Palek v. Rollins
Overview
Overview
The Electronic Privacy Information Center sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture over the department's alleged circumvention of the Privacy Act, Paperwork Reduction Act, and Administrative Procedures Act in its collection of information of SNAP applicants and recipients.
The Issue
Issue
Whether the U.S. Department of Agriculture violated the Privacy Act, Paperwork Reduction Act, and Administrative Procedures Act by circumventing statutory requirements in collecting information from SNAP applicants and recipients.
The Rules
Rule
The Privacy Act restricts federal agencies' collection, use, and disclosure of personal information; the Paperwork Reduction Act requires Office of Management and Budget approval before collecting information from ten or more persons; and the Administrative Procedures Act governs agency rulemaking and adjudication.
The Application
Analysis
EPIC alleges that USDA bypassed these statutory safeguards in its SNAP data collection efforts, potentially collecting personal information without proper Privacy Act notice, required PRA approval, or APA procedural compliance.
The Conclusion
Conclusion
The case remains active before the District Court of DC with no final determination reached, presided over by Judge Jia M. Cobb since the May 22, 2025 filing date.
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