Overview
Title
To require agencies to repeal three existing regulations before issuing a new regulation, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants to make sure that if a group in the government wants to make a new rule, they have to first get rid of three old ones. This is to keep things simple and not have too many rules people have to follow.
Summary AI
H.R. 377 is a proposed law called the “Regulation Reduction Act of 2025” that aims to cut down on regulations by requiring federal agencies to repeal three existing rules before they can issue a new one. It applies to rules that impose costs or responsibilities on people or state and local governments, but not to rules about an agency's own internal policies or that are being simplified. The bill also sets a requirement that new major rules must be equal to or less costly than the rules being repealed, with cost certification by the Office of Management and Budget. Additionally, within 90 days of the bill’s enactment, each agency must review its existing rules and report to Congress any that are considered costly, ineffective, or outdated.
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AnalysisAI
The proposed legislation, known as the "Regulation Reduction Act of 2025", aims to streamline regulatory processes by requiring federal agencies to repeal three existing regulations before they can issue a new one. This reduction mandate also applies to significant rules, termed major rules, with an additional stipulation that the cost of implementing a new major rule must not exceed the costs of the repealed rules. Agencies are expected to publish any repealed rules and submit reports identifying outdated or ineffective regulations.
Summary of Significant Issues
One major concern with this bill is the possibility of creating regulatory hurdles that might hinder the swift implementation of necessary regulations. Requiring the repeal of three regulations for every new one could delay actions vital for public safety and welfare. The subjective nature of determining whether a rule is "related" to the new rule presents another challenge, as this could lead to inconsistent applications and interpretations.
Moreover, the bill mandates a cost certification for new major rules, stating that their cost should not exceed that of the repealed rules. However, this process lacks provisions for reviewing the decisions by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, raising concerns about transparency and accountability. Lastly, the 90-day period for agencies to review existing regulations might be overly ambitious given the complexity of the task, thereby risking incomplete or hasty assessments.
Impact on the Public
The general public might experience benefits if the bill leads to reduced regulatory burdens and less bureaucratic red tape. Simplified and fewer regulations could potentially make compliance easier for businesses and other organizations, potentially fostering innovation and economic activity. However, the rigorous requirement to repeal regulations could also prove harmful if it leads to delays in implementing needed rules that protect public health, safety, and the environment.
Impact on Stakeholders
Businesses and industries might see this bill as an opportunity to alleviate regulatory pressures, thereby reducing compliance costs and increasing operational flexibility. Conversely, regulatory agencies could face challenges in balancing the need to both modernize and eliminate outdated regulations without compromising their mandate to protect public interests.
For regulatory bodies, the necessity of repealing regulations might strain resources and slow down the introduction of necessary improvements or updates to existing regulatory frameworks. Furthermore, environmental and consumer advocacy groups may be concerned that essential protections might be rolled back to meet repeal requirements, potentially jeopardizing safety standards and public well-being.
Overall, while the "Regulation Reduction Act of 2025" aims to simplify the regulatory landscape, its implementation could have complex ramifications. Balancing the need for efficient regulation with the importance of public protection will be critical in assessing the bill's long-term impact.
Issues
The requirement to repeal three existing regulations before issuing a new one under Section 2 may create significant regulatory hurdles, potentially impacting the effectiveness of agencies and compromising public safety by delaying necessary new regulations.
The lack of a clear definition for what constitutes a 'related' rule in Section 2 could lead to inconsistent application and confusion among agencies, thereby undermining the bill’s intent.
The cost certification process mandated under Section 2(2)(B) does not provide mechanisms for review or challenge of the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs' decisions, potentially leading to unchecked and arbitrary cost calculations.
The broad exclusion of regulations related to internal policies or revisions meant to decrease burdens in Section 2(4) is not clearly defined, potentially creating loopholes for agencies to circumvent the repeal requirement.
The 90-day timeframe for agency heads to review and report on existing regulations as outlined in Section 2(5) may not be feasible given the complexity and volume of regulations, potentially leading to rushed and incomplete assessments.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section introduces the official title of the act, which is “Regulation Reduction Act of 2025.”
2. Repeal of regulations required before issuance of a new rule Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
An agency cannot issue a new regulation unless it first repeals three related regulations, except for certain types of rules related to internal agency policies. For major rules, the costs of the new rule must not exceed those of the repealed ones, and these changes must be certified and published. Each agency must review and report to Congress any outdated or ineffective rules.