Bill · H.R. 1963· House(119-HR-1963)
Agency Accountability and Cost Transparency Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 3/6/2025
- Last activity
- 3/6/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Beth Van Duyne
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Agency Accountability and Cost Transparency Act of 2025," targets agency rule-making processes. It requires heads of agencies to estimate the cost of any major rule before it is officially issued. Agencies must also look for existing rules that could be repealed to offset the costs of these new major rules. If a rule is identified to offset costs, the agency is required to repeal it. Finally, every major rule published in the Federal Register must include a statement clarifying if the rule is budget neutral.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+3
The bill increases transparency by requiring agencies to publish cost estimates and budget neutrality statements in the Federal Register.
Would business owners be better off under this?+2
Business owners may benefit from a regulatory environment that requires cost-offsetting and aims to limit significant price increases.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+2
The bill encourages fiscal efficiency by requiring agencies to offset the costs of new major rules through the repeal of existing ones.
The opposite· 3 of 6
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-2
The requirement to repeal existing rules to offset costs may lead to the removal of environmental protections.
Would union members be better off under this?-2
The requirement to repeal rules to offset costs could result in the removal of labor-related protections.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?-2
The mandate to repeal existing rules to offset costs could result in the removal of consumer protections.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Transparency: Under Section 2(a)(2), agencies must include a statement in the Federal Register identifying whether a major rule is budget neutral, which provides clarity on the financial impact of new regulations.
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Cost Offsetting: Section 2(a)(1)(B) and (C) require agencies to identify and repeal existing rules to offset the costs of new major rules, which could serve to limit the overall financial burden on the public.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Impact on Competition and Economy: According to Section 2(b)(4), a "major rule" could involve an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more, or cause significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, and productivity.
-
Consumer and Industry Costs: Section 2(b)(4)(B) notes that major rules may result in a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, or government agencies at various levels.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3Increases Federal Power-1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+2Good For Union Workers-2Good For Low Income Households-1
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending+2Improves Economic Growth+1Improves Small Business Support+1Improves Consumer Protection-2Increases Job Creation-1
- 3/6/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House