Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act of 2025

Increased Transparency for Major Rules: Agencies would be required to prepare and publish both an initial and a final regulatory impact analysis for "major rules" (Section 202(b)). This includes providing an analysis of anticipated benefits and costs, as well as looking at various regulatory alternatives (Section 202(c)(1)).

Greater Economic Consideration: The bill defines a "major rule" based on significant economic impacts, such as an annual effect of $100,000,000 or more, or major increases in costs for consumers and industries (Section 2/Section 3(3)).

Enhanced Stakeholder Input: The bill expands consultation requirements to include impacted parties within the private sector, specifically including small businesses (Section 3). Agencies are encouraged to seek out these views on costs, benefits, and risks (Section 3(c)(4)(A)).

Focus on Net Benefits: Agencies would be required to select the alternative that maximizes net benefits from those considered (Section 205(b)).

Early Warning for Rulemaking: Agencies must publish a notice of the initiation of rulemaking in the Federal Register at least 90 days before a notice of proposed rulemaking is published, allowing the public to propose alternatives and ideas early in the process (Section 209).

Accountability and Oversight: The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs is given responsibilities to provide guidance and oversight to ensure major rules are consistent with the requirements of the Act (Section 208(a)). This includes an annual report to Congress regarding agency compliance (Section 208(c)).

Legal Recourse for Aggrieved Parties: Individuals or entities that are aggrieved by a final agency action regarding a major rule are entitled to judicial review to determine if the agency complied with specific requirements of the Act (Section 401(a)).

Increased Regulatory Burdens on Agencies: The bill imposes new requirements for agencies to prepare detailed regulatory impact analyses, including assessments of budgetary effects on different regions, communities, or segments of the private sector (Section 202(c)(3)).

Specific Restrictions on Alternative Rule Selections: Agencies may only adopt an alternative other than the one that maximizes net benefits if they receive approval from the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (Section 205(c)(1)).