Bill · S. 76· Senate(119-S-76)
SMART Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/13/2025
- Last activity
- 1/13/2025 — 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 SMART Act of 2025 aims to improve how major rules achieve their goals by requiring agencies to perform retrospective reviews. A "major rule" is defined as one with significant economic impacts or effects on competition, health, or safety. Agencies must develop a framework to measure a rule's effectiveness and costs when proposing or finalizing these major rules. This framework includes a plan for gathering data and a timeline for conducting an assessment, which must happen within 10 years. After the assessment, agencies must determine if the rule is still necessary or needs modification. Finally, the results of these assessments must be published on the agency's website.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+3
The bill mandates that agencies publish the results of their major rule assessments prominently on their websites.
Is this likely to grow the economy?+2
By requiring agencies to review and potentially streamline or modify major rules, the bill aims to reduce regulatory burdens that can stifle economic activity.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+2
The requirement to assess the costs of major rules on regulated entities may help identify and reduce undue regulatory burdens on businesses.
The opposite· 3 of 5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-2
The review process may lead to the scaling back or modification of major environmental regulations if they are deemed unnecessary or overly burdensome.
Would union members be better off under this?-2
The review process could result in the modification of regulations that currently protect employment and worker rights.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?-1
The retrospective review process could lead to the modification or removal of existing regulations intended to protect consumers.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Accountability for Government Agencies: Agencies are required to include a statement of regulatory objectives and a summary of societal benefits and costs when issuing major rules (Section 2(a)(1)(B)(ii)(i)). This ensures the public knows what a rule is intended to do and what it will cost.
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Better Oversight of Rule Effectiveness: The bill requires agencies to assess whether a major rule is actually accomplishing its objectives or if it has become unnecessary due to changes in the subject area (Section 2(a)(2)(A)(ii)). This could prevent outdated or ineffective regulations from staying in place.
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Identification of Regulatory Burdens: The assessment process requires agencies to look at the effects and costs of a rule on regulated and affected entities (Section 2(a)(1)(B)(ii)). This may help identify if a rule is imposing an undue burden that could be addressed by streamlining or modifying the regulation (Section 2(a)(2)(A)(ii)(III)).
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Greater Transparency through Public Data: Agencies must create a plan for gathering data, including public input, regarding the outcomes of a major rule (Section 2(a)(1)(B)(iii)). Furthermore, the results of these assessments must be published prominently on the agency's website (Section 2(a)(2)(D)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Regulatory Complexity: Agencies must now include a potential framework for assessing implemented rules when publishing a proposed rule in the Federal Register (Section 2(a)(1)(B)(A)). This adds a new layer of requirements to the rulemaking process.
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Potential for Delayed Implementation: While the bill focuses on reviews, the requirement for agencies to develop specific frameworks and timelines for assessments adds more administrative tasks to their workload (Section 2(a)(1)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+2Improves Small Business Support+2Improves Fiscal Responsibility+1Increases Job Creation+1Improves Consumer Protection-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3Increase States Rights+1Increases Federal Power-1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections-2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+2Good For Union Workers-2Good For Low Income Households-1
- 1/13/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Shelley CapitoRepublican · West Virginia