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Press Release Published: Mar 1, 2017

Chaffetz Praises Passage of OIRA Reform Bill

Legislation encourages agency accountability

WASHINGTON – Today, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) released a statement following the passage of H.R. 1009, the OIRA Insights, Reform, and Accountability Act:
 
“This bill encourages agency accountability and improves the public’s understanding of the administration’s rulemaking process. OIRA will be required to make the results of its review available to the public in order to increase transparency and accountability. I appreciate the good work of Rep. Mitchell and am proud to support the passage of this legislation.”
 
What the Bill Does:
  • H.R. 1009 codifies the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs role to ensure the longevity of centralized regulatory review and to demonstrate Congressional support for thoroughly vetted, thoughtful, and well-designed regulations.
  • The bill extends the requirement for regulatory review to independent agencies and requires that OIRA issue reports on its reviews of legal requirements.
Background:
  • Under Executive Order 12866, OIRA, known by some agencies as the “regulatory gatekeeper,” is responsible for ensuring agencies meet procedural requirements during the development of rules.
  • OIRA reviews significant regulations to ensure agencies considered alternatives to regulating, contemplate alternative forms of regulation, and conduct a cost-benefit assessment.
  • The Trump Administration shared support for H.R. 1009 in saying, “The Administration appreciates the efforts of the Congress to rationalize the regulatory system and looks forward to continuing to work together to reform the regulatory process.”