An Attempt to Pare Back Regulations

On July 30, 2013, U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) and Angus King (I-Maine) introduced the Regulatory Improvement Act of 2013 (S. 1390). If passed into law, the act will create in the legislative branch a nine-member, bipartisan “Regulatory Improvement Commission” with the intention of reducing compliance costs, encouraging economic growth and innovation, and improving national competitiveness. The Commission is charged with researching, reviewing, and providing recommendations for modifications, consolidation, or repeal of administrative rules (“covered regulations”) governing an industry sector or specific area that are considered outdated, duplicative, or inefficient. During this review process, the Commission will evaluate the effectiveness of specific regulations by employing quantitative metrics; industry, federal agency, and public testimony and comment; and staff research to reach its final conclusions and recommendations in a report delivered to both houses of Congress. After expedited congressional committee review, the recommendations will be considered by members on a straight up-or-down vote without amendment.