S.712 - Regulation Decimation Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The Regulation Decimation Act mandates that for every new regulation issued by a federal agency, ten existing regulations must be repealed. This applies to all rules impacting non-governmental entities or state/local governments, excluding internal agency policies or revisions that lessen regulatory burdens. The Act also requires agencies to review existing rules for cost-effectiveness and directs the President to report on the overall reduction of regulations.
Expected Effects
The Act aims to reduce the overall regulatory burden by forcing agencies to prioritize and eliminate existing regulations when introducing new ones. This could lead to a streamlining of government processes and potentially lower compliance costs for businesses and individuals. However, it may also result in the removal of regulations that provide important protections or benefits.
Potential Benefits
- Potential reduction in compliance costs for businesses and individuals.
- Streamlining of government regulations and processes.
- Increased focus on the cost-effectiveness of regulations.
- Could lead to the removal of outdated or ineffective regulations.
- May encourage agencies to be more selective and deliberate in creating new regulations.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential loss of important protections or benefits provided by existing regulations.
- Risk of agencies prioritizing deregulation over public welfare.
- Could lead to unintended consequences if regulations are repealed without proper consideration.
- May create uncertainty and instability in the regulatory environment.
- The arbitrary '10-for-1' rule may not be suitable for all regulatory contexts.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act'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 agencies to repeal regulations before issuing new ones falls under Congress's authority to shape the regulatory landscape. However, the Act's potential impact on various areas (environment, health, etc.) could raise questions about whether it adequately balances the general welfare of the population, as mentioned in the Constitution's preamble.
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).