Current status is Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 485

1. Short title
2. Purpose
3. Congressional review of agency rulemaking
4. Budgetary effects of rules subject to section 802 of title 5, United States Code
5. Government Accountability Office study of rules
6. Definition of “rule” to include significant guidance

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the "Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2025".

2. Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to increase accountability for and transparency in the Federal regulatory process. Section 1 of article I of the Constitution of the United States grants all legislative powers to Congress. Over time, Congress has excessively delegated its constitutional charge while failing to conduct appropriate oversight and retain accountability for the content of the laws it passes. By requiring a vote in Congress, this Act will result in more carefully drafted and detailed legislation, an improved regulatory process, and a legislative branch that is truly accountable to the American people for the laws imposed upon them.

3. Congressional review of agency rulemaking

Chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

4. Budgetary effects of rules subject to section 802 of title 5, United States Code

Section 257(b)(2) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 907(b)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(E) Budgetary effects of rules subject to section 802 of title 5, United States Code - Any rule subject to the congressional approval procedure set forth in section 802 of title 5, United States Code, affecting budget authority, outlays, or receipts shall be assumed to be effective unless it is not approved in accordance with such section.

5. Government Accountability Office study of rules

(a) In general - The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to determine, as of the date of enactment of this Act—

(1) - how many rules (as such term is defined in section 804 of title 5, United States Code) were in effect;

(2) - how many major rules (as such term is defined in section 804 of title 5, United States Code) were in effect; and

(3) - the total estimated economic cost imposed by all such rules.

(b) Report - Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress that contains the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a).

6. Definition of “rule” to include significant guidance

Section 551(4) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: ", as well as significant guidance (as such term is defined in section 804).".

119-S485

Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2025