Bill · S. 1708· Senate(119-S-1708)
Regulatory Accountability Act
- Introduced
- 5/12/2025
- Last activity
- 5/12/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- James Lankford
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Regulatory Accountability Act aims to improve the way federal agencies create new rules and guidelines. It introduces strict new requirements for agencies to consider legal authority, the nature of problems, and various alternatives before issuing a rule. The bill establishes specific definitions for "guidance" and "major rules" to ensure transparency and accountability. For major rules, agencies must perform detailed cost-benefit analyses and follow a specific timetable. It also implements a system of advanced notice and required assessments to track the effectiveness of rules over time. Finally, it modifies judicial review standards for agency actions.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill mandates that all studies, models, and scientific literature used by agencies be placed in a public docket for accessibility.
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
The bill imposes stricter cost-benefit analysis requirements that may prevent overly burdensome or costly regulations.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+3
The bill enhances public participation by requiring specific notice periods and the publication of agency considerations.
The opposite· 3 of 5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-2
The bill introduces more rigorous and time-consuming procedural requirements for agencies, which could delay environmental protection rulemaking.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?-2
The heightened requirements for major rules may slow down the implementation of new consumer protection regulations.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?-1
Potential delays in agency actions could delay the implementation of rules meant to support low-income populations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency in Agency Actions: Agencies must publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register that includes the text of the proposed rule and a summary of considerations (Section 3(c)(1)(C)). This allows the public to see exactly what an agency is planning.
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Better Access to Information: The bill requires that all studies, models, and scientific literature relied upon by an agency be placed in a public docket (Section 3(c)(2)(A)). This ensures people can see the data used to make decisions.
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Requirement for Diverse Alternatives: When creating a rule, agencies are required to consider a reasonable number of alternatives, including economic incentives or disclosure requirements, rather than just mandating specific conduct (Section 3(b)(4)).
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Improved Data Quality: Agencies are mandated to propose rules based on the best publicly available scientific, technical, or economic information (Section 3(c)(3)(A)).
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Enhanced Public Participation: The bill provides specific timelines for public comment, including a longer 90-day period for proposed major rules (Section 3(c)(4)(B)(i)), giving people more time to voice their opinions.
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Accountability via Rule Assessments: For major rules, agencies must create a framework to assess the rule's effectiveness and may be required to conduct subsequent assessments to see if the rule is still necessary (Section 3(k)(1) and (2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Delays in Agency Action: The new requirements for advanced notice, specific timetables, and required reviews by the Administrator could slow down the speed at which agencies can implement new regulations (Section 3(d)(4)).
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Increased Regulatory Complexity: The addition of many new definitions, required considerations, and procedural steps may add complexity to the existing administrative process (Section 2 and Section 3).
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Increased Burden on Agencies: Requies agencies to perform detailed quantitative and qualitative analyses of direct, indirect, and cumulative costs and benefits for major rules (Section 3(b)(5)).
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Limitations on Judicial Review: The bill limits judicial review of agency compliance with the new assessment requirements, which could impact the ability of parties to challenge how those assessments are handled (Section 3(k)(7)(A)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5Improves Due Process+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+5Good For Low Income Households-1Good For Urban Residents-1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections-2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+3Improves Consumer Protection-2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing-1
- 5/12/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ron JohnsonRepublican · Wisconsin