We’re thrilled to announce the release of timeline filtering for cross-references to the Federal Register. This feature will appear when you view timelines for sections that include cross-references in their history.
The timeline provides a detailed record of how a section has changed over time. Cross-reference entries are links to rules published in the Federal Register, having a future effect. They are added to provide notice of future regulatory amendments. These entries are an important signpost before the effective date, but once that date is reached, the changes are added, and the fact there there were links, historically, to those rule documents is typically not of interest. The timeline contains associated entries which may include no content changes at all, making the “view change introduced” links and associated comparisons less useful. This filtering feature saves users time and effort locating dates where amendments to the regulations took place.
The new filter option to hide cross-reference entries appears at the top right of relevant timelines. Additionally, when shown all entries, the entries without regulatory amendments will be designated by an outlined square □ (vs the standard filled square ■).
We’re working to improve timeline entries, with the goal of allowing users to quickly get a general impression of the history of a section. Let us know how we can improve this feature or what you’d like to see next, by using the Site Feedback button in the lower right corner of any page.