Regulation Decimation Act
Regulation Decimation Act
Plain Language Summary
# Regulation Decimation Act Summary **What the bill would do:** The Regulation Decimation Act would impose strict requirements on federal agencies before they can create new rules. Under this bill, agencies would need to repeal at least 10 existing rules before issuing any new rule that affects businesses, nonprofits, or state/local governments. For major rules (those with significant economic impact—such as $100+ million annual costs or major effects on employment and competition), agencies would have an even higher bar: they'd need to repeal 10+ rules AND ensure the new rule costs no more than the rules being eliminated. **Who it affects:** This bill would primarily impact federal agencies' regulatory operations and would affect businesses, nonprofits, state and local governments, and consumers who rely on regulations.
Environmental, labor, financial, and health agencies would likely face the most significant constraints, as these sectors produce numerous rules affecting nongovernmental entities. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee (HR 710, 119th Congress), meaning it has been introduced but not yet voted on by the full House. The bill's stated goal is to reduce the overall regulatory burden, though supporters and critics disagree on whether this approach would effectively streamline regulations or remove important protections.
CRS Official Summary
Regulation Decimation ActThis bill requires federal agencies to repeal certain existing rules prior to issuing a new rule.Specifically, the bill prohibits an agency from issuing a rule that imposes a cost or responsibility on a nongovernmental person or a state or local government unless it repeals ten or more related rules.Additionally, an agency may not issue a major rule that imposes such a cost or responsibility unless (1) the agency has repealed ten or more related rules, and (2) the cost of the new rule is less than or equal to the cost of the rules being repealed. A major rule is a rule that has resulted in or is likely to result in (1) an annual economic effect of at least $100 million; (2) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, government agencies, or geographic regions; or (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, or innovation.Any such repealed rule must be published in the Federal Register.This bill does not apply to a rule or major rule that (1) relates to an internal agency policy or practice, (2) relates to procurement, or (3) is being revised to be less burdensome to decrease requirements imposed or compliance costs.Additionally, each federal agency must submit to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget a report that includes a review of each rule of the agency and that identifies whether each rule is costly, ineffective, duplicative, or outdated.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.