H.R.510 - Regulatory Cooling Off Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 510, the Regulatory Cooling Off Act of 2025, proposes amending Title 5 of the United States Code to mandate a six-month delay before a final rule can take effect. This delay is intended to provide Congress and the public more time to review and potentially challenge new regulations. The bill also includes provisions for submitting finalized rules to Congress and publishing notices in the Federal Register and on agency websites.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be to slow down the implementation of new regulations across all sectors. This could lead to a decrease in the number of new regulations implemented annually. It also empowers Congress to exert greater oversight over agency rulemaking.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Scrutiny: Allows for more thorough review of regulations by Congress and the public.
- Reduced Errors: Provides agencies with more time to identify and correct potential flaws in proposed rules.
- Greater Transparency: Enhances transparency by requiring agencies to post rules online before publication in the Federal Register.
- Congressional Oversight: Strengthens congressional oversight of agency actions, ensuring rules align with legislative intent.
- Potential for Improved Rules: The cooling-off period could lead to the withdrawal or modification of poorly conceived regulations.
Potential Disadvantages
- Delayed Implementation: Hinders the timely implementation of necessary regulations, potentially delaying responses to urgent issues.
- Increased Bureaucracy: Adds another layer of bureaucracy to the rulemaking process, potentially increasing costs and complexity.
- Political Gridlock: Could be used to obstruct regulations based on political considerations rather than merit.
- Uncertainty for Businesses: Creates uncertainty for businesses as they await the final implementation of regulations.
- Agency Inefficiency: May lead to agency inefficiency as resources are spent on rules that may ultimately be delayed or rejected.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's requirement for agencies to submit finalized rules to Congress for referral to committees of jurisdiction aligns with Congress's legislative powers as outlined in Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution. This section vests all legislative powers in the Congress. The proposed changes to Title 5, which governs administrative procedure, fall within Congress's authority to regulate the functioning of the executive branch. However, some may argue that excessively delaying or obstructing agency rulemaking could impinge on the executive branch's duty to execute laws.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).