H.R.710 - Regulation Decimation Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.710, the "Regulation Decimation Act," mandates that for every new regulation issued by a federal agency, ten existing regulations must be repealed. This applies to both standard rules and major rules, with the latter also requiring that the cost of the new rule be less than or equal to the cost of the repealed rules, as certified by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.
The bill requires agencies to review their existing rules and identify those that are costly, ineffective, duplicative, or outdated. The President must submit a report to Congress on the number of rules in effect and the progress of rule reduction.
The Act aims to reduce the regulatory burden on nongovernmental entities and state/local governments, while excluding internal agency policies and revisions that lessen regulatory burdens.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill, if enacted, would be a significant reduction in the number of federal regulations. This could lead to decreased compliance costs for businesses and individuals.
However, it could also result in the removal of regulations that provide important protections in areas such as environmental protection, worker safety, or consumer protection. The actual impact will depend heavily on which specific regulations are targeted for repeal.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced compliance costs for businesses, potentially stimulating economic activity.
- Streamlining of regulations, making it easier for individuals and organizations to understand and follow the rules.
- Elimination of outdated or ineffective regulations, freeing up resources for more productive uses.
- Increased agency accountability through mandatory review and reporting requirements.
- Potential for innovation as businesses face fewer regulatory hurdles.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential weakening of environmental, health, safety, and consumer protections due to the repeal of necessary regulations.
- Risk of agencies prioritizing the quantity of regulations repealed over the quality and impact of those regulations.
- Increased uncertainty as agencies struggle to find ten regulations to repeal for every new one issued.
- Possible negative impacts on public health and safety if crucial regulations are eliminated.
- Potential for unintended consequences as the complex web of regulations is disrupted.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is primarily grounded in Article I, Section 1, which grants legislative powers to Congress, including the power to oversee and regulate federal agencies. The requirement for agency review and reporting to Congress aligns with Congress's oversight responsibilities.
However, the bill's broad mandate for repealing regulations could be challenged if it leads to the violation of other constitutional rights or protections, such as those related to environmental protection or public health, which, while not explicitly mentioned, are often tied to the general welfare clause.
The Act does not appear to infringe on any specific enumerated rights within the Constitution.
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).