Modernizing Retrospective Regulatory Review
Modernizing Retrospective Regulatory Review
Plain Language Summary
# Summary: Modernizing Retrospective Regulatory Review Act (HR 67) **What It Does:** This bill would require a government office (OIRA, which oversees federal regulations) to create guidance and issue a report on using technology to review existing federal regulations. The bill also aims to make federal regulations more accessible by converting them into machine-readable formats (digital formats that computers can easily process and search). Additionally, it addresses making the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) an officially recognized legal version of regulations, rather than just an unofficial reference. **Who It Affects:** This bill primarily affects federal agencies responsible for creating and maintaining regulations, government offices that oversee regulatory processes, and the general public who need to understand and comply with federal rules.
Businesses, lawyers, and citizens who need to look up regulations could benefit from easier digital access. **Key Provisions & Current Status:** The bill requires OIRA to assess how many agencies have made their regulations available in machine-readable format and report on progress within 18 months of passage. It also calls for recognition of the eCFR as an official legal resource. Currently, the bill is in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House.
CRS Official Summary
Modernizing Retrospective Regulatory Review ActThis bill requires the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) to issue guidance for using technology to retrospectively review existing federal regulations and, in consultation with relevant agencies, report on the progress of the federal government in making agency regulations available in a machine-readable format.Specifically, the OIRA report must (1) assess whether regulations of agencies have been made available to the public in a machine-readable format, and (2) provide information about the recognition by the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) as an official legal edition of the Code of Federal Regulations. Currently, the content of the eCFR is authoritative but unofficial.Additionally, not later than 18 months after the enactment of this bill, the OIRA must issue guidance about how a federal agency can use technology to retrospectively review the agency's existing regulations. Each agency must plan and implement a strategy to comply with the OIRA's guidance for the retrospective review.
Latest Action
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 18.