Modernizing Retrospective Regulatory Review Act
- Bill Number
- S. 644
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-20: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-09T15:31:52Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Modernizing Retrospective Regulatory Review Act (S. 644) aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of reviewing existing federal regulations after they are issued (known as retrospective reviews). It focuses on using modern technology, such as artificial intelligence and algorithmic tools, to identify outdated, burdensome, or erroneous regulations, ultimately reducing regulatory burdens on the public and improving government operations.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: Establishes clear terms, including "agency" (federal departments or entities subject to certain laws), "machine-readable" (data in a digital format computers can process easily, like structured files), and "retrospective review" (post-issuance evaluation of regulations required by law or deemed useful by agency leaders).
- Report on Machine-Readable Regulations: Within 180 days of enactment, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), through the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), must submit a report to congressional committees assessing the availability of agency regulations in machine-readable formats. The report evaluates public access to these formats and the official status of the electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR).
- Guidance on Technology Use: Within 18 months of enactment, OIRA must issue guidance for agency heads on leveraging technology (e.g., AI tools) to conduct retrospective reviews. This includes identifying obsolete, ineffective, burdensome, erroneous (e.g., typos or wrong references), redundant, or overlapping regulations, as well as training agency staff on these tools. The guidance draws from the machine-readable report.
- Agency Retrospective Review Plans: Within 2 years of enactment, each agency head must submit a detailed plan to OIRA and relevant congressional committees. The plan outlines strategies to implement the technology guidance, identifies specific regulations or categories needing review (either legally required or beneficial), and includes any additional data or after-the-fact analysis deemed useful.
- Implementation Requirement: Agencies must implement their plans within 180 days of submission, applying the strategies to ongoing retrospective reviews.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill does not repeal or amend specific statutes but introduces new procedural mandates to modernize regulatory review processes. It builds on existing requirements for retrospective reviews (e.g., under laws like the Regulatory Flexibility Act) by mandating technology integration, standardized reporting, and agency planning. Previously, such reviews were often manual and inconsistent; this formalizes tech-driven approaches without altering core rulemaking authority.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Agencies will face new administrative requirements for reporting, planning, and tech adoption, potentially increasing short-term costs for training and tools but leading to long-term efficiencies in identifying and updating regulations. This could streamline operations and reduce redundant work.
- On Citizens and Businesses: By targeting burdensome or obsolete rules, the law may reduce compliance costs and simplify interactions with government, benefiting the public, small businesses, and industries subject to federal regulations. Improved machine-readable access enhances public transparency and ease of finding rules.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic regulatory processes.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Primary implementers, required to develop and execute tech-enhanced review plans.
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and OIRA: Oversee reporting, guidance issuance, and plan reviews.
- Congressional Committees: The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs receive reports and plans, enabling oversight.
- Public and Regulated Entities: Citizens, businesses, and organizations benefit from potentially streamlined regulations and better digital access to rules.
- Supporting Entities: Government Publishing Office (GPO), National Archives (Archivist of the United States), and Federal Register staff assist in machine-readable efforts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Strengthens administrative law by promoting evidence-based, tech-assisted regulatory maintenance, aligning with principles of efficient governance under the Administrative Procedure Act. It ensures reviews are systematic without expanding agency rulemaking powers.
- Constitutional Implications: Supports separation of powers by enhancing congressional oversight through mandatory reports, while respecting executive branch authority in regulation implementation.
- Political Implications: The bill emphasizes deregulation and modernization, potentially appealing to efforts to reduce federal overreach, but it remains procedural and non-partisan in mandating reviews without dictating outcomes. No challenges to individual rights or due process are introduced.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-20: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-02-20: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Modernizing Retrospective Regulatory Review Act — issued 2025-02-20 — PDF (6 pages)