Overview
Title
To amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to require Federal agencies to submit to the Comptroller General of the United States a report on rules that are revoked, suspended, replaced, amended, or otherwise made ineffective.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants government groups to tell a special rule-checker whenever they change or stop using their rules, so everyone knows what's going on. This rule-telling will only last for six years, like when you have a rule in your house that only lasts until you turn 12!
Summary AI
H.R. 8296 proposes changes to chapter 8 of title 5 of the United States Code, requiring federal agencies to report to the Comptroller General whenever they revoke, suspend, replace, amend, or make a rule ineffective. The bill seeks to ensure transparency by mandating agencies to provide details such as the rule's title, Federal Register citation, submission date, and a description of which parts are affected. This requirement will expire six years after the bill's enactment. The legislation, introduced by Mr. Bentz, aims to modernize how rule changes are tracked and reported.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
H.R. 8296, officially titled the "GAO Database Modernization Act of 2024," proposes an amendment to chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code. This amendment mandates that federal agencies must submit reports to the Comptroller General whenever they revoke, suspend, replace, amend, or otherwise make a rule ineffective. These reports should include the rule’s title, relevant citations from the Federal Register, the date of submission to the Comptroller General, and a summary of the changes made. Notably, the requirement to submit these reports will expire six years after the enactment of the bill.
Summary of Significant Issues
One significant issue raised by the bill is the lack of a clear process or criteria for determining when a rule is considered "ineffective." This ambiguity could lead to inconsistent interpretations among different federal agencies and possibly hinder the uniform application of the law. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the administrative burden placed on federal agencies by the reporting requirement, especially if the utility of these reports is not clearly defined or used effectively. Another issue is the absence of penalties or consequences for non-compliance, which could undermine the bill’s intent to promote accountability. Finally, the inclusion of a sunset clause might create a scenario where the benefits of the reporting process are prematurely discontinued, as there is no mechanism for extension or review.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the bill could enhance governmental transparency by keeping the public informed about changes in federal rules and regulations. This increased visibility and accountability could lead to better public understanding and engagement with government activities. However, if the administrative burden proves too onerous, it could divert essential resources away from other critical functions of federal agencies, potentially affecting the efficiency and effectiveness of public service delivery.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For government agencies, the requirement to submit detailed reports on regulatory changes might lead to increased administrative responsibilities, impacting their operational efficiency. If these agencies fail to comply with the reporting obligation due to unclear guidelines or excessive burdens, they might face reputational risks, despite the lack of explicit legal consequences outlined in the bill.
On the other hand, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Comptroller General could see an increased workload with the new influx of reports. This could improve oversight capabilities if the reports are effectively utilized but could also strain resources if the added responsibility is not matched with adequate support.
Overall, while the bill aims to foster transparency and accountability, its effectiveness will largely depend on the clarity of the processes it establishes and its implementation by federal agencies. The absence of a mechanism to address non-compliance and the potential administrative burden remain key challenges that might need addressing to maximize the bill's potential benefits.
Issues
The section on 'Rules no longer in effect' does not specify a clear process or criteria for determining when a rule is considered ineffective. This ambiguity could lead to inconsistent implementation and potential misuse, which may affect transparency and accountability (Section 2).
The requirement for Federal agencies to report to the Comptroller General when rules are made ineffective may create additional administrative burdens. Without clear indications of how these reports will be used effectively, this could lead to inefficiencies and excessive government spending (Section 2).
There is a lack of clarity about what happens if a Federal agency fails to submit the required report. This gap could lead to non-compliance issues without consequences, undermining the accountability of Federal agencies (Section 2).
The sunset clause, which removes the amendment after 6 years, might cause discontinuity if the reporting process is beneficial and needs to be continued. The lack of a mechanism for extension or review could lead to the abrupt termination of potentially valuable oversight (Section 2).
The short title in Section 1 is too brief and lacks sufficient information on what the 'GAO Database Modernization Act of 2024' entails. This absence of detail makes it difficult to assess potential wasteful spending or favoritism, leaving uncertainties for stakeholders (Section 1).
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 states that the official name for this Act is the "GAO Database Modernization Act of 2024".
2. Rules no longer in effect Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section amends U.S. law to require federal agencies to report to the Comptroller General when they change or cancel existing rules, providing details like the rule's title and changes made. This reporting requirement will expire six years after the law is enacted.