individual workers can fall into a wage category different from the average for the occupation into which they are classified because average hourly wages for the occupation are used to produce the benefit estimates.
Obtaining information: For articles on employee benefits, see the Monthly Labor Review benefits section at www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/subject/b.htm and Beyond the Numbers: Pay and Benefits at www.bls.gov/opub/btn/archive/home.htm. The Economics Daily articles archive is available at www.bls.gov/opub/ted/employee-benefits-survey.htm. For technical information, see "Employee Benefits," in the BLS Handbook of Methods at www.bls.gov/opub/hom/eb/.
Benefit publications from 1980 to the present are also available at www.bls.gov/ebs/publications/annualbenefits-summary.htm. The latest glossary of benefit terms is available at www.bls.gov/ebs/publications/national-compensation-survey-glossary-of-employee-benefit-terms.htm. In addition, the public databases may also be used to obtain data from 1985 to 2006 and 2010 to the present, see www.bls.gov/ebs/data.htm.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
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Table 1. Retirement benefits: Access, participation, and take-up rates, March 20261
Table 1. Retirement benefits: Access, participation, and take-up rates, March 20261 -- Continued
Table 2. Medical care benefits: Access, participation, and take-up rates, March 2026
Table 2. Medical care benefits: Access, participation, and take-up rates, March 2026 -- Continued
Table 3. Medical plans: Share of premiums paid by employer and employee for single coverage, March 2026
Table 3. Medical plans: Share of premiums paid by employer and employee for single coverage, March 2026 -- Continued
Table 4. Medical plans: Share of premiums paid by employer and employee for family coverage, March 2026
Table 4. Medical plans: Share of premiums paid by employer and employee for family coverage, March 2026 -- Continued
Table 5. Life insurance benefits: Access, participation, and take-up rates, March 2026
Table 5. Life insurance benefits: Access, participation, and take-up rates, March 2026 -- Continued
Table 6. Selected paid leave benefits: Access, March 2026
Table 6. Selected paid leave benefits: Access, March 2026 -- Continued
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View original text plus charts and tables here: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ebs2.pdf
ATF Issues Four Explosives Rules to Modernize Storage Requirements, Close Out Decades-old Interim Regulations, and Strengthen First Responder Safety
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives issued the following news release:
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September 25, 2026
ATF issues four explosives rules to modernize storage requirements, close out decades-old interim regulations, and strengthen first responder safety
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WASHINGTON -- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives today announced four explosives regulatory actions, two final rules and two proposed rules, that modernize storage and reporting requirements, close out decades-old interim regulations, and provide local fire
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives issued the following news release:
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September 25, 2026
ATF issues four explosives rules to modernize storage requirements, close out decades-old interim regulations, and strengthen first responder safety
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WASHINGTON -- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives today announced four explosives regulatory actions, two final rules and two proposed rules, that modernize storage and reporting requirements, close out decades-old interim regulations, and provide local firedepartments with better information about explosive material stored in their communities.
"These rules reflect what we've heard from industry and first responders alike: requirements should be clear, current, and focused on real safety outcomes," said ATF Director Rob Cekada. "We're finishing work that has been open since 2003, eliminating outdated and duplicative requirements, and making sure the firefighters who respond to emergencies know what they're walking into."
Final Rules
The following final rules will be effective on Oct. 26, 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
* Implementation of the Safe Explosives Act (RINs 1140-AA00/1140-AA20).
This rule finalizes two Department of Justice interim final rules issued in 2003 to implement the Safe Explosives Act, formally ending their interim status. It responds to public comments received in 2003, rescinds ATF Ruling 2003-5, and revises certain provisions in response to those comments. The changes clarify when federal licensees and permittees must report changes in responsible persons and authorized employees, eliminate the requirement to verify the identity of persons accepting delivery on behalf of distributees, and amend exemption language governing aspects of transporting explosive materials.
* Annual Reporting of Explosive Materials Storage Facilities to the Local Fire Authority (RIN 1140-AA51).
Under current regulations, persons storing explosives must notify the local fire authority only when they begin storing explosive materials at a location. This rule requires them to notify the local fire authority every 12 months thereafter of the location of their explosives magazines in that jurisdiction and to notify the authority when they stop storing explosives at that location. The rule is intended to increase safety, particularly for first responders.
Proposed Rules
* Explosive Magazine Safety and Housekeeping Requirements (RIN 1140-AA67).
This proposed rule would consolidate separate requirements governing smoking and open flames, storage within Type 1, 2, 3, and 4 magazines, and housekeeping into a single regulation. It would also codify guidance from ATF Ruling 2010-2, which authorized alternate storage of containers of explosive materials in magazines so that marks are not visible.
* Revising Requirements and Exceptions for Storing Explosives (RIN 1140-AA86).
This proposed rule would update the exceptions to the requirement that explosive materials be stored in locked magazines. ATF proposes adding a testing exception, removing restrictions that limit existing exceptions to materials being physically handled or transported to a site for storage or use, excepting materials to be imminently used or transported, and adopting a perforating gun exception. The changes would streamline on-site operations, reflect developments in industry practice, increase safety by reducing how often explosives are moved, and eliminate the requirement for Type 3 magazines.
Public Comment
The proposed rules will be published in the Federal Register on Sept. 25. ATF encourages industry members, first responders and the public to submit comments before the 60-day deadline of Nov. 24, at regulations.gov. The docket numbers are as follows:
* Explosive Magazine Safety and Housekeeping Requirements (RIN 1140-AA67) can be found under regulations.gov at ATF-2026-0364.
* Revising Requirements and Exceptions for Storing Explosives (RIN 1140-AA86) can be found under regulations.gov at ATF-2026-0365.
More information is available at atf.gov/explosives.
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ATF protects American communities from violent crime driven by the illegal use of firearms, explosives, and acts of arson. Through crime gun intelligence, forensic analysis, and relentless investigation, we identify and arrest violent offenders and gang members, dismantle trafficking networks, and sever the supply chains arming cartels, prohibited persons, and terrorist organizations. We defend the rights of law-abiding citizens by safeguarding lawful commerce and upholding the Constitution of the United States. Learn more about what ATF is doing to reduce violent crime in your community by following us on X @ATFHQ, Instagram @ATFHQ, LinkedIn @ATF, and Facebook @HQATF, or on the web at www.atf.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.atf.gov/news/press-releases/atf-issues-four-explosives-rules-to-modernize-storage-requirements-close-out-decades-old-interim-regulations-and-strengthen-first-responder-safety
